Running her thumb over the pad of her middle finger slowly Catrin closed her eyes, breathing in deeply as the bristles of her hair brush passed through her locks, the presence of the maid behind her radiating heat. It was a comforting and quiet time. Years ago Cadi had once made the mistake of commenting to her mother that as a Lady of the house she shouldn’t have to wake up as early as the servants. Asides from a slap Cadi had been told that as a Lady of the house she was expected to rise before the servants. What was the point of being noble if one didn’t conduct themselves with virtue and graciousness? 

It was a shock then, that her title alone had not ensured her the qualities of virtue, grace, poise and all that made up a noble woman.  And in that moment Cadi had felt shame, shame that she had even thought for one moment that her status of blood alone should have entitled her to all the things that made her life blessed and easy. Never in her life had Cadi have to clean her own chamber pot, or bake her own bread, or labor in any fashion. Never in her life had she been hungry, or thirsty, or ill and gone on without her needs being met. 

Was she really so much better than these other women as to not have to work? No. She had just been born to the right family. 

Shame had wracked Cadi’s soul for weeks after that realization, and then as the guilt and shame subsided she had promised to work as hard as she might to truly be Noble. 

The brush stopped moving and Cadi opened her eyes again, peering at the looking glass, her reflection wrinkled and warped as the glass was old, but still a mirror. Her hair was glossy, black and smooth, flowing down her back attractively as the maid set the brush down. Carefully her hair was parted into three pieces and then pleated, the braid coming to wind around her head and pinned carefully in a coronet. A dark green veil pinned over her hair demurely to match the color of her dress, cream under sleeves adding contrast to her dark lips and even fairer skin. 

Prepared for the day Cadi stood with a regal nod to her maidservant and headed down the keeps stairs to the room where the Hywel’s would break their fast. Seeing her mother and father standing in silence waiting she curtseyed and approached. Her mother’s mouth twitched in what might have been a smile and her father actually nodded in approval. 

While it would have been nice to have a son first, Catrin Alis was  a credit to the status of eldest child. He beckoned his daughter closer and Catrin walked alongside her father as they made way to chapel. When they returned the meal would be laid out. 

“No Eira?” He observed, his voice deep and gravely. Cadi tucked her chin modestly and lowered her gaze. 

“She has taken to prayer in the nearest Parish…” Cadi murmured, her voice soft and gentle. Of course Catrin suspected her sister was not actually so devote as that, but Cadi wasn’t about to get Eira in trouble with their parents. After all, Cadi had never straight out asked Eira if she truly went where she said she would go. Perhaps Eira indeed was praying down past the castle… It was the oldest sisters place to keep her siblings safe and protected, even from their own father. 

“Hhrrmm” Gwallter grunted but asked no more. He either suspected this was not the truth and did not care, or assumed Eira would never disobey the rules set in place. Either way Cadi was not going to bring the topic up on her own. 

Mass was drull as ever, but Cadi kept her mask of polite interest in place as her thoughts roamed. Perhaps she was a bad Christian… Many of the Welsh were, holding to older beliefs…But the Father’s ramblings were difficult for the Lady to focus on. She knew not a thing of the state of her soul nor where it would go when her body retired from this mortal plain, and honestly Cadi didn’t much care to be thinking of such things. The time would come and she would find out…What was the point of worrying about it now? 

Stifling the urge to yawn Catrin stood as her parents stood, walking carefully behind them as they left the church, being the highest ranks ensured them the ability to escape first. The Lady smiled at the thought and ducked her head so none might see her grin unless they think her lacking piety.