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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 22, 2007 13:34:56 GMT -5
The carriage stopped in front of the Whit Hart and I stepped out, smoothing my dress as I waited for Juliette.
There were only a couple people visible inside through the windows, but the scent of food was strong and pleasant.
"Looks perfect," I said with a smile to Juliette once she was beside me.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 22, 2007 13:46:41 GMT -5
"Smells even better." I commented as I realized how hungry I was. "Makes me remember how long ago I broke my fast."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 22, 2007 13:54:02 GMT -5
I laughed as my stomach growled. "I was too nervous to eat at all this morning."
Heading inside, I spotted a table near the window that looked out on the prettily blooming garden outside. "How about there?"
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 22, 2007 14:05:01 GMT -5
"You read my mind." I replied with a smile, and we made ourselves comfortable. The waiter came over with an honest smile on his face, one that I had no problem returning as he gave us te small cards holding today's menu.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 22, 2007 22:25:38 GMT -5
"A bottle of wine," I told the waiter. "Whatever the best you have is."
He nodded and headed off.
"I hope that's alright with you," I said to Juliette, smiling. "I just feel like celebrating a little now."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 22, 2007 22:30:34 GMT -5
"Celebrating is perfect." I told her, my mind wandering to why I was celebrating. "Considering how much stress it sounds like you're under, you deserve it."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 23, 2007 0:47:17 GMT -5
I chuckled, then sighed slightly. "I love Elliot with all my heart, more than I ever imagined possible… but I would have given anything for a small wedding without all the fuss."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 23, 2007 0:50:27 GMT -5
I nodded in understanding. "I can but wish for a small ceremony when I marry. But I know my mother, and bless her heart, she'll be right behind me, prodding me to do my duty for half the realm."
The wine arrived, and we were soon left with glasses of a very fine liquid.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 23, 2007 13:20:15 GMT -5
"When it's your wedding, I promise to return your kindness and take you out for at least one quiet lunch," I said, smiling and then taking a sip of wine. It was very good and I enjoyed the flavor as it slid down my throat.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 24, 2007 0:06:40 GMT -5
"Just one?" I teased. "From the look on your face earlier, I might need several."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 24, 2007 15:33:28 GMT -5
"As many as needed then," I replied, laughing.
I was so happy to have met Juliette, I felt so comfortable around her and she was such fun.
Glancing down at the menu card, I pondered the choices. "Oh, it all looks so good," I said, smiling. "Though I had better be careful or I'll never fit back into my dress."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 24, 2007 21:51:40 GMT -5
"And this is when my mother would nod wisely." I told her chuckling. "But I would imagine you would just have to mention it to Elliot, and he would give you enough exercise that you wouldn't have to worry."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 24, 2007 22:16:00 GMT -5
I laughed again, setting down my menu card having decided on the chicken with greens.
"You must know him very well, for that is exactly what would happen," I said, smiling. "Not that he ever needs such a reason."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 24, 2007 22:21:43 GMT -5
"I've seen the way he looks at you." I told her with a grin.
The waiter came over, and I order the goat cheese salad. The vinaigrette sounded tasty.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 1:26:54 GMT -5
The waiter left after I had ordered my chicken and I looked back at Juliette.
"I know that I was raised in Heliotrope, and spent my life dedicated to love, but I never thought I would find something like I have with Elliot," I said.
Then a chuckled and shook my head slightly. "Forgive me, I don't mean to gush."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 1:58:25 GMT -5
"Gush away." I told her with a smile. "I don't mind in the least. It's always nice to hear someone so happy."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 12:34:01 GMT -5
"Careful what you tell me, I'm in such a state I could gush on for hours until you're ready to run to Eglantine to sit through the new tragic play they are perform three times in a row," I said, smiling and laughing softly.
Then I sighed a bit. "Truly though, it's only because of how much I love Elliot and how much I know he loves me that I can even think of going through with this whole massive wedding. At one point he suggested having it at the Palace and I nearly fainted."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 12:59:45 GMT -5
I laughed. "I don't blame you. It's one thing to have royalty coming to your wedding, quite another to do it in their home."
All this wedding talk was making it very dangerous for my mind not to imagine...
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 13:04:44 GMT -5
"Exactly," I agreed, delighted that she understood. "I'm still not sure Elliot understands completely why I panicked, but he didn't push."
I took another sip of wine.
"I met Queen Sabrina at the Coronation fete, she seems very nice. I'm very glad I met her already so there's one less stress for the wedding," I said, chuckling.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 13:17:27 GMT -5
"They are almost like us." I joked. Oh it felt good to do so. I realized with a start how few friends I had that were both near my age and female.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 13:22:23 GMT -5
"Almost, but I still wouldn't trade places with her for all the gold in the world," I replied, grinning.
The waiter returned with a basket of hot rolls and told us our meal would be here shortly.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 13:34:04 GMT -5
I nodded my agreement, tearing a roll apart. "One duchy is more than enough, thank you." I replied. "And even now, I feel so far away from them. Making decisions through correspondences just isn't the same. I don't think I could ever do what Sabrina does and be at all satisfied."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 15:02:49 GMT -5
"I don't know how you do it, to be honest," I said, taking a roll as well and tearing it apart, mostly for something to do with my hands. "Elliot had hoped Evangeline would help show me what being a Duchess entailed, but Evangeline rather…dislikes me."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 15:24:15 GMT -5
"Evangeline... takes some time to get used to. On both sides." I replied, thinking of my prickly cousin. "She loves Elliot dearly, but he hurt her pride when he decided to marry you. It's not your fault at all, but she thinks you took both her brother and her duchy away."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 15:34:49 GMT -5
"I can understand that, and I tried to convince Elliot to find another way, to be with me but not take her title but he said there was no other way." I sighed slightly and quit shredding the roll. "I don't expect her to ever love me, or even really like me, but I do hope for peace between us for Elliot's sake. And I would like her to be an aunt to our children."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 15:53:50 GMT -5
I sighed. "She will come around eventually. Besides, no one could ever dislike you for long." I smiled.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 21:33:25 GMT -5
Blushing softly, I said, "Thank you."
The waiter arrived with our food and I took the opportunity of the slight interruption to collect myself, her words had been very sweet.
"Do you know Evangeline well?" I asked as I began to cut my piece of chicken.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 21:49:48 GMT -5
I took a bite of salad after smiling at the waiter. "Not really. We've... we've never been close."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Jul 25, 2007 22:58:41 GMT -5
"Well, I get the feeling that trying too hard will only push her away more, so I will just let things be and hopefully she sees how happy Elliot is and forgives me," I said with a soft sigh.
I took a bite of chicken, smiling as I began to chew. "this is delicious."
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Jul 25, 2007 23:06:39 GMT -5
"Yes, on to happier subjects." I agreed with a smile. "How did the rest of your night go after the coronation?" I hoped she didn't guess my ulterior motives of that question. But she wasn't the only one who had to gush.
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