Sixty

Grey eyes scanned the crowd of giggling young women. Not a single one called out to him. In fact, all of them reminded him of Cecilia. This was a bad idea. What was his grandfather thinking when he invited these lousy girls? Did he perhaps think that marriage is the only solution to his problem? He's only sixteen! Setting him up with daughters of rich and noble Icelanders couldn't be the only way to fix him. His uncles are absent so are his grandparents. The royal concubines walked around in their nightwear, some of them engaging in conversation with the young girls.

Maybe he should send them all out. This was his side of the palace anyway, but Eloive thought against it. He would only get punished, and Eloive didn't want to get whipped again, so the annoying females have to stay. He thought of conversing with one. The thought didn't sound appealing. but he had to try.

Swallowing his fears, Eloive adjusted his clothing, a fine tunic, and black pants. His boots were far too old and wor