A/N: The plot…has BEGUN! And…stuff…
Thanks to my small amount of reviewers for reviewing!
The nefarious plot had begun.
In time, in the whittling of ages from their god's hands as they chipped away at the world of ages, it had now reached 3 years. The general's family, the Morchiefs, was happy.
Young Virginia was prancing around to the art museum. The capital city and the homes and offices of the noble and the intelligent was all she knew, for she knew she was adopted…but she forgot where from.
General Friedrich regretted, secretly, that she was cleansed of her mind. She was the same as before, still wanting to sew as a profession and entertain herself with the institutes of learning and pleasure around her. He raised her so far to remember, that everyone is a person, be nice and sweet. He loved her, she was so sweet, as his wife who too carried that trait. He loved that, and he never wanted her to become snobbish as many royal girls her age.
Today he was on leave. The Red Death was fairly closer since three years ago, the city here seemingly even wealthier because it charged more taxes to the poorer class to make more medical institutions, more to religion and more to the rich to fortify their abbeys and castles. Money was needed to pay the hospitals in the cities and such; money was needed to mask the noble's eyes.
The general at least had money and prestige enough to be part of the court…he was of course present around the Prince, seeing that the young man would be marrying his daughter someday and often had luncheon with her, family and Prospero. She was to be groomed to like him. He knew though that his daughter was a bit unhappy with him. He was at this time 17, and she 10. It didn't matter in the world here that they had age differences, only it mattered that they would get married in the future. And to make it a bit of a happy marriage, dinners and parties with them both were needed to be established friends. Twas the way of the world.
He didn't like it. He didn't want the prince to marry his darling. She was too sweet and innocent to be happy with a wild, brat of a prince. Worse, since he had grown, he was more mature and had a wicked nature. He was spoiled, yes, but he knew how to handle power…he was a formidable, powerful, clever, vicious adolescent. And he liked his women. Plenty of them, his mistresses following him as he sang poems to the listening, if uneasy young Virginia.
But he couldn't stop it. He watched her and his son Henry walk up the steps to the museum. He hoped she would never lose that innocent charm and happiness. If she wedded Prospero, and found out the truth of her past and her real parents…it would destroy her. She had been raised that a king would be good…but nothing about the purpose of a princess…or queen for that matter.
"Friedrich…" Dulcinia cooed in his ear as they moved along the stairs. "What are you thinking?"
"I've been wondering…will she ever stay our sweet little girl? Will she keep that charm? I fear for her mind…" He had been constantly worried about it since the day of the talk with the prince. What would happen if he succumbed to the Red Death? What would happen if he died? Who would encourage her to think for herself, to follow her heart to what is good and right?
"You keep bringing that up. Don't worry…she is strong, she doesn't know, and of course you'll be there to help her…the prince is not that bad, at least he loves her and will give her a place of prestige! Us the lowly Morchiefs have our daughter to soon become a Princess! And then, as you know, she will be revealed as queen!" His wife smiled and held his gloved hand. He looked at her with a trickle of hope…but just a little.
"But…what will happen when she is all grown up? Will she be strong enough to resist the charms of ill behavior? I fear for her mind…I fear terribly. If she marries him she would either be sad or become like him, even if she doesn't like him, which I know she doesn't." Their conversation was private, no one could even hear. The courtiers and persons were all chatting and talking around the main room. All would be quiet of course in the galleries but here, here there was noise and running children where Virginia and Henry tried to join.
"She will be strong. You and I will tell her to survive; we will make her strong and steadfast in the way of good. Then perhaps she can change our world when she is queen. Maybe then, she will be strong enough to vanquish The Red Death. You know it is he who torments her dreams." She whispered. He nodded, glad in the strength of his beautiful wife.
"Come now, let us enjoy this day. Tomorrow you'll be heading out to chase on a new trail of the death demon. Think of your family today." She pleaded. Looking at her, he smiled and kissed her powdered cheek. Indeed it would do no good to gain some proper culture and fun at the royal art museum when he was thinking for the not-too happy future for his beloved. He spent almost everyday worrying inside. He was worried more about her and her welfare than the menace that overshadowed everyone's lives, rich or poor.
At least he was sure that the Red Death hadn't reached the capital. It was ever closer, already plans for rationing food inside this city were under way to be reviewed by the prince. Taxes were high…and balls and galas were more abundant.
Shaking his head, he set to clear his mind and just think of looking at art and pictures in a relaxed atmosphere, free from the taint of The Red Death. He watched his daughter run up to him with ribbons in her hair and a sweet blue dress. Henry held her hand, looking up at him. He was proud of them both. Two healthy children. And he hoped they would stay healthy and live a long, rich rewarding life. Hopefully by then there will be a cure for the plague.
Hopefully. The present will have to do now. If all was well his son would be a great general as he is, and his daughter will be a beloved queen. Hopefully, if they all should live that long.
A/N: Oh what an uneventful trip to the art museum…well, so we think so far…-Vincent Price cackle-
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