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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Nov 27, 2009 20:31:57 GMT -5
Stars shining bright above you... Night breezes seem to whisper 'I love you'... Birds singing in the sycamore trees... Dream a little dream of me...
The world came slowly into focus, hazy and dull around him. Stone walls... Was he--at school? He remembered a castle of stone, ran by a woman with long dark hair... No, not a school. Rudeth sat up in his cot, rubbing his head. What strange dreams... a play, and monsters, and a school... It was nonsense, really.
But today was a splendid day. There was to be a ball this evening, and a banquet, to celebrate the coming of age of the princess. Her regent, the Duchess Veronique, would at last relinquish rule of the kingdom to the princess. And, more relevant to Rudeth, it would mean the princess would at last be eligible for marriage.
He dressed himself in his finest clothes, the resplendent garb of a young nobleman, and headed down to the dining room for breakfast. Today would be perfect.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 27, 2009 20:57:40 GMT -5
Bianca sighed as her long white hair was done up and the corset was tightened. She'd been served 'breakfast' in her room, and knew she was mostly to be a pretty face, even today. Several strands were carefully curled and draped around her face. Only one thing made this even worth it.
Seeing him again. The corset was tightened again and she gasped a little. Air would be nice, thank you very much! Finally, she was dressed in her favorite dark red dress, one that complimented her dark skin and white hair. Smiling slightly, she held her head carefully high, admiring the overall effect. Now, off to be pretty. For the last time. With the same slight smile, she swept down the staircase, looking for one particular face among the crowd.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Nov 27, 2009 21:41:37 GMT -5
After he had eaten to his fill -- which for Rudeth took quite a while -- he carefully slipped a hunk of meat into the floor for one of the dogs, who ate it appreciatively. The castle was bustling with servants and important people, making preparations for this evening. One of the maids gave him a scolding look and chastised him for putting himself in the way. Some good being a knight did him -- he still got bossed around by old serving woman.
Rudeth glanced up at the staircase, frozen in place. He watched her descend the stairs, a picture in red and white. He wasn't counting on seeing her quite so early.
Rudeth slowly approached the staircase, holding out his hand as she reached the bottom. "Bella Bianca, you look as lovely as ever." He grinned. "It's been a while since I've seen you. It's good to be back at last."
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 27, 2009 21:53:52 GMT -5
Bianca put her hand in his with a smile, "My lord Rudeth, I missed you. It is a pleasure to see your face once more."
Behind her, the chaperone made a disapproving noise and Bianca pulled a face. "I miss the days when we could run away and sit whispering under the stairs until every servant in the house was looking for us. At least then we could talk without the shadow," she whispered softly, giggling a little. "Remember those days?"
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 18, 2009 18:25:35 GMT -5
Rudeth leaned forward to press a kiss to the back of Bianca's hand. He glanced sideways at the chaperone, giving her a crooked grin. Let her disapprove as she liked -- they had done nothing wrong.
"How could I forget?" he mused. "The world was a much simpler place then. Sometimes I wish we could return to those days." He paused, then squeezed her hand. "I almost forgot. I brought you a gift. Close your eyes?"
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 18, 2009 18:30:45 GMT -5
Bianca laughed and closed her eyes. A soft smile turned up the corners of her lips, "You shouldn't have, you know. The only gift I need is your presence."
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 18, 2009 18:42:16 GMT -5
Rudeth reached into his pocket, procuring a delicate silver necklace. Carefully he circled his arms around Bianca's neck, fastening the clasp. The chaperone looked as though she might intervene -- the impropriety must have upset her fragile sensibilities -- but Rudeth, for his part backed away, not lingering long enough to give her an opening.
The pendant, a white teardrop shaped stone, rested gently against the hollow of her throat. It was not a flashy thing, but there was a simple elegance to it. It complemented her perfectly, Rudeth thought.
"You can open your eyes again," he announced.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 19, 2009 2:04:44 GMT -5
Her dark eyes opened and she lifted a hand to her throat. Lifting the stone carefully, she admired it with a soft smile. "Oh Rudeth, it's beautiful... Thank you."
Giving her chaperone a quick look, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss. "Impropriety be hanged. I can give my oldest and dearest friend a hug. And the one I love a kiss," she whispered, kissing him again.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 20, 2009 17:22:29 GMT -5
Rudeth smiled, kissing her back swiftly, then glancing at the chaperone out of the corner of his eye. "We had best stop there, though," he teased, "before she has me hanged."
He turned back to the chaperone, grinning. "I take it you would not be opposed to us taking a stroll through the garden?" he asked. "I'm sure the servants would be thrilled to have us out of the way for their preparations."
Without waiting for a response, he offered Bianca his arm. "Shall we, then?"
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 20, 2009 17:30:51 GMT -5
Bianca set her arm in the crook of his elbow, giving him a bright smile. "I would be delighted," she said, still smiling. Her chaperone just narrowed her eyes and followed them. Bianca rolled her eyes. "I can not wait to be rid of my shadow."
The woman sniffed, "That will happen when you marry and not a moment sooner."
"I know," Bianca retorted, then covered her mouth with her free hand. "Oh. I am sorry, today just has me all out of sorts."
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 20, 2009 17:44:22 GMT -5
Rudeth stifled a laugh, leading Bianca out into the gardens. The warm spring breeze washed over them, tossing Rudeth's hair around his face.
"What has your regent told you about this whole marriage business?" Rudeth asked tentatively. "Are you going to have any say at all?"
The Duchess had always liked Rudeth well enough, and their families had always been close, but Bianca was slightly above his station. He couldn't be certain that, given the choice between him and someone more prominent, that Veronique would choose him.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 20, 2009 18:12:51 GMT -5
"Probably a fair amount... after all, if I don't like who I am married to, there will be problems. Marital problems tend to make for trouble in the country," she said thoughtfully, fixing her hair with her free hand. "But unfortunately, we really haven't talked about it much..."
She moved a bit closer to him, looking around at the garden but putting her other hand on his arm as well.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 20, 2009 18:44:30 GMT -5
Rudeth smiled. "Well, I'll just be happy for you to make your own choice," he said smoothly, glancing sidelong at her. "Even if your choice is some rich, stuffy old nobleman, as long as it's what you want."
And even if it isn't me, I'll still be right here beside you, he added silently. He didn't need to be her husband to be her knight.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 21, 2009 10:49:50 GMT -5
" 'Some rich, stuffy old nobleman,' " she echoed, wrinkling her nose. "I would think you know me far better than that. There are no suitable alliance marriages with countries that are not already firmly our allies, or even really among them, so I should think I would have full choice. It's not often a ruler can marry for love..."
Bianca carefully put her head on his shoulder, ignoring yet again their easily aroused shadow. There was little her chaperone could do, especially today, but the woman could still make a great deal of noise about whatever offended her uptight sensibilities. It was difficult to believe this woman had ever been married at times.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Dec 22, 2009 1:29:15 GMT -5
Rudeth laughed, shaking his head slightly. "I'm only teasing you," he replied, "and you know it." It was nice like this, just the two of them. And after today, Aritha would be free to see him whenever she wished, chaperone be damned. The rule of the country would be her own, and provided she did nothing to incite an uprising, she would be free to do as she pleased.
"It's not often anyone can marry for love," he replied. "Peasants sometimes have a better time of it, but between dowries and alliances and everything else, most people are lucky to marry someone they even like. You're in a very fortunate position."
He turned back to her, brushing her hair back out of her face. "Still, it's a shame your parents aren't here to see it," he said softly. "I'm sure they would both be very proud of you."
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Dec 22, 2009 13:28:24 GMT -5
She grew downcast, sighing softly. "Yes. I miss them... but the past is beyond our reach, save in fond memories. Come, today is a happy day. Let us put aside any sorrow and simply enjoy the day that has been given us."
Brightening again, she leaned her head for a moment longer against his shoulder. Picking a rose carefully, she put it in his pocket and arranged it carefully. "There. Now you match me. Well enough, in any case."
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