An Arragement Most Foul

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Annaliel dressed nicely to and even put Arelson in a nice outfit since she would be sitting with him the whole time that her friend was over. Even though he really wasn't a friend she couldn't turn back now. She was of high status now and to ignor anyone would attract attention that she didn't need. She eventually wandered down stairs with Arelson and smiled as she entered the parlor and saw Constantine. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and set down Arelson's blanket on the couch next to him before laying down the baby on it.

"Alright, He'll be here soon Constantine. He's only staying for afternoon tea so it won't be too long." She said, the sound of the bell ringing for the door drifting into the room.
 
Constantine's stomach dropped when the doorbell rang. "That's good to know, I suppose. Who is this man, really, Annaliel?" he asked, curiously.
 
"Well...He's an old suitor. But don't worry, we never had feelings for each other and eventually went out seperate ways. " She said as she wandered toward the door and stood back as she watched a maid open the door.



There at the door, holding a boquet of flowers, was a handsome man in navel uniform. He was obviously younger than Constantine but she still was one or two years older than Annaliel. There was a simple smile on his face as he stepped into the house, making sure to knock off the dirt on his boots before walking on the rugs. He quickly walked over to Annaliel and held out the flowers to her as his smile grew.

"Annaliel! It has been far to long...I brought these as a small gift for you." He said in a smooth and playful tone, obviously still holding a bit of youthful cheer in him."

"Oh thank you Charles, they are lovely." She said politely as she took the flowers and looked them over quietly before turning toward the parlor and motioning for Constantine to come over.
 
Constantine looked at the man and then at Annaliel and smiled politely. "Well, you didn't mention he was this clean cut! Haha! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Grand Duke Constantine Evingsdale, and what may I call you.....?" he said holding out his hand. He didn't look so bad, after all, and Constantine made the most friendly gesture he could. Surveying him up and down, he looked a bit younger, much to his surprise and it made him feel relived somehow. Although, he did feel a bit awkward, still.
 
"General Charles Mantell, Sir. Please just call me Charles though, General Mantell is my father." He said with a laugh as he firmly shook Constantine's hand. "I do hate to say I didn't bring anything for you, I wasn't sure what a man of your status would like to drink." He joked lightly as he pulled back and looked to Annaliel again.

Annaliel just rolled her eyes and held onto the flowers as she turned toward the parlor.

"Charles don't be foolish, we both know you just want to know what he likes so the next time you come you can spike your tea. Now come, let's go sit in the parlor, you still have to meet Arelson." She said smoothly as she passed the flowers off to a maid to have them put into a vase.
 
"Hahaha! Well, I'm actually trying to stay away from alcohol at the moment, but thank you, really, Charles," he replied smiling. A general! Constantine was quite impressed, and he mentally hit himself on the forehead for having overlooked his uniform. He followed Annaliel back into the parlor for little Arelson, hoping that things would continue go smoothly and that he wouldn't do or say anything stupid. He had had a lot of formal training since he was a child as Duke, but things did still rattle his nerves, as it would any human being.
 
"Oh, well then it is a goo thing I didn't buy you anything. It would be a shame to have bought a nice brandy only to have it left to collect dust." He said with a smile as he followed Constantine and Annaliel into the parlor.

Annaliel entered the parlor first and picked up Arelson who was chewing on his toy quietly. She smiled at bit as he looked up at Constantine and Charles with half lidded eyes since it was still a little early for him and he wasn't completely away and full of his usual energy.

"Here he is, this is Arelson." She said happily as she looked over her son.

Charles smiled a bit as he say the young baby and couldn't help but chuckle.

"My oh my Annaliel, what are you feeding him? He's quite big for his age!" He joked as he looked to Constantine for a moment. "And it's not hard to miss his father in him."
 
Constantine smiled too looking at Arelson. He looked very cute in his little outfit and he had to agree he was getting quite big, "Really? I always thought he looked more like Annaliel. Well, either way, he's still coming out to be incredibly handsome!" He was very proud of his son and couldn't wait for him to get older. There was so many things he couldn't wait to teach him. "Do you have any children, Charles?" he asked looking back up at Annaliel's friend.
 
"Oh goodness no, I'm still a bachelor, Sir. I hope to find a lovely lady this year during the ball season however. I'm at home more than ever these days and my work is less on the sea and more behind a desk." He said with a smile as he looked to Constantine. "I do hope to have plenty of children however, my mother has been at my throat these past few months now that I'm back home.

Annaliel smiled a bit and took a seat, motioning for him to relax in a nearby chair while she leaned back into the couch.

"Do sit Charles, there is a lot to catch up on." She said as she laid Arelson back on his blanket and started to pour the tea.
 
Constantine nodded and sat down quietly. He wanted to hear more about this gentleman and wondered how he and Annaliel met exactly. He listened intently, as the tea was poured, not wanting to interrupt while he and Annaliel caught up.
 
"So what have you been up to since you left?" Annaliel asked as she handed Charles a cup of tea before pouring one for Constantine and then herself.

"Well, after I took the job I moved Germany for a few years to complete my training and unknowingly I caught the I of a navy general who took an interest in me. Before I knew it I was sailing around the caribbean and living on this quaint little port island. I've been working from there ever since, sailing out to pattle thevies and pirates, on the occasion I escort a ship or two to China or Japan. Though nowadays I've been doing more paper work than sailing so I've been looking to settle down." He said as he sipped his tea. "I do have to say much has changed since I've been home though. Last time I saw you you were still shy and stubborn, now you're married and to the Grand Duke!"
 
Constantine couldn't help but laugh at his last statement. "Actually, she still is a bit stubborn! Hahahaha! I'm only joking, really!" he said still chuckling and smiling at Annaliel, "So, I'm guessing you two must've known each other for quite a long time?" Constantine was quite impressed. This man was younger than his own brothers and yet had accomplished so much, a bit more than he had done himself. For a moment, he had to wonder what his life would've been like if he had left Europe and escaped his parents..... Quickly, shaking it away, he put his thoughts back on the conversation again.
 
"Oh yes, we knew each other since she was 16...We met at her birthday party I believe. I remember that because my mother nearly shoved me on top of you to ask you to dance. Of course I was never able to get you off the couch, it was one of the reasons I became your friend. I wouldn't have to dance with you." He said with a small chuckle.

"Hey, I could have danced if I wanted too, but if any of those other girls you danced with were an example then I would be walking away with broken feet." She teased back as she looked to Arelson and rubbed his belly, soothing the little boy to start to fall asleep.

"Hey! I eventually got better. You have to admit that I was a great dancer by the time I was shipped off to Germany. Anyway, how did you two meet? Not to point out the obvious but Annaliel is not much or a partier and You happen to come from rather high up, Sir."
 
Constantine scratched his head at that question. "Well....um.....that's actually quite a difficult story," he said being sure to choose his words carefully, "We met on unexpected terms, really. I'll be honest and say that it was actually our parents' idea, and we weren't close at all in the beginning, but.....we fell in love in the progress....and I'm more than happy that we did! In fact, I really don't know where I'd be now if I had never met Annaliel......" Constantine battled with himself, knowing he had half-lied on his last statement. If they had never met, he'd more than likely be somewhere in America right now getting drunk, sleeping around, and sitting on his money all day like he had in his past life. Of course, he wasn't going to say it out loud since it was a rather dark thought and he wanted his wife to enjoy herself, not think about the past which he remembered had almost tore them apart before.
 
Annaliel smiled at Constantine and giggled a bit as she looked to Charles.

"Yes, our parents arranged it but we fell in love and made the real choice outselves. I couldn't be happier with anyone other than him either. Constantine has made me who I am today, a wife and mother and completely content with my life." She said happily.

Charles smiled and chuckled a bit as he looked between the two of them.

"That's wonderful, it's so rare to see a marriage of love these days, it's all aranged. Though it must be hard for you too, You being the Duke Sir and Annaliel taking care of little Arelson there. I don't know if I could ever handle the paper work and a family at the same time. It's one of the reasons I haven't been as active as I should be in the courting department." He said to them.
 
"It isn't easy, but we support and help each other as much as we can. I find that as long as you have family close, it's all really you need to get by.....," Constantine said and smiled back at Annaliel and Arelson, "I wouldn't go back and change anything at all."
 
Annaliel smiled more and took a sip of her tea.

"I admire that, Sir. Many people would just give up if it got hard or complicated. I'm glad you both are working out so well together, I'd hate to see Annaliel upset and not enjoying herself." Charles said as he set down his tea and smiled at them, relaxing since he hadn't had a break in a long time.
 
The Duke nodded at Charles and started to speak, but was then interrupted by one of the servants. Apparently, an urgent message had come and he quickly got up to see what it was. "I'm going to see what this is about really quick. I'll be back in a few minutes, " he said to Annaliel before walking swiftly out of the parlor.
 
Annaliel watched Constantine leave, a little worried as to what it could possibly be. She then turned to Charles and smile a bit at him.

"I'm sorry, this happens sometimes with him and his work..."

Charles smiled and shook his head at her, not minding at all.

"It's quiet alright Annaliel, I understand that work can be rather tricky. Now tell me how you have been, I am very certain that more than just a wedding happened while I wsa in the caribbean...."
 
Constantine sighed annoyingly as the telegram boy delivered a message requesting something for an official. He then ran quickly to his office to find it, since he was already busy and didn't want to come off as rude towards Charles. Of course, they'd pick a time like this to pester! Going through the many drawers, he picked it up and headed back to the boy to deliver it. "That should be all, I hope?" he asked him as kindly as he could.
 
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