Princess Arianne de la Courcel
Royalty
Her Royal Highness, Princess of the Blood
Youngest daughter of Alain & Renee de la Courcel[RS:3=Etienne de la Courcel d'Avignon]
Posts: 33
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Post by Princess Arianne de la Courcel on Feb 27, 2012 23:20:06 GMT -7
This was, perhaps, one of my favorite rooms within the entirety of the palace. Second to the library, of course, and my own chambers.
It was not an overly popular place. There were no courtiers fluttering about, rarely a servant bustling by on some errand of importance. For the time being, it was empty, save myself and my Cassiline.
My previous Cassiline, a man named Claude, had taken ill and passed away recently. Though age had dimmed his hair to silver, he still had been one of the most vigorous men that I had known, his back as straight as a man half his years. Perhaps that was why his sudden illness, and eventual passing, came as such a shock to me.
But death surprised everyone in the end, did it not?
And what a fitting place to dwell upon such a thing, here within the Hall of Portraits. So many who had come before me, and so many who would come after, I was sure.
As ever present as the paintings upon the wall, the breath I drew into my lungs, there was my most recent Cassiline. How strange a thought, 'my most recent', as if I went through them at an alarming rate.
How silly.
All the same, knowing he was there, I glanced back over my silk covered shoulder. My eyes held his gaze for a moment before I quickly dropped them to the floor between us, studying the lines in the fine marble. Through my blonde lashes, I stole another glimpse before a blush touched the alabaster of my cheeks.
I had not missed a step in my casual stroll as I had glanced at him and I continued to move forward. I paused in front of a painting of my great- great grandmother, admiring the strength that seemed to radiate from even a mere copy of her visage. I brought my fingertips to the edge of the frame, not daring to actually touch the canvas, but wanting to all the same.
My great-great grandmother, forever beautiful, gazed with determination into the distance. My gaze, though we had the same eyes, had never truly resembled her's. Still, the corners of my lips turned upward in a smile.
"My great-great grandmother. They say she was as fierce a hunter as any man, did you know?" I asked softly, glancing at the grey clad figure of Joscelin, my Cassiline. My voice was normally soft, but within this hall it seemed only fitting that a whisper should be used.
I dropped my fingertips from the frame after a moment. A blush touched my cheeks once more. "Forgive me, my lord Cassiline, that is probably of no interest to you ... And I do not even know if what they have said is actually true," I amended after a moment.
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Joscelin d'Aiglemort
Cassiline
Official Cassiline of House Courcel
Bastard Son of the Duc d'Aiglemort[A1i:3][RS:1]
Posts: 16
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Post by Joscelin d'Aiglemort on Mar 1, 2012 20:14:11 GMT -7
I had been ever grateful of my position in life despite what sort of beginning I had been given by my tormented mother and perverted father. I had always tried hard, tried to be as them; a d'Aiglemort. But in the end it was the Cassiline Brothers that offered me my first chance at redemption and success. I was strong, fast, everything my tutors wished me to be and excelled in anything put in front of me, excelled in everything but preventing the death of my ward's husband.
Over and over Marguerite had comforted me in a way that only a mother could, telling me it wasn't my fault. She would speak in hushed tones as she ran her hand over my head, telling me that I couldn't have done anything else. It was, in a measure, a peace that she felt such a way. Marguerite always knew my heart and that I was a good person, always doing my best, even when I was smashing vases or throwing my fists through doors.
She had been like a mother all these years and had always kept her head about her even in the face of her husband's unscrupulous liasons and rumours of treason, even as her son climbed the social lader by what ever fashion necessary, through all the disgrace hanging over the heads of the House of Burgundy, it was she who always kept calm. I had loved her, imagined that she and my mother would have liked eachother, even been friends perhaps.
But now her husband was dead, and instead of being left with the title of Baronesse that she so deserved, her greedy little wretch of a son was given the title. He had always complained about his father's title, how it wasn't enough. Damien spoke about Alphonse in such a fashion, always throwing around his lineage, laughing at his father for the misfortune of being married to the King's prize. I knew how it was living there under their roof.
I heard the arguments often. Marguerite had never chosen to be the King's favourite, even despite being his 2nd mistress. He had chosen her and gave her no other choice. She told me once that she was engaged to another man before she had met the King. That a fortnight after their incounter her fiance was dead and the King had arranged specifically to marry the Baron de Burgundy; one of the King's council.
She hadn't been expecting him to fall so deeply for her and then be thrust into a lifestyle she had never desired. She would recall the events to me, tell me the story of how Madeline d'Orleans, the King's 1st mistress, had to this day bore a great jealousy and hatred for her. So many stories of those first days, of being coerced into the bed of the King an of discovering her pregnancy soon after and being unsure who's child it was.
It was two years after I arrived in the Burgundy house hold when Damien was claimed by the King as his bastard son. The news had bubbled through court and I had watched it happen as I stood at Marguerite's side, ever faithful.
But those days were now gone, the days of politics and the throne. What was I but a simple servant to the Gods as I followed my path as protector. Marguerite would no longer be Baronesse and there fore her life no longer mattered as it once did, so Daimen tossed me from his house and I was forced to find another path.
Eventually I made my way back to the crown, back to the court and through recomendations of Marguerite, back to her kin. Young Princess Arianne de la Courcel, niece by way of Marguerite's late husband's sister, was to come upon her 16th natal and therefore grant her access into court.
This was the age she would begin to find a proper suitor as per her parent's request. Both of her older sisters had their own Cassilines and so did Arianne for a time until he passed away of old age. And that was how I came to be the Cassiline to a Princess.
Some time had past since we had first met and though there was a great deal of tension between us, likely from our age difference, I was doing my best to put up with her. As wards went she wasn't overly dangerous. She attracted no real attention to herself, bore no real interest in boys her age, and enjoyed reading best of all... a past time I couldn't fault her for. As far as wards went, she was the most tedious kind and I wondered if instead of this position being a promotion, it was actually a joke. Perhaps Damien was playing a trick on me.
Never the less I followed her too and fro as she flitted about the palace, this day finding herself in the Hall of portraits. I kept to myself for the most part until she spoke to me, taking about her great grandmother.
"Forgive me Highness, but I don't." I replied bluntly as I looked to her, annoyed by the colour in her cheeks. Why was it that every girl was like that. Did they think just a little blush would make a man weak? Or were they just deluded in thinking they had any power of us by way of their feminine charms. "As I've said before, I am not here to be interested in what you have to say. I'm here to protect you and that is all I intend to do."
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Princess Arianne de la Courcel
Royalty
Her Royal Highness, Princess of the Blood
Youngest daughter of Alain & Renee de la Courcel[RS:3=Etienne de la Courcel d'Avignon]
Posts: 33
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Post by Princess Arianne de la Courcel on Mar 1, 2012 21:26:48 GMT -7
I was unsure of what I had expected. A different tone, perhaps, mayhap a feigned interest in what I spoke of. Instead, I recieved only what I had heard often enough, his blunt tone thick with irritation. All the same, hearing it made me want to wince.
And perhaps I did, a little. Just a subtle movement, small enough that those looking elsewhere may not catch it. It was a tightening around my eyes, a tension in my shoulders as I pulled them forward slightly. My gaze quickly fell to the floor.
"Of course, my lord, you have said such things in the past. I must have forgotten, I offer my apologies," I replied softly, though I avoided looking at him. I felt that prickly sense between my shoulder blades, the one that came when his watchful eyes were fully upon me.
And those eyes! The little that I had seen of them, for I did not look fully upon his face often, were nearly terrifying because they were so observant. I felt as if he were looking through me, not just at me. As if he were shifting through the outer layers to delve within my mind itself.
Though, it was unlikely that he was doing such a thing. He was a Cassiline, who cared little about the thoughts of a foolish young girl. I was clearly no threat, to myself or to the crown that he served. I would imagine that my eldest sister would be able to entertain him, to rid him of that particular tone he reserved for me.
She was beautiful and charming, exceptionally witty and gifted in nearly everything she put her mind to. I was aware that I was but a pale shadow of her radiance. I had accepted it, but now ... I was sorry that I was. Not that I sought to attract a handsome prince who would take me away or lead the nation in some grand stand ... No, it was more that I was sorry because I knew I was the cause of my Cassiline's unpleasant tone and no doubt his endless boredom.
I moved away from the image of my great grandmother, but my movement was slow and regretful. My footfalls were soft, but Joscelin's were softer still. It was somewhat unnerving, being unable to hear him at times, but knowing his was there. And I knew because I was his Ward, he was never far .... And because I could feel his presence, like a heaviness in the air, the weight of the atmosphere before a sudden summer storm.
And so I continued, because I could think of nothing else to say. I passed images of distant cousins, aunts and uncles. For some reason, I wanted to share some of the amusing stories I had heard told of them, in hopes that I could begin a companionable conversation.
I even went so far as to open my mouth, my lips parted for a moment before, instead of speaking, I inhaled and held my tongue. Closing my mouth, it wouldn't do for a Princess of the Blood to be gaping like a fish, I thought better of it. I assumed I would only be wasting my breath.
I paused before the visage of another of the Courcel line. He was easily identified by the graceful length of his neck, though it did not take away from his masculine features. I tilted my head as I peered at him. His name was Emriel, though I did not need the small plate at the base of the painting to tell me such a thing. He had died some years ago.
"What --" I paused for a moment, gathering my courage to attempt to speak to him. Why I continued to engage him in conversation was beyond me, I knew it was a foolish attempt. "What would you be doing now? If you were not attending me, I mean to say," I could feel a heat rise under my cheeks, framilar as my heart beat.
And so I rushed on, speaking quickly, "Would you be at Elua's temple, or perhaps in the yards, or ... .... Do Cassilines practice this late in the day? Claude did not, not that you are like Claude. I do not mean to imply that you are better or worse, but ... Perhaps, that you two have ... Had ... different habits," I finished lamely.
What a horrible mess I had made of nothing but a simple question. My brows knit together as I acknowledged that particular thought, an expression of distress clouding my features for a moment. I was no good at charming small talk and winning friends, though I had watched my sister easily converse with many, from Cassilines to nobles, from citizens to those within the Night Court.
Yet, I could not duplicate the ease of the skill she had acquired. Instead, at best, I made a clumsy attempt.
Already, I was prepared for the sting of his tone, a tension winding it's way into the back of my slender neck, though I did chance a sidelong glance at his grey form. It was less than a heartbeat and I doubt he would have saw, especially if he were rolling his eyes. I would have been, were I him.
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Joscelin d'Aiglemort
Cassiline
Official Cassiline of House Courcel
Bastard Son of the Duc d'Aiglemort[A1i:3][RS:1]
Posts: 16
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Post by Joscelin d'Aiglemort on Mar 5, 2012 14:41:48 GMT -7
I watched her turn from me, embarassment infusing her being as she looked down at the floor and shuffled around. I had to take a deep breath then to still my frustration. Why had she even asked, she knew I wasn't the conversive type so why has she been idiotic enough to even open her mouth and say anything. She moved again, continuing on her path so I followed keeping behind her rather then beside her. Though it was quite obvious I was her Cassiline I also did not want people think I was browsing the portraits with her. I don't know why it bothered me so much to be thought of in such a matter, but it did and I kept my mind about it.
As we continued on I began to look at the portraits too, not really staring or studying but looking, more of me trying to put names to faces as though I were in a lesson. But that ended as she began to speak again and I stopped in my path again as I looked to her, my arms crossed against my chest. Her words held hesitation, shyness, and while I was distressed at her questions I also realized she wasn't trying to make me angry. Or at least I didn't think she was... not yet... So I indulged her.
"I suppose I could be doing that." I said softly with an absent shrug. "It is part of my duties as a Cassiline to stay in shape so as to protect you." My right hand reached up and scratched at my jaw a little. "But if you're asking about what I like to do for fun..." I shrugged again. "I like to read."
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Princess Arianne de la Courcel
Royalty
Her Royal Highness, Princess of the Blood
Youngest daughter of Alain & Renee de la Courcel[RS:3=Etienne de la Courcel d'Avignon]
Posts: 33
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Post by Princess Arianne de la Courcel on Mar 5, 2012 15:14:42 GMT -7
A heartbeat passed and he hadn't responded to me. Though I was hoping his silence was because he was considering my question, no matter how garbled it had been, and not the stillness of anger.
I didn't want Joscelin to be angry with me.
Another moment passed and then he spoke. His voice, like mine, like all those barely heard in this hushed place, was soft. It lacked the bored drawl it had previously, reassuring me and calming the nervous fluttering of butterfly wings in my stomach. I glanced over at him in time to see him shrug his shoulder lazily. I could hear the leathery creak of the various straps across his chest, holding his sword along his back. It was a soft sound, I barely heard it.
And yet, it was strangely comforting.
He agreed that he could be training, if he so desired. It was part of his practice as a Cassiline to see me well guarded and safe and his actions needed to be lightening quick and precise. If he paused or fumbled, it could mean his life ... And mine, I suppose.
Though I doubted I would be a target of assassination. I was much removed from the throne, not as far as some ... But still, it was highly unlikely that it would pass into my hands. And I was thankful for that.
I followed the movement of his hand to his jaw as he paused for a moment, perhaps thinking briefly on what things he pursues in his own time. I often wondered about that, curious as to what he did when he was not guarding me. I caught my gaze lingering on his face and quickly tore it away, instead allowing it to rest upon the paintings once more. Yes, it was more acceptable to stare at them, not nearly as rude.
But I quickly turned my attention back to him when he mentioned that he liked to read. My features were alight with happiness, a full smile on my lips. It was rare that I smiled, more than a slight raise of the corners of my lips, anyway. I was happy that we had something in common, a level ground between us that would perhaps allow us to speak casually.
"You like to read?" I repeated in my happiness, realizing a moment to late that I must have sounded like some parrot I had read about in a far away land. They were prone to repeating what they had heard. "I could spend hours ... No, days ... Lost within the palace library! I wish to one day have my own, large enough to hold every tome I could ever desire to read."
I laughed, a sound that I was not used to hearing from my own lips. It was a soft sound, but still it managed to fill the stillness of the hall. Perhaps because we were the only two within it. There was still a youthful ring to it, but underneath is was changing and becoming similar to the laughter my eldest sister possessed; merry, contagious, and she had a way of laughing that put one in mind of the bedchamber.
"Do you own any books yourself? I have dozens of my own within my chambers, if not more. I could loan one to you, if you'd like? If you have already exhausted your own collection, I mean," I added as a rushed after thought.
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Joscelin d'Aiglemort
Cassiline
Official Cassiline of House Courcel
Bastard Son of the Duc d'Aiglemort[A1i:3][RS:1]
Posts: 16
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Post by Joscelin d'Aiglemort on Apr 12, 2012 12:56:53 GMT -7
She seemed so happy, so bubbly at the idea that I read that it made me furrow my brow. I couldn't tell why exactly it made me furrow my brow but likely because of the strange warm feeling that came from my stomach, a strange nervous feeling that I wasn't used to. It wasn't like me to feel nervous around one of my wards and I didn't like it overly much.
Yes, that was it. The furrowed brow wasn't just the strangeness of the reaction but the fact that I didn't like it. It was simply never a good idea to be unsure around one's ward and even worse to feel nervous. What would it do me to be nervous? Never the less I listened to her speak though my mind was half on the problem of my feelings but when she finally asked me a question I looked to her.
"I... I have quite a few novels, ones I usually read repeatedly." I shrugged a little. "It doesn't do for a Cassiline to have a great deal of... things. So I try to borrow books when I can." I replied. "Thank you for the offer, I will keep it in mind for the future." I added in a soft voice.
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Princess Arianne de la Courcel
Royalty
Her Royal Highness, Princess of the Blood
Youngest daughter of Alain & Renee de la Courcel[RS:3=Etienne de la Courcel d'Avignon]
Posts: 33
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Post by Princess Arianne de la Courcel on Apr 12, 2012 13:16:17 GMT -7
I was pleased that he did not seem angry at my surprise over his enjoyment he found in reading. To some, it could be insulted. I'd heard it questioned to me a time or to, "My goodness, you read?" .... .... As if it were absolutely beyond a thought. And then they find out I read for pleasure. Well, that was something else entirely.
My eyes found his features, ones I was already beginning to know. In time, I assumed, I'd know them as well as my own. I had known my previous Casssiline's visage well. And I tried to take the time to know those who served me.
I noticed his furrowed brow. Perhaps he was surprised or confused at my joy of finding another who shared my favorite pasttime. My eldest sister did not seem inclined to discuss books with me and would rather share the gossip of the court.
When he told me that there were books he read repeatedly, a content smile touched my lips. "I have a fair few that I've read to near disaster. They are my favorites. At times, I feel like I know the characters within them better than I know anyone here," I paused after I spoke the last part.
I almost missed a step when I realized how foolish and childish that must have sounded. "I mean to say, that ... It is at times easier to read of others than ... To interact with those around you," I finished lamely.
I did not look at him, I could feel the blush touching my cheeks and I did not want to see him roll his eyes at me. So, I tried to redirect our conversation back onto a ground where I felt slightly more stable.
"I would be more than happy to loan you a novel if you like. All you need do is ask. And promise to take care of it, of course," I knew beyond a doubt that he would. He was a Cassiline. Keeping things safe was in his nature.
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Joscelin d'Aiglemort
Cassiline
Official Cassiline of House Courcel
Bastard Son of the Duc d'Aiglemort[A1i:3][RS:1]
Posts: 16
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Post by Joscelin d'Aiglemort on Apr 23, 2012 17:04:38 GMT -7
I gave a little smile and a nod to her trying not to be rude. It was hard some times not to see her as a silly little girl instead of my ward who I was charged with protecting with my life. But I was sure I would be able to eventually. I longed for the days with Marguerite who treated me an equal rather then a guard or, unlike other, did not pine with interest for me. I hoped that one day Arianne might be like that, that there would be less aggitation when dealing with her, she was just a child after all.
"Perhaps you would like to show me your books." I answered her hoping that perhaps she might find interest in showing me even if I had no interest in seeing. It kept her out of trouble and that would keep me happy.
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Princess Arianne de la Courcel
Royalty
Her Royal Highness, Princess of the Blood
Youngest daughter of Alain & Renee de la Courcel[RS:3=Etienne de la Courcel d'Avignon]
Posts: 33
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Post by Princess Arianne de la Courcel on Apr 30, 2012 11:03:34 GMT -7
I did not realize that I had been holding my breath, until I released it and the tightness of my bodice became less so. I was still having trouble finding a common ground for myself and my Cassiline. And he could be so intimidating which often brought on a rose colored blush and the inability to organize my thoughts as completely as I would like.
I glanced quickly at him, just long enough to see his half smile, before I dropped my gaze to the floor between us. I tried to think, quickly, if I had ever seen him smile before. If I had ever even seen him look vageuly amused.
I had not.
Our conversation had brought him some small pleasure, enough so that he smiled. And that thought made me happy. Perhaps I was finally able to become friendly with this Cassiline. I had wanted to form that relationship with Joscelin from the beginning, when he was first assigned to me, but it had been difficult. I seemed only able to upset him.
When he asked if I would like to show him my beloved collection of books, a small library in their own right, my lips curved upward in a smile. Not an amused half smile, like his had been. No, my smile was full and bright, full of happiness and life, like the morning after a summer storm.
It was a smile that I did not often show.
"I would love to!" I replied quickly, that joy nearly tangible in my voice. Then I paused, and answered more appropriately. "I mean ... That I would be most happy to do so." The words were more proper, but the emotion was still clinging to every word.
"No one else shows them much interest," I went on to say, "Except the servants to dust the shelves, but this is usually something I like to do myself. It is, in a way, caring for my books and I find that .... Peaceful. Perhaps it is like mediating," I added thoughtfully, never having truly done such a thing.
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