Chapter 121:
Angeline
Note: Ange is pronounced Ann-jeh, not Angie lol
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you all." A short woman stood in the doorway, her face full of warm smiles as the embellished, cutely-styled pink dress she wore softened her gentle features, particularly the short, shoulder length black hair around her face. Her skin was dark, surprisingly so on an elf in Clarence's opinion, having met only forest elves, but as Maeir and Silas stared towards her, they soon came to the realization the woman at the door was a mountain elf.
She was the last mountain elf they had seen since the attack in the mountains nearly ten years ago. While the forest elves were scattered throughout the continent, the attack on the forest elves was purely ethnic cleansing, killing nearly the entirety of the mountain elves by setting fire to the forests and blocking the paths down the mountains with soldiers. It was too horrific to recall for many of the elves, and seeing a mountain elf still alive was just as astounding.
Jasmine, seeing their collective confusion, introduced the young elven woman, "Angeline, come in. We've been waiting for you."
The young elf giggled, her hands resting in front of her as she walked into the room, her height surprisingly short the closer she came to the group. As she entered, she closed the door behind her and walked inside, "It's always a pleasure meeting more elves. You all must come from the southern forest by the Faelfier border, right?" Angeline raised a brow, seating herself next to Jasmine as she spoke. "Mille told me lots about you all, except for you-" She stopped, staring at Clarence with a bubbly smile, "Who are you?"
Clarence paused, his trepidation trailing on his tongue before Silas answered for him, "His name is Clarence. He was the first prince to the Yursear Kingdom, but I'm sure you've heard that has changed."
Angeline nodded, "Hm, so you're Prince Clarence? Mille didn't write this in her last letter." It would be obvious for any elf to carry strong feelings of hatred towards the Yursinean royal family, however Angeline's expression remained smiley, leaving Clarence to feel some level of discomfort the more he stared at her. "Nevermind that, I'll just ask her when she gets here."
Jasmine stared towards the trio and explained, "Mille is Countess Zavior's nickname. She is the countess's-"
Angeline interrupted, "-the countess is my wife."
Everyone paused as Jasmine's head flew sideways, her gaze fixed on Angeline, "When did you two get married?! Didn't you just propose?"
"Saying fiancée sounds too distant… and besides that, the wedding will be held in a few months." Angeline pouted, sticking out her tongue at Jasmine, "And maybe you should visit more often, then you would know."
Hearing the childish bickering, Maeir grew impatient and asked, "Back to the subject at hand, why is the countess bringing us here?"
"I can answer that." The doors soon opened, and a statuesque woman entered the room, her head nearly tapping the doorway as she lowered her head and walked through it, her heeled boots increasing her already large height. The woman's light hair was tied behind her head in a long ponytail, her slim figure outlined in a tailored men's suit, the pattern a plain black tone with delicate gem embellishments. "I see you have all arrived safely." The countess turned her head, smiling towards Devon, "Thank you, Devon. Please prepare to greet Lady Eva when she arrives."
"Of course." Devon bowed before closing the door to the sitting room, restricting the group to the room as the tall woman looked towards the group of guests with interest.
The tall woman walked past the group, gently lowering herself on the seat next to Angeline with practicied movements. As she stared forward, she gazed at the three guests with interest in her eyes, her gaze moving over them with interest. "Welcome to the Highland District. My name is Countess Camille Zavior, however please refer to me as Camille." She nodded her head lightly, "It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Thank you, Countess Zavior." Maeir spoke directly, bowing her head lightly in acknowledgement.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Camille." Silas spoke next, bowing his head, still dressed in the women's clothing prepared by Jasmine. Beside him, Clarence bowed his head lightly, keeping his mouth shut as he stared at the countess with interest.
Camille stared at the three with interest. "I heard there were two men in your group. All I see is three women." She cracked a smile, her eyes moving to Clarence. "Though I do not think that dress quite suits you, Prince Clarence."
Still wearing the wig and dress, Clarence felt like a fool. Being addressed so directly by the countess he was barely familiar with made him feel awkward. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Countess Zavior."
"Of course. Let's discuss the matter at hand first, then we can prepare you both a new change of clothes." Camille crossed her arms across her chest.
Clarence let out a small sigh, "Thank you." He was still uncomfortable, greeting the countess in such an embarrassing manner, but he felt if he were to take the wig off now, he would be silly, so he instead held firm, anxiously waiting for the moment he could strip off the clothes he had once thought Silas enjoyed. Wearing them now, he understood why the elven man hated them so much.
"Don't get too comfortable. I still don't trust you yet." Camille said with a frown, her gaze falling on Clarence, "But you are obviously in need. Malcolm has already taken over the Yursear Kingdom. He's sending mercenaries out to find you as we speak, and they're monitoring the edge of the mountains at this very minute to bring you back for a public execution in the capital."
Clarence stood up, "How do you know that!?" He was more shocked than anything. Malcolm was too calculating to let such valuable information out of the palace. Who informed the countess? His wig hair fell into his face, making him appear anxious.
Silas turned towards Clarence and then back to the countess with a hint of surprise. Information travels fast, it seems. No wonder she and Eva are working together.
Sitting forward, Camille responded, "No one you need to know. I have connections everywhere, your highness, it is not hard to get this little information." She paused, letting out a small sigh, "Though it has become significantly harder since your departure from the throne. That is why we brought you here, to help us. It is your choice whether you choose to cooperate or not, but be warned that the little information you are given will not leave these doors." Her gaze frosted over as she said, "Unless your cold corpse is taken out of this palace."
Clarence felt a chill run down his spine as he stared forward, clenching his fists in his lap with a stiff expression, unsure how to respond at that moment. I don't want to help Malcolm in any way. If possible, I'd like to return to the capital and resume my rule as rightful heir. Working with them, maybe it will be possible? He swallowed the dry spit in his mouth.
Maeir rested in the chair, her eyes moving to Clarence, "Do you trust him with that kind of information? He could easily lie to us." Her eyes moved towards the prince, who was sitting near Silas, staring forward with some resentment in his eyes towards Maeir.
Being addressed so directly, Clarence wanted to defend himself immediately, feeling as though he were treading in enemy waters, but before he could, Silas raised his hand and said in a straight tone, "I trust him enough that he won't lie to us." Clarence stared at Silas, who turned to him and said with a softened tone, "Malcolm took over the throne and left all of us to die. Clarence included. If I were him, I would want revenge against him, not us. Isn't that right, Clarence?" Everyone turned towards the prince, eager to hear his next words.
Staring at his hands, Clarence said with a sigh, "Coming here like this was already a huge risk for me. I know Silas and Maeir could have killed me at any moment. I'm a traitor to my own kingdom, but I don't want to die like this." He closed his eyes, tightening his grasp in his lap, "I came here to redeem myself, and for me, that is getting Malcolm off of the throne. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I just want to save my family."
The usually chatty Jasmine said nothing, her gaze falling on Clarence and then back to the two elves, her eyes swiftly moving as if reading the situation. "While I believe the prince, I think our trust is not something we can afford to give him right now." She tapped her finger against the arm of the chair. "What do you expect to do in the meantime, hide here until you can betray us?" Jasmine's brows furrowed, "That's the prattling of a fool. I don't think it's safe to keep him here."
"Stop." Before anyone else could speak, Angeline stood, her gaze falling on Clarence as she said, "Mille, don't pick on him, he's just a kid. Besides that, seeing your lovely face full of worry makes me worry too." Angeline, speaking so seriously, derailed the conversation in a matter of a few words, making everyone fall silent as an awkward pause fell over them, dispelling the negative feelings swirling around them.
Camille's face burned red, her voice dripping in embarrassment. "Ange!" Though her voice was not particularly quiet, it was understood with just a glance that she was not angry.
"Remember I was an abandoned elf, Mille. You had no reason to trust me, a dirty, starved little elf with nowhere to go. I chased your caravan for two days through the forest until you relented. You took me in, keeping me at an arm's length until I was proven to be trusted." Angeline's words were somber. "When you become this desperate, all you want to do is survive. Silas, Maeir, I'm sure you understand that feeling more than anyone. That's why, I think you should give the prince a chance."
Camille stood up, facing Angeline as she said, "Ange, while I understand what you're saying, there is a chance he could betray us. Your village was destroyed, he's-"
Angeline shook her head, "I know he's the Yursinean prince, but he's also powerless without the backing of the Yursinean royal family."
"That's right." Silas stood up, his skirt fluttering with his movements, "I will hold myself accountable for his actions while he remains in this kingdom. Please allow him to stay, Countess Zavior." Silas cupped his hands and bowed his head, pleading in a very elven manner, taking Maeir by surprise at his determination. The group stared at the man, still donning the dress, feeling as though the seriousness of the situation had been somewhat lost.
"Silas, was it? Fine, I'll agree to it on one condition." Camille sighed, rubbing the space between her brows. "You must stay within sight of my people at all times then while within my palace."
With his head lowered, Silas fought to control his facial expression before he looked up, "I will monitor him as well. You have my word." He stared towards Clarence, his eyes motioning for him to plead his case.
Clarence abruptly stood up and bowed next to Silas, "Thank you, Countess Zavior."
The countess sighed, her and Jasmine's displeasure apparent. Maeir's expression fell, but she remained silent, her heavy gaze on Clarence.
"That settles it, then! I'll go to get the clothes for the past prince." Angeline stood up, her eyes full of light as she giggled to herself, "Until then, it was a pleasure meeting you all." She cupped her hands in front of her chest, nodding her head politely.
"And I'll go to the lobby. I think I heard a carriage just now." Jasmine winked as she stood, walking out the door next to Angeline. "I think it would be best for us to separate for now and regroup later. Until then."
The door remained open as Camille motioned for Silas and Maeir, "You two follow me. There's some things I would like to discuss."
"What about him?" Maeir asked, her eyes falling on Clarence.
"The doors to this room will be monitored in my absence. Step anywhere outside this space without a handler and your life will end today." Camille was frightening as she spoke, her face chillier than Maeir's usual demeanor.
Clarence could only swallow his words and agree to stay still, watching as the last three in the room left. Once Maeir and Silas left the room with the Countess, Clarence had time to himself, thinking of the events that had just transpired in the room only mere minutes before. Sitting alone, he removed the wig from his head, shaking out his hair and bangs with a wave of his hand, placing the wig down on the emptied table with a bitter sigh.
The only ones that spoke for me were elves. Silas, an elf he had once considered his enemy, and Angeline, a mysterious mountain elf he had met for the first time today. They both spoke in his defense, even if it only were to gather the information he had. If they hadn't spoken up for me, I wouldn't be here. I feel so ashamed of myself. Sitting at the couch, still wearing his dress, Clarence cupped his face in his hands, leaning forward as he let out a deep breath, airing some of his own self-loathing with it.
As Clarence laid his head in his hands, there was a shallow knock at the door before the heavy doors were pushed open. As Clarence looked up, he saw a short, dark-haired figure standing by the door, holding a bundle of clean clothes in her arms.
"I brought these for you. I hope the size is right." The young woman smiled, her gaze falling on the reddened tips of Clarence's eyes with a knowing gaze. Stepping forward, she placed the pile of clothes on the table before she stepped back again, as if testing the prince's temper.
The clothes rested on the table, folded neatly in a small pile. There was a dress shirt, black pants, and a formal winter cardigan, neatly knitted with a simple print. It was the first of its kind, the first time Clarence had seen such a well-knitted cardigan. Most of the Yursinean women specialized in embroidery, avoiding tedious clothing making methods such as knitting to the maids. While the prince stared at the clothes, Angeline stood by the door, staring at the prince as she watched him stare at the now frizzy wig he had removed from his head. The prince stared back at her, his eyes staring between Angeline and the door, as if gently suggesting her to step out so he could dress himself.
"Calm down. The last thing I want to see is you naked." Angeline rolled her eyes, appearing disgusted at the thought. "But you will need some help getting that dress off. If you think you could get it off yourself, you might as well rip yourself out of it." Listening to her speak, Clarence felt her accent was particular, very much closer to a Vartien accent. "Can I help you?"
"That's true." The young prince smiled gently as the elven woman helped him undress. "Thank you, Lady Angeline."
"Please, call me Angeline. Lady makes me sound older than I am." She strutted forward, patting the fabric of Clarence's dress before she asked, standing next to the young man, "How old are you anyway, little prince?"
Clarence raised a brow. "I turn nineteen in the summer."
Angeline paused, "My, you're a baby! I'm twenty five myself." The woman looked younger than twenty five, and Clarence had almost suspected they were the same age, but the elven woman had an air of wisdom that only came with age. Still, her height reached below his shoulder, making him stare down towards her, as if he were staring at a child.
As they spoke, Angeline worked on the dress, loosening parts of the fabric and other pieces of the simple gown, feeling as though some of the pieces were put on in a more complicated fashion. Angeline muttered to herself occasionally, slowly working her way through the knotted pieces of ribbon.
"Thank you for vouching for me. Without your and Silas's support, I most likely would have been removed from the palace." Clarence let out the breath he had been holding as the dress loosened around his waist, allowing him to fully suck in a breath, his tense muscles relaxing with it. "If I can, I want to gain everyone's faith. I-I don't want to help my cousin. I want to redeem myself here, as I am now."
"Just like you, it's a matter of similar interests, that's all." Angeline hummed as she replied, "Now tell me, you like that forest elf, don't you?"
As if processing her words, Clarence fell still, his eyes falling on Angeline as the lower half of his face began to redden, starting at the tips of his ears as it traveled across his face in the blink of an eye. Unable to see his feelings for himself, Clarence uttered a quick response, "W-what do you mean?"
"That elf, Silas. You like him." Angeline smiled towards Clarence, her grin mischievous, "You think I don't know, you foolish little boy? I'm quite the love aficionado."
"Y-you!" Clarence's nostrils flared in irritation. Finding himself at a loss, he could only taunt Angeline back. "With your height, you oughta be a child!"
"Ohoho, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I?" Angeline giggled, staring at Clarence as his face fell, his mood changing as she stared at his face more, knowing what he was thinking. "To us elves, your existence is like a scar, but here you were, defended by two elves. Quite interesting how fate works, isn't it?" She laughed to herself.
Clarence stared down at his hands, his regret palpable. "If I could take back everything I've said and done in the past ten years, I'd do it in a heartbeat." He lowered his gaze, his words dripping from his lips like poison, "Everything I've done to the elves, to Silas, it was wrong. I followed my family blindly, never wondering why I committed such atrocities. I'm ashamed of myself."
"While I'm happy you're reflecting on your past behaviors," Angeline stared at Clarence pointedly, asking with a frown, "If you were not romantically invested in that elf, would you have ever changed your views, Clarence?"
The young prince fell silent. He remembered the words that Malcolm had used to slander him, accusing him of being the bastard child between his mother and an elf. At that time, he was infuriated at being compared to such creatures, but now, as he reflected, he already knew he was not an elf. Malcolm just used those words to anger him, but even if he were, such a thought did not disgust him like it did before.
"I think I would have." Clarence said to himself as he said, "My good friend, Alywin, he is at the palace now with my cousin. He never agreed with my poor views, and I think he would have given me the opportunity to change, unlike my family."
There was a pause before Angeline spoke, "Interesting. I don't know you well enough to say if I believe that or not, but meeting you as you are now, I think you could." Angeline smiled towards Clarence, her eyes bright. "You don't strike me as evil, just ignorant."
"Ignorant?" Clarence asked, feeling a bit of a sting from her words.
"Many of the elven tribes lived in peace with the humans for hundreds of years until the humans' greed took over the kingdom, making the elves suffer. These wars were made to hide the incompetence of your ancestors, and my people could only defend themselves against you. You now know the consequences of that." Angeline smiled, staring at lacing on the back of the prince's dress, her fingers moving deftly through the last of the ribbons. "While I think both the elves and the humans have committed atrocities, we cannot forget what led to these wars, remembering those points as we stop this needless violence. The only way we can stop this violence is through changing the people in power, changing their views." The ribbon quickly loosened until it hung loosely from Clarence's back, brushing against his skin. "If we can't change their views, we will simply kill them. Their outdated ways of thinking are too dangerous to uphold."
"You worked through that quite fast." Clarence muttered with some amazement, feeling the lacing loosen from his waist, allowing him full range of movement again. Thinking of what Angeline had said, he added in a low tone, "In your mind, how can we change the minds of the people?"
Angeline hummed, adjusting the ribbon on the back of the dress. "You are an example of your own right. You hated the elves, nearly being killed by one as a child, but as you were exposed to us, to our culture, you didn't see us as creatures, you see us as people just like you."
They're people, just like you. Clarence digested Angeline's words as he pulled his arms up, bunching the dress to pull it over his head, now ignoring the woman's presence in favor of removing the tiresome garment.
"Clumsy, but it'll do." Staring at the young man who had already begun to lift the dress over his head, Angeline said with a knowing smile, "I quite prefer removing a woman's clothes myself." Clarence paused for a moment as the weight of the words hit him, "I would be happy to show you how. Just let me know, Clarence."
Clarence shook his head, his face flushed from his ears to his neck. "No need!"
"Ah, that's right! It would be a man's clothes, wouldn't it?" Angeline smirked, taking the dress off Clarence's head, leaving the man to stand shirtless, his shorts wrinkled, covering his lower half with a pair of stockings still on his legs. With an impatient tug, Clarence grabbed them and pulled them off each foot, finally touching the ground with his own two feet, ignoring Angeline's odd humor. He threw the stockings on the wig without a second glance.
Next, he slowly began to dress as Angeline helped him, knowing the young royal had probably not dressed himself alone in some time. While the garments she prepared were not complex by any means, she felt if she were to leave the prince here himself, he would somehow find a unique way to struggle to dress himself.
He truly is a child. Angeline hummed, holding the cardigan for Clarence as he finally put it on, pulling his arms through the plush piece of clothing with a surprised expression.
"Thank you, Angeline." Wearing the cardigan, the threads glimmered at the edges, making Clarence stare in awe at the delicate garment wrapped around his upper body. "This is beautiful. Who made this?"
Angeline adjusted the collar of the cardigan, the places where her fingers touched lighting the fabric with it. "I did." Her smile was gentle as she stared at Clarence, the knitted fabric fitting his tall, muscular frame flatteringly. "You could say making garments was a specialty of my village. Now, I am the only elf that can pass on this technique. If Camille hadn't found me when she had, it may have been lost forever."
Staring at the somber expression on Angeline's face, Clarence fell silent. "I'm glad you're here, Angeline. Thank you for talking to me."
"Aw, is that how you plan to win over Silas's heart? How sweet!" Angeline clapped her hands, her face full of smiles.
The prince blushed again. "That will come eventually…" The prince muttered, his embarrassment still visible on his face.
"Nevermind that. It's about time for you to go with Devon. He will take you to your new accommodations, Clarence." Angeline's persistent smile was full of meaning as she giggled to herself and responded, "I'm sure you'll like it."
…
While Angeline spoke to Clarence alone in the sitting room, Camille led Silas and Maeir down the emptied halls, speaking as they walked, discussing the events that had passed before they arrived at the countess's palace.
"While I still cannot trust that Yursinean traitor, I assume there are reasons the three of you were traveling together." Camille raised an eyebrow, her thoughts reflected in her expression. "Jasmine had told me she found you all together. What happened?"
Silas turned to face Maeir, preparing to speak for himself first. But, before he could speak, Maeir began to speak first with a deep frown. "Silas and Clarence were trapped in the dungeon in the same cell the day of the uprising. When I rescued Silas, Clarence asked to be saved, promising us a safe way out of the palace. We followed that fool out of the palace, and kept him alive long enough to be found at that farmhouse."
Camille tapped her fingers on her arms, "Placing you two in a cell together? Malcolm has become sloppy. Either that, or he was trying to torture you both further, knowing how much he hates elves." Silas's expression darkened as she added, "Fortunately it worked to our advantage, but we need to be more careful now. Especially now that the prince is in our hands."
Silas looked at his skirt, his mind full of numerous thoughts, "I understand. We appreciate your assistance, Countess Zavior."
As the conversation fell to a lull, their footsteps stopping in the middle of an empty hall, there was the sound of someone running, their footsteps coming closer as a neat, familiar figure came into view. Her face was full of smiles, as if she had been praised for something, and the pep in her step was undisguisable.
"Lady Eva has arrived." Jasmine slightly bowed, nodding his head towards Camille with a smile. "Her and her companions' luggage is being sorted with Devon as we speak. She's waiting in the meeting room. I figured I'd let you know." Though her words were casual, there was an air of respect between the two women beyond their familiarity.
Camille nodded in response, "Thank you, Jasmine." The countess turned back to face Silas and Maeir. "The next discussion will be important to the future of the kingdom. It is your choice whether you would like to take part or not, but Prince Clarence will not take part."
The discussion could only mean one thing, "You plan to revolt against the Yursear royal family?" Silas asked directly as they stood, staring forward at Camille with some astonishment. "But what do you plan to do with Clarence then?"
Maeir smiled, letting out a dry laugh, "It is due time that the elves get their revenge on that family. I would be happy to take part in this." She turned to Silas, her eyes falling on her son's complex expression as she asked, "Will you, Silas?"
"Yes. I'd like to meet with Eva too." Feeling the heavy gazes of the two women, Silas could no longer hesitate. If I don't speak now, Clarence's life could be in danger. While I may not like him, letting him die like that would be cruel. He paused before he stared at his dress and then asked awkwardly, "Would it be possible for me to change first? Appearing in front of Lady Eva in such an outfit is embarrassing."
Silas hoped then he could speak to Eva, hoping to protect the prince at least for a little longer. If anything, they could banish him from the Kingdom. His wife, that princess, shouldn't have to suffer because of him too. Even in war, Silas refused to lose his humanity.
Camille chuckled to herself, nodding her head towards Jasmine, "Follow me, Maeir, Eva should already be there. Jasmine, you take Silas to the first room to the right, clothes have already been prepared. Once he's done changing, please take him to the meeting room. We'll update you both from there." There was no room for argument.
"Fine, fine. You'd better hurry, Silas." Jasmine shook her head, feeling somewhat disappointed she would have to miss the first part of the meeting with Eva. "I think you look pretty in that dress, but I understand where you're uncomfortable. Come on."
As Silas was led off at a rapid pace by Jasmine, Camille and Maeir walked together in silence to the meeting room where Eva was waiting, the tension in the air growing as they stepped closer and closer to the possible solution to the Yursear-Elven War. There was no knowing who the winners would be, but the end of the war was too tempting to ignore.
…
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10 pages... I didn't expect this to be so long, but this made me unable to post an extra chapter for my birthday ;; I did do a goofy af stream on my twitch, though, so there's that! Huge thanks to my friends for celebrating with me >y< They're amazing~~
This was a very difficult topic to touch on. My friend Coco and I heavily discussed racial relations, colorism, and similar topics (she's SE Asian, Cambodian-Thai) due to her philosophy degree and my Japanese degree (we were roommates in college). We discussed war a lot too within Asia, and it was super helpful. Huge thank you to her for walking me through this topic at length, as touching on diversity and racism is a very, very difficult topic. I hope I did it justice.
As for Angeline's character, Mountain Elf culture is inspired by a handful of south-east Asian countries, such as Malaysia and the Philippines (as my forest elves are focused in China/Mongolia), and I wanted to show my friend characters like her, which is why I wrote Angeline like this two years ago. It's with this that I hope all of you can see a character like you in our series. When my artistic skill is better, I'll draw them out too so you can see the diversity in their designs.
I will come back to edit this later with Hunny. For now, please enjoy this chapter ;u; Coco, if you're reading this, you're a babe. Love you! lol
*For Ange's name, imagine is 'e' is silent!