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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 21, 2006 21:50:38 GMT -5
After I dropped off the letter with Sun I wandered around the Palace, avoiding the Courcel wing with a despairing passion. The bustle of the place comforted me, drawing my mind back to its original state. My pace was steadily normal, forced that way by the nature of my very thoughts, wanting to seem completely at ease.
My steps were taking me into the busier, more populated portions of the Palace, which didn't bother me at all- it would only remind me that I was who I was. Still, amid the crowds I saw a familiar face- my distant cousin? Well, I remember hearing that she did winter here.. I made my way over to say hello.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 21, 2006 21:59:43 GMT -5
I was making my way through the halls, trying to find the kitchen. I had just arrived in the City, and had moved into temporary quarters in the palace. I was a bit tired, but mostly hungry, hence the wandering. I had just about given up when I spotted a familiar face. It was Prince Christien, one of my brother's friends. I wanted to avoid him, but he came my way and I curtsied. "Good afternoon Prince Christien."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 21, 2006 22:21:04 GMT -5
She seemed less than enthused to see me- then again, he brother wasn't terribly fond of her and he'd been one of my few childhood aquaintances. Mathieu still was someone I communicated with on occasion- what had he said of Juliette recently? Oh yes, their father had died and she'd inherited, which Mathieu took especial exception to. I wondered if she'd changed at all.
Bowing slightly I smiled charmingly. "Good afternoon, cousin- you look as lovely as ever."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 21, 2006 23:09:07 GMT -5
"Thank you cousin. You are looking well. I shall tell my brother that you are in the City. I'm sure he would be delighted to see you." It was polite, just not dripping with warmth. It was actually fairly good for me, what with my love of nobles, especially the young males.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 21, 2006 23:18:25 GMT -5
"Thank you, that would be nice," I said politely and with about as much warmth as she had spoken. "I heard about your loss, my condolences." I actually meant the last part, I couldn't imagine losing my mother or father, as much as they got on my nerves.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 21, 2006 23:22:57 GMT -5
I looked away at that. I still wasn't used to it, and was swamped with emotion every time someone brought it up. I blinked away tears though I didn't completely succeed controlling my voice, wanting to respond to the sincerity in his comment. "Thank you. I'm sorry, its still too fresh."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 21, 2006 23:31:23 GMT -5
My face serious, I nodded and said, "I understand completely."
A little uncomfortable at how much I did understand, I tried to chance the subject to something more pleasant. "How are you finding life in the City this season? Coretta and I were never allowed before, but with all of the things going on our parents decided we needed to be here to support Sabrina."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 21, 2006 23:38:32 GMT -5
I got control of myself as he spoke, and answered his question with more life than I had previously expressed. "I'm afraid I only just arrived this morning. How is your family? It has had much more of an emotional rollercoaster than mine."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 22, 2006 6:49:28 GMT -5
Smiling wryly, I replied, "We're doing as well as can be expected, I think- mostly, we just use work to keep us busy and try to only deal with the awfulness of things behind closed doors. Sabrina has taken it the hardest, of course, but in this case there isn't much Coretta or I can do."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 22, 2006 14:34:36 GMT -5
I nodded, my gaze sympathetic. "Well, you really should see Mathieu then. He might be able to distract you for a time." Though I didn't wish to know how. "And if you or your sisters need anything, we will be more than happy to help. I know how hard it must be for you right now."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 22, 2006 15:13:57 GMT -5
"I'll arrange to visit as soon as I can, though I don't know when that will be. Sabrina has given me the duties of Minister of Finance, so I'm in meetings almost every morning," I said a little wryly. A little more brightly I said, "I will pass your message on to Sabrina and Coretta though, and remember it for myself; I only hope I don't end up taking advantage of your generous nature."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 22, 2006 16:47:30 GMT -5
"Please do. But I should let you get back to your work." I paused, wondering whether to ask. "Do you know where the kitchen is by any chance?"
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 22, 2006 17:07:30 GMT -5
Nodding, I said, "It's one of the first things I found- would you like me to give you directions or show you the way there?"
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 22, 2006 17:21:17 GMT -5
I smiled at that. He was a young male, of course food was a top priority. "Directions are fine thank you. I shouldn't want to keep you from your meetings. Unless of course you need a distraction."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 22, 2006 17:43:45 GMT -5
"I think a distraction would be nice, but you have your own things to work though," I said with an understanding look. "How about I show you halfway and then you can decide if you want to stay in my company?"
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 22, 2006 17:48:13 GMT -5
I didn't know what to say to that, so I nodded and followed his lead. After a moment, I asked, "So you obviously don't like the incessant meetings, but do you enjoy other aspects of being Minister?"
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 22, 2006 18:07:49 GMT -5
Raising an eyebrow, I said, "I think it's for the best that I don't like it- I mean, it may give me a taste of power that I can't control, and that could only be to bad effect. The work is tolerable, and I'm good at it, but it isn't one of life's great pleasures either."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 1:38:10 GMT -5
"Well, duty isn't always fun." Ah, the subtly of understatement. "It's good that you don't find it completely abhorrent, and that you realize the risks associated with it. I wish more people did." I kept my voice level, refusing to give into bitterness.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 23, 2006 12:06:49 GMT -5
"Well, I guess some people are more equipped to handle it than others as well," I said wryly. "Personally on most occasions I'd rather be at the Chateau and away from the responsibilities of the City, but then I wouldn't get to see the variety of things that I can here. Everything, even curiousity, has it's price, it seems."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 13:03:13 GMT -5
I smiled at that. My father had said something very similar to me once. "I also dream of home."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 23, 2006 13:57:44 GMT -5
"I think I can learn to like it here," I said with a wry grin, thinking of all of the things I'd only experienced since coming to the City. "Maybe the good things only happen here if one is patient enough to wait for them. I don't see myself being allowed to return any time soon, so I'll be able to let you know."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 14:26:34 GMT -5
I smiled, but didn't have anything to add. I had only been here a day, and already I was longing for home. 'Please do, when you come and 'take advantage' of our hospitality."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 23, 2006 14:42:03 GMT -5
Smiling, I nodded. "I will be sure to. If my twin isn't busy at the time I may also bring her, as I'm sure she'll need a holiday as well- Sabrina has made her the Minister of Culture and in charge of planning the Longest Night festivities."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 14:49:20 GMT -5
I wondered how far the kitchen was, even as I remembered Coretta. "From what I can recall of your sister, she would love that. Sabrina obviously knows you two well."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 23, 2006 15:08:42 GMT -5
I bit back a bitter laugh. "Yes, she seems to," I said, looking around for something else to focus on. "It looks like I've walked you most of the way there- it's a little further up the hall, and impossible to miss."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 15:12:58 GMT -5
"Thank you very much." I responded, wondering a bit at the bitterness in his voice. It seemed that all wasn't well in the royal family. "And please stop by, once we get settled in." Though it would make Mathieu even more impossible to live with if we had royalty paying courtesy calls.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on May 23, 2006 15:19:17 GMT -5
"I'll be sure to," I said with a charming smile. "Please tell your mother and Mathieu hello for me."
Bowing slightly, I caught her hand and softly kissed the back of it playfully- for all that I should have been in an awful mood because of Ishtar having to leave I was bolstered by the fact she'd said she would come back. WIth another grin I turned on my heel and walked back along the hall, headed to Coretta and I's suite so I could give her the information I'd learned.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on May 23, 2006 15:33:51 GMT -5
I blushed horribly at the kiss. "I will." I stammered before catching myself, and sketched a quick curtsy. "Thank you again."
And then as he walked away, I followed my nose, greatful to once again be among regular people.
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