Shopping for a Gift

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I hadn't the patience to sit about the Palace today, and not the zeal to create a ruckus anywhere.. in the end, I found myself shopping, and I decided that while I was out, I'd find something for my newest Lady-in-Waiting.

Entering the jewelry shoppe, I began to search, waving off the assistance of a clerk before they could finish asking if I required it. I wanted something.. dainty, something befitting, and taking the time to look myself killed more of my afternoon than it otherwise would have. Dressed in a soft pink with a wide, cream colored silk ribbon tied about my waist, I was wearing the height of fashion as ever, but the dress just felt right on me. Too little did these days, and more than just clothing.

[Denis de Trevalion]

I had decided, I had thought long and hard, though in the end the choice was simple and clear; I was going to propose to Noelle. I wasn't sure how she would take it, hence my hesitation, I probably would have sooner if I didn't feel like Noelle would have just told me no and pushed me over. It had taken a little wearing down and out trip through the outer provinces helped to get us to a place where now I think she actually wanted it.

Today I was finding a ring, something proper to propose with; I begged off from Noelle telling her I had some business to attend to at the palace and made by way to the palace district instead and to Boileau's to search.

Almost giddily I pushed open the door and entered, a grin on my face as I began to look around; my gaze going to the cases that held the rings first, though I had I mind to get her something else as well, perhaps a bracelet while I was here. As I began to look I finally noticed the other customer in the shoppe and stared at the girls profile for a moment before I realized who it was.
"Coretta?" I asked softly.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

Softly my name was spoken, and I turned, a disinterested curiousness painting my features.. and then I saw Denis'. I wasn't sure how to feel at that; he'd been courting me, or trying to, before flat out abandoning me for some woman I'd never before met. "Denis," I greeted with a smile, turning the rest of the way and folding my hands before me. "What a surprise to see you in here. How have you been?"

[Denis de Trevalion]

She didn't look pleased and I wasn't really surprised; I had talked to Coretta very little since the day I told her my intentions to court her, then simply left and never turned back when Noelle issued her ultimatium to me.
"I've been.... well, I suppose." I replied as I stepped a little closer to her but kept my distance; a girl like Coretta, I was likely to get my head lopped off if I wasn't careful.
"My sister died, during the plague in the summer." I then added. "I'm not sure if you heard. Anyway, her title passed to me and I returned to Azzalle to see to the estate and all my official duties." I smiled gently and touched the sword at my hip.
"I even learned how to fence." I glanced over at one of the cases for a moment before looking at her again.
"How have you been? I hear you're courting Mathieu, I have to say I was a little surprised to hear that."

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I watched him as he moved, and something seemed... off about him. He was still cocky, still had that gleam in his eye and that hook in his lip like he was on the inside of a joke that no one else knew about, but there was still something else. Whether it was something new or something missing I wasn't sure, but I didn't let myself look too deeply; I was still miffed at him for abandoning me like he did.

"Oh, I'm very sorry about your sister," I said, and in truth I honestly meant it. "I'd not heard of that before now. I hope your trip to Azzalle went smoothly though; I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you."

That I didn't necessarily mean, though I had no intention of letting him know that. When he mentioned he'd heard I was courting Mathieu, my smile grew a little, a touch amused, a touch something else. "Yes, well, that's true enough. And you; I've heard rumor you're courting some woman from Camlach. I've not had the pleasure of her name unfortunately."

[Denis de Trevalion]

I smiled as she confirmed her match with Matt, I didn't like him overly, in my opinion he was a brat and even though I had had my own childish days, he had always seemed more so then every one else. I ran my hand through my hair as she mentioned Noelle and I felt bad because I hadn't really talked to Coretta about it.

"Yeah, about that." I said softly as I looked at her, my lips still smiling but eyes reflected the guilt I had for just abandoning our courtship.
"I apologize Coretta, I know I had professed my feelings to you, and they were true I want you to be sure of that." I sighed. "But I'm in love. Noelle d'Aubigne, Vicomtesse d'Aubigne." I couldn't stop that smile that spred across my lips at the mere mention of her.
"I never meant to hurt you, if I did, I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me."

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

Who was he?

I stared at him in silence for a moment, just watching him, trying to figure him out. He'd grown so much since I'd last seen him, and I knew nothing was missing.. he'd just changed. "Well," I said softly after a moment, and suddenly I was well aware of the clerk discretely leaving the store for he and I alone. "I admit, it stung a bit when you suddenly disappeared, but it looks like we both moved on and I see no reason to harbor animosity."

There was no question that he'd moved on, and for a moment I felt a flash of jealousy; he was in love, and even if he hasn't said it, it was plain to see. Absolutely besotted, and part of me hated them both for what they had. Mat and I, we had lust and a mutual affection, but nothing more. Both of us wanted to try, but it always seemed like such a struggle, like we were constantly angering each other only to make up again, and repeat the process all over... and while the sex was amazing then, it was growing tiresome. I sighed.

"It's good to see you happy like you are; even a blind woman could see it. Have you come here to buy her something pretty?"

Offering a smile, I turned and glanced at the jewelry I'd been looking at a moment ago, though I didn't truly see it. My thoughts were inward, a quiet reflection.

[Denis de Trevalion]

I smiled back at her and reached out to run my hand over her back for a second in a friendly fashion before I turned to the cases where Coretta talked of buying something pretty for Noelle.
"Actually," I said with my grin still wide; I couldn't help but be excited. "I'm here to pick out a ring. I'm going to ask Noelle to marry me." I raised my brows a little and looked to Coretta, curious at her reaction. I was hoping she'd be happy for me, I was happy, I was so happy I could barely contain it.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

The light touch of Denis' hand was surprising as it ran over my back, and I was just sorting out how to process it when suddenly he spoke of... of marrying this Noelle.

Gods, I was glad I wasn't looking at him. My eyes widened, and I froze, my fingers hovering just above touching a sapphire pendant. He was going to marry her? I should bet that he never would have moved that fast with me, and even if he had it wasn't me that he wanted, just my titles. Slowly I collected myself and dropped my hand away again, turning carefully to regard him with a reply already forming on my tongue... and then I saw the look on his face.

Elation, joy, excitement, anticipation... all the things I'd hoped to see on the face of the man who eventually would ask me to marry him, not just a look of hope that he'd secure the title of Prince and the possibility of becoming King one day. Everything wrought on Denis' face was what I wanted, if not right now, but one day... one day.

My features softened, and I reached out, touching his cheek with my hand in a gentle manner. "Congratulations Denis," I murmured, my smile wrought very softly upon my mouth. "Somehow I have a feeling your Noelle won't be able to say no." My hand fell away again, and I clasped them before me, the soft smile still upon my lips.

[Denis de Trevalion]

I was pleased at her response and chuckled softly, my heart racing a little at the idea of proposing to Noelle, but I was overly excited about it either way.
"Thank you." I said softly. "And I really hope you're right. She's amazing Cori, she's smart and funny, and so... I don't know, she just makes me want to grow up you know. She makes me want to be a man instead of a selfish little boy." I chuckled softly and touched her shoulder.
"I'm sure you understand, I'm sure Matt's the same way with you."

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

Elua be thanked, he was so happy that he nearly glowed. I could swear the gems around us sparkled brighter for it, but in contrast when he touched my shoulder I felt.. sadness, and I feared it touched my eyes before I could push it away again. "Of course," I replied smoothly, lying through my teeth. "Your Noelle and I, we're much alike in how lucky we are."

I shifted, abandoning all thoughts of buying anything for my lady in waiting, and pretended to peer over his shoulder. "Unfortunately I think I am being beckoned. Duty calls," I added reluctantly. "It was good seeing you again though Denis. I look forward to hearing of your engagement."

Leaning, I kissed his cheek before moving to pull my wrap around my shoulders again. I had to leave, to escape his absolute joy; my heart clenched, and my decision was made.

[Denis de Trevalion]

She cupped my face, kissed my cheek and then she brushed past me and left. I turned, following after for a moment till I stopped, I wasn't sure what to think about her hasty departure. I sighed a little but turned back to my shopping, deciding that I shouldn't follow and that it would be best to contact her privately to ask her if she was alright.

For now, I focused on finding Noelle a ring.