Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 28, 2008 22:29:53 GMT -5
I didn't think that there was ever a time when I was as bored as this. It was bad enough that the plague was going around, spreading across Terre D'Ange the way a wildfire scorched dry summer fields. Not only that, but the Queen had declared that no one was to leave the Palace!
The whole mess meant that I was crankier than usual, concerned for the safety of my royal ward, and incredibly bored, at least I could thank the gods that I had not shown signs of the dreaded sickness. Of course, I was careful, being the Queen's Cassiline meant that one had to be cautious about these things.
However, this business of keeping everyone under quarantine was taxing in other ways. I was starting to think that I would go mad with boredom before the disease passed. I was used to fighting in close quarters, but I was also used to the open air, the feel of the wind on my face, the way my daggers sang when I told the hours. I couldn't practice in the hallways--the Queen would kill me if I accidentally injured someone. I wondered if she sensed how restless I was. How could she not? I did follow her around like a shadow most of the time.
"This is probably taking a toll on her too," I remarked to the wall, trying to remind myself that I wasn't the only one who was miserable.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 28, 2008 23:03:49 GMT -5
"Who my lord?"
I had been walking through the halls, it was the only thing to do during this time. I had been stuck in palaces before, often my father would not let me venture out for weeks at a time.
You could usually find something interesting, and this seemed to be one of those times.
"Did the wall upset you?" I giggled a little.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 28, 2008 23:33:38 GMT -5
I turned at the sound of a woman's voice. Finally, someone to talk to! "No, my lady," I said, trying to smile and failing miserably. "The walls do not do a good job of carrying on a conversation, I was thinking out loud, out of concern for Her Majesty." It lifted my spirits somewhat to be in the presence of another person who didn't seem to be affected by the illness. I stood away from the wall and relaxed my stance, resting my hands on my daggers. I didn't want to frighten her by appearing overly tense, as if I were a cat ready to spring at anything that moved.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 28, 2008 23:48:31 GMT -5
My eyes went wide as I saw his twin daggers.
"You're a Cassiline!" I gasped moving toward him and touching his stomach before spinning around him and viewing his form. All the while my hands touching his armor and vam-brance.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 29, 2008 9:25:39 GMT -5
I beamed proudly as she inspected my armor. "That I am, my lady," I replied, careful to remain perfectly still as she looked. "I take it you have never seen one up close?" Perhaps it was better that way, any one who usually got so close to a Cassiline was probably looking to attack their ward.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 29, 2008 11:08:50 GMT -5
"Never." I said softly coming to stand in front of him, my closeness was obvious as I looked up at him, studying him. "You're so beautiful." I said before studying him more, I saw one of his dagers and reached out to touch it.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 29, 2008 23:49:47 GMT -5
I bowed slightly in acknowledgement of her comment. This sort of thing certainly didn't happen to me every day!
When she reached for my dagger, I grasped it and carefully pulled it from its sheath. "Be careful with this, my lady," I whispered, turning it so that she could inspect the blade. "My daggers are my soul..."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 29, 2008 23:59:24 GMT -5
I gazed at them and nodded looking up at him. "You guard her Majesty?" I asked blinkingly.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 30, 2008 10:25:11 GMT -5
I nodded. "Why else would a Cassiline be wandering about the Palace? But Her Majesty does not require my presence today." And if she does, I trust someone will come to fetch me.
I sheathed the dagger and rested my hand on it, at ease again. "At least warding her gives me something to do. Everyone seems to be so frightened by this plague that they are keeping to themselves."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 30, 2008 10:51:23 GMT -5
I nodded. "I'm used to being couped up." I smiled up at him thinking about what I had learned about Cassilines. "Though I'm sure you enjoy being outside." That wasn't what I was thinking about, instead thinking about that Cassiline's were chaste.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 30, 2008 15:20:02 GMT -5
I nodded. "I'm used to being in the open air, able to go and do as I please, always moving." And fighting... I added silently. I was a scion of Camael, battle was my bread and butter.
She seemed to be thinking of something, so I gave her a reassuring smile and hoped I didn't look too intimidating.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 30, 2008 15:27:46 GMT -5
I nodded. "With your ward." I said quietly. "Do you know the Queen personally?" I wondered.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 30, 2008 18:19:27 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't say that I know her personally..." Did I know what her favourite colour was? What made her laugh? No, I didn't know those things, didn't know if I was supposed to know those things. Was it normal, I wondered, for a Cassiline to know those things about his ward? I knew, of course, that I couldn't let any sort of relationship--even a platonic one--stand in the way of my duty.
"Cassiel's way is often a lonely way to travel..." I said, giving her a wry smile.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 30, 2008 18:37:33 GMT -5
I nodded and stepped forward pressing myself to him a little. "So I've heard." I whispered softly.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 30, 2008 19:30:04 GMT -5
I bowed my head. "Indeed." She was so close! If I just took one step closer...
No. I thought, going over to lean against the wall. Now is not the time to be thinking of such things... Besides, it was highly inappropriate of me, especially if she was a foreign peer--which I suspected she was--and the Queen's guest.
I touched the handles of my daggers for reassurance. "My lady, if you are bound somewhere, I would be happy to escort you."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 30, 2008 21:22:54 GMT -5
"I have no where to be." I said softly coming over to lean against the wall. "Though I'm sure I would have use of you." I gave him a coy smile. In my brief time her I can come to realize that my beauty could get me what I wished, and it thrilled me so to test those boundaries. It was all fine and well to use it to bed some handsome young D'Angeline, but this caught my devilish interest. I had a hard time desueding myself from the game I was playing, the old part of me trying to remind me that it would be cruel to tempt one such. But the new part of me was curious how far I could go. For sure, I would not make him break his vow. But I could enjoy watching him squirm. "I'm Princessa Lola de las Aragonia."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 30, 2008 23:20:09 GMT -5
Ah! So I was right! I gave her a good-natured smile as I performed a full Cassiline bow. "I am Émile D'Ames of the Cassiline Brotherhood, at your service." I took her hand and raised it to my lips, matching her coy smile with one of my own. Did she think to have some fun with the dour celibate Cassiline?
Well, I would learn her game--and then I would win!
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jun 30, 2008 23:40:21 GMT -5
"Messire D'Ames." I said in my Aragonian touched D'Angeline, curtsying low to him, out of habit then anything. Men at court were always superiour and a women would afford them such greeting no matter their station. Though I dare say, Cassiline to the Queen was nothing to cough at.
"Are you sure the Queen won't mind?" I questioned quickly. I wasn't about to put myself on the line for a game, I had to make sure first.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 2, 2008 13:11:56 GMT -5
I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture. "Please, call me Émile, and I don't think her Majesty would mind in the least. She knows where I can be found should she need me." Earlier, I had made it a point to inform Her Majesty as to my whereabouts, even so, I felt anxious when I was away from her. It wasn't unexpected behaviour, but there was a difference between learning about it with the Brotherhood and actually experiencing it.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 2, 2008 13:22:23 GMT -5
I nodded. "Tell me Emile, where do you hail from?"
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 2, 2008 13:56:10 GMT -5
"My mother owns an estate in Kusheth," I replied. "I was raised there until I was sent for fostering with the Brotherhood--the middle son goes to Cassiel, or so I'm told." I chuckled. "Sometimes, I think mayhap my brothers were luckier than I..."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 2, 2008 21:57:33 GMT -5
I nodded. "I am familiar with Cassiline traditions." I said beaming up at him, my thoughts turning wry again. "Where are you taking me lord Emile." I said softly.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 2, 2008 22:17:19 GMT -5
I shook my head. "Please, just call me Émile, Princessa, I have no title." Well, I suppose I did, but the title never seemed to suit me.
"As to where I'm taking you," I leaned forward, my voice low in her ear. "I will take you wherever you want to go..." She could interpret that comment however she wanted to, but I was trying to be sincere.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 2, 2008 22:26:29 GMT -5
He was not what I had thought about when I thought about when I first imagined a real Cassiline. "There are so many places I want to go my lord Emile." I knew he had told me know to but I looked at him. "In Aragonia all gentlemen are called such, title or no. As a woman I am bound to pay such respects for one above my station." I commented.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 3, 2008 6:42:31 GMT -5
I couldn't suppress the snarl that surfaced at her comment. "Well, where I come from, Princessas outrank the sons of one of Naamah's Servants and a chevalier." I took a breath, willing myself to calm down--I wasn't about to change another nation's customs, but still, such a small thing irritated me to no end.
I gestured that she should walk ahead of me, I was used to following behind others. "Well, if you would choose a destination, I will walk with you," I said, smiling again. She was charming and lovely--for a foreigner--and perhaps, were I not sworn to celibacy, I would have found her bed comfortable.
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 3, 2008 13:41:56 GMT -5
I had madened him and I stopped curtsying deeply. "Forgive me Emile," I said feeling like I could cry for my offense. "I'm not used to being treated so." "Please forgive me." I kept my curtsy low, my head bowed. "You are too kind to me."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 3, 2008 15:13:37 GMT -5
I don't think either of us expected me to laugh, but I did. "Gods, my lady! Stop apologizing!" I exclaimed, thinking, at the same time, that she would make an excellent addition to Valerian House. "I'm not angry at you, I overreacted, that's all..."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 3, 2008 23:34:33 GMT -5
I stared at him wide eyed for a moment trying to figure out what had happened. He was happy, then mad, now laughing. "I'm still sorry if I offended my lor...Emile. As much as your Cassiline training is engrained in you, so is my up bringing. I may be a Princessa but I was always told by my father that I was nothing more then a pawn for his games." I curtsied again. "I'm afraid I can no more be some one I am not, as I'm sure you can." I shrugged a little.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jul 4, 2008 16:35:35 GMT -5
I sighed. "In the end, we're all someone's pawn." It wasn't like Terre D'Ange was devoid of marriages for the purposes of politics, but I suppose one who had never been married had an entirely different perspective on the issue. Well, at least I had gotten her to stop calling me "lord", but I doubted that such old habits would be forgotten so quickly.
I shifted slightly, placing my weight on my other side. I was tired of standing around, I needed to move about. "Would you care for a stroll through the halls?" I asked. "We can chat while we walk."
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Princess Lola de Somerville
Royal
Her Royal Highness, Princess de las Aragonia; Princess Consort of Gratien de Somerville, Comtesse d'Azur
Married to Prince Gratien de Somerville; Daughter of the Royal House of Aragonia. Comtesse d'Azur
Posts: 1,670
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Post by Princess Lola de Somerville on Jul 4, 2008 17:02:18 GMT -5
I smiled softly and looped my arm onto his upper arm. "Please lead the way my...Emile." It was hard not to do, and in truth is was something I had come to respect. The title was insignificant but it gave me pleasure to please so. But Emile did not see it thus so I would do my best to stop. I remembered my thoughts from previous and caressed him just so.
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