The Castle

[Miss Wings]

"That would be perfectly acceptable, thank you Your Majesty" Thomas said with another bow of the head as he followed James to the private drawing rooms.

[G. Novella]

James nodded gaily to Thomas, "I'll leave you here then, and let the two of you converse, come Elizabeth" And with that he left Thomas and Florence alone.

[deathrosehunter]

Elizabeth walked behind King James, still seven feet behind him.

[G. Novella]

James sighed with relief as he entered his private study, Elizabeth right behind him. "Shut the door, Elizabeth," he ordered her, "And get me the papers on the Training Academy for the Witch Hunters." He rolled his neck, and used a hand to temporarily massage his shoulders as he took a seat in front of his desk. He'd ask Elizabeth to massage them as he worked.

---

Lord Byron strolled through the castle hall. He once again had to fulfill his obligation in meeting with Lady Jacquelyn, his fiance. They would meet once a week, their marriage only a month away now. He remembered accepting the offer four months ago, after Lord Carmichael had offered her hand. It wasn't the first time he'd been offered a wife, but he'd accepted. He hadn't planned to accept, but Carmichael's desperacy to marry hos daughter into the Noble house of Wade combined with the rumors of his treatment of women had urged him to accept.

He knew he was a catch. Wade estates were the third largest, second to the King's and to the House of Belfast. With old Belfast's only son aready married, he was the only eligible bachelor left. Carmichael was a powerful house, and accepting the daughter had made the marriage beneficial even politically. Now to deal witb Jacquelyn.

[Chameleon]

Lady Jacquelyn was wandering around the castle. She didn't do it very often, although her adventurous spirit was still there. Although she was a noble, it didn't mean that she was allowed to wander off where ever she wanted. That was only for the King and his family. But Jacquelyn's early years had taught her where to avoid the King. It was not that she didn't respect him, but she didn't think he would be happy for her adventures in his home.

She was getting married! Jacquelyn wasn't displeased or something. It was something her parents had put in her mind, it was important to get married, that it was her only value as a woman. But that... man! She hadn't heard much of him, only that it was said he was ruthless, and other things, Jacquelyn didn't dare to think.

[G. Novella]

Byron arrived in the seating room. Jacquelyn's room was apparently a few doors away. A harried maid claimed Jacquelyn was getting ready, and Byron was already irritated. Who did she think she was, putting him on hold like this? He heard a maid claiming she'd gone off for a walk, and had yet to return. He didn't care anymore, as he sipped his tea. The less he had to deal with her, the better. Women were nuisances as it was, meant only to be broken. He leaned back into his chair, contemplating how best to deal with his fiance when she arrived.

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn winced when she sighed. She had to deal with her finance. He was probably waiting for her, and it wouldn't do any good to make him wait even longer, no matter her wishes. She couldn't turn her back on it, since she would then have nothing left. This was her home, no matter how much she wanted to leave. Byron was probably in the seating room, where they used to meet. She winced by the thought of him there.

When she stood with the seating room, she straightened and walked in the room, as she had no care in the world. Which wasn't true anymore. Her smile faltered a bit by the sight of him sitting on a chair.

She was silent, as she walked toward the chair. The maids seemed nervous, she noticed. Not that she blamed them.

"Lord Byron," She greeted, and curtsied, as the protocol was.

[G. Novella]

He didn't stand, watching her with a slight glare. He set down his tea cup, and nodded to her. "Lady Jacquelyn," he said, "It's an honer to finally meet you."

He now stood, and bowed slightly, and then took her hand in his, "Charmed."

He took a seat, moving away from her quickly. "Well, I believe we were acheduled to discuss our wedding arrangements. Take a seat."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn ignored his jab, that she was being late. She wanted to wash her hand, where he had held her. If she wanted that now, how would she manage the marriage?

Jacquelyn sat down, and her mouth was tight. She hadn't planned to obey him, but otherwise she would only make a fool out of herself. This wasn't how she had dreamed about her wedding, which would be with a kind man who loved her, and whom she loved back. Instead she would marry an uncaring man who she didn't love.

"Yes, the wedding," she said and tried to smile. "How big do you want it to be?" she asked. She was conflicted about it. She hoped he wouldn't want anything to do with the wedding, as it would be her only wedding, unless she got widowed. But on the other hand, it was a wedding to ... him.

[G. Novella]

"Invite a large crowd," he said, "And leave it open so peasants can come to watch." Byron wanted to prove to the public he was marrying well. It would be a nice big farce, where he'd play the perfect bachelor marrying a lucky younger daughter out of some inane story about love. After the first few days, it would fade, and then he could return to his normal life.

"After the wedding, our grounds will become home to the Witch Hunters, as I'll be taking charge," he said, "So we cannot marry on my lands, where would you choose?"

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn nodded. There it was. Her opportunity to arrange her wedding was sliding from her hands, as quickly as quicksand. Peasants, she frowned. It wasn't that she looked down upon them, she just didn't have any business with them. Watch. For the first time in her life, it sounded like a dirty word.

She was slightly surprised that he gave her the opportunity to chose the place to marry, it was like giving her a bit of control over the wedding.

"I'll know the place. It's a land, close to a village, which my father owns," she said brightly and added her mind and close to the castle,." He will probably let us marry there."

[G. Novella]

"That'll do," he said with a nod. "I presume you'll wish to design your own gown, and nor do I care. The only thing I ask is that you follow tradition and incorporate my family colors of silver and black somehow into the dress. Where would you like our carriage to take us for the wedding night? Your father assured me of your virginity, and I oresume you would want to pick a place."

He stared at her, sipping his tea, enjoying making her uncomfortable.

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn's cheeks got red, that they had discussed her virginity. She wondered why her father had told Byron that she was virgin. She had disgraced the family two years ago, but it had never gotten out. But she figured her father wouldn't let some simple matter as her virginity destroy a respectable marriage, because then she would be trapped in the marriage with a furious man. Of course her father didn't care for her life.

She put her face defiantly up at him. The cheeks were still red, but he wouldn't be allowed to intimate by him.

"Of course. My dress is mine," she said shortly. Silver and black? She could figure silver, but black .. God, she would be forced to find a new dress. Another reason to despise him. "As for our wedding night, you decide. After all, you must have more experience," she said sarcastically.

[G. Novella]

Byron smirked at her words. "We'll take advantage of the night and head straight to my home. It's a day's ride, and there will be no breaks, so making the marriage official by consummation will wait. Is there anything you will require when you move to my estates? A horse you ride, a maid servant, or anything?"

The question made Byron scowl. This was precisely why women could be so annoying. They came with so much baggage, both figuratively and literally.

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn caught her breath. So she would be riding to his estates on her wedding night. It was relief, as it had been the sexual part of the wedding she had been mainly worried about. It was only delayed for a few hours, but it was better than nothing, she supposed. She could keep her supposed virginity in peace until then.

"Of course," she said. "I've got a horse, I want to take with me. And then there's my servant, Diana," she said, and chose the nicest of her maids, and her closest 'friend' among the servants. Her father would hopefully not mind that she took one. "And of course my clothes and jewelry too," she added, as he might have forgotten it.

[G. Novella]

"Very well," he said, already plotting an unfortunate illness to strike Diana upon her entry to his estates. He didn't need any more women crowding his home. "Can you condense everything to fit in one cart? Your dowry is being handled by your father, so you won't need to worry about it. Would you like to discuss how we present ourselves to the public, or our living arrangements first?"

[deathrosehunter]

"As you wish my lord," Elizabeth replied. She went to retrieve the documents and sat them in front of him. Elizabeth stepped behind his chair, placed her hands on his shoulder, and started to knead them, applying pressure as she went on.

[G. Novella]

"Thank you Elizabeth," said James. She always knew what he needed. "This is madness, the witch hunt. I still need to negotiate our land claims still for the Hunters Training academy, and redeposit the taxes. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier to let it go."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn had a intense urge to demand several carts, just for fun, but decided for the more diplomatic answer: "Of course. One cart should manage it," she estimated, as she thought fleetingly of her stuff.

"How we present us to the public, please," she said in strained voice, as she chose the lesser evil of the two choices.

[G. Novella]

"I would prefer to be presented as a couple in love," Byron said coldly, "In my choosing of a younger daughter, the world will be curious. It's much easier to explain our relationship as lovers than the politics behind it."

He didn't need to add that it would boost his cold image, nor that he was getting a massive dowry alongside it.

[Chameleon]

She scowled at him. Appear like lovers. She clenched her mouth, and nodded. "Of course, I suppose I don't really have a choice," she said with a strained voice.

"And our living arrangements?" she asked quietly.

How in God's name had it ended like this?

[G. Novella]

"My servants are many, and they will talk. With the introduction of the training academy, we will be under heavy scrutiny from the public. I expect you to become pregnant with my child as soon as possible, and then to stay in our rooms. Yes, we will share a set of rooms, and a bed. I cannot afford to be shown in a loveless marriage. Your pregnancy would be the perfect reason why you wouldn't be by my side all the time, and when the child is born later on, we have another two or three years of reasons why you aren't by my side. By then, if we are still in public eye, I expect you to bear me another child. If not, we can fade out and perhaps relax," he said, absolutely no emotions in his voice as he watched her reaction.

[deathrosehunter]

"You should do what your heart tells you my lord," Elizabeth replied, moving her hands to his neck. "I'm sure you will do the right thing."

[Chameleon]

"You're insane," she sputtered. That meant that she would be like a prisoner in his home. Except no one would rescue her. "I will not be in that house as a prisoner," she said acidly. Just the thought of getting pregnant with his child, made her shiver. And to share a bed with him, when she knew she wouldn't be able to force him sleep on the couch for the rest of his life. She wondered if it was possible to ask her father to rebuff the marriage, although she knew he wouldn't. Her father wouldn't rescue his daughter from a unhappy marriage.

[G. Novella]

James nodded, and then gave a groan of relief as Elizabeth massaged a psrticularly tight knot in his neck, "Of course, and my heart says I'm doing the right thing. Florence shall come around. That's wonderful, by the way Elizabeth. Your massage technique has really improved. Could you grab me some kunch please, while I finish signing these documents?"

[deathrosehunter]

"As you wish my lord," Elizabeth removed her hands, and went to retrieve his kunch. She sat it to the aide. "Do you wish for me to continue my lord?"

[G. Novella]

"No, you can take a break and have your lunch. Once I'm done my lunch, I'll call you to clear the plates, and then draw me a bath," said James, taking a bite of the succulent roast boar sandwich.

[Miss Wings]

Florence was so frustrated, her Father was treating her like a child when he was in fact 21, hell she was due to be married within a wekk. Ahh Tommy, whatever would she do without him? Florence was interupted from her thoughts by the arrival of a servant announcing that Thomas was in the drawing rooms waiting for her.

[Chameleon]

Alexander had been on a run with his horse, and the wind was still howling in his ears, when he rode up to the castle. When he arrived into the yard, he swept the eyes quickly if there was anyone worth talking to. A grin broadened, when Alexander's look fell upon Aelesia. He wondered for a second, what she was doing in the castle.

He stepped of the horse, and one of the stable boys overtook the care of the horse, and he walked toward his sister. "Hello darling," he said with a grin.

[Nahara46]

Not long after Aeleisia had dismounted, she looked over to see her elder brother approaching. "Greetings," She replied with a smile, she led Stella closer to her brother and the stable, and motioned for the stable hands to take her horse as well. "How have you been, Alex? It's been too long."