@GoblinFae Lenoryn had held her head high as her carriage left the city streets of Arca; her home for the last fifteen years. She had learned how to be independent, learned to trust her gut, learned how to grow and study. Her father had given her literally
everything.
It was the least she could do for his wife, her stepmother, and her three year old brother.
There's had been a tearfull goodbye. Jeanine was a lovely, kind, and caring woman. She had loved Lenoryn's father despite their large age gap and the fact that Jeanine was only a few years older than her. They had grown close over the past years, but this was their home now. Lenoryn had no true place here. Not without splitting the household. She couldn't take that from them. They deserved to keep their home, to keep their titles without fight.
Truth be told, Jeanine hadn't wanted Lenoryn to leave, but she too understood the politics surrounding their noble house. A boy didn't
have to inherit and so, Lenoryn was the natural next in line.
It took most of the ride through the riverlands towards her new home for her to collect herself. She hadn't seen her birth mother in years. Hadn't even heard from her since her father had whisked her away. She was about to meet a woman who was a complete stranger but whom had accepted Jeanine's pleas almost...too quickly.
She's after money, Lenoryn thought cynically. Why else would she want a 20 year old daughter she barely knew to come into her house?
The carriage clattered along the stones and the passed many decent homes. They were mansions to some, but were nothing compared to the rolling estates she had left behind. The horses began to slow in front of a perfectly manicured lawn behind an intricately carved marble gate.
Lenoryn absent-mindedly pressed at the wrinkles from her silk traveling gown. She reached up and tucked a few loose pins back in place, making sure her intricately plaited hair remained where it had been this morning. Jeanine had insisted on giving her her personal collection of solid gold and pearl pins, claiming they made her deep auburn hair look like a forest of autumn leaves tumbling over her shoulders after twining about her head.
The carriage stopped. She flattened her emerald and gold gown one last time.
The door opened and a hand reached out. With a deep breath, she blew out her anxieties and took it, stepping into the sunlight.
The marble gate stood open and she was greeted by a comly woman surrounded by servants. Her own red hair matched Lenoryn's almost perfectly if not for the streaks of gray that dulled the color without making her look old.
A large smile broke out across her overly painted face and she spread her arms wide as she stepped across the yard towards her daughter.
"Lenoryn! My dear
dear daughter." She pressed her cold hands against Lenoryn's cheeks. They felt soft, like a child's. She had clearly never lifted a finger in her life, "Oh, just look at you! Shame on your bully of a father for keeping you from me. Come,
come! Let us meet everyone!"
She gripped Lenoryn's wrist in a vice-like grip and practically dragged her towards the line of young men who attended her. Already it left a sour taste in Lenoryn's mouth.
"Thank you, Lady Heleane. For your hospitality. I know my coming must have put a strain on your....household..." she eyed the men. So many men. All in their twenties if she could wage a guess. All fit. All....haunted.
"Oh no no, that won't do. You
must call me mother. That's who I am after all." Her grip on Lenoryn's wrist tightened, causing the young woman to wince before she could hide the instinctual reaction from her face. "And who would doubt it, what with that hair." Her smile was sinister, her eyes cold.
"I apologize, My Lady," Lenoryn smiled through gritted teeth, "but I would feel more comfortable addressing you by your title until we've gotten to know one another better." The grip tightened and the woman's smile faltered, "You must forgive me, of course, as all of this has been so sudden. I am still mourning the loss of my father and gaining my footing in this new world."
"Ah...yes...resthissoul" she rattled off much too quickly, but her grip relaxed as she gestured to her entourage. "Lady Lenoryn, I present to you my staff. Minus the maids and the cooks who are busy preparing for your arrival. You," she pointed to one of the servants, his dark skin stood out against the others and Lenoryn was immediately intrigued. He was a long way from home. "Take the Lady to her chambers so she can change into more....presentable....attire for our arrival feast tonight. The rest of you, collect her cases and deliver them to her room." She turned to her daughter, "I gave you one of our very
best rooms. Only the best for my daughter."