sukikyoufu

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Elise knew she had to keep her wits about her when it came to this councillor, the way he had shut Lady Cheldarine down had struck a chord with her and she had a feeling that he had a lot more in this plan than met the eye. Perhaps she was just being far too suspicious of everyone around her, but that wasn’t a bad thing when she was practically surrounded by wolves who could kill her in a heartbeat. “That is… wonderful.” Trying to keep her smile in place as he said how the King would be receptive to that idea, or perhaps he was just waiting for another moment to wrap his hands around her throat and choke the life out of her.

Unable to tell if Manawyndan was truly happy about the decision she watched the smile and it looked honest enough, no ill will behind it. “O-Oh.” Caught off guard by the fact he was willing to go now, she hadn’t expected it but maybe it was best to go bury the hatchet whilst he was on agreeable terms as the Lord had said. Even though he had offered her to take time to prepare she didn’t feel like it was an option as already it looked like he was ready to go, eager to fix their fight.

“No need.” Waving it down as she came to her decision that it was best to resolve it now, as much as she would have loved to have been dressed to the nines it didn’t feel all that important. “If we are to be married, he will see me in casual attire, so I will not change for the audience with him.” Leaning forward as she placed her cup back on the table knowing the server would clean it up whilst they were gone.

Rising to her feet she brushed the simple pale pink dress down as she kept the grey shawl wrapped round her shoulders debating on if she should take it. Considering the options, she felt it was better to take it, she could hide her hands beneath the fabric, and he would not be able to see her fiddling with the shawl. Plus, it would keep the cool air at bay, something that she had started to feel more lately which she put down to lack of sleeping.

“Of course, if it’s no bother I take it you would like to leave now?” Giving him a smile, she wasn’t sure if she liked the idea of it being a private audience with a few trusted councillors. Whether it was for her benefit or not she hated the idea that she would have to back down in front of others when she really didn’t want too, but on another hand perhaps them being there would make him think twice about strangling her. The marks had faded, but when caught in the right light could be seen to those who were looking for them, after all Lady Cheldarine had caught on to them so easily but Elise knew she had subconsciously touched her neck there giving it attention.

“Are you certain he will not mind a visit now? Without any sort of warning?”

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Elise just flashed Manawydan a polite smile at his compliment of her being too kind, she was sure he was just being polite with her as she had ordered new refreshments for them both. Leaning forward she picked up her own cup of tea to hold it in her hands so she could enjoy the warmth more than anything. Manawydan had to be here with an agenda after all and she just had a feeling it had to do with Ozragad, that’s why everyone had visited her so far this evening.

“Quite, if I’d have known I would have dressed up.” Elise spoke simply as she swept her gaze across the room before falling back on the Lord, “Oh you know, just idle gossip. Lady Cheldarine was telling me all about her sons, the idea of setting them up marriages.” Waving it off as if they had just spent the day chatting like most of the ladies in court would. “I think she was just being kind seeing as I have not been able to engage in much conversation over here and I showed interest when speaking with her at the feast the other day.”

Giving away no hint that they would have discussed anything else, after all she did not personally trust this man and she feared she could get the woman into more trouble when she had been trying to help her. Elise could see the smile that didn’t reach his lips, but she wouldn’t slip up not whilst here within enemy walls. Lifting the cup to her lips she took a sip of the tea watching him over the rim of her cup as he approached the reason why he was here.

Tapping her finger against the cup she let the words sit for a moment before she rested it back on her lap, she knew she shouldn’t be surprised to find out that Manawydan knew of her and King Ozragads disagreement. This Lord had to be a part of the council and perhaps Ozragad was already coming up with plans to kill her off and be done with it after her refusal to marry him. “I have had plenty of time to consider my options. Yes.” Making it sound like it had been her decision, it hadn’t but regardless she found it that it irked her that he assumed she had come to a reasonable position. King Ozragad practically had her life in his hands, for a moment she had thought he would just strangle her to death, but no she had to be the reasonable one.

“I must have been feeling quite under the weather at the time, homesick perhaps.” Elise picked her words carefully, that she had been unwell and that was why she had denied marrying the warlord. “Certain decisions should have not been made in that state. I was looking to seek an audience with him to discuss it.”

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Oh yeah! Good idea! I should be able to post tomorrow :)

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Yeees! Sounds good!

Omg I am excited for it! Who are we going for with the assassination?

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Omg I know what you mean! I feel the same sometimes when playing other characters haha xD We can finish up this conversation quickly if you'd prefer? That way you can get back to Ozragad!

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Elise couldn’t help but watch the exchange, eyes looking from the pair and she could tell with the undertones there was some sort of fight for power between them. It was like being back at home in her own court watching as others tried to gain some sort of upper hand over the over, little jibes and comments that to any onlooker would seem pleasant when there was a darker truth beneath them. Remembering how her brother would often tell her that keeping up appearances meant everything, that you should never divulge your true thoughts or feelings unless absolutely necessary.

Not that I followed that when speaking with Lady Cheldarine earlier, but I didn’t sense any danger. Unless I am truly being played whilst here. Frowning ever so slightly at her own thoughts as she continued to listen on.

This impromptu visit happened whilst both he and the King were busy, she didn’t want them to know she was here? Or that I am being spied upon whilst here as the talk was brisk. I still have many unanswered questions. Realising she had been frowning she placed her polite pleasant smile back on her face before anyone could notice, it seemed that both Manawyndan and Cheldarine were too busy butting heads so to speak.

“Farewell Lady Cheldarine.” Smiling as she began to bid the other a goodbye only to find herself caught by Manawydan once more as he didn’t let the Formori woman win their little battle. What the elder man had said had clearly struck a chord with Cheldarine and even she had picked up on what she felt to be a quite threatening undertone aiming it towards the eldest son of hers. Elise knew that this woman was proud of her sons, she spoke so highly of them and she had remembered the proud tone of the woman at the feast a good few nights ago as they had spoke with one another.

Sympathising with Lady Cheldarine she felt like she should say something, reassure the woman but it wouldn’t help any sort of matter. That and being as she held no power here, she kept her mouth shut knowing that it was best to let Lady Cheldarine fight her own battles, the woman was well versed with things like court and Elise knew she would probably just make matters worse rather than help it.

Nodding with a soft smile as Lady Cheldarine finally excused herself once more, she turned to Manawydan who had relaxed now the woman was gone, curious as to why he felt so tense around the Formori she knew it was best not to ask such a thing. Again, she found herself frowning when he began to have a small coughing fit, sitting forward she motioned for the server who was still hanging around in the background. “Would you kindly fetch us more tea? Perhaps some water for Lord Manawyndan.” Glancing towards the Lord who had come to visit her just after her visit from Lady Cheldarine.

“Of course, take a seat.” Gesturing to the sofa before she folded her arms across her chest watching him carefully, wondering what had spurred his visit. “I daresay I was not expecting a visit from yourself, but it is welcomed.” Knowing deep down there had to be some motive behind it, maybe he had only visited to shoo Cheldarine away. Perhaps he didn’t want them talking with one another too much, but then she could just be overthinking things. It was hard not too when surrounded by a foreign place.

“What do I owe this pleasure?” Elise kept her guard up around him, there was something she didn’t quite like and she couldn’t put her finger on it just yet.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Hey no worries! You know me I'm very patient when it comes to writing! Hope things calm down for you soon! :)

War or Peace? [Suki & Love Dove]

Oh wow! That's wonderful, I'm glad you got to spend some time with them! I know things are very crazy everywhere so it's nice to hear when people can make the most of it!

War or Peace? [Suki & Love Dove]

The cocky undertone didn’t go unnoticed and she wondered if he had meant to voice that out loud, questioning her on if it was an actual pleasure to meet him. It had soon been followed with the standard response on how he was pleased to finally meet her, “Well I was just being polite if you want honesty.” Stating simple as she shrugged it off to her just being polite and well mannered, without her father here there was no one to reprimand her but she knew she still had to act the part after all as word would spread if she was not acting as a lady should.

Listening as he spoke about his father not being talkative and how he would show her around the castle it all seemed pretty mundane talk, but what else could she really talk about when she didn’t know him. The only saving grace she had was the fact she had not mentioned the weather. It was interesting to hear about the city being a headache, she could only assume there was some sort of unrest and she wasn’t surprised. It had been the same back home; a lot of people were against the arranged marriage whereas some wanted the peace. You couldn’t make everyone happy no matter what route was taken when it came to the war.

“Thank you.” Hesitating for a moment before she took his arm, at least he was being polite in return, so she had hope he wasn’t going to be some horrid person. It was common when it came to arranged marriages in her own country, men look at woman like property not that she would let herself be looked at in any such a way, but it would be interesting to find out what kind of person she was going to marry. “That’s… considerate of your mother, but I am sure I will not need to impose on you.” Trying not to sound displease in any sort of way, but knowing he was close didn’t make her feel comfortable. Not when she had plans on conveniently disappearing as it would be hard enough with the guards around, let alone him as well.

Moving inside the room she could see it was beautiful, it was clear it was kitted out with the best and even though the colours might not have been something she personally would have chosen it still looked lovely. It was quite the contrast to her own room back home, though she was certain she could call it her room anymore as this was going to be her home forever more. The colours however had been deep greens with silver embellishments something she quite enjoyed. The red would take some getting used too, but she knew she would. Glancing towards the two doors she could see one of them was her wardrobe for all her dresses so it meant the other had to be a washroom, she doubted they would give her a room without one.

Letting go of Liam she folded her arms over her chest as she moved into the centre of it just taking it all in before she finally turned to face him eyes narrowed slightly as he called for privacy. “What is it you wish to say to me that you don’t want overheard?” Elise didn’t beat around the bush if his own home was anything like hers then it only meant that people were likely to talk. Gossip was a big thing in court, and she knew from personal experience how quickly words could get misinterpreted and how quickly they could spread. At times it was often quicker than a wildfire.

The Arrangement [Suki & Kassarock]

Elise was quite content spending her time with Lady Cheldarine, sipping away at the tea and even eating a few biscuits here and there. She had a lot to think about when it came to her engagement with the Warlord, perhaps it was even time to apologise for the behaviour of hers the other day. The stubborn side of her didn’t want to be the one to cave first, especially when he had his hands around her throat, she didn’t want to appear weak by crawling back with an apology. Pride, however, would not keep her alive so she knew she may have to make that step.

“Oh, stop it, you are probably the only one who thinks as much.” Elise chuckled to herself finishing off her tea as she placed it back on the table in front of her. If she was honest, she was even surprised that Lady Cheldarine was proud of her, part of her doubted the words but it was nice to hear. Especially when she didn’t even have her own ladies of waiting to gossip or discuss with. It had become rather lonesome here, but she wasn’t here for herself after all as it was all for the people to stop anymore bloodshed.

It seemed though her visit was cut short when there was a knock at the door, looking up as she wondered who else wanted to visit? Elise hadn’t expected the visit from Lady Cheldarine let alone anyone else and if she had known she would have worn some more fitting than her pink dress and grey shawl. “My aren’t I popular today?” Musing over the idea as she leaned back in the chair of her wondering what had brought all these visits on.

“Thank you for the visit, I hope to be able to visit your own estate soon.” Offering a soft smile to the other woman whilst subtly hinting to her that she had listened carefully to what they had spoken about and had plans to fix it.

Giving a small wave to her guardsmen to signal letting the Manawyndan inside she was curious to know why he was here. After all she hadn’t really spoken much with this Lord, but there had to be a reason why he was visiting her whilst she had been confined to her rooms. Sighing softly to herself she sat upright placing a polite smile on her face ready to great him, “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”