I Was Just Looking :: 5/7, Cadwallader, Adrien, afternoon

[Cadwallader Prothero]

The tourney had certainly brought about a shock to all in the capital. Cadwallader was included in this. He had watched as Jon Fitzwulf fell, in horror. He knew instantly the man was struck dead. What man could have survived a blow like that? Still the death the day before unsettled him. He sought refuge in the library for a time before he went to go on a tour of the palace a little by himself. It was exploring really and he was only doing it to kill some of the time on his own. He hadn't seen all of the capital and now as a good time to do so.

He was examining the throne room. The Fontenots had ruled here for nearly three hundred years. He wondered what the men before had thought when they united under one crown. Still there was history here. His own family had ruled Lacharn for far longer, just as other families had ruled their lands for sometime before they submitted to a King. He wondered how hard it must have been for their boy king. He ascended to the throne at a young age. The plague had killed many in their land. It was a devastating thing.

Just then he stopped at the throne, examining it. He ran his hands over it- it was quiet. It was just some time after lunch and he wondered if he'd even get caught doing what he was doing. Yet when he heard footsteps he stopped when he saw the king. “Your Grace! I'm sorry I was just-” He stopped and then moved away from the King's throne, bowing. “I was just...looking.”

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien stood and watched the man as he touched the throne. He knew the Prothero from the introductions in the throne room, but beyond that he knew little more. This one wasn’t of the first line, of Rhiannon, and so he hadn’t had the time to sit down and speak with him. The fact that Cadwallader was looking at his throne with such open ease was somewhat disconcerting. Why?

Then Cadwallader turned and saw him. Adrien waved his hand as though it was of no consequence. He saw no reason to accuse, after all, what could touching do? It was the thoughts that matter and how could one of a second line even think he had a shot to be king. Wouldn’t that be foolish?

“It is a nice throne. Been there since Jondé took the first crown of united Forsilvra. I can see why you’d look, although I don’t think anyone would take it well if you attempted to sit.” He laughed lightly, but he wanted his point to be clear. That throne was his and the Fontenots, and with all the discord running around about Arbrecht, he didn’t want to add Lacharn to that list.

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader knew his prodding around must have looked foolish. And he had been caught by the King! He felt suddenly embarrassed. He winced when he heard the man's voice, finally looking at him. He kept his eyes level. He was caught and he knew that it would look horrible if he didn't at least meet the man's eyes. “I just wanted to see what it looked like. When my family arrived I didn't have time to properly look at it, with the excitement and all.” He swallowed. And he suddenly turned red. “Oh no-no I would never sit on it. I am but a humble doctor your grace, or at least I was going to be one.”

He shuffled his feet nervously. “I didn't mean to cause any offense. I was just curious. It looks different from what I've read. Reading about something in a book and seeing it in person however are two totally different things.”

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien moved closer to the man, knowing his horn was shadowing his moments. The young man didn’t seem in the least bit dangerous, and Adrien was glad he was humbled by the king’s words. “Cadwallader right? I recall from when you were introduced,” he commented, although most of what he remembered about that day was Keyna Prothero, the lovely daughter of Rhiannon who had been most beautiful. The introduction seemed like weeks ago. Aside from the dance they shared at lunch and the day she’d sat in the box, he’d hardly had time to see her. But then, when he thought about it, he was stretched so thin with so many guests he didn’t spend enough time with any of them. At least the ball would be tonight and soon after the second and then they would all leave and he could visit with whom he liked.

“Go ahead,” he waved. “Look away. The eyes can’t do any harm by admiring. I admit I’ve never seen a picture of it in a book, because why look at a picture when the real thing was always here.” He laughed a little, trying to make conversation with yet another person he hardly knew.

“Why aren’t you planning to be a doctor anymore?” Cadwallader was not of the main line, and a House Physician for a high ranking house would have been a noble position.

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader couldn't help but feel nervous but looking at the throne- he was looking at a part of history! It rather did make him pleased to know he could view it without getting into much trouble. Still to be so close to history was rather exilherating for him and he wanted to remember this moment. “I can? Thank you your grace. I promise I will not touch it. I will only admire.” He smiled as he examined the throne. Its details were beautiful. Almost all the provinces two hundred years ago had been their own kingdoms. He wondered if their thrones were any different from this. “Yes, I am Cadwallader Prothero. Rhiannon is my sister.” He added with a nod and a bow.

It wasn't hard being the ruler of Lacharn's youngest sibling. He had more freedom than the rest of his. But then the King asked him a question and he paused. “Oh! Well, I am betrothed now. To Lady Morgandy.” He replied. “And as a lord consort to a ruler, well, I cannot be much of a doctor if I am to be a consort. It is hardly fitting.” He added. “Medicine was always my first love in life I think. I was almost always left to do what I wanted. I was the youngest of my siblings so my parents did not care if I did anything so long as I didn't embarrass the family. And now that I am betrothed, well I have to not practice it as much. Surely you've had something like that happen? Oh, I'm sorry I'm rambling on your grace.”

[Adrien Fontenot]

Lord Consort sounded so strange to him, but that was Lacharn. “Well, congratulations on your engagement then. Maybe medicine could just be a hobby?” He didn’t know how much work being Lord Consort was. Adrien had be born to be king, raised to be king, and had never considering anything else. Medicine didn’t interest him, but being a knight did. He supposed he could say the same - how could he be a true knight and also be a king? Or be a king if he was busy being a knight?

He still wanted to be knighted though.

“I think if you really love something you should still do it. I’m going to fight because I want to, even if people tell me a king shouldn’t be a knight.”

He paused, “What exactly is a Lord Consort... it’s a strange title. I’m not sure I’d want it.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader let out a laugh at the King's comments. “Well you are a King. I am sure you could get away with doing what you wanted and no one would really speak out against you. Royalty does come with its privileges but also responsibilities. I am not sure I could bear it all.” He didn't think he could bear being in any kind of spotlight mind you really. Becoming Lord Consort of Enyon was going to be a mouthful enough for him. “But I thank you none the less. It is a good match it just suddenly came upon me when I wasn't expecting it.”

“But I think you would be a good knight your grace.” He smiled honestly and then when he was asked to explain the title of Lord Consort he let out another laugh. “Well as you know on Lacharn, the eldest child inherits their parents title. I know in many other provinces a lord is simply the eldest son of a father, so he is given the title Lord. In Lacharn it is the eldest child, which may be a girl or a boy. If that is the case, the heir is given the title Ruler. So we have female rulers and male rulers. If it is a female ruler, her husband is called her Lord Consort, which is the case with me. My betrothed is the Ruler of Enyon. If it were a male, his lady wife would be called Lady Consort.” He explained. He always thought the other places in Forsilvra were rather backwards- not letting females inherit. Really what did it matter?

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien laughed, “Do whatever I want? I wish it were that easy. Being King often means doing everything but what you want. Council meetings and holding court, listening to people talk all day about things that interest them but not me. But I am expected to listen and care and make a judgement, and so I do.”

He moved to sit down, but not on the throne. He took another chair, off to the side, mostly because he didn’t feel like towering over Cad while they were talking. “Here, sit. I need a little break anyway. So you like your match then, and you’re ok with being called... consort?” It seemed weird, but he’d grown up knowing that Lacharn was different. And there wasn’t anything wrong with that he supposed. If something happened to him and Bertram, wouldn’t he want his sister to take the throne?

And Elanor was the ruler of Arbrecht now. “Perhaps it’s not that strange after all.”

He beamed a bit at the compliment. “I still must train more. I sparred with my cousin the other day, Bruce Montrose, and he beat me fairly. He is older, more experienced, so I expected it, but that means I do have more to learn. He is good. I hope to get to know him better.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Still Cadwallader couldn’t help but envy the man. He could pretty much do anything and get away with it. He had that freedom once. “Still, you have freedom. I had that once and then lost it, well not so much lost it. My life is just taking a different direction than I anticipated.” He responded.

He took the seat Adrien offered him and sat down next to him. This was certainly different. Never did he think he’d be able to sit next to the king! He suddenly became aware of how young indeed he was. Adrien was fifteen and Cadwallader was twenty four. The age gap became far more apparent to him at that very moment. “I do like my match. She is very pretty. I sometimes think I don’t deserve her.” He answered honestly. Where had that come from?

He however gave the King a smile. “You will get better in time your grace. Just keep practicing. And being called a consort is just something we are used to. You call your Queen a Queen Consort. Lacharn just allows the first child to inherit so it does not seem so strange. My wife will rule and I will help her. I suppose I will have to do more however when she is with child but I’ve never really thought about it. I am just so convinced I will not measure up to her. She is graceful and beautiful and I am well…awkward.”

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien remembered her. “Cordelia Morgandy made a grand impression when she presented with Lady Rhiannon. Or do you call her Lord Rhiannon?” Adrien asked, knowing he should have paid more attention to the semantics associated with Lacharn. After all, he did know to call Torrence Sira instead of Sir. But she was right here all the time, and easy for him to talk to. Easy to remember. Julius would probably berate him for not remembering that part of his studies, but learning the histories of the knights and the battles was just more interesting than lordly titles.

Adrien didn’t think Cad was that awkward, but he didn’t know the man that well either. But he spoke well enough. Maybe he’d been a little strange when Adrien first caught him staring at the throne, but the chair was rather pretty. Adrien often didn’t notice anymore because he saw the damn thing almost every day, but a newcomer might feel different.

“You’ll do fine if you want. Look at me. I’m ruling the whole kingdom and I’m a lot younger than you. Your future wife is pretty though and does seem very serious. Maybe your role will be being a good father?”

He wasn’t good at this advice giving. He didn’t know anything about fathers and children and what being married was like. He still had to figure out who he was going to wed... And when.

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader laughed. “She is called Lady Rhiannon Prothero, Ruler of Lacharn. We title the reinging lords or lady just Ruler. It is far simpler.” He coudln't help but laugh at the King, but it was just from a lack of understanding. “Her husband, my brother in law is still Lord Prothero, but he is simply Lord Consort.” He would he a lord consort too.

He didn't know what kind of a role he would play. But he always seemed incredibly awkward next to Lady Morgandy. “She is very beautiful. I always feel a fool next to her, more so because she is beautiful.” He grumbled quietly, playing with the fabric of his sleeve. “I will have to grow more confident sooner or later. At least my wedding is still a ways away. But you- you must be enjoying all the province lords dangling their daughters in front of you. How do you pick a future wife from all of them?” He honestly was glad he wasn't in Adrien's place. He'd probably faint.

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien laughed, “They can be overwhelming at times. But they’re all so different. And to be honest, I like the ones who treat me like a friend more than the ones who fawn, even if it’s nice to think they’re fawning over me. But they’re probably just enchanted with my title. Whoever I wed will be Queen, and how many young ladies grow up dreaming of that?”

He sighed, “I will probably pick the one who will make the best alliance and have the best chance of keeping our kingdom together. And also one who seems to have the wisdom to be Queen... which isn’t easy. Because if I’m honest, all the province lords have daughters who seem a good choice. Or sisters.”

He glanced at Cad. “Your way of being betrothed on your own is probably far easier. If my father was still alive, he would choose my bride.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader was glad he didn't have to worry about picking a bride. He was sure he would have fainted by now if he were in Adrien's place. “Well you do have to pick one at some point. It must be hard. The politics involved and all. I suppose that was the advantage of my place. Being the youngest. Most of the second and third born children on Lacharn are never married off. They stay married in their families.” He shrugged, realizing he probably had the worst manners right about now.

“I am not sure what girls think. I always find them too giggly or....they whisper. Or they point and stare and I never know what to say around them. I've always avoided them really. Besides when I was training as a doctor they weren't really allowed around much.” Save for the few assistants. “Many girls don't like blood.” That was very true. “I think your father would have picked a good match for you. Most men do take in consideration what their sons want...a little at least. My family did. I do not think you would have gotten a horrible girl for a wife.”

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien nodded, although he could hardly remember his father. Still, they always said good thing about Joseph Fontenot. “I think my father would have made the best match he could for both me and the family, and that’s what I have to do. It won’t help if I’m unhappy with my wife, any more than it will help to pick one that is politically disfavored. But any lady from the high houses would do. They’re all important to the realm. Keyna is sweet and Aesha and Deirdre. I have choices. And there isn’t anything wrong with any of them.”

Except that none of them were Elanor. Gods help him, he needed to stop thinking that way. He needed to accept he wasn’t going to wed her. He needed to accept the others were his choices and that he needed to pick the one that made sense… he could grow to love any of them. He could.

“It’s probably a lot easier when your father just picks for you and you accept the match that makes sense and learn to like her.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

He would have just taken everything in his life in stride. That was what he did truly. So much had changed throughout the years Cadwallader didn't think anything was set in stone anymore. He didn't know what it would be like to have to pick a wife because of politics. He had it the same way. That was all marriages were. Politics. “I'm sure in time you will find who you need to pick and you will grow to like her. Very few marriages for a man are ever based on love.” That was true for many nobles. Peasants probably had a different choice in who they wed. They could marry for love.

He laughed a little. “It is always easier when someone else chose for you. But there is always the chance they don't pick someone that is compatible with you. I am sure your marriage will work. You are a smart man.” He was rather glad his marriage was already picked for him. “My sister picked my wife to be for me. It hasn't turned out horrible so far. I am sure yours will be just as good.” He paused for a moment. "My life just hasn't happened as I expected it to as I am sure yours is the same. I thought I'd be a doctor. I wouldn't really worry about who I must wed."

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien looked at Cad. “Well, your niece, Keyna Prothero, is one of the ladies... whom I’ve been advised to consider. Obviously those who speak to me say I should chose from a high house, because only those born from province lords are worthy to hold the title of queen. Maybe... you could tell me about her?”

He felt a little weird asking, but it couldn’t hurt. And Cad would probably go back and tell Rhiannon he inquired, so even if Adrien didn’t pick Keyna he could still win some points from Lacharn by pretending to care. Well, he did care. Elanor was going home. And he would soon need a queen. Julius had assured him that getting an heir and growing the Fontenot family was important for their future.

“I will probably need to wed as soon as I come of age.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Keyna? What did Cad know about Keyna? Not much really. “Well she is kind. And gentle and still very much a little girl in ways.” But he realized he probably was making her sound unattractive. “Not that she is too young your grace she ah, she....is perhaps still innocent. Wisdom comes with age in that regard.” He did not know if Keyna would make a good choice for a queen really. Perhaps she would? But she was just young, like he was.

The dreaded marriage word. “Keyna is nice enough however. I am sure she would like you. What do you think of her?” Cadwallader asked. “Marriage is something none of us can avoid. For you its expected you're a King. I bet you would have wanted in my position. I am sure your brother will have to wed too at some point. If you were in Lacharn and born further down the line it wouldn't be as important. Perhaps love will come with your marriage? Fondness even?” He wasn't sure how any of that worked. He was not always so...wonderful with women.

[Adrien Fontenot]

A little girl? Cadwallader just called her a little girl. Adrien resisted making a face at that thought. He wasn’t about to consider her if she was still immature and childish, although the girl he’d danced with that the luncheon and the one who had sat with him at the tourney didn’t seem that way at all.

The uncle covered his words, and Adrien nodded. “Yes, it’s harder to have knowledge without experiences. Just having everyone here was an experience for me,” Adrien told Cad. “And I hope she gained some of that as well.” Not that he had decided. He wasn’t even close to that. He just... he couldn’t rule her out because she was the daughter of a Province Lord and had high status.

“She seems nice. And I admit I really did enjoy when we danced.” He blushed slightly. He’d brought it up but now he felt strange talking to the girl’s relatives about her. “I think she’d like it here. She seems a girl who would enjoy courtly things. Maybe she and my sister would get along.

“I hope for that. I want a queen who I can love and who the people will love too. Everyone talks about how my parents were in love and how they were perfect for each other, and how my father was never the same after my mother died.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader gave the King a smile. “See your grace. Always look for the positive in a situation. And I am sure Keyna would like it here as well. She is rather taken with you.” But so were many of the other girls in the capital now. He had suddenly realized it was rather past time where he needed to go. “But if you must excuse me your grace I must be off. There is another appointment I must be off to and I am sure you have other things you have to attend to as well. It was nice speaking with you your grace.” Cadwallader stood and offered the King a bow before he departed.

It was nice talking to him.