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Post by Benedict Liatris on Jan 25, 2011 23:43:58 GMT -5
The morning of Mother and Lyonette's departure dawned gray. Fog hung over the windows, as though the earth knew what a somber day this was. I hadn't slept at all, and when morning finally came I splashed my face with water and dressed, before going downstairs to wait for my family to wake up.
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Post by Veronique Liatris (H) on Jan 26, 2011 21:59:24 GMT -5
For someone whose life had been going amazingly well the last few years, I wasn't sure how to deal with the tragedy of Marc's death. It had been such a shocking, horrific accident ... the fire set by the flames of a stray candle, an accident, and yet one that left me without a husband, and with Layonette still ill from smoke inahalation and some dire burns. She was listless and upset, her hair cut short because of where it had been burned, and I had begun to think that perhaps the City of Elua was no place for us to recover. Guillaume and I had sustained no injuries, but my heart was heavy and the idea of managing the duchy without Marc was just too much. I worried that Benedict might be too young, or perhaps unwilling, to take over the duties of being a Duc, but somehow I didn't think so. I was so proud of him, of how he was handling not just the loss of his father, but the way he was there for Layonette and I, and even the way he had helped me with Guillaume. He was going to make a wonderful husband and father someday, and as Sovereign Duc, he would have many prospects. In fact, I had my eyes on a few ladies, but I was trying not to be overbearing in that regard.
Eventually I decided that Layonette and I would return to Camlach, and that I would step aside and let Benedict take over the duchy. He would do a fine job, I knew, and perhaps the countryside would be good for Layonette, not to mention that I would love for Guillaume to grow up in the same place as his elder brother and sister.
The morning we were to leave, the overcast sky made me shiver ... it was spring, but there were still days like this en route to summer. I came downstairs and saw that Benedict was already up and ready, though he looked tired.
"You're up early, darling," I said, going to him and giving him a long hug. Had a mother ever had a son as wonderful as mine?
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Jan 29, 2011 16:11:11 GMT -5
I returned my mother's embrace. For a moment I felt again like a little boy in his mother's arms, seeking comfort and relief. "I didn't sleep," I admitted. "I have a lot on my mind."
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Post by Veronique Liatris (H) on Feb 6, 2011 12:21:05 GMT -5
I reached up to gently stroke his hair, this son of mine, whom I loved so dearly. "Oh Benedict, I know the times are trying, but do try to keep a care for yourself." I was trying very hard not to worry over leaving him in the City while I went back to Camlach. I had to remind myself that he was a man grown, no longer my little boy, to come running to his mother for his hurts.
"Do not fret over your brother and sister and I," I said with a soft smile. "Camlach will be the best place for us to heal, and safer besides."
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Feb 13, 2011 22:02:11 GMT -5
"But Mother, I'm the man of the family now," I said, "it's my job to to worry about you all, and make sure you're safe and well cared for. Would you begrudge me my coming-of-age?" I chuckled dryly.
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Post by Veronique Liatris (H) on Mar 3, 2011 1:22:17 GMT -5
I laughed and shook my head. "Never, but I promise you that we'll be all right. Camlach is the safest place for us, and it is nice and quiet, something I'm looking forward to." I missed Marc and I thought of him now. "Your father was the one that liked the pace of the City, I personally prefer our country life, so I shall be perfectly happy keeping house back home."
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Mar 6, 2011 19:15:45 GMT -5
I nodded. "It will be the best place for you," I echoed. "What of the duchy?" And here was the crux of the matter at last.
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Post by Veronique Liatris (H) on Mar 14, 2011 20:15:33 GMT -5
"I think you are ready to be a Duc, don't you?" I smiled at him and shook my head slightly. "I am content to retire, the responsibility of it all was more of your father's passion, I only wanted to be where he was. I think it is past time for you to follow in his footsteps, my son."
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Mar 20, 2011 20:36:09 GMT -5
I took a deep breath, trying to slow my rapidly beating heart. "Do you really think so?" I said. "I mean, I feel ready, I know I am ready, I just didn't think it would be so...soon."
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Post by Veronique Liatris (H) on Mar 31, 2011 10:27:18 GMT -5
"No, none of us thought it would be so soon," I said, my heart aching with the suddenness of Marc's passing. "But you've been ready for a long time, your father made sure of that. I don't mean to imply that it will be easy, but I believe you are up to the challenge." It was true, for I would not leave the City if I did not believe that Benedict could handle being the Sovereign. It might take time for him to gain confidence, but I believed that he would realize soon enough that he was as prepared as one ever was for this sort of thing.
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Post by Benedict Liatris on Jun 13, 2011 1:15:39 GMT -5
"Your confidence leaves me humbled, Mother," I said. "I shall try my very best not to disappoint, and to even excel."
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