Chapter 15 - Emilia

"It's…" I can't find the right words to fully describe the market so I have to settle for, "Wonderful." Looking around I try to take everything in but there's so much happening it's impossible, there seems to be anything you can imagine for sale here. Fabrics, jewellery, food even furniture there are more items for sale here than in the entirety of Stowu.

Just as excited as I am Bel grabs my hand and we start darting from stall to stall. Lilas and Kor follow at a slower more controlled pace but still fast enough to keep us in sight, although we'd be able to find Kor easily as he's tall enough to be spotted over the crowd. No matter what the stall we look at is selling if I seem to linger on an item for too long Bel will end up buying it, even when I try telling him not to.

Anything Bel buys he quickly passes back to Kor for him to carry but he's buying so quickly that it isn't long before Kor is struggling to hold it all at the same time. It's funny to watch but it does prompt us to take a break, finding a porter who'll take everything to the palace for us. With his hands freed Kor takes hold of Bel's hand preventing him from rushing off to buy more so we can walk calmly focusing now on food stalls.

All of the food for sale is easily eaten with our hands so we can continue walking as we eat. There is so much to try, different meats, cakes and pastries not to mention all the different sweets available although Lilas keeps reminding me not to eat too much and make myself ill. Still wanting to try everything we compromised by splitting one of whatever we're trying between the two of us.

We keep browsing the market until mid-afternoon, needing to send another two porters back to the palace with our purchases. Many of the sellers had started calling out to us, often using me as bait proclaiming that they had the perfect thing to suit me and it worked best on Bel who ended up picking out most of what we sent back. Kor and Lilas on the other hand only picking out a few things, mainly jewels and books respectively while I'd picked out some more embroidery threads.

"So, what should we do now?" Bel asks near enough jumping up and down as though he'd eaten a lot of sugar even though he couldn't eat any of the sweets earlier. I couldn't help giggling at him although it's nice to know that he wants to spend more time together on their day off.

"Perhaps we could go to the stables, they're not too far away." Lilas suggests which we all agree to not wanting to head back to the palace just yet. It's been a nice day so far and none of us are ready for it to end.

Just as Lilas said the stables aren't far from the market, we only have to head out of a nearby gate and take a short cut that they know before we're outside the city walls where the stables are located. As we get closer I can see some horses already outside grazing in the fields and some of them aren't as big as I thought they would be.

There are only a few horses in Stowu belonging to the richest farmers and were only used to pull ploughs and carts. Those horses were quite big and broad well suited to pulling what was needed but the horses here seem smaller more suited to be ridden. At least that's what I thought until we actually got inside the stables.

Inside we're greeted by the sight of many horses looking at us over the stable doors and these horses are more similar in size to the ones I've seen before. They seem massive, tall and well-muscled but better looked after than the ones in Stowu, then again there are various people here clearly employed to look after the horses every need. Whereas the horses I've known before only received basic care between their work, just enough to keep them strong and healthy enough to keep on doing the farm work they'd been brought for.

"War horses." Kor states seeing me watching the horses in here nervously as we walk further into the stables. I suppose that explains their size they'll need to be able to carry soldiers and their weapons easily and with their size they can be counted as a weapon as well as I'd seen a horse kill before when a few young teenagers snuck behind one of the farm horses and one of them ended dying after being kicked in the head.

"They might be war horses but they won't hurt you." Lilas tries to reassure me but I still watch the horses warily as we pass by them. The sheer size of these horses makes me nervous despite how docile they seem at the moment.

"My Lords. Welcome, we'd heard of your return and have some horse picked out for your use." A stable worker approaches us bowing to my mates. They nod and follow after him out of the stables to a field where three horses are grazing away, one of them is much bigger than the others. "One of our bigger war horses as usual for Lord Ruikor and we of course took Lord Lilas and Belath's preferences into account when selecting their horses."

"Good choices." Kor states looking them over with a critical eye, lingering more on Lilas and Bel's horses wanting to make sure that they're safe and suitable for them. He nods in approval much to the relief of the stable worker who lets a relieved sigh. "Need one more."

"This is Lady Emilia, our final mate." Bel introduces me to the man, "She'll need some riding lessons as well, on one of the older ponies. Just until she's ready for her own horse but we'd like to choose her horse today so she can visit if she wants to."

"Of course my Lords, we have some suitable horses for the Lady in the field over here. They're all very docile geldings that are popular with the younger ladies who visit and want to ride. Lady Emilia you're welcome to choose any one of them as your own personal horse." He stops in front of a different field indicating for me to have a look at the horses. I step forward to the fence not sure what to be looking for.

"You can pick anyone you like, the horses here are all well trained." Bel says stepping next to me as I hesitate to choose from the horses in the field. As he's speaking to me though one of the horses, a beautiful golden colour with black legs, walks over to us and to my surprise starts sniffing around near me, gently nudging me as though it's searching for something.

"Here, give him this." Kor hands over a small cube of sugar to me. He keeps hold of my hand so that it's flat with the cube in the centre allowing to horse to eat it out the palm of my hand, I can't help giggling at the feel of the horse's lips against my palm.

"It tickles." I manage to giggle out as the horse continues mouthing at my palm searching for more sugar cubes. Not having anything else to give him I reach up gently stroking along his cheek before, realizing I have no more food, he walks away to continue grazing. "This one."

"Excellent choice my Lady. That's Reyesin, he's one of the gentlest horses we have at the moment. I'll have him moved into the same field as the others, that way he'll always be available for you my Lady." The man bows and leaves us alone going to fetch help to move Reyesin.

"I'll really be able to learn to ride?" I can't help asking even knowing the answer, they've never lied to me. Now that I've actually been close to a horse I'm excited to spend more time around them but maybe not the large war horses, Reyesin is much smaller than them so I don't feel as scared by his size.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly. In the meantime if you ever wanted to go out riding with us I'm sure Kor's horse will be able to carry you as well and he'd be able to keep you safe." Lilas tells me. Excited I hug him smiling although the day is catching up with me now as I let out a yawn.

"Come, we should get back to the palace." Kor grunts as he sees me yawn, the others let out agreeing hums so we start the long walk back home. We don't bother rushing even buying a few more sweets when we walk back through the market.

"My Lords, my Lady welcome back." Nuela greets when we get back to the palace, "Oh, my Lady. I heard back from the healer, he'll be able to come and see you tomorrow afternoon. If you'd prefer another day or time I can let him know your preference."

"What?! A healer?" Bel asks stunned rounding on me looking over me for anything wrong.

"What's wrong?" Kor demands also looking me over for injuries or any reason why I might need a healer. Knowing that I'm going to need to tell them I turn bright red.

"C-can we go and talk in private?" I manage to stutter out wanting somewhere more private to tell them the reason for the healer without any servants around.

"My Lady I'm so sorry, I thought they knew." Nuela apologises as she realises that I hadn't mentioned the healer or the reason behind it to my mates yet.

"It's okay, they should know." Taking my hand Bel almost drags me away into the drawing room where Kor barks for all the servants to leave and give us privacy.

"Now explain." Bel demands as he gently pushes me onto a settee as they take seats across from me watching my every move as though they'll be able to figure out the reason for the healer by staring.

"W-well when Madame Joanna and Nuela were discussing s-sex with me something else came up. I had mentioned that no one in Stowu taught me anything Nuela became concerned about something." I'm bright red by this point especially as they're sat watching me intently worry clear in their eyes, "She asked about my periods and they both became concerned when I mentioned I'd never had one. That's why the healer's coming, to check why I've never had one. Nuela believes that it's due to my lack of food before I met you so it might resolve itself now that I have enough food but she thinks being checked by the healer will be best." They let a collective sigh of relief sitting back in their chairs.

"So you're not ill? Or injured?" Lilas asks wanting to make sure. I shake my head.

"No, I've never felt better. But maybe seeing a healer will be a good thing, to make sure I'm healthy."

"That's all we want. For you to be healthy and happy." Kor states standing to come and sit next to me, letting me lean against him. After the day out and that confession I'm even more tired so I'm content to rest against him.

"You all make me happy." I confess sleepily looking up at Kor who leans down pressing a kiss to the top of my head. My sleepy words get happy grins from Bel and Lilas who both add that I make them happy as well. Knowing how tired I am Kor encourages me to lie down with my head in his lap so that I can have a short nap before dinner.

I'm gently shaken awake by Lilas not long after falling asleep. Dinner is ready so we all head to the dining room, I'm still tired but feeling slightly refreshed after the nap as least enough that I shouldn't fall asleep while trying to eat.

The others are discussing tomorrow's Council meeting but I zone out not really knowing what their talking about. They mention many names that I don't recognise in fact the only one that I'm familiar with is Lord Hess and that's not even mentioning the people outside of Hadlau in different cities that from what little I can understand are sending soldiers here.

"Emmy… Emmy… Emilia." Bel calls several times trying to get my attention. I'm so tired and had completely zoned out of their conversation that I don't hear him at all at first but eventually I lift my head to face them.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I manage to get around a yawn more than ready to finish dinner and go to bed.

"Do you want one of us to stay here tomorrow, for the healer's visit?" Lilas asks but I shake my head, I'll be embarrassed enough without them being there to witness it as well.

"No I'll be fine. You should all go to the meeting." They nod cautiously probably wanting to be there but respecting my decision. "I can't eat anymore; I think I'm just going to go up to bed." Pushing my plate away I stand up more than ready to climb into bed and likely fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

"Okay, we'll finish off out dinners and join you soon." Bel tells me but to my surprise Kor stands up and joins me despite not having finished his plate yet. It's only his second plate and normally he'd have cleared it and possibly a third before being done with dinner.

"You're falling asleep, while standing." Kor states at my questioning look and it's a good point. I'm so tired that there is a good chance I'd trip over my feet or fall down the stairs so having someone with to make sure that doesn't happen is probably for the best.

Together we go upstairs and Kor leaves me at the bedroom door with a kiss to the top of my head and a 'Goodnight Kitten'. Changing quickly I pull on one of Kor's tunics, which I'd found before finding one of my own night dresses so I'd grabbed it for convenience. Comfortable I climb into bed lying in the centre of the bed knowing that they'll join me on either side when they're ready and as I thought fell asleep not long after my head hits the pillow.

I spend a nice morning together with my mates, getting to eat breakfast together before they had to leave for the Council meeting. Once they're gone I sit in the drawing room with Talindra working on some more embroidery. Talindra has become a good friend despite only knowing her for a short time and her knowledge of the city and court has been really helpful. Not to mention she's very talented at embroidery and has been helping me with my own.

Not long after lunch Nuela enters the drawing room informing me that Healer Fayeth is here to see me. For as much privacy as possible I ask Nuela to show the Healer upstairs to my bedroom, my personal one rather than the shared one. There are always very few servants on this floor with most of the work being done by Nuela, Tehlmar and more recently Talindra at the preference of my mates who want the amount of people on our private spaces at a minimum.

"Lady Emilia, it's nice to meet you. I'm Healer Fayeth." Healer Fayeth, an elf greets as Nuela shows her into my room.

"It's nice to meet you, thank you for coming so soon." I reply my nerves starting to creep into my voice.

"Nuela has explained to me the reason for this visit so I know that it can be scary. Especially as you've never had such an exam before but I promise to do my best to make you as comfortable as possible. And if at any point you're uncomfortable we can stop." Healer Fayeth tells me join me where I'm sat on the small settee in the room, "And if you would prefer Nuela or someone else you're comfortable with can stay here with you."

"Can you stay, please Nuela?" I ask looking at her hopefully but she must have been expecting it as she hadn't left after showing the healer in and gives me a nod with an encouraging smile at my question.

At the healer's direction Nuela helps me change into a nightdress and I lie down across the bed positioning my feet apart on the bed with my knees bent. It's the most exposed I've ever felt and it only gets worse when Healer Fayeth pushes up the nightdress and starts her exam. Nuela sits down near my head taking one of my hands and getting me to focus on her.

"I can tell you some stories about the Lords if you'd like?" She offers as a way to take my mind off the feeling of Healer Fayeth's hands between my legs which is slightly uncomfortable. I nod not trusting myself to speak.

"Well, perhaps 900 years ago the Lords were here for a routine meeting with the Council. Lord Belath had not long found his Stone and wasn't on the council yet so he'd spend most of his time exploring the gardens. He'd spent so long in the darkness not being able to go and enjoy the sunlight without burning so once Lord Lilas placed protective runes on his ring he'd spend as much time outside as possible." She pauses laughing as she remembers the story, "Anyway Lord Ruikor and Lilas return from the meeting one day and Lord Belath still hasn't come back. They head out looking for him taking a few hours to find him. It turns out that he'd gone swimming in one of the lakes, completely naked, and had lost his ring. He'd found a cave to hide in but couldn't do anything else until nightfall, he already had a few minor burns from before he'd found shelter. The Lords managed to find the ring and they returned home; a soaking wet Lord Belath wrapped in a blanket being carried by Lord Ruikor."

"That sounds like something he'd do." I can't help laughing the story completely distracting me from the healer so I'm surprised when she speaks up.

"All done my Lady. You can get dressed now." Nodding I stand up and with Nuela's help get dressed quickly. We sit back down on the settees to talk with the healer. "Well you have nothing to worry about my Lady. There is nothing physically wrong causing your lack of periods it seems to be caused by malnutrition so it should resolve itself soon with proper nutrition."

"Thank you Healer. I just wanted to be sure, we've never talked about it but I might want children in the future. I needed to know before getting my hopes up." The healer nods in understanding.

"Of course my Lady. I believe that in the future, if you choose to, there should be nothing preventing you from having children." I can't help smiling slightly at the healer's statement reassured by her confidence.

Nuela shows the healer out and I return to the drawing room to pick up my embroidery again. It'll keep me occupied until my mates return and I can tell them the good news. I'm so happy with what the healer found, or rather didn't find, that I feel less embarrassment than usual at the idea of talking to them about something so personal. They'd likely ask about it anyway and maybe we could even talk more about children, I don't even know if they want any.