An Arragement Most Foul

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Annaliel smiled at Constantine and followed him to the garden quietly, her eyes looking around still as they walked down the halls.

"Good morning to you as well, Constantine. You have quiet a lovely home." She said politely as they entered the garden.

It was also lovely, maybe even more lovey than the house. Even though one side was a little messed up from gardeners working to fix it up to Constantine's mother's standards. She looked around and couldn't help but smile a little more as they headed off to one side, quickly being surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. She took a seat when he pulled a chair out for her before sitting down himself. She finally looked away from the garden when he spoke to her, catching her attention.

"I am well, though a little famished since my mother held me captive at the vanity all morning." She admited, her cheeks darkening a bit. " She assisted on helping and before I knew it she had taken complete control."
 
The young man chuckled, "Well, you look beautiful all the more!" He then called to one of the maids, "Can you tell the cook to bring out the biscuits, the scones and the oranges?" The maid nodded to him, accordingly, and the cook brought out the food along with the tea and assorted marmalades for the biscuits and scones. Constantine just drank the tea having had a large breakfast with his parents and a few of his siblings earlier that morning before they left for the ranch in the country. Of course, he did not forget his manners and prayed over the food before they ate, and waited a moment before he spoke. "So....about this wedding.....How do you feel about it really?" he asked trying not talk so loud so he wouldn't scare away the butterflies all around the garden.

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Annaliel smiled a bit when the food arrived and ate it quietly, enjoying the flavor of it all. Everything was very delicious and sweet, making her rather happy. When he asked about her feelings about the wedding she felt herself go silent for a moment. It was hard to explain how she felt about it at the moment, she couldn't really say if she hated it or liked it. She looked up at him after a moment and cleared her troat a bit, trying to keep her voice down so only Constantine would hear what she had to say.

"I..do not dislike the idea of the wedding...but I am still a little uncertain over somethings." She admitted quietly as she looked over the garden.
 
"I can say the same myself," he answered softly, "I really didn't want to get married at first, but after I got to know you a bit......the idea became a bit lighter, but I am still uncertain. You are a very beautiful and unique young woman to me, Annaliel, and I don't think ill of you anymore. I want you to at least know that." The Duke's son watched as a butterfly skittered onto the table, and rested there flapping its wings slowly. "....My mother wants the garden bigger beacause of them, you know. She says they're very magical creatures. Filled with luck. She says that when I was born, butterflies were all over the window as if they were just excited to come in and see me.....It feels less than true than it did then........," he drifted off.

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Annaliel could feel her cheeks heat up as he complimented her sweetly, it seemed that the both of them were able to see eye to eye on this part of the engagement. When the butterfly landed on the table she looked down on it, admiring it's beauty. She always found the creatures to be rather lovely, always bringing a smile to her face when ever they were floating about. She smiled a little more at his story and looked up at him, taking a sip of tea before she spoke.

"I can sort of understand why they would want to see you, you are quite the character Constantine...Anyway, since it seems that this arrangement will be followed through we should at least talk about some ideas, if not to make this easier on us than to at least keep our parents off our backs." She said, joking a bit at the end before she took another bite of food.
 
Constantine smiled feeling a little sad inside. When had he changed from such a cute and loveable little boy to the town Cassanova? It's not like he was ashamed of his lifestyle, but he wasn't proud of it either. For once, he wanted to be known as just Constantine not the Duke of Hemmingsway eldest, most handsome, alluring, and sexually explicit son. Maybe he was becoming a bit ashamed of himself. No way did such a nice girl like Annaliel deserve a man like him. No way at all.... "Yes, definitely. What's your favorite color?" he asked quietly.

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Annaliel thought quietly for a moment, she was the type of girl who loved just about everything, she never has on true favorite. She looked around the garden as she thought about which color she would like more, looking at the flowers and hoping that they might give her a clue on which to choose.

"Well I love many colors, but if I were to pick a favorite I would have to say that it is purple...or pink." She said as she looked at him. " What is your's?"

As she waited for his answer her mind started to wander. Constantine was a good man deep down, she could tell by the way he looked so guilty when Colette has run off crying. He also was very handsome, the only real reson that he had not been married off sooner was the fact that he was a flirt, however it seemed that he hadn't been flirting very much. In thee beginning she would have refused to marry him if she had the choice but now she was torn. With colette getting married there was no compitition and Constantine had seemed to turn over a new leaf and stop his bad habits. Maybe marriage wouldn't be so bad, and considering the power he had she could still follow her dream.
 
Constantine thought a moment. What was his favorite color? The question had never been asked of him before, and he didn't really know the answer. Thinking of the teal vest he had worn the previous day he awkwardly answered, "Ummm......I don't really know myself....Green?" It wasn't really something that came to him quickly as did most people, and actually he didn't really care what color anything was as long as he looked good in it! And once again, his old, vain habits reared its ugly head. Come on! Think openly! Of people other than yourself for once! It's the least you can do through all this! He began to speak more eloquently, then, "Well, it is spring. And Lord Cunningham and Lady Abigail has already stolen the more lively colors for their wedding, so, maybe we should use pastels? A light yellow with traditional white, maybe?"

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" That sounds good, we'd also have a lot more to work with since pastels easily fit together so if we wished we could use more than just those two colors." Annaliel said with a nice smile. "However, the colors we use can also be affedt by where we get married...My mother was pushing for the large church in the city but I'm not so sure about it. It is quite lovely but I've always loved the outdoors and we would be terribly restricted to a certain nuber of people who could and fit in the church. Is there anywhere you would like to have the ceremony done?"

Annaliel felt a little less shy as she talked about the wedding, finding that the simple conversation was very relaxing, especially after they had just been throught such a stressful situation. She took a sip of her tea as she looked over the garden for a moment. It would be nice to have the wedding in a garden like this. It was so open and lovely that she was certain both of their families could fit and there would still be room for 300 more people!
 
"Yes, absolutely! But, then, there would also arise the question of what flowers you should have in your bouquet....I said yellow and white...Yellow means Happiness and Cheerfulness and white, of course, means Purity. They both would work well with you. Hmmm....then you could carry yellow and white roses, meaning Romance. Perfect for a spring wedding, and at the same time not too bold or loud. But, of course, it's your decision in the end," Constantine added. He had no idea where all of these ideas were coming from! He felt as if he were planning someone else's wedding rather than their own! Just my poetry studies kicking in. Seems like they're having good long term effects, after all. "I would rather have an outdoors wedding, as well. My mother carried me all over England looking for the right church, but none of them seemed to be big enough to fit not even half of my side of the family! And then everything could be decorated to our pleasing......My father is planning to spend thousands of pounds on this wedding, so money is definitely not a problem. No limits, so if there's anything you specifically want in the wedding, anything at all, I'll see that he and my mother get it for you," he sighed, having finished his tea only moments ago. He dared not pour himself another cup. He was already beginning to feel overly alert and relaxed. He was beginning to wonder whether or not the cook had put anything in it........

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Annaliel smiled a bit more as she looked over the garden. She could feel her cheeks flush as he complimented her again, he was really giving them out today. She took another sip of hwe tea before she turned to face him again, still smiling happily.

"I love the colors and I think they would be best, especially for an outdoor wedding...In fact why dont' we just have the wedding in your family's garden?" She asked as a look of discovery popped onto her face. "The garden is plenty bug and could certainly hold both of our families with out much trouble and still leave room for friends. On top of that we could just have the reception at the mansion and decorate it however we like. It would certainly be easier then trying to find a church big enough for our families."

She was rather proud of this idea, it would make everything so much easier. She just hoped that Constantine would agree.
 
"Well now that you mention it......," Constantine sat up in his cahir and looked around at the garden, "It just might work! Especially since the gardeners should be done expanding by next week. They really have been working their back sides off. And then, we could really decorate everything." He smiled pleasingly at Annaliel. He couldn't wait to finally report their opinions of the wedding to his parents. It was finally beginning to feel like he was actually having some say in everything, and wasn't being pulled on a leash like a dog. "So, now that thats all discussed.....Is there anything else we're missing? Ah, yes! Have you picked any girls to be your bridesmaids? I've already given word to a few of my closest friends and one of my brothers. And speaking of bridesmaids and groomsmen....Colette just sent me a letter asking me to give you this.....," he said briefly getting up and walking back into the house and coming back with a very beautiful orange dress. "It's your dress she wants you to wear as her maid of honor. She says it doesn't matter what you wear with it just so long as it compliments the wedding colors: orange and pink," he said handing the dress to her. He was still quite surprised that Colette was still going through with it all, but, the last time he saw her in Walsberg, she seemed so happy......

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Annaliel smiled more as he seemed to like her idea, it felt like they were really bonding for once. In all honesty it felt nice to have finally figured out some of the wedding plans, it meant that her parents wouldn't bother her about if for awhile. It also felt like she was in control for once, the she was leading her own life. When he mentioned the brides mades she felt her face flush with embarrassment, she had completely forgotten about that part.

"No, that completely slipped my mind...I'll probably have Emmilia as one of my bridesmaids, Rebbeca and Sophia would be able to stand that long without their feet becoming horribly sore. I'll send some letters out to my cousins, I'm sure they would be happy to take part...As for my maid of honor...I was thinking of asking Colette. We may not have gotten off to a good start but I fell that its the least I can do. Besides, my other friends would rather just watch be get married than be apart of the ceremony, they are all shy like myself." She admitted softly.

When he returned with the dress she looked at it with surprise, it was very lovely! Colette really was serious about her being the maid of honor. She smiled a bit as she stood up and walked over to him to examine the dress.

" I'll make sure to keep the colors in mind when I choose my jewelry."
 
"I think Colette would be more than flattered," Constantine replied. It was already past noon, though their conversation seemed to have lasted much longer. Shrugging his shoulders, Constantine said, "Well, it's past noon and I'm sure both you and I have other things to be attending to. My parents and 2 of my siblings will be back in at least an hour, and I wouldn't want them pestering you, beacause if they saw you here, they definitely would! It was much fun talking with you, Annaliel. I hope we can do it again sometime." The maids quickly came forward and picked up all the dirty dishes and the tea set as he led Annaliel back to the front yard. He had had a good time, and would thank all the servants, accordingly, later. He said to Annaliel before she left, "I nad my parents will come and pick you and your family up next week for Colette's wedding. See you, then!"

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Annaliel smiled as she walked with him to the front and her carriage, the dress in her arms as she looked up at him.

"I had a lovely time talking with you as well, Constantine. I'll gladly come again when ever you have time to spare." She said as she stood next to her carriage. "And I'll inform my parents about you coming to pick us up. My sisters will be coming seperately since they do not live with us. Anyway, It was nice seeing you. Goodbye~"

Annaliel gave him one last smile before she stepped into her carriage and the driver shot off. As the horses trotted along she felt a little giddy about everything. It seemed that things were improving from where they had once been, and she was even a little comfortable with spending time with Constantine now. She had certainly changed since the arrangement had been made, and she couldn't help thinking it was for the better. Even so she was still a little saddened. It was hard not to be when you whole life was soon going to change, especially since she would no longer be able to follow her dream. A small sigh past her lips and for the rest of the ride home she thought about her own wedding, and what the invitations should look like...

When the week past, having felt like a year for Annaliel, everyone was packed for the over night stay, it was no short trip to Walsberg. The dress that Colette had sent her had fit perfectly when she tried it on and was quickly packed away in preparation for the event. Along with it was a nightgown and a few day dresses, incase there was a need for her to change more than once. As she sat on her truck, waiting near the front door while her parents did a last minute run through of the house, she flipped the letter she had written for Colette over in her hands. She wasn't sure if she should give it to her. She had rewritten it one last time during the week and she was certain this was the best she could come up with, even though she felt it still wasn't enough. A small sigh slipped past her lips as she looked out the window to see if Constantine and his parents had arrived yet, tugging at her cloak absentmindedly.
 
Constantine had waved goodbye to Annaliel as the carriage pulled off, and now, one week later, he was going to be saying hello again. He had had a nice suit prepared for the wedding, and even his brothers had decided to attend with their wives. As he rode in the large carriage once again with his parents, this time, he was a lot more enthusiastic to be seeing his fiancee and her family. When they had arrived, he got out to escort Annaliel into the carriage while the driver attended to all their luggage. "It's going to be a lengthy ride before we get to Walsberg," he told her just in case she hadn't known. And the carriage ride was pretty extensive, but Constantine had been used to it, having been to Walsberg more than usual. By the time they had arrived, it was already late at night. Duke Wilfred Machird greeted Constantine's father happily, and Duke Arelson introduced Annaliel and her family, as well. All 3 families exchanged plesantries, and the many maids and butlers carried all their luggage and showed them to their rooms. Colette's mother assured them that the young girl was not there, and was, in fact, staying at her sister's house for the night. Constantine went into his own room, and sat down on the edge of the bed tiredly while some of the family talked briefly downstairs before heading to bed themselves. It had been such a long ride, and he eventually went to sleep.

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Annaliel smiled a bit as Constantine arrived, her parents greeting his happily. She knew it would be a long ride and planned ahead, having a simple novel on her person. She read most of the trip, pausing in her reading only to aswer a question or slip into a coversation that caught her interest. At one point the wedding had been brought up and she spoke about the ideas Constantine and her had co me up with. When they finally arrived she was dredfully tired, so much that she almost nodded off on Constantine's shoulder at one point. When they entered the house she was introduced to Colette's parents and greed them politely. However, she did not stay up for the chat and instead went to her room to change into her nightgown and go to bed.

The next day was quite the rush, it was early in the morning and a loud knock came to her door. When she opened it she found it was a group of maids delivering a bath to her so she could freshen up and be ready, Also telling her that Colette would be returning soon to get changed herself. Annaliel quickly washed herself and slipped into her petticoat and corset with teh help of a maid, before finishing up the rest of her outfit. She wanted to be able to speak with Colette before the wedding as well as be completely prepared.
 
Colette stepped out of the carriage, and into the house, well rested and ready for her wedding in only a few hours. Her sister had kept her up all night chatting about what life was like for her after marriage and Colette had listened intently. She felt very ready for this wedding as she bathed and slipped into her undergarments. Her mother, of course, intervened when it was time to put on her makeup and do her hair, and she happily obliged, glad to know that she had so much support from her family. Before she slipped into her wedding dress, Colette put on her favorite pink robe and walked down the hallway to the guest rooms. One of the maids had informed her that Annaliel was intent on speaking briefly with her before the wedding. She was quite nervous to have to speak with her again thinking of how cruely she had treated her in the past, but she built up some courage and gently knocked on the door. "Annaliel? It's Colette. Can I come in? I heard that you wanted to speak with me," she said.

Constantine was primped and ready for his best friend's wedding. Coriella had briefly waltzed in to make sure he was okay, and he wondered why he wouldn't be. He was quite happy for Colette, and couldn't wait to see her walk down the aisle. Sitting on the side of the bed, he adjusted his cuffs and gawked at himself in the mirror before going downstairs with his father and Duke Machird.

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Annaliel look up from the vanity where she was putting on make up, her outfit almost completely put together. She was doing her best to look simple and plain, sticking with a stright bun that was decorated with small pink flowers. She had some earring and a bracelt but other than that she left herself be. When she heard Colette at her door she felt nerves start to break on her.

"C-Come in, I'm just finishing up." She called back. Reaching for the letter she had written.
 
Colette walked inside slowly, smiling when she saw Annaliel. "Well, don't you look wonderful!" she said cheerfully. She sat down in a nearby chair, and asked quietly, "So....you wanted to speak with me?" She really hoped they wouldn't argue or fight anymore. And she really hoped that Annaliel could forgive her.

Constantine walked downstairs to see his father, Duke Machird, and.....Henry! He laughed, "Henry, old chap! I thought you believed being at the bride's house before the wedding was bad luck! The 26-year-old smiled, his short blonde hair cut away from his light blue eyes. "Shhhhh, Constantine! I do! I just wanted to speak with you and Duke Machird before the wedding!" he said. Constantine laughed and walked with him outside. As they stepped onto the front lawn, Henry pulled out a cigar giving one to his long-time friend, as well. "So, what's on your mind, Henry?" Constantine asked, lighting the cigar, "I love it when two of my closest friends get married!" Henry smiled at him before speaking.

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