Lost in a big castle. [5/1|Late Afternoon|Abrielle, Adrien]

[Abrielle Laroche]

She'd wandered for the sake of wandering. Crying the whole day, her loss heavy on her shoulders, she kept to herself after the ceremony was over. It always seemed that the wounds that were her parents deaths just kept getting ripped open. Memories of them were still so fresh in her mind it was hard for her to understand that she'd lost her only ties to the adult world.

Well she had her aunt and uncle now, even her uncle Osiris seemed to want to help her, that was comforting. It was just difficult. Her mother was supposed to tell her about boys, help her pick a cute one, now she was left to wander alone and wonder what it would have been like if her mother lived and was here with her now.

She'd grabbed a book from the shelves in her sitting room, stroking the spine, she'd read the author's name aloud. "Renilde Leiham. Odd name." Abby was accustomed to talking to herself at this point, she'd been alone for so long, maybe she was loosing her mind.

Abrielle had finally happened upon an empty room, she'd no idea where she'd wandered to but that really didn't matter, it had a fireplace and nice fluffy chairs. She'd set down her book in a chair and then set to work starting a fire. She didn't want to bother a servant, they were all much too busy as it was almost dinner time, she could do it herself.

[Adrien Fontenot]

Adrien had enjoyed his visit with Josie but it was time to get ready for the dinner tonight. The entire week was going to be filled with celebrations and feasting. Tonight’s dinner would be dedicated to those whose passed. There would be feasts for the new handmaiden and those that honored the tourney victors. So much to do...

He needed five minutes of peace. Aurora would be wanting his opinion on her dress, and half the time he didn’t know what all the pieces she wore were anyhow. The councilors would be wanting to ensure he visited with everyone important and all the lords would want to speak to him. There would be ladies to flirt with (ok he liked that part) and he’d have to remember who died so he could pass out condolences (he hadn’t enjoyed studying that list during his lessons).

So he dipped into the small parlor, the horn guarding him following him in. The horn immediately nodded at the girl, letting Adrien know he wasn’t alone. The girl didn’t look dangerous, just sad so Adrien waved his horn off and crossed the room.

“Hello?” he called to her, keeping a small bit of distance until he knew who she was. From her dress, he thought she was definitely from Ahestere, but with her face in the book he couldn’t be sure.

[Abrielle Laroche]

Abrielle stood up quickly, startled, and dropped her book to the floor. "Oh! Um! Hello!" She never expected a hone to find their way into a room this far away from the main halls.

She paled when she realized who she was speaking to and quickly curtsied to he man before her. The King. "Your Grace. I apologize for my rudeness. It is an honor to be in your presence. I am Abrielle Laroche of Nabaris."

She kept her head bowed, waiting for the king to respond, she was hoping to the gods that she didn't end up someplace she wasn't allowed.

[Adrien Fontenot]

She was flustered to see him. Adrien could understand that he supposed. Melari had told him that if she had known she was speaking to Adrien she’d have felt the same. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips the way a proper man would. “I am honored to meet you, Lady Abrielle. I am King Adrien Fontenot, of Belleile and the isle of Forsilvra, First of his name and King of the realm of Forsilvra.”

He laughed a little as he let go of her hand, “You appear to be lost.”

[Abrielle Laroche]

Abrielle straightened her posture after he too her hand and spoke, smiling to the king, he was right she was lost. "Happily lost." She said with a smile, she was also still blushing.

"I just wanted to find a quiet place away from all the chatter of young ladies. I apologize if I've happened upon someplace I'm not supposed to be."

[Adrien Fontenot]

She was quite beautiful, and he had to admire he liked her accent. The way she spoke was like those of the southern province, like Aashiq and his daughters. “You must be from Ahestere?” he wagered a guess. He probably should have remembered her from the initial entrances, but there had been so many people, and his eyes had been focused on Aesha that day...

“No need to apologize. We’re here. Today was difficult. I can understand why you’d want to get away. We have... a lot in common.” What he did remember about House Laroche was that there was only one person left...

Abrielle.

[Abrielle Laroche]

"I am." She answered with a smile. "I'm the niece of Lord Aashiq Linnet." It wasn't until he mentioned that they had a lot in comment that she realized he knew exactly who she was.

She hoped the king would sit, to make the situation a little less awkward, but she continued to speak anyways. "Yes, it is common ground we share, isn't it? Though you have your sister! You must be thankful?" She wished she had a brother or sister, her mother was unable to produce more children though, so it was just her in the end.

Alone.

[Adrien Fontenot]

“I have a sister and a brother and am fortunate to have them both. You have your uncle and aunt though. I have leaned much on my aunts and my uncle as well.” Adrien nodded, taking her hand. “But it is still hard. Today was hard. When did you ….” he paused, hoping he wasn’t intruding, “When did you lose them?”

She looked more lost than he had ever felt, and Adrien remembered how lost and alone he’d felt even with his sister and Julius and Aunt Isabella. “Is there anything I can do?”

[Abrielle Laroche]

Oh, by the gods, her uncle would kill her if he knew she'd forgotten the king had a brother! Served her right for not studying harder. Now she looked inconsiderate even more so.

"I do have my uncle and aunt, my cousins, and now I'm meeting my uncle The Keeper. It's wonderful to have such family, and I'm very thankful." The king took her hand and it was as if he took her breath too. He continued talking and so her attention was brought back to him.

"Just two months ago, my father passed, for my mother it's been five years. I miss them with every fiber of my being." Abby was still blushing, the king had to know how much he affected her with just one touch.

It was again when he spoke, he was offering to help her, she couldn't believe her ears. Her free hand went to her chest, and she smiled, even still blushing. "Oh no, your grace, I couldn't ask you for anything no."

She was far too humble, she couldn't find the words, and she could feel her face and ears burning.

[Adrien Fontenot]

She was cute when she blushed. Adrien liked her immediately, sorta like Melari or Rosamond. So many girls it seemed, and he kept running into them all and each one was perfect in her own way. No matter that her birthright wasn’t exactly enough for his station, she was still someone he could get to know.

“Don’t blush. This week we’re all here for the same reason, just to celebrate and remember. Just because I’m King, doesn’t make me some man you can’t talk to. I’m just Adrien right now, alright?” He wanted to be just Adrien right now. When he was with all those high lords who was three times his age or twice his age or least hugely more experienced than him, Adrien had to be The King. It was stressful and sometimes difficult, like wading through a snake filled mud pit.

“Your Uncle is the Keeper? I didn’t know that.. Osiris? He’s a good man. I don’t see him enough as it is. I probably need to make a visit to the temple soon.”

[Abrielle Laroche]

Abby's eyes widened, just Adrien, yeah because that was possible. You can't really hang out with his majesty and utter the words, "Hey Adrien, pass me that mud pie.", that's not really how life worked.

She still nodded just the same, she couldn't find the words to tell the King no, or any words at all for that matter. She thanked her lucky stars when he changed the topic.

"Yes, Osiris is a great man, he always seems to be around at the right time to bail me out of disasters!" she chuckled a little. "If I were not the only of my family left I would stay here with him. I have a duty to my city though, so ... on the man hunt I am!"

She realized a little too late that what she said was a bit, obnoxious, and covered her mouth quickly after letting out a small gasp. "Oh I'm sorry, I sound like such a brat, my humor is just ... a bit off."

[Adrien Fontenot]

“You don’t sound like one at all. I’m on the woman hunt, you could say,” Adrien laughed. “I’m too young to wed, well so are you, but my choice in a wife could make or break alliances and so I have to be careful. Although I hate thinking that way. I want to pick someone I will enjoying being married to and having children with.” And good looking too, not that there are a shortage of attractive ladies about...

“Do you have anyone in mind? Your uncle gets to decide doesn’t he? I could put in a word with him if you do.” He grinned, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Unfortunately, I have to stay here in the capital and rule Forsilvra, so I can’t go to Ahestere and rule your city. Alas, you’ll have to set your eyes on someone other than me.”

Aashiq would probably want someone from Ahestere and likely from his own family. Or perhaps one with whom he’d like to increase favor. All politics. Abrielle would be lucky if she had any say at all, but Adrien would make mention to Aashiq if the lady asked.

[Abrielle Laroche]

Abby found herself laughing with the King. They were both looking for the same thing, wouldn't it be interesting if .... NO. She pushed the thoughts back in her head. Silly girl, thinking you have a chance with the King. Please. Check yourself before you get your hopes up.

"My uncle could choose for me, but they are giving me the chance to look around and maybe find a worthy husband on my own. So far I don't think I'm making any progress. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. Maybe someone like my father, in the end though, that idea sounds a bit strange." He was so forward that it was shocking, she liked it, and couldn't help but grin. "Well that is too bad. I rather like your company even though you don't go shopping." She teased the King and found she was blushing. She could feel her cheeks and ears getting warm. She could joke, she was good at speaking her mind, but she was still just a girl and she couldn't help it.

"I do hope you find someone that you can talk to and who can make you happy. But in the end we'll all be married off to the politically correct person. I don't think there's much hope for love in this world, sadly it doesn't fit in, there's just no room!" Abrielle smiled, it was a sad smile, but she knew the truth and she wouldn't deny the facts.

[Adrien Fontenot]

“You need someone you can trust. Whoever you marry will have control and say in Narbaris... and you need someone who can work with your uncle. The last thing you need is someone with too much ambition who wants to change the order of things. We are best when we keep things as they are, with the strength in the best hands.” He reached out and took her hands.

“We’ve both too young to even have to think of these things, but I have the same issue. I have to find a queen who can be strong and help me rule. And it’s hard to know who that person could possibly be. Sometimes I think it would be easier... no, I know it would be easier, if our parents were still here to help us with this.”

He smiled sadly, “Thank you though, my lady. And I think we can find love and happiness even in a political marriage.... don’t you?”

[Abrielle Laroche]

The King had insight. He knew what he was looking for in a woman who could help him rule. Abby was lost, twisting in the wind, she often felt that she would do better ruling over Nabaris on her own. She knew what her mother and her father wanted, she knew how they thought, she didn't need any man to tell her how to take care of the people of her city.

It was to his last question that she simply shook her head. "I don't really know, to be honest, and that's why I'm scared. I know a few families that were created through political marriages and they are happy. I suppose that it can happen." She wet her lips and continued carefully. "All we can do is hope!" A small smile parted her lips as she looked on Adrien.

"But you're right," she said to change the tone of the subject, "we are both far too young to have to worry about all this."

The King's guards, standing by the door, were looking on but didn't seem like they were listening in on their conversation. Abrielle cleared the book she was reading off the couch seat, setting it on the end table, and then seated herself on the couch. She wondered if the King would sit with her or if he would leave.

[Adrien Fontenot]

He smiled. She was positive, and when she smiled her entire face lit up. He hoped she found someone who would make her happy. “You deserve happiness. And wasn’t your uncle and aunt a political marriage? They seemed happy.” Aashiq had seemed to care about his wife, Adrien supposed. If he was honest, he’d spent more of his time staring at Aesha than thinking about lord and lady. Julius would be displeased to think he hadn’t paid attention to the most important people in the room.

Just, girls were so much better to look at.

He watched as Abby sat and moved to follow her. He didn’t have much to do that day - thank the gods he’d made sure his schedule was clear for the mourning ceremony - and he could afford to spend a little time getting to know the heiress of Nabaris.

“Your city, what is it known for? What would you do when you rule?”

[Abrielle Laroche]

"They were. My parents were as well." she smiled, the King knew a lot about her family, she knew it was his job though and not just a personal interest. "I'm sure there are plenty of happy families that have been united over politics. All I can do is hope I'll be lucky!"

She grinned, her eyes didn't smile, but did that really matter? He started to ask her questions about her home, and that's when she couldn't help but really smile, she loved Nabaris.

"It strikes me that once I get married my sunbathing days are over!" she joked and shook her head. "I hope to return and finish what my father started. He cleaned up our city, I'd like to keep it that way."

"We're known for our spices, to be sure, our fabrics are fine as well. It is our spicy foods that keep us on the map!" The spent that day talking, sitting on the fine couch, and being watched over by guards. It was awkward but Abby enjoyed her quiet time with the King, he seemed like a guy who she could really learn to adore, but she knew he wasn't for her.