Setting
Default Location for Our Broken Crown
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France is a part of 
Our Broken Crown.
2 Characters Here
Fernand Bochard [16] "One must do what must be done, but be weary of the victims"
Emilia Windsor [16] "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars."
Start Character Here »
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Snow no longer graced the lands, spring was almost in full bloom making the long journey from England to France a beautiful one. Though the English are used to the cold as it is usually cold and damp year round, Emilia cared very little for the cold, or snow for that matter. She feared it was the only thing from her home she would not miss.
Emilia kept her eyes fixed on the scenery of the place she would now call home. France was beautiful, even as a child when she visited Fernand she thought it was beautiful. However, she knew it would not be the same, at that time they were children, engaged, yes, but no more than playmates. Now that they are both of age, the engagement and alliance would be taken more seriously. They were no longer children, they were future rulers, finally a piece in the intricuit game.
They finally arrived at the castle, and the carriages came to a stop. Emilia could see the crowds of people gathered outside the castle to get a look at who would someday be their Queen. The royal family of France stood down the pathway as was expected.
As a guard opened the carriage door Emilia drew in a deep breath, her father stepped out first, followed by her mother, Amelia and Seraphine were close behind, the wet-nurse then brought out little Annaliese. Then it was finally her turn, she took the guards hand stepping out, whispers rose in the crowds on either side of the pathway, taking another deep breath Emilia fell into step beside her mother as they moved up the pathway. Greetings were exchanged between the families, though Saraphine didn't seem so keen hiding behind Emilia the entire time.
"It is an honour to be back on French soil. My family and myself thank you for your hospitality." Genvieve spoke softly but with an authority, you would only find in the voice of a queen. Emilia kept her eyes on Fernand, he had grown from the last time she had seen him, but of course he had. They both had.
"The castle is bigger than I remember it." Emilia said softly, glancing over at Fernand as the two families headed to the dining hall for dinner. Seraphine was holding onto Emilia's hand, pouting about the fact that they would be in a castle that was not theirs for an unknown amount of time. "It's been too long since I have been here."
It was not long before Fernand rose from his slumber that he heard footsteps getting closer, and closer to his private chambers. The morning air was crisp, and Fernand smiled as he knew what was happening later that very same day. Fernand peeled off his night garments and stepped into the next room which contained the bath. A servant of his father's had already fill the bath. Fernand stepped in and had the servant clean his back.
Once his morning routine was finished, Fernand had dressed in his finest shirt, doublet, and breeches. There was not much waiting around to do as Fernand was called out of his chamber by his young sister. "Louise, I thought I told you to never retrieve me from my chambers. I was about to come out on my own. Louise was wearing a smile, but it did not last long as Fernand's words upset her, making her feel unwanted. Fernand could not help but feel guilty for his words. He knelt down, patting Louise on the head "I apologize, Louise. Now go run along and find mother and father." Louise's frown turned right back around, and she ran off down the hall in search of the King and Queen.
Fernand made his way down the spiral staircase down the hall when he could he the sound of horses and carriages. This excited him, causing him to rush to the front of the castle, and make his way out into the fresh air of the French country side. He made his way next to his mother and his sister. Fernand could not help but look at the carriage, waiting for the King and Queen of England to exit. But along with them would come their daughter, Emilia. Fernand knew that he would marry her soon due to the marriage arrangement that both their parents set up. There was no telling how this could go. It has been too long since Fernand has seen the princess. It made him anxious, because he would not know what she hath grown into, but was scared of what she thought of him. Fernand took a deep breath and watched as the royal family of England proceeded out of the carriage. He put on a warm, sincere smile to greet them.
There was nothing holding Fernand back from gazing at Emilia. To him, she was stunning. He never knew that she was this beautiful, but at the same time he remembered that they were good friends, and didn't want romance to seize their conversations. As Fernand's parents led the guests inside, Fernand was able to fall back to Emilia and converse with her after so many years of an absence of speech. "Everything may seem different. The castle is very roomy, and it has been way too long since we saw each other last. You look... very beautiful, if I may say the least" Fernand said with a smile on his face and joy to his words.
Once his morning routine was finished, Fernand had dressed in his finest shirt, doublet, and breeches. There was not much waiting around to do as Fernand was called out of his chamber by his young sister. "Louise, I thought I told you to never retrieve me from my chambers. I was about to come out on my own. Louise was wearing a smile, but it did not last long as Fernand's words upset her, making her feel unwanted. Fernand could not help but feel guilty for his words. He knelt down, patting Louise on the head "I apologize, Louise. Now go run along and find mother and father." Louise's frown turned right back around, and she ran off down the hall in search of the King and Queen.
Fernand made his way down the spiral staircase down the hall when he could he the sound of horses and carriages. This excited him, causing him to rush to the front of the castle, and make his way out into the fresh air of the French country side. He made his way next to his mother and his sister. Fernand could not help but look at the carriage, waiting for the King and Queen of England to exit. But along with them would come their daughter, Emilia. Fernand knew that he would marry her soon due to the marriage arrangement that both their parents set up. There was no telling how this could go. It has been too long since Fernand has seen the princess. It made him anxious, because he would not know what she hath grown into, but was scared of what she thought of him. Fernand took a deep breath and watched as the royal family of England proceeded out of the carriage. He put on a warm, sincere smile to greet them.
There was nothing holding Fernand back from gazing at Emilia. To him, she was stunning. He never knew that she was this beautiful, but at the same time he remembered that they were good friends, and didn't want romance to seize their conversations. As Fernand's parents led the guests inside, Fernand was able to fall back to Emilia and converse with her after so many years of an absence of speech. "Everything may seem different. The castle is very roomy, and it has been way too long since we saw each other last. You look... very beautiful, if I may say the least" Fernand said with a smile on his face and joy to his words.
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Emilia smiled kindly at his words, many complimented her as she was a Princess and a future Queen many did it simply to fall into her favor, but it was different coming from Fernand.
"Thank you. After travelling for so long, I'm surprised I don't look dreadful."
Emilia sat beside Fernand at the table, listening as their parents talked back and forth about the states of both Countries. Many had died in France, and many had died in England due to the plague, not to mention the uprising of smaller countries, the thought of France and England being one giant power scared many of them. She glanced over at Fernand for time to time as well as keeping an eye on Seraphine, she watched over the younger Princess as if she were Emilia's daughter not her sister, but Seraphine seemed to take kindly to Fernand, looking over at Emilia she giggled a little bit.
"Are you going to marry him Em? I like him" Seraphine giggled a little bit more at the red the colored her sisters pale cheeks, glancing slightly at Fernand. "You'll live happily ever after right? Like in the stories you read me before bed."
"Yes Seraphine, just like in the stories I read you." Seraphine's question brought the doubt back into Emilia's heart, would they love each other? Would they be happy? She simply didn't want to crush her younger sisters spirits, even if she doubted it herself.
After dinner, Emilia joined Fernand for a walk around the castle, she wanted to get to know it again.
"You're taller than me now. I used to be taller than you for a time. I remember you used to get so frustrated when we played tag, I had longer legs so I could always get away even in a dress." Emilia missed playing games, she missed being a child when the world wasn't so scary, when responisbility did not way heavily on her shoulders. She looked over at the Prince with a smile, the date for their wedding was set. In two months they would be wed, she hoped in two months they would be closer, more in love, but logically she knew it rarely worked that way. "Seraphine likes you, she doesn't usually warm up to people like that. She's fairly shy, scared of just about anyone she doesn't know. Is scared of mother and father sometimes. They aren't around very often."
Fernand was surprised at how much Seraphine spoke. He sort of wished that Louise was the same way, but she was special in her own way. She stuck to the shadows from time to time, but when the weather was right Louise would come out to play and enjoy herself. Fernand laughed as Seraphine talked and embarrassed Emilia. He missed seeing her, and now it seems like the world has become normal once again, and all troubles were restored.
Once dinner had finished in the evening, Fernand had some time to show Emilia around the castle. He was able to let her take it all in. It was obviously different from the castles back in England and Ireland, but it was something to really just gaze at and enjoy the beauty of it all. "I don't mind her at all. She seems very fun. I wish Louise was more social with everyone, but she is still someone I don't mind playing with and entertaining when mother and father aren't around to care for her."
Being around Emilia worried Fernand. He thought she was beautiful, but he didn't know if he had feelings towards her except for the mutual ones he has as friends. He was afraid to think that if he slipped up, the marriage in two months would fall apart and would make both parties unhappy. He wanted to make a move to settle their new relationship in stone, but he could not do such a thing to her. He knew that they would need to ease in to such a relationship, and love would come along down the road sometime. "Let me show you something. It's nothing that special, but there is such a gorgeous view." Fernand took Emilia's hand and led her up the steps nearby all the way to the top of the turret on the side of the castle.
Once at the top, Fernand stood there, watching as the sun began to slowly set in the distance behind the small hills of the country side. He turned to Emilia "What do you think of the view? I just wanted to show you this since it's been such a long time since you have visited."
Once dinner had finished in the evening, Fernand had some time to show Emilia around the castle. He was able to let her take it all in. It was obviously different from the castles back in England and Ireland, but it was something to really just gaze at and enjoy the beauty of it all. "I don't mind her at all. She seems very fun. I wish Louise was more social with everyone, but she is still someone I don't mind playing with and entertaining when mother and father aren't around to care for her."
Being around Emilia worried Fernand. He thought she was beautiful, but he didn't know if he had feelings towards her except for the mutual ones he has as friends. He was afraid to think that if he slipped up, the marriage in two months would fall apart and would make both parties unhappy. He wanted to make a move to settle their new relationship in stone, but he could not do such a thing to her. He knew that they would need to ease in to such a relationship, and love would come along down the road sometime. "Let me show you something. It's nothing that special, but there is such a gorgeous view." Fernand took Emilia's hand and led her up the steps nearby all the way to the top of the turret on the side of the castle.
Once at the top, Fernand stood there, watching as the sun began to slowly set in the distance behind the small hills of the country side. He turned to Emilia "What do you think of the view? I just wanted to show you this since it's been such a long time since you have visited."
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"She is fun. If she likes you that is, she can be quite the little terror if she doesn't, and she is fiercely territorial when it comes to her sisters."
Emilia could sense that Fernand was hesitant with her, probably for good reason. She ignored it as he led her up the steps, smiling at the view before them. It was beautiful, France was beautiful. She felt like she could grow to love it here, even without her parents or her sisters, she could manage.
"It's truly beautiful." Emilia was amazed, how the world could seem so perfect in that moment, but she knew that it was falling apart, sickness and war, famine, it was bringing society to its knees. Yet nature continued on as if nothing was happening, continuing to be beautiful. Emilia smiled slightly as the sun disappeared and the night took its place, stars appearing in the sky. Stars were always her favorite, always had been.
"If we ever go to England, I will have to show you the view from my chambers...Well, they will be Amelia's chambers by then. Mother says I will never step foot on English soil again." Emilia frowned slightly moving back towards the stairs. She didn't get homesick but the thought of never returning to the place she grew up in unsettled her. Emilia sighed as they got to the bottom of the staircase, it was all suddenly beginning to feel foreign to her. This wasn't her castle, this wasn't her court. She looked back at Fernand forcing a smile back onto her face.
"I'm happy to be back. I must excuse myself however, Seraphine won't go to sleep unless I read her a story, drives the nanny up the wall." Emilia gently kissed Fernand's cheek. "Thank you, for showing me around. Hopefully, I won't get lost on the way to breakfast tomorrow."
Fernand was not expecting the kiss he received. It was only a light one on his cheek, but anything would have sufficed since he had never felt a girl's lips before, and that feeling made him blush slightly. He was embarrassed, but didn't mind it. "No problem at all. It was a pleasure to show you around. And hopefully you don't get lost. If you do, you know where to find me." Fernand turned back to look at the night envelop the entire french country side. He tilted his head upwards, looking at the moon glow bright in the night.
The thought of spending time with Emilia brought a smile upon Fernand's lips. He was so happy to see her after such a long absence, but now he didn't mind the thought of getting married to her so soon. He still wants to catch up with her and flirt with her to gain her love, but he can go awhile with just being friends still. But he did feel sympathy for her on the fact that Emilia may never see her home again, or at least for a very long time. He could definitely understand her sorrow, but it would upset him if she kept her distant if she was just homesick. Fernand spoke up before Emilia would leave "I just want you to know that once we may get married, we're gonna visit England from time to time. I don't want you to feel homesick for the rest of your life."
As Fernand thought a bit more in the time after he spoke, he started to realize the problem with England and France. There would be no difference in going to England or staying in France since the plague has struck both places. He did not know the severity of the plague in England, but he knew it was tough in France. Every now and again Fernand would go into local villages and see if people were doing alright, but the sights he saw could not be unseen. It upset him. Fernand shook the thoughts from his head and just focused on the moment at hand.
The thought of spending time with Emilia brought a smile upon Fernand's lips. He was so happy to see her after such a long absence, but now he didn't mind the thought of getting married to her so soon. He still wants to catch up with her and flirt with her to gain her love, but he can go awhile with just being friends still. But he did feel sympathy for her on the fact that Emilia may never see her home again, or at least for a very long time. He could definitely understand her sorrow, but it would upset him if she kept her distant if she was just homesick. Fernand spoke up before Emilia would leave "I just want you to know that once we may get married, we're gonna visit England from time to time. I don't want you to feel homesick for the rest of your life."
As Fernand thought a bit more in the time after he spoke, he started to realize the problem with England and France. There would be no difference in going to England or staying in France since the plague has struck both places. He did not know the severity of the plague in England, but he knew it was tough in France. Every now and again Fernand would go into local villages and see if people were doing alright, but the sights he saw could not be unseen. It upset him. Fernand shook the thoughts from his head and just focused on the moment at hand.
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Emilia nodded slightly, she truly hoped they would visit England and her family, though with times the way they were part of her doubted they would be able too. Travel was dangerous enough for Royal's, and that's not adding the plague into the mix of things that could kill them.
"I had a wonderful evening, but it is getting late, and I really must tend to my sisters." Emilia smiled kindly at the Fernand before turning on her heel heading down the hallway. After tending to her sisters Emilia walked into her room, she immediately started pulling the strings at the back of her dress lose. Corsets were ghastly things, she hated them especially since she could get away without wearing one but was forced to anyway. The servants took her dress while she slipped into her nightgown climbing into bed.
"Goodnight your highness." The last servant girl said softly before exiting the room. Emilia rolled over closing her eyes, she really did need the sleep.
Sophia's carriage arrived the next day, she was, like she would be for quite a while in the company of Fernand when she arrived. Emilia greeted her friend with a bright smile and a hug.
"Sophia, this is Fernand, Prince of France." Emilia stepped aside so they could properly greet each other. "It's an honour to meet you, your highness." Emilia walked in between Sophia and Fernand linking arms with her friend, asking about how the journey was for her. Sophia said it was long, tiring, and she hoped she wouldn't have to do it again for some time.
"We are going out riding together, you should join us." Sophia smiled a little bit but shook her head. "I wouldn't want to get in the way."
"Nonsense, I want you two to be friends." It took a little more convincing but Emilia managed to get Sophia to agree. Whispers had already started to move through the castle of the new Royal couple, and Emilia always felt like everyone was watching them, it made her nervous. She looked at Fernand with a light smile.
"They watch us like we just stepped out of a book." Emilia joked. "It's like they have never seen royals before."
Fernand watched as Emilia left. He was happy to have had some one on one time with her. They didn't talk about much, but he didn't mind. As Emilia left, Fernand made his way back to his own chambers. Once inside, he walked to the dresser that held his clothing. He removed the used clothing from his body, peeling it off from the slight sweat he broke into when he got nervous from seeing Emilia and her family. He reached out for his night garments and slipped them on. It was just a few minutes until Fernand was passed out on his bed.
The morning came quickly. Fernand awoke from his slumber and changed his clothing to what he would usually wear when he would go riding out in the country side. He made his way down the staircase and out to the front of the castle where he met with Emilia and her friend who was fresh from the journey. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, my lady."Fernand took a slight bow as he greeted her. He was not opposed to making friends with the new arrival like Emilia had mentioned, but he was unsure about how she would interact with the both of them. Fernand didn't want to make Sophia feel left out when he would want to get some one on one time with Emilia.
Fernand understood what Emilia was saying. It was quite odd to him that everyone around the castle had started to act a bit different, but that might just because there are guests staying for a few months. "Yes, it does seem like that doesn't it. I think they are just acting a bit different because they have never seen us together before and since we are supposed to get married in two months they just want to talk about us. I don't mind that much as long as no silly rumors start spreading.
The morning came quickly. Fernand awoke from his slumber and changed his clothing to what he would usually wear when he would go riding out in the country side. He made his way down the staircase and out to the front of the castle where he met with Emilia and her friend who was fresh from the journey. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, my lady."Fernand took a slight bow as he greeted her. He was not opposed to making friends with the new arrival like Emilia had mentioned, but he was unsure about how she would interact with the both of them. Fernand didn't want to make Sophia feel left out when he would want to get some one on one time with Emilia.
Fernand understood what Emilia was saying. It was quite odd to him that everyone around the castle had started to act a bit different, but that might just because there are guests staying for a few months. "Yes, it does seem like that doesn't it. I think they are just acting a bit different because they have never seen us together before and since we are supposed to get married in two months they just want to talk about us. I don't mind that much as long as no silly rumors start spreading.
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"It's court, of course, there will be silly rumors spreading." Emilia laughed a little bit, it always worked that way it seemed to be the only thing people could do to cure their boredom. "Spreading rumors about royals is the courtiers favorite pass time." Emilia looked at Sophia who covered her mouth to keep from laughing loudly, it was clear French court was no different from English court, same rumors got passes around, same problems, the same challenges. "The stable boys will be growing impatient with us."
Emilia hadn't forgotten the way to the stables. As a child, she spent most of her time around the horses, usually when she was upset or simply did not want to play with anyone. No one ever looked for her there until they figured out that's were she hid. Away from responsibility, away from being her Father's heir, away from everything.
"We will need one more horse." Emilia directed one of the stable boys with a kind smile. Her kind smile turned bright when her horse appeared, she moved over to the mare gently stroking her nose, receiving a whiny in return. "You have beautiful horse, your highness. May I ask her name? It's easier for us to care for them if we know their names"
"Calypso." Emilia replied laughing as the mare nudged her with her nose. "After the sea goddess I presume?" Emilia nodded slightly. "Yes, precisely. She was a gift from the Belgium Queen, given to me for my sixteenth birthday." Emilia looked over at Fernand with a smile. "She is as wild as the sea goddess though." She joked a little, she wanted disparately to get closer to Fernand, she just didnt know how
Fernand laughed in his french way as Emilia mentioned what seemed to be true. "No matter where you go, people will always be the same. Spreading rumors and joking around. But that's just life I guess." Fernand smiled as he saw the stable boys lead over Emilia's horse. He thought that it was a magnificent looking creature, but he still favored his own steed due to the fact that he had the horse for several years now and grew a connection with the beast. "Calypso is such a clever name for a horse like that. You must be in love with such a creature. I remember how you would disappear to out here when we were kids. Seems like you have always been in love with horses."
Fernand waited for the stable boys to bring out his horse, and also an extra for Sophia. Fernand thanked the stable boys and placed his hand on the horse that was for Sophia. "You can call him Tyrion. He's one of our newer horses. But I must say that he is such a gentle creature. Don't be afraid of whatsoever. He's magnificent." Fernand smile as he removed his hand from the horse and turned to his own. He patted it on the side before turning to Emilia.
"Would you like my assistance with getting on your horse?" Even though it is just a common gesture to help a woman on her horse, especially a princess, Fernand thought that the slight contact they might have may hint at something for the both of them. He didn't expect it to, but he wondered if she thought about the both of them, being together. He ignored the creeping thoughts and just wanted everything to take it's time and whatever happens happens."Ready?" With that in mind, Fernand placed his hands upon Emilia's hips and waited to hoist her upon the horse when she was ready
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"They are such gentle giants. They always listen, no matter who you are, or where you came from. I think everyone can learn something from their horse."
Emilia didn't really need help getting onto her horse, but she accepted his offer with a gentle nod. His hands on her hips made her heart spike a bit, the only time anyone man really got that close to her was during a dance, she wasn't used to it any other way. Emilia waited for Sophia and Fernand to mount their horses a mischevious smile appearing on her lips if there was one thing the future Queen knew how to do it was have fun and make others smile.
"Remember when we used to race our horses as children, and we always used to get into trouble because someone thought we would get hurt?" Sophia chuckled a little, they raced back in England all the time, but she didn't know she raced the Prince on her visits to France. Sophia knew Fernand would be surprised at how fast Calypso could be. "I'll race both of you to the lake just through the woods. I want to see if the French horses have improved." She teased slightly.
When she was sure they were both ready, Emilia leaned down whispering something into Calypso's ear and the mare took off like a flash of lightning. Emilia laughed enjoying the wind on her face, it was the only bit of freedom she ever really felt. The ride was beautiful even if they were racing through it Emilia was able to take in every detail, every beauty. Emilia pulled the mare to a stop at the lakeside dismounting in one graceful movement patting Calypso gently on the neck. Laughing a bit when Sophia and Fernand finally came into the clearing.
"In all fairness, Calypso is uncharacteristically fast for any horse." Sophia shook her head slightly at Emilia dismounting her own horse. "And you question why no one will race you when you are riding Calypso. Your horse, is a little lightning bolt and she knows it."
Emilia walked over to Fernand with a small smile, Calypso following close behind her. You would think the horse was a dog the way the mare acted around Emilia, but she only ever acted that way around the Princess.
"Perhaps, I will let you ride her on the way back, if you would like." She suggested to Fernand. "She really is a beautiful horse, and I don't mind if she doesn't."
Fernand was just getting settled on his horse when he heard Calypso and Emilia start off. He spurred the horse, but by the time he was just making it out of the stable, Emilia was no where in sight. It surprised him how fast her horse was. He never knew a creature in France was as fast as that English devil. As he kept on riding, Emilia came into sight. He slowed his horse down and heard Sophia come up from behind on her horse. Fernand hopped down from his horse and faced the princess who seemed to be an expert equestrian.
"I never knew anything in existence was able to go at such a high speed. You must be proud to have such a quick steed at your side. Nothing in all of France is that fast." Fernand heard Emilia's offer. He was surprised that she would just let him ride her horse. Especially one she probably loved more than anything else in her life. He stepped over to Calypso and felt its luscious mane. "It is definitely a beautiful horse to say the least. I'll take you up on that offer when we decide to turn back."
Fernand stepped past the horse and went down to the edge of the Lake. He was able to see a slight reflection of his own in the water. Fernand did not hesitate to remove his riding boots and dipped his bare feet in the water. It was refreshing to feel such a cold touch to his skin. He turned to both of the girls, "Come and join me. The water is nice and cool, and it wouldn't be bad to relax and skip some of these stones, would it?" Fernand proceeded to turn back around to the lake and pick up a small pebble next to him. With one quick, solid motion, Fernand swung his arm and flicked his wrist, launching the small little pebble across the top of the water.
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"I am very proud of her." Emilia smiled with a little bit of mother's pride at her mare gently running her hand down her nose. "Calypso was originally bred for war, but she was quite a force to be reckoned with as a filly. No one could touch her, no one could ride her. The Belgium King originally wanted to kill her, but his Queen brought her to my father, in hopes that he could somehow tame her." Calypso whinnied nudging Emilia in the back causing the Princess to laugh. "My father couldn't get close to her. It took me three days of sitting in a field alone with her just talking before I could even touch her. The Queen gifted her to me before she left back for Belgium, about a week after she left I was riding her."
Emilia took hold of Calypso's reigns leading her to the lake to have a drink, before looking over at Fernand as he spoke.
"Isn't it a little bit early in the spring to be in the water at all?" Emilia imagined it would be very cold, she always avoided water until the middle of summer when the sun warmed the water. Still she held the skirt of her dress up enough that it wouldn't get wet when she kicked her shoes off and stepped into the water, Sophia didn't seem so inclined and stayed on the shore.
"I don't like cold wet things." She replied to Emilia's look shrugging a little bit before sitting down. Sophia was surprised that Emilia would so much as let Fernand touch Calypso let alone ride the mare. Calypso was Emilia's horse, and she made quite sure no one else touched her except the stable boys, even back home it was that way. No one dared to ride the little terror anyway, the four-year-old mare was still a force to be reckoned with if you weren't Emilia. Emilia was certainly her rider.
Emilia dropped her skirts splashing Fernand with water covering her mouth as she laughed. "Is it still refreshing?" She asked running out of the water before she could get splashed back. She wasn't acting like a Princess, but no one could see her other than Fernand and Sophia, and she assumed they wouldn't mind too much. Besides, one thing Emilia had learned is all Princes need a little fun.
It didn't seem long before a guard came rode into the clearing, Emilia was laying beside Fernand as Sophia had fallen asleep beside the horses. Emilia didn't really blame her friend, she had come a long way, and hadn't rested before coming out.
"Prince Fernand, Princess Emilia." The guard was an English guard not a French one, the look on his face caused Emilia to sit up, something was wrong. "The King of England has fallen ill. Queen Genevieve has asked that you return to the castle." Emilia nodded standing up, nerves twisting in her stomach, she gently nudged Sophia awake.
"Here." Emilia passed Calypso's reigns to Fernand, gently running her hand down the mare's neck. "You can ride her back."
Emilia watched how Calypso reacted to Fernand riding her, she seemed a little tense having a different rider, but if she didn't like the French prince he would have been on the ground before he could so much as sit in the saddle. Walking into the castle Sophia took Emilia's hand as they approached her parent's chambers.
"I told you not to let them anywhere near here." Emilia's mother snapped before coming over to Emilia, glancing at her daughters Fiance for but a moment, hoping he would be the one she confide in when Genvieve gave the news. "Emilia, your father has somehow contracted the Plague, the doctors say he doesn't have long." Emilia could feel tears stinging her eyes, she swallowed seeing Seraphine holding onto the nanny crying. When the young Princess finally noticed Emilia she ran over to her grabbing onto her legs. "Is father going to die?"
Pushing back her tears Emilia kneeled down. "Father is very ill Seraphine. The best thing we can do for him is be strong, can you do that?" Seraphine nodded a few more tears streaming down her cheeks, Emilia brushed them away picking the young girl up, she looked a Fernand closing her eyes, a few of her own tears rolling down her cheeks.
It wasn't long before Fernand was relaxing next to Emilia and looking out at the lake and also glancing up at the clear blue sky from time to time. He listened to Emilia's gentle, English voice as she spoke. There was something about it that just made Fernand smile. When an English guard came to the lake, bad news fell from his mouth. Fernand shot a look over at Emilia who seemed to take the worst of it. Her father was ill. It didn't seem like it could wait. Fernand nodded his head when Emilia told him that he could ride Calypso. The ride back wasn't smooth, but it was not terrible in a way that would have him falling on the ground.
Once back at the castle, Fernand followed Emilia and Sophia up to the chambers where the King was resting, hopefully being able to overcome such an illness that befell him. He stood by the doorway as Emilia went over to the king's bedside and listened to her mother, and watched her father slowly lose his mortality. It upset Fernand that her father was taken victim to such an illness only a day after their arrival in the country of France.
When Emilia faced towards him, Fernand couldn't help but almost shed a tear of his own. He stepped towards her and looked her right in the eyes and spoke softly, "I'm sorry that this is happening. But I want you to know that I'm here for you and your family. Anything you need, I'll be able to assist you and obviously all the servants on the land will be able to do so as well. Your father is not going to fall into darkness. Not now." Fernand moved his hand up to Emilia's face and wiped away her tears with his finger. He moved his other hand and wrapped it around her's, holding it with care.
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E M I L I A ➳ W I N D S O R
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Emilia rested her head gently on Fernand's shoulder taking in an unsteady breath, she was trying hard to keep her crying to a minimum, as Seraphine was still in her arms, the young girl seemed to calm a bit more being between the two of them.
"You must take them away from here. The last thing we need is the future King and Queen contracting this dreadful disease. Emilia will be the reigning monarch of England until such time as the King recovers. If the King passes on she will be crowned."
Emilia pulled away from Fernand, she was shocked her mother would hand her power away just like that, but she supposed it was her birthright, her father's throne, it just all seemed to real. Emilia walked down to the wing of the castle where herself, her sisters, and Sophia were staying. She stuck close to Fernand's side, it was a comfort what he had said to her before and him being there now. She reluctantly handed Seraphine over to her nanny. She pushed the door open to her own chambers inviting Fernand in.
She poured two cups of wine handing one to him, sitting before the fire. "I knew one day my father's throne would be thrown at me. But I expected us to be married long before it happened." Emilia took a sip from her wine, she didn't drink often if she drank anything at all, but now seemed to be a good time to drink. "While my mother taught me to be cold, my father taught me to choose love. Be happy, he used to say, let yourself, love. I wanted him to teach my children that. He always spoke about meeting his grandchildren..." A few tears escaped from Emilia's eyes, her mother had just declared her reigning monarch, and she was sitting in her room sulking, drinking wine, and thinking about what would never be.
"As soon as word spreads to the diplomats and advisors, they are going to swarm us. Get on the good side of the new monarchs, since you will immediately be crowned King of England once you marry me." Emilia poured herself another cup of wine. "I don't usually drink, hate it actually, but I hope I am drunk before they find out my fathers dying." Emilia was worried Fernand wouldn't love this side of her, her dark side, but then she wasn't sure if he loved the side everyone else sees, did it really matter? They would be married either way.
Fernand was upset by the current news, but he knew that everything would get better if they just push through it. He followed Emilia down to her chambers, stepping inside with her. He watched as Emilia poured the wine and took the cup she offered out to him. "Emilia, there is no need to drink like this. I understand what you're going through, but I don't want you to get caught up in a bad habit and became just like an old drunkard. You are still young, and you are not becoming some drunk old peasant on my watch. Just take it slow and reprocess everything. It will be alright. Don't worry."
Fernand took a sip from the cup. He drank occasionally, but set his limit at one cup maximum. The only reason he set a limit for himself was because of his father. His father would drink what seemed like several dozen cups, but that was obviously an exaggeration. That is why there was no real connection between Fernand and his father. He did not want to be around someone who would get crazy and abusive when they drank, and obviously drank too much.
The thoughts of being lonely popped into his head. He thought that if he were to marry Emilia that she would do this constantly. She said she doesn't usually drink, but he didn't know the truth. He wanted to believe her, but he also wanted to believe his father when he said the same thing. That obviously wasn't true. It broke Fernand's heart as a child and he didn't want it to happen again. The only reason the king stopped drinking was because of Fernand's brother's death, and also the birth of Louise that put an end to the drunken king's reign. From there on out he went dry. It was for the best.
Fernand turned to Emilia "I don't mind this though. I may have sounded harsh earlier, but it won't bother me if this is just a rare occasion and you can end up controlling yourself. I just don't want this to affect you in any negative way." Fernand took a swig from the cup and placed it on the floor as he finished it up. He wrapped his arm around Emilia and spoke softly "Everything is gonna be alright."
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