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[hr][color=#E15436][b]Location -[/b][/color] The Kingdom of Abhainn
[color=#E15436][b]Interacting With -[/b][/color] Julianna Hardin, Future Queen of Abhainn {[@HushedWhispers]}; King Jack {[@Bishop]}; Queen Rhoslyn {[@Fabricant451]}
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He was beginning to feel a slight ache in the small of his back from holding himself rigidly for so very long. But impressions were key, he knew. Maddox's father had made certain that the boy learned that as Prince of Abhainn. Maddox had a role to play, and he would play it for the nobles of Sliabh, and when they left, then he would finally find the time to relax. He was growing sick of this facade.

[indent][i][color=#E15436]"I've never even met the woman, and you except me to marry her?"[/color] Maddox had pushed the chair back suddenly, rising to his feet as Frederick struggled to stand. [color=#E15436]"Father, you [b]know[/b] that isn't fair!"[/color]

"Madd...Madd, you know it isn't about what is fair. You're...you're a grown man!" The old king wheezed slightly as he stood. His health had been obviously failing towards the end, but Maddox had been quite blind to the rapid deterioration of his father. "It's about your kingdom now, not you."[/i][/indent]

Julianna's voice, light and fluttery, brought him back from his reverie. The blood was beginning to seep into the fabric of her dress, likely staining the expensive material. But she shrugged out of Jack's grip with little effort, bringing a smile back to Maddox as he watched his bride-to-be. [color=#E15436]"Of course, my lady,"[/color] he replied, nodding slightly. [color=#E15436]"I shall show your party to their chambers shortly."[/color] As Julianna took a moment to speak with her people, Maddox took note of the Queen as she strode up from her carriage to meet the group of royals.

He had heard rumors of the Black Rose, of her beauty and also of her cunning, but she was all the more captivating in person. She moved with a confidence Maddox hardly saw among the women in his court, but he figured with a husband like Jack, confidence was one of the only things keeping her from a fate similar to that of the ill-fated herald. The way Rhoslyn spoke to Jack made Maddox feel as though he ought not to listen, as though this were something personal and to be left behind closed doors. And yet, he watched dumbly as she scolded him for his behavior.

[indent][i][color=#E15436]"A [b]king[/b] has the power to choose for himself, Father! I don't need y-"[/color]

"But you're not a damned king, Maddox!" Frederick fired back, his hand catching the table sharply, causing Maddox to jump slightly. "You're not a king, you're hardly more than a child." Even in his age, Frederick stood close to Maddox's height. Though stooped slightly, the older man made a still-imposing figure as he came to stand before  "You'll make a foolish king carrying on like that. Or perhaps a dead one."[/i][/indent]

Finished addressing their own problems, Rhoslyn looked back to Maddox again. He met the bow of her head with one of his own, smiling back at her slightly. It had crossed his mind more than once that Jack might not take too kindly to gestures towards his wife.

[color=#E15436]"Yes, I suppose we shall,"[/color] he replied, giving a soft laugh as he glanced back at his future bride. [color=#E15436]"I thank you for your assurances, Your Highness. Abhainn [i]is[/i] a beauty, and I would hate to see her...sullied."[/color] He found himself naturally turning to look at Jack as he finished speaking, his words trailing off as he made eye contact with the other king. The moment could have ended awkwardly had Jack not begun to speak, sending forth a stream of gifts with a quick snap of his fingers.

The chests bore things of beauty and allure - Maddox couldn't help but find himself captivated by each and every chest that passed him. [color=#E15436]"They are...they are certainly stunning, King Jack. I do hope to repay these gifts over the course of your stay."[/color] [i]And afterwards in the land you'll receive once I wed your sister[/i]. But, of course, he left out this final part. They both knew that by now, for certain. He stepped forward slightly, coming to stand directly before Jack. [color=#E15436]"This peace will benefit our kingdoms greatly, I am certain."[/color] It was a weak statement, one that fell flat with so little conviction behind it. 

He looked back to his bride afterwards, hopefully ending his conversation with Jack - not that the conversation would continue, as it had likely already fallen flat.

[color=#E15436]"Yes, er, I shall have my servants show you and your party to their chambers. I look forward to seeing all of you this evening and over the course of the fortnight."[/color] He took Julianna's hand once more and gently placed a kiss into her knuckles. [color=#E15436]"My lady."[/color] He spoke to her as he let her hand fall from his grasp. With that, Maddox turned toward the castle, his own coterie following him in suit as servants moved forward to take in the belongings of the foreign party and lead them to their chambers.

As he took his first step, he caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair, and it suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't seen his brother - until now, at least. His appearance was hardly something befitting a royal, and Maddox couldn't help but furrow his brow in annoyance...until he caught a glimpse of the woman beside William.

Maddox stopped all of a sudden, causing a few nobles to stumble into him as he struggled to get a glimpse of the woman who stood beside his brother. For a moment, he swore...but no, it couldn't be. He shook his head slightly, as though pushing the image from his mind, as he quickened his pace once more and strode towards the castle's entrance.

[indent][i]"You're no good to your people if you care more about yourself than them. I've heard the rumors -
 leaving your lessons early to see...[b]harlots.[/b] You and your ways are bound shame this family and this damned kingdom."[/i][/indent]