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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 14:35:36 GMT -5
At this moment, the butler re-entered the room and bowed to the King and Queen and then again to Sky and Christine. Turning his attention back to Riannon, he said, "Your Majesty, your special guest has arrived. May I show her in?"  Riannon smiled at this news as she rose to her feet. "Yes, please show her in." "Very well, Madame," the butler responded. Disappearing behind the doors for a moment, he then returned and said, "May I present Lady Alice Coriander, Countess of Winfield." Having taken a sip of his drink when the butler had made the announcement, Sky struggled not to sputter. That name . . . why did it sound so familiar? And then it hit him like a ton of bricks - that name was the name his mother had given him of the girl she wanted to set him up with! Feeling a cold dread creep up his spine, Sky slowly rose to his feet as said in a strained voice, "Mother . . . what is going on?" |
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 14:46:41 GMT -5
"Hush now, darling," Riannon replied in a low voice as she watched Alice enter the room. In a voice that only he could hear, she continued, "I am only doing what I know is best for you. For all of us." "Unbelievable," Sky whispered under his breath as he briefly closed his eyes. "Absolutely unbelievable." But he couldn't throw a fit now nor could he demand that his mother explain herself; she had planned it out too perfectly. She knew him too well - she knew that he would never treat a guest rudely. As always, she had managed to pull one over him. Inwardly seething, Sky forced himself to put a smile on his face as Alice drew closer to where his father and mother were standing. |
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 15:00:18 GMT -5
Christine was the picture of calm. She had a feeling that Sky's mother would do that. She would show no emotion, show that she would not throw a fit.
She merely bobbed her head in greeting to Alice. She glanced up and over at Sky, hoping that he would calm down enough and would not have his temper flare out of control - they didn't know if his anger would cause him to wolf out.
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Post by Alice on Jun 4, 2006 15:03:38 GMT -5
Feeling more than slightly nervous, Alice drew closer to the group that awaited her before she lowered herself into a deep curtsy and murmured to the king and queen with her eyes cast downward, "Good evening, Your Majesties." Rising, Alice turned and then again lowered herself into another curtsy, this time to Sky and Christine, "Your Highness, Lady."
As she straightened, Alice kept her composure, but inwardly, her nerves were shot; she had only been expecting a dinner with the King, Queen, and Prince. The presence of the other girl worried her as she wasn't certain how she should have addressed her because she hadn't the slightest notion who she was. Feeling her cheeks burn, Alice wondered if she had misinterpreted the queen's letter; she had thought that the purpose of this dinner was for her to become acquainted with the prince on the chance that they would connect, well, romantically. However, from the looks of it, this other girl already seemed to hold that position . . .
Determined to not let her confusion show, Alice smiled demurely and said to Riannon, "Thank you for inviting me into your home, Madame; it is indeed more lovely than I could have ever imagined."
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 15:13:08 GMT -5
"Why, thank you, Lady Winfield; you are just darling for saying that." Riannon purred as she looked pointedly at Sky before she continued, "You have arrived just in time for dinner; now that you are here, shall we all move to the dining hall?" Taking Aldrich's arm, Riannon looked back at the others as she said with a wide smile, "Sky, dear, why don't you give Countess Winfield your arm?" Giving a merry laugh, she added, "You do have two for a reason!" |
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 15:24:22 GMT -5
Christine's smile never faltered, although, internally she was close to tears. She knew exactly what was going on. The other girl had to be of a proper family line and that's what Sky's mother wanted Sky to marry. She only hoped that Sky would comfort her at some point during their stay so she just hide in his arm and just cry.
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Post by Alice on Jun 4, 2006 15:34:00 GMT -5
As the prince offered his arm to her, Alice smiled uncertainly as she accepted it, feeling slightly embarrassed that his mother had to prod him to grant her that courtesy. Sneaking a glance at the girl on his other arm, Alice felt a small spark of jealously; she looked so perfectly composed, almost as though she had already secured the position of being the prince's future wife, that Alice was tempted to withdraw her arm and make a run for it.
However, ladies never ran. No matter how uncomfortable the situation, they always put a smile on and endured it gracefully. Determined to at least make polite conversation, Alice tilted her face up as she said, "I truly did mean what I said earlier - about your home being lovely. If it wouldn't be too much of a bother, I would to see some more of it after dinner. Perhaps you could give me a tour?"
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 15:45:22 GMT -5
Knowing that he had already promised Christine that he would show her the libraries, Sky hesitated for a moment as he looked down at Alice's expectant, upturned face. With an inward sigh, Sky knew that it was his duty to be polite to her and if that meant he had to give her a tour . . . then he had to give her a tour. Christine would understand. And besides, Alice would probably like to see the libraries, so he wouldn't be letting Christine down entirely . . .
Masking his reluctance, Sky replied with a firm nod of his head, "I would love to give you a tour, Lady Winfield."
As they continued to walk toward the dining hall, Sky silently mouthed as he glanced down at Christine, "I'm sorry."
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 15:50:49 GMT -5
Christine gave him a faint nod of understanding. She understood perfectly. No matter what she did, she'd never be part of his world. Not if his mother had her way. A single tear nearly slipped down her cheek and she made sure she caught it before he noticed.
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 16:04:09 GMT -5
As they finally entered the dining hall, Sky felt his heart sink painfully. He knew Christine was hurt and he knew that at the moment she was probably on the verge of tears . . . and it was all his mother's fault. She just wouldn't give up; she was too blinded by her 'duty' to Eraklyon to see that he had something special with Christine that just didn't come along every day. Hell, even if she did see that, she wouldn't care; his happiness would always be secondary to what was 'best' for Eraklyon. It had always been that way and it always would be. His mother would never change; she was as static as a rock.
Suddenly feeling a wave of utter loneliness sweep over him, Sky looked across the room at his beautiful laughing mother and for the first time in a long time, he wished that he wasn't her son.
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 16:07:48 GMT -5
Christine settled down in the chair that was offered her and she barely looked at anyone, her eyes moist with tears. Her appetite was barely there, but she would eat - if only not to offend his parents. Everything would probably taste bland to her anyway.
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 16:18:22 GMT -5
As Riannon took her seat, she glanced around the long table - first at her husband, who didn't look like he was paying attention to his surroundings in the least, and then at Sky, who she knew was steadfastly avoiding her gaze. With a sigh, Riannon continued to survey the people at her table - Alice looked pleasant, as she had expected. The girl was exactly what Sky needed - she was a true lady, in manners and in blood, and she had dealt with the curveball of Christine's presence marvelously well. As for Christine . . . with an inward smile, Riannon knew that she was cracking, even if she was determined not to. Clearing her throat, Riannon said, making sure that she sounded concerned, "Christine, darling, you look positively ill; are you all right?" |
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 16:24:49 GMT -5
Christine paused, trying to choose her words carefully. "I'm all right," she said quietly. "I'm not used to travel spells so any used tends to make me a little ill," she confessed. "But I will be fine and I thank you for your concern."
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Post by Sky on Jun 4, 2006 16:30:11 GMT -5
"Well, if you do ever feel sick and feel the need to lie down, please do not hesitate to ask; one of the servants will be more than glad to show you to an unoccupied room," Riannon replied, never once allowing her smile to fade from her face. "We wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable, dear." |
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Post by Chris Strongheart on Jun 4, 2006 16:36:30 GMT -5
"Your majesty is most gracious," Christine said quietly. She was going to try and give his mother no reason to think that she couldn't fit in. She glanced up to see how Sky was reacting to his mother's attitude. But then she remembered that he really couldn't go against his mother's wishes, no matter how much they both wish he could.
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