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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 14, 2008 20:02:30 GMT -5
I had written Evangeline and she had responded. Now she was coming over for tea, Kushiel help me. I had swallowed my pride long enough to invite her, and now I was questioning the sanity of the decision. Lacking, definitely lacking. I paced in my study, waiting for a servant to announce her arrival.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 14, 2008 20:18:47 GMT -5
Anacrasia Shahrizai...I couldn't think for the love of Elua why Anacrasia wanted to have tea with me. There was no love lost between us and I had no interest in being her friend. But at the behest of my duties and with the agreement of Gervaise I decided to agree and go for tea. I was dressed in a gown that I commissioned recently, a beautiful lavender mixed with indigo embroidery.
My carriage pulled up to the town house and I exited, going to the door and knocking, announcing myself to the servant that answered. She invited me in and to the lounge while she told the Duchesse I was here.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 15, 2008 13:51:22 GMT -5
There was a soft knock on the door and one of the maids poked her head in. She conveyed her message and then beat a hasty retreat, having been with the staff long enough to be able to read my moods. Firming my resolve I checked my appearance in the mirror one last time before heading for the parlour where I had instructed tea to be served.
I smiled upon entry, my green skirts swirling around my ankles as I approached. "Evangeline, it's good to see you again. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 15, 2008 13:56:15 GMT -5
I bit the inside of my cheek and curtsied, mad as all hells that I had to, then rose and smiled softly. "Not to worry Duchesse." I said softly. "Its good to see you too." What lies we tell....
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 15, 2008 14:54:08 GMT -5
"Please, just call me Anacrasia," I replied. If there was any more blind courtesy I just might scream, so I opted for a more blunt approach. "It was your right six months ago, and it will be your right again in six months hence. Or whenever you've scheduled your wedding. Please sit, the tea will be another moment."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 15, 2008 15:29:47 GMT -5
I nodded, thinking over her words and wondering if there was anything hidden in them. They seemed so benign in nature, but she wasn't some young girl having me over for tea. "Yes of course, Anacrasia." I said as I sat. "We haven't set a date quite yet." I added.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 15, 2008 19:48:53 GMT -5
I sat as well, absently smoothing my skirt out as I did so. "It's quite the match," I observed as Henrietta entered with the tea tray. She set it down silently and retreated once more. I poured two cups and passed one to Evangeline.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 15, 2008 19:53:33 GMT -5
I took the cup of tea and placed it down in front of me before helping myself to some sugar. "It is indeed." I said smiling a little wider if not proudly. "Gervaise and I are quite happy with it, both politically and personally."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 16, 2008 0:19:54 GMT -5
I nodded in agreement as I added a touch of cream to my cup. "Yes, I've seen the way you look at each other."
My mouth tightened before I made myself go on. "I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you over for tea."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 19, 2008 17:32:46 GMT -5
I raised a brow, my tea cup against my lips as I looked over the rim at her. I lowed my cup slowly. "It had crossed my mind." I said smiling politely.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 19, 2008 19:11:13 GMT -5
I took a sip of tea, ignoring the banal smile that touched her lips. "I invited you over to tell you a story. The Shahrizai and de Morhban families have traditionally been at each other's throats since the crown placed your fiancé's family ahead of mine. I think it surprised both of us when we met that we didn't want to kill each other on sight." I smiled to myself and took another sip. "Our families did not know of our friendship of course. The heir of the Shahrizai clan could not fraternize with a de Morhban."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 19, 2008 21:21:13 GMT -5
I furrowed my brows a little as I listened, unsure of what she was talking about. "So you've known Gervaise for some time then." I said smiling with a shrug. "I'm glad you're friends, it important for the family's to have some connection."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 19, 2008 21:42:16 GMT -5
"I was in Tiberium when I heard the news of his first marriage," I continued, watching her over my teacup before I looked away with the next admission, setting the china down on the table beside me. "I was insufferable for days."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 19, 2008 22:05:17 GMT -5
I stopped drinking my tea, settling th cup in th palm of my hand as I listened. If I were suspicious, I would be thinking that Anacrasia was eluding to something between her and Gervaise. I took the easy route. "Gervaise and I don't speak of her, did you know her?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 19, 2008 22:44:35 GMT -5
"That doesn't surprise me," I replied, even as I thought she was being deliberately obtuse. Gods protect me, I couldn't believe I was actually going through with this. "I never met her. If she hadn't died, she'd be sitting here today and I would be telling her the same things I'm telling you. I'm practical enough to realize that I will act like... well, a jealous bitch sometimes. You need to know why because he's going to listen to you. I love Gervaise," Kushiel save me, that was the first time I had said those words aloud, "but that can't interfere with the way our province is run."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 21, 2008 11:41:22 GMT -5
For a moment I was shocked, I sat stunned, staring unblinking at her. She loved Gervaise, loved him like a brother? In love with him? The questions swirled for a moment then I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard that I had to put my cup of tea back in it's saucer on the table. I laughed until I couldn't anymore, my hand at my stomach and then sighed as I wiped away a tear. "Alright." I said finally as I shook my head.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 21, 2008 14:23:29 GMT -5
I grinned and took up my tea again. I had been expecting anger, laughter was a pleasant surprise. "Glad I could provide your entertainment for the day," I said wryly.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 21, 2008 18:01:45 GMT -5
I chuckled a little bit more till I had myself calmed. "Look, Anacrasia, I'm not sure why you wanted to me to know that, or what the goal was, but I don't care. I mean I don't care as in the sense that I'm sure Gervaise has had many women before me, and many more before he was married the first time. To a degree it doesn't surprise me really. I would imagine you two would be a decent fit, but if theres one thing I know about Gervaise its that he's not the unloyal type and if he thought things wouldn't work between us he wouldn't have agreed to marry me." I took up my tea again and sipped it. "And for the record, I love him too. Despite the fact our match is politically advantageous, I do love him and I'm not just marrying him for the title."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 21, 2008 18:35:26 GMT -5
"I know," I replied calmly. "But that doesn't mean I haven't hated you in the past and will hate you again in the future. It doesn't matter that I am being courted by a man that I love very much. The only thing that matters sometimes is that you have what I can't even taste anymore."
I sipped my tea and then continued. "And I am telling you because I don't want Kusheth to fall to pieces around us because we hate each other. I will also tell you that if you tell anyone outside this room - especially Gervaise - what I told you today, I will make your life very unpleasant." It was said in the most matter-of-fact of manners too.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 21, 2008 21:38:36 GMT -5
I shrugged. "Fair enough," I said softly. "I wouldn't expect anything less. I can't say I know Kusheth very well, but I have loyalty to Gervaise and loyalty to Terre d'Ange. I have no need to cause waves with you and the better that Kusheth does that happier I'll be."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 21, 2008 23:56:06 GMT -5
"Wonderful," I replied with a satisfied smile. It had been rather painful in parts, but from what I could read in her, at least we were on the same page. "More tea?"
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 21, 2008 23:59:41 GMT -5
"Yes please." I said smiling and pushing my cup toward her. "Thank you."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2008 10:29:51 GMT -5
"So, now that I've divulged my deepest secret, shall we talk about the weather?" I asked, humour in my eyes as I glanced up at her from refilling her cup.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 22, 2008 20:29:48 GMT -5
I chuckled softly. "Would it help if I divulged something deep and dark about myself?" I jested.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2008 20:32:08 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Only if you wish," I replied, handing the cup back to her before refilling my own.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 22, 2008 21:10:48 GMT -5
I took the cup and brought saucer and all to my lap, bringing the tea to me lips and slipping. "Well, lets see." I said looking up for a moment as I thought to myself. "I dislike lamb." I said giving her a wry look.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 22, 2008 21:25:09 GMT -5
"That's too bad," I replied with a grin. "With a little mint jelly, it can really hit the spot for me."
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 27, 2008 22:30:30 GMT -5
I quirked a brow. "What happened between you two." I wasn't sure why, but the question popped into my head and I suddenly had the urge to ask.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Oct 27, 2008 23:11:00 GMT -5
"That's a rather broad question," I commented, leaning back against the chair. "We met at a horse fair not to far from my estate when I was sixteen. Gervaise was nineteen. We were lovers, and then friends." I didn't mention our more recent dalliance. Best to leave our relationship in the distant as opposed to more recent past.
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Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban
Noble
Her Grace, the Duchesse de Morhban, Sovereign of Kusheth; House L'Envers & Royal Cousin
Daughter of Bernard and Elaine L'Envers. Sister to Elliot L'Envers
Posts: 1,265
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Post by Evangeline L'Envers de Morhban on Oct 30, 2008 23:50:29 GMT -5
"Why didn't you two ever marry then?" I asked curiously. "What stopped you?"
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