For the Crown

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"Sounds to me like she's earning her gold here. I shan't keep her or your father waiting, then. 'Til later, your Highness," Lochlann had said, bowing and then walking into the palace.

“Until later,” Anre replied, his smile fading from his face as Lochlann passed him, before turning back to observe the courtyard before him.

On the other side of the courtyard, he noticed Lord Keadan Lorgain and a companion, as the companion gestured in his direction. Anre watched with narrowed eyes to observe Keadan scrawling something else onto his page, and then tearing out the page and folding it. It wasn’t usual behaviour by any standards, especially given that the lord was in the near presence of the Crown Prince of Caerleon, but Anre didn’t focus on that. Keadan was a poet, a historian, and by most accounts given to him, an eccentric man. He wasn’t about to call him out for something so inoffensive. When Keadan reached him, albeit somewhat visibly hesitantly, Anre returned the respectful bow, although he was careful not to bow lower than the lord before him.

“It’s a pleasure to see you,” Anre said with a genuine smile on his face, unsure of how to approach the conversation - the man was unable to hear him, but he assumed that the man beside him was some sort of translator, so he decided to continue. “I’m familiar with a lot of your work, I’m glad that I have this honour. My father requested that you sit among my family and the other lords for this meal, I'd love to talk more with you about your works later on. If you head through these gates, our servant Lucia will escort you to the Great Hall, where my father will greet you himself."

Anre shook Keadan's hand before continuing, "She'll also show you to your chamber room if you request."

Keadan Lorgain
@Starlighter
 
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Lochlann Bourdillon
Great Hall
@Tarieles

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"Ah, hello my friend! It is good to see you! I hope you are well!" He gestured to the expanse of the ballroom. "I do hope you are finding your way around well enough. Drink, eat to your fill! You are always welcome among us, and I will hope to see you at my own personal table this evening."

And there it was: the hypocrisy of the Esrysson's. The act was there, the façade that the Esrysson and Bourdillon family were somewhat close, that Lochlann was something of a close friend to the King himself, but he knew the truth of everyone's perceptions at court. Politics spoke louder than any greeting. Policy painted a picture no artist could hope to render so clearly. Despite seeing the courtesy as something of an affront, Lochlann knew the Esrysson's were playing the game of politics just as much as he was... and that they were experienced at it. He was the underdog at court and there was no doubt about that.

"Your courtesy is most welcome, your highness. I expect I will have the chance to speak more in-depth with you at tonight's feast. I have many stories about the recent great accomplishments of my holdings," he spoke truly. There was no doubt about it. Despite the meager size of the Bourdillon territory and its general poverty, Lochlann was proud of it to no end. "I am sure you have many guests to which you must attend," he closed, with a courteous bow. "I believe drinking and eating my fill are in order after such a lengthy journey."

Parting from his position, he filtered off to the side of the hall, finding one of the servants whom was ferrying wine about the room. Liberating a chalice, he held his nose above the vintage, savouring the smell before allowing the red liquid to pour into his mouth. A wry grin kissed his lips as it was now more prevalent than ever, the festivities had began and the game was on.​
 
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[fieldbox="Tags & Mentions, #ccccff, ridge, 4, Mistral"]@Kinton Nyr @Tarieles
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[fieldbox="Keadan Lorgain, #ccccff, ridge, 7, Monotype Corsiva"]
Morecambe Palace Courtyard >> Hallways
Keadan was just a moment too late to hand Anre the written greeting before he spoke. So instead, he watched the Crown Prince's face, easily reading his lips to catch what he was saying. Rather than responding right away, he waited for Markes to use a few quick hand signals to convey the important parts. He nodded, then returned his focus to the Crown Prince as he shook Anre's hand. He made a brief shorthand scribble on the back of the page he had torn out, and handed it to Markes. He scanned it, then bowed with appropriate depth to the Prince.

"My master wishes me to thank you for a most gracious welcome, and says that the honour of this meeting is all his, sire; especially to finally have the privilege of meeting your highness in person. He looks forward to conversing with you further in the near future." Lord and Valet bowed once more to the Prince. Keadan tucked the page into his pocket, and they entered the palace as their horses were led away.

Keadan paused not far past the doorway, and turned to face Markes, the waiting serving girl standing patiently just off to the side. He pulled out the paper and scratched out another shorthand note, which he gave to his Valet. Markes nodded. "I wish you the best of luck, sir; I will rejoin you as soon as I am able." Keadan nodded, and after having Lucia point him in the direction of the Great Hall, the two menials departed in the direction of the guest rooms.

Keadan drew in a slow, deep breath and released it as he made his way in the direction indicated by the servant girl. A gloomy sense of brooding threatened to turn his expression into a storm cloud. Hopefully the greetings and required social interactions would be brief, and not soon repeated. For now he would focus on that, and not the daunting thought of making it through an entire meal with important persons in a room crowded with festive-minded people. Even now he could imagine feeling ill - in reality or pretense - and making an early exit from that scenario.

Keadan came up short, staring at a narrow, closed door. He turned to look back over his shoulder, scowling. Somehow I doubt this is where I'm supposed to be... His scowl deepened. Perfectly simple directions... and yet somehow, he was now completely lost, wandering in the palace. Excellent. Simply... excellent. Trying not to look as irritated as he felt, he spun on his heel and marched down the nearest corridor in search of a servant.
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Prince Dominic Esrysson, 20
Interactions: Orlagh @VengefulPeanut, Rodric @Mundane Monster
Mentions: King Leander, Lochlann Bourdillon, Edric Sunder

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Dominic watched his father’s eyes as they scanned the Great Hall in search for someone or something, and while he wasn’t sure exactly what his father was seeking, he didn’t find it hard to guess that it was probably Edric. As excited as Dominic would be to see the general, he knew how much more his father would have enjoyed the reunion. They had grown up together as children, fought on battlefields as comrades, lived in life as brothers. Sometimes he even believed that the king loved Edric – and Edric loved the king – even more than Dominic’s own siblings loved one another. Unlike his father, Dominic had been born into a time of peace and had never seen a battle yet, but his father’s life had been forged as a youth with a sword in his hand.

Dominic didn’t hear the exchange between his father and Orlagh, as he had chosen not to listen in order to talk to Rodric instead, but his attention was caught by his father greeting the Bourdillon lord, and more importantly his father’s words – “hope to see you on my own personal table”. This man wasn’t worth it, not as far as Dominic was aware. He was just some minor lord, whose father was a glorified turncoat. As far as he was aware, the Bourdillons hadn’t been relevant or important in the story of Caerleon for thirty years, and even then they were only significant because they had been traitors. No, as far as he was aware, the only thing that had stopped Ayer betraying them again was an early death.

“I take it he said you can stay then, Orlagh,” Dominic said, turning to face his sister with a smile. “Come on, let’s go and get some food. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
 
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Orlagh Esrysson
Great Hall
@derelict_lilyflower @Mundane Monster


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"I'm not really in the mood for eating," Orlagh admitted in response to her brother. Nevertheless, she followed in behind him as he sought out the many items of food that were scattered about the hall for the guests. "How are the animals, Rodric?" Orlagh asked, looking to her younger brother with curious eyes.

"I'm going to take your lack of response to mean that it's in position," she smiled to Dominic, briefly, while she awaited Rodric's response. In truth, she felt a little bad about playing such a public prank on Rodric's mother but still... there was something about the woman that Orlagh couldn't quite put her finger on. Something unnerving. Something that said she couldn't be trusted.​
 
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Queen Isolde Esrysson, 37
Interactions: Shadia, Leander @Tarieles
Mentions: Prince Anre, Prince Rodric, Keadan Lorgain

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Isolde's eyes opened abruptly, her breathing was heavy and panicked and her hands were desperately seeking for something to grab onto. They found something - an arm. She sat up, looking down at the figure beside her. It was a younger man, no older than thirty, with long blonde hair and a soft but worn face, as if he had seen the world. His eyes fluttered open, meeting her gaze, and his hand moved towards her bare chest, as if to check her temperature or to feel her raging heartbeat. She had endured another one of her nightmares. They had become a lot more frequent recently.

"My Queen, are you alright?" the man asked, as he sat up beside her and kissed the base of her neck. "You look frightened."

"You need to leave me,"
Isolde muttered, nodding weakly. "It's almost dawn."

"It's early afternoon, and I'm quite sure you're in my chambers, darling,"
the man said with a grin, but Isolde's sharp glare put an end to that. "You know where the door is."

"Shit."


Isolde shrugged, before sinking back into the mattress beside him. The man, Rickon Royle, was the palace's castellan and he served as an advisor to her husband, and was a young and handsome man by all means. Isolde had taken him as a lover shortly after he had been invited to the palace to reside permanently after his own house had been burned down by bandits a year beforehand. Of course, Leander would have fumed if he knew what was going on behind his back, but she was always discreet. Sure, she loved her husband, but she knew he loved her more. It couldn't be helped. A knock on the door sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly covered her face with his blanket to hide herself as a servant entered.

"Master Royle,"
a servant said. "The King and Queen have invited you to the Great Hall."

"Oh shit,"
she exclaimed again once the servant had left the room, quickly finding her clothes and throwing them on. "I need to get down there now, they must have all been waiting."

She hurried to the mirror, looking back at her reflection and then smiling sweetly - for practice. Her hair was a mess, but she didn't have the time to sort it out now. As long as she looked attractive, then nothing else counted. She just had to show her face. Play the role of the loving wife, the beautiful queen, and smile. Rickon didn't say anything as he dressed himself up and looked out of the room to see if anyone was around, before turning back to her.

"You're safe to go,"
he said, followed by her quick disappearance from the room and his own sigh.

Isolde walked briskly until she reached the doors to Great Hall, ignoring the passing servants paying their respects and an oblivious stranger who she assumed was one of the lords. She could see her husband sitting on his throne, distracted by the events around them. She forced a smile. Leander was a great man, and a good king, and a better father, but she couldn't hide her resentment. She had always felt like she had loved him harder, that she had loved him more intensely, and that she had failed to bear him an heir. He already had three children before her, two of them sons, and seemed to have little interest in naming her child as his successor. Sometimes she wondered whether he kept Anre as his heir because he was Aurelia's child, although that thought was ludicrous in itself. She walked up to one of the servant girls, Shadia, who seemed to have one cup of wine left on her tray.

"Shadia, dear,"
she said with a false smile, taking the goblet of wine and sipping from it. "Why is your wine tray empty? Go and fill it up."

Isolde shook her head disappointedly, as she continued to walk on, drinking her wine. Those who had spotted her enter greeted her warmly, but she didn't return the greetings, she just smiled. Then, she spotted her son Rodric, the apple of her eye, standing in the presence of Leander's twins. Her smile faded completely, she forced herself to mask her scowl as the twins passed by, and then walked over to where her husband was seated. She bobbed a curtsy to him, smiling again, and then leaned down to kiss the corner of his mouth.

"Sorry for my delay,"
she said, as she looked around the hall. "I wanted to look my best for you, but I couldn't quite get it right so I gave up. It is better to be late and only half as beautiful than never to be seen at all."
 
Duchess Of Cormwall Selene, 25
Interactions: Brother Kit and Anre her Betrothed @Kinton Nyr
Mentioned: The Queen and King

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The soft winds and Sandy beaches turned into hard packed earth and forest as hooves of a midnight black Horse pounced down the road. A black cloak billowed behind the figure as a group road down the road to the Caerleon Kingdom and away from the soft Sandy beaches of Cormwall. The rider was the Betrothed to the Crowned Prince of Caerleon. Her name was Selene. She had beautiful blue eye's and long beautiful brown hair. Her skin flawless and radiant. As she rode her hair flew from undressed the cloak behind her a small smirk on her lips. She had been riding for a few days to get to the Capital of Caerleon. She been miles away from her Betrothed in her homeland and yet when it was time to leave and go back she was torn Her love for he Homeland and the feelings for her knew Betrothed were tearing at her heart. However, she would always return to her homeland. With one last glance she kicked her horse foward and rode a head of the guards that had been provided for her from Caerleon. She had reluctantly excepted their company. She had told her Betrothed as long as they did not slow her down she would take them with her.

Now as she rode her heart soared she was not to far away romantic seeing her Betrothed the wind whipped through her hair as a small smirk lay upon her lips. One of the guards however finally caught up to her horse and pulled the reigns of her horse. "Mi Lady You need to slow down the others are tired and falling behind you must also switch your riding style it would be improper to show up like this. Come." He said.

Selene could not argue with his logic no matter how she wished too. The fire in her eyes sparked,but she stopped to clean up a bit and had the guard help her take the twigs and things from her hair she was to be showing up for a royal event. She could not look as she been riding for days as a man would. She would be scolded and get a disgusted look from the damn Queen Step Mother to her Betrothed. Selene looked into the river as she cleaned her face of the dirt and dust from her face, hair, and dark dress the one she chooses was meant for traveling, but it also would fit for being among royals and Nobels. Her hands dipped into the clear running after as she washed her arms and stared down into the water. The reflection, that stared back was that of a young woman and yet she was feeling this was not her. Her doubts fired again and she fingered the necklace as she watched the water and turned away as she braided her long hair and made it look more presentable then it just being freed in the wind. Climbing back on to her horse she sat lady like on the horse they were not but 100ft from the gates all she had to do was ride to her Betrothed.

Selene laughed her mood changing as she watched the other guards rode up. " My Lady it is not funny, you must not laugh, you ride better then most men." Her main guard said. She nods."Come were not far from the castle." She said and rode along with them.Selene rode between the men as a woman would do. Once the gate Came into view her eye's went to her Betrothed He was at the gate greeting Nobels. The guards stopped and her main guard slipped to the ground and reached up to help her down. Selene Bowed her head gently to Anre.A small smile played on her lips as she looked up into his eye's."Who would think you would be standing at the gate." She said softly her body stayed a bit away from him. He had not invited her to come close to him,not yet at least ,but she must behave in public. It was why she had let the guard help her down.​
 
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  • "My master wishes me to thank you for a most gracious welcome, and says that the honour of this meeting is all his, sire; especially to finally have the privilege of meeting your highness in person. He looks forward to conversing with you further in the near future."

    Anre smiled politely at Lord Keadan and his companion, stepping aside to allow them to make their way into the palace. The wind rustled through his hair as he stood there in wait, wanting to know who would be the next to arrive to greet him. He had been here now for almost an hour. He didn't want to miss out on the event, his father would be livid if his eldest son, and heir, didn't show his face. He could see it now - Isolde's smug grin as Leander scolded him. His stepmother was a polite and respectable woman, but he didn't trust her as far as he could drop a stone.

    Another ten minutes passed before the decision was made in his mind. He was beginning to feel the cold breeze biting at his neck and fingers, and his growing hunger pinching at his stomach. He didn't really know why he had assumed the role of a doorman today, some kind of attempt to show respect to the lords who arrived, and to present himself as a respectable individual. He wanted to talk to the lords individually before the events would begin, but any who were later than the present time could wait for another occasion.

    Just as he turned to head indoors, another entourage appeared and rode towards the gates. He squinted to see, but eventually recognised her. Selene, the beautiful Selene, the woman whose hand he had agreed to take in marriage some day in the near future. The woman to whom he was betrothed, to whom he would someday vow to love forever. He returned her smile with a warm one of his own, meeting her gaze, and bowed to her as he had done to all the lords before her.

    "Who would think you would be standing at the gate?"

    Anre's smile grew wider at the sound of her voice. It had been a while since he had laid eyes on her. He hadn't expected her to turn up today, if at all during the festival, especially considering the reason of her travels - which had been to check on her brother, his future brother-in-law and the future Duke of Cormwall, Kit. He would have excused her absence, but he was pleased for her presence.

    "My Lady,"
    he said, taking her hand, falling to one knee and kissing it, before standing up. "I figured I ought to greet the lords as they came. If I had expected to greet you here instead, I would have brought an entire bouquet or a gift."

    Selene, Duchess of Cormwall
    @~Dark Disney~
 
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Duchess Of Cormwall Selene, 25

Interactions: Anre her Betrothed @Kinton Nyr
Mentioned: Her Brother Kit,The Queen, and King

Lips parting in a small smile Selene shook her head."I thought it be a wonderful suprise to come back early. My brother is doing well, Cormwall is thriving and my presence is redundant. The kingdom is running just as I had left it and just as my parent's had left it. The visit was more to bring some company to my brother that was not servants or guards." She said." I do not need gifts or a Bouquet my love, the sight of you is worth more then a rose or a gift." She said. Selene had more then missed the man she called her Betrothed. All around just missing him and tired of being formal, being as their was no one around her or him. Selene's arms flew around him and her head rested on his shoulder." I did however very much Miss you." She said into the soft skin of his neck.

The couple had been with one another for 2 years now. Her advisors had told her it was for the best of the kingdom and if it was to perspire she needed to marry into the bigger kingdom. She had a feeling they just wanted Kit on the Cormwall throne, since he was male. She had told them to give her till she was 23, if she did not find love or happiness with a bigger kingdom she would be betrothed to whom ever they wished.She been 20 at the time 3 years had passed and she still had scared away every man she been with, many figured it was on purpose the fiery Duchess just did not wish to be married. However on her 23rd Name Day, her advisors told her she was going to Caerleon to be betrothed to The Crowned Prince. Selene hated the idea, she went to the ball any way. The Ball was to be held for the Crowned Prince, her Betrothed and for her. It was a masquerade, when she arrived, she arrived in a black carriage that was blank and did not show her colors, Stepping out of the carriage her feet had touched the stone and she had made her way to the castle. Where she stood quite and waited. A man asked her to dance and they talked and danced all night, she however went to accuse herself and said she must find her Betrothed the Crowned Prince. However the male pulled her back gently and removed his mask. Selene was stunned when she saw that it was him, the Crowned prince. She let him remove her mask, that is how a small romance budded between the two. It grew much over the last two years.

Finally pulling away from him with a small sigh."We should go in or we shall be late, besides the chill is seeping through this cloak, definitely not this cold in Cormwall." She said. Selene looked down and frowned at her attire wasn't much she could do about her traveling look, she hadn't been inclined to wear something nice while riding. It was nice enough black corset with free flowing skirt more or less like this,but in black. Her cloak was black as well, she choose black riding clothes because she figured the dust wouldn't show as bad. Her boots however were muddy and dirty from walking around the river bed, right before she got her to change from her riding pants and riding corset top.She looked more like a female pirate then the did a duchess. However no one seemed to want to mess with her a long the road because of it.

"The Queen, will be displeased with how I am dressed already, and being late on top of that will not help the situation any." Selene said softly. She really did not like Anres step mother. Their was something about the woman that Selene did not trust,that was why when she was back in court selene would avoid the woman as much as possible. Now the King, was a good man she enjoyed his company he seemed to like her well enough.She kept his son happy and as long as she kept doing so, she assumed the king would be pleased with her. Of course it wasn't always happy times for the couple. Her fiery attitude would get her into trouble with the Crowned prince. She didn't always agree with his decisions,they never left on bad terms they would fight it out verbally (with non raised voices) until they came to an agreement, then all was swell again.

Walking in from the outside into the warmth of the castle Selene welcomed the fires going to keep the cold stone castle warm. Removing her cloak and handing it gently to a Servant thanking them, her hand went into Anres. As she walked beside him, head held high,body straight, though her hand gripped Anres tightly. Being away from him for a week no word or contact, she had truly missed him, plus she was nervous about the way she looked. Her eye's traveled to the King and Queen. The Queen seemed to have just gotten out of bed, with the way her hair looked. Which made Selene feel a whole lot better.
 
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Maroa leanabh aig Fionnghal
The Quarters of Master Mhoirdheinn and his Apprentice

Maroa takes in a deep breath as they clasp the cloak of white lined with silver spun thread under the beard of their ancient master. Some say he has lived hundreds of years. One would almost believe it with the way he looks, beard long enough to be tucked into his belt, balding head with splotches across the sheen of it, pale eyes nearly blind. Yet you may doubt it by how the man carries himself. A stern teacher with a lively soul, and a presence that seems to beam knowledge and strength. "The wisdom of the old is not to be trifled with. The king would do well to remember that." he says complaining about something or other during the last counsel, his voice course and filled with the shapes of a land far away, Gàidha. "Yes yes." Maroa says dismissively and sighs.

The ancient wise-man adjusts his cloak not even seeming to hear. "Now it is time I go and see the creatures of the night, and hear more dry meaningless tosh about this or that as all of them ovoid the old warlock, less they get cursed by my foul magics." Mhoirdheinn says, this clearly not a good day for him. His aches must be acting up again. Maroa shrugs an internal shrug. The old man adjusts his pure white robe that reaches all the way to the floor, the robe of a holyman of the old faith. The faith of the Gàidhlig. Maroa wore something similar, though theirs was shorter, ending half way up their calves. "Well? Go old man, before you are missed." Maroa motions to the door out of their shared quarters. "Feh! These ungreatful milksops would miss me about as mutch as they would miss the rats in the larder." He says, taking his leave.

Mhoirdheinn as he is about to disappear, peering back at his young apprentice.
"Don't just hold up in here the whole eve Maroa child of Fionnghal. Go out and find a person to fill your heart with some love, and make your pelvis ache. Danu knows I had dozens of girls and boys both battering down my door to have my love at your age." The old man says getting a disgusted "Eww! Go! Just go! You old amadán! Your going senile!" out of Maroa. They quickly moves to push him out fully, urgently wanting to unsee the absurd images that flashed through their mind, and end this conversation.

Mhoirdheinn gives a gentle look and hand on their shoulder, making Maroa freeze in their tracks. The old man speaks with uncharacteristic warmth
"Seriously, go out. Or atleast take a little walk of the halls. You spend so much time inside away from people, I worry for you ceann óg. You know well that a book is no substitute for the company of someone who you can call friend." Mhordheinn gives Maroa a soft smile, and their arm a squeeze, then reaches for the gnarled limb of oak, and takes his leave.

Maroa closes the door and rests their back against it giving a great sigh, listening to the clack of the wooden staff clack against stone fade.
"Old codger." he is right though, I can't just hide away here and in the library forever... They look up at the sealing, their eyes playing across the support beams. But how were they to be expected to do anything else? They have lived here for years now and have always felt the outsider. Sure the royal family has always treated them with some share of respect, they are gifts of sorts from a foreign nation for whom they are allied. But a heathen ally, and a weak one at that. Not to mention Maroa's "different nature"...

A deep breath, and a fastening of their belt. Maroa tries to steel themselves, head over to the mirror. If they are going to look the foolish pagan savage, their going to look damn good while they do it.
Maroa spends some time preparing and donning a white cloak of their own, and enters into the halls.
 
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King Leander Esrysson
Morecambe Great Hall
Interacted: Queen Isolde @derelict_lilyflower Anre @Kinton Nyr Selene @~Dark Disney~
Mentioned: Rodric

Leander smiled as his wife entered and made her way to him. He gave her a light peck on the cheek when she bent to do the same.

"It is wonderful to see you my darling. You shouldn't worry, your beauty is something to behold. You always look marvelous." He smiled, and took his seat, greeting more and more nobles. "The festivities have barely started, you have no need to concern yourself. However, I am sure the rest who arrive will be more than happy to behold the flower of Caerleon." His eyes traveled to the doors of the Great Hall, as his son and his betrothed entered. he stood again, approaching the couple.

"Ah, Anre, good to see you have arrived. I should have known you would be waiting for Lady Cormwall." He reached for Selene's hand and gave it a kiss. "It is always wonderful to see you my dear. You and Anre make a beautiful couple. Of course, I do expect you to dine at our table this evening." He gestured to the room. "But for now, enjoy yourselves. I'm sure the two of you would like to spend some quality time together regaling each other of tales from the kingdoms." He smiled jovially at the two, before glancing back at his queen.

"For now, I should return. Before Isolde scolds me." He joked, giving Anre a strong, encouraging hand on his shoulder. "Have a fine time you two." He said, returning to his seat. He smiled at the two from afar. "Those two will make fine successors." He said, mostly to himself. He was aware that Isolde would much prefer Rodric to be the one next to claim the throne, but Anre was firstborn. Tradition was tradition after all.


Shadia Hasnoui
Morecambe Great Hall
Interacted: Queen Isolde @derelict_lilyflower Keadan Lorgain @Starlighter
Mentioned: Anre @Kinton Nyr

Shadia clenched her teeth when the queen told her to fetch more wine. As she walked away from the servant girl, Shadia stared after her. She was late to another function. The servants were already highly suspicious of her behavior, and many rumors had already spread as to whom she was sleeping with. Some thought perhaps one of the advisors of the king, while others thought maybe a servant boy. Even fewer thought the scandal was even deeper than anyone could imagine, and thought she was sleeping with her own stepson, the crown prince, as a way to blackmail him to keeping off the throne. Whatever was the truth, there was one thing for certain: something was wrong, and the queen was behind it.

With a quick and silent harrumph, Shadia returned to the kitchen. However, instead of bringing back more wine, she placed her tray on one of the tables and left the kitchen, with only a mention of needing to use the lavatory. She stormed down the silent halls, running a hand through her hair, before she reached a dead end of a few empty bedrooms. She glanced around, making sure no one had followed her, before entering a room. She rushed to the bed, and reached behind the grand headboard, where a wall panel was peeling away. Here, she stored a small, crude book and a piece of burnt vine from the gardens. She scribbled away, writing down what she had seen so far, before returning the book to its hiding place, and hurrying back out. She wiped the char from her hands onto the underside of her skirt, and went back into the hallway. She stopped suddenly, as she came practically face to face with a nobleman.

"Oh, sir, I do apologize profusely, I did not see you at all, please forgive me." Her persona switched almost instantly. Years of practice kept her sharp. She bowed deeply, keeping eye contact away from the man. She hadn't seen his face, nor did she care to. He was likely just another man who would either curse her for being in his presence, or she would have to deal with some groping and other unsavory activities that she was already so used to.
 
[fieldbox="Tags & Mentions, #ccccff, ridge, 4, Mistral"][I][font=papyrus]Interacted: Maroa @Galvantic Shadia @Tarieles[/font][/I]
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[fieldbox="Keadan Lorgain, #ccccff, ridge, 7, Monotype Corsiva"]
Morecambe Palace Hallways
Keadan had not even the most remote clue where he was going or what part of the palace he had entered, but he kept going anyway. It seemed rather strange that so far he had yet to encounter a single servant or other royal representative who would be capable of directing him back to where he was actually supposed to be at the moment, and that fact rather worried him. He couldn't help but wonder if somehow, he had ended up in a part of the palace that he should not be in at all.

The walls were only modestly decorated with tapestries and the lamps were lit, sitting in between modest but elegant closed doors. What lay beyond them was anyone's guess - storage chambers, guest rooms, servants quarters.... who could say? He paused before one such door and hesitated. I wonder…. Well. Why not. I don’t have any better ideas.

He glanced up and down the hall to be sure that no one was watching him, just in case this turned out badly. Satisfied that there was still no one in sight, he reached out to open the door. To his relief, he was saved the awkwardness of potentially trespassing where he shouldn't (although he very likely already was) due to the door being locked. So, still no idea what part of the castle I”m in…

A flicker of moving white appeared in the corner of Keadan's eye. He stopped and turned sharply, and found himself suddenly facing an unfamiliar person of even more unfamiliar dress. With a silent lack of acknowledgement, he eyed the white cloaked person carefully, frowning ever so slightly, and hoping that neither his confusion nor his mild embarrassment showed too obviously on his face.

He couldn't tell if he was facing a young man, or a young woman, and was entirely at a loss as to how he should approach them in a respectful manner. Blast pleasantries... he complained inwardly. Turning quickly away, he hoped desperately that the person hadn't noticed his brief uncomfortable stare, and that they would continue on about their business, whatever that may be. It would have been blessed convenient to have run into this strange person... if not for the fact that he was entirely certain that attempting to gain the information he needed from them would end only in confusion and embarrassment.

But, just as he rounded the corner to escape the uncomfortable encounter, he nearly ran straight into a maid. He quickly stepped back with a start of surprise. She rushed out an apology, and he noted that she kept her eyes diverted. Keadan frowned, but not because he was annoyed. He slowly reached into his vest pocket and pulled out his quill and leather bound book. He raised a hand for her to wait, then turned and braced the book up against the wall while he wrote something in it, keeping one eye slightly on her.

After a few moments of hasty scribbling, he lowered the book and tore out the page he had been writing on, and held it out to her. He didn’t quite smile, but gave her a reassuring nod, tucking his book back under his arm and waiting for her to read it. Then, he realized something. What if she can’t read? Blast it…
[/fieldbox]

@Tarieles

It’s quite alright; in fact, it’s rather serendipitous that I ran into you. I seem to have gotten myself lost, and would be most grateful if you could direct me to the Great Hall.
 
Mentions: Prince Dominic @derelict_lilyflower
Shadia @Tarieles
[Fieldbox=Wisteria]
Morcambe Great Hall
With a tray filled with wine cups in her hand, Wisteria walked amongst the guests, offering them a cup if they so needed it. Considering that most of them had their cups, she signaled to one of the other servants there, saying that she would take a short break. She moved towards one of the ends of the buffet table to place down her tray. She breathed a sigh of relief, thankful to be away from the stifling crowd, her eyes began to scan the room to land once more upon her eye candy who was standing at the opposite side of the hall.

Whilst she knew she should not be getting distracted when she was working, the sight of Prince Dominic who was as dashing and charming as well, stole her attention. She felt rather envious of his twin sister, who seemed rather close to him and was talking animatedly. Oh how she wished she could go up to him and strike a conversation but alas, they were meant to be in different worlds. He would not even cast his eyes upon her. There were tons of beautiful and elegant ladies surrounding him. There are things in life she could not have and he was one of them.

Finally taking her eyes off of him, she gave a wistful sigh before picking up her tray, plastered a smile on her face and greeted the guests once more with the wine tray in her hand. She realised Shadia was gone for quite awhile now and her eyebrows creased. The poor girl. She didn't seem to get along well with any of them but she could not be blamed. The maids talked about nasty rumours of her. Shaking her head, Wisteria went back to work, though her eyes would occasionally stray towards /him./[/Fieldbox]
 
Lochlann Bourdillon
Great Hall
@derelict_lilyflower
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Slowly sipping from a chalice of wine, Lochlann entertained himself by watching the rest of the bodies in the hall like a hawk. Not that he was obvious about it, mind you. Most would assume he was idly day-dreaming or perhaps gorging himself with the amount of eye-candy on display - it would depend what you had heard of Lochlann Bourdillon. Still, for his absent appearance and pleasant graces, he had already made quite a few discoveries at court and he hadn't really started his games yet. For example, it seemed quite quaint that one of the maids seemed more fixated on the middle prince than anything else in the room. Still, the fact that he did not return the glances might have suggested an unrequited romance or crush. Either way, it would prove useful. What was perhaps more interesting, though less certain, was the appearance of the Queen. Slightly bedraggled hair, slight look of post-coital shame and excitement... perhaps it was simply his mind playing tricks on him but if Lochlann was onto something then his coming dealings with the Queen would be much more favourable to him. If only he could gather evidence.

"My lord," a gruff voice huffed from Lochlann's side.

"Must you sneak up on me, Bertrand?" Lochlann asked calmly, not even turning to face the man.

"We've located the establishment you were searching for," the guard informed, a slight, boyish grin finding its way to his lips.

"Oh? And was it suitable for your tastes and my coin?" Lochlann smirked.

"I'd say it's suitable for a lot of tastes, my Lord," Bertrand concurred.

"Good. I will pay a visit there at a later time, perhaps find a way to bring one of my political opponents with me for leverage. Nothing makes a man more prepared to give anything than the threat that his wife would find him unfaithful," Lochlann spoke, somewhat quieter than before to make sure that he would not be heard by anyone over the general din of conversation. "You're dismissed, Bertrand. Lead the men to the garrison, I'm sure there will be beverages and food provided there."

"Yes, my Lord," Bertrand bowed before quitting the room.

Seeing that he would not garner anymore information from eavesdropping and observation alone, Lochlann dived into the the heart of the now-busier hall. A charming smile graced his lips as he gave his greetings to several other lords and ladies. However, most conversations did not extend beyond pleasantries. Prince Dominic seemed worthy of talking to, though. Especially when his lesser-seen twin sister was accompanying him, also. Approaching Dominic, Orlagh and the youngest prince, Lochlann bowed his head and smiled warmly.

"Your highnesses, it is good to see you. I don't think I've had the honour of making your acquaintances before. Lochlann Bourdillon, Lord of Faroe," he introduced himself, bowing once more.​
 
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He grinned when Selene spoke. Just the mere sound of her voice pleased him, her slight smile was intoxicating, and her presence was certainly appreciated.

"I do not need gifts or a Bouquet my love, the sight of you is worth more then a rose or a gift."

"My lady, you flatter me,"
he said.

Just as he said that, Selene's arms flew around him and pulled him into a tight hug. After two years of being with her, he had never grown tired of her hugs or her affection, although he often became self-conscious when in public. Although he returned the hug, his eyes continued to survey the courtyard to ensure that no one else was there to see it, lest they might judge him for his unprincely behaviour in public. He eased up, though, when his thoughts turned back to the night they'd met. He had started on the path to falling in love with her at that masquerade ball, and since then everything he felt for her had blossomed into its own force.

"Let her be," Anre said when she mentioned Queen Isolde. It was a typical thing that Isolde did to judge and to be condescending. It was just one of those things that you eventually got used to. "I think you look perfect as you are."

As they entered the hall, he immediately noticed that Isolde appeared as if she had only recently awoken, so he smiled at Selene reassuringly. If even the queen herself appeared to be so exhausted and worn out, then nobody could be judged by her today, at least not openly or based on their appearance.

"Ah, Anre, good to see you have arrived," his father had said as he spotted and then approached them. "I should have known you would be waiting for Lady Cormwall. It is always wonderful to see you my dear. You and Anre make a beautiful couple. Of course, I do expect you to dine at our table this evening. But for now, enjoy yourselves. I'm sure the two of you would like to spend some quality time together regaling each other of tales from the kingdoms."

Anre rolled his eyes playfully at his father's words.

"For now, I should return. Before Isolde scolds me. Have a fine time you two."

"Thank you, Father," he said, watching him head back to his wife. "Have a good time too, and tell Lady Isolde that it's alright to smile sometimes."

Letting his father go, he took his betrothed's hand and led her over towards his siblings, smiling at them all, but he noticed that Lochlann Bourdillon had reached them first. Not intending to interact with him any further, he quickly led Selene away from him, spotting and approaching one of the servant girls. After observing her for a brief amount of time, he started to grin.

"You see something you like?"
he asked with a playful smile as he approached the girl, before indicating towards his brother, Dominic. "Or someone."
Selene, Duchess of Cormwall
@~Dark Disney~
Leander Esrysson, King of Caerleon
@Tarieles
Wisteria
@Esmeralda Blackheart
 
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