The Princess and the Constable: A Sisterly Interlude
Title: The Princess and the Constable: A Sisterly Interlude
Rating: K
Pairing: Adama/Roslin
Word Count: 878
Summary: The Princesses' talk of love and matrimony
Author’s Note: Posted for the about_time Battleship Challenge: Team!Laura. Prompts met: 'This time last year'
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Ronald D. Moore. He’s a very lucky man.
Previous stories in this series:
A Night on the Road | A Standoff in the Stables
“Oh Cheryl, you look wonderful!” Laura gasped. Her sister twirled about in front of the full length mirror, the royal dressmaker standing nearby with pins and lace in her hands.
“Yes, Cheryl! You are going to be the most beautiful bride this kingdom has ever seen,” the youngest Princess joined in.
“Oh hush you two. You flatter me too much. Either of you will be just as beautiful when your wedding day comes.” Cheryl turned a pointed look at her elder sister, who by all rights should have been the first among them to wed.
Laura ignored the look, scooping her youngest sister up into a bear hug and kissing her rosy cheek.
“I am very happy for you dear sister. Edmund is a good man. He will care for you well,” Laura’s look turned mischievous. “Else he will hear from me. It’s been too long since I’ve tossed someone off the tower.”
“Stop it Laura, you’ve terrified the man enough as it is. You’ve terrified all the men in this kingdom for that matter.”
“But not out of this kingdom,” Sandra added with a giggle.
“Who do you mean, Sandra? Not Lord Zarek, surely,” Laura said with distaste. “While I may not have yet convinced him to treat his subjects well, I also have not seen an advance from him since I rebuked him at the quorum of neighboring kingdoms this time last year.”
“No, not that tyrant!” Sandra exclaimed. “I wouldn’t take his hand in dance if he offered it!”
“Sandra! Don’t be rude!” Cheryl admonished.
Sandra crossed her arms in a huff but Laura pried them free, spinning the young girl about the room in a dance of their own. When they had finally collapsed in a heap at the foot of their sister’s lace wedding tunic, the dressmaker hastily shooing them away before they sullied the gown, the young Princess resumed her teasing.
“It is Sir Adar that I meant.” Laura blushed and Cheryl narrowed her forest green eyes at her eldest sister.
“You do spend an inordinate amount time visiting Sir Adar’s lands, Laura,” Cheryl pried.
“I assure you, there is nothing between Sir Adar and myself.” Laura spoke adamantly. Her sisters knew her better.
“He certainly behaves with some expectations toward you,” Cheryl turned back to the mirror, holding her arms out for the dressmaker to make some minor adjustments. “It would not be bad, you know, if you did find him enticing. You have been accepting suitors for nearly ten years, Laura! And he is a respected Lord who father would be pleased to have as an ally against Zarek.”
“I will not use my matrimony to further the prospects of our kingdom. Adar will stand against Zarek with us because it is the right thing to do and would protect his own lands, as well as ours.”
“That is well and good, dear sister, but you should not remain unattached forever.”
“I never said I intended to. I simply don’t like the current conjecture regarding my relationship with Sir Adar.” Laura lifted Sandra from the position in her lap and stood to move toward the meager collection of books in Cheryl’s dressing room.
“So you mean there really is nothing romantic between you?” Sandra asked.
“You sound disappointed youngest sister.”
“He is rather distinguished looking. I should think I wouldn’t part with my eldest sister for anyone less handsome!”
“Sandra, you really must stop reading those fairytales. Love is so much more important than the way someone looks,” Cheryl rebuked the sprite girl.
“So you mean you would have accepted Edmund’s hand even had he been a bore to look at?” Cheryl nodded in affirmation but Sandra continued, “That is easy to claim when it is not actually the case.”
“Well I would not place such importance on a man’s looks. I think I would rather prefer a rugged man; bearing the marks of many battles won for our kingdom.” Cheryl and Sandra both turned to their eldest sister, noting the wistful look in her gaze.
Turning to her engaged sister, Sandra whispered, “I do believe our future Queen already has a man in mind.”
Cheryl had to agree and though she wouldn’t admit it to the talkative youth, she had a suspicion as to just what man had captured her sister’s eye.
Lost in her own daydreams, Laura had not heard Sandra’s suspicions or seen the critical gaze of her engaged sister. Trailing her hand along the spines of the books, Laura realized she knew just where she wanted to spend the rest of her afternoon.
“I think I shall retire to the library,” she spoke to her sisters over her shoulder as she moved to the door. Stopping at the entryway, she turned back to Cheryl, “Your dress is magnificent Cheryl.”
“Thank you, Laura.” Cheryl watched her sister drift out of the room, knowing that only one other person spent as much time in the castle library as Laura. She only hoped Laura knew what she was up to. Though certainly within her discretion as future queen to court her own husband, the Constable did not seem the type to bend easily to Laura’s will. It would certainly prove entertaining to observe, so long as Laura behaved herself which Cheryl had little hope she would do.