Charlene vs. Lemiron
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The Central Halls of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Miss Charlene Walterus was most excited to be at the Imperial Castle, for she had a sure chance of meeting Prince Rayzenn there that day. She knew that he was there and had not left on expeditions, training or hunting.
Further, the meeting he was supposed to hold with Head Knight Erion must have ended by then, rendering him free to stroll across his castle and meet her whilst she was there.
As the damsel walked in through the large doors, she was met with Lady Grisel, the Chief of Archives and the Royal Library. "Ah, Miss Charlene Waterus! You are here", the woman exclaimed, nearly singing the words as she greeted the dame.
"Yes, my Lady", the young girl laughed in response. A hand maiden came from behind, holding the reports that needed to be submitted. "We had the latest meeting and the Reading Association yesterday and I wanted to come by and leave the drafted opinions with you for the record", Charlene said.
"Ah, that is quite so wonderful!" the woman said. "I must apologise greatly, my dear, but I am in a rush to be about with business. I shall be off now, but you are most welcome to stay here and read a book or two at the Royal Library", Lady Grisel said, looking sorry.
"No, it is absolutely alright! After all, I would never dare wish to disrupt your business", the golden haired damsel said.
It was evident from the stance of the woman that she was in a hurry, but she still spared a moment longer to respect the heir of the Walterus household. "What book have you reviewed, darling?" she asked.
"The Woes of War", Charlene replied.
"Ah, a lovely classic, yes. Have you selected the book for the next week?" Lady Grisel
"Yes, my Lady. 'A Cry of War and Plague'", the young damsel replied, receiving an impressed nod.
"Stunning. The book is most loved here in the Castle. I see you have a keen eye for taste", the woman commended, before bidding her goodbye and scuttling off.
Charlene felt wonderful to be allowed to stay there longer and casually walked inside, knowing that she needed to head to the Royal Library where the reports would be expected to be submitted.
On her way, her heart skipped a beat when she saw a Prince approaching. It was Prince Fransic, and Charlene needed to capture his attention in order to wait around until Prince Rayzenn made his way about the area.
"Good morning, your Highness!" the damsel bowed and spread her skirts, greeting him with a loud voice.
The man looked over and smiled and nodded. "Good morning. What brings you here?"
"Ah, not much, Sire. Just the humble reviews of my Reading Association", she replied, knowing that the princes were most interested in books and novels.
"That is quite interesting", Prince Francis nodded. "Is it the weekly affair?"
"Yes, your highness. We hold meetings and submit the reports here to the Royal Library. It has been a sheer honour", the damsel said, pleased that he was interested.
The Prince nodded as his eyes went to the papers the hand maid behind her was bearing. "Are those the reports for this week?" he asked.
"Why yes they are", Charlene answered, giving him her most charming smile. "And we have 'A Cry of war and plague' selected for next week. I would be honoured if you could check them out as well", she said, knowing that it would whisk his attention to her.
"How wonderful. I do wish I could stay and read them, but I will not be in the Kingdom next week. Perhaps you could meet Rayzenn and entertain him with the reports until I return?" Prince Francis smiled courteously.
"Of course, Sire! I have never met his Highness here during my visits and I would not dare wish to be a disturbance", Charlene said, her voice higher than usual.
"No, I believe he will be free. Perhaps a bit busy handling things by himself, but surely not completely gone. I will have him know that you came by", the elder prince said, before nodding. "I will be on my way now, Miss Walterus. I hope you have a fair day", he said, walking past her, bidding good bye.
"I hope you have a great day as well, your highness", Charlene called, wondering if he found her any bit as attractive as men usually do. But she reckoned that he was engaged and therefore minded on his future wife.
Just then, there was a burst and she saw Cryspus angrily flouncing into the Central Halls, calling, "How dare you spread profane rumours about me among the people? Have you no respect for my family?"
Something about seeing the man she had once given her heart to looking outraged at her, while defending his wife made her heart feel like it was dying. "Wh-what?" she took a step back, feeling defeated.
"That I'm seeing you in the dark of society? That I do not love Lucia but I'm hungry for you? Do you really believe these awful things you are spreading, you witch? How do you think she would feel because you are ruining things for me out of your bitterness?" the scarlet haired man raged, making her feel like her soul was crushed.
"I never spread any of those things", she screamed. "I do not know what you are talking about!" she called back, feeling the need to resist.
Behind him, the damsel noticed Prince Rayzenn striding in, tensed and frustrated with the ruckus.
"Oh, so you're lying about your lies now", Duke Cryspus Lemiron was heated.
Charlene knew that at that moment, she only needed to capture Rayzenn's attention. And so, she immediately turned her tense feelings to emotions and began shedding tears, like she was crying from the impact. "Why would I do that to you?" she whimpered.
"Well, I know you've been jealous ever since the break of our betrothal. I cannot imagine another soul meaning this harm to my family", the Duke barked.
Just then, Prince Rayzenn stepped into the fiasco and said, "Stop brandishing words against a lady. Bear in mind that you were the one who left first, not her. Carry your grudges elsewhere, don't taint the castle's ambience."
~