This is a lot of fun to write, but I'm not really much of an expert on medieval life, so my apologies if anything isn't accurate.
Audrey's life had been far simpler when she knew nothing of her father, beyond that he had left her mother a long time ago, before she had even been born. Learning that he had been the head of a small noble house had not, on its own, been enough to change her life. She would hardly be the only baseborn child of their kingdom's elite, and many never had any reason to be acknowledged in the slightest. But when her father had died leaving no legitimate child, House Fulquard had been left scrambling to find an heir, and they had followed an old trail of letters that led to her.
Suddenly, she was in a life full of obligations, and expectations, and responsibilities. Ripped away from the life she knew, her only comfort was the grand balls thrown in her family's manor. Though she dreaded the events themselves, the days leading up to them were something she greatly looked forward to. It was a time when the manor was full of activity as people prepared for the upcoming evening, and she could find times to slip away to see the apprentice of the gardener who came to see to the centerpieces and the garlands adorning the ballroom.
On one such night, when she felt she needed to see him more than ever, she could hardly wait until night fell and she could sneak away under the cover of darkness. She quietly made her way along the tall hedges in the grounds of her new home that had yet to feel in any way like a home, and immediately broke into a broad grin when she saw him waiting in the spot where they would always meet.
"My lady." He dropped into a bow when he saw her, not in the practiced, polished movements of everyone else she encountered throughout the day, but in the uncertain hesitance or one who wasn't quite certain he was doing it correctly.
She rushed towards him, and he had only just straightened up when she flung her arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace. Caught off guard, he stumbled back slightly, but managed to keep his footing.
"I've missed you." She murmured softly.
Seymour brought his arms around her as well, resting his head contentedly against her shoulder as the need for formality melted away. "I shall always come when you summon me."
"Then I will have to find reasons for us to require fresh flowers more often."
Had it been within her power, she would have already granted him a position at her manor a long time ago. But as it stood, others were reluctant to allow her to make any decisions at all. And really, she couldn't blame them. Everything about this life was new to her, while most people who were asked to step into this sort of position had been trained for it since birth.
From her first day in her new life, it had been made clear that the best way she could help her house was to secure a favorable marriage. Preferably someone with money and a title, as well as the experience to take over the responsibilities. Of course, that was quickly proving easier said than done. A half-peasant daughter floundering in her role as head of a struggling house wasn't what any noble would consider an ideal match. She'd been forced to resort to some… desperate measures in an attempt to attract and keep the attention of any suitors. So far, it had only resulted in a string of broken courtships that had surely damaged her reputation and lowered her chances even further.
Seymour had finally pulled away again, and quickly noted the troubled expression creeping across her face. "Is something the matter?"
Audrey took a deep breath and tried to chase away the more worrisome thoughts, at least for the moment. "I am quite alright. But might we go for a walk? I would welcome the chance to be away from preparations for the ball for a time."
"Of course, my lady."
The night air was cool, but Audrey had no desire to return to the warmth of indoors as they strolled through the paths winding through the sprawling gardens. Her arm was looped through Seymour's, and he stood close enough that he was nearly pressed against her side. She repeatedly had to remind herself that he only stood so close out of necessity. Seymour's eyesight had always been poor, and in the dim light of the moon, he heavily relied on her to guide him. But regardless of any reasons why, she couldn't deny that she cherished being in such proximity to him.
"I cannot tell you what a joy it is to have a reason to see you." Audrey mused as the two of them walked along. "It makes this upcoming ball all seem worth it."
"You sound as if you're dreading tomorrow night's festivities."
He didn't push for an explanation, but Audrey felt very weary of trying to keep all her worries to herself in order to put forward a calm and dignified front. With Seymour, she found that it was hard to keep her thoughts from spilling out.
"The heir to House Scrivello will be in attendance." She began to explain. "I am told that he has begun to express some interest. If we can sufficiently impress him, there is a good chance he may offer an arrangement between our two houses."
They both knew that, perhaps more importantly than anything else, an arrangement meant a marriage. But she couldn't bring herself to say that part out loud. Not to him.
Having been there to console her after several failed courtships and having hearing all her worries about letting everyone down, Seymour would have thought she might look happy at the news. Instead, it seemed her manner was full of apprehension. "I take it you aren't looking forward to seeing him?"
"I've yet to meet him in person, but he comes from a good family, and their finances are stable. It would be an asset to House Fulquard, without question. But I've heard others speak of him, and it seems he has a reputation as somewhat of a brute." Audrey paused and let out a slow, measured breath. "Though perhaps I am being too hasty to judge. After all, I do not even know the man."
Deep down, she knew that whatever sort of man this Lord Scrivello happened to be, it to be wasn't something she had the luxury of taking into consideration. At this point, she was in no position to refuse an offer from any suitor. Still, she found herself stopping to think…
"Seymour, you are my dearest friend. And I must ask… do you believe I am making the right decision?"
It would be by far the simplest answer if he told her that of course she should do everything she could to secure this alliance, that it was certainly the best arrangement she could hope for. But deep down, her heart yearned for him to give her a reason not to go through with it.
"I believe…" Seymour answered slowly, clearly giving great consideration to his words. "I believe that you are the kindest and most generous person I have ever met. And I believe that in your heart, you will know what is the right decision for your house."
Audrey sighed to herself as she mulled over his words. "If the stories I've heard are true, I cannot imagine he would be a caring steward of the people who would depend on us. But then, I would also be letting many down if we are driven to ruin, which we may well be without him." She was beginning to feel sick to her stomach as she considered the important decision she would be facing soon, and tried to find any reason she could to put those thoughts off. "Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself. He may not be impressed in the slightest once he arrives."
Seymour gave her a bright, reassuring smile. "You are the most radiant lady in the courts. Any man would be a fool not to see it."
Audrey only managed half a smile in return. "By now, I believe they are ready to marry me off to any with more than a few coins to his name."
Seymour found himself wishing, not for the first time, that he knew of some way, any way, for a poor, orphaned apprentice to scrape together a semi-respectable fortune.
Audrey also found herself thinking of all the troubles money could cause as they fell silent for a short time. She thought back to the small village where she'd grown up, and how no one could be concerned with marrying for fortune, as there was no wealth to be found among their people. And while life did not turn out happily for everyone, there were some who proved lucky enough to marry the one they loved and settle into happy families together. At the time, it had seemed so natural to think that perhaps she might share the same fate with the dear friend she had spent every day beside. Now it seemed far too much to hope for, if it was something he had even planned to offer in the past.
"Listen to me, dwelling on all of my own troubles." She finally interrupted the silence that had fallen between the two of them. "I've not even asked about you. How is your life back home?"
He didn't take long to respond, as there wasn't much to think over. "Most things remain largely unchanged." He stated. "Mister Mushnik is much the same as ever. Though I'm certain he misses you, even if he hasn't said so."
"Has he said said yet that he would turn his position over to you once he decides to retire?"
Seymour only shook his head. It was something they'd discussed in the past, and something that she knew worried him. He wasn't certain what else he would do if he was never given the job he'd been training for.
"I'm certain he will." Audrey assured him. "You've worked for him since you were no more than a young child."
"There may not be anything left, should that time come." Seymour admitted. "Flowers are not in the demand they once were. We've been struggling lately."
Though Audrey was saddened to hear it, the news didn't come as a surprise. Their business had been barely holding on for a long time.
"You've had good ideas." Audrey reminded him. "You should try to discuss them again. I know there are those who would take interest in those unusual plants you've collected from the marketplace."
As hesitant as he was to attempt to broach the subject with the surly man he worked for, he did perk up a little at the mention of one of his favorite topics.
"I did recently acquire a strange flytrap I haven't been able to identify yet. I've begun to think it may not be in any books at all."
Audrey gave his arm an encouraging squeeze. "A new species! That's most exciting! Have you considered what you might call it?"
Seymour ducked his head, his cheeks growing flushed. "I… have an idea in mind."
Before Audrey could ask any more, the sight of the manor started to appear in the distance, and she realized they had looped all the way around the path winding across the grounds. Her heart sank at the sight of it, for it was a reminder of the life she had almost been managing to forget for a short time.
"I should be returning. They will notice I am gone soon."
Seymour's face fell as well, but he nodded and released her arm. "We will still be around to tend to our duties for another day or so. Will I see you again soon?"
"The absolute soonest moment I can manage." She was tempted to reach out for his hand, but forced herself to hold back. "I am sorry things are harder than they once were. I would understand if you did not deem it worth the trouble to see me."
Seymour's eyes softened, full of a steady, reassuring warmth. "You know I will always be here for you, in whatever way I can be."
Though they were soon forced to part, she knew that he would certainly never stray far from her thoughts. She hated the way that something as simple as her family name could keep her apart from the one who made her feel safe, and cared for, and sometimes even brave. She couldn't think of anyone who would be better to stand beside her, though she doubted that the rest of the world would ever agree.
If that were ever to happen, it would almost certainly take a miracle. She supposed it was too much to hope for that his new plant might earn him a fortune. Even if he was without a noble title, surely their struggling house would be willing to consider a suitor who could replenish their near-depleted treasury.
Or perhaps they could run away from it all entirely. Find a nice little cottage in the green countryside where they could be together at last. It was something she wasn't certain she believed could ever truly happen, but it was a nice dream to hold onto. And no matter what the future was expected to hold, she supposed one could never know for certain…