Gisela made him not care about that, made him think it was for the best. But breaking his leg today would certainly not be something he’d be thankful for.
Friedric Ruexner would likely be his most dangerous opponent. That fiend would do anything to defeat Valten. He’d already tried to poison his horse, forcing Valten to post a guard to watch over Sieger day and night. But what else would Ruexner try? He had been eyeing Gisela during the banquet last night. Would he bother her today? Ruexner would despise her if he knew she had been the one to discover the water hemlock in Sieger’s food. But just the fact that she was the one Valten chose to be his Queen of Beauty and Love made her a target for Ruexner’s jealous wrath.
He would post a guard to watch over Gisela as well.
Hugo helped Valten dress, putting on his mail, then his armor. Soon he was ready for the day’s tournament activities. Valten closed his eyes and said his usual prayer at the beginning of a tournament day. He asked God to help him focus his mind on his task, to give him strength and skill, and to bless him with victory.
Valten crossed himself, then kissed the small iron cross around his neck. He stood and pulled his sword from its scabbard to hear the metallic zing, but it didn’t send the usual vibration of suppressed-but-eager energy through his limbs. He had been thinking for some weeks that this might be his final tournament. Was he ready to quit tourneying because he’d met Gisela and decided to pay court to her? Or had he decided to pay court to Gisela because he was quitting his tourneying?
He had no time to ponder it. He had a long string of knights to defeat, knights who would love nothing better than to beat him into the ground and make names for themselves by defeating the seldom-defeated Valten Gerstenberg.
Valten resheathed his sword. His whole body felt as taut as a bowstring. He was ready.
Gisela awoke wondering what she would wear. She had only the blue dress she’d worn the day before. Would she disgrace herself by wearing the same dress again?
The sun was peeking through the narrow window in Margaretha’s chamber as Gisela slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Valten’s sister. But as she stood, Margaretha rolled over and opened her eyes.
“Good morning, Gisela.” She stretched her arms over her head. “Oh, I’m so excited about today.” She pushed the blanket away and sprang out of bed. “Tournaments are wonderful, don’t you think? The servant should be bringing us some breakfast soon.” A maid entered through a side door. “There she is now! It was as if my speaking about it made our breakfast appear.” Margaretha’s cheerfulness was so unique in Gisela’s limited experience of people, she found herself raptly anticipating her next exclamation of delight.
Adela and Kirstyn, who were sharing the chamber, awakened and sat up. When they saw the servants with the food, they climbed out of bed, rubbing their faces.
“Come, Gisela.” Margaretha motioned her toward the small table where their repast was being laid out. “Let us eat so we can be ready when the tournament begins. We mustn’t be late.”
While the three sisters chattered happily, Gisela tried to comply. But the buttery bread stuck in her throat. Must she wear her mother’s blue dress? What would people think of the Queen of Beauty and Love having only one suitable gown?
She let the girls draw her into their conversation as they ate the delicious pastries, stewed fruit, and cold meat.
Two maids entered the room and began helping Kirstyn and Adela with their dresses. Gisela glanced around but did not see her own dress.
“Your hair is so beautiful.” Margaretha stood up from the table. “May I brush it for you?” Gisela sat on a stool while Margaretha did just that — and talked.
The maids finished readying the two younger girls, then one said, “Miss Margaretha, are you ready to dress?”
“Oh! I almost forgot. Gisela, I can’t wait for Valten to see you wearing this dress.”
She hurried over to a corner of the room and gathered up a crimson dress that was draped over a trunk. “This color is perfect for you. The blue you wore yesterday was perfect too, but this red” — she held the gown up to Gisela’s chin —”goes wonderfully with your skin and hair.”
Still holding it up, Margaretha looked as satisfied as a mama cat with her kittens. “Do you like it?”
The dress was a deep red with intricate embroidery around the square neckline and the hem. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am.” Tears filled Gisela’s eyes.
Margaretha didn’t seem to notice. “We had a servant girl once who was in love with a cobbler’s son, but he never paid her any notice. So I dressed her up and taught her to dance, and at the next Midsummer’s Eve festival in the Marktplatz, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.” Margaretha smiled smugly. “They’re married now and expecting their first child in a few months.”