[Afternoon]

[Southern Kingdom - Capital city: Chesterton - Heiress Lady C. Lenoir’s Manor]

(Christine, a noble lady of the Southern Kingdom, became a young heiress by the sudden and unfortunate death of her father, Marquess Charles Lenoir. Two moons had yet to pass, and the death of her mother followed; for the widowed lady grieved him greatly.) 

(From these unfortunate events, long had passed, and now noted by all peoples was this young lady’s fair beauty.)

(Soon would come calling, suitors, in their numbers, with their rich gifts and their superfluous speeches. In vain though these expectant courtiers, who continuously filled her lobby, called.) 

(However, of these visitors, there was one whom she found herself to be filled with much affection towards; for they were long friends.)

(To be regarded as a suitor, this young gentleman was not, though only at first. For an easy and welcomed change did slowly occur and informal discussions of shared tragedies and words of comfort turned into flattering compliments and fine expressions.)

(Though it had been some time since they last met this way; years in fact, of recent, he visited frequently. And once again she received kindly her esteemed friend, her affections remaining unchanged and so, toward the parlour made her way to meet him.)

(Now there she stood, before the doorway’s threshold; her complexion pinked at the sight before her.) 

(Alone the heiress entered to find him; tall and pensive by the windows at the opposite end, his hands clasped behind his back.

(Soft sunlight surrounded him and as the doors closed softly behind her, he turned.) 

(The lady curtsied and heard her especial guest say) 

Roman: Good afternoon

Lady Lenoir: Good afternoon, Your Majesty

(A true beauty; blushing and fair, she appeared to glow while in his presence.)

(And he, void of any discernible expression, silently observed her.)

(Her dark brows then furrowed and with much concern, she asked)

Lady Lenoir: My King? Are you well?

Roman: ….I am, yes

(The lady’s smile returned; blushing almost, and she heard him ask of her)

Roman: And you?

Lady Lenoir: I am

(In each other's presence both then silently stood; His Majesty unabashedly so.)

Roman: ..Here..

Lady Lenoir: ..?

Roman: ..Sit with me. There is no need for formalities. We may speak as we are accustomed

(She gave a gentle nod and both sat facing the other, a low ornate table between them.)

(Proud and upright was he and most calm his features seemed, however, he fidgeted with the signet ring upon his little finger.)

(Christine, recognising this common behaviour of his, questioned kindly)

Lady Lenoir: What troubles you?

(Immediately, he halted; clasping his hands instead and momentarily dropping his gaze)

Roman: When last I visited,...that was..

Lady Lenoir: …

(She noted the tenseness in his voice and in his hands as he squeezed them together. And with that, Christine smiled shyly and said)

Lady Lenoir: You needn’t apologise again..

Roman: …

Lady Lenoir: ..You weren’t yourself that evening..

Roman: …

Lady Lenoir: ….I understand

Roman: No..

Lady Lenoir: ..?

Roman: No...I meant,..when we…were together 

Lady Lenoir: …Do you regret having spent that day…with me?

(Roman began, as he gently shook his head.)

Roman: …? No, I…

(In an attempt at changing the topic, Christine questioned) 

Lady Lenoir: So little time…much has changed since then, hasn’t it?

Roman: …A lot has, yes.

Lady Lenoir: …

Roman: Christine…?

Christine: …yes?

(At her bright expectant eyes Roman’s brows furrowed as he stared intently. And when next he spoke, his tone was notably different.) 

Roman: There has been something made known to me of recent.

Christine: …oh?

Roman: I happened upon it actually. And when I attempted to search into it further, there was nothing.

Christine: …

Roman: Father had everything concerning it destroyed. At least, so it would seem.

Christine: Destroyed? 

Roman: …

Christine: ..In regards to what exactly?

Roman: Grandfather’s death.

Christine: Your grandfather? …The late Duke?

Roman: Yes. 

Christine: …

Roman: ..What do you know of it?

Christine: Mm..very little. Only what was said

Roman: …

Christine: And of it, I cannot recall much. Save for, the extended family of the late King..were..to blame

Roman: It was the reason why those little deceitful half cousins of ours were sent away to residences in the east, and why uncle was publicly executed, yes. 

Father made it well known that he was to blame. But there were others. 

Christine: ..

Roman:  Tell me, what do you remember of your father, Christine?

Christine: ..! Papa? 

Roman: ….

Christine: Papa was-…many things held his interest, his attention. I usually saw quite little of him..

Roman: …

Christine: But when I did, we spent that time out at Eastbrook. With the river and lakes near- he made those times quite special for all of us. I have..a few fond memories of him

Roman: I see..

Christine: …

Roman: And during those times, was anything odd or strange ever to occur? Unfamiliar guests perhaps?

(Off to the side then the other she glanced. She then shook her head and said) 

Christine: ..To the best of my- No. I- I am unable to remember if there ever were….

Roman: ….

Christine: My apologies

Roman: I see.

Christine: …

(Roman was lost in thought but the lady tilted her head and in breaking the silence asked)

Christine: Why- 

Roman: ..?

Christine: ..Why do you ask about papa?

(And most candidly, he replied)

Roman: Because, your father was involved in grandfather’s death as well, Christine.

Christine: ..?! No…papa, he..

Roman: He was sent away, shortly after the trial while you were at the academy.

Christine: Sent away? No, he was- he was here with mama before he-

Roman: …

Christine: I assure you, papa was not involved. He would never

Roman: …

Christine: He would never. Why- why would he…?

Roman: I thought perhaps you would know

Christine: …

Roman: Lenient.

(He said as though disgusted and elaborated no further.)

Christine: …?

Roman: He was exiled- banished to one of those volcanic islands in the Black sea, where he later died

Christine: No, no- papa’s death was an accident. I remember..I remember that I was told, I…that he…

(While she shook her head and stammered to a silence, Roman quietly took note of Christine before concluding her thought)

Roman: ..that bandits, along some road less travelled, took all he carried along with his life.. 

Christine: …

Roman: ..I have never known father to be merciful but perhaps this was his way of affording it. The late Marquess and father were somewhat close and thus he spared him and his family the humiliation. 

Christine: …

Roman: Clearly you were not aware of such…

Christine: I- no. .. I..

Roman: I am sorry, Christine..

(Simple and clear, she heard him apologise and it only confused her further. For she was uncertain if it was because he broke the news so abruptly or whether he now offered some late condolence.)

(While her emotions stirred to the brink of tears, Christine observed that he was unchanged. Unreadable. Still, he continued)

Roman: ..Father warned me about you..

Christine:  …

Roman: …said you were to never be trusted.

Christine: ... 

Roman: I did not believe because I did not wish to. However..

(He then narrowed his gaze and questioned)

Roman: Can I trust you, Christine?

Christine: …

(Softly she then heard herself say)

Christine: …Even if I should say so, you have already made your decision..

Roman: …

Christine: ..haven’t you?

Roman: …

(While she lowered her face and blinked back tears, a silence lingered between them. And as before, she interrupted it and said)

Christine:  What punishment will my king exact on me?

Roman: …

Christine: Must I never speak with you again? But how could I when-

Roman: My grandfather’s murder, Christine.

Christine: …

Roman: Perhaps..

(He said as he stood. In acknowledging her, he gave a slight nod and added)

Roman: ..but I pray you do not hold my decision against me. From onward thus we part ways, Lady Lenoir.

Christine: …

[PRESENT DAY]

[10 Years and many months later]

*

[August]

[Evening]

[Southern Kingdom - Castle’s Great Hall]

Of feasting and jollity and dancing the warm evening was filled; a summer ball, the Crowning ceremony. 

A celebratory end to the yearly hunt. 

And here now; awarded for his superb feat, a young gentleman, a lord, handsome and proud. He stood before his king and all present to be highly honoured.

Roman: Congratulations, young DuMont. 

The young man beamed and held his chest high. He replied gracefully 

-- Thank you, Your Majesty. 

Roman: You’ve fared well during this season’s hunt. Indeed, a proud moment for yourself and your family.

-- Thank you. It is Your Majesty, yes.

His eyes caught the attention of the king, then to the many noble onlookers gathered at the opposite end of the hall behind him. 

So he turned. And there he saw his parents standing amongst the crowd.

Roman: Receive your prize. 

Immediately returning full his attention, on one knee he knelt while the King gave a short announcement and presented him with a sleek longbow made of ebony. 

The young lord heard nothing spoken until the sound of applause and the King above him saying

Roman: You may stand.

Warmly his parents received and embraced him yet briefly, for they made their way toward the King, while he, the young noble, was soon surrounded by excited chatter and swarmed with many congratulations.

Roman appeared most indifferent but in a respectable tone he said

Roman: Congratulations on your son’s achievement, Marquess DuMont.

Deeply both proud parents bowed. The father replying humbly

Lord DuMont: Thank you, Your Majesty.

Roman: And to you, Marchioness.

Lady DuMont: Thank you, my King 

She saw his eyes linger upon hers before he suddenly excused himself and turned his attention elsewhere.

-- You now wish to tell him, don't you?

The words were whispered into Christine’s ear; the voice of her husband. She then looked and marked a smile upon his face. Genuine it appeared, yet into her face he leaned closer and said with much spite

Lord DuMont: It’s much too late now, he shall not believe you.

His expression; quite pleased, annoyed her. She spat at him saying

Lady DuMont: That is what you always say!

Lord DuMont: Ah! Now, now…be sure to smile. Many eyes are upon you..

Lady DuMont: …

Lord DuMont: You wish to prove me wrong? 

Lady DuMont: …

Lord DuMont: Then, go on ahead. I shall not hinder you. 

Lady DuMont: …..

Lord DuMont: But know this…you shall undo all that which your son has indirectly done for you. Do you wish to do away all of it?

Lady DuMont: …

Lord DuMont: But only a few years ago- Have you forgotten how everyone spoke of you? And look at them now…

As she glanced around the boisterous room, she heard him continue on to say

Lord DuMont: ..Do you see their faces? 

Lady DuMont: …

Lord DuMont: See…it is everywhere. Envy. Is that not better?

Lady DuMont: ….

Lord DuMont: I know you agree.

Lady DuMont: …

Lord DuMont: Therefore, you shall tell him nothing…understood?

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