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 Post subject: Re: Court Intrigues
PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:24 pm 

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Elizabeth felt her heart race in her chest while she waited for her father to respond to Wil's invitation. Once Sir Jonas said yes to Wil, she took a deep breath and dared to smile. Johanna smiled as well, and the two sisters exchanged a glance. There was not much more than that for them to do right now, as any other display of emotion would probably upset Sir Jonas.

Elizabeth wondered to herself how wonderful it would be to have dinner alone with Wil. Of course, that would never be possible unless they were married. Her mind wandered off to other ideas, and she looked away from Wil. It was for the best that she stopped herself, lest she ended up doing something that would make their situation even more complicated.

Her thoughts returned to Wylyam when he spoke again. Jousting. She really hated the idea of jousts, with all those lances and the risk of someone getting injured. Her blue eyes kept changing from her father to her brother, and then to Wil, waiting for someone to say something to dispel her fears.

Much to her disappointment, both Peter and Sir Jonas nodded. They would participate, of course. Why would they not? Sir Jonas was the one to speak. “Peter and I will join the joust, as we often do. It would be… a pleasure to be on the same team”, he added, not really feeling like he could refuse. He had risked his life for the man’s daughter’s safety, after all. Elizabeth couldn’t help but chime in, despite her attempts at indifference. “Do not get injured, sir”, she nearly pleaded, her voice soft. “I… would like you to carry my favor when you joust”. Yes, she knew she would be in big trouble as soon as they saw themselves back at their chambers. But for now, it mattered not. She was a young woman in love, and nothing more, now.

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

Queen Beatrice was relieved when Victoria stepped away from her. The woman was as venomous as a serpent, the Queen thought to herself, insisting on pointing out that she had not given the King an heir. They were young, still. The good Lord would soon provide them with one. Taking a deep breath, Beatrice touched her husband’s hand gently and shot a quick smile at Rebecca, whom she had noticed watching her interaction with the King. The poor girl had gotten a bad lot in life with that woman as a mother.

“I would like to see if the girl would be willing to be among my ladies”, she whispered to Theodore, her gaze moving to indicate Rebecca. “Would you arrange for this conversation, my love?”, the Queen requested, not really wanting to deal with Victoria for more time than necessary. And after all, her father was the one who had to give permission, even if the mother actually pulled the strings around the household.

Once that said, the Queen would carry on with the ceremonious greetings. Most ladies would receive blue necklaces, as Beatrice rarely held any ill will towards anyone, and she would exchange a loving glance with her husband every now and then, whenever they had a moment between two of their guests.


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 Post subject: Re: Court Intrigues
PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 7:38 pm 

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A smile spread from ear to ear when Elizabeth offered Earl Wylyam her favor for the joust. He bowed respectfully and smiled as he accepted.

“Carryin’ yer favor would please meh beyond words, mah lady,” he explained in his thick accent. “An' yer offerin' it saved meh th' trooble ay pleadin' fur it,” he added with a wink.

Knowing that this discussion was surely grating on her father, Wylyam decided it was perhaps best to leave the family in peace. To his great luck the line of gift presenters has shortened somewhat.

“If ye woods excuse me, Lady and Sirs, I shoods present mahself tae the King and Queen. Until later, then,” he said as a goodbye with another bow. Although Wil was an Earl and outranked Elizabeth’s father, the younger man decided to be deferential in an attempt to get on his good side – in case that was possible. Wylyam would have kissed Elizabeth’s hand before departing if it were up to him, but he decided to hold off and not incense her father even more than he already had.

Once back in the crowd Wil waved for his squire Alan to bring forward the gifts – an original copy of Machiavelli’s The Prince in a jewel-encrusted binding, as well as a bale of fine embroidery interwoven with thread that gleamed with gold and silver. Alan stood beside Wil in line and held both presents out in front of him, with the embroidery cloth folded neatly over the large treatise. They waited patiently for several minutes until it was their time to step forward.

Although King Theodore and Wylyam were old friends – perhaps even best of friends – still the Earl greeted him formally with a deep bow of respect. Having spent their teenage years together in the Capitol, the King was someone that Wil trusted more than any other. That trust was well placed after Wil’s father passed away and Theodore vouched Wil’s succession as Earl – against the wishes of Wil’s stepmother and half-sisters. As a bastard such inheritances were far from certain without the support of powerful people above them. Their friendship was such that Wil would charge into the fires of hell for Theodore if asked, and he believed the King knew as much.

Following the bow, Wil heartily responded in kind to however the King chose to greet him – such as returning a vigorous handshake and shared laugh if the King chose to extend them. Once they were properly met Wil turned to the Queen deferentially.

“Mah queen, it is an honur tae be in yer presence. Thenk ye fur makin' mah friend an' king sae happy,” he replied sincerely. While it was not his place to comment on the King and Queen’s relationship, Wil’s closeness with the King gave him the confidence to offer such a genuine and heartfelt compliment. “Ah only hope 'at someday Ah may be as lucky as he,” Wil added with another brief nod to Beatrice. His words were spontaneous yet completely honest, and perhaps more revealing than he intended. Wil felt a lump form in his throat and opted to stop speaking until it had passed.

Although the Queen and Wil were on good terms, it was not a secret that he was also friendly with Lorna Shaw. Be that as it may, Lorna and Wil’s platonic relationship did not keep Wil from appreciating the kind heart of Queen Beatrice and the positive influence she has had over the Kingdom and it’s sovereign. He genuinely liked Beatrice and was pleased that she had become queen, even though he also considered Lorna to be like a sister. As an unwelcome foreigner in court, Wil was not in a position to discard a true friend, even one who was the scorned former lover of the King.

Once the royal family and he completed exchanging pleasantries Wil beckoned Alan to step forward.

“Sire, Ah hae brooght fur yer good wife th' finest threid in th' land ay Flanders tae make apparel. It is crafted wi' gold an' silver lace in order tae reflect her beauty an' wisdom.” Wil addressed the King as he spoke of the gift in order to grant him proper respect as Beatrice's husband. Still, he made sure to glance over at her so that she could see he was being sincere.

With that Alan presented the finely crafted material for her inspection. He later gently handed them to one of her ladies in waiting when directed.

“An' fur ye, mah king, Ah present a special book which Ah believe ye will enjoy greatly. I’m sure ye have heard a’ Machiavelli, the Eyetalian whose ideas oan law an' governance hae changed how thinkin' men see th' warld. This is an original copy ay The Prince, which Ah had re-bound appropriately fur display in yer library. Ah hope yer Tuscan is less rusty than mine,” he added with a smile.

While Wil was familiar with Latin and French, the Italian dialects were a challenge for him to interpret. He suspected the King would need one of his scholars to help translate the work – but that was not uncommon. ‘The great wisdom of the world is written in many languages,’ Brother Thomas - Wil's childhood tutor - liked to often say.

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 Post subject: Re: Court Intrigues
PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 5:02 pm 

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Henry tried to keep his face neutral, but he was shocked at his wife. She was so arrogant sometimes. Her actions could get them beheaded! If he had been given a choice for his wife, he would not have picked her. Victoria had given him seven wonderful children, and while he loved being a father and grandfather, but he honestly did not like her much as a person. Not that he ever told anyone that. Not even her, it was a secret he kept to himself.

Henry was quite nervous how his gift would received by King Theodore. He did not know much about the young king or his likes or dislikes. A case of vintage wine had always seemed to please his father. It wasn't helping that Victoria was making snide comments to the queen. He knew how much she wished she could be on that throne. She'd tell anyone that would listen about her grandmother being a princess. That history had been different, she could been on that throne. He just wished she'd keep her comments to herself. Not that he could tell her that, Victoria would never be a good, obedient wife.

When the king ordered for Henry to be given a vintage bottle in return, he was relieved. While the king didn't seem overly excited about his gift, at least he had not hated it either. Not like how his queen had reacted to Victoria and her comments. Henry didn't mind not have any special favor in this court, he just didn't want to blacklisted or worse.

"Thank you, your majesties."

Henry said with a bow, accepting the gift. He and his family moved off to the side. Victoria was too focused on the beautiful ruby necklace to even realize it was a sign that the queen was displeased with her. She thought it was beautiful. She'd have to show it off to Prince Ewan when she saw him. Henry paid close attention to see what others were giving King Theodore. Deciding that next year he would have to find something besides his normal go to gift for a monarch.

----------------

Rebecca stepped away with her parents and younger brothers as others came forward to present gifts to the rulers. She was shocked at what her mother had said. The king and queen were good people. A crueler monarch would have beheaded her and possibly Father as well. Despite their displeasure with Victoria, both had remained civil and diplomatic. Proving they were better people. Rebecca smiled at Queen Beatrice, not realizing that she considering making her one of her ladies in the court.

While Victoria didn't realize that getting a ruby necklace was a bad sign, Rebecca thought it was. She was quiet but observant. Both rulers had reacted negatively to Victoria and most of the women were getting blue necklaces. Blue appeared to be the good color and she was also right. Unlike her parents, the king and queen appeared to truly be in love. Such a rare thing in these social circles.

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