Lucien de Clairmont
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Siovale; Baron de Clairmont
Son of Charles and Rosetta de Clairmont
Posts: 1,079
|
Post by Lucien de Clairmont on Jun 4, 2011 16:10:31 GMT -5
Late spring, Year One of Queen Coretta's reign
As much as Phreya and I had always both tried to court like we were normal people, two facts remained. I was the sovereign duc of Siovale, and she was a Princess of the Blood. Which is why I had rented out the Artiste Societe for the evening, to host the nobility and announce our engagement. I wasn't really one for fetes, but such a thing was expected. I stood waiting for guests to arrive, nervous and hoping that Phreya would be quick with double-checking on the hors d'oeuvre situation. I had never hosted a fete before, and hoped the night went quickly and smoothly.
|
|
|
Post by Princess Phreya de la Courcel on Jun 4, 2011 19:22:21 GMT -5
Lucien and I were a private couple by nature, but our engagement was not something we could slip by people. This fete was our concession to the fact that we were important people and at times had to conduct ourselves as such.
I checked on the food and drinks one last time before joining Lucien at the door. “Everything’s ready,” I told him with a smile.
|
|
Lucien de Clairmont
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Siovale; Baron de Clairmont
Son of Charles and Rosetta de Clairmont
Posts: 1,079
|
Post by Lucien de Clairmont on Jun 4, 2011 20:32:57 GMT -5
"Wonderful," I told her with a smile, sliding and arm around her waist that looked even smaller than ever in the gown she was wearing. "You look stunning," I murmured before kissing her softly.
|
|
Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
|
Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 21:30:58 GMT -5
A letter had come, invited my family to the engagement fete for the Duc of Siovale and Princess Phreya. It was the first invitation I had accepted since my sister's death, and as such I wore a sombre black and olive green dress. I also brought a very important accessory - Emeric followed me inside to the artists' guild. "Good evening you two. Congratulations!" I said as I approached them.
|
|
|
Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 4, 2011 21:36:28 GMT -5
I was actually surprised to have been invited to such a high profile event, but perhaps I was finally being taken seriously, being a mother and having suspended my previous hijinks for several months now.
After being flattered, I was worried. I didn't recall ever seeing a baby at a fete, so that meant I would have to leave Jace with someone else if I was going to go. I spent several days changing my mind about whether or not to go, but in the end I decided that if I wanted my son to have a place in society, I first had to carve one out for myself, and that I could not do sitting about in the house.
I didn't know if Kendrick was coming, and I hadn't asked him, because I wasn't sure how I felt now that Jace was here. Part of me wanted a family, and part of me simply wanted to be alone with my son. This ambivalence was exacerbated by the fact that Kendrick shared no love for one another, save as Jace's parents, and somewhere around this point my head would begin to hurt if I thought about it too much.
I showed up on my own, prepared to only stay an hour or two, try to connect with the "right" people, and then get back to my son as soon as I could.
|
|
|
Post by Emeric Deveroix on Jun 4, 2011 21:46:16 GMT -5
Another of the various perks I got from my job guarding a Princess was getting to escort her places and while she hadn't been to many parties this one promised to be pretty good indeed. I'd worn something in the vague neighborhood of the olive green she was sporting and had my sword at my side, but otherwise I was watching the surroundings. After all I had to do that in order to see threats, and if there were attractive women around, well, I had to make sure and watch them too. Who knew which one of them could be hiding a weapon on their lovely legs?
As Sophie made her greetings I watched out of the corner of my eye and saw Naia, the mother of my brother's son, and I gave her a smirk before looking away again. So long as she took care of my nephew and didn't push my brother too far in her quest for money I had no reason to dislike her- but that didn't mean I wasn't going to make life interesting from time to time either. After all, Jace was Kendrick's son and had Kendrick's name for all that some Shahrizai blood flowed in him, and that made him our family more than hers.
|
|
|
Post by Princess Phreya de la Courcel on Jun 4, 2011 21:56:40 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I murmured with a smile against his lips.
Then, the guests began arriving and my smile became less intimate and more open. We could do this.
“Thank you,” I replied to Sophie. “And thank you so much for coming!”
|
|
Noemi de Trevalion
Royal (Staff)
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood; House Trevalion *Voted Character You'd Most Like to Meet 2010*
Sister to Victoire and Cygnus
Posts: 1,119
|
Post by Noemi de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 22:21:39 GMT -5
When the invitation to attend an engagement party for the Sovereign Duc and my cousin Phreya I'd been glad to hear of the happy event amidst so much tragedy. Their party was going to be held at what was the Artist's Guild, which I hadn't been able to visit yet, and while I could easily have gone alone I remembered my promise to a friend, that I'd bring him along. With that in mind I'd contacted Eric a few days before and asked him to come along with me, and he'd agreed.
Dressed in one of the new gowns I'd had modified a bit to match my own style I went with Eric in the carriage, and when it arrived I gave him a wide smile and stepped out easily, then waited for him. "Welcome to your first fancy party," I said excitedly, just waiting to see what he thought of this place.
|
|
Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
|
Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 22:39:24 GMT -5
"Oh, well I was so excited to hear the news, I just had to come," I said with a smile. I had always enjoyed Phreya whenever we had met at family to-dos, and had genuinely been happy to hear she had found someone. "So how did he propose? Or did you?"
|
|
|
Post by Princess Phreya de la Courcel on Jun 4, 2011 22:43:51 GMT -5
“He did, on his knee and everything,” I said, grinning. Sophie’s happiness was infectious and I felt myself relaxing further. “I’ll tell you the story later, somewhere more private.”
I smiled at Lucien, slipping my arm through his.
|
|
|
Post by Victoire de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 22:44:27 GMT -5
In Serenissima, I had loved parties. I had thrown them, attended them, and crashed them. Here in the City, it was different. In Serenissima, I was a rose amongst dandelions. In the City, I was a rose amongst ... well, other roses. I didn't much care for it, truth be told, but sitting at home was never my way of dealing with things.
I left Christien's bedside to attend the party, walking in on the heels of my sister and some young man she hadn't yet introduced me to. A suitor? An interesting development if he was, Noemi being a Princess of the Blood.
I didn't approach her just yet, plucking a drink off of a tray and surveying the rest of the guests first.
|
|
|
Post by Rochelle de Rouille on Jun 4, 2011 22:48:31 GMT -5
This was to be my first party unescorted by my father. I had been surprised when he said he wasn't coming, because usually he was always one to step out and could be found at any event that featured other nobles. He said he wasn't feeling well, however, and he must have seen the disappointment on my face, for he said that I could go, if I took the carriage and returned home early. With Guy out of the City, I was shocked that he allowed it, but I raced off before he could change his mind.
Arriving on my own, I looked for someone I knew, though my father had kept me home so much there weren't many people on that list. Perhaps Mirielle would be here? My father seemed to like her, and she had been rather sweet to me.
I took a glass of wine, though I sipped it sparingly, as I usually took it watered, and found a quiet place to look for a familiar face.
|
|
Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
|
Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 22:50:46 GMT -5
"Of course, I'll let you greet your other guests. Congratulations again," I said with a smile, not minding that they needed to play host. I moved into the guild, looking over the stunning art on the walls. "Would you like a drink?" I asked Emeric as we passed a table where they lay waiting.
|
|
|
Post by Landis de Verreuil on Jun 4, 2011 22:59:16 GMT -5
I'd been invited to a few parties in my time for various reasons, but to get an invitation to Lucien and Phreya's engagement party was an honor no matter the reason. I'd met Lucien while we were all fighting in Khebbel-im-Akkad and we'd gotten along well enough so that was likely the root of it just as much as the fact that my family lands were in Siovale. He'd always been sensible, quiet and fun enough, and he was one of the few people still alive who remembered me from earlier times. I owed it to him to go and congratulate him on his luck.
As soon as I'd chosen to attend the next though that came to mind was whether I should go with someone in particular or not. Mercy was in the City, had likely received a missive as well so why not? She'd agreed and I'd been exceedingly glad of it, especially since there was the slight hope it would lift her spirits. I'd dressed in blue and grey, clothing good enough to show my status but not flashy, and I escorted the Princesa in with a smile. She always looked lovely and I pushed some further thoughts along those lines to the back of my mind. "Something to drink?" I asked instead as one of the trays of drinks came closer.
|
|
|
Post by Ferris mab Eideann on Jun 4, 2011 23:02:27 GMT -5
Marie and I made our way up the walk to the Artiste Societe for the engagement party of some significance on the D'Angeline political scene. "This will be our last fete before we leave. Ready?" I asked her, drinking in her beauty.
|
|
|
Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 23:17:32 GMT -5
My first fete in the City. I was excited, but nervous. Ghislain and Sophie were going, and I think they had expected me to simply tag along with them, but I had other ideas. I'd really enjoyed exploring the City with Hal, and I wanted to invite him to attend with me. I worried over it for hours, wrote seven notes and crumpled six, finally sending the last one, which I hoped sounded friendly without being too forward, or worse yet, sounding like some sort of order. Being a Princess, sometimes people were afraid to say 'no' to me, though Hal did not strike me as that sort of man.
He'd agreed - thank Azzalle, I wasn't sure how my pride would have fared otherwise - and the rest of the days until the party were spent trying to find something to wear. I'd brought dresses from home, but the fashion in the City was somewhat different. I settled on a black and tan dress that Cadice had picked out before I left home. I chose a black silk wrap to go with it, because the spring nights could still be chilly, and I pinned my hair up artfully, braiding some of the strands to keep them back, but leaving some tendrils to caress my neck. There was definitely an art to making one's hair look as if you hadn't spent hours doing it up.
When Hal and I arrived at the party, I was alternately nervous and excited, and I realized that I had not even asked him if he had been to a party here in the City yet.
"Is this your first fete, too?" I asked, casting about for my brother and sister so that I could introduce Hal. I'd told Sophie a tiny bit about him, and assured her that I was safe in his company, so that she was free to bring Emeric along with her and not worry over my safety.
|
|
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, 2011 23:19:22 GMT -5
Attending an engagement fete after having my heart broken was not my first choice. But when Landis asked, I had agreed to attend. I had regretted it later, but not at the time, and not when he picked me up for the event either. I had dressed in a new pale pink gown, which was far simpler and showed more skin than my normal attire. But no one was going to label me a harlot for having bare shoulders, a lesson that had come too late for my relationship with Sergei, but which might still save me from being miserable for the rest of my life.
"Yes please," I replied to Landis's question, appreciating that he had asked. "White wine?"
|
|
|
Post by Landis de Verreuil on Jun 4, 2011 23:58:50 GMT -5
"I should be able to track that down," I replied with a smile, wondering what had brought out Mercy's spirit so strongly and exceedingly glad to see it. There was a hint of the Mercy I'd known in earlier years, one who had felt confident enough to skirt the rules without losing her sense of self, and the one who could kiss sweetly enough to make a person ache. But those thoughts led down the path of madness, and so I reached over onto a tray and plucked up two glasses of the wine she'd asked for and I offered one to her. "Here you go," I told her with another smile. "For the lovely Princesa."
|
|
|
Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 0:24:14 GMT -5
The missive from Amie had caught me by surprise. I briefly contemplated politely denying the request. After all, how might I fit into such an event? I could certainly behave myself if I wanted, but where was the fun in that?
Still, I had immensely enjoyed my time with the young Trevalion and I found her presence quite enjoyable. Many nobles were quite stuffy, excluding myself of course, but she had been a bit of wonderful company that day.
So I accepted her invitation.
I had few clothes that I thought would be acceptable at such a thing, so another trip was made into the market from the small townhouse my father had in the city. The style certainly did not suit me, this more formal wear, but I managed to find a nice black jerkin. A white silk shirt underneath proved breathable enough and left me plenty of flexibility. Simple black breeches and boots finished the classic look.
When I first spied Amie I must admit that I was a little taken aback. My view of the young woman shifted slightly and I could no longer deny she was quite attractive. I knew that regardless, but one's views change often, and we'd only spent an afternoon walking together.
Quite honored she had invited me, I happily escorted her to the party. Upon arriving her question was one I pondered for a moment. This was indeed my first fete in Elua, but that was not her question. I'd always believed in being honest so I replied, "I have been to something similar, in my youth. Though not here in Terre D'Ange." I did not offer any more information, though if she continued to press I would speak more on it.
|
|
|
Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 5, 2011 0:37:55 GMT -5
His statement set off a thousand questions, though I bit my tongue because now was not the time to ask them. Not in Terre d'Ange ... I heard the words longingly, because they sounded to my ears like adventure and excitement and no matter that I'd long since figured out that the stories I read were not what a real adventure would likely be about.
"In your youth?" I said teasingly, "You cannot be far removed from those days, Hal." In truth, it was often hard to tell with D'angelines how old someone was, because there was a certain ageless quality about us all, something that even the elderly possessed. Hal was not fully D'angeline, but I still would not have marked him for being much older than I.
I spied my sister and pointed her out, taking Hal's arm as I did so. "Would you like to meet my sister, Sophie?" I asked, though it was inevitable, as I knew that she would be looking for me eventually.
|
|
|
Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 0:50:24 GMT -5
I caught her teasing tone. I wondered if she knew how old I was. The subject had never come up the other day. "Aye. More than a decade ago now. I was twelve at the time. Just before the death of my mother." I chuckled softly in her response that I could not be far removed from those days. Though in actuality it was true, sometimes those years seemed so long ago as to be another lifetime.
Then she took my arm. I felt the goosebumps rise on my flesh. It was the first time she'd ever touched me.
Even as she asked her question as to whether I wished to meet her sister I knew that I would be. Even if I had chosen to, I could not leave now. But I was quite happy with the company and I had already promised myself to make the best of the evening.
|
|
|
Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 5, 2011 1:10:11 GMT -5
I couldn't help but squeeze his arm sympathetically when he mentioned his mother's death. I knew what it was like to lose a parent, but it was different with mothers to my mind. I couldn't imagine how bereft I would feel without my mother, even when we were not physically even in the same province.
I didn't say anything, though, because it felt presumptuous, and because we were in a roomful of people, hardly the place to discuss our dead relatives.
"A decade is a long time, I suppose..." I said, still teasing. "I do hope you haven't forgotten how to dance." Not that I was all that light on my feet either, but dancing was expected at a party, wasn't it?
I started to steer us toward my sister, who I didn't think had spotted me quite yet. Besides Ghislain and the bodyguard, I did not even know anyone else here, and I realized suddenly that most people would not even realize that I was royalty. It was a freeing thought, and I was suddenly less self-conscious.
|
|
|
Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 1:44:46 GMT -5
The squeeze at my bicep was pleasant and I fought the urge to take her hand. However, when she asked me if I remembered how to dance I smiled. "Oh yes Amie, and having you as a partner will be quite pleasant I am sure."
I let her lead me through the small crowd of people. I wondered what sort of reception I would receive.
|
|
Lucien de Clairmont
Noble
Sovereign Duc of Siovale; Baron de Clairmont
Son of Charles and Rosetta de Clairmont
Posts: 1,079
|
Post by Lucien de Clairmont on Jun 5, 2011 10:34:25 GMT -5
I smiled and stayed quiet at the two princesses exchanged greetings. Trust a Trevalion not to assume the man did the proposing. But Princess Sophie seemed genuinely happy for us - which was a very good way to kick off the night. "She seems nice," I commented to Phreya after Sophie had left, her bodyguard trailing behind her.
|
|
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 5, 2011 11:51:33 GMT -5
"Thank you," I murmured, his gallantry causing my cheeks to colour. "You mentioned that you know the duc?"
|
|
|
Post by Landis de Verreuil on Jun 5, 2011 14:46:26 GMT -5
When Mercy and I had spent most of our time together it had been in the near-solitude of my estate in rural Siovale; her blush reminded me that she was probably a little more prone toward modesty in public and I promised myself I'd be sure not to embarrass her. "Yes, we were in Akkad at the same time and in the same area," I told her with a smile, then looked around for Lucien, who was standing next to the woman who had to be his fiance. "I should go over and congratulate him in a little while."
|
|
|
Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 5, 2011 16:16:17 GMT -5
"I hope so, I shall endeavor not to step on your toes too terribly much," I said, laughing softly as we approached Sophie and Emeric. We were a bit behind them, and so I tapped my sister lightly on the shoulder, though I suspected that her bodyguard had seen us already. While I waited for her to turn around, I looked up at Hal and flashed him a smile, though he seemed perfectly at home amidst all this royalty.
|
|
|
Post by Marie Legard on Jun 5, 2011 16:26:27 GMT -5
When Ferris had told me of the invitation to the engagement fete and asked me to attend with him, I’d been both thrilled and terrified. The longer we were together though, the thrill outweighed the terror. I was strong and brave when was with him, he made me feel beautiful and confident enough to be amongst the powerful people who would be at the party.
I’d spent a portion of my savings to buy the material for my gown and I’d barely slept for a week while I finished it. I was pleased with the outcome though; it had all been worth it.
“Ready for the fete or for the leaving?” I asked with a smile, squeezing his arm gently. I’d still not told my family I was leaving, if I didn’t so it soon I would have to do so in a letter from Alba. That was for another day though, now I was going to think about nothing but being here with Ferris.
|
|
|
Post by Princess Phreya de la Courcel on Jun 5, 2011 16:36:59 GMT -5
“She is,” I agreed with a little nod.
More people were arriving, some foregoing greeting us and going straight to the party. The part of me that wanted to be alone with Lucien was grateful, the part of me that was a Princess of the Blood and rose its head on such occasions was irked.
I took a deep breath to center myself and smiled at Lucien before preparing for whoever was next in line.
|
|
|
Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 17:07:29 GMT -5
I laugh softly. "I'm sure my toes can take it, even if you do." I walk beside her, protectively, perhaps possessively. I wanted there to be no doubt she was with me, and safe at the same time.
|
|