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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 15, 2020 14:36:24 GMT -8
King Stefan's CastleThe castle located in King Stefan's Kingdom, where the paranoid and power hungry King Stefan sits upon the throne and rules on his own. Other residents include Rose's lady in waiting, Mina.
Events taking place 1 year before Dark Curse.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 15, 2020 15:05:07 GMT -8
***Rose and Francis enter from King Stefan's Kingdom - Forest***
They cleared the last of the trees and Rose had full view of the castle up ahead. So many emotions flooded her. Anticipation. Fear. Anxiety. Hope. Dread. All the horrible things she'd heard about her father and yet, she couldn't help but want to meet him. Nor could she help herself from hoping that there would be joy, or even love, upon his face for setting his eyes upon his daughter for the first time since she had been but a baby in a cradle.
Rose slowed her horse to a stop and looked to Sir Francis with all the doubt and worry written on her face. "I am not ready for this," she said with slight panic. One may automatically assume her reason for panic was based on the stories of the Mad King but instead, they stemmed from the worry that she might be the problem. "I fear I may be a disappointment." She couldn't help but think it. She was not worldly, not versed and practiced in the ways of being a princess, nor did she feel that she looked or carried herself as one.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 21, 2020 15:06:43 GMT -8
Of course, Francis had noticed the rollercoaster of emotions that flashed over the princess' features for already quite a while, but as the gentleman as he was seeing himself, he pretended to not have seen it. No one would be able to take away the fear and anxiety about meeting a father such as King Stefan from her. And yet, it was breaking his heart to be no more than a watcher with his hands tied.
"I am not ready for this,", she suddenly approached him as they slowed their horses.
Francis didn't feel comfortable with the idea of telling her that all stories she might have heard about the Mad King weren't true, because they were, but he also felt like he had to say something to soothe her mind anyway. But just as he was going to come up with some words of encouragement, the princess went on with words he truly hadn't expected.
"I fear I may be a disappointment."
She couldn't be serious about this, and yet there was no sign of irony on her features, for irony didn't seem to be something in her repertoire at all. Taking his time to descend from his horse, Francis concluded that she pretty much was serious about this. With gallantry, he stepped up towards princess Aurora, with one hand holding on the reins of his own horse while lending his other to help her descending from hers.
"My princess", he spoke up kindly, once they both were back to their feet again. "There is not even one scenario in my head that would show you being a disappointment." And he meant every word. "I saw a princess ever since we met."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 28, 2020 18:39:54 GMT -8
He looked bothered over what she'd said and she worried further, thinking that perhaps he'd been thinking the same thing. He was a knight who'd spent his life around royalty and the court. Rose had never been around royalty. Or so she thought. She had no idea that the man she loved, the one she'd risked returning to the tavern for, was a prince. Unfortunately, the gamble had not gone in her favor which landed her in her current predicament. Even more unfortunately, he hadn't shown. Her mind was far too occupied with her current situation to dwell on that for the moment.
She watched him descend from his horse and walk over, holding up a hand to her. Rose released her reins and accepted his hand as she descended from her own horse. Feet back on the ground, she prepared herself for the hard hitting truth that would confirm her worries.
"My princess" "There is not even one scenario in my head that would show you being a disappointment." "I saw a princess ever since we met."
Rose relaxed. Not only his words, but the sincerity with which he spoke them brought her great comfort. "Really?" she said rhetorically, and for the first time, felt herself truly at ease in his company. An open and genuine smile restored her features to their usual setting of carefree happiness and joy for the first time since before their unfortunate first meeting. Overjoyed at being restored to her normal self and for feeling as if she truly had someone who would stand on her side with her wellbeing in mind, Rose was moved to impulsively step forward and wrap her arms around his middle. She wished this good knight was her father rather than the man known far and wide as a tyrant. "Thank you," she said before releasing him from the embrace.
Rose stepped away to run a hand along her horse's mane while she gently spoke to it. "What do you think? Are you ready to go home?" she asked. The horse moved its head up and down as if answering in the affirmative, then affectionately nudge her hand. Chuckling quietly, she reached into her bag and retrieved an apple, holding it out for him. He took it up greedily and munched away while Blue landed on the saddle horn and tweeted at her. Rose laughed, having a good understanding of Blue's different tweets and mannerism after all the time they'd spent in each other's company. "Well of course I have something for you as well." Seeds always at the ready for him, she reached into her pocket and retrieved a handful. Blue landed on her upturned wrist and feasted on the seeds in the palm of her hand.
So absorbed in the animals and feeling as if she'd gone back to a happy, carefree time where it was only herself and the company of animals in a secluded forest, she'd almost forgotten that this was no forest and that another human was present. Angling carefully so as to not disturb Blue's eating, Rose looked to her side. "I think I'm ready."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 29, 2020 14:22:34 GMT -8
"Thank you,"
It would have been a lie if he said that he didn't feel kind of enchanted by her sudden happiness and joy that seemed like coming from the deepest of her heart. One might have written off his words, that obviously had been breaking through the very last stone of the wall between them, as a tactical move or even manipulation, yet Walter had meant each of them. Rather than having seen her as a princess right away, he might have seen her as Queen Leah's daughter in the first place though. With this change or rather intensity in her behavior and especially with the sudden physical contact, the borders between kinship and likeness threatened to cloud, as memories started to surface. The princess was releasing him from her arms before he could have allowed these memories to affect his reactions; reactions that, of course, would have performed in strict accordance with his principles of being a knight and first of all a gentleman.
Silently Francis watched her speaking to the horse and also the bird, as if it was the most natural thing, especially in the way she did. He couldn't suppress an entranced smile at that scene right in front of him.
"I think I'm ready.", she eventually addressed him again.
Francis had been almost more absorbed in observing than she was herself in taking care of the animals. But before she could have witnessed, his features were shrugging it off as just thoughtfulness. "Then let us take these last steps to get you home.", he stated with a genuine smile before leading the way and nearing the gate behind that inviting little bridge, where a not so inviting father was waiting for his daughter to arrive. But Walter would be there for her, no matter how this would go...
*** Sir Francis and Princess Aurora enter through the gate ***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 5, 2020 16:45:26 GMT -8
Rose and Francis continued on foot, leading their horses beside them. The physical exercise was helping to ease her tension. That is, until the gates loomed ahead.
The sound of metal clanking accompanied by grunts and insults being thrown about reverberated from within. As they approached the opening in the gate, Rose could see men training in the courtyard. Her steps slowed as she watched in fascination. Rose had never witnessed battle before or swords really being put to use. They'd always been peacefully rested in their hilts at the side of men, seeming to be more of an accessory. This was a stark reminder that they were not accessories.
The reins were gently taken from her hand, drawing her attention. She looked to the groom who was staring at her with recognition, mostly likely having spoken before taking the action but she hadn't heard a word of it. "Thank you," she finally said with an appreciative smile.
Unaccustomed to such politeness, let alone even being acknowledged, the young groom looked slightly surprised and was immediately charmed by the smile that even further illuminated the beauty of the woman. "It is my pleasure, Your Majesty." He placed an arm across his chest and gave a deep bow.
Goodness, that was far too formal for Rose's liking. She wasn't even used to 'Princess' yet. "There's no need to address me so formally," she politely insisted. Then to her horror, he elaborately bowed to her. Rose held out an arm, just stopping herself from pulling him from his bow. "Oh, that is not necessary," she protested but attention was already being drawn and the sound of metal clanging was coming to a stop.
"As you wish, Princess." With a more subtle bow, he took his leave and led the horses to the stables.
Rose felt far more exposed without the horses to hide between. Sir Francis offered his arm and Rose gratefully took it, drawing a bit of strength from it. They made their way to the castle entrance. A courtyard full of men stood staring dumbstruck, the older as if watching the ghost of her mother moving past them and the younger struck by the beauty and charm as Rose made herself ignore the discomfort and concentrate on manners, maintaining the friendly smile, doing her best to offer it along with a small nod of greeting to as many as she could. A few managed to remember themselves enough to give a subtle bow.
Finally within the castle walls, Rose let out a sigh of relief and relieved him of the clasp she'd had on his arm. Her tension was high again and having to maintain her composure during what had felt like a mile long walk had frazzled her. "That was exhausting," she said, pausing and needing to collect herself before diving into the even more difficult task of facing her father for the first time.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 11, 2020 13:10:06 GMT -8
Francis couldn't help but smirk at the princess' bearings, although he tried to not let her see. He didn't want to give her the slightest feeling of anything she did would be not fitting a princess. All in all, she did well. And even if she didn't, her charm and beauty would have made up for it. The smirk grew to a satisfied smile when she accepted his arm to give her especially mental support on their way up to the castle.
While princess Aurora seemed to concentrate on her own manners, Francis replied the staring looks around with an almost scolding one of his own; maybe out of defensive impulse as he felt the princess' discomfort or maybe even out of jealousy which he wasn't aware of himself yet. And so his facial features almost took on kind of a disappointed look when she released his arm. He quickly regained his composure as her eyes wandered over at him.
"That was exhausting,"
"You did excellent, my princess.", Francis tried to encourage her. He really wished that she wouldn't have to fear the first time meeting with her father. No one should fear that. If it wasn't King Stefan who was that man. "I will be right behind you.", he added with a genuine smile before he added only inwardly: always. Maybe he should have said something like don't worry, everything will be alright, but the truth was that he had no idea how this would come out.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 26, 2020 0:51:54 GMT -8
Rose gave a tentative smile, trying her best to appear at ease. "Thank you. I shall draw courage and comfort in knowing you are there." The sound of voices echoed down the corridor, pulling her attention. One of those voice most likely belonged to her father. It was her first tangible link to him and it triggered that deep-seated need to know one's origins. Enough so that she momentarily forgot her anxiety. She moved toward the voices, her heart and mind listening for the one that spoke to the shared blood that flowed through their veins. Approaching the open door, she heard and knew which was her father's. It was more than the commanding tone that gave it away. Rose felt it deep in her bones. The feeling pulled her forward, all the bad things she'd heard completely forgotten. Stepping into the room, Rose saw men around a table. Her eyes immediately went to the back of the one in the center. She heard the men speaking but wasn't comprehending the words, so overwhelmed was she in this moment. Rose slowly began moving toward them. The men angled to the side of the table with a peripheral view of her approach turned their heads and quieted, staring speechless as the men outside had, but Rose didn't notice. Her full focus was on the man in the center as she continued to move forward. The other men caught on to the stares pointed behind them and turned to see what had captured their rapt attention. She saw her father suddenly still as if he sensed her and felt that same pull in his blood. He was the last to finally turn, stopping Rose in her tracks, several steps away. He took the rest of the steps, closing the distance and studied her face just as she studied his. "Hello, father," she managed to get out barely above a whisper. It was easily heard in the dead silence of the room. She thought she saw something there, a flicker of something beneath the surface that resembled some form of affection. His hand began to raise to her cheek though she did not catch that he'd stopped the reach and had even begun retreating for she was again finding herself emotionally moved to step forward to embrace the person before her. Rose felt sheer emotion choking her up as she held tight around his middle, her cheek pressed against his shoulder. It took several moments for her to realize that he did not return the embrace. Her eyes opened as embarrassment washed over her. Had she broken the proper decorum by embracing him in front of others? Rose gathered her shredded pride and tucked away her emotions, releasing her hold and taking a step back, demurely folding her hands before her. Not knowing the proper protocol, she remained still and quiet, waiting for him to guide her.
King Stefan - tempplay by Hollywood Heidi - King Stefan was taking his frustration out on his men. They stood around a large map that consumed most of the table, pouring over it. Each of the men gave their updates, pointing out the areas they'd gone to and the outcome of their findings. Which, apparently, were still none. All they'd gathered were rumors that had led nowhere. Stefan reigned in his anger. They would continue to look, no matter how long it took to find her. With a snap of his fingers, one of the servants rolled out a map of another area and King Stefan began working with his knights to assign them new territories to search. Halfway through the process, he'd lost the attention of his men. He looked up from the map to see them all staring behind him. A feeling overcame him and somehow, he knew. Turning slowly, his eyes locked onto the beautiful blonde young lady who so very resembled his late wife. Stefan moved forward, studying her as she studied him. His hand automatically began to raise toward her cheek but then Stefan remembered himself. Emotions and attachments were weaknesses. As he was withdrawing, the girl suddenly moved forward and held him in a tight embrace. Holding his arms away, he glanced down at the blonde head against his shoulder, a slight mix of surprise and displeasure on his face while he waited for her to let go. When finally she did, he watched her demurely stand before him. Polite, kind, driven by emotions. He even sensed a sweetness and naivete. He saw all those things in her and more, each a strike against her for each was a weakness in his eyes. That didn't matter though. Those attributes would make things easier for him and for the man she would be betrothed to. He studied her now with the greedy and paranoid eyes of one starving to strengthen his throne. There was great potential beneath her current peasant exterior. King Stefan wrinkled his nose in disgust as he took in her attire and layer of a long travel that covered her. "This will not do." He looked around, missing the downgrade from embarrassment to mortification that came across Rose's face as he waved a maid over. "You. Take her to her room. Have a bath drawn and see that she is properly attired." King Stefan assessed her once more in a detached manner. "The Queen's gowns should fit her." He waved them off. The maid gently took Aurora's arm and led her away. King Stefan barely noticed as he continued giving orders. Now that he finally had his bargaining chip, he could start the wheels in motion. "See that all the entrances are guarded," he said to the knights around the table. "Nobody goes in or out without my say. Send word to King George, requesting an audience. Sir Francis, I'd like a word. The rest of you are dismissed."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 26, 2020 17:37:48 GMT -8
There was a moment when Francis had almost forgotten about the unfeelingness of King Stefan, watching Aurora slowly approaching her father for the very first time. Deep down he wished for the impossible - that the mad king wouldn't spurn his own daughter. But unfortunately, Francis knew that was exactly what would be happening. He truly felt sorry for the girl, and it almost ached his heart with every step she took and every move she made to get closer to him, physically same as emotionally. And when she finally had reached him, Francis actually held his breath while her father turned around as if in slow-motion. Francis would be right behind, and he would do what it takes if King Stefan should lift only one finger to do her harm.
With grief in his heart, although not shown on his features, the knight watched that sad scene of the princess trying to gain just a little bit of love from her father while he had nothing but deadness to give back to her. Never would Francis treat her like that. At this moment it was not clear, not to himself anyway, if his feelings came from a fatherly impulse or something different, maybe deeper yet at the same time misplaced for so many reasons - especially since this feelings also came from the memory of how this man had treated Queen Leah once.
All the while of this tragedy, Francis didn't say a word and also didn't move, for he knew his place - to the outside, that was. He hoped that the princess would forgive him for his silence. And then, eventually, the king was addressing him.
"Sir Francis, I'd like a word. The rest of you are dismissed."
Francis finally moved, taking a step forward and took a light bow. Then he looked up into the face of his king. He wanted to punish it for how he treated Princess Aurora. But instead, he asked in a studied way: "My king?", expecting his efforts and success to finally get honored as they should. But then again, no honor could really satisfy him as long as it wasn't the kingdom itself.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 6, 2020 11:39:23 GMT -8
King Stefan - tempplay by Hollywood Heidi - King Stefan motioned to one of the chairs for Francis to sit before taking a seat himself. With the finding of Aurora, his mind continued to work on plans and his imagination kept building on the sense of strength, power, and security that would soon be his. A rare smile began to ease through his usual harsh features as he felt some of his paranoia starting to ease. "I knew I could count on you, Sir Francis. Tell me, where did you finally discover her?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 28, 2020 14:56:59 GMT -8
Francis did as he was prompted and took a seat before King Stefan would do the same and raise his voice again. He also thought to detect a rare smile on the King's features, surely not caused by joy over his daughter's return but by something else his crazy mind was coming up with, probably, at least, more at ease now where the princess was officially back. Francis was feeling a deep disgust towards this man, but he wouldn't show that.
"I knew I could count on you, Sir Francis. Tell me, where did you finally discover her?"
"Thank you, Your Highness.", Francis said in a way like a knight was talking to his king before he suddenly took on a more casual posture in his chair. "Well, she's back, after all. Nothing else matters,... or... does it?" His last words were actually more than just a phrase, more than just a rhetorical question. Francis was sure that there was a lot more that mattered to King Stefan indeed, and as he was the King's pick of the bunch, so to say, Francis knew that he was the only one who wouldn't get beheaded for such a question. He wasn't intimidated by this man - never had been.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 26, 2020 13:17:57 GMT -8
King Stefan - tempplay by Hollywood Heidi - Fingers steepled below his chin in thought, he pulled from them the slightest to look Francis over. He looked no worse for wear. If there had been anyone foolish enough to defy King Stefan by withholding what rightfully belonged to him, Francis would have easily dispatched them. But Stefan had long suspected Aurora had managed to elude them for so long by traveling on her own, hiding under the guise of a peasant, keeping her true lineage a secret. "No, no," Stefan said distractedly, dismissing his question with a wave of his hand. He was too busy thinking of the future he could now secure. King Stefan sat up now, resting his arms along the arm rest, looking, for once in a long time, confident and secure. He felt more in control and power now than he had in a long, long time and could sense it shone through and gave him the proper air of a king here in this chair around the war table. An air he'd felt was befitting the throne but had been missing. He wished now that he'd taken the time to cross to it to take his proper place rather than take his seat here. No matter. Once things were put into motion, he would sit upon his throne again and bask in this feeling that had been absent for far too long. "Even in the state you brought her to me," he said, slight disgust over the lower class laced through his voice despite the fact he'd once been one himself, "she is more a prize than I'd anticipated." Her sketch on the posters had been the only likeness he'd ever seen of her over all these years. He'd seen much promise but it did not compare to reality. That smug smile worked its way onto his power greedy face again and he said with great confidence, "The marriage alliance with King George's kingdom will be renewed."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Aug 15, 2020 12:43:48 GMT -8
Francis was observing King Stefan the same as he did with him. And still, probably nobody else would have dared to kind of act on a par with a king - with King Stefan, for that matter. "No, no,", he finally spoke up again, although that was not exactly what Francis had hoped for. But he also was aware of the fact that things wouldn't be so easy. They never were. Not for him. But would that cause him to give up? No. Never. Francis continued observing the king and his thoughtful mien until he would speak up again. King Stefan looked confident and secure as if he was certain of victory. He just wondered what kind of victory thoughts it would be this time. Sometimes he was seeing in King Stefan no more than a big child with power it should not hold - with power that rightfully belonged to someone else. Francis' features hardened for a moment, but by the time the king was raising a word again, he had himself back under control. "Even in the state you brought her to me," Francis felt the sudden urge to demand respect towards the beautiful being he was talking about, his own child, at that, but, as it fit for a knight, he remained calm and collected. "she is more a prize than I'd anticipated." And then, suddenly, he was all ears, trying his best to hide this upcoming anticipation, though, while he silently urged the king to speak on. "The marriage alliance with King George's kingdom will be renewed." It was then that dismay was permeating over his features for the little while of not having control over them. Taking one deep breath, Francis tried to calm himself while, right that moment, he would have liked nothing better than drawing his sword and beheading King Stefan all by himself. But no, that was not a wise idea. "My king...," Francis started quietly and slowly to allow himself enough time to say something wiser than this idea of beheading. "If I may have a word about that... Before rushing into something," he provided food for thought, of course, self-serving, "maybe it would be less a risk to not only unite two kingdoms but to run them? I mean... as one big kingdom." Maybe his next words would mean a big venture and certainly a hanging matter in King Stefan's eyes if coming out of the wrong mouth, but it was on time to reach out for what was his. The throne. "Maybe you can think of someone who you can trust unquestionably? Someone who would take the work of getting the kingdom on your side out of your hands? Someone loyal and well educated in... persuasiveness." Then Francis shrugged his own suggestion off with a smile, only to give the impression that he thought it was not his place to give advice, after all. "Purely hypothetical, of course." But in case he was evaluating him right, King Stefan would soon tout these thoughts as his own. Yet, in case he was wrong, he might have lost his status on the king's side forever.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 30, 2020 12:15:52 GMT -8
King Stefan - tempplay by Hollywood Heidi - The idea of holding power over two kingdoms and two armies had Stefan looking off in a momentary lapse of a daydream. But then the reality of the near impossibility of achieving that dream and the thought that the outcome would be reverse with King George gaining a second kingdom had him squirming uncomfortable in his seat. Stefan quickly schooled his features before looking back to Francis. "While I admire your ambition, King George's army is far too formidable. If we did manage to succeed, there would be hardly any men left on either side, leaving the kingdoms extremely vulnerable. Hypothetically speaking, of course." An idea struck him. "However," he said, holding up a finger as an idea began to form. "Once our kingdoms are united, perhaps you could persuade King George to lend us his army. Or a good portion of it. They along with our army could easily take possession of our neighboring kingdom." A look of disgust came over Stefan's face at the thought of King Hubert and how he ran his kingdom. Allowing his people to have a say. Encouraging them to bring their grievances and advice to court. Constantly striving for peace talks with his surrounding kingdoms. "It's a wonder how a kingdom run in such weakness has not already been overtaken."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 11, 2020 13:28:33 GMT -8
Francis had a clue that his words had not only fallen on sympathetic but also on paranoid ears. Well, he would find another way. However, the seed was thick on the ground.
"While I admire your ambition, King George's army is far too formidable. If we did manage to succeed, there would be hardly any men left on either side, leaving the kingdoms extremely vulnerable. Hypothetically speaking, of course."
Francis replied with no more than an implied nod to the King's addendum. They both knew very well that this was no hypothetical exchange of ideas, after all.
"However,""Once our kingdoms are united, perhaps you could persuade King George to lend us his army. Or a good portion of it. They along with our army could easily take possession of our neighboring kingdom." And there it was, the backup plan. There was just one question forming in his mind with this idea. To whom King Stefan was going to marry the princess off? Prince James was already married to princess Snow White. Unless...
While a look of disgust came over the King's features for a moment, it happened the same with Francis, just for other reasons.
"It's a wonder how a kingdom run in such weakness has not already been overtaken."
"I quite agree with that," he said, trying to brush off this imagination of King Stefan marrying his sweet little daughter to a bald-headed old man like King George. Instead of actually the age difference, it was something else that sent a shiver down his spine at that thought. Something that he couldn't put into words. "If you allow, your Highness," Francis spoke up again and changed the topic. "I'd offer myself to administer to Princess Aurora's needs until then. After all this time outside, she will probably need some time to settle in, and someone around she already knows and trusts. It could come in useful before she will receive the news." The truth was, Francis didn't feel like conversing much more with this man. Another truth was, he liked princess Aurora's company a lot.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 13, 2020 16:17:16 GMT -8
King Stefan - tempplay by Hollywood Heidi - Stefan only needed to give it a moment's consideration. "You did an admirable job of attending to the late Queen's needs while keep guard and protection over her. There is none I would trust more to do so with the Princess." It was a matter-of-fact statement, just as the thought had been. No emotional connection, no personal reference to either women. Only their titles as if that's all the meaning and importance they held. He nodded in the general direction the Princess had disappeared to. "She may need some..." Stefan rolled his hand while grasping for words of an action that did not suit his sensibilities, "gentle persuasion in understanding and accepting the future set for her. She seems compliant enough, but you know how women can be with all that 'love' nonsense." A sour look overcame his features.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 29, 2020 5:25:33 GMT -8
"You did an admirable job of attending to the late Queen's needs while keep guard and protection over her. There is none I would trust more to do so with the Princess."It was only a moment that a withheld emotion was about to surface at the cold or rather factual tone with which King Stefan spoke of Leah until Francis managed to swallow it down. He could be lucky that this had been the same moment when the king turned slightly to nod in the direction Princess Aurora had been disappeared to. "She may need some..." Love and the feeling of being welcome rather than a father who gave nothing but a cold shoulder? That was what Francis would have liked to say, among other things, helping the king out with finding the right words, but he knew those weren't pretty much part of this man's vocabulary anyway. "gentle persuasion in understanding and accepting the future set for her. She seems compliant enough, but you know how women can be with all that 'love' nonsense." Oh, so it was part of his vocabulary, yet not the meaning of it. Francis reacted with no more than a pretended understanding nod before saying his farewell with a professional bow to his king. "As you wish, your Highness." Once his back was turned towards King Stefan, that withheld emotion flashed over his features, after all. Luckily there were no other men around to see it. Francis would grant the Princess a little time on her own, though, before he'd pay her a visit. It surely had been a long day.
*** One hour later ***
As soon as Francis was standing in front of the Princess' chamber, he reattached his mask of professionalism. Although, with her, it seemed like that was going to come loose anyway, but in a different way. Francis had spent so much time at the king's side and the guard that he almost forgot how it felt speaking to someone as lovely and soft as her. Especially someone who brought back so many wonderful yet also painful memories. With one knock on the door, he announced his visit, of course, waiting for the Princess to answer it before he would enter.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 17, 2020 12:48:51 GMT -8
"Your bath has been drawn, Your Highness. I shall leave you to your privacy and fetch one of your mother's dresses."The maid assigned to attend to her had a kind face and a warm demeanor. Rose was glad to have someone she felt comfortable with while in the privacy of her bedchamber. "Thank you, Wilhelmina." "You may call me Mina, if you please, Ma'am.""Mina. I'd like that very much," Rose said, giving Mina a smile. Mina smiled kindly and gave a little curtsy before turning to go on her task. She stopped and turned back when Rose addressed her. "Mina," Rose began, looking a bit uncomfortable as she twisted her fingers in front of her, "I am not accustomed to being addressed so formally. I'd very much like it if you simply called me Rose." "Rose?" Mina repeated in confusion, having never heard that name in association with the princess. She would forever be doomed to try to explain this to the people in this new life. "It is the only name I've known. It is the name I've been called my entire life." That's right. The Princess had lived an entirely different kind of life, having no idea who she really was until just recently. Mina felt honored to be given permission to use an address far too formal for her to accept. The princess was nothing like her father and Mina couldn't be happier about that. Only moments in her company and like everyone before her, she was under the charm of the warmth and sweet innocence that radiated from the young lady's being. "Very well, Lady Rose. Though, if you don't mind, it may not be proper that I do so in the company of others."Rose's eyes widened at the thought of Mina, or anyone for that matter, getting in any trouble on her behalf. "Oh, that's perfectly alright," she quickly reassured. "I would not wish to cause you any trouble." With another warm smile, Mina nodded and headed for the Queen's old chamber to look through the selection of dresses, determined to find one as lovely as the person that would be wearing it. *** One hour later *** Rose sat quietly in deep thought as Mina put the finishing touches on what Rose could feel was an elaborate style to her hair. The last of the little light blue flowers that matched the dress she wore was picked up from the dresser and after a moment, the silence was broken. "There we are. You're all set, Lady Rose. Come and have a look."Rose took the hands Mina offered to help her to her feet. Mina was looking her over and beaming a proud smile at how it had all come together. She pulled Rose to the full length mirror and settled her in front of it, standing back to allow Rose to admire her handy work. Rose stared speechlessly at the woman she hardly recognized staring back at her in the mirror. That was her face alright, but the dress was far from anything she'd ever dreamt of wearing. Beautiful as it was, she was unaccustomed to such finery. She was afraid of even setting a wrinkle in the dress. How did one bake in this? How did one play in the gardens or sit on the forest ground to visit with the animals? Her eyes wandered up to her hair. Mina had braided part of her hair and fashioned into a loop atop her head, like a simple crown made up of a blonde braid with little light blue flowers placed throughout the braided crown. The rest of her hair flowed freely in their natural waves. "Oh, it's beautiful. You are an artist," she said, more focused on Mina's personal creation with the hair rather than the fancy dress. Mina blushed happily. "Thank you, Lady Rose. It is really easy when an artist is given such fine material to work with," she said modestly as she stepped to Rose's side to pull one of her locks of hair forward to rest over her shoulder. She was just thinking how fun it would be to work with this long, thick hair, ideas playing through her mind when there was a knock at the door. Seeing the happy, relaxed demeanor of the princess change back to that frightened deer look, Mina sympathetically took Rose's hand and patted it. "Everything is going to be alright. I'll go see who that is."With a nod, Rose remained where she was and watched Mina head for the door. Was it her father? Had he come to see if she was ready and properly presentable so that he could introduce her to the people who worked this castle and its grounds? "Sir Francis," Mina said with a respectful bow of her head. "The princess is ready."Rose heard the quiet murmur of Mina's voice but couldn't make out what she was saying. The door was opened wider and Mina turned, beckoning her over. Seeing that it wasn't her father sent a flood of relief through her. "Sir Francis," Rose said as she walked to the door, a bright smile in place over finding instead that it was the one other person within these walls she felt comfortable with.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Oct 25, 2020 14:08:35 GMT -8
It didn't take long until the door got opened, yet the face he met there wasn't the princess' but Wilhelmina's.
"Sir Francis,"
"Mina," he greeted in return, showing the same respect to her as to anybody else in these walls. Despite his rank, Francis had always been polite to the servants, although more in a formal and never actually in a way that would make him appear like he was personally attached. On the other hand, never would he have expected to feel that way about princess Aurora. Sure, she was Leah's daughter, and that was reason enough to feel somewhat attached to her, but she also was the daughter of King Stefan and not his. In a different world, though, she might have been.
"The princess is ready."
"Thank you, Mina, for your..." Suddenly Francis stopped in the middle of his sentence once he saw the princess standing in the background, more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. There probably was a moment in which his jaw dropped, ever so slightly yet misbecoming, as he judged himself. Quickly Francis was back to his professional state.
"Sir Francis,"
After all, a warm smile was flitting across his face when princess Aurora welcomed him with one of her delightful ones of her own. "My princess. If I may say so, you look... astoundingly beautiful." He hoped that wasn't too much, while at the same time, he found it still too less to describe how she actually looked. There might be no words for that even.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 14, 2020 14:20:25 GMT -8
Rose blushed prettily. "Truly?" she said, a light questioning in her voice. She held out her skirts, looking down at herself and feeling unsure. "This will do, then," she surmised, addressing the criticism her father had had. "Will I do?" she wondered aloud, letting go of her skirts to worry her fingers whilst looking imploringly at Sir Francis, questioning if there was something else about herself she needed to address outside of physical appearance.
She wasn't fishing for compliments. That wasn't like her at all. Everyone had always been so kind and forthcoming toward her growing up with compliments toward both her inner and outer beauty, her singing voice, her baking skills, and for the kindness and care she'd always treated people and animals with in kind. The only negative had been that she was too kind and too trusting, which she hadn't viewed as a completely negative attribute. In the short time she'd left home, the handful of people she'd met had been the same toward her. But meeting her father had been different. It was the first time she'd felt this feeling of questioning who she was and how she could improve. The first time her confidence had been bruised.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Nov 15, 2020 15:00:36 GMT -8
"Truly?""This will do, then,""Will I do?"
"One must be blind to find anything fault with you," he dared to answer her soliloquy with another compliment. Francis just couldn't help but signify his entrancement towards her, misbecoming or not. However, he meant it. The only disgrace he was seeing was a father not seeing the wonderful daughter he had. The last thing Francis wanted to see on this beautiful face was the grief that father would cause. Yet, he felt like this was inevitable, for that man had no heart in his chest.
Clearing his throat, he turned to face Wilhelmina again. "Mina, would you give us a moment?" Francis asked in a friendly yet claiming tone. There was something he wanted to hand out to princess Aurora, for he was sure it would give her enough confidence and mental backup for what was ahead of her. Francis was waiting until Mina had left the room before he produced something from the pocket of his coat that he had always carried with him. "This had belonged to your mother once," he said as he opened his hand, a brooch, formed like a little bird, in it. "May I?" Francis added questioningly, already reaching in the direction of her done hair to add this last piece for perfection.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 13, 2020 17:28:17 GMT -8
"One must be blind to find anything fault with you,"
Rose blushed again as she gave a heartfelt "Thank you" to him for putting her so at ease. Her father had found fault with her, though Rose was sure Francis hadn't meant his comment as a slight toward the King. It would be improper and ill advised to speak badly of one's king. Francis was merely being kind and trying to put her at ease.
"Mina, would you give us a moment?"
Mina had been bustling about the room, subtly observing. She'd been very young when she'd tended to Queen Leah. Barely of age to have just started formally tending to a lady of upper class and without the experience of having tended to a lady of lesser title when Queen Leah had given her the honor of a highly sought after position. She'd been too young to understand Sir Francis' demeanor toward the Queen and most especially, to read into the way he'd looked at her. It was part of a woman's intuition that developed a few short years into adulthood and sharpened as the years went by.
Rose, so much the image of her mother, standing before Sir Francis set a scene that sent a wave of familiarity over her. Sir Francis' demeanor toward Rose showed only hints of how his demeanor had been toward Queen Leah, but it was enough to suddenly strike her with realization over a secret truth of the past. Her woman's intuition recognized now that Sir Francis had harbored feelings for the Queen. And now, with the hints of how he'd looked at Queen Leah suddenly emerging once again, Mina couldn't help but wonder if Sir Francis was developing an attachment to Queen Leah's daughter. She hoped it was one borne of his feelings toward the young girl's mother, a need to protect and cherish a part of Queen Leah that she was no longer around to protect, rather than a transference of what he'd felt toward Queen Leah. The princess so resembled the Queen near to the tragically young age they'd lost her. If one could forget the years that had passed, one's feelings might mistaken the Princess for the Queen.
Without breaking any stride in the realization that might have bowled over others, Mina continued to tidy until Sir Francis had addressed her. Rose's lower class garbs neatly tucked over her arm, Mina approached them with eyes intent on Rose, waiting for her mistress's permission to be excused from attending to her but more importantly, to leave her unattended with a man in her chambers.
Rose gave Mina a reassuring smile and nodded with her approval that Mina give them a moment. She couldn't help the worried look on her features as her eyes took in her own clothes in Mina's arms. What would become of them? Her father did not approve of them, but they were some of her very few own possessions and a familiar and comforting part of her life and who she was.
"I'll have these washed and returned to you, Princess," Mina promised with a small curtsy before leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed behind Mina, Rose turned her expectant gaze toward Francis. Her concern over what her father expected in a daughter still occupying her thoughts, Rose assumed Francis wanted a private moment to coach her. There was more than the proper attire required of a Princess, after all. Instead, he silently reached into the pocket of his coat and Rose caught the light glinting off a small object.
"This had belonged to your mother once,"
All thoughts and worries based on her father fell from her mind as Rose's full attention went to the small item resting in Francis' palm. Her features softened with the thought of her mother along with her forgotten worry. Rose's eyes flitted up to Francis' face as she stepped closer for a better look.
It was a small, beautiful, light blue bejeweled bird. It reminded her a lot of Blue and it warmed her heart to think that her mother appeared to have a fondness for the small creatures as well. Her hand lifted to touch it, but she stopped short, afraid of handling something of such finery.
"May I?"
Again, her eyes went up to Francis' questioningly. "This is for me?" she asked in hopeful surprise. Her question was answered when he stepped to her side and started to raise the little hair ornament. Rose angled herself obligingly, feeling the beautiful little bird coming to rest along the side of her braid between the little flowers already scattered throughout it.
Rose angled her head up to look at Francis with such happiness radiating off her. She lifted her hand and carefully placed her fingers lovingly on the bird. "Thank you. I will cherish it always."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Dec 20, 2020 12:57:50 GMT -8
While Francis was adjusting the bejeweled bird in her hair, his mind was so deep in the past that not even her question seemed to really get through to him, but instead was more sounding like an echo coming from somewhere distant. Once the barrette was on exactly the right spot, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips. In this very moment, he wasn't facing Princess Aurora anymore, but instead his beloved Leah. The woman he had solely loved. The smile was still resting on his face, even when he took one step back again. The happy smile on the princess' face was only adding to the old feelings that had never died - not even over all the years - and were now taking a hold of what reminded them so much of her. If Francis had been of sound mind, he would rather not have thought about his own behavior and what he longed for. Eventually, and probably also fortunately, the princess spoke up again and, with that, brought him back to the here and now.
"Thank you. I will cherish it always."
"She would have wanted you to have it," Francis replied with still a smile, yet now much more in a proper way. He didn't really blame himself, though; probably didn't even notice himself that the feelings he'd had for her mother were starting to transfer to the daughter, rather than seeing her as a part of her that was to protect in a paternal way.
Clearing his throat quietly, Francis took another step back. "Do you want me to accompany you, my princess?" He really wasn't going to rush her, but he also knew how much King Stefan liked to wait, sarcastically spoken. She shouldn't meet her father at his worst, not on the first day, that was. That will happen soon enough, anyway.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 10, 2021 13:19:29 GMT -8
Rose looked at him gratefully, some of the tension over having to face her father again easing. "I would be forever grateful," she said, trying to hide how nervous she was as she took Francis' arm. As he'd been the one to offer to accompany her, she thought he wouldn't mind the forward gesture. Dreading having to face her father again, she thought she would once again draw strength from the small gesture of being formally escorted by someone who seemed to have her best interest at heart. And someone who thought she'd been perfectly fine the way she'd been.
Had she any idea of the feelings beginning to stir within Sir Francis, Rose would not have done anything that would have led those feelings on. She had no notion and so she carried on being her warm, friendly self and openly accepting the offer of gestures she did not see as carrying any meaning further than a general concern for a person one had been tasked with protecting.
As they stepped into the hallway and began the long walk to the throne room, Rose could feel her nerves increasingly rising. Rose grasped for something to distract herself. "Tell me something about my mother?" she politely asked, the hint of a plea in her voice.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Feb 6, 2021 14:41:26 GMT -8
"I would be forever grateful,"
Francis replied her smile with one of his own, yet again in danger of losing himself in the sparkling of her eyes. Never would he come up with a longing for someone who could have been his daughter in more than only the way of looking at their age difference, if she didn't look so much like her.
With pleasure, Francis allowed Princess Aurora to get a hold of his arm. As much as he started to actually realize his affection towards Leah's daughter, Francis was still not blaming himself. Instead, he just enjoyed the memories that were coming up. Was a man really to blame for that?
Some sense came back to himself once they stepped into the hallway, as the nearing of the throne room was reminding him of the path they walked. There was probably nothing more effective than a meeting with King Stefan when it came to the sobering from any kind of affection. He felt the princesses' grip tightening on his arm. How heartless could a father be to scare his own daughter so much that she would shake with fear on her way to meet with him? When Francis slightly turned his head in her direction, he saw a soft smile laying on her lips, though. Her next words would tell him where that suddenly came from.
"Tell me something about my mother?"
There was so much to tell that Francis didn't even know where to start or from which memory to pick only one. Her question also brought joy, same as sorrow to his heart, yet he decided to focus on the former. And then a dreamy smile appeared on his face. "She was very different from what people were expecting of a queen. Not on the outside," he added with an almost apologizing tone as if to ward off any misunderstanding his statement could have prompted. "She was a flawless beauty. I meant on the inside. Leah would often be seen walking through the halls, barefoot. Or sitting in the garden, not on one of the benches but on the ground." He chuckled softly as he remembered. King Stefan surely had never seen her the way he had. For him, she hadn't been more than just a wife to complete the picture of the throne. A place she had always hated, mostly because of the husband next to her. Or so Francis had guessed. Never would she have said so herself.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 7, 2021 18:30:04 GMT -8
Rose let out a musical chuckle at the picture he painted. "Well, I hope they are prepared for the unexpected to continue, for it seems I very much follow in my mother's footsteps--or barefeet, as it were." She chuckled again at her own little joke. The distraction doing its job, Rose was slowly becoming more of her real, animated self. Enthusiasm and joy for life shining through. Walking barefoot through a castle, she could see as unusual, but the other thing? "And sitting on the ground!" she said, turning slightly toward him with an expression of surprise that that would be considered different and unexpected. "I do not see anything amiss with that. How does one expect to commune with the animals if they do not try to join them on their level?" she asked, eyes slightly wide in befuddlement. "One does not like to be looked down upon from such a height. It tends to make one feel small and fearful with the intimidating figuring looming so high above them."
Of course she wasn't aware that communing with forest creatures was quite unusual. She had no idea that animals were generally skittish around people, for they were always quick to ease into comfort in her company. It wasn't just her gentle, patient nature or the fact that she usually had treats for them. It was also her voice, which she was unaware had been blessed by fairy magic that caught the trust and attention of the animals and drew them to her company.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 5, 2021 12:17:45 GMT -8
"Well, I hope they are prepared for the unexpected to continue, for it seems I very much follow in my mother's footsteps--or barefeet, as it were."
Francis chuckled along with her, if not for the joke, then at least for the contagious smile of hers. She really was reminding him a lot of Leah. If only his deceased beloved could see the flawless beauty her daughter had become, on the outside same as on the inside, just like she had been herself. Francis was also glad to see the distraction doing its job. If this would be of help, then it was the least he could offer to make this walk towards the throne room a less unpleasant task for the princess.
"And sitting on the ground!""I do not see anything amiss with that. How does one expect to commune with the animals if they do not try to join them on their level?""One does not like to be looked down upon from such a height. It tends to make one feel small and fearful with the intimidating figuring looming so high above them."
He chuckled once again, although, for a little moment, not quite sure if she was joking again or if she really meant what she said. Figuring it might be the latter, Francis let his chuckle die down into a quiet harrumph, hoping that she wouldn't take it amiss on him. "Let's just say it is quite unusual for a queen or a princess to do so." Same as it had been quite unusual how affectionate any creature of the fauna had been acting towards Leah. In silence, Francis wondered if that would be another thing that mother and daughter shared.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 6, 2021 19:56:35 GMT -8
"Though not unheard of." She grinned with their private understanding and knowledge of her mother. "Well then, I shall be an unusual princess," she proclaimed in proud amusement.
As they neared the doors to the throne room, Rose started nervously fussing over her appearance. She looked down at her dress, smoothing the already perfectly unwrinkled skirts. She reached up to make sure no wayward locks had made their way from the perfectly styled arrangement. Realizing the one lock Mina had artfully pulled over her shoulder had fallen back behind it, Rose reached over her shoulder to try to arrange it back into place. And now, she was worrying that she may have mussed something up whilst making sure everything was in order.
Pausing at the door now, the guards started reaching to open it, but Rose stopped them. "A moment, if you please?" They nodded obligingly, looking charmed as they patiently waited and observed the innocent sweetness of a trivial thing she was taking such care in. Rose did a last minute frantic check, noticing the material of the sleeves had been pulled up and twisted ever so slightly with barely discernable imperfections with her reaches, though very discernable to her own worried eyes, she started to fuss with them. "Oh dear, I've gone and mussed up Mina's perfect job."
Pulling her sleeve back perfectly into place, then smoothing away any wrinkles along the arm she may have caused with her reaches, Rose finally stopped her fussing and looked to the guards. "How's that?" Further charmed that the sweet princess who'd appeared a vision even in the garbs she'd arrived in had requested their opinion, they chuckled, schooled their features, then gave a succinct nod. "Not very talkative, are they?" she asked Francis, unaware that it wasn't proper for them to speak to her. "I believe I'm ready. No, I'm ready," she corrected with a bit of confidence, ruining it with a nervously added, "I believe." Rose was looking at him questioningly as if asking his opinion on whether she was ready.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 3, 2021 20:27:26 GMT -8
Sideglancing over at the Princess every now and then as she stressed herself with her appearance, which was - needless to say - flawless, Francis eventually happened to smile about that. He tried to banish that smile as quickly as it had come though, for he wouldn't like to appear as if he was finding amusement in her uncomfortableness. The upcoming task was surely not an easy one, at least not for somebody who certainly had hoped for a loving father to welcome her after so many years of probably believing that she had no family left at all, while all she would find was a monster.
"A moment, if you please?" Princess Aurora stopped the guards in their act of opening the doors that led to the throne room. "Oh dear, I've gone and mussed up Mina's perfect job."
Honestly, if this weren't about Queen Leah's daughter, this might have been the moment that even Francis' patience was to get tested since he had no idea how many times she had rearranged her hair and dress already whilst they had been walking the last ten feet up until here. He was as well only a man who, granted, might need at least twice as much time as the average man when it came to his wardrobe, yet still, the time she needed was merely the time a silkworm would need to create a whole new dress for her.
"How's that?"
Francis gave the guards a look as if to silently command to answer wisely, which they certainly would have, of course, even without his gazing. She was still looking splendid, and the sad truth was: King Stefan would still find something fault with her. The problem was not her, nor had it ever been her mother who he always had been finding fault with as well, but only himself.
"Not very talkative, are they?" Francis answered with no more than a half-hearted smile while, at the same, actually felt like he had to rush this at least a bit. "I believe I'm ready." Oh, thank goodness. "No," ... "I'm ready,""I believe."
"You look perfect," Francis suddenly intervened her monologue, first with a slightly exhausted sigh, then with a light chuckle. How could one not smile when looking into that face? "No, really. All the way perfect," he assured once more, this time even giving her a smile that came deeply from his heart before he urged after all: "But please... allow these gentlemen to open these doors now, will you?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 25, 2021 22:17:51 GMT -8
Judging by Sir Francis' exhaustive sigh, the time for procrastinating was over. He'd been so kind and patient with her, offering endless support. She smiled at yet another reassurance patiently given and nodded her answer, then turning her head to nod to the guards to open the door.
Replacing the smile with a demure, serious expression, Rose held her head high and walked forward with all the grace and propriety she could muster. It was natural to want to be loved by a parent, even if you've only just met them and despite what people might say about them. But first, she had to get him to like her. She convinced herself that that meant she couldn't be herself, as it had appeared he hadn't taking a liking to the real her.
Her father's eyes were on her, studying and judging her every move. Rose had never felt so self conscious. She was so petrified at the thought of taking a misstep and stumbling that she had no idea how she was still moving forward. It almost felt as if she her legs were working of their own accord, thankfully continuing their graceful progress forward.
Approaching the throne upon which her father sat, Rose came to a stop at the bottom of the steps and looked up at him. It brought to mind her recent statement to Sir Francis and she very much felt like one of the forest creatures, small and fearful with an intimidating figure looming above her.
Rising from his throne, he descended the stairs and continued assessing at closer range. Rose stood still as he slowly worked his way around her. It was far less intimidating now that he wasn't looking down at her from upon his throne. Now she felt as if she were a new carriage or piece of furnishing being considered for purchasing. It was unsettling, though far less unpleasant than being looked down upon.
Finally coming to a stop before her, King Stefan still did not look her in the eye or address her. Instead, he looked to Sir Francis. "This will do," he said with a single satisfactory nod. Not knowing her father well, she could not read the minute details of his expression and see the flicker of greed for the potential union of kingdoms this unearthed jewel would gain him. "You may go," he said, finally sparing a glance. "You are free to roam the castle."
He gave her a dismissive wave and turned away. Rose had a question but was hesitant to address him after having been dismissed. She started to turn, warring with herself, but finally paused and let the words come forth. "May I also roam the grounds?"
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