The Castle

[Chameleon]

As Alexander awaited the stable boys to take Aelesia's horse, so he could hug her, he answered her question. "Fine," and shrugged. "How's the nun life?" he asked teasingly.
He hadn't seen Aelesia much after she got sent to the nuns, but he trusted his father's decision.

[Nahara46]

"It's alright." Aeleisia, though her slightly annoyed tone said otherwise. "The Sister's are all very welcoming and kind. But it...It's more strict and... well, I guess boring would be the proper word, then what I'd like. It takes quite a bit of work to get them to allow me to visit home." Then she grinned, "You can't imagine how annoyed they are with my love of archery and horse back riding. It's not lady-like, as they say."

[Chameleon]

Alexander frowned slightly over Aelesia's tone, and decided to take it up with her later.
"What a surprise," he said dryly. "Who would imagine that the nun's are boring?" he said and winked to her. "So you're creating havoc there. Now I know you again," Alexander said dramatically, as he looked her up and down. She looked good.

[Nahara46]

"Havoc?" Aelesia looked at Alexander in mock surprise. "Why of course not! I cause only orderly chaos. I'll have none of this havoc business." She glanced up at the castle.

"What brings you here, Alex? Do you not have any dragons to slay, fair maidens to rescue?"

[G. Novella]

Aug 29, 2012 13:07:36 GMT -5 Chameleon said:

"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.

"It's either you stay at home and run my lands as a mother and prisoner," said Byron icily, "Or you move around forcing our image of a loving couple. By all means, choose whichever you prefer. I highly doubt you can force your father to change his mind, considering the jewels, land and livestock he was willing to add to your dowry. It's either I marry you, or your sister, and I assure you, the treatment I issue will be the same."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn was about to respond, when she faltered by the mention of her sister. Sweet Sophia. Jacquelyn couldn't bear to push all this on Sophia's shoulders. Jacquelyn swallowed. She despised her father and Byron for tying her hands. Sophia was her Achilles-heal, and just by mentioning her, she would agree to anything. She hadn't expected Byron to pick it out that quickly. She wondered shortly if her father had mentioned it. She disliked heavily to submit her self, but if it was to protect her sister ...

"Fine," she said cooly. "Whatever you want."

[G. Novella]

"I thought you might agree. Your father claimed you were close to your sisters," said Byron, as he stood. "Come. Let us begin our courtship, so to speak. We'll walk around the castle, let the rumors begin, dearest."

He offered her his arm, his cold blue eyes looking down at her.

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn nodded shortly. She wondered if he would really have married her sister, but pushed the thought away. The mere thought was terrible to think. She swallowed again, when she saw the offered arm, and had to draw all her bravery to accept his arm. She have to get used to it, if she was gonna be married with him, and would appear as a loving couple. Time to play on her actress abilities.

"Okay, sweetheart," she said and added the pet name, and watched his reaction. Any way to annoy him. Though not to much, so he would drop her and marry Sophia. She praised her lucky star, that her elder sister was already married.

[G. Novella]

Byron scowled at the pet name, but said nothing. He wanted to throw her across the room when she took his arm, but instead looked away as he led them towards the door.

"I'll presume you know which servants are the best gossips," he said, "Just as I know which soldiers are. Inform me when we pass one, so we can up our act. The minute we walk through this door, I'm no more just a fiance, remember that."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn noticed his scowl with amusement, and noticed he didn't seem any happier than she was, that her arm was in his.

"Of course," she said brightly. "I'm not stupid, by the way." She was of course tempted to ignore it, and only name the kindest servants, but he would probably discover it. Like he discovered everything, she thought glumly.

[G. Novella]

"Well, we'll see today then," said Byron, rolling his eyes. No woman was smart. They were fools who had no sense. "Let us go into the real world, darling."

He opened the door to the empty hallway, and was relieved he wouldn't need to begin acting immediately. He pulled her along roughly into the hall, desperate to get this charade over with.

[Chameleon]

She glared at him. She wasn't stupid. God, she was with am an who thought of her as stupid, she thought fleetingly, as he hauled her with roughly.

"Good Lord, Byron. I'll get blue bruises," she yelped, and didn't care if anyone was there to hear her. She didn't want have blue bruises, although she probably would have it anyway.

[G. Novella]

You'd look better with some, he thought scathingly as he responded, "My apologies. I'm in a rush to show you to my soldiers, my dear. When I return, I'll massage your arm." His voice dripped with sincerity, though anyone who saw his face would see through his act immediately.

[Chameleon]

She looked at him and frowned with annoyance, and looked then around and noticed few of the maids standing there, and she knew one of them was a gossiper, and wished desperately that they could go away, so she come with a real retort.

"It doesn't matter anyway," she said with a sweet smile. "I can't wait to meet them," she said brightly. He had to figure out himself that there were gossiping maids in hearing-range to them.

[G. Novella]

He heard the voices of a few maids, and turned to her. She didn't seem fazed, and he squeezed her arm tightly as they moved in the direction of the maids, trying to get an answer out of her. "Dearest, I'm sure they'll love you as much as I do."

[Chameleon]

Her arm was hurting again, and she figured he wanted to know if there was any gossiping maids, and said in a low tone, "Gossiping maids," before she added in a normal tone; "Are you sure?" and battered with her eyes, and pretended to be insecure about it. She gritted her jaw. They didn't mean anything to her.

[G. Novella]

He nodded, and took his free hand to brush back some hair, as a maid noticed them. He pretended to be oblivious as he turned his back slightly to the maids, still giving them a view of Jacquelyn and himself. "Pkay your role well," he hissed, then added in a sweeter voice, "Who couldn't love your face?" using his palm to stroke her cheek, disgusted by this. Oh how he couldn't wait for the wedding to be over with.

[Chameleon]

She felt for not first the time urge to hit him, but never as strongly as now, when he touched her face, but clenched her hands. She wanted to squirm, but the maids were watching them, and if she did, it would say that she was uncomfortable with him, and then it would reach the castle as wildfire, that Lady Jacquelyn and Lord Byron didn't seem happy with each other, or something wilder, as rumors always got bigger.

She ignored his reminder, and just smiled and pretended to be happy. "Oh really," she said, and gave him a very quick kiss on his cheek, as she hissed, "I'll always play my role well."

[G. Novella]

He resisted the urge to wipe his cheek, and instead took her hand, ready to escape. They'd had enough of this. If every maid saw so much of their romance, they'd end up sounding too much, and he hardly wanted to have to go over and above. He smiled a tight smile, as he pulled her on, gently though his hand was squeezing hers roughly.

"Don't give me that," he said seriously, pleased with the double answer, "You're an excellent choice, I'm sure they'll love you soon enough, when you show them just how great you can be."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn sighed in relief. No more acting for the moment. Did he have to squeeze her hand so roughly, she thought in annoyance. She wondered if it was worth to mention it, but let it go, as he probably wouldn't stop doing it.

She frowned, as she analyzed what he said, quickly in her mind, before she answered, "I'll be nice," she muttered. She wondered if the soldiers were like Byron. She just said in a louder tone, "Thanks," and beamed, if anyone was there to see them.

[G. Novella]

They walked along for a bit in silence as they passed the maids. Byron was relieved by this peaceful moment, and if he could let go of her hand, he would. He knew the rumors wouldn't be stopped with just a happy interaction, and considered the options. After meeting the soldiers, they could possibly go to a lover's rendezvous spot.

"Where would you like to go after?" said loudly, dropping his voice after to add, "A place public enough that ot would be talk to see two lovers there."

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn enjoyed the silence too. The only thing that destroyed the moment was her hand in his. She closed her eyes, and breathed out, before she opened the eyes again. Lover's spot, she thought with annoyance. Well, she had to learn to spend some time with him. But some intimate place... Tsh.

She had to think of some place that was public enough, that people noticed it was where lovers used to meet. "There's a beautiful spot with a great view, close somewhere here. I show you later," she said and smiled. The spot was known inside the castles, where nobles used to meet and make out. Only the best for them.

[G. Novella]

"Wonderful," he said. Inwardly, he could just picture how awful this would be. She wasn't even some common whore, but an inexperienced virgin. As they reached the soldier's barracks. "Are you ready to meet my recruits?"

[Chameleon]

Her smile was quickly wiped off, when she realized she was supposed to be with Byron, which she hadn't thought off. And it would be so embarrassing. She hoped that they would only stay there, that nothing would happen. Yeah, she would insist on it.

"Alright," she nodded, and looked around the barracks. She didn't show up here, so it was her first time, and she looked curiously around. Time to put the loving fiancée up again.

[Miss Wings]

Aug 29, 2012 14:49:43 GMT -5 Miss Wings said:

Florence was so frustrated, her Father was treating her like a child when she was in fact 21, hell she was due to be married within a week. 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.

Tommy couldn't wait to see Florence again, To hold her in his arms and never let go again. Hell he couldn't wait to be married to her so that their night of passion could be repeated many more times. Tommy was brought out of his thoughts when the servant announced that he had arrived at his destination. Walking into the spacious room Tommy could make out an angel standing in front of the stained glass window that contained the Saxony coat of arms. "Florence! I see you've upset your Father again"

"Me? Upset Father? Never!" Florence laughed as she came to hug Tommy, "Ok so I may have argued about this new Decree about witchcraft but that's beside the point, I have something I need to tell you" Florence told Tommy as she held his hands on her stomach.

[G. Novella]

The soldier barracks were filled with men walking around, laughing and talking. It was like a giant hall, where they could eat, sleep and plan. The room Byron had taken her to was the eatery balcony. All around, soldiers milled, grabbing their food. He brought Lady Jacquelyn closer, and slipped his arm around her waist.

"Out your arm around me," he whispered to her, "and smile!"

"Gentleman! Attention!" he called, and immediately, all voices seized. He'd trained them well after all. "Today is an importsnt day for your leader! Today, I can proudly introduce my betrothed, the lovely Lady Jacquelyn!"

[Chameleon]

Jacquelin loved it straight away, although it wasn't a place she would stay, but just for a few minutes, like today. Everything looked so relaxed, unlike the castle's stiff rules, how she should act. She had become that good actress, that even her smile seemed genuine.

She laid an arm around Byron's back, and looked curiously on the men, her future husband had trained. Poor men, she thought.

The cheers came right away, after Byron's announcement, and she was slightly startled by the men, and suddenly desperate wished that there had been at least another woman in the room.

[Miss Wings]

Tommy was perplexed, what was Florence trying to tell him? "What are you trying to tell me Flo?"

Flo laughed in a musical tone, "I'm pregnant silly. This is our chance! We can get away from my Father!"

"B, but you can't be pregnant! Besides, why would you wish to get away from your Father? I thought you loved him?"

[G. Novella]

Byron smiled at the soldiers. Despite his cruelty, he was an excellent teacher, and his memory infallible. Every soldier here had been personally supervised by him. He'd overstretched himself multiple times helping someone improve their stance, or another strengthen his muscles. He was going to miss them when he left. Leaving to train an all new army dedicated to eradicating witches was his dream, but this, this was his home.

"Thank you!" he yelled over the cheers, forgetting about Jacquelyn's presence as he revelled in the moment, "Isn't she lovely?"

"A right peach!" shouted one man, as they whooped louder.

[Chameleon]

Jacquelyn watched him with frown, as he smiled. This was the first time she saw him smile genuinely, and glanced toward the men. Did it mean that he only hated females, she wondered. She blushed, and suddenly wanted to run far away, but Byron's firm grip on her, prevented her into it. There were so many rude men, that she didn't feel any comfortable anymore, and wished for castle. She didn't say anything, but just put a smile forward, although it was strained, and she had no idea what to say to this horde of men.