Post by Meira on May 5, 2009 10:25:00 GMT -5
All things considered, Creed felt he had handled himself very well. Rook had complied, as Creed had known he would, with little resistance once the guards were involved. Even the woman had kept her mouth shut... at least until Rook and the rest were away. He had felt her anger like waves across the field, and though it all but made him tremble, he rather enjoyed it. Or at least he now told himself he enjoyed it when he was far enough away from the mysteriously terrifying woman.
But what to do now that he had Rook back, and in relative control. Creed had a feeling that the King wouldn't really care what Rook had been up to. But it didn't matter what the King thought, he and the Queen had already retired from the festivities when Creed and the rest returned. Who would help Creed put Rook in his place? The advisers eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on the Crown Prince. Of course! Prince Collin never cared much for his youngest brother. And he would certainly be upset that Rook risked public embarrassment on the night of his wedding. Creed led the group quickly over to the Crown Prince.
My Lord, might I speak with you a moment? Creed said with a low bow as he approached. Collin turned, his dark gray eyes annoyed, to consider the man that approached. With a visible sigh, he nodded his head and dismissed those around him. Creep immediately leaped into his practiced speech, detailing what the youngest prince had been up to. Of course, details were fabricated when necessary, and in the end, the story was much more scandalous than a simple ride in the fields. Collin, ever obsessed with his image, bought the story hook, line, and sinker.
Where is my brother? Collin asked, his eyes already searching Rook out.
Shall I send him over? Creed offered, unable to conceal the smile on his face.
Before Collin could even finish the curt nod, Creed had signaled for the guard to bring Rook over. The youngest prince was as angry as the oldest, and Creed was practically giggling at fun he was having. When Rook arrived at Collin's side, Creed dismissed himself with a bow and seemed to leave to tend to more business. Of course, he was not far away, listening to every word.
Collin immediately jumped onto the offensive, chastising his younger brother in harsh whispers. The remaining guests at the wedding were none the wiser as Collin quietly raged. Rook stood still as a statue as his brother listed his apparent offenses. Not once did he interrupt Collin. Rook had long since learned that it would be easier to stop a storm than Collin when he was angry. But when Collin mentioned Aunna, the boiling anger Rook had been holding back overflowed.
You know nothing about Aunna. Rook's tone took Collin off guard, stopping him mid sentence. We hardly know the family, but they are NOT barely noble, nor is it any dishonor to myself to associate with her! I have done nothing wrong, brother, apart from apparently taking attention away from you. Ms. Borgonia and I were formally introduced earlier today. Whatever lies that serpent Creed has fed you... He paused to breathe and calm himself. I can't begin to imagine why you'd believe him. Rooks eyes were steel again, cold and hard, a mirror image of his brother's.
But Collin wouldn't have any of it. You have always been reckless. He countered, though less enthusiastically than before. Can you imagine the field day the press would have if they had known you snuck off with someone you'd only just met! His anger was now masked by concern, a sentiment Rook knew was not whole-hearted.
The press loves our family. Rook interjected, but Collin waved him off.
The press loves a good story, and scandal is better than wedding vows any day. You know there are still those out there that oppose the monarchy. They'll jump on any chance to dishonor our name. At least Creed can see that. He might have done you a great service, Rook.
Rook fought back the urge to spit on the ground. The only service that whelp could do me is to jump off a cliff. He mumbled under his breath. It doesn't matter anyway. Aunna probably won't want to speak to me again, not after just leaving her like that.
The anger between the two brothers had dissipated now. The reverie of the wedding, multiplied by the abundance of alcohol, had likely done its part in lightening the Crown Prince's usually stern mood. He was left with the rarely seen compassion that an older brother should show to a younger sibling. With an impossible air of a world weary ancient, Collin nodded his head knowingly and pat his brother on the shoulder.
It's for the better, I'm sure. Collin said, comforted by Rook's souring mood that further transgressions were unlikely for the rest of the night. Besides, you don't want a military woman. They're too much trouble, can't be controlled. Collin began to steer Rook back towards the party. You can do much better than that. I mean, look at my Arianna. He said, gesturing towards his new bride who stood with a group not far away. She wants nothing more than the best clothes and a palace. I won't have to worry about keeping her in line.
Rook didn't speak, for fear that he would insult his brother and reignite their heated argument. But his brother's words were like poison in his ears. He couldn't imagine loving a woman like Arianna. There was nothing below the fashion and the status. She was an empty shell compared to Aunna. Taking a deep breath, Rook congratulated his brother and dismissed himself, claiming it was late, and he was tired.
As he moved through the crowds towards the palace, some unknown thread pulled him closer to Aunna, who had finally returned. Rook was unaware of her presence until he practically collided with her and her brother Jade. He was stunned into silence. He hadn't expected that he would see her again tonight. He was sure Creed would have found a way to get her and her family to leave immediately. But it seemed Creed's plotting wasn't fast enough, and now Rook stood facing the woman he hadn't thought he would have the courage to face for quite a while. He didn't know what to say.
But what to do now that he had Rook back, and in relative control. Creed had a feeling that the King wouldn't really care what Rook had been up to. But it didn't matter what the King thought, he and the Queen had already retired from the festivities when Creed and the rest returned. Who would help Creed put Rook in his place? The advisers eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on the Crown Prince. Of course! Prince Collin never cared much for his youngest brother. And he would certainly be upset that Rook risked public embarrassment on the night of his wedding. Creed led the group quickly over to the Crown Prince.
My Lord, might I speak with you a moment? Creed said with a low bow as he approached. Collin turned, his dark gray eyes annoyed, to consider the man that approached. With a visible sigh, he nodded his head and dismissed those around him. Creep immediately leaped into his practiced speech, detailing what the youngest prince had been up to. Of course, details were fabricated when necessary, and in the end, the story was much more scandalous than a simple ride in the fields. Collin, ever obsessed with his image, bought the story hook, line, and sinker.
Where is my brother? Collin asked, his eyes already searching Rook out.
Shall I send him over? Creed offered, unable to conceal the smile on his face.
Before Collin could even finish the curt nod, Creed had signaled for the guard to bring Rook over. The youngest prince was as angry as the oldest, and Creed was practically giggling at fun he was having. When Rook arrived at Collin's side, Creed dismissed himself with a bow and seemed to leave to tend to more business. Of course, he was not far away, listening to every word.
Collin immediately jumped onto the offensive, chastising his younger brother in harsh whispers. The remaining guests at the wedding were none the wiser as Collin quietly raged. Rook stood still as a statue as his brother listed his apparent offenses. Not once did he interrupt Collin. Rook had long since learned that it would be easier to stop a storm than Collin when he was angry. But when Collin mentioned Aunna, the boiling anger Rook had been holding back overflowed.
You know nothing about Aunna. Rook's tone took Collin off guard, stopping him mid sentence. We hardly know the family, but they are NOT barely noble, nor is it any dishonor to myself to associate with her! I have done nothing wrong, brother, apart from apparently taking attention away from you. Ms. Borgonia and I were formally introduced earlier today. Whatever lies that serpent Creed has fed you... He paused to breathe and calm himself. I can't begin to imagine why you'd believe him. Rooks eyes were steel again, cold and hard, a mirror image of his brother's.
But Collin wouldn't have any of it. You have always been reckless. He countered, though less enthusiastically than before. Can you imagine the field day the press would have if they had known you snuck off with someone you'd only just met! His anger was now masked by concern, a sentiment Rook knew was not whole-hearted.
The press loves our family. Rook interjected, but Collin waved him off.
The press loves a good story, and scandal is better than wedding vows any day. You know there are still those out there that oppose the monarchy. They'll jump on any chance to dishonor our name. At least Creed can see that. He might have done you a great service, Rook.
Rook fought back the urge to spit on the ground. The only service that whelp could do me is to jump off a cliff. He mumbled under his breath. It doesn't matter anyway. Aunna probably won't want to speak to me again, not after just leaving her like that.
The anger between the two brothers had dissipated now. The reverie of the wedding, multiplied by the abundance of alcohol, had likely done its part in lightening the Crown Prince's usually stern mood. He was left with the rarely seen compassion that an older brother should show to a younger sibling. With an impossible air of a world weary ancient, Collin nodded his head knowingly and pat his brother on the shoulder.
It's for the better, I'm sure. Collin said, comforted by Rook's souring mood that further transgressions were unlikely for the rest of the night. Besides, you don't want a military woman. They're too much trouble, can't be controlled. Collin began to steer Rook back towards the party. You can do much better than that. I mean, look at my Arianna. He said, gesturing towards his new bride who stood with a group not far away. She wants nothing more than the best clothes and a palace. I won't have to worry about keeping her in line.
Rook didn't speak, for fear that he would insult his brother and reignite their heated argument. But his brother's words were like poison in his ears. He couldn't imagine loving a woman like Arianna. There was nothing below the fashion and the status. She was an empty shell compared to Aunna. Taking a deep breath, Rook congratulated his brother and dismissed himself, claiming it was late, and he was tired.
As he moved through the crowds towards the palace, some unknown thread pulled him closer to Aunna, who had finally returned. Rook was unaware of her presence until he practically collided with her and her brother Jade. He was stunned into silence. He hadn't expected that he would see her again tonight. He was sure Creed would have found a way to get her and her family to leave immediately. But it seemed Creed's plotting wasn't fast enough, and now Rook stood facing the woman he hadn't thought he would have the courage to face for quite a while. He didn't know what to say.