Albert and Alberta prt 2

Over the next couple of years they became a familiar sight around the castle, young Clara teaching and caring for little Ablert and Alberta. They could be found on a warm spring day, learning to read and write on top of the castle walls, forsaking the musty classroom for the fresh air of the outside world. Or on a hot summer day, they could be found down in the damp cellars beneath the castle, learning how to speak as nobility and how to present themself as part of the royal family.
However, in addition to the proper schooling Clara was giving them, she also taught them many other things, such as the name of the cranes flying over the castle, or how to care for a young rabbit that was found in the castle grounds. Clara taught Alberta how to cook a fine meal, and taught Albert how to mend torn clothing. Skills royalty didn't normally need to know, but she taught them anyway, because they had asked.
Over the years their energy never wavered. The twins met every day and every person with a smile on their face, no matter how they were treated or how they felt. Albert and Alberta always seemed to appear together, they were inseparable.
At age ten Albert began training as a swordsman and the basics of armed combat, being expected to be able to take to the battlefield when the need arose. Alberta was not given any combat training, which she resented. She instead was taught more of the art of glamour and parties. However Albert took it upon himself to train his sister, and so they constantly snuck out of their rooms at night to train. Every time Clara watched from a distance, but they never knew she was there. A few of the patrolling guards also noticed, and made sure to patrol around the twins, leaving them to their own devices.

Years passed, until it was the eve of the twin’s thirteenth birthday. Alber knelt before his father, King Theobald, who was sitting on his throne in the Kings Hall of Fecete Castle. To his right sat Lord Aberich and to his left stood Prince Roderick. To the side stood Queen Gilberta and holding her hand was young Princess Livina.
Alberta knelt beside Albert, her bright blue dress made his dark blue overcoat much less impressive.
“Today is a grand occasion!” King Theobald said, still sitting in his throne, his voice carrying to the far end of the hall with ease as the kingdom’s nobility and esteemed guests looked on. “Today marks the eve of your thirteenth birthday! You are on the verge of entering adulthood, leaving the shackles of childhood behind you as you begin to move forward in the kingdom. It has become high time you began making your marks on this glorious kingdom of Fecete and begin working towards our future!” Cheering broke out from the onlookers as the king raised his hand to silence them.
“Prince Albert! Princess Alberta!” The king continued. “You are hereby appointed as my Royal Administrators of the outer territories. Solime, Karvee, Holden, and Vedia are now your responsibility. As such I am expecting you to re-enforce my rule to those who seem to see fit to do as they please.” There was a small murmur among the guests. Alberta and Albert both knew the lords of those territories were currently present. The king rose to his feet. “Thus you shall be required to travel from territory to territory, assisting the lords of the land and making sure that the welfare of Fecete is being maintained. Do you understand?”
Albert and Alberta both raised their eyes toward their father who stood at the throne. “Yes. My King!” The king raised his hand and gestured toward the audience.
“So be my decree. After this night of celebration, your new duties shall begin in earnest! Begin the banquet!”
“Yes, your majesty!” The cry rang through the King’s hall as the nobles in the audience raised their voices in support, as the doors all opened as slaves and servants began bringing in the tables and food for the banquet.
The king walked down the steps toward the crowd, passing between the twins. The twins rose to their feet keeping their heads bowed until the king had passed. King Theobald did not pause for nor glance at his two children. Prince Roderick smirked at them and Princess Livina smiled sweetly, but none of the other nobles or advisers paid them any attention as they followed the king into the crowd.
Albert and Alberta glanced at each other, the reality of what had just occurred fully dawning on them.
It wasn’t long before all the tables were set up and the food laid out. The nobles mingled around the tables and ate while they talked. The twins stood at the foot of the throne and watched the nobles.
Albert sighed. “Well i suppose we better mingle as well and make our presence known.”
“Why should we?” Alberta mumbled. “Do they look like they care?”
“No they don’t, but we need to at least look like we do”
Albert started off toward the mingling nobles, but before he could speak with any of them Prince Roderick stepped in front of him. Roderick smirked over his wineglass at Albert. “Well hello there Prrrrince Albert. Look at you moving up in the world. Overseeing the outer territories, what a noble job that is. I’m sure the Lords are in desperate need of your assistance.” Out of the corner of his eye Albert could see a group of young nobles in their fancy dresses and coats laughing and pointing his direction. Albert put on his best polite smile as Roderick continued. “I know it may seem like a thankless job but just think of all the good you are going to be doing Father and Fecete. Remember you are very important to us.” For a moment Roderick’s grince wavered. “Don’t mess everything up”
“Of course, My prince.” Albert bowed his head as his brother turned and walked back toward the group of young nobles. “It's not like we are being given a say in the matter.” he finished under his breath.
Albert smiled and nodded to several other nobles and lords as he slowly made his way through the crowd. Many of them he had met or at least had seen before at other gatherings, but very few seemed to acknowledge him, and those that did did so in passing. After a while Albert found himself near a side door and slipped into it. None of the nobles paid him any mind as he left his own birthday party, as they were all consumed by their own gossip and food. As he passed through the side passage through the kitchen one of the servant girls passed him a damp towel and some sweet bread. “Thank you Nadine” He said as he breathed deeply, wiping the sweat off his face as his fake plastered smile disappeared.
The teen girl smiled at him. “Of course my prince. And a happy birthday.” She picked a large pitcher and headed back out into the hall while Albert headed toward his quarters, munching on the still warm and very delicious sweet bread as he went. He hadn’t seen any of it on the tables, so he had a hunch Otto had made it just for them.
Night had fallen, leaving the halls enveloped in darkness. Most of the servants were busy with the banquet and so the lanterns hadn’t been lit yet. However the years of playing in these halls meant he didn’t always rely on his eyes to find his way. Albert was lost in thought as he continued to his chambers. So much had been put on him and his sister with no warning. The outer territories were split under four main Lords; Bennett, Filip, Erasmus and Garel. He had met each of them at least once before, but had never been to any of the territories outside of the capital.
“Where do I even begin?” Albert asked himself as he neared his room, and saw light coming from Alberta’s room across the hall.