The ride to the capitol was short and pleasant. Janessa spent most of it looking out the window at the snowy, icy landscape. She could remember some lessons about Northfjord from her time as Jasper, but not much. She had a tendency to sleep through lessons.
"Beautiful, is it not?" Lilia said, interrupting Janessa's musings. She looked over.
"Yes. We do not get snow like this in Karagot. Sometimes in the mountains during the coldest parts of the year, but nothing...nothing like this."
"Do not worry," Lilia's husband, who had introduced himself as Prince Vidar during the boat journey. "We will provide you with all the clothes you need to keep warm."
"You- you really did not have to do all this for me," Janessa said. Her voice shook at the memory of how Antyny had abused her. Lilia squeezed her hand.
"No, we did. Northfjord may not be matriarchal, but we love and respect our womenfolk. No woman should be treated as you were."
"Thank you," Janessa whispered. She brushed away a tear threatening to fall.
Before long, the countryside changed to buildings and the dirt road changed to cobblestones. Janessa couldn't help but gape at the picturesque, storybook buildings in the Northfjord capitol of Silverfall. They had colorful facades, shutters, doors, and roofs. Bright reds, blues, greens, yellows, and oranges poked through the unstained snow. Her heart raced as, apparently, word spread that their Prince and Princess had returned. People lined the streets in warm clothes, cheering for the carriage as it made its way to the castle in the middle of the city.
Once they passed the castle gates, Janessa let out a sigh of relief. She was worried about being seen by so many people. Particularly when she looked like...this! Wearing a borrowed gown and shawl, her hair a mess, her cuts and bruises from Antyny not covered by makeup. She wanted to look her best.
The carriage pulled up to the large main doors of the castle. The King of Northfjord, Vidar's father, stood before them, waiting. Lilia squeezed Janessa's hand again.
"Wait here. I will introduce you to my father-in-law and then you can emerge." Janessa nodded, her heart in her mouth. Lilia and Vidar exited the carriage. Janessa stayed. She could faintly hear the conversation going on. Lilia and Vidar were explaining she was a beaten lowborn concubine whom Lilia had befriended. They said Karagot was no longer safe for her (which was certainly true, Janessa thought ruefully), so they brought her to Northfjord to work as Lilia's lady-in-waiting until she gained enough social status to find a husband.
Wait, what? Husband? Janessa didn't have time to think on that, however, because Lilia was back at the carriage. She grabbed Janessa's hand and pulled her out. Janessa hesitantly walked up to the Northfjord King, then made a court-perfect curtsy. Lilia's face lit up with delight.
"You did not mention she was mannered," the King said to Vidar. Vidar smiled weakly.
"She is full of surprises. She can write!"
"She can?" The King looked at Janessa with interest. "A lowborn concubine, perhaps, but one with potential. A diamond in the rough. Come inside, Miss Janessa. We shall get you properly clothed and settled in so you may begin your duties as my daughter-in-law's lady-in-waiting."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Janessa said softly. Lilia grabbed her hand and walked into the castle with her. Janessa braced herself, ready for this new life. Hopefully, she wouldn't spend long there before returning to her true one.