|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 4, 2009 10:37:46 GMT -5
I'd not stepped foot off the grounds of my townhome but a scant few times since returning to the City, and I knew I needed to cease my seclusion, as hard as it was. My heart was heavy still with the loss of August, but like the small swelling of my belly, my mind was overcome, too, with the knowledge that I would bear his child. I was lean, lithe as any d'Angeline woman, my body built naturally with a dancers graceful flow and form, and I'd begun showing sign of my pregnancy early on.
Now, with the sun almost cresting its high point upon the horizon, I was strolling through a park in the Temple district of the City. It was quiet here, peaceful, but I could still hear the bustle of the City, discern the shouts of drivers, the laughter and chatter of patrons alike, the hawking of sellers trying to gain purchase of their wares. It was soothing, in an odd way, and I found myself lost in memories. Finding a park bench, I sat, enjoying the soaking feel of the sun, my dress dark, marking still the mourning of my lost fiancee. The quiet I enjoyed, the giggles and laughter of children more so. I watched as a pair ran across the path, chasing a leather ball, using sticks to bat it back and forth to each other. One day, I thought, my hand absentmindedly touching my stomach. One day.
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 4, 2009 22:20:01 GMT -5
I knew Sergei would be busy that day, and I think it was for the best. I had a lot to think about, concerning him and my future. Our future. So I headed to the Temple District, where they had broad parks that held a little of the quiet from the forest. I began to walk the paths, coming across a pair of children that almost bowled into me as they played. I laughed and stepped out of the way, their joy affecting me.
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 5, 2009 20:55:46 GMT -5
My eyes were still on the children when a willowy woman appeared, and, given childrens antics, they nearly collided with her. Happily for all it didn't come to it, and as the boys ran off laughing, I brought my eyes to the woman. "It's amazing, the happiness they can find in such a small game," I said gently, though with enough carry to my voice that she should hear me.
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 6, 2009 15:46:21 GMT -5
A stunning woman spoke to me from a bench. She was dressed in a dark gown, an odd choice for the summer months, but with the sickness that had swept through the City not so long ago, it was understandable. "Indeed. It makes me long for the days when I was a child. Everything seems simpler when you're young," I said, still smiling from the boys' laughter.
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 7, 2009 18:43:15 GMT -5
"That it does," I agreed, offering her a quiet smile, but a genuine one. Her accent marked her immediately as Aragonian, but her features.. Ah, her features. Too fine for Aragonia alone, though they were a handsome people. She, though, was quite beautiful. "There are certain benefits to being an adult, but the innocence of childhood... Nothing can rival that."
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 9, 2009 14:42:03 GMT -5
"I agree," I replied, looking after the boys, still hitting the ball back and forth between them. "I look forward greatly to having my own one day. Children can bring such joy to life."
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 11, 2009 10:13:35 GMT -5
"That they can," I smiled at her, a little larger, very genuine. "I wish you all the luck when you do have your own. I'm due with my own, in roughly seven months."
Blessed Elua, I said it. Aloud, to a stranger, and without the brink of tears in my eyes. I could hardly think of August right now, let my mind think of how the babe would reflect his beautiful features... No, now was for this conversation, and an inner celebratory joy at publicly acknowledging my pregnancy. My smile lifted a little more, and I cast my eyes from her, to the children again.
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 11, 2009 10:58:53 GMT -5
Her words brought my focus back to her. "Congratulations," I said with honest happiness for her. "You must be terribly excited."
I was a little envious, but I reminded myself that my time would come, especially when things with Sergei were going so well.
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 11, 2009 21:54:25 GMT -5
"I am," I replied, for I was, so very much so to hold my babe in my arms. "I'm incredibly curious to see whether it'll take after myself, or the father," I added, doing my best to ignore the strange roil of emotions inside me.
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 12, 2009 0:15:26 GMT -5
"Well if he is anything like you, the babe will be beautiful," I said with a soft smile. I wasn't flirting, Mother no, I was simply making an observation.
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 12, 2009 13:07:52 GMT -5
"Thank you." I smiled softly at her, appreciating the comment more than I could have possibly said at that moment. "That means a great deal to me. I'm Mirielle Bellamont, by the by... Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but you come from Aragonia, do you not?"
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jun 27, 2009 11:22:59 GMT -5
"A pleasure to meet you Mirielle," I said, my smile staying on my face at her reaction. I nodded at the introduction since she hadn't used a title, and decided not to use mine either. Though usually my full name was a rather large clue. "Yes I am. Mercedes de las Aragonia."
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 3, 2009 23:32:20 GMT -5
"Princesa Mercedes de las Aragonia." I repeated her name, a smile on my lips as she became at least somewhat more familiar now, and with her title included to show I recognized her. I stood then that we might be able to talk easier, my hands arranging the skirts of my dark dress habitually. "Ah, yes. I've heard somewhat of you, though all very well," I added, and it was true. Gossip circled and spread, no matter how hard one tried to stay out of it; likely she knew how it was.
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jul 5, 2009 1:18:37 GMT -5
"Thank you, that's very kind of you to say," I said with with a soft smile. I had a feeling that she was telling the truth, and that was incredibly heartening. Gossip could cut deeper than any sword, whether steel or... a different sort. "But please, do not stand on my account. I have no wish to inconvenience you."
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 16, 2009 12:16:18 GMT -5
"Oh, truly, you're not." I smiled in assurance as I brushed at my skirts, ridding any debris they might have picked up. "I've sat for too long as it is, I think." I paused, a thought occurring to me. "I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?"
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jul 17, 2009 1:06:09 GMT -5
"Oh no," I assured her in return, a smile on my lips. "I came to walk and think, but I'm afraid that neither will truly soothe my mind. I've always found menfolk far to confusing for comfort."
|
|
|
Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 20, 2009 10:36:26 GMT -5
I laughed softly; how long had it been since I'd laughed so easily? It caught me off guard, my laughter ending more abruptly than it naturally would have, and I barely kept my teeth from worrying at my lip. I hoped she didn't notice. "It's true, they know how to befuddle ones mind," I said as I moved a few paces forward; not so much towards her, but in a direction down the path that she'd been moving in. "Mayhap the most infuriating part of it is they don't tend to realize that they're doing it, either."
|
|
Mercedes de las Aragonia
Royal
Princesa of Aragonia and Condesa de Lleida
Daughter of Rafael and Colette de las Aragonia
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by Mercedes de las Aragonia on Jul 20, 2009 10:59:27 GMT -5
I smiled at her comment, and moved with her down the pathway. It struck me that she acted like she hadn't had anything to laugh at in a long time.
"Oh, I think he knows, at least a little," I said, my smile turning a little sly before settling out. "May I ask a very personal question?"
|
|