Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 16, 2009 17:51:48 GMT -5
"I agree," I said with a smile. "Though I would have thought it would be quieter, after meeting her majesty. In Amilcar, many events are planned for the amusement of my aunt. But Queen Sabrina is so busy running the country that it seems the nobles have stepped up with their own events to keeping the social scene hopping."
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Post by teo on May 16, 2009 21:08:11 GMT -5
“Yes, they don’t let it get boring, do they?” I asked with a chuckle. I took a sip of my tea, enjoying the flavor.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 0:48:26 GMT -5
I stirred a teaspoon of sugar into my cup, and then gently stirred, letting it cool. "They certainly don't," I said with a smile. "But one of the benefits of the events not being held for the crown is that I can decline if I wish."
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Post by teo on May 17, 2009 0:52:08 GMT -5
“Fair point,” I agreed with a nod. “I don’t get invited to many things, but even those seem a lot to me. I can’t imagine how many invites you get.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 1:32:12 GMT -5
"Not as many as I received in Amilcar, but then I am not well known here," I said with a soft smile, setting the spoon aside. "It's a bit of a relief actually, though it is probably short-lived."
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Post by teo on May 17, 2009 1:35:37 GMT -5
“True, I am certain you will not remain unknown for long,” I said, smiling softly. She was so beautiful and kind and fun, I was certain she would have lines of suitors before long.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 2:04:57 GMT -5
"I just hope to be known for the right things," I said quietly.
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Post by teo on May 17, 2009 2:09:44 GMT -5
Her words surprised me and I looked up, startled. “What do you mean?” I asked.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 2:26:49 GMT -5
"I do not wholly fit into the mold given to me by the Aragonian court," I replied, looking at the swirling liquid in my glass. "I am too much my mother's daughter. I do not think it would have mattered so much if I had settled for a decent marriage."
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Post by teo on May 17, 2009 12:44:05 GMT -5
My heart sunk a little. She obviously wanted to fit in back in her homeland, and a decent marriage would smooth a lot of wrinkles. Marrying a barely titled paper maker was not a decent marriage.
“I am sure once people really get to know you they realize any poor impressions of you they had were wrong,” I said, trying to smile comfortingly. “I don’t know how anyone could know you and not realize how wonderful you are.” I hoped my words didn’t sound like platitudes, for I meant every one of them.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 13:32:23 GMT -5
His words made me smile. "Thank you Teo. That's sweet of you to say," I replied, but my smile faded. "Unfortunately, the men in court in Amilcar think that I'm haughty, that I think I'm better than them. And the women my age are either married or in convents. The unmarried woman are mere girls."
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Post by teo on May 17, 2009 16:00:33 GMT -5
“Will you only marry an Aragonian?” I asked.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 17, 2009 22:23:58 GMT -5
"Heavens no. I will marry when I find love. Part of the reason I came to Terre d'Ange was to see if my luck would be any better here," I said before taking a sip of my tea.
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Post by teo on May 18, 2009 1:57:21 GMT -5
The words were out before I could stop them, and as they hung there I knew I would regret them.
“And have you had any more luck?” I asked
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 18, 2009 21:31:08 GMT -5
I looked down with a fierce blush. "I am not sure. I try not to count my chicks before they have been hatched," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
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Post by teo on May 19, 2009 0:21:48 GMT -5
My blush matched hers and I looked at the table, kicking myself for having asked. What she’d said was fair and honest but gods not what I wanted to hear.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling miserable and like I’d ruined the lovely night. “I shouldn’t have asked, I have no right… I’m so sorry Mercedes.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 20, 2009 22:20:19 GMT -5
For once, I let my emotions overcome my common sense and asked the question on the tip of my tongue. "Why did you?"
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Post by teo on May 20, 2009 23:51:06 GMT -5
My whole body sagged and I squeezed my eyes shut. I wished I had a talent for dissembling. Or the skill to just vanish. O was here though and I couldn’t lie to her.
“I like you, very much,” I said softly, the weight of shame keeping my head towards the table. “The question was out before I could stop it. I was selfishly hoping you might say something that showed you liked me too. I’m sorry.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 23, 2009 15:19:58 GMT -5
I reached across the table and lightly touched my fingers to his chin, wishing him to look at me. The action would have been tolerated at home, but as I was reminded constantly, I was no longer at home.
My voice was as soft as his when I spoke. "I didn't know Teo. From your words, your actions, I thought all you wanted was friendship. Please don't hide from me now as well."
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Post by teo on May 23, 2009 21:02:24 GMT -5
Her touch… oh gods help me. I could have wept for the feel of her fingers on my chin. Her words confused me though. I had admitted before that I’d wanted to kiss her, did she think that meant nothing more than friendship?
Finally I looked up at her. “I’m not very good around women,” I told her. “I never know what to say or do that doesn’t end up with me looking a fool and embarrassing the woman I like. And you… you are perfect Mercedes. Smart and sweet and funny and kind and beautiful…… and a princess if the rest wasn’t enough. I have no right to hope for more than friendship from you Mercedes, and I will live happy if I can have that much, but my heart wants more.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 25, 2009 0:30:32 GMT -5
Oh Mother, what could I ever say to his words? I liked Teo, was maybe even a little infatuated with him. But he was so private with his feelings... I felt unprepared.
A blush was high on my cheeks from his compliments when I replied. But I had to speak, even when my modesty made me wish to sink into the floor "You are far too kind Teo. I am far from perfect. If I was, I would have seen... I apologize. You took me by surprise." Finally I took my courage into my hands and met his gaze. He deserved that much, even if I could barely speak above a whisper. "I try to not get my hopes up, when it comes to men. They tend to be in love with the idea of me, the princesa. And my willed blindness has wronged you. I enjoy my time with you Teo, I enjoy our friendship."
For my last words, I could no longer meet his eyes. "Perhaps now... perhaps now it has a chance to grow. Now that I am not blind."
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Post by teo on May 25, 2009 0:39:19 GMT -5
“I would feel these things for you if you were shop girl at one of the clothing stores here in the city,” I said, forcing myself to keep talking and not give in to the urge to blush myself away or run and hide. There was no going back now, I had to tell her. “Sometimes I think it would be easier if you were. I know that there are duties and obligations that come with your position and I would never seek to make you betray them. I will take whatever it is you offer me, Mercedes. If you want me as just a friend then a friend I will be. But if you want more..” my voice caught and I couldn’t continue.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 26, 2009 12:31:55 GMT -5
"Teo... I can't ask for more, not yet. Not until I have figured out my own emotions," I told him. "It would be irresponsible of me to make any promises right now. I'm sorry."
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Post by teo on May 26, 2009 12:41:49 GMT -5
Now I did blush and I made a sound of dismay. “I wasn’t asking for more right now,” I said, shaking my head. “I am no good at this, even when I try I get the words wrong.” my head fell forward again.
“I just meant that in the future, if you decided that was what you might want,” I said softly. “I’m not asking for anything from you Mercedes, no promises, no allusions or even sparks of hope. I have no right.”
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 26, 2009 17:18:22 GMT -5
Tentatively, I stretched out my hand and brush my fingers against his where they lay on the table. "You are a good man Teo. I appreciate your honesty, I really do."
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Post by teo on May 26, 2009 23:33:57 GMT -5
I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Now I’ve made things uncomfortable between us,” I said, feeling dejected.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 27, 2009 0:17:01 GMT -5
"It's only uncomfortable if we let it be, yes?" I said with a brave smile.
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Post by teo on May 27, 2009 0:22:13 GMT -5
I wished her words were true, but I had enough confidence in my awkwardness to know it wasn’t so.
Lifting my head again, I gave her a weak smile. “I really am sorry,” I said softly.
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Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
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Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on May 27, 2009 1:03:22 GMT -5
"Don't be. It was very brave of you," I replied, my smile coming easier. "Now, what play shall we see next?"
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Post by teo on May 27, 2009 1:04:44 GMT -5
It wasn’t brave, but selfish and foolish.
“I am not sure when the next performance begins at the playhouse,” I said softly, then took a drink of my tea.
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