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Post by teo on Mar 9, 2009 0:08:50 GMT -5
I had found myself once again spending far more time than usual dressing. I had on dark grey breeches, a dark green shirt, and a matching grey jacket venturing out of my normal mundane tones.
Stepping out of the carriage, I made my way up to the walk, holding a bouquet of pink roses, stock and baby’s breath. I knocked and was shown into a receiving room while Mercedes was told of my arrival.
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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 Mar 9, 2009 1:16:42 GMT -5
I had eaten a very large lunch, and then had dedicated the rest of the day to readying myself for Teo's arrival. I was wearing a gown of deep raspberry silk that set off my hair and my eyes. The neckline was a bit lower than I was used to, but my breasts were not large enough for it to cause any problems. I had let my hair dry curly, and had pinned them up so that they tumbled down my back without getting in my face. I was just applying the lightest touch of carmine to my lips when I was informed that Teo had arrived. I took a deep breath and headed downstairs. "Hello Teo," I said with a warm smile that turned to something more delighted when I saw the roses he was carrying. "It's good to see you again."
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Post by teo on Mar 9, 2009 2:07:17 GMT -5
For a moment I stood dumbstruck. Oh gods, she was so beautiful it took my breath away.
There was an audible click as my teeth came together once I realized my mouth was hanging open a bit.
“Good…uh…um… Hello Mercedes,” I fumbled out. Gods save me, I was being a fool. “It’s good to see you again as well.” I stepped a little closer and offered her the bouquet. “These are for you, I hope you like 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 Mar 9, 2009 12:15:54 GMT -5
Teo had always been sweetly shy, but the look on his face and his sudden amnesia of language made me blush.
"Thank you, they're simply lovely," I said with a smile, gently taking the flowers with both hands. I inhaled deeply, indulging in the wonderful scent, and then brought them over to a side table with a conveniently empty vase. A maid must have seen him walk up the drive with the bouquet. "I hope you have been well?"
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Post by teo on Mar 9, 2009 17:47:13 GMT -5
“I have been, yes, thank you,” I said, only minorly destroying my words this time. “And yourself? How have you been?”
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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 Mar 10, 2009 11:56:15 GMT -5
"I have been well," I replied with a smile, then gestured to the couches. "Please, sit. The house has been quiet though, my cousin returned briefly, only to take Princess Leyna back to Aragonia to meet the family. Would you care for a drink?"
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Post by teo on Mar 10, 2009 17:34:32 GMT -5
I moved towards the couches but would wait to sit until she did, I may have lost my words but not my manners completely. “A drink would be nice, thank you.”
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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 Mar 11, 2009 2:11:31 GMT -5
I moved as he did, going over to the small bar set to the side of the circle of couches. "Wine? Or Leyna has a wonderful pear brandy?" I asked, glancing back to him over my shoulder. He was waiting for me to rejoin him, just emphasizing how sweet he truly was.
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Post by teo on Mar 11, 2009 10:40:53 GMT -5
“Brandy sounds lovely, thank you,” I said, smiling and trying not to stare at the perfect silhouette she made in her dress.
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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 Mar 11, 2009 14:21:08 GMT -5
I poured out a measure in two glasses and returned to him. "Shall we toast theatre?" I asked with a smile, handing him the glass.
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Post by teo on Mar 11, 2009 16:14:58 GMT -5
“Absolutely,” I agreed, smiling wider as I raised my glass. “To the theater.”
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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 Mar 12, 2009 0:00:33 GMT -5
I touched the rim of my glass to his lightly before taking a sip. I swallowed and sat down on one of the couches. "I must admit, I'm very glad you wrote me Teo. It feels like quite a long time since our last play," I replied with a soft smile, blushing a little at my bold admission.
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 1:37:30 GMT -5
The brandy tasted wonderful as it went down my throat. I took a seat on the other couch, near enough to talk easily but not invading.
“I wanted to write before but…” My words faltered again. Memories of all the times I’d been in her company pressing in on me at once. “But I didn’t want to be forward or press you.”
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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 Mar 12, 2009 2:09:45 GMT -5
The memory of some of his last words to me, that he wondered what it would be like to kiss me, came to mind and I blushed more. "Oh," I said rather pointlessly. "I really did mean it when I said that I wished to see you again," I added softly, looking down at my brandy.
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 13:35:00 GMT -5
The blush on her cheeks was like morning sun caressing across the fragile petals of a new spring rose. If only I had the courage to say such things.
“I’m not very good at this, at knowing what is being too forward and what just the right amount is. I’m sorry if I made you think I didn’t want to see you,” 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 Mar 12, 2009 14:21:08 GMT -5
"I just... don't make friends easily," I said softly, glancing up at him. "And I enjoyed myself last time."
Then, because I realized how I must sound, I added, "I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. Just... you shouldn't worry so much is all. I'll do the worrying for both of us."
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 14:22:42 GMT -5
“But that will just make me worry for making you worry,” I said, unable to help but smile. “I will try to be less worrisome though, for both of us.”
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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 Mar 12, 2009 14:52:49 GMT -5
I smiled softly. "Thank you," I said, relieved that I hadn't offended him. "So what have you been up to, these last few weeks?"
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 14:57:26 GMT -5
“Business mostly. I managed to negotiate a contract with a merchant in Alba and it is going to require us to produce nearly a quarter more product than we already do. I’ve been hiring new employees and overseeing production and transportation matters,” I answered. “If I can pull this off it will mean great things for the people back home. We can hire more people from the surrounding families and help more people.” My smile grew as I let my excitement show. “I’m hoping this contract will give me the funds to build a new school for the children back home. I can supply all the materials they need, but we need a permanent, safe place for them to come and learn.”
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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 Mar 12, 2009 15:17:50 GMT -5
"That's wonderful Teo," I said with a wide smile. "Did something happen to the old school?"
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 20:14:44 GMT -5
“There’s never been one. The teaching has been done in people’s homes or at the sanctuary. I want to give the children a real school, a place they can call their own,” I said, my smile turning a little wistful as I thought about it.
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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 Mar 12, 2009 21:46:46 GMT -5
"How long have you been trying to build one?" I asked, noting his hopeful look.
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Post by teo on Mar 12, 2009 22:31:25 GMT -5
“I’ve wanted to build one since I was around eight, but I’ve really been focusing on it since my parents died. I want to do more the families around us, more for their children. It’s taken me these six years to really have enough funds and resources to think I may actually pull it off,” I told her.
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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 Mar 13, 2009 15:17:54 GMT -5
"That's really wonderful of you Teo," I told him with an honest smile. "The people of your estate are lucky to have you."
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Post by teo on Mar 13, 2009 15:20:37 GMT -5
Her words made me blush softly and I tried to hide it by taking another drink of brandy.
“Thank you,” I said. “I think it’s my responsibility to make their lives better, to put them first.”
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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 Mar 14, 2009 20:48:31 GMT -5
"Of course it is. Unfortunately, so many of our peers seem to forget that," I said with a sad little smile.
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Post by teo on Mar 14, 2009 20:54:00 GMT -5
“They do, but there is always hope that enough good examples will remind them of how things should be,” I said optimistically.
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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 Mar 14, 2009 22:03:10 GMT -5
I chuckled. "That is very true. I should try not to be so pessimistic about the whole thing. It is difficult some days though."
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Post by teo on Mar 14, 2009 22:33:59 GMT -5
“It’s difficult most days,” I said with a wry chuckle. “It’s hard, seeing all the excess that some indulge in while knowing that there are children going to bed hungry and cold.”
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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 Mar 15, 2009 13:16:52 GMT -5
I nodded. "I know I am guilty of it sometimes. It's hard to walk the line between spending practically, and having the luxuries that are expected of my rank."
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