César & Marie-Elisabeth - palace gardens
 

When asked by the surprised Comtesse if he really hadn't found anything wrong with what she had said about mourning her husband, and told that she had expected him to, just like everyone else seemed to do, César's smile broadened, and he shook his head, gently but decisively. He fully agreed with every word, and did not hesitate to be upfront about it. Born into a family of high nobility, the rules of proper conduct had been fed to him along with the mother's milk, and he knew exactly how to act and how to speak, as did he know what he was supposed to think about the Comtesse now, for being so unwilling to wither away in her mansion. But far be it from César to do anything just because he was expected to. He would go his own way, rather than follow the path someone else had drawn for him. Even the arranged marriage to Joséphine wasn't likely to have happened, had he not been instantly attracted to her.
This, however, did not mean he was a complete rebel, as being raised as a nobleman was bound to infuse him with at least some sense of pride and savoir vivre. There were great a many aristocratic views that he agreed with. It was just that they mostly had to do with the outlook on society, rather than individuals.

Three years, she had said. Three years since her husband had passed away. Why, it was no wonder she had been going stir-crazy. Had it been César, he would've been climbing the walls within weeks. Though in his case, it would've been far more acceptable if he had returned to the social scene in a few months, much like the Comtesse had said.
But, no sooner had that thought started passing through his mind, than he promptly cut it off. Imagining what his life would be like as a widower seemed most morbid, and one never did know what powerful forces of nature and fate one might set into motion with one thought alone. Toying with ideas of someone's death could prove a most fateful thing.
And, imagining Joséphine being dead and gone felt like a betrayal.

Oddly enough, courting other women didn't.

Mostly, if coming across a woman he found attractive, he would settle for simply flirting with her, without any qualms whatsoever (as long as Joséphine wasn't around, of course), but even on the occasions when he went further by actually pursuing and eventually bedding a woman that was not his wife, it did not cause even the slightest pinprick of guilt in his mind. It was simply the way things worked.

And he so enjoyed putting his skills as a ladies man to the test; piquing their interest, and figuring out what tactics would work the best on each of them. They were all so very different, and all required different methods and tricks. With some, he could play with subtleties and seemingly innocent looks and gestures. Others required more direct approaches.

Comtesse de Valois belonged to the former, having apparently recognized his interest for what it was even at a first glance, and now clearly picking up on his tone of voice, as she mimicked it well indeed when replying;

"Oh, is that true Marquis", she said, with that look of mischief shining through the veil of youthful innocence even more clearly than before. "Well I must say you're certainly doing an admirable job so far. You've been most entertaining company today."

As always when recieving a compliment - whether it be strictly polite or part of the game the two of them were currently playing - César inclined his head slightly in a gesture of gratitude of such kind words.

"Thank you, Comtesse", he said, still with that same charmingly suggestive smile on his lips. "But I can not possibly take full credit for it, for I have found your company most inspiring to entertain."

At a casually slow pace for their pleasant little stroll, the young companions were now rounding one of the corners of the Palace, and were greeted by the sight of the Palace stables. Much like the Palace itself, it was a magnificent construction, built to house the very finest of horses in the best of ways.

Having spent the last couple of days cooped up in his carriage, the mere sight of it made César's limbs ache with a desire to climb onto the back of a horse, and stretch out in a breakneck gallop along the many paths running through the forrest and the surrounding countryside. He so loved the sensation of the ground rushing past underneath him in a blur of earthy colors, and the wind running through his hair, leaving it wild and tangled and hanging into his eyes that would be sparkling with pure joy of being alive.

"Do you ride, Comtesse?" he asked, and then turned his head to look at her as he continued; "While it is getting rather late, and is still a bit chilly for riding, I do so long to see and explore our beautiful surroundings. I would be most honored if you would consider joining me sometime?"

Marie-Elisabeth & César - Palace Gardens
 

"Do you ride, Comtesse?" he asked, and then turned his head to look at her as he continued; "While it is getting rather late, and is still a bit chilly for riding, I do so long to see and explore our beautiful surroundings. I would be most honored if you would consider joining me sometime?"

Marie-Elisabeth was trying rather hard to keep the decidedly unladylike thoughts from creeping into her mind at the moment. She was quite hard pressed not to let any of them float to the surface, and carefully twisted them into more seemingly innocent sounding ones. Of course they really weren’t, but that was no one else’s business but her own. And the Marquis' of course.

She was quite enjoying this little game the two of them were playing, and was curious to see just how far he intended to play it. He seemed to be able to see the meaning behind every word she said, even if she phrased them in terms a nun would find no fault with. Which of course intrigued her all the more.

“I would love to go riding with you Marquis” she answered, returning his gaze “I know it will be absolutely lovely around here once it warms up a bit”

She then turned to look toward the stables. “I used to ride more often” she said “But unfortunately my poor old horse was getting on in years and passed away quite some time ago. I never did find another one gentle enough for me to ride, so I’m somewhat out of practise. You’ll have to give me your word not to laugh at me if I’m not the most skilled rider around here”.

She laughed slightly and turned her head back to face him. “You'll have to believe me when I say that chasing an energetic little boy around doesn’t leave you much time for idle pleasures like horseback riding. I was thinking about getting another horse, but I just never got around to it. Too busy with my little chou d’amour I suppose. Though he is quite the little horseman in his own right, despite his mother being less than prefect at it ”.

She smiled when she had finished talking, imagining the excited look on Charles' face if he were able to see the stables in front of them.


(((OOC: Sorry for the lateness and probable craposity of my post. Just couldn't think of a decent ending. I just got home from our final deadline meeting for the next issue of the paper and I'm wiped. *snickers at the Comtesse's dirty mind and wanders off to make some much needed tea)))

((OOC: Tsk tsk you two! lol I know I've been scarce lately, I appologize as real life just seems to demand full attention sometimes. I do have a goal this next week to get this RP cleaned up. Inactive characters (that haven't been around in a real life month) deleted, maps switched out, scandal database caught up... all that type of stuff. So if your character has not been active in the last month, please know you are in danger of loosing them. If you wish to remain in the RP simply either post an RP post in the thread or PM me and let me know. Thank you!
With that said...

Octavien & Isabella - Isabella's Salon
 

(((ooc: Sorry Shenan, I just couldn't help myself. Marie-Elisabeth's line was just too good not to comment on!
slytherin - Indeed you do!)))


The moment he had mentioned César's name, Octavien saw the thoughtful look disperse from Isabella's face, giving way to one of recognition instead. Really, he had expected nothing less, as the name of his friend alone was bound to conjure memories of the few but colorful stories Octavien had told Isabella about him, and the things the two of them and their circle of friends had done throughout the years. And, he hadn't even told her the most 'memorable' details. He had told her about the bar brawl that César had started, single-handedly, but not how it was only his good name and silver tounge that had saved him from ending up being arrested and spending the night in the town jail. And he had told her how years ago César had once won the head steward from one of his father's rivals' household in a card game. But he hadn't told her that ten minutes earlier, the head steward had already been a member of the de la Valliére household.

He had even told her about the few days he and César had spent at one of César's minor countryside manors, where Octavien had come along as good company and moral support while César conducted a bit of business with a nearby landowner. The first night there had been spent in the company of Madeleine and Anne-Lucie; the former being one of Octavien's 'acquaintances', and the latter being one of César's new conquests. The next day, after the ladies had (luckily) left, another one had arrived; Françoise, another one of César's mistresses. One whose favor he had been struggling to regain, as it had been lost when she had seen him flirt with Anne-Lucie at a social event that all three of them had attended. Much to César's great distress, as they had all sat down in the salon, Françoise had discovered a delicate handkerchief on the floor, and when picking it up to admire the quality and the beautiful embroidery, realized that it had the initials of no other than her young rival, Anne-Lucie de Longpré. Needless to say, she had not been happy, and, being the good friend that he was, Octavien had come to César's rescue by claiming that the young lady had been there to visit him, not César, and that César had only invited her in because Octavien has asked him to. Thus, César had finally won back the heart of Françoise.

And, unlike with the other stories, when telling Isabella this one, Octavien hadn't really left things out.
Much.
Not that it had made much of a difference, as far as making an impact on Isabella and her memory was concerned. The stories had left her with plenty to remember about this friend of Octavien's, and even if it hadn't, the warmth in his voice when speaking of César would've been enough for her to realize that it was a name best to remember.

Though with his remark regarding César's devastatingly charming smile and the effect it had on women, Octavien had paved the way for the kind of conversation that would soon leave César to be a mere front, to mask what was really being said between the young Prince and his Queen. Whatever stories he had told her about César, they would soon fade, just as quickly as they had surfaced, and make way for what was really on their minds this rapidly approaching dusk.

"Hmm...", she said as a smile emerged on her lips as well, along with a look of mischief behind feigned innocence in her eyes, that he knew all to well; it was the very one he had sought to bring out. "Perhaps the most charming Prince Octavien Lahance finally has some competition within the palace walls? By the tales you have shared, it sounds as if the servant girls will have much to gossip and giggle about."

Had the darkness of Adalita's death not still been looming in the corners of his mind, cloaking his awareness even when his thoughts were directed elsewhere, a light chuckle would've pushed itself softly over his lips. Instead, it stopped just shy of slipping out, causing the smile on his lips to simply widen a bit, as he recalled what she had once said about the servant girls whispering and giggling about him.
Indeed César was sure give them something more to giggle about. Though in his case, it was likely to be most intentional, whereas in Octavien's case, it was not.

However the smile soon faded to a mere, gentle curving of his lips, right along with hers, as if they were both following the same path, the same train of thought. The game they were constantly playing did little to lessen the power of his desire to just take her in his arms and seek the comfort of her bed together. Even now, when his focus really should be elsewhere, he could not tear himself away from the overpowering nature of what they shared. And judging by the look in her eyes as she studied his, neither could she. The invitation was there, the subtle glimpse of hunger beckoning him to claim her, coaxing him into making her submit to him, to strip her of the command she was so used to keeping, and had given up so reluctanly at first, but now surrendered willingly.

"I do hope your recalling boyhood adventures together will not consume all of your time", she said, her voice having softened along with her smile, and despite sounding nothing but innocent, as though she was just making friendly conversation, to him it carried the meaning of a thousand words that simply could not be spoken here and now.

Nor did they have to be. During their time together, looks had said more than a lifetime of words ever could.
And so when he responded, it was the look in his eyes that conveyed the real message of his lips.

"While I am delighted to have him here, and eager to catch up as well as reminisce, we both still have families, and duties, to tend to", he said, smiling vaguely and giving her slender hand a soft squeeze, as if to leave it beyond all doubt to her that the 'family' he himself had in mind to tend to, was far, far smaller than that of César's. "I assure you I shall still have plenty of time for tutoring."

Though no sooner had he spoken those words, than his expression darkened momentarily, as a shadow of troubled thoughts flitted across his features. Life really had become so much more complicated since last they had been together, three nights ago. And the reason was not only the death of Adalita, his wife.
There was also a certain meddlesome Baroness.

"But Isabella," he continued in lowered voice, for no one else to hear. "We must be careful. Even more so than we have been, for I fear the walls have more eyes and ears than I thought possible. The day before last, Baroness Flight informed me that she is aware of the nature of our friendship."

Having said that, he paused briefly while thinking back on the conversation, and the less than fond memories it had left him with.

"Though I doubt she realizes the depth of it", he then bitterly added.

The fact that Mercy had warned him not to bring it up with the Queen, was of little concern to him. In the light of what she would have to sacrifice in order to 'punish' him for going against her presumptuous wishes - the secret that was not only his, but also the secret of the person she indirectly claimed she wanted to protect, Isabella, who would be hurt far more than him if it was made known - Mercy did not scare him.
Loosing Isabella due to lying to her and keeping things from her, or for any reason for that matter, did.

Furthermore, he did trust Isabella far more than he would ever trust Mercy Flight. Not only because of his love for Isabella, but because she had a talent for something that the notorious Baroness obviously did not; knowing when to keep her mouth shut.

But then again, it could just be that Baroness Flight had said what she had said in order to test him; to see how strong the bond between him and Isabella really was. Had his intentions and love for her not been as noble and true as he had claimed, chances were Mercy would've succeeded in rattling him, and he would not have said anything to Isabella in fear of her. Had he been perfectly honest however - and he had - the confidence he shared with Isabella would by far exceed any that he might have with Mercy, in which case he would value honesty towards Isabella more.
That, he did.

Think it necessary to mention the part where Mercy had threatened him, however, he did not. Not at this point. If Mercy really did have Isabella's best interest at heart, there was no need to risk robbing Isabella of such an ally, by causing a possible rift between the two.

(((OOC: Got some free time today so i worked on Marie-Elisabeth. Here's the WIP *so excuse the nasty bodyshop pics*. I'm trying to find her a locket without earrings, I don't like this one much. I have the Slytherin locket from MTS2 but it just doesn't seem right. What do you think of her so far?)))

She is absolutely stunning. You are clearly a very tallented simmer.

César & Marie-Elisabeth
 

(((ooc: slytherin - I love her, she's gorgeous! Will you consider donating her to the site? Pretty please? Also, I'm terribly sorry for the lateness. Didn't get a chance to write anything yesterday, and the fact that I've been working for 12 days straight now is starting to catch up with me. *lol*)))


Much like the Comtesse, César was beginning to find it increasingly difficult to manage a straight face, the further their conversation went on. On the surface it was perfectly innocent, a mere session of polite smalltalk, just like one would imagine taking place between two courtiers who had just recently become acquainted with one another. The fact of the matter was, that unless one did not possess the same kind of devilish mind as César, and the Comtesse as well apparently, one would be nothing short of unable to read between the lines and catch the playfully suggestive innuendos that hid in and behind their words.

She was a witty young lady, the darling Comtesse. A woman after his own heart, with a flair for the kind of bold subtleties that he so loved to play around with himself. Had he not realized it earlier, he was made aware of it now, as she first accepted his offer while giving him an expressive look, and then turned her head to gaze straight ahead at the stables, leaving the look in her eyes to only stain her words with elusive enticement, instead of accompanying it and cross over to being shockingly obvious.

César simply could not resist quirking a brow, partly in acknowledgement of her success in guiding his thoughts where others would have thought it most improper for them to venture, but also as a way of acknowledging his admiration of her way with words. He was impressed indeed, and thought her most well deserving of knowing it.

"You'll have to believe me when I say that chasing an energetic little boy around doesn’t leave you much time for idle pleasures like horseback riding", she concluded with a small, soft laugh as she turned back to look at him one again, this time looking nothing but genuine, with no hidden meaning lurking in those sprightly eyes of hers. "I was thinking about getting another horse, but I just never got around to it. Too busy with my little chou d’amour I suppose. Though he is quite the little horseman in his own right, despite his mother being less than perfect at it."

Another bright smile ended her minor minologue, and César found himself wondering how it was that people expected such a vibrant young lady to be tied down by the shackles of mourning, when she was so clearly made for living and enjoying life to the fullest. One just had to look at her to see that while she may not be vivacity personified, she was not far from it. Her shoulders were not meant to be burdened by sorrow.

"Ah, I do indeed believe you, Comtesse", he said, and offered a soft smile in return. "Even though I am a man, and thus am not expected to share a mother's duties, I have learned that my two darling daughters are more than capable of exhausting their poor father. I can only imagine the toll such energy must take on the mothers, who spend far more time with their children than their husbands do."

However, while the Comtesse might have found returning to perfectly innocent conversation an easy transition, César's mind still lingered in the slightly more immoral part of her statement. He was a man, after all.

"And I assure you I will not laugh", he added, and gave her another roguish, sidelong glance, "as it has been my experience that it is the out of practice riders that are the most passionate ones. I am sure your skills will soon reveal themselves once more, and in the meantime, I shall be more than happy to make myself available, and see to it that you recieve all the practice you may require, and desire."

Marie-Elisabeth & César - The Gardens
 

If Marie-Elisabeth was anything less than a perfect lady, she would have either dissolved into particularly naughty giggles by now, or turned as red as the roses that would be blooming in the flowerbeds were it not the middle of winter. But as it was she kept her calm very well, outwardly seemingly unaffected by her companion’s words.

Inwardly was another matter entirely. It was, without a doubt, becoming harder and harder to control her words and keep them from wandering to places entirely too inappropriate to think of.

“Children can be quite exhausting,” she said, to give herself some time to think. She didn’t have to think when she talked about things related to her son, the words just seemed to flow from her lips on their own. “I can’t imagine how it would be with more than one child, though Charles has enough energy for several most days”

She didn’t bother to include Sophie or Helene in that statement of course, they tended to keep to themselves and really, how motherly could anyone be toward girls that were of the age that they could have been her younger siblings.

“But” she said, after the careful consideration of her words was over “It is a relief to know you won’t laugh at me. Charles was attempting to teach me, he used to be quite the horseman in his youth. But as everyone knows, men tend to loose their skill when they get older so he wasn’t always up to the task. I shall definitely have to hold you to that offer some day soon Marquis ”.

She paused for a moment to look up at the sky, and away from the Marquis. “But I think now we should be heading back inside. It seems I’ve gone and monopolized your whole day. How dreadful of me”.



(((OOC: Thanks for the compliments guys! :howdy: She's still a work in progress (darn that locket, I might just use the Slytherin one after all) so there's still things to tweak. If I can remember where I got all the CC, I'd love to add her to the site! . I'll probably make her a husband and son in my game nd then just kill the husband off LOL)))

César & Marie-Elisabeth - Palace gardens
 

(((ooc: slytherin - Usually you can find in BS where the CC is from, or at least the name of the creator. And you could always try and edit the necklace/earrings?)))


Upon having discovered just how skillfully the young Comtesse could maneuver herself in conversation, César was curious, to say the least, to see what she would make of his latest statement, what kind of reaction it would bring forth in her act of perfect virtue, previously only tainted by nothing but that certain look in her eyes, and the tiny curve in the corner of her mouth that, to him, would give her away.

Would it broaden her smile, bring additional sparkles to her eyes? Would it draw forth a soft laugh perhaps? Maybe even make her blush? Of all the reactions César was anticipating, he was sure whichever it would turn out to be, it would be one satisfying indeed. Though considering the Comtesse's own way with words, the latter - her cheeks flushing with a rosey hue - hardly seemed likely.

The only reaction he hadn't expected, was the one that actually occured; hardly anything, anything at all. The faint smirk on her lips seemed to dissipate, bringing with it the mischievous look in her eyes. Had she managed to keep a straight face before, she did it even better now. So well, in fact, that César might have been disappointed, had he not registered the way she stalled answering his statement, resorting to making a casual, generic comment about the previous topic of conversation, as if giving herself a chance to take firm control of her composure before speaking, in fear that her voice might betray her if she spoke too soon.

While it was not what he had expected, it turned out to be something far more satisfying; the fact that she needed a moment suppress her natural reaction before answering, was to him the ultimate proof that he was indeed having an effect on her.

"But", she finally said, once she had chosen her words and was ready to reply. "It is a relief to know you won't laugh at me. Charles was attempting to teach me, he used to be quite the horseman in his youth. But as everyone knows, men tend to loose their skill when they get older so he wasn’t always up to the task. I shall definitely have to hold you to that offer some day soon Marquis."

As it turned out, it was to be César who allowed a soft chuckle to push past his lips, though he did manage to bite back the amused 'Is that so?' that came dangerously close to following it. Men tended to loose their skill as they got older, did they? For some reason, César found it hard to believe it would be the case with him. Like any young man, he was filled with vigor and vitality, and didn't have it in him to imagine ever loosing it.

And with Marie-Elisabeth's statement, came a realization that to him made his virility feel even more tangible, and his interest in her grow even larger; If she, like many young women, had been untouched by men when she married her husband, that would mean she had only experienced the kind of dwindling skill of which she had spoken. Unless, of course, she had found other opportunities to temporarily escape the expectations that were resting on her shoulders, for her to be in mourning still.
If she had't... there was alot of catching up for her to do...
Interesting. Interesting indeed.

However, his thoughts were abruptly yanked back to the doings and whereabouts of the present, when she soon continued speaking;

"But", she said, "I think now we should be heading back inside. It seems I've gone and monopolized your whole day. How dreadful of me."

Following her gaze ever so briefly, to take in the shades of dusk spilling across the sky, César frowned internally. Had the whole day gone by already? What a shame. He'd quite enjoyed getting to know the Comtesse de Valois, and would've been delighted to continue doing so for a little while yet.
But... Just because this meeting was coming to an end, it didn't mean there couldn't be another. In fact, César was determined to see to it that there was.

"Not at all, Comtesse", he said as they came to a slow halt, with a look in his eyes that left it no secret that he had found her 'monopolizing his day' a most enjoyable experience. "Not at all. But I do believe you are right in that we should be making our way back. The sun has been kind to us this after noon, but I fear nightfall will not be as merciful."

Smoothly he turned them both around in order to head back along the same path, and while doing so, placed his free hand gently on top of hers resting on his arm, as if to warm it, innocently pretending he was unaware of the muff she had carried with her.



(((ooc: Sorry if it's difficult to reply to. For the life of me, I couldn't think of anything more for him to say. But if you find it too difficult, I'll gladly make another try? )))

((Hello people, by now you are most likely aware of the departing of the wonderful Shenan from our thread and for that matter from our site. Shenan spoke to the three of us not elligible for the advisor position to search for a replacement host.

As far as i know Atropa has had to decline as she does not have the time. But I think we will all forgive her as she comes up with such marvelous posts to make up for it!!!

So assuming i don't have my wires crossed (Atropa could you please confirm that?) and all of you are happy with a switch over either Seiza or I shall be taking over here, in the hopes of continuing a wonderful roleplay beyond it's marvellous second host...

I wonder if the host position of this roleplay is cursed just like the Defence against the Dark arts position in Harry Potter......))

Marie-Elisabeth & César - Gardens
 

Marie-Elisabeth was a woman who knew just what she wanted in life, and what was more important how to get it. It was a skill well developed during her brief marriage, although practicing it on an old man who worshipped the ground she walked on was hardly a challenge. It hadn’t taken much for Charles to grant her whatever she could think up, or to get any reaction she so desired from him.

But the skills she had were certainly being put to the ultimate test right now, along with her inborn talent for self control. They had served her quite well indeed in the past. So far they had kept her from either saying something that would put her irreproachable image to shame, or breaking the composure she had such a careful hold on.

And in danger of breaking that composure Marie-Elisabeth certainly was, very much so in fact. When she had first caught sight of him in the dining room that morning, she had thought César would be an interesting person to talk to, nothing more than that. But she had been wrong, and it was rapidly turning into more than she had thought. And if she was honest with herself, she didn’t mind one bit.

He clearly was having the exact same thoughts as her, she could tell by the look in his eyes as he responded to her statement about how late the hour had gotten. Not that his previous actions and words hadn’t been more than enough, but this was just the icing on the cake.

But when she felt his hand cover hers as it rested on his arm, she had to discretely bite the inside of her lip to keep from smirking too much. It also had the added benefit of distracting her mind from the multitude on sensations she was feeling.

Striving for something else to distract her wandering mind, she turned to César. “Indeed, it is getting quite chilly” she said, her free hand clutching the muff she had brought “I’m just glad it isn’t snowing. I fear my little Charles has quite a deadly aim with a snowball; it is most amusing to watch him try to sneak up on people and attempt to catch them unawares. Where he gets that devilish streak of his I’ve no idea”.


(((OOC: I'm okay with one of you guys taking over too. But I didn't know you were leaving Shenanigans!!! I'm going to miss my baker friend *does dnce for old times sake* )))

((Well I am still waiting to hear from Seiza, but if she is happy with me taking over I have some restucturing ideas that may manage to move Isabella out on a temporary basis and bring Octavien back into line for the position, after all with his wife dead and his true love gone there is no one to push him forward.... so it would be fair after all.))

Morning is now officially here, there are no morning announcements once again, and the funeral for our beloved Princess Adalita will take place in the afternoon. The funeral will be attended by our courtiers, the Prince and the King.

The Queen will also be in attendance with her mother, Juliet de Margoles, (if Isabella has made reference to her family before can you please point this out to me?), but will be over come by grief, this and her recent nausea will lead to her mother demanding she take some time recuperate.

Due to the formidable nature of Juliet she will believe the presense of a family member is still needed at the court and a sibling or cousin of Isabella will be brought in as the Queen's representative (or Le représentant de la reine.)

Applications are open for this position as of now. Will any of you who feel they know a roleplayer who would be good for the position please recommend it to them?

Problems will now of course have to be directed to me... I have some things to work out still... such as the scandals... but I will get on it. I will have to open a new thread at some point in the future so I can alter the main posts, but for now we will continue roleplaying here.

Marie-Elisabeth: Outside her rooms
 

It was a sad and lamentable fact indeed that Marie-Elisabeth had so many black mourning dresses to wear. After getting back to her room the previous night, she had taken off the one she had on all day, and made sure her maids had gotten another ready for the next day.

This one was nicer of course, she would wear the best one she had out of respect to the young princess. It was matched by a black hat with a draping veil attached, that came down to a few inches below her shoulders. It was the same ensemble that she had worn what seemed like ages ago to Charles’ funeral.

Marie-Elisabeth held her breath in as her stays were pulled tight, and allowed her mind to wander and think about the other reason she wanted to look her best.

The reason of course, being the man she had spent the majority of her first day at court with, the Marquis de Mont-de-Marsan. She knew it was entirely inappropriate to want to look good for a man at a funeral, but figured anyone who saw her would assume it was out of respect for the deceased. Which was of course partly true, and that thought eased her conscience.

She raised her arms up as the dress was pulled over her head, barely having noticed her panniers and petticoats having already been put on. The faintest of blushes found its way across her face as she pulled her hands through the long sleeves. She remembered well the look on César's face as he had kissed it when he bid her farewell the night before. It was the same look that had been on his face for most of the evening, one that both terrified and enthralled her at the same time.

Her dressing completed, hair having been done prior to dressing, she shooed the maids away to finish getting ready for the day in private. She walked over to her dressing table and sat down, looking at the jewelry boxes sitting on it. Yes there was more than one, several in fact. Marie-Elisabeth loved her pretty jewels almost as much as she loved her pretty dresses.

Her tiny hands immediately went to the small blue velvet case that lay open in the middle, containing her locket. She smiled and flicked it open to look at the portrait inside. “Good morning chou d’amour” she whispered, smiling and shutting it again before placing it around her neck. Tiny pearl earrings went into her ears next, the more elaborate and favoured ones she possessed being left aside for being too ornate for the occasion.

Her blue eyes then fell upon the box that contained her wedding ring. She had worn it faithfully every day since it had first been placed on her finger over 7 years ago. She picked it up and looked at it, a tiny gold band set with a cluster of diamonds so big people were often making jokes about her needing a servant to carry it for her. It was pretty to be sure, but all it really reminded her of now was the past.

And she was really no longer interested in the past, but in the future. “After all” she thought, putting it back in the box and closing the lid “I came here to start again and to have fun. And having something like that weighing me down does no good”.

She brushed aside the faint twinge of guilt she felt as she picked up her hat and placed it upon her golden curls. She carefully arranged it and the veil falling from it, and got up from the table. Without so much as a second glance back at the jewels spread out on the table, she slid her feet into her shoes and walked out the door.

(Approachable )


(((OOC: Darn, moved on. But that works anyway Atropa. Seems just fine to me. And everything seems great to me Fayreview, who better to run things than the one who knows everyone's business )))

((Come on people liven up Adalita is the deceased one, the other characters are still alive!))

Mercy was awake and dressed very early, her new found friend was amongst the highest of the household staff and he had let her know via Helena that the Royal couple would not be seen until the funeral which was to be held in the young hours of the afternoon.

The royal rumour was that Duchess Juliet de Margoles the mother of the beautiful Queen Isabella was to arrive this morning and to be taken to the Queen's rooms. Naturally she would have to be escorted upstairs, and that would generally be done by a Royal but as they were staying concealed until gone midday they would need a noble of some level to do the Royal honours and as Mercy herself was awake and had been allerted she was standing looking down the steps to the Palace door waiting for any hint of a grand carriage and it's most noble guest.

She watched as the grandfather clock ticked, it seemed to be going slower now than it had when she had first taken up this position, which perhaps was true, it could be winding down and simply waiting for maintenance or it could be her mind growing weary of staring out of this window, she then realised that if she stood here much longer she would have to begin to question what on earth she was doing. She was painstakingly close to that happening but she was in that horrile position where her body would no longer turn on her command unless she focused all her energy upon it... which was just a little too tiring.

There was a movement behind her, a young man in tight trousers and a beautiful frock coat nah come to wind the clock. It apparently had been slowing as he also changed the time slightly. She had began to realise how attractive this young man was... just how young was he? She could probably pass herself off for 39 on a good day but this man would never pass for thirty, he turned and began to walk away, she leaned back slightly to get a better view as he walked away... no he he was 24 if he was a day... Damn she cursed under her breath.

Then a sound came from behind her. She was annoyed, she was enjoying assessing this man but soemthing in her mind was niggling about that sound.....! It was wheels creaking... she dashed at full pelt through the castle, well, full pelt for high heeled shoes and petticoats. She stopped in the entrance hall and pulled a strand of hair for her forehead to tuck it behind her ear.

She stood by as the door was opened wide and in stepped the woman, Mercy bowed low.

************

Juliet looked around her daughetr's castle... not bad, she conceeded as she looked around the entrance, there were a few servants, with most of them having rushed out to deal with her things, and a woman of about 40 who appeared to be some minor Noble, she turned her nose up slightly when the woman was finally properly straightened up. This was her escort? what had her daughter been thinking?

((Juliet is approachable, Mercy however may be a little annoyed if a higher class noble were to take Juliet from her grasp ))

((Thanks Atropa I'm just trying to stop the roleplay disappearing with Shenan.))

Dimitri & Marie
 

((Juliet is mistaking Mercy for a royal? Hmmm...

slytherin-girl, I'ma bit late on this but that sim of Marie is fantastic!

And I was just wondering, what about having the Queen's mom as one of the three? Ah, no reason, I just think it'd be hilarious. XD))
______


It had been remarkably easy to find a convincing reason to retire early the previous evening. After all, wasn’t he just an old man, and was not a ride on horseback to town in the winter chill just a bit too rigorous for him? Settled into a cushioned armchair before the fireplace, Dimitri passed the rest of the evening and night writing letters, reading—a little of Descartes; a tract from his private copy of Lettres provinciales—and thinking.

There had been plenty to think about.

But there was nothing of that to be done this morning, which found the Duc d’Lorraine standing in the King’s suite in full ceremonial attire. His dark, richly scarlet uniform coat was laced down the front, riddled with gleaming military regalia; from the thick baldric at his waist, elaborately decorated with metallic fringes, hung the same sword given to him by the former King’s own hands. The white sash of the mother country encircled his waist, the simplest and most important cloth of all.

Edouard was still getting ready. As inconceivable as the idea was, Dimitri had the impression that the younger man was… stalling.

“The Duchess de Margoles arrives today,” Edouard suddenly announced, and all the room’s servants stopped as if frozen.

Dimitri wondered if it was because the King had spoken, after a long morning of merely grunting and staring into nothing; or if it was from the name.

“The ‘Duchess’…?”

“Her Majesty’s mother.”

Ah.

“Shall I…?” Edouard had specifically requested his presence that morning, yet the Duc had done little more than stand to one corner while a platoon of servants rushed to and fro, their movements too energetic for such a sombre day. Perhaps this was what he had, truly, been summoned for.

The King looked relieved. “Yes. The Queen awaits her in her suite.”

With a final bow, Dimitri left the King’s suite for the palace entrance.

***

He was well on his way, when the Comtesse de Valois appeared in the corner of his eyes. He surely could not know how many dresses she had nor of what range of quality they were, but Dimitri thought this particular one must have been one of her best, and he felt pleased that she would dress so for the Princess. At the foot of the Grand Staircase, he greeted her. Even if he was to meet the Queen’s Mother, he could not pass a noblewoman without a glance.

“Comtesse de Valois.”

He lowered his head to kiss her hand in greeting—his lips paused just above her fingers, devoid of that one piece of jewellery married women should never remove. But a silk-trimmed tricone hat rested on his head, and its broad girth blocked his expression from the Comtesse.

He kissed her hand, lifting grave grey eyes to her. “I am afraid any conversation shall have to wait... I am on my way to greet the Duchesse Juliet de Margoles, mother of Her Majesty the Queen.” A sudden thought. “Would you care to join me?”

Marie-Elisabeth and Dimitri
 

“Duc d’Lorraine, good morning” she said, pasting a bright smile on her face to cover up her disappointment. She had been hoping to meet someone else walking around this morning, and wasn’t quite sure she wanted to be in the company of a friend of her late husband’s right now. He hadn’t said anything about her lack of a ring, but Marie-Elisabeth could see the change in his eyes and the way he looked at her. He didn’t seem pleased. She bit back a sigh and the urge to roll her eyes.

She wasn’t married anymore, and hadn’t been for the better part of three years. Why wear the symbol of something long dead? Many women re-married within a year, so why was taking her wedding ring off after 3 such a very big deal. She was starting to wonder if, besides herself, Cesar was the only person living within the palace’s gilded walls who didn’t think she should lock herself up in a nunnery and mourn for the rest of her life. At the mere thought of his name, Marie-Elisabeth found her mind started to wander back to that less than ladylike place it had occupied for most of the previous day, so she mentally shook herself and re focused her attention on the man in front of her.

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of taking up any of your valuable time” she said, adjusting her veil and still smiling “And it just wouldn’t do for the mother of our Queen to be greeted by anyone less than a close friend of the royal family such as yourself. I should just let you go on with your business, I would only be a bother to you”.



(((OOC: Thank you Seiza! I edited her a bit still after those pics were taken, and she should be up on the site soon Possibly with little Charles and Charles the Elder to come as well *even though elder Charles is just a ghost in my game* whoops how ever did that pool ladder disappear )))