novachrysalia | 2019 CMO

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Yes, of course. [She honestly wasn't doubting Zelda or anything, what she's doubting is this situation. It seems such a difficult battle, no matter how she fights against it.

Suddenly, she wants to take the princess into her arms and just bask in her warmth and presence. What Maria doesn't do is that - not yet, though she does reach forward a bit, holding her hand out toward Zelda.]

And I will continue to fight to make that future a reality. No matter what fate may say.

[She takes Maria's hand, her smile growing somewhat shy.]

I would not fight fate if mine were intertwined with yours.

[Zelda really hopes it's that way. If fate was real, and it really tied people together, it wouldn't be so bad to be bound to Maria.]

Nor would I. [She can definitely share that sentiment, and she wraps her fingers warmly around Zelda's. It's still not enough to really satisfy the emotional restlessness she can feel, but she'll take it for now. No use doing anything scandalous, even if that "scandal" comes in the form of something as simple as a huge.] And even if it is not, I will fight to try to make it come true anyway.

[She pauses, and then...] The Marchioness of Riverglen is having that ball next month. Accompany me to it? Without escorts, without your father - unless he plans on going?

I know you would, and I am gladdened that you would. [If they could get away from here, Zelda would stop caring about scandals. She wants to hold on to Maria in more ways than one.

Her eyes widen as she thinks.] My father turned down the invitation. He is not one for what he considers frivolous parties for those who are not almost equal in stature to himself. [She can't help a smile from tugging at her lips.] I would be honored to accompany you. The escorts my father would send could be easily bribed to spend the night in the towns taverns.

[Even in this castle, Maria sort of wants to forego caring about "scandals" - it's unlikely anyone will walk in just so easily, but she holds her tongue and her propriety. No, time and a place. Some day, the obstacles will be cleared, and they can both get what they want.

The idea that the party - as far away as it will be, way out at the marches, on the border territories, and the one furthest from the seat of power as is possible that is not Cainhurst itself, will help. And that the guards can certainly be bribed with enough alcohol and girls from the brothels will work to Maria's advantage.] Yes. I'll put in a word with the madame as well to keep the distractions rolling. [She gently reaches to take Zelda's hand again, to turn it over and bring it to her lips to press another kiss to the back of it.] A night to the two of us sounds wonderful. And I know the Marchioness will be keen to keep loose tongues in check. [It wouldn't do if the Viscount here couldn't send enough reinforcements if there was a siege, after all.

She pauses, reluctant to back up again. She should go, but... in truth, all she really wants is to keep Zelda's hands in her own, or pressed against her cheek.]

[It's good that it will be far away. Maybe Zelda can actually relax for once. Away from the usual crowd. Away from prying eyes that would love to make her look like a disloyal child to her father. This makes her appreciate Maria so much more.

She feels herself flush at the kiss.] I will have to thank her after. If she is as discreet as you believe she is.

[Her free hand is moved up to gently touch Maria's cheek. This was Maria doesn't have to let go, and Zelda can return some affection of her own.] I must admit that I am quite excited for a ball for once.

[Not everyone totally loves the king. The counties at the marches aren't particularly fond of his clear favoritism toward those closer to the heart of his kingdom, when they're the ones most at risk of danger if someone invades. Which also means the Marquis are closer to each other than they are to the king - Cainhurst mostly included, though their unsavory reputation sometimes scares off the other lords who don't know much about them.]

Not everyone likes or trusts Cainhurst, but... Riverglen is a friend, and more than that, Marchioness Isabella gets frustrated easily with what travels about as "scandal". It will not be her that spreads any rumors, and I think we can have some faith she won't invite troublemakers to the fray if she knows them to be as such.

[There's always a chance that someone will break news to someone who will spread it, of course. Nothing is 100% guaranteed. But Maria thinks it shall be safe enough as long as anything more incriminating they might get up to is done in relative seclusion.

She can't even worry about it too much, though, because a warm hand at her cheek brings her from the thoughts of whom might be on the list that would be liable to make a spectacle out of her and Zelda. Her eyes drift shut, and she leans her cheek into the touch, leaning down a bit so their height disparity doesn't mean Zelda has to hold her hand up too far.] I'm sure it will be lovely, though I'm sure it will still very much be a ball. [Which means the pitfalls of such a thing will still be... there.]

My father is not too fond of her. I have never had a chance to meet her myself. Father... doesn't deem it appropriate for me to meet with those he does not like. I have only heard rumors of her admirable traits as no one will openly display like for her in front of father.

[Zelda has always wanted to see the counties far from her home. This would make a good opportunity not just for some quiet time with Maria, but also to show she holds no ire against those who are not touched by her fathers "grace".

Maria might be delighted to know that Zelda actually likes the height difference. It might just be from the books she read, but to her having a partner that is taller makes her feel safe.] As long as I need to wear such heavy dresses to hide my "modesty" that father demands, I will enjoy my time there.

[Well, not all of the nobles are great, but she also thinks the sycophants in the interior territories of the kingdom are probably the only ones this particular King deigns to grace his favor. Even if they're not the ones keeping the kingdom in general safe.

Oh well, Zelda has a good head on her shoulders. She's a good heir, and will make a good queen, some day. If Maria is lucky, she can even stand with Zelda as queen-consort or something of the like. She doesn't need to rule (unlike the others jockeying for Zelda's hand, it's not the power that attracts her), but she would like to keep their relationship in some manner.] I think Isabella will understand, and I will, as well. If you turn heads at the ball, then it just means everyone can see in you what I do.

[And she raises Zelda's hand to her lips again for another soft, but linger kiss, resting her head against it a little afterward.]

[Secretly Zelda hopes she's not forced into marriage before she ascends the throne. There might be a plan in the back of her mind already that if she is unwed when that happens... though she harbors some deep down doubts if Maria would stand at her side. All this talk and secrecy behind their relationship, and Zelda still doesn't know what the other woman wants for their joined future. She hopes it's a joined future.]

Turn heads? I am not as gallant nor as beautiful as most of the women in this kingdom. I doubt anyone but you will have their eyes on me.

[The kiss makes Zelda part her lips slightly. Can you be jealous of your own hand? She chides herself as Maria rests her head.]

Do you suppose... we could be even a little more open around Lady Isabella's company? Or must we keep our affections behind closed doors even there?

[If Zelda would speak on them, Maria would be more than happy to allay her fears about not wanting to stay by her.

But she doesn't know that, so all she can react to is what is spoken. What is spoken, though... she frowns a little.] You don't need to be the most beautiful woman in the kingdom to turn heads, you've more than enough beauty of your own for that, but... I would yet argue that you cannot compete with others, Zelda.

[She noticed that look, and while Maria can very often not be called playful, she does find herself warmed by the reaction to her kissing Zelda's hand, so she tilts her head again, and brushes her lips again.] I would advise against being too open, but... perhaps we could relax a bit. Besides, the guest list is rather exclusive... and her manor is quite large.

[Maybe she will at the ball. Here? Zelda still holds the fear that someone might be listening. Even being this open about her feelings felt like a risk, though she hopes whoever might be listening wouldn't just go blab to her father about this.

That brings redness to her cheeks, causing her to look down with a shy smile.] You flatter me. I do find comfort that you see some beauty in my appearance.

[There's a shiver in reaction to that. Zelda finds her breath stopping for a few seconds, her reply coming out somewhat breathy.]

Relaxation... even a little, does make this event sound far more promising. [She has a bit of a mischievous smile as she looks at Maria.] My, that sounds like a proposition for a bit of exploration.

[Maria is not a scoundrel, so this is as far as she'll actually push it, and even this is a bit much for what she usually does, but hey.

It's tough courting a princess when the whole world seems to be working against you. She'll take what she can get when she can get it.]

I think so, too. With the servants busy with the ball, perhaps we'll get a chance to speak, as well. Somewhere we don't have to hold our words back. [Which might sound like she's angling for a fight, but she is, of course, not.]

[Even if this is all Maria will push for, Zelda is fine with it. She enjoys whatever attention is lavished upon her, even if it leaves her with a reddened face. Maybe in the future she won't blush like a silly girl each time Maria does something.

She knows that this wasn't a fight proposition.]

I would like that very much. Having to hold my tongue does get wearisome.

Yes. [She glances back toward the door, then toward the little secret passage she'd used to gain access to the room, and dips her head.] I may not see you much between now and then. [There's a bite of regret to her words, and she smooths her thumb over Zelda's hand again.] ... So I am hesitant to bid you farewell but... I think time grows short for us here.

[Zelda watches her for a moment before she grabs something from a vanity. She presses a neatly folded handkerchief into Maria's hand with a soft smile. There is very delicate embroidering along the edges, and Zelda's name in a corner.]

Then take this with you. If we will not see each other, I would like it if you at least had something to remind you of me while the time passes.

Hm? [Oh, a parting gift. She's not really expecting that, and she blinks down at it, briefly, before... a very slow smile spreads on her lips. It's just a little upturn of the edge of her mouth, but it's a smile nonetheless.

She folds it into her hand, and then neatly tucks it into her coat, near the breast.] I will keep it close to my heart, until I can see you again.

[Then, Maria bows as a means of farewell, before eyeing the way back out, and carefully starting toward it.

Soon. Soon they'll be able to have some time together. They just have to survive the coming weeks, and... well, the travel. It's going to take a while to get that far out, but... she'll be ready. She has a lot of preparations to make. It must be perfect.]

We will see each other again, I assure you of that.

[With Maria leaving, Zelda already feels that the room has become colder. The next few weeks would be rough. Having to attend to her duties, be polite while dismissive of other suitors... As least she was able to convince her father that attending the ball. He saw it in the end as somewhat of a good strategy to "befriend" those further away from their home. Or he did after Zelda carefully suggested to him that it would be.

She herself wanted everything to be perfect. Keeping that Maria was attending the function from her father, she had more freedom to choose a gown and who would accompany her. She was remiss that was forced to bring at least one lady in waiting, though the girl could easily be bribed to be as quiet as a mouse.

Now all she has to do was make it to the ball. And hope her nerves would not make her do something foolish or hysterical. It wouldn't be too much longer till she saw her beloved Maria again.]

[Naria is... a lot better about her emotions and anxieties. Oh, she felt the anticipation, the waiting for things to come to fruition, the chance for them to go awry, but she remained as icily calm as she could make herself be - turned out, when she was not immediately in the vicinity of her beloved princess, it was easier to compartmentalize her emotions.

She had sent a message with a private courier immediately after their meeting to the Marchioness with a personal request, and from there, it was planning. Maria always did like planning - putting her mind to work at piecing together circumstances that she would ideally like to happen, what she would settle for, and what she would avoid. And what she would do if something did go wrong.

She spent her entire trip back to Cainhurst writing out lists of what she thought she would need, paring them down by availability and, in all honesty, actual need. Eventually, the time came for her to pack her traveling trunk, and make the trek out from Cainhurst to Riverglen. She arrived a few days early; she had other diplomatic things to attend to, so her first day was mostly spent talking with the Marchioness, doing a little catching up, ensuring her letter had arrived, and thanking the woman profusely for her consideration. The Marchioness was more than willing to talk about how great of spirits she was in, partially because of her role in the hush-hush courting between Maria and Zelda, and how she was more than happy to allow something that irritated the king to conspire within her keep's very walls.

The next day was spent making sure her clothes were clean, pressed, and presentable; or rather, ensuring the servants were put to the task, as well as making the rest of the arrangements while Maria was out rubbing elbows with other nobles. By the day of the party, she bathed, dressed, and ready. Very early. She did what she could - writing missives, reading part of a book that she didn't absorb whatsoever, checking and rechecking everything. This would be a much more public occasion than usual for the two of them to be close, and she'd, quite publicly, ask for at least one dance. Let alone whatever happened when the party started to wind down and she stole the princess away.

Finally, however, it was time.]

"Presenting: Lady Maria, Viscount of Cainhurst." [The crier called as she stepped through the door, bedecked in the usual flair of Cainhurst Finery - of course, in a very masculine style. That was how Maria had operated for years.

And she made her way into the crowd. She would not seem over-eager to meet up with Zelda, so she said her hellos to the nobles along the way, no matter how long it took to close the gap. But, once there... she held out a silk gloved hand.] Good evening. Is your first dance this evening free?

[The trip to Riverglen had been thankfully without much fanfare or trouble. Despite being the princess, Zelda wanted to be more discreet, refusing one of the fancy royal carriages. The one she opted for blended in well with the others on the roads. Her father always boasted military strength when traveling while she preferred to be incognito.

Which bode well for her when she arrived in Riverglen. There was no big drama or anything as she arrived. After her few belongings she took with her, as well as a gift to the Marchioness, were accounted for, Zelda mostly stayed in the guest room till the night of the ball.

After being presented, her own gown decorated in her most worn colors, she waited along the wall for Maria. As time went by, her heart started aching. Maria should be here... which turned out to be true, Zelda's heart leaping when she heard Lady Maria be presented.

She stayed where she was to not look too eager when Maria finally came up to her, taking the other woman's hand readily.]

Of course.

[She must really be in a good mood, because the corner of her lips twitches up into a half-smile - a private one, mostly just for her princess' eyes only, but a few onlookers may see it.

Onlookers she doesn't mind spotting her.

She holds out a gloved hand, and bows her head a little - it doesn't come anywhere near making them close to the same height, but it's a bow nonetheless, and once Zelda's hand is firmly in her own, she leads them both toward the dance floor to begin their dance. No one really gets out of the way for the princess and the viscount, but that's probably all the better. It means it's not a spectacle to the goers.]

[The smile fills her chest with a warmth that Zelda is glad only Maria has been able to bring out in her. She can't imagine anyone else affecting her that way.

She doesn't mind the others not parting for them. It makes her feel at ease that no one would treat her differently than they treat the others here. For once, she feels like she fits in.]

There are more people here than I see at the balls my father hosts.

Your father isn't as popular as he likes to pretend. [It is possible to hold fealty for a king, but not particularly like him, and perhaps that is the sentiment here. They like the princess well enough, from what Maria can tell, but the king is far less popular. But, he is their king, and they are beholden to defending the kingdom, and so they do.

As soon as they're on the dance floor, Maria curls her fingers around Zelda's hand, settles the other on her waist, and waits for the start of a bar of music to launch into the dance. Well, "launch", it's not a particularly dramatic thing - the dance is a bit more subdued, but it'll give them the chance to talk.] And more of the nobles than he realizes like to keep him out of the loop of... unimportant things.

I have come to realize this as I grow older. [No one seemed genuine when around him. Zelda hopes that she is more likable than her sire.

Placing her free hand on Maria's shoulder, she lets the other woman lead. Even if it is a much slower son than expected.] Then they should be glad to know he is not one to nose himself into a situation that is not beneficial to him in any way.

And it does not embitter you? [Regardless of the tumultuous relationship between Zelda and her father, Maria does know the bonds of family can be very strong. As it should be, ultimately, but that does not mean that family members can be above reproach. Maria never did get along much with her aunt.

The music hits a new bar, and Maria turns their dance a half-turn with the rest of the crowd, and they continue to go.]

2019 CMO

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