[center][h1]♚ [color=c05982]A N A R E L I E A[/color] ♚[/h1][img]http://66.media.tumblr.com/51fc61ac770a524e9468f174afa94d7f/tumblr_inline_n1xc79Kcic1rb3m8r.png[/img][/center]

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[b][center] — Personal Quarters of Princess Anareliea Hulevia, The Conclave —
— 6th Day of Summer —[/center][/b]

[i]“Death is a natural, peculiar thing. But fear not, for your mother has departed us only briefly. She will be born anew and her nature will watch over us in heaven. You shan’t fall into melancholy, Ana, no matter how tempting it may be to give in to your sorrow. House Hulevia is at its core optimistic and strong. Darkness is nothing to us and with you we should continue that tradition. I will be gone one day and I will not be here again to be your anchor. So you must be your own anchor.”[/i]

[color=c05982][i]How right you were, father.[/i][/color]

The thought hummed in the back of Princess Anareliea’s mind as she stood in front of the gold-pieced mirror that laid in front of her, the strong pulls of the brush held by her lead servant going through her hair. Normally she would be more prissy about such hurried manners with her hair but the last few weeks of her life had been absolutely deplorable and in turn was distracting her from acting how she would normally do so. Despite her memory echoing in her mind causing sorrow she refused to show it, even amongst privacy with only her most trusted servants at her side. She knew showing her sorrow was exactly the sort of thing she was expected to not show others and that she [i]couldn’t[/i] when the dawn of a new academic year at The Conclave was upon her. After all, such things meant there would be no faces at the school and worst of all more people to put on a face for.

Some of which were old friends and others unknown faces.

How would she look to Aleandra and Telaivas if she burdened them with her fleeting emotions for the first time she had seen them since her father’s funeral a fortnight ago? It wasn’t behavior becoming of a [i]princess[/i], especially in the public view— she could hear the hushed whispers, haughty snickering, and restrained gasps already. She would have to keep her wits about her, act like she would on any other day even if it would be mentioned or muttered. She couldn’t look [i]weak[/i]. Especially if she were to prove to the regency council that she was the proper candidate for succeeding her father. Not just because of her status as the Patriarch’s only child but because she was the [i]correct[/i] person to carry on the dynasty no matter if she was female or inexperienced; the imperium had a Matriarch twice before and one of them was barely older than she was when she was crowned. It would be little different. 

With Gaea’s wisdom she would trump her uncles and cousins with their bid for imperial succession. All she had to do was win the hearts and minds of the people who controlled the votes. Cousins, heirs, siblings, third-born sons— so many people of importance would come to this academic citadel and be within [i]her[/i] palace. She may not have been as devious as her aunt who served as a keeper within The Conclave, but she was far more approachable and likable due to her role as a model student of relative age. Well, as long as she didn’t let her temperament get in her way of schmoozing with others at the least. Which outside of the lengths of her devotion to the goddess was seen as her principal weakness and unflattering trait; no matter of how proper she could be and remember her expectations as a princess such things tended to happen. She remembered one incident where she nearly slammed her fist into the face of the Duke of Alondah’s daughter; which had she succeeded would’ve been quite the scandal albeit one that still wouldn’t have harmed her much in the long term. But she remembered the quips and murmurs in the hallway corridors after her fist had connected with the oak cabinet. She remembered them oh so well.

[i]Oh my, it looks like Saint Anareliea is more of a [b]demon[/b]. How uncouth.[/i]

She could feel that same temperament rise up in her stomach as she recalled it, though she didn’t show it on her face. With a warm smile she opened her eyes and cleared her throat.

[color=c05982]“I believe we are all ready for the ceremony, Reina.”[/color]

All of the new students had been settled in since the lunch hour had ended and had been likely anticipating what the headmaster was going to say; though it was more likely they were [i]not[/i] considering these sort of ceremonies tended to be dreadfully dull and whilst Anareliea had been accustomed to them for years she could understand how some of her fellow nobles found it a pointless extravagance that was keen on wasting their precious time. However such opinions wouldn’t change the fact being that Grand Keeper Eadbeoth loved the sound of his own voice— a fact that was evident upon every memory Anareliea could recall at the school from her first introduction within her first year to even the most casual of situations. Even if it wasn’t important for the Grand Keeper to speak he was known to intrude consistently on such. But it was an intrusion that was unavoidable given that every student within The Conclave were his [i]wards[/i]. In many ways they had always been less of being taught but more babysat with whatever manner the Grand Keeper believes was appropriate. Anareliea couldn’t bear to think of the possibility of him reacting unkindly to punish bad students and facing little consequences for his actions— she was glad he was obnoxious over abusive.

Reina nodded, halting her train of thought. “Very well, Princess Anareliea.”

Reina was her most devoted servant and probably her most serviceable asset at The Conclave. Whereas Anareliea was not the best she could be at political intrigue and cunning it was true that Reina [i]did[/i]. A former slave of a ruthless merchant from Faeron who had deemed himself a “merchant prince” due to his powerful connections she had been used countless ways to get information from inconspicuous targets as no one could suspect an unassuming maid. But eventually whoever was protecting him turned on him and the King of Faeron had announced her to be a free woman. Eventually she found herself working for her father and the rest was inconsequential. All that was important was she was the headmaster of her servants and her most trusted ally. In many ways, she was Anareliea’s second mother.

Following her mother’s death all those years ago there had only been the goddess, her letters with her friends, her father, and Reina— something that had kept her together at such a fragile age that wasn’t prepared to cope with death. But she had great pillars of support and because of that she prevailed; Gaea had truly blessed her to get through a time of darkness and sorrow. Even then, Reina was still a [i]servant[/i] and a [i]lowborn[/i] one at that and due to such reasons she could not give her all of herself to the woman. The southern gospel always told her to be kind to the unfortunate, but there were expectations to nobility especially the imperial nobility. She couldn’t act like a burdened lamb and show weakness to a servant… she [i]couldn’t[/i]. Had it been known a lady of her prestige depended on someone like Reina like that and she could kiss all her aspirations of becoming Matriarch goodbye. Her rivals would see to it. However once she got what she wanted she would see to it that Reina would never have to work a day in her life again when she promoted her status to lesser nobility. But such things were some time away. 

[color=c05982]“Aren’t you excited for the new academic year, Reina?”[/color]

“I suppose I don’t understand how it is different than the last, m’lady.”

Anareliea let out a slight giggle as she stood up from her seat in front of the mirror, brushing down her dress as she did so. A sense of confidence overcame her and her brows narrowed. [color=c05982]“Well, you weren’t serving the next Matriarch of the Imperium of Gaealia a year ago.”[/color]

Reina met Anareliea’s voice with a wide smirk. “Indeed. Let us go, we shan’t be late.”
         
      
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[b][center]— The Imperial Great Hall, The Conclave —
— 6th Day of Summer —[/center][/b]

The group of individuals nestled into The Conclave’s Great Hall were many, dozens upon dozens of nobles of various origins like it always had been. Heirs to kingdoms, duchies, counties, and baronies all gathered in the most prestigious academy within humankind’s reach; ages as young as one and ten or as old as one and twenty. Anareliea had seen it all before and it still continued to amaze her how the school could have such a consistent amount of traffic for its population of students. She supposed when it didn’t cost a noble family much to attend the facility it wouldn’t be difficult to see the majority of every important relative in the realm standing here in this hall year after year. If she had been the type of girl to be intimidated by such things she most certainly would have been.

The proceedings had yet to really begin, but everyone was on their best behavior with minimal gasps, murmurs, and chattering among the populace. With a good number of them being prince and princesses they could not truly afford being [i]too[/i] casual and it was good to see she was not the only one to recognize that. Even as she recognized the figure of Telaivas and Aleandra tucked in a corner observing she couldn’t give much beyond a graceful nod as courtesy; as excited as she may have been she did not need to squeal to see them. It would be unbecoming to be so overeager, and Princess Anareliea Ayelet Hulevia was not unbecoming if she could help it; and she most certainly could at this moment despite all of which was upon her mind.

Her thoughts halted for the time as the Grand Keeper began his speech that he had so eloquently prepared.

[color=f7941d]“Ah, it looks to be everyone is here— how excellent.”[/color]

There was a shuffle as Grand Keeper Eadbeoth Forletus placed his hands behind his back as his faded emerald green eyes looked upon the assortment of students and to-be students.

[color=f7941d]“Through the new and the old we must begin a time of great endeavors as we dedicate ourselves to the sciences and the arts. I was like you youthful nobles once, pushed through the door to better myself in the eyes of what was best for my dynasty with a robe that was too big for me and a companion who wanted to be here less than I did. Ha!, but don’t you worry my students; it would only get better with time as I made strong bonds, met my future bride, and rose through the ranks of several courts following my prestigious graduation. My uncle, Aldous Forletus, was proud of me and my achievements— a fact that will be no different for you all as I am quite convinced you will become the future of our civilization and bring us forward whether you realize it yet or not. The Imperium is always growing and becoming more prosperous by each grain of sand that falls from the glass; that will not change. It is so astonishing.”[/color]

Every single person was the future of the realm in his eyes, every single year, every single speech. It was a fabrication created in his imagination— how much he cared about the students depended on his angle and what he got out of it. Even now, right here in this hall was the Grand Keeper ever the politician. But could Anareliea really criticize him when she wasn’t that different when it came to politics and façades? After everything she was thinking about since her father’s death and even before and all of the eloquent dialogues she’d spun to get her way in hopes of achieving a vote? It made her [i]sick[/i] how they were alike in that regard but she kept telling herself she was better than this man who only wanted the coin that came with prestige and not the responsibility, virtue, or [i]true[/i] nobility that came with advancement. 

[color=f7941d]“For those of you who are new to the academy.”[/color] His eyes moved to Prince Brendan Tromvara and others sorted into what Anareliea’s cousin had called the green corner as a light joke about where the newcoming students generally were ushered into standing. [color=f7941d]“My name is Eadbeoth Forletus and I am the Grand Keeper of these halls. I am an instructor, leader, guardian, and most of all friend to the students here at The Conclave— I will be responsible for your education, training, conditioning, and discipline. But this you may know given your parents have likely told you of the situation of being a student at my academy as they are in no doubt wise beyond their years.” [/color]

Anareliea wanted to scoff at such a ridiculous presumption but held herself back. [i]His academy?[/i] The nerve. The academy belonged to the [i]Imperium[/i] and not some delusional forloni noble who never held any titles or real responsibilities of his own in his life. Such an egotistical and preposterous imagination he had.

[color=f7941d]“I take this responsibility very [i]seriously[/i]! So please be wise and honorable in your actions while you are my [i]wards[/i]. I’ve been serving in such capacity for over ten of our years and I will be hopeful to serve many more, so do remember my experience in such tutelage is absolute. But you shan’t be afraid of me, my students, as I remind you that I am your [i]friend[/i] and you can come to me if you have any perils, inquiries, requests, or needs. Every servant here is at my beck and call to make you comfortable and for those of you who came without companions or servants I will offer you my own in your parent’s stead. I am very eager to see you comfortable in your path to growing as a member of the Imperium, truly.”[/color]

A mental sigh breathed out in Anarelia’s mind, a reminder of her feelings toward the Grand Keeper.

[color=c05982][i]Oh, you’re eager alright. Overeager.[/i][/color]

As if he had known what Anareliea was thinking the Grand Keeper let out a well-mannered chuckle. [color=f7941d]“Life is fleeting and we must be earnest in our endeavors, truly. But who are we to presume what is the correct education or the incorrect one? It is with that knowledge in mind we must approach [i]all[/i] of the knowledges we can! I would hope you all agree even if you are young cynics or difficult learners. Classes will begin upon the twelfth day of the summer so you willful newcomers will have six days to get acquainted with the academy grounds, prepare your schedule, and mingle with your fellow students. If you have any questions, do ask one of the instructors or servants with haste.”[/color]

The Grand Keeper moved his glance back to other corners of the hall as he rose his right arm from his back and motioned upward.

[color=f7941d]“This facility was built over six centuries ago, a magnificent piece of architecture and achievement. Can you imagine living in a time where the goddess was upon our ears and leading us to greatness? How… awe-inspiring. Let us bring honor to our silent goddess and live as she would want us to as we continue to define what humankind can achieve in the future. Such is what your creator would have hoped we would do, is it not?”[/color]

It was like he was [i]trying[/i] to [i]mock[/i] her. Through Reina and her ways Anareliea knew that this whole nostalgic passage about Gaea in his speech was about filling up time so he could hear himself talk rather than actually have bewilderment and fondness of the goddess of creation whom humankind owed everything they had to live up to. The Grand Keeper was a skeptic and a notorious one at that; in fact, Anareliea believe he was an [i]heretic[/i] though Reina could never discover if he held atheist opinions upon theology or not. After all, the Grand Keeper was good at appearances and even better at covering his tracks. Anareliea didn’t like it, any of it; and the fact this cynic was spouting praise over Gaea made her ill and nearly made her temperamental side come out. But such a brief moment was not going to cause her to act out of turn. Absolutely not. Gaea taught man to rein in their sins and being wroth was the principal one. But it didn’t stop her from [i]wanting[/i] to.

[color=f7941d]“Because look—”[/color] He paused moving his hand to motion towards the entire crowd. [color=f7941d]“—all around you. In this very room, you shall see the future is here right now in every single one of you. It will be a splendid future, do you not agree? With all of that said, I believe I have taken up your attention for long enough now. Thank you for your time, good tidings. Enjoy your six days of peace and remember if you need me do come find me.”[/color]

[color=f7941d]“E Pluribus Unum.”[/color]

A light breath left Anareliea as the Grand Keeper had finally finished as he made way for the room’s exit. In all honesty she thought the speech was going to be [i]longer[/i] like it had been last year and she was also surprised he had not used her father’s death as some sort of lengthy tirade about why this year had to be the best for the academy given the sadness of such a death. Perhaps he did it to save her anguish? Anareliea wasn’t completely sure but if it was so she was grateful he had some semblance of a decent soul within him. Though given his views contradict what he stated about Gaea she was unsure how much of the Grand Keeper was utterly contrived with a scribe’s pen. A dangerous man with dangerous power, that much was for sure.

At any end of it, she was at least relieved it was over for the moment.

But there was much to be done.

[color=c05982][i]This is where the real presentation begins.[/i][/color]
  
  
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