Look What I Got! :: 5/9, Morning, Marcheline, Open

[Marcheline Forthwind]

The day was bright and beautiful. The ball had gone swimmingly well. Marchie awoke and had breakfast with her mother and father, only to be interrupted when a servant said there was a message for her. “A message, for me?” She squealed with excitement. She quickly got up and rushed from the table, knocking a few plates and spoons off.

She quickly rushed to the front sun room where almost all their things were received. She found the note and flowers. She brought them up to her face and smelled them. They were lovely! Reading the note she looked over it, trying to figure out just who had sent her such beautiful flowers. “Mother! Father! Look what arrived for me! JOSIE!!!” She squealed as she ran back into her father's manse.

[Gaius DeLauncey]

The day was bright and beautiful, but the atmosphere in the capital had grown tense and on edge. The festivities in general were an abysmal failure. Jon Fitzwulf died, but the consensus now was that he was intentionally murdered, assassinated. The world could use less of them, Gaius felt deep down in side, but it was more serious than that. Probably the biggest scandal though was the attempt on the King's life that resulted in the death of Dagonet Harrowgate. The Horn of the Gaian Spear was a family friend, the man's father had saved his elder brother Marcus on a hunting affair in Arbrecht. Nevertheless, the young man died in the line of duty defending his King, and for that Gaius got chills thinking of it. Sir Harrow deserved his son returned to his home in The Vandermark, in full honour, and perhaps a pension for the loss of his son. He could certainly pull such strings.

The Authority of Welfare had been busy in Council meetings and making arrangements according to the wishes of the King and Council. He needed to resolve matters here in the capital, but would soon leave with Lord Bradyn Forthwind to investigate the northern provinces. At least he got to investigate Arbrecht and The Vandermark, regions he was most familiar with. This investigation would distract from his business of actually administrating the economy and proper affairs of the Kingdom. He wondered why the King didn't send his brother, Julius, to go investigate. Though the scholar was useful for information, the information was accessible to the King, where the economy could not be run based on a book.

Gaius had awakened to the clear sunny day and started off with a snack and a short workout in his training room. He washed and cleaned himself, before arriving for formal breakfast. The man was fond of wearing linen tunics around the house when he was just with family. Only when guests were being entertained, or when he went out to work would he put on his fine robes over his tunic. Sometimes he had to dress in a militaristic fashion, but that was very rare now in his days as a civil administrator - save for when he would occasionally partake in a duel or tournament, spectacles also very rare. It was always nice to spend time with his wife and children when possible, but she had not yet arrived to breakfast.

He was thinking of how to break the news of what he learned happened last night, when a servant came bearing a letter for his daughter. Too eager she knocked a few plates and spoons off. The spoons were study and fine, but it was the plates made of fine porcelain china that were broken. He cringed and shook his head. Unfortunately, the girl bolted out of the room before he could chastise her over the carelessness of breaking such dishes. The man had intensity over caring for such things as that, because frankly lots of common people could not afford such fine material possessions. The Authority worked hard to be able to afford such expensive materials, and share them with his loved ones and guests. He was not getting up out of his seat to go to her, he let his daughter run back into the dinning room squealing in joy.

He noted the flowers, and there was a letter in her hand. The opportune moment had arrived. "Flowers and a love letter from your dear cousin Lucius?" His question echoed through the room, his tone somewhat mocking, yet livid as he looked at his daughter with disappointment. When he found the news, from his wife, he was quite upset. If this information had got out, it would be quite the scandal. The man wanted to get up and toss the flowers to the ground, and rip up the card, but he refrained. Though the thought would be justice for the fine dining ware his daughter had destroyed a few minutes earlier.

[Marcheline Forthwind]

She was far too excited to see what had come for her. No one had ever sent her flowers before. Marcheline held the boquet of roses to her face and smelled them. There was a card attached too. It had a poem attached with the letter. “No it just is a note. I do not know who its from. Its unsigned.” She smelled the flowers once more.

“Aren't they beautiful Papa?” She giggled. “Lucius? Do you know who sent these? Did he send them?” She asked him. She wasn't even aware she had ruined the dishes on the table. “Someone obviously thinks I am pretty! Ooh I wonder if it is that knight I met in the markets the other day.”

[Gaius DeLauncey]

Gaius watched in disbelief, his daughter was oblivious. She was in a state of apparent pure ecstasy over these flowers and the poem letter she received. Garbage! The Authority of Welfare was now upset about the expensive porcelain dish that was broken. His daughter seemed to emphasize love, yet she didn't understand the concept of value. Priorities were messed up.

"I don't know, you tell me if it was Lucius," he snapped, his overbearing temper filling the dinning room. His daughter was being ignorant of the cues he had given of his disappointment only a few minutes earlier. "You were the one kissing Lucius, almost as if offering for him to deflower my sweet maiden Marcheline," he said as he walked over next to her. He let the fragrance of the flowers drift to his nose, and took it in. Gaius breathed out and calmed down. "I am disappointed Marcheline, over what happened that night between Lucius and you." There was no point to yell and scream like a barbarian at the daughter he loved.

"You are a petty young woman, and I expect for you to marry someone honourable who will treat you with respect," he said, looking around the dinning room. It was only the two of them in here right now. Gaius had things to do later, but this family matter needed some discussion. "Thankfully, you remain a maiden. I intend to find a good husband for you very soon," he revealed.

[Marcheline Forthwind]

Quickly her happiness subsidized in front of her father. “Papa it wasn't from Lucius! I don't know who it was from it wasn't signed.” She handed the note over for him to look at. “You can look if you want. See!” She looked at her father, her smile quickly fading away.

Deflowering? What did he mean? Did he mean that she was losing flowers? “I kissed Lucius because I wanted to. How..how did you know about that? Did mother tell you?” Of course mother would have told her father. Her father did have a temper. He had provoked it so when the boy had hit Josephine when they were younger. She watched her father come to stand next to her and she lowered her gaze. Was he that disappointed in her? “Nothing happened Papa! All we did was kiss and then I went to go get cards for us to play. It was just kissing! Nothing bad ever came from kissing.” Not to mention she liked kissing Lucius. Of course it had only just been kissing?

Last night's incident almost seemingly was forgotten but still she hoped he hadn't gone after Lucius. “Papa you wouldn't harm Lucius would you? He's still family! And-” She stopped when he said he intended to find her a husband. “Y-you mean to find me a husband? When? Father I don't want to get married! And when I do it will be a knight and a man who will protect me and love me!” She didn't want just anyone. “I'll end up married to an old man won't I?”

[Gaius DeLauncey]

Gaius looked at the note, not bothering with the flowers. Though if I must be honest to myself, whoever sent these flowers has a knack for floral colour and variety arranging. The Authority of Welfare liked flowers, they were produced to a smaller extent in agriculture, as often nobles enjoyed purchasing flowers for their gardens. Nevertheless, there was no name on the letter. It was certainly written by some flowery brat who had been watching his daughter, possibly even stalking her in hopes to violate her. He wasn't sure if this was Lucius. He took the letter and folded it. "I will be taking this letter, and I will find out who sent it," the stern father said, placing the letter into a pocket.

"Cousins don't kiss each other, Marcheline," he said, trying not to let his anger turn to wrath. He breathed in and out, thinking of how to keep his cool in this situation. The man loved his daughter, truly, but he was upset about what he learned late in the night. "I am glad it wasn't anything more than kissing, but still. Kissing your cousin was a poor choice. If others found out, it would make our family look bad in Court, and around the Kingdom," he explained, hoping his younger twin daughter would understand his reasoning.

"I would give that cousin of yours a good whipping if I could, but I don't think I will be laying my arms upon him," he replied simply. He was furious about this, and sure he did want to hurt Lucius, but the boy was immature and he was family - but still he kissed Marcheline. Lucius carried most of the blame for this, as his sweet daughter was innocent and naive. "I think Cassius will give Lucius a beating before I can even get near the punk," he stated. The DeLaunceys were known for being a family with brawling tendencies, anger often provoked such in the men. Gaius used to brawl with his brothers, cousins, and other men in The Vandermark on party nights when he was younger, it was a way of blowing off steam. Thankfully, he had his wife to thank for reforming his behaviour.

"You will be getting married, so your honour can be in tact." He went back to the table and sipped back the juice that had been drained out of some apples for him. He always loved apple juice. "Your husband will be the heir to a banner lord from Caelain," he said, looking over at her. "Liam Forthwind may not be a gallant knight, but I am sure he would protect you and provide for you like any dutiful husband." Gaius spilled the beans, he was intending to marry his daughter to Liam Forthwind. "We will sit down with him tomorrow, and Cassius will be present. There is nothing more to it." The father's voice had a tone of finality to it, as if he was not going to negotiate or put up with any whining. He was doing this for Marcheline's sake, but she would not see that until perhaps when she was his age.

[Marcheline Forthwind]

Why was her father ruining every ounce of happiness? Lucius had been her love and now she was forbidden to see him. He shouldn't have come in drunk and wanting to play cards. That was all they were going to do. She wished she could have gone to whatever party he had gone to. Marchie loved parties. They never had enough of them at the Hollows. Watching as her father took the letter she frowned. “But it was just a letter and flowers! I can't help it if people find me beautiful Papa!” She pouted. “They were just innocent. You don't like that people think I am pretty? What if I can wed him instead?”

She hoped her admirer was a knight. “Kissing Lucius is everything I've ever wanted! And he's not my brother! Why...why can't we be together?” She bit her lip. “But its not fair! All we did is kiss and- Papa are you going to kill him?” She asked, scared. She didn't want anything to happen to him. “I won't kiss him again I swear it!”

But she was to wed. Liam Forthwind....she had danced with him. But why? Why did she have to wed him? Suddenly he had become less attractive. “Papa I barely know him! Why do I have to wed him? Can't I pick my own husband? This isn't fair! Josie should be wed before me!”

[Gaius DeLauncey]

If Gaius had heard the argument that all Lucius wanted to do was play cards, well he would laugh and rage until he disciplined his nephew appropriate. Play cards, my ass. The young man was a bad influence on his daughter, and he would not tolerate rash nonsense that could hurt the family name. "Keep the letter and flowers if you must, but do not be naive to those who would use and abuse you," he replied sharply. He moved closer to his daughter and put his hand on her cheek. "You are so beautiful, my dear," he reassured her. "I just want what is best for you, and it happens your cousin is not what is best for you," he lectured.

His faced contorted into disgust when she said Lucius was everything she wanted. "There are many men of finer calibre than Lucius all over the Kingdom," he answered, deciding to focus on the traits of other gallant knights and lords than Lucius. "Such as Liam Forthwind, such a fair match," he said, ignoring her complaints and objections. Gaius stepped back, and looked at the table. Some servants had just arrived to clean the broken dining ware. "You will come to know Liam in time, and it will be a strong union. Do not worry about it too much my dear," he said, trying to calm her down.

[Marcheline Forthwind]

This was all happening too fast. An engagement to Lord Liam, losing Lucius forever. Why did it have to be like this? She hated not being able to see Lucius. Why couldn't she just talk to him and sort all this out? But he was probably forbidden to see her. “Your forbid him from coming here too didn't you Papa?” She was ready to cry, cry scream and yell. But that wasn't going to bring Lucius back. Maybe if she snuck out....

“How do you know what is best for me? You sent me away from mama, from here and from everything I've ever loved to live out in the middle of nowhere because of some boy that Josie didn't like! It's unfair! I finally get something of my own and you have to take it away from me!” He was taking the flowers away from her too. She sat back, indignant. She wanted something in her life that was hers, something she picked for herself. Not just her gowns but...couldn't she ever have real love too? It seemed she never would.

“I don't even know him. We danced together once. Were you strangers with mama when you wed? Is that what you want for me too? To be miserable? I'll be away from Josie and Evie and Lucius and everyone!” She didn't want to go to Caelain. She wanted to stay here or in the Hollows, even if it was boring it was still home for their family. “I cannot believe you are doing this to me. You and mother.”

[Gaius DeLauncey]

"We cannot take the risk of him dishonouring your reputation, or our family's reputation," he snapped back quickly, reminding her of duty and honour. Such qualities were expected of any DeLauncey, as they were a very traditional family. They didn't need any more drama or gossip hurting the family after what had happened during the fateful night of the attempt upon the King. Cassius had cast some shadows of suspicion upon the family with his drama and quick retreat from the ball.

"It is a secure and good life," he reasoned, looking at her with his eyes wide open. He was hoping that she could see things the same way he did. "Liam is the heir to Demere. He will become Lord, and you shall be his wife. That is an elevation in your status," he explained, wondering if his daughter would be thrilled by that idea. It might not sound great, but so many woman would desire that opportunity, whether for the title, security, comfort, or many other reasons. He was doing what was best for his daughter, because if her own cousin violated her, or even if the rumour was spread she would live the rest of her life as an outcast and reject. That was how society was cruel, and he wanted to protect Marcheline and do what was best for her.

"You will be a dutiful wife and bear children, and that shall be your family. Of course we will visit you, and you will visit us, and we will go to The Hollows, or Demere for occasions!" He wanted to reassure her that just because these duties were expected that her family would still be behind her, and support her. She was born a DeLauncey, and though she would give her hand in marriage and become a Forthwind, Gaius and Isabelle were still her parents, her brothers and sisters remained her siblings. Family was important, and Gaius would do anything to protect his family. "I love you Marchie!" There was almost a tear in his eye, but he remained stoic and firm. He always had to be strong for his loved ones, but there was no doubt he was there for them. In the future you may look back and thank me for this. If only you could see that now, and understand. I love you dearly, my sweet Marchie! He kept his thought to himself, as it would be pointless to say now.