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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Dec 16, 2017 15:00:44 GMT
It was strange to be in the castle without the royal family here. Adelaide had decided to remain behind from the Battle Royale and instead explore the castle, learning the place she would be living in for the rest of her life. She had enjoyed the solitude; it was sometimes tiring to be attended to at all times of day. But now, the royal family was returning to the castle. Adelaide's servants told her that something terrible had happened at the Battle and her stomach clenched; what could have happened? Quickly, she dressed herself and hurried down the stairs.
Once in the entryway, she stepped forward when Corvo came inside, her light blue eyes studying his face for some indication of what had happened.
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Post by Corvo Dufour on Dec 16, 2017 15:41:28 GMT
The hooves of the black mare mixed with the sound of the other horse ad carriages. The journey home had been filld with a heavy silence and all around the remaining royal family members there was an aura of sorrow and everyone had found that they should not stand in the path when Night and Corvo came through, he was easy to anger these past few days. His whole world had been turned up side down at the festivities. He didn't know who to trust, but as he saw his home and felt the familiar blanket of security around him he didnt smile or show any sign of wanting to go in. To walk the halls and sit on his fathers throne... All the dreams of being king and making a just kingdom, keeping the peace... They turned sour and left a bitter taste in his mouth. He hoped his mother would sit on the throne and rule for just a couple of days more. Even though it was a selfish wish to push the day of his corination.
As he reached the stairs he stopped Night and dismounted her. Stroking her neck with gentle and slow motions, a silent thank you to her for carrying him and putting up with the turmoil within him. He was dressed in armor, leather and dark colors, his black cloak barely revealing the dark patterns on it. Half of his black hair was tied back and the rest hang loosely around his neck and ears. His face carried a grim and beaten expression. He was tired after riding most of the day and his control over his greif was wearing thinner by the minute. He would have to deliver the news to the castle and the people... A funeral would be arranged too. One with no body to bury. Only ashes...
He looked up the stairs and saw several servants waiting for him and the rest of the company. He was glad Adelaide had stayied behind. He had been terrible company. Stableboys and other servants came to take the horses. He gave the reins to the boy and walked up to greet Adelaide. The smile gone and the edge of his mouth twitched, as if he was close to tears as he climbed the steps like he had so many times before, however, this time his feet heavy and had he not been traind to keep his posture and walk from when he could take his first steps, then his shoudlers would have been slouched with defeat. hardly something you coud show your men as you returned to the castle....
He made his way into the entryway and saw his finacee. He managed a weak smile to his queen-to-be.
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Noblewoman
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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Dec 16, 2017 20:55:01 GMT
It was easy to see that something had gone terribly wrong at the Battle Royale. It was clear in the prince's tenseness and the strain in the smile he offered her. With a frown of concern, she stepped closer to him, having to crane her neck to meet his eyes. Taking his hand gently, she squeezed it in hers and searched for something to say. She didn't want to ask directly what was wrong lest she cause him to break down, but she needed to know what had happened. Pulling him along gently, she murmured, "Let's sit down," and led him into an adjoining parlor in the castle. She gestured at a few servants to get him some food and drink, then laid her attention on him directly. "Tell me what happened." Her voice was gentle and soft, inviting him to confide in her.
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Post by Corvo Dufour on Dec 17, 2017 9:04:54 GMT
Corvo let her take his hand, her soft touch and warmth was welcome and had it been under different circumstances he would have had a smile playing on his lips. His eyes left hers and lost themselves in the patterns on her dress. She had always been dressed in good quality clothes, but even her normal, everyday dresses would be embroidered with silver and gold woven into the threads. He was grateful for all the time they had spent together as children, it made it easier to open up to her, he knew she was a kind soul. Even though they had drifted apart and only brought together again by this engagement, then he was glad it had been her and not someone he had never met before. Truth was, he had changed a great deal since they had played in the gardens and on horseback. He would have to remember to invite her out for a ride sometime... It was easier to avoid tense silences between them...
He let her lead him into the parlor. It was simple, but you could still see the superior craftsmanship of the wood and stone work decorating the place. A small pit of smoldering coals kept the temperature up. Winter would soon be upon them, after all. His umber eyes found her blue eyes. He gazed into them, she was to be his wife and had he not wanted to have a strong bond with his family, something his father had failed to do? He moved closer to her and guided her toward a chair, pulling it out for her to sit on before he sat down on another chair close to her. His eyes fluttered to her lap where he took her hand in his and rested them on her thigh. He studied their hands for a moment before he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. Once again his dark eyes found hers. "My father, the King, is dead. My sister is gone." He thought he could control his voice, but his voice started to break as he made it through the first sentence. He had to look away from her kind eyes. His pained expression focused on a window and the glass. His head dropped and then he looked to her again. "Our union has been moved, we will be wed in a few days. I have to... My mother has been so kind to sit on the throne for a few more days. But..." He trailed off. Avoided talking too much about the Battle Royale, but if she asked he would answer her.
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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Dec 17, 2017 19:12:48 GMT
Adelaide's breath was taken away when he uttered those words. The King dead? How could that be? And now Corvo would have to take over the throne, with her at his side... she took a deep, steadying breath. She needed to be strong for him. After all, hadn't she been preparing her whole life to be the best noblewoman she could be? But she hadn't been preparing to take on this role. "Oh... Corvo... I'm so sorry." She was burning with curiosity as to how it had happened but realized it would be tactless to ask him. She would ask someone else, someone who hadn't been so personally affected by the king's death. She had no idea of what else to say to him, though. "I understand," she said quietly, to his statement that their wedding had been moved up. "Let me know what you need me to do and I will do it." She swallowed, trying to gain control of herself again. In pity, she realized, her eyes had begun welling up with tears. She couldn't imagine losing her father or sister. It must be heartbreaking. "I am so sorry to hear about your father. Let me know if you need anything. I am here for you."
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Post by Corvo Dufour on Dec 26, 2017 19:58:25 GMT
His dark eyes made their way to hers an watched them as they seemed to gloss over with tears. He didn't expect anything from her, but her support. In the end, he would have the final say in things, but he would like to have her approval in most things. He remained silent for a couple of moments. The silence seemed to grow heavy and spurred him to open his mouth once again. He wasn't going to embarrass himself in front of her. Not here with all the staff to see and murmur about it. So he gave her a weak smile, one filled with bitterness and grief. "Just... Be here. That is all. " His voice was on the verge of breaking and he turned his head to look at the table.
The sound of a knight in armor disturbed his more or less dark train of thought. He turned his head towards the entrance and saw two guards positioning themselves on either side of the entrance. No doubt his mother or brothers doing... Or perhaps their own idea, seeing as he was their new king. He looked back at Adelaide. One might count themselves lucky to have her as their bride, but he wanted nothing more than for her to be his friend right now. He squeezed her hand and let go. Straightened his back and sat up in his chair. And just in time too. A servant came in on quiet footsteps with a platter of food, mostly fruits, cheese, and bread. He thanked the servant and gave a small smile.
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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Dec 27, 2017 4:28:10 GMT
Adelaide gazed at her husband as the silence stretched on, turning her head so he wouldn't see her hastily wipe her eyes with a small handkerchief produced from a hidden pocket.Then he responded to her question as to what he needed from her. She gave a grave nod. "You have my word. I will be there." She seemed to relax slightly as the servant entered the room with the food and she shifted in her seat to have better posture. She, of course, was not hungry; in fact, her stomach roiled at the thought of food. The food was for the weary soon-to-be king, after all.
Adelaide watched him to see if he would eat, her mind racing still but her face showing none of her panic. The wedding being moved up gave her much less time for her preparations. Standing steadily, the woman approached one of her personal servants who stood faithfully nearby and murmured in his ear to summon her tailor for tomorrow. Then, feeling a bit better now that she had done something, she gazed back at Corvo, unsure of how to comfort him. For now, she simply sat in the chair next to him and made herself available if he felt the need to talk.
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Post by Corvo Dufour on Jan 18, 2018 17:09:01 GMT
Corvo Dufour...
Whatever was left of his defences were crumbling, the same way old pages of a book would flake and turn to dust. Just looking at the food had him wishing for his chambers and the comfort of the silence and warmth from the fireplace... He reached to pluck a grape from the vine and ate it. It was sour, had he been any younger he would have pulled a face, instead, he just stared at the remaining grapes, lost in an empty space somewhere in his mind.
As Adelaide moved she drew his gaze to her, he watched her go to a servant and whisper something to him. Was he troubling her with this sudden change in plans? Had she planned every detail of their wedding and now she had to change it all? Had he ruined her 'perfect wedding'? It only made him feel even more exposed and down. He took the platter in one hand and stood. He looked to Adelaide and for a second he didn't know if he should offer her to come with him or if he wanted her to stay away. A spark of rational thought made the decision for him.
"I, I am going to retire to my chambers... "
He wanted to ask her to follow, but he felt his voice might crack if he did. His eyes were filled with tears, making his eyes glassy and he had a pleading expression on his face. A silent prayer she would follow. However, he needed to get out of here to somewhere he could fall asleep whenever his body was too exhausted to let him stay awake and having someone to talk to might help. So he started to walk, first out of the parlour and down the familiar halls towards his chambers.
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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Jan 18, 2018 17:57:52 GMT
Adelaide watched as her husband stood, preparing to leave. She worried that she might have done something wrong to make him want to leave, but then rationalized that he probably wanted to be alone. Losing two of your close family members in such quick succession must have been heartrending; she would want to be left alone as well. But as he looked at her, something in his eyes made her second guess herself... perhaps he did want to be followed. As soon as he left the room, she stood again, brushing off her skirts and following after him with quick, small steps.
He was already in his chambers when she arrived, and she opened the door slowly, studying his face to see if she was wanted or if she had misread his expression. Then, even though decorum demanded that the door remain open when they were alone in a room, she closed it behind herself and went to his side, resting her hand on his shoulder, prepared to gather him into her arms for a comforting embrace.
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Post by Corvo Dufour on Jan 19, 2018 11:52:56 GMT
Corvo Dufour...
The sound of the door closing behind him told him his fiancee had either followed or someone had had the sense and kindness to close the door after the prince. It was small things, such as closing the door, he forgot when he was in his head and more or less oblivious to the world around him... He places the platter on the table, perhaps he would have more of an appetite later, so he would keep it. Look at it and dance around until he eventually got hungry enough to eat.
He was staring into an unknown abyss when he felt the light and gentle hand of Adelaide. So she had followed him. They were alone. No prying eyes following their every move. However well behaved a servant could be, they were still a presence Corvo could be painfully aware of at times. The days of training for a knight had made him constantly aware of his surroundings so that even in the midst of battle, he would not only focus on his opponent but on what happened around him. He turned halfway around so he might look at her. His dark eyes found hers and the remains of his defences crumbled. His brows furrowed and he drew her into a hug. A few tears spilling from his sorrowful eyes, his face turned away from Adelaide, however, hoping to keep the tears a secret.
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Post by Adelaide Trenholm on Jan 19, 2018 14:52:54 GMT
Adelaide's face crumpled in response to his own desolate expression, her compassionate spirit understanding his grief and wanting to make it better. She knew, however, that nothing would make it hurt less; only time would allow one to learn to live with their loss. As the tears began to fall from his eyes and he turned his head to hide them, she firmly but gently cupped his cheek in her hand and turned his face back to look at her. "You don't have to hide from me, Corvo. I am here to help you," she murmured. Then, she embraced him tighter, using one hand to press his head down to rest on her shoulder, stroking his head in a gentle motion. "I'm so sorry about your father and sister," she murmured, her eyes squeezed shut.
After a moment of holding the embrace, she realized that he was still dressed in his clothes from the road. Surely he wanted to be more comfortable. She softly disentangled herself from him and walked to his dresser, gathering some night clothes for him to change into. Setting them on the bed, she looked back to him and took his hands in hers.
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