Tarin, Duke of Corrin's Estate
@Theyra
"Like what I said the first time I was offered to join the queen's royal guard. I, with a heavy heart, have to say no.”
Vulluin nodded understandingly.
“It is, of course, within your right to decline. Though, I will regret having to inform the Queen of such saddening news.”His eyes glinted as he shifted his gaze. The tension that settled into the room could be cut with a knife.
“There wouldn’t be… another reason you would feel so inclined to refuse… is there?”Before he leaned back in his seat, and some of the tension dispersed.
“I have another request, then. Perhaps you could humour me, Sir Corrin. I have further business to discuss with the duke, and I’m willing to wait until he has a moment to see me. I understand it’s late, but it is, of course, urgent.”He continued,
“There’s an unsettling rumour of body snatchers within your walls. I need to speak with His Grace on what Her Majesty proposes as a solution…”
Hathforth Castle, Throne Room, The Hearthfire Gala, Near the Banquet Table
@Donut Look Now,
@Click This
”As correct as you are, Duke Willowsteel, might we share this view of the court at another time?”
Sev watched silently as Duke Rhinecliff approached them, carefully eyeing that glint, that
glare hidden behind that wide, dastardly smile of his. His eyes slowly narrowed, before he turned abruptly.
“Hold on.”Sev proceeded to down one, two, four glasses of Gold-touch wine, wiping his mouth and staggering slightly as he turned back to Duke Rhinecliff. His face grew a hint of rose at the cheeks; he was rather inebriated.
“There. Now I’m drunk enough to deal with you. Yes you, Duke Rhinecliff.” He growled, standing there with the slightest sway, back and forth.
His hands extended to the crowd, speaking to the room as a whole now.
“Tell him, he’s the most perfect of all of us here. Ain’t he? Huh? That perfect hair, that kept mustache, trim, dapper clothing.” Before a hard grin spread across his face, showing off teeth. His tone dropped, inclining his head towards the duke.
“But we know better, don’t we?” His eyes narrowed.
“Why don’t you tell them, Duke Rhinecliff?”He took a step forward, gesturing to the crowd of nobles.
“Why don’t you tell these good people what you’re hiding!”That’s when he received a smack from none other than Duchess Agustria.
“Get a hold of your senses, Willowsteel! There is more to these parties than whatever you intimate. Sitting down to arrange a very fruitful renewal of some deals, for example.”
“Duchess Agustria.” He said coldly, using a hand to pointedly push away her cane. He put on a smile, shaking his head at her.
“A duchess with her own share of secrets, aye. You have the wealth of Arrowfell at your fingertips, and for what? Is everything a business exchange for you? Do you see us as pawns, not people? If that’s the case, you would fit side by side with Her Majesty!”The spectral bird on Duke Rhinecliff’s hand squawked, wings flapping furiously as it took off, spooked by Duke Willowsteel’s words. In the next instant, Court Jester Jax was behind Sev, a hand on his shoulder, trying to console him. It was her job to keep the party light and merry, after all.
“Now, now, we should be enjoying ourselves, Duke Willowsteel, not-”Sev shook off the court jester’s hand, spinning, turning his fury on her.
“And you. Don’t get me started on you. You have all these fancy spells, all these tricks. But I’ve figured out the dark secret behind your powers.”He pointed a finger at her,
“Court Jester Britesong uses human sacrifices to fake her illusions!”Jax’s jaw dropped at that. An accusation like that was enough to get someone blacklisted and exiled from society, given enough evidence. But even the mention was enough to tarnish a person’s reputation. Almost immediately, whispers erupted from the nobles, eyeing Jax with suspicion and disgust.
Jax was stunned, at a loss for words, before she gripped her flute and said as steadily as possible,
“It’s not true!”Vulluin was about to speak up, watching the group from the throne, before the Wizard Queen held up a hand. She held a finger up to her lips.
“Let the man dig his own grave, Lord Urimyar…”
The Hands of Iron Hideout
@twannyman
Princess Azalea grimaced as she watched him put a hand on his sword, and she glanced at her guards. They were looking a bit shy, eyes glancing about and, notably, the daggers were once again sheathed.
“My apologies for startling you,” She would say.
She watched as he prepared the tea, head tilting curiously like her mother’s would. With an excited smile, she accepted the cup from him, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.
“Fragrant. Quite nice on the tongue, I say. Thank you.” She said politely.
As he mentioned war was actually to his benefit, she pulled a face.
“W-well, I’d really rather there wasn’t full-out war…”"Hmm an enticing offer, we shall consider it, however, as I mentioned we'd like to have a fief included in the deal."
She considered his proposal for a moment, before she nodded seriously.
“A fief can be included. I know of a place my mother has set aside for such an occasion. A nice plot of land at the edge of Hathforth, with tillable land and a large home already built upon its soil. It would suit you perfectly…” There was veiled excitement in her eyes as she spoke.
As he mentioned staying for the night, she nods.
“The road home is long. If we wouldn’t trouble you, staying here for the night would be rather gracious of you.”
Odonfield, Duke of Rhinecliff's Estate
@ERode,
@Click This
As little Viscount Mene Skybound stood there across from Duke Rhinecliff, perhaps it was a trick of his eyes; perhaps it was his feelings manifest. But he increasingly felt smaller and smaller, while the duke seemed to loom over him like an imposing obsidian tower. Every word seemed to weigh down his soul like a chain. Another and another, until he was certain he had lost the ability, or even the will to run now, even if his life depended on it.
As the good Duke tossed a plum his way, his hands slipped once as he tried to catch it, following it from one finger to the next until he caught it again, sweating profusely. His gaze watched the duke carefully, waiting for permission to try it, before he took a small bite.
The overload of sweet ripeness filled his mouth, and he had to suppress a surprised moan. Being hidden in the back of the carriage for the past several hours meant he hadn’t had much to eat that day. Such was the sacrifice of trying to enter Odonfield invisibly.
But his momentary reprieve didn’t last.
“Which brings to mind a story I’ve heard of lately… Duchess Agustria, word is that a masterful thief has been plundering the homes of the aristocracy as of late, disdaining what measures we’ve taken to safeguard our estates. I don’t suppose any of the lords and ladies of that social gathering you’ve been at recently have spoke of such incidents?”
Both twins' jaws dropped at that, breath catching in the throat, eyes darting to Duchess Agustria instinctively.
“Oh? That is a frightening tale! The other lords and ladies shared many stories, and I did myself, but this is new to me. What a curious tale…”
Viscountess Asteria Skybound could have died right then and there, making her peace with the world and withered away to the All-force’s Pasture. Duke Rhinecliff was recounting
her story in perfect detail, and a story it was. In grotesque terms, a fib. A big fat lie. And now he had a trustworthy source to confirm her story, her misdeed.
Well, it wasn’t entirely a lie. The twins looked at each other in realization.
Duke Rhinecliff had figured it out. Had figured everything out. The proud plunderer was among them, wearing an obscuring cloak and a ring.
Immediately, both twins dropped to their knees where they stood, hands on the ground.
“Please forgive me, Your Grace,” Mene said in a trembling voice.
“I meant you no harm. Please forgive my trespassing.”Trespassing on a duke’s estate. His mind reeled with all the possible and appropriate punishments. Being hung upside down, thrown in a dark cell, and, at worst, beheaded.
Asteria raised her head slightly from where she knelt, glancing from her brother to the duke.
“It’s not his fault. Please, if you’re going to punish someone, punish me. I convinced him to do it!”Mene stiffened, his eyes watering.
“My sister is innocent, please put all the blame on me, Your Grace!”Both twins knelt there, shivering and shaking rippling over their forms. It would seem they had never been caught before. Terrified was a good word to describe them at that moment.