Michael 'Mika' Windsor's Story

The sounds of blades clashed in a section offset away from the castle itself where the general passerby would not be aware of the events taking place within while Prince Michael engaged with a weapons master to train and study himself pushing to try to survive through the studies that had started off difficult enough when he was a child and now here he was with a live weapon not a wooden training blade engaged in combat that was true enough. For all that while neither side tried to kill or maim the other there was no holding back - Mika learning to defend himself and fight by actually doing it day after day.

"Michael!" a familiar voice called out from across the soft grasses even as Mika's blade clashed clattering the weapon master's blade aside but no sooner had Mika parried aside the other blade than a dagger kissed lightly at his throat at his collarline of his leather hauberk, "You are late! The French have already arrived and here you are getting dirty!" the seneschal grumbled in readily apparent irritation, "Get changed!"

"I would have had you!" Mika cheerfuly exchanged as the weapon master laughed good naturedly as the prince stripped free of his undershirt and hauberk pulling on a clean undershirt and soft leather vest adjusting it so he would look appropriate and straightening up before the seneschal shoved the servant forward with the prince's dirty clothes herding the prince forward to meet with the French arrival jogging forward to stand beside his family a smile on his features - until he saw her and as his eyes looked to Emilia his face only barely managed to resist showing his features blanched.

Michael certainly had grown...his very existance a presentation of what had been expected of him. A young man who never seemed before to understand that a woman wasnt a boy now had a difficulty at the very mention of Emilia. Spending much of his time on the sparring grounds what was left of it was spent with tutors to learn or endeavoring to learn and attend the needs of his people.

Mika's nerves were a knotwork - patterned among the very fibers of his existance. Twisted and tangled among his thoughts and ideals. Just the sight of Emilia - and her familiar pale features and lightly shaded hair - and he could feel that it would take all he had in him not to stumble and fall on his face or just outright bite his tongue when he approached.

"On behalf of England...her people...and her throne...I welcome you as honored and respected guests..." Mika spoke softly after several moments of fighting to get the words out while his very being wanted to cause him to choke on what he wanted to say - what he needed to say though even as he spoke his head was bowed in what some might think was the utmost of respect to the representatives of France but the truth was that he couldnt find his voice when his eyes looked to Emilia's own.

"It is a blessing to have you back..." Mika spoke calmly and clearly as he glanced to Liam as Emilia moved to collect her brother and yet the prince said nothing nor did his parents. Mika couldnt see any measure of negativity in her giving attention to her young brother despite that they were being presented to one another and if the prince didnt question it there was minimal reason anyone short of his parents should feel they have any right to question what she says and does.

As Emilia spoke to her sister Mika smiled gently looking to Lucille, "You are our guests not our prisoners...There will be no cause nor reason for your sister to be prevented from being in your company regardless of time of day or night...she will always be there for you just as she would be at your own home." Mika explained then paused, "The only change is that soon your family will be bigger...and she will be taking her place at my side."

---

While the family settled into their chambers in the palace Mika was readily willing to accompany Emilia though his steps were largely quiet - uncertain of what to say or do in her company though walking with her with her hand on the crook of his elbow he walked accompanying her watching over her protectively as they moved together and while Sarah spoke with familiarity of Emilia - it took all Mika had not to get outright upset by the words of the disrespectful girl.

"...I will not have you speak of my fiancee in such a way..." Mika spoke after several agonizing moments to Sarah, "...She may not be English but she IS my bride to be...my sheath...and I will have NOONE disrespect her and speak of her like she is nothing. She is MINE and as my future queen every bit of soil she steps on will be soil that she is fit to rule. She is by no means powerless and her future husband will have no qualms taking a stand against any and all who would speak poorly of her." Mika added barely managing to avoid his voice slipping into an angry growl though he was pleased to be distracted by Emilia, "I do have some of the horses I used to at the stables...we have others as well...new acquisitions...and I would love to show you..." Mika spoke calmly his voice and tone gentle and caring as he spoke to the girl he had no issue at all standing up for.