Snippet #1399632

As Gideon spoke, one man appeared less than enamoured. "Perhaps so, but is it wise to tax those who would bring wealth to the land? The merchants will find other routes if need be." He remarked in a low, rumbling voice. Malik peered at Gideon with dark, beady eyes. His jowly face rolled wen he opened his mouth to speak and he thumbed the gold chain at his neck. He was a large man, as wide as he was tall. Malik raised the goblet of wine to his mouth and sipped it lightly. His was a strange countenance, his brutish, offputting appearance contrasting the strangely refined grace of his movements.

"Now, Malik." A woman nearby turned to face him, her features hidden behind the large peacock feather fan that she held to her lips. Lady Victoria was a tall, regal looking woman with platinum blonde hair arranged meticulously in loose curls that rolled down her left shoulder. Though she was approaching middle age she could easily have passed for a woman in her twenties. Pale of skin with only a dash of rouge on her cheeks, her face was framed by the large lace collar of her magnificent gown. She looked to Gideon, offering her hand with a flash of her long eyelashes. "My lord, I don't believe we have been properly introduced." She purred in a low, sultry voice. "Lady Victoria de Cristescu. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I have heard so much about you." She curtseyed politely, tugging at her bustled dress.

Lucenzio regarded the crowd that had formed around him. It was normal, he reassured himself for these people to be drawn to someone of his standing. Though he had no delusions as to the reason behind their fawning admiration. As the King's closest blood relative he would of course succeed the man if he were to die with no heir. Lucenzio listened blankly as one woman intimated none too subtly her desire to bed him. Her coarse and lewd double entendres punctuated by the forced laughter of her entourage.