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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 18, 2009 21:14:09 GMT -5
Twelfth week of summer, year one of Queen Sabrina's reign
Shortly before one on the agreed upon afternoon, Mala and I arrived at House Belfours. It was time for Malabelle and Soleil to finally meet. I had been quiet during our ride, and remained so as I stepped out of the carriage and gave her a hand down. I was nervous about this meeting, though I was doing my best not to be. When I was nervous, Mala thought I didn't trust her.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 18, 2009 22:03:24 GMT -5
I checked the clock in the hall; Christophe and Malabelle would be arriving shortly. I had lunch prepared and set out in the sitting room: cucumber and watercress finger sandwiches, crou d'ete and dips, sliced melons, and ginger snaps. There were carafes of sparkling water and a rose wine as well, if Christophe or Malabelle wished to partake. Myself, I was dressed in a silk gown of medium blue, though I admit I had put on the ring with the seal of my office on purpose. I was still a servant of the crown, and would carry myself as such. Though, I thought ruefully, it was hard to carry myself anywhere nowadays.
I went into the sitting room and sat in the biggest, most comfortable chair, waiting for the time.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 18, 2009 23:57:09 GMT -5
I was wont to more often fall into silence than Christophe, so when he didn’t speak on the ride over I figured he was trying not to say something that would anger me. I kept my gaze out the window and tried to focus on the passing scenery but it was of no use.
This was going to be one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life.
I was only here because Christophe wanted it. Well, that wasn’t quite true. He wanted me to meet and get along with Soleil. I was here because there was not a chance in hells that I was going to leave that slithering gutter slime of a whore alone in a room with Christophe.
The carriage drew to a stop and he exited. I slipped my hand into his and stepped out, the folds of my emerald silk gown falling into place around my legs. The dress was almost demure, at least compared to most of my clothing. The gown drew in nicely around my narrow waist and only half my cleavage was evident at the neckline. It was a bit of a peace gesture for Christophe, a sign that I was going to do my best to be civil. The only jewelry I wore was my engagement ring, and it sparkled in the sunlight.
Twining my fingers with his, I squeezed his hand and even managed an honest smile as I looked up at him.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 19, 2009 2:03:21 GMT -5
She smiled up at me, and so I raised our joined hands and kissed the back of hers before leading her up the stairs to the door and knocking three times. As we waited, I drew in a deep steadying breath.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 19, 2009 20:53:22 GMT -5
I heard the knock and rose to standing, with a bit of difficulty. From the foyer, I could hear the maid saying, "Good afternoon my lord, my lady. The Marquise will receive you in the sitting room."
I steeled my features, took a deep breath, and when they entered, I was perfectly poised, saying, "Christophe, how good it is to see you again." I gave a welcoming smile. "And Lady Shahrizai, welcome to my home, I am happy to have you both."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 20, 2009 21:08:48 GMT -5
The maid ushered us into the sitting room where Soleil was waiting. "Hello Soleil," I said with a smile, moving forward and kissing her cheek softly. I knew anything more and I would be pushing my luck. Mala wouldn't be pleased as it was.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 20, 2009 23:28:41 GMT -5
I kept my features smooth as Christophe kissed her cheek. He would wash his lips before he touched me with them again.
“Thank you for having us in your home,” I said, keeping my manner polite.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 20, 2009 23:33:06 GMT -5
I felt warmth in the place where Christophe kissed me, but kept my features calm and serene. "You're welcome," I said, sitting back down in the chair, holding in a sigh of relief. "Please have a seat and help yourselves. There's plenty of food."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 21, 2009 0:45:33 GMT -5
I took a seat on the couch across from where she had settled, taking the side where Christophe could sit next to me, but be between her and I. I knew it would make him feel better if he thought he had a chance of stopping me should I launch myself across the food laden table at her. The idea of seeing her ponderous form covered in sticky food brought a touch of a smile to my lips.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 23, 2009 1:36:21 GMT -5
"Very kind," I said with a smile as I sat. Things weren't going too badly so far. "How have you been Soleil?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 26, 2009 20:46:48 GMT -5
"Very well, thank you," I said. "I saw my family physic often while I was in the country, and he assured me that I was in fine health. My, mm, condition has made certain things more uncomfortable, but no more than what is normal, I suppose. And you, you have been well?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 26, 2009 23:57:22 GMT -5
"Afraid we were caught up in the plague when it hit the City," I said, glancing to Mala before looking back to Soleil. I grabbed a plate and began to fill it. "Thankfully we both recovered."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 27, 2009 0:01:18 GMT -5
At the mention of the plague, I wanted to reach for Christophe’s hand, but he began to fill a plate. I folded my hands in my lap and kept my features smooth. I wanted it to be time to go.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 27, 2009 21:23:51 GMT -5
"Oh my," I said, one hand going to my lips. "Well, thank Elua you are both well again." I also began to fill a plate, noticing that the viper wouldn't touch the food. "Lady Malabelle, won't you eat something?" I asked, as nicely as I could muster. "It's very good."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 27, 2009 22:50:47 GMT -5
Even if I ate as much as Christophe I wouldn’t want to eat her food, my stomach roiled at the very thought and I had to swallow. I glanced at Christophe and sighed inwardly. He wanted so desperately for this to go well. And Kushiel have mercy, but I loved him enough to do even this.
“Thank you and just call me Malabelle,” I said, laying a couple of slices of melon on a plate and then selecting a fork to eat them with.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 28, 2009 0:24:19 GMT -5
Mala glanced to me, and then I watched her steel herself. I would definitely be thanking her later for the effort she was putting in. Presently, I sent her a little smile.
"So your trip to the country went well then?" I asked Soleil.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on May 29, 2009 15:49:59 GMT -5
"Malabelle, then," I said, taking a bite of my finger sandwich. After swallowing, I said, "Yes, very well. My mother, Stella, is getting on, but she's still as spry as ever. We spent much time outdoors."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on May 29, 2009 18:38:03 GMT -5
I cut small bites of the melon and ate them slowly, swallowing them whole instead of trying to chew. I listened to their conversation but most of my attention was on not being sick.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on May 29, 2009 23:56:10 GMT -5
"That's wonderful to hear," I replied with a smile after swallowing a slice of apple, deciding not to mention my trip with Mala to the country. It hadn't been filled with family and fun trips outdoors. "Are you back in the City for a little while now?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 4, 2009 21:52:37 GMT -5
"Yes," I said, "for at least the next year. I probably won't want to travel during recovery, and I want to make sure that the baby has the best care available, and will be able to spend time with you." I paused. "That is, if that is still your wish."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jun 5, 2009 0:09:04 GMT -5
"Oh yes, of course," I replied, unable to keep my smile from being anything but eager. I couldn't help but daydream about a little blonde angel, especially with the impending delivery. "I would like that very much."
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jun 5, 2009 0:14:23 GMT -5
The look on Christophe’s face, the eager sound in his voice, it was too much. It was fortunate I didn’t have any food in my mouth at that moment for I would have had to spit it out as bile rose in my throat. I set the plate and fork down, wiping my fingers and then folding my hands on my lap as I tried to keep my breathing even.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 5, 2009 16:05:39 GMT -5
Malabelle looked like she was going to be absolutely ill, but I didn't think it was from the food. She was going to be the child's stepmother, after all. Better to get the unpleasantness out in the open, then, than let it stew and wait for her to do something awful. "I am glad for that," I said, segueing into my next concern. "I understand you two will be married soon."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jun 5, 2009 18:48:24 GMT -5
"Yes, this coming winter," I said with a smile, looking to Malabelle. My smile faded when I saw the look on her face.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 5, 2009 19:28:48 GMT -5
"Congratulations," I said, masking the bitterness I felt. Never mind the bad blood between me and Malabelle, Christophe's presence in my child's life would likely include her, and I needed to know that she would never show anything but goodness to the child. "I wish you both every happiness." That much was true.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jun 5, 2009 19:38:59 GMT -5
I felt Christophe look at me and I turned my head to meet his gaze. I am trying I thought at him, knowing he could read my gaze.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jun 6, 2009 15:20:35 GMT -5
My plate sat perched on my knee, the food forgotten for the moment as I reached out and took Mala's hand. I knew the look in her eyes, I could see how hard this was for her. "Thank you very much," I said to Soleil.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jun 6, 2009 19:26:21 GMT -5
Christophe took my hand and it helped. I felt the strain of holding myself together ease a little and I squeezed his hand.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jun 11, 2009 21:26:27 GMT -5
I looked to Malabelle. "Are you welcome to the idea of a stepchild, Malabelle?" I asked. I needed some words, anything, that would tell me that she would at least be kind to my, and Christophe's, child as the most important woman in Christophe's life.
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Malabelle Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lady of House Shahrizai
Wife of Christophe Legard no' Shahrizai
Posts: 2,756
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Post by Malabelle Shahrizai on Jun 11, 2009 21:40:10 GMT -5
I looked away from Christophe and at her.
“No,” I said honestly. “The knowledge that you are carrying Christophe’s child sent me into a rage so deep I was plotting several ways to kill you and the child.” I took a deep, steadying breath. “But, the child matters to Christophe and I love him more than anyone could possibly imagine. I will be kind and good to the child because it is part of him and he already loves this child without ever having seen it. You need not worry about Christophe’s child around me.”
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