Kaldoras by Lynette Noni

Author:Lynette Noni
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pantera Press
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

“If you marry our daughter, you’ll become the prince consort and, one day, the king,” Aurileous declared. “In your hands is an abridged list of character traits one must exemplify as a royal.”

Jordan’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, and he glanced down at the parchment again.

“Today is Wednesday,” the king went on. “Friday is Kaldoras Eve. Delucia is returning from Tia Auras that evening. Am I correct in assuming that’s when you intend to propose?”

Jordan nodded, seeing no point in hiding his plans. He could wait until Saturday, but assuming all went well and D.C. said yes, then he wanted them both to be able to celebrate with their family and friends on Kaldoras.

“In that case,” Aurileous continued, “for the next two and a half days, you will undertake a set of tasks, at the end of which we will evaluate how many royal character traits you are able to demonstrate. If we’re satisfied, we will grant you our blessing.”

Jordan felt a sting of hurt. “You want me to… prove myself?”

Osmada was quick to comfort him. “That’s not what this is about, sweetheart.”

Jordan couldn’t keep the sceptical look off his face.

Seeing his reaction, the king said, his voice gentler than before, “My wife speaks true—whatever this may look like, it’s not about you showing yourself worthy of our daughter. We love you, Jordan, just as you are. And we love you for Delucia. We truly can’t imagine anyone better suited to her.”

“Then why—”

“I promise you’ll understand in a few days,” the king interrupted. “Assuming you’re up to the challenge?”

Jordan would do anything to earn their blessing, especially knowing how much it meant to D.C.—and to himself—so he didn’t hesitate to say, “Of course I am.”

“Good man,” Aurileous said approvingly. “Now take another look at what’s before you.”

Jordan peered at the parchment again, reading the words one by one this time. Unable to help himself, he remarked, “Some of these are a bit redundant, don’t you think? Reliable and dependable? Humble and modest? Empathetic and compassionate? Thoughtful and considerate? You said this is abridged, but between us, it probably could have done with some more trimming.”

Neither the king nor the queen responded, or if they did, Jordan didn’t hear them, because he was wholly distracted when the words on the page vanished.

Jordan’s eyes widened and he flipped the parchment over, but there was nothing there.

“On Friday afternoon, upon the completion of your final task, the words will return, indicating which ones you’ve exhibited in the time from now until then,” Aurileous explained.

“What about ones I’ve already shown in the years you’ve known me?” Jordan asked. He tried to remember some of them. “I fought in the war—that ticks off courage, surely?”

“There are different kinds of courage,” Osmada said, an almost apologetic note in her voice. “There were other words on the list that will require you to be courageous, should you find yourself able to consider them.”

Jordan’s forehead creased with confusion.

“Fear not, darling,” the queen told him, her tone lightening again.

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