Growing from Friendship to Sisterhood
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Charlene's Personal Bed Chambers,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
The hours after Noon,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"Well, I had received a letter straight from the Regent Queen early this dawn, stating that Crown Prince Rayzenn was coming to meet me today! And he visited our Estate just before the Reading Association's meeting this noon", Charlene announced to her guest proudly.
There was pure silence and absolute shock in response to what she had said, with Alessia staring in mute astonishment for a few seconds while she collected her scandalised senses. "P-Prince Rayzenn himself?" she stuttered, gathering her bearings, but her arched brows still denied disbelieving shock.
"Yes", Charlene chuckled.
"I hadn't even the mildest clue! That is such astounding news! Char, you are so humble; you carry yourself with such modesty, that you never even made mention of it! Any other woman in your place would have flaunted the graces she holds in the eyes of His Majesty to the entire Kingdom", Alessia said, completely taken by the casual mention of something that was of such magnitude.
The golden haired damsel laughed in response, saying, "Aw, thank you very much. I did not consider it as great a deal as to be gloated."
It was a positive move on Charlene's part to spread word of the Prince's interest in her, in order to stay all the other damsels that would wish for his hand. Further, it would cause the Imperial Castle to feel pressed into the matter for if they did not comply with the expectation of the people, there could be public disappointment.
After all, the heir to the Hall of Publications was the wealthiest young noble woman in the provinces that Prince Rayzenn would inherit, and news of her being desired by him would set the Kingdom ablaze with tongues lagging.
"Oh, have you then maybe met him before? At a ball or per-haps during some outing? Has the Duke taken you with him during his visits to the Castle before?" the damsel who was a guest asked, curiously, for it was rather impractical to assume that the Prince would have arbitrarily chosen to meet up with the Duke's daughter.
"No, no, I have never visited the Prince on my own accord. It is solely him who has pursued me this morning. But, yes, he had actually met me once before, when I shared a dance and some conversations with him a few months ago, at the last Royal Ball. It was while I was still engaged to Cryspus Lemiron.
But I did not realise the Crown Prince himself would have remembered me and reached out now that my betrothal is broken and I am available for new prospects", Charlene laughed. "In fact, the letter stating his arrival was handwritten by Regent Queen Eliza, so I have reason to assume she also holds this certain interest in me. But I don't know!"
"I bet he would have been taken by your beauty", Alessia said, longingly, still looking at the gown. Her emerald eyes had, however, lost their shine. It seemed like the young damsel was more bothered by Charlene's happiest news, than be glad for her sake.
"Well, yes, throughout the meeting, his eyes did not leave me. I think this shade of maroon is a rather flattering colour", the hostess rose to her feet, gathered the fabric of her skirts and twirled around merrily, as her hair and dress danced with her.
Alessia clapped her hands, "Indeed, it is. You must wear it more often."
Since Charlene's perspective of the Prince's interest in her had sufficiently been conveyed, she decided to be more modest with the way she portrayed herself. "Thank you. But I do believe it is only an infatuation. I do not know how seriously it will progress", she chuckled.
"Are you suggesting that you have spared some hope for the rest of us ladies in society to win a chance with the Prince if his eyes daren't be dedicated to you?" her young companion laughed.
Charlene felt a streak of irritation at the thought of other women, such as even the Heartrim daughters, competing with her, but she said nothing, simply laughed along to what the damsel had said.
Then, Alessia exhaled a long, sad sigh, before reclining upon the bed and staring at the curtains overhead wistfully, with a sad and distant expression in her eyes.
"What is the matter, my dear? Your heart seems troubled", Charlene said, leaning on her elbow and laying own close, till her hair rested upon the mattress like a pool of linseed oil.
"Ah, it's no matter", the guest waved it away with a sad smile, like she was hesitant to relay.
"Come now", the damsel in the maroonish dress urged. "Are we not like sisters now? Tell me your concerns and we shall eat delicacies to soothe our worries away. And I will help you as best as I can."
In the back of her mind, Charlene had a fair suspicion of what Alessia's bothers were, for Erion had oft told her of the things he had seen.
However, hearing it from the damsel herself would ease their relationship and allow her to know what the true affairs of the situation were.
"Well", the young lady began, hesitant, before sighing long and hard. Then, turning to Charlene, she asked, "Would you please never tell a soul that I am enduring the things I am about to tell you?"
"Of course, my dear; why would I ever breathe anything to another soul?" the Walterus daughter's eyes were as wide as the moon.
"Alright", Alessia relented, with a sort of relieved smile written on her face. Her grace was returning to her countenance after the expression of worry for all that while. "It is a peaceful feeling to have a companion to share things to. Here is what happened," she began to pour her heart.
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