Annelise's Story

It had been a rather miserable morning for Ladislaus; despite whatever his councilor says about the treaty Ladislaus himself isn’t too fond of giving his only sister to the enemy. Sure he knew they weren’t quote “Enemies” anymore but still after being taught to think one way your whole life it’s hard to change it in matter of days.

They have been traveling all morning to Abhainn, he had taken it upon himself personally to make sure his sister arrived at her future home safety. Besides he still had to make sure all the ends of this wretched treaty were set. Ladislaus never traveled anywhere without a full set of servants accompany him, not to mention his beloved little bastard erh daughter.
“Papa, are we there yet?” Little Matilda asked as she peeked out of the carriage window.
“No, Ducky we are not.” He said with a small grin.

If only his wife had given him such a clever child, then perhaps he would find the need to spend his nights with Lady Clementine De Souza instead of her. He cared for his wife, of course what kind of a monster wouldn’t care for sure a lovely creature. He just wasn’t in love with her, he respected her adored her even, but love? No, he didn’t harbor those types of feelings for his wife, at times he wish he did perhaps things would be different between them.

“Well Annelise,” he said looking at his sister from across the carriage. “Are you excited?”

The weak looking black haired girl looked up, sad eyes boring into her brothers as she gave a pitiful smile. "Of course.." Annelise murmured in response. She wasn't lying, of course not, a small fraction of her was excited but most of what she was feeling was anxiety and an overwhelming fear. She knew how Ladislaus felt towards his wife and was afraid she would be treated the same by her husband. That wasn't Annelise's only fear though, what if this king didn't even like her in the slightest? Hated her even?

She sighed, looking back at the floor and trying to push away her depression for a moment, although she knew it was pointless. She could never escape the memory of her father, the only real friend she ever had. Maybe if he was still alive she wouldn't be sent away, but there was no point in living in fantasy, she had to face the moment. Annelise looked up and stared out the window, her stomach sinking as she spotted the castle in the distance.

King Ladislaus of Sliabh

“Well you should be.” Ladislaus said as he peered out the window, they were so near the castle now and Ladislaus couldn’t help but think Rather small castle. Of course this was just a defense mechanism he didn’t really mean to suggest it, It was good that it all in the safely of his own mind.

“Are you nervous?” he said readdressing her as the carriage came to a stop.
A slimy little man came up to the carriage window, “Good marrow, King Ladislaus, Princess Annelise. I will tell King Charles you have arrived.”

“Do so, and for God’s sake doesn’t keep us waiting, we’ve driven all night.”
The Little man ran off into the castle as Ladislaus turned to his sister and said. “Well no turning back now.”

Matilda poked her head out of the window and noticed some men training. “Papa, can I go over there?” she asked wanting to get out of the wretched carriage, after such a long time.

“No, Ducky you are to stay here.” He said in gently, not wanting his daughter to get herself into any trouble and knowing the girl she would.

Now they played the waiting game…

Annelise nodded hesitantly, "Yes.." She admitted shyly, staring up at the castle with a small sense of fear, still avoiding eye contact with her brother.

She couldn't help but smile at Matilda's enthusiasm, looking over at the small girl and laughing a bit. If she wasn't here Annelise may have had a full blown panic attack by now, but her happy chatter had distracted her enough up to this point.

Annelise held her breath in anticipation as she was led out of the carriage and up to the castle with her brother and Matilda, thinking her heart would burst as they neared the large doors of the castle and entered slowly.

"Wow.." She mused, looking around at the beautiful decor and glancing over to see Ladislaus' reaction as they got closer and closer to the throne room.

King Ladislaus of Sliabh

As they walked from the carriage Ladislaus held his arm out for his sister, as is only customary for a gentleman to do so. He didn’t want to admit he was impressed with The Castle so far, he heard his sister’s reaction and he simply replied. “Oh how very modest of them” he spoke in a sarcastic tongue. Wail he was in denial of how impressive it was Matilda’s eyes hadn’t closed since they left the carriage.

“It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed.

Ladislaus grumbled, “Yes, pretty” he grunted not at all happy with using the praise.
The same spiny little man from before offered to escort them to the throne room, which was a tedious trip but at last the made their way and of course The Peacock was sitting proudly on his throne. How anticlimactic he had half expected his longtime foe to sit upon a mountain of those he had slain, but then again no one is ever as we first preserve.

“King Charles, pleasant to at last meet such a great man.” The words felt like daggers in his thought as he tried to regain some form of elegant. “May I present my sister, Princess Annelise”

King Ladislaus of Sliabh

Ladislaus realized now that his actions could be deemed rude, he would have to make sure to correct himself as to not do so in the future. It had been a long journey after all and Ladislaus was quite tired, not to mention he hadn’t been in the company of a woman in twenty-four hours. I must be going into withdraw he thought as his eyes wandered to the woman across the room. Very pretty indeed, maybe Abhainn’s women aren’t vile ogres after all

“Yes it was so” He replied to King Charles’ statement. “And I am very tired, please pardon my rudeness we have been on the road all day, and I did not sleep much.” His gave peered at Matilda for a moment who every two miles would ask him if they were there yet.

What he really needed was his Clementine in his arms, and normally she would accompany him, if she was not on bed rest expecting his child. Yes, he was to become a father again but this time would not be there for the blessed hour. Instead he has instructed his mistress to write to him every day on her condition.

He noticed a look in his sister’s eyes, one that he seemed to find in many young ladies of court. She fancied him at the very least, surely it wasn’t love! Love was hardly a reason to merry anyone.

Eyes were momentarily torn away from the King as a little voice caught Gwen's attention "Good Morning Lady Gwen..." Liam's little but powerful voice echoed around the room, mimicking his fathers, causing Gwen to smile at the boy fondly "Good morning to you too my Prince" she spoke also offering him a swift courtesy. "It's a lovely morning isn't it? If you will excuse me, I have to put clothes on. Good Morning!" He spoke quickly before darting from the room, Gwen watched after him with a small laugh and shake of her head "your son get more like you each time I see him."

Turning back to face Charles, she was momentarily breathless at the sight of him in his beautiful crown, never had she seen a man look so powerful. As he strode over, taking his hands in hers, her rate quickened 'legs don't fail me now.'

"Good morning, m'Lady...I trust you slept well?"

Smiling the blonde nodded "very much so" a frown momentarily faltered across her reddened lips as he let go of her hand, but was quickly replaced "it is very good to see you again Charles."

As if on queue a small man entered the room, bowing grandly before their King "The King and Princees 'ave arrived" he stated. Gwen's blood ran cool and the smile once again fell from her face, she couldn't hide her disdain, not when it was so strong, she knew this was the beginning of the end for them but still she wouldn't go down without a fight. "Come along, then. I'm sure you'll want to meet Sliabh's royals also." Charles voiced beckoned her from thought, I think you'll find I have no desire too, however not want to upset the King, she simply nodded and followed in pursuit.

--

Gwen stood behind Charles throne to the left, hands clasped firmly in front of her, blue eyes widened, her expression was unreadable. Their was silence in the throne room in the moments leading up the King and Princesses entrance, an uncomfortable silence, she cast her eyes down ward to see the King fidgeting in his seat, her lips pressed into a thin line. Hearing the heavy doors open, her eyes quickly flicked forward, inhaling a sharp breath as she watched the Silabh's royals walk towards them.

Despite the feeling that her heart was breaking into tiny pieces as the pretty girl from Silabh walked towards her future husband, Gwen stood tall and proud, like a beautiful statue, unable to read save for the hurt and anger in her large blue eyes. She watched as they exchanged pleasantries, the two Kings eyeing the other one suspiciously. Gwen caught how the Princess would look behind Charles towards her ever-so-often and other than a small nod she returned no friendly gesture, after all she wasn't one to play on false pretences.

When Charles looked back at her however, she offered him a small smile and waited patiently for him to introduce her, She was sure the pretty Princess was dying to know just what relationship she shared with the her future husband.

Ladislaus’ thought pattern suddenly shifted as some perfectly sinful thoughts ran rapid though his head. He nearly forgot where he was for a moment, “Yes, um right yes” he muttered trying to make it sound like he had been paying attention. When King Charles mentioned a party his eyes widened,

“Oh I do love a good party.” Was that ever try Ladislaus was known throughout his realm for always hosting some kind of celebration no matter how small the event was. “But I warn you I have yet to come through a party were a woman’s garments did no fall to her knees.” He laughed as if it were a joke, for he loved seeing his noblewomen dressed in gowns that reveled more of their natural form, rather than conformed in a corset.

The women of his court wear gowns that are a little bit better than a nightgown and more frequent then not the pin holding the gown over their bodies’ snaps and falls to their feet.

Again he fell prey to his day dreams, and again missed a vital part of the conversation as King Charles introduced the young lady behind him. Luckily he managed to hear her name to be Lady Gweneth. His sister responded with much haste and he feared he would be found rude again if he did not complement the young noble.

“I did not think I would see such a pretty woman out of Sliabh.” He claimed not meaning much disrespect.

Annelise smiled and nodded, "Yes please, my king." She chirped gladly, following close behind Charles.

"I had my servants set up a guest room since I'm assuming you would much rather wait until we are wed to share a room." She nodded in response, "Of course.." She murmured, smiling back at Ladislaus and Gweneth, although she hoped they wouldn't follow. She wanted some time to spend with her future husband after all

Annelise looked around with a joyful grin, looking over to Charles and nodding. "It's perfect, thank you very much!" She replied, looking up into his beautiful blue eyes with hers. She wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words, instead blushing a bright red and looking at the ground shyly.

"I do apologize for not having done so earlier. King Ladislaus, Princess Annelise...this is Lady Gweneth; a close friend of mine." Gweneth immediately snapped out of her daze upon hearing her name, looking towards the threesome in the middle of the room she noted Charles smiling at her motioning for her to approach. Gliding gracefully across the hard oak floor, stopping in front of the foreign royals, she curtseyed respectfully as she was taught to do for any member of royalty, despite their country.

"Hello Lady Gweneth.." Acknowledging the young Princess with a small, incredibly forced smile "Princess" her smooth voice drawled "Welcome to Albhainn."

Ladislaus voice finally broke the tension between the two women “I did not think I would see such a pretty woman out of Sliabh.” Although she could have taken the Kings statement either way, Gwen offered a small smile "Thank you sire. I pray you find more things of beauty whilst your in Albhainn as I have yet too see a prettier place." The blonde retorted defending her home with words.

As Charles announced he was too show Annelise her quarters, Gwen's hopes fell, yet quickly rose as he asked her to accompany them "No, you two go on ahead, I shall see you later, if it pleases you?" Watching the soon to be newly-weds leave, Gwen's heart filled with emotion, pain, mostly. A little anger, at herself for not acting on her feelings sooner, at Annelise for having the privilege of becoming Charles wife, at Charles for accepting the treaty conditions.

Shaking thoughts from mind, Gwen turned to Ladislaus "How long do you plan on staying with us sire?"