Ever since girlhood the glittering court of Emperor Charles had been drawing Hildegard to it, but so far it had eluded her. Her soul had been yearning for it while sitting in the hall, listening to her parents' stories of all the balls, foods and entertainments they had been privy to whenever they had been there, serving their emperor. Indeed, hearing the tales of brave knights in the tournaments, beautiful swooning maidens and sophisticated banquets had all served to often find Hildegard gaze longingly into the distance in the direction of where she knew this fabled place to be. Each time her father had lifted her up and swung her in the air as he promised that soon, soon, she would be old enough to go and serve the empress as one of her ladies in waiting.
Naturally that had always been as if an aeon away to the young Hildegard, as she felt she wasted away in the keep in the countryside, far away from the epicentre of power and magnificence even her young heart had craved so intensely. It was said a ball was held there every night and each courtier was dressed in the finest silks from the almost mythical lands of the East, glimmering in the firelight as they danced. Within her tender maiden heart, Hildegard harboured a quiet resentment towards her parents for a time, for not bringing her to that fabled place. Yet the wheel of time turned with steady hands and soon enough, the day dawned when she, too, was deemed ripe to travel there. At long last, she mused, her moment had come.
Now, on the day of her much awaited journey, dawn arrived on a flurry of birdsong from the newly unfurled trees around the keep. Beams of golden sunlight had begun warming up the old stone walls, and cascaded in through the window into Hildegard's chamber where she was currently perched as her chambermaid, Alda, laid her finishing touches to Hildegard's hair. She had spent considerable time braiding the thick tresses and fastening them on top of her mistress' head in what they had been assured was the latest courtly fashion for unmarried maidens. Hildegard studied herself in the looking glass and acceded that the style was fetching and complimented her complexion, hoping that wasn't straying too far into the sin of vanity.
It was of utmost importance, however, to arrive at court looking her very best when she was received by the emperor and empress. Hildegard was named after the previous queen consort, but now she was to be lady in waiting to the newly formed household of Fastrada. They were of similar age, though of course Fastrada was above Hildegard in status. Hildegard wasn't insignificant though, her father was a duke after all and had always been in high regard with Emperor Charles himself. That was the very reason why she was now invited to go to court and become a lady in waiting.
As natural as the turning of the year, was the expectation that in going to court, Hildegard would secure a good match to marry. The thought of it made her tremble with some trepidation, since as most maids, she had not often left the safety of hearth and home and certainly not been exposed to unmarried men. That would have exposed her tender, impressionable self to far too much temptation -- or so it was believed. The reflection gazing back at Hildegard in the looking glass was, indeed, pleasing to the eye. With a fluttering heart she thought that perhaps she would succeed in acquiring a match after all, though her father, and the emperor himself, had the last word. It was acceptable that she had preferences, but the ultimate choice was not hers to make.
Hildegard inhaled, feeling her bosom stretch against her luscious court garment, as she took one last look at herself. It was time to leave her parents' home and girlhood behind, travelling both towards court and her new purpose. Alda's gentle hands caressed over the folds of the garment, making sure all fastenings were in place, and the maiden's fingertips stirred some yearning between Hildegard's thighs as they lingered a bit too long over the tips of her soft bosom. Her beloved servant smiled at her and with a sting of that sweet ache Hildegard could feel the response deep inside her, as it brought back memories of so many sweet, shared moments.
Resolutely, she turned away and glanced one last time over her girlhood chamber. The wooden floor was covered with soft rugs and the walls with tapestries depicting scenes from the Bible. It was unlikely she would return to her parents as anything but a married woman, after all, she was a coveted prize. An alliance with her father, the duke and the Emperors favourite, was highly sought after. As such she could not expect anything else then being swept up quickly by another noble family, and bartered off as so much cattle. The thought both scared and exhilarated her, though she was not certain why she felt the latter. Should she go to confession and divulge these feelings she was certain the priest would tell her she, like all women, was filled with lust and must repent instantly. Whenever he told her similar things, however, his voice thickened and she wondered which one of them was truly the most guilty of that cardinal sin.
Her footsteps echoed on the stone floors of the castle, bouncing off the walls, as she made her way down to the hall with Alda trailing behind her. Only certain rooms had wooden flooring and tapestries, and like most strongholds the corridors were simply made from stone without any particular adornments. The corridors had no glass in the windows, only wooden shutters that were closed in the winter, but they did nothing to stave off the icy cold. This time of year it was more pleasant, though the chill never quite left the thick stones and all household members always hurried through these corridors as swiftly as they could.
At court she'd heard that everything was more opulent and extravagant, and more comfortable. There even the corridors had some braziers, keeping the guards more comfortable during their long nights of duty to keep the noble family safe. The food was meant to be better as well, not to mention the clothes. Her parents had made sure she had a whole new wardrobe to take with her, so she would fit in with the rest of the courtiers. Hildegard could feel the excitement spread through her whole body as she was thinking about it, in fact, she had barely been able to sit still for weeks and now it was finally time. It wasn't more than a day's travel to get there, either, and hopefully they would arrive before nightfall. Then her new life would begin.
It was a relief that Alda would accompany her in the carriage, but then the girl would go back home to Hildegard's parents' estate and keep serving her younger sisters. At court Hildegard would have different servants, and really be one herself to the Empress.
Her parents and siblings were waiting down in the hall and came with her out, Alda trailing behind them all.
'Don't forget everything we've taught you!' Her mother, Odilia, said, tears in her eyes. 'You really must try to get a good match while you're at court, and of course, in a few weeks your father and I will be visiting for our own yearly presence there.'
Hildegard nodded and struggled to swallow, it really was difficult to leave her parents behind even if just for a few weeks. Her mother's eyes were blue like her own, and now they searched her face to see if she was going to be well-behaved.
'Don't worry, mama, I promise I will be good! I'm sure I can catch the eye of some high born nobleman that can become a suitable husband!'
'This isn't a game, daughter,' her father, Gautfrid, admonished, seemingly annoyed at her frivolity. But it was exciting to go and see the world, as well as scary, and Hildegard didn't feel like being too serious right now. Besides, she was longing for one last tumble with Alda in the carriage and was eager to go.
