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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 16, 2007 16:39:23 GMT -5
Only two days ago word had arrived that my parents had died in a fire on a friend's estate. True to the way I'd been taught as first son since my older brother's death I set everything aright, had the funeral arranged and the household running smoothly- the only thing at odds with the image was myself. This left me, alone, as the end of my line- a daunting prospect any time I stopped to think about it.
Word had arrived that a distant cousin, part of the Aragonian royalty would be at the estate by nightfall; it was nearly sunset, so no doubt she'd be here soon. Word wouldn't have travelled that far as yet, and my mother had arranged the fostering; courtesy dictated I couldn't turn her away immediately. Still, I worried what sort of host I'd be in my current mood; likely I wouldn't be snapping, but I also doubted I'd be my normally cheerful self. All there was to do was wait.
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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 Sept 17, 2007 11:39:37 GMT -5
My mother only ever insisted on two things for her children. The first was that we would never be forced into marriage. This didn’t mean I could marry whomever I wished, Father still had to approve of the match, but I had choice. It is why that at twenty four I am still a maid, while girls ten years my junior are betrothed.
The second was that we would be fostered with her relatives, in Terre d’Ange. Father only agreed on the condition that it be with the family in Siovale, and not Kusheth, that we spend out time. And so it was after my sixteen birthday, after the passes cleared of the winter’s snow, that I found myself on way to the Verreuil’s. We were related somehow. I never did get straight as to exactly how.
The ride had been long, but I found myself quite excited as we entered the estate. My man spoke to the staff as I dismounted. My first clue was the black garb. But we were bid come inside, and so we did.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 17, 2007 15:08:56 GMT -5
Black clothing made me look rakish rather than somber, but it was the color of mourning, and that was something I was indeed in; my pants, shirt and jacket were all of fine black linen, with small differences in accent to keep me from fading away completely. This may be a relative, but first impressions were still important to some.
I managed a slight smile as I stepped into the main foyer, then bowed slightly and kissed the girl's hand. She was young, a bit younger than me, but I wasn't exactly ancient myself. "I'm Landis de Verreuil, a distant cousin of yours," I introduced myself. "I'm sorry you have to arrive to such somber surroundings."
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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 Sept 17, 2007 15:15:24 GMT -5
He was old enough to be dashing, his face was handsome even though the edge was taken off by grief. "Landis, it is wonderful to meet you." I replied in courteous tones, tinged with flattering honesty. "Whatever happened, to place the household in such mourning?"
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 17, 2007 15:24:19 GMT -5
"It's good to meet you as well, Lady Lleida," I replied with a bit of a wider smile, to hear the good-natured tone of her voice. With her being royalty, she could have been a total brat. At her question, though, my face fell slightly, though not to an expression of true sorrow. "Come, let me get you something to drink and I'll tell you of these happenings." Smiling slightly again I offered her my arm.
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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 Sept 17, 2007 15:29:54 GMT -5
"Of course my lord. It is obviously not talk for your entrance hall. Please excuse me." I took his arm as was proper, my small smile slightly embarrassed. I wanted to make a good impression, if for no other reason than to prove Mama right for sending me here.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 17, 2007 15:41:47 GMT -5
"It's alright, I should have asked you to sit down before now," I told her, smiling a little more widely again; I knew, in a few minutes, I was going to be hard-pressed to smile at all.
The sitting room wasn't the most opulent, but it was comfortable and classic, and as I hadn't had time to change any of the decorating, nor been so inclined, this was the one that suited me best. I led her to the chaise and gestured for her to sit as I went to a side table and poured us each a glass of wine. "Would you like anything to eat?" Great, I was putting off telling the tale, I could see it in myself.
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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 Sept 17, 2007 21:29:03 GMT -5
I gave him a little smile. "Surely your tale isn't so long." It was almost a question. I was hungry, but knew the order of priorities. I wondered where his parents were, I had greetings from my mother to his.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 17, 2007 21:40:30 GMT -5
"Probably not," I acceded. "Two days ago word reached me that my parents, the Marquis and Marquise Verreuil had died in a fire on a family friend's estate." My eyes were downcast as I brought her the glass of wine I'd poured. "Thus the state of mourning, and my meeting you instead of my mother, who arranged your fostering." It was easier to speak of their death in terms of business than as a personal tragedy, and I thought it would do us both a favor to keep my emotions in check for the time being. Really, Mercedes was a sweet girl and I didn't want to make her feel unwelcome, or scare her off.
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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 Sept 18, 2007 0:38:40 GMT -5
My eyes grew wide. “Oh cousin, I’m so sorry. May Mithra and the Mother bless their souls.” My fingers traced the rood over my chest. I took the glass from him out of habit, my hand going to his arm. “You have my family’s deepest sympathies.”
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 18, 2007 21:04:48 GMT -5
Her touch surprised me, though I didn't pull away, and brought me back into the reality of the moment, causing the pain to flash anew. "Thank you," I told her, voice heavy with sorrow and gratitude for a moment as I placed my hand atop hers and simply stood for a moment, accepting a bit of comfort.
After a moment I realized what a sight I must be and smiled apologetically as I pulled away and went to sit on the chaise across from hers. "Thank you for the condolences," I said again once I was more steady.
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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 Sept 18, 2007 21:36:52 GMT -5
The problem of my presence suddenly dawned on me. "If we had known, I wouldn't have dreamed of imposing on you during such times." Not only that, but we were suddenly down two chaperones. Oh, this was not proper at all. I bit my lip in worry.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 18, 2007 21:55:55 GMT -5
She worried at her lip and I wondered what she was thinking. "It's no imposition," I told her with a more steady smile. "Besides, the weather is going to take a turn for the worst soon and I couldn't let you leave when you could possibly get caught in a bad storm, or without supplies."
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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 Sept 18, 2007 22:43:39 GMT -5
He had a point. I worried at my lip for another moment before I forced myself to stop. There was nothing to do but stay until the weather cleared up, or we could get new supplies.
"You're right cousin. Thank you for taking me in."
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 18, 2007 23:02:25 GMT -5
"You're most welcome," I told her, smile becoming warmer. After all, she had no choice but to be here, and I could at least try and make things as pleasant for her as possible. "And again, I'm sorry for the state of the house; I assure you your rooms are in much better condition."
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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 Sept 19, 2007 0:14:07 GMT -5
Grief had yet to touch me in any meaningful way, though I understood academically what he was going through. "I'm sure you've been too busy to worry about such things. Has the... has the funeral been held?" I tried to ask it as delicately as I could.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 20, 2007 15:13:53 GMT -5
"My parent's bodies only arrived today," I told her quietly. "The funeral is set for two days hence."
Before I realized it I tried to take a drink of my wine, only to find the glass empty. Has I already had an entire glass and not realized? It was time to start paying attention. Smoothly I set the vessel aside, deciding to wait before I tried to get anything else. "What of your family, how do they fare?"
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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 Sept 20, 2007 18:58:22 GMT -5
"They were all well when I left. Well, Father was a bit anxious for me. His eldest leaving for the first time and all. But otherwise all was good." At any other point, I would have spoken of the present, but the idea of death and ill tidings lay heavy on the air.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 20, 2007 21:26:41 GMT -5
"Fathers seem to have those anxieties," I agreed, wondering if she knew about my family's history, and the death of my brothers so many years ago. Honestly, the stress and emotional exhaustion of the day made me long for quiet, natural spaces and practicing with my blades, though I was too polite and sincerely curious about this girl who'd be living in my house to so abruptly vanish. "Do you have any plans for while you're visiting?"
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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 Sept 20, 2007 21:46:13 GMT -5
"I was just hoping to explore. My mother told me so many stories of the country here. I'd love to be able to see it in flesh." I told him, hoping he wouldn't mind. But I had answered honestly.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 20, 2007 22:08:12 GMT -5
At that my smile widened, becoming something like my normal expression, and lightening my features as well as my soul. "The countryside is something I know well," I explained. "A great deal of time in my childhood was spent exploring it, riding or hiking, and climbing the mountains. When things get more settled I can show you some places, if you'd like."
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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 Sept 20, 2007 22:29:29 GMT -5
"I'd really like that." I told him with a relieved smile. So many noble boys I knew had no perchance for the outdoors. It was always card games or parlor rooms.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 20, 2007 22:49:14 GMT -5
Just that easily we found a sort of accord and my spirit felt lighter- not free, as it had once been, but a bit better, for having something to focus on besides myself and my misfortune. I knew I'd still be grieving for a good amount of time yet, but perhaps my young guest and relative could help alleviate something of that pain with her company. "Then I'll see about getting a tour started tomorrow, if you're rested enough from your trip."
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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 Sept 20, 2007 22:55:25 GMT -5
"I'd be happy to, but only if you have time. You must have been swamped these last few days." I really didn't want to impose on my grieving cousin, especially considering how kind he was being.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 21, 2007 18:45:09 GMT -5
"I think I need to get out of the house a bit anyway," I admitted. "Things won't fall apart the moment I leave with as organized as things are now and the peace of mind- will do me good." It was hard to admit that I'd done as much as I could and couldn't fix things anymore than I had, but the death of my siblings many years ago had taught me you can't bring people back, no matter how unhappy you make yourself.
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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 Sept 22, 2007 17:30:03 GMT -5
I respected his decision - it was his grief and fallout after all. "Early then?" I inquired. I had always gotten up with the sun.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 17:33:59 GMT -5
"That sounds like a plan," I replied, knowing that if I planned to rise early I was unlikely to drink myself into a stupor the evening before. "I suppose I should leave you to being settled, then." Gesturing, I brought one of the servant girls forward with a small, respectful curtsy and a smile. "Barbara will show you exactly where your rooms are, when you're ready to head up to 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 Sept 22, 2007 17:41:13 GMT -5
I nodded to the maid with a small smile. I would have headed to bed, I was quite tired, but my stomach had other plans. "Perhaps after I take you up on your previous offer? We have been riding all day, and didn't stop for lunch." I smiled apologetically.
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Post by Landis de Verreuil on Sept 22, 2007 17:49:57 GMT -5
Smiling more widely I nodded, then asked Barbara to have the dining room prepared. "The Cook's had something ready, though I can't promise anything terribly fancy," I told her apologetically. "Just some roast and vegetables, a pie for dessert- but the bread is fresh. Does that suit?"
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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 Sept 22, 2007 17:53:16 GMT -5
"Filling is preferable over fancy right now." I replied with a smile, inwardly hoping it was still tasty. "I'm not used to skipping a meal."
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