p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"*Several Weeks Later*/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Following their ride and subsequent kiss in the stable, Stephan did his absolute best to avoid Dria, even going so far as to leave court entirely, however temporarily as per the note he left with one of the other lords to be read in front of the masses that morning after everyone broke their fast. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I just think it very immature." She says to Lola, Kenna and Greer as they sit upon a blanket in the courtyard with Lola's son… Francis's son. "He takes certain liberties, not that I'm complaining about that, and then runs, leaving court because he is scared."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I don't think Lord Narcisse is scared of anything." Lola comments. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Clearly, something caused him to run though." Kenna says. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Something also caused him to return." Greer whispers, pointing discreetly to the carriage that had just arrived. They watch as he exits the carriage and offers his hand to someone inside. A woman, about their age, steps down. Dria notices almost immediately how beautiful she looks, with the sun sparkling off her golden locks. Dria knew she herself was beautiful. Her mother had been telling her such since childhood, as if her beauty was some type of accomplishment. But looking at this golden-haired beauty that contrasted so much with her own deep brown tresses, she couldn't help but feel inadequate./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""My word, I know that girl. Her family took me in." Lola explains. "They perished of plague and Narcisse took her away in a cage."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""In a cage?" Greer and Dria ask in unison. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""He said it was to isolate her, in case she was infected herself." Lola goes to say hello and the other three girls follow. "Estelle, is that really you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Lady Lola, Princess." They both bow in greeting of Alexandria. "I nearly forgot you'd met my bride." Though her face remained impassive, ever playing the part of a stoic royal, Dria felt a pain in her chest. Maybe Mary and the girls were right about him after all… maybe emhe/em was right about him. "And you are?" he asks, turning to Greer and Kenna. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm Greer of Kinross. This is Lady Kenna."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Did you say, 'my bride'?" Alexandria asks, speaking up for the first time./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes. We've come to ask the king for his blessing a bit belatedly. I would have done son in advance of our marriage, but it wasn't proper, Estelle staying beneath my roof. I honor a woman's reputation." Stephan says that last bit while piercing Alexandria with a heated look. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""When I learned we were coming to court, I was hoping to see you." Estelle tells Lola. "On the off chance, I made you a gift. It's nothing much, just a handkerchief I've fancied up a bit."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"One look at Stephan and Dria can tell he would rather be anywhere but there. Seizing the opportunity now that pleasantries were out of the way, he gently takes her arm. "Come, Estelle. Princess, ladies." With one final bow, they walk off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Her hands were shaking." Lola notes once they're out of earshot./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""She's a nervous little bird." Greer adds./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What's got her so scared? Narcisse, or being introduced to the king?" Kenna asks. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm sure it's meeting Francis. Narcisse has been nothing but kind to me." Dria concludes. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""And you're one of the few." Lola comments while she looks at the handkerchief. "It's Narcisse." She shows them a note folded inside. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"'emHelp me/em.' The note read. Looking to where Narcisse disappeared to with his new… wife, Dria couldn't help the feeling growing in the pit of her stomach./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"…/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The next morning finds Alexandria in the library, a spot that had been a favorite of hers from the first moment she stepped foot inside. She runs a finger across the spines of the tomes while she breathes in the intoxicating smell of the parchment and hard leather it was bound in. As she rounds the corner on the second level, she stops short and growls low under her breath. So much for some peace./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Narcisse was sitting there, trying his hardest to act like he'd been there for ages. "For doing your best to avoid someone, you showing up at a place I've been coming every morning seems a bit counter-productive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm not sure I know what you're referring to, Dria."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Princess Alexandria is fine, Lord Narcisse as we are clearly not as cordial as I had thought. Such liberties as the use of one's first name is improper now that you are married." She goes to walk past him, to leave the now suffocating room and the improper thoughts that came along with it. But as she passes him, he takes hold of her hand. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Where are you running off to?" He asks, his eyes mimicking a stormy sea./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Kindly remove your hand, sir. Not that it ever was, but especially now, it is not right, not proper, for us to appear this familiar with each other."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What would you have me do?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Nothing. It is too late. You didn't have to run. You didn't have to marry another. Both of these were your choosing Stephan." She winces at the slip of his name and he takes that opportunity while her guard is otherwise distracted to pull her into the secluded alcove, past the sight of anyone who might walk past, and claim her lips, eliciting a moan that he quickly swallows before he hikes the skirts of her dress up and teases her center. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Again she moans out and once more he swallows it. The books pressed against her back both entice her and alerts her to the very real threat of being caught in such a… sensitive position with a married man. With resolve she wasn't aware she had, she pushes him from her, fixing her hair and dress. "Pray no one witnessed that. I would be ruined and you would be on your way to the gallows."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will not apologize for something we both wanted and needed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""How about apologizing because you are married? That you ran from me and returned with another? You do not get to have your wife and me too." Alexandria says before pushing him away and leaving. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Though out of sight from the otherwise engaged couple, one person had seen everything, and they were incensed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"…/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Lola was walking along a corridor when Estelle runs up to her, fear written all over her features. "Estelle, what is wrong? Has Narcisse done something?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"She shakes her head. "Not to me at least. I just… there were so many things I'd heard, at his estate and then coming here…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What did you hear at his estate? And from whom?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Members of his household. They say he forced himself on his first wife so soon after she miscarried that she bled to death."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Oh, gosh."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""And another was constantly found unconscious, in pools of her own blood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm going to ask you to stop."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Estelle looks panicked. "Do you not believe me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""No, I do. There are other people who should hear this as well."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Following their ride and subsequent kiss in the stable, Stephan did his absolute best to avoid Dria, even going so far as to leave court entirely, however temporarily as per the note he left with one of the other lords to be read in front of the masses that morning after everyone broke their fast. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I just think it very immature." She says to Lola, Kenna and Greer as they sit upon a blanket in the courtyard with Lola's son… Francis's son. "He takes certain liberties, not that I'm complaining about that, and then runs, leaving court because he is scared."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I don't think Lord Narcisse is scared of anything." Lola comments. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Clearly, something caused him to run though." Kenna says. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Something also caused him to return." Greer whispers, pointing discreetly to the carriage that had just arrived. They watch as he exits the carriage and offers his hand to someone inside. A woman, about their age, steps down. Dria notices almost immediately how beautiful she looks, with the sun sparkling off her golden locks. Dria knew she herself was beautiful. Her mother had been telling her such since childhood, as if her beauty was some type of accomplishment. But looking at this golden-haired beauty that contrasted so much with her own deep brown tresses, she couldn't help but feel inadequate./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""My word, I know that girl. Her family took me in." Lola explains. "They perished of plague and Narcisse took her away in a cage."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""In a cage?" Greer and Dria ask in unison. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""He said it was to isolate her, in case she was infected herself." Lola goes to say hello and the other three girls follow. "Estelle, is that really you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Lady Lola, Princess." They both bow in greeting of Alexandria. "I nearly forgot you'd met my bride." Though her face remained impassive, ever playing the part of a stoic royal, Dria felt a pain in her chest. Maybe Mary and the girls were right about him after all… maybe emhe/em was right about him. "And you are?" he asks, turning to Greer and Kenna. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm Greer of Kinross. This is Lady Kenna."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Did you say, 'my bride'?" Alexandria asks, speaking up for the first time./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes. We've come to ask the king for his blessing a bit belatedly. I would have done son in advance of our marriage, but it wasn't proper, Estelle staying beneath my roof. I honor a woman's reputation." Stephan says that last bit while piercing Alexandria with a heated look. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""When I learned we were coming to court, I was hoping to see you." Estelle tells Lola. "On the off chance, I made you a gift. It's nothing much, just a handkerchief I've fancied up a bit."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"One look at Stephan and Dria can tell he would rather be anywhere but there. Seizing the opportunity now that pleasantries were out of the way, he gently takes her arm. "Come, Estelle. Princess, ladies." With one final bow, they walk off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Her hands were shaking." Lola notes once they're out of earshot./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""She's a nervous little bird." Greer adds./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What's got her so scared? Narcisse, or being introduced to the king?" Kenna asks. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm sure it's meeting Francis. Narcisse has been nothing but kind to me." Dria concludes. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""And you're one of the few." Lola comments while she looks at the handkerchief. "It's Narcisse." She shows them a note folded inside. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"'emHelp me/em.' The note read. Looking to where Narcisse disappeared to with his new… wife, Dria couldn't help the feeling growing in the pit of her stomach./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The next morning finds Alexandria in the library, a spot that had been a favorite of hers from the first moment she stepped foot inside. She runs a finger across the spines of the tomes while she breathes in the intoxicating smell of the parchment and hard leather it was bound in. As she rounds the corner on the second level, she stops short and growls low under her breath. So much for some peace./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Narcisse was sitting there, trying his hardest to act like he'd been there for ages. "For doing your best to avoid someone, you showing up at a place I've been coming every morning seems a bit counter-productive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm not sure I know what you're referring to, Dria."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Princess Alexandria is fine, Lord Narcisse as we are clearly not as cordial as I had thought. Such liberties as the use of one's first name is improper now that you are married." She goes to walk past him, to leave the now suffocating room and the improper thoughts that came along with it. But as she passes him, he takes hold of her hand. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Where are you running off to?" He asks, his eyes mimicking a stormy sea./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Kindly remove your hand, sir. Not that it ever was, but especially now, it is not right, not proper, for us to appear this familiar with each other."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What would you have me do?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Nothing. It is too late. You didn't have to run. You didn't have to marry another. Both of these were your choosing Stephan." She winces at the slip of his name and he takes that opportunity while her guard is otherwise distracted to pull her into the secluded alcove, past the sight of anyone who might walk past, and claim her lips, eliciting a moan that he quickly swallows before he hikes the skirts of her dress up and teases her center. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Again she moans out and once more he swallows it. The books pressed against her back both entice her and alerts her to the very real threat of being caught in such a… sensitive position with a married man. With resolve she wasn't aware she had, she pushes him from her, fixing her hair and dress. "Pray no one witnessed that. I would be ruined and you would be on your way to the gallows."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will not apologize for something we both wanted and needed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""How about apologizing because you are married? That you ran from me and returned with another? You do not get to have your wife and me too." Alexandria says before pushing him away and leaving. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Though out of sight from the otherwise engaged couple, one person had seen everything, and they were incensed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Lola was walking along a corridor when Estelle runs up to her, fear written all over her features. "Estelle, what is wrong? Has Narcisse done something?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"She shakes her head. "Not to me at least. I just… there were so many things I'd heard, at his estate and then coming here…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What did you hear at his estate? And from whom?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Members of his household. They say he forced himself on his first wife so soon after she miscarried that she bled to death."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Oh, gosh."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""And another was constantly found unconscious, in pools of her own blood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I'm going to ask you to stop."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Estelle looks panicked. "Do you not believe me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""No, I do. There are other people who should hear this as well."/p