Hannah stood in the antechamber to the chapel, waiting for the doors to open and her father to walk her down the aisle. Most any other bride would be giddy, or anxious, or trying to warm cold feet. But not Hannah. This was merely another business deal. Marrying her family fortune to an old name with influence. Buying with flesh access to resources that her family business could trade and boost their own profits. To her, this was a good thing. What she hated about it, was the fact that it was done behind her back.
As the Lone Heiress, she was set to inherit everything in just 3 more short years, but her father had gone around her, and married her off. "Why did you do it father? If you don't tell me now, you might miss the chance to gloat."
"Gloat? I merely wanted to best for my only daug-"
"Don't give me that shit, you've hated me since Grandmother wrote you out and passed the Name on to me."
"Fair enough, By marrying you- the lone heiress -off, the Torva Fortune and Business goes with you, as a Dowry to Lord Conlaoch. Since I can't have it, neither can you."
Hannah rolled her eyes, "As I live and breathe father, you are a petty and idiotic creature. What is my husband's is my own, you've only furthered my wea-" She felt his hand close around her throat.
"You will not talk to me that way you insolent child."
It was then, that Dally spoke up, "Lord Torva, if you leave a mark on the bride, I'm afraid the day may bring some complications." Seeing the logic of the statement, Hannah's father released her. Dally was Hannah's personal servant. And he helped to look out for her in various ways. He produced a bouquet of white roses, save for one large, purple rose in the center. If one looked close, the purple rose had several black petals. The colors of house Torva.
"Thank you, Dally. You never fail to come through." Hannah said as she took the flowers in hand. Her father looped her arm in his. As the doors opened before them, a bride in a white gown and fire for hair walked up to meet her husband for the first time.
While the bride and her father quarreled, the groom stood patiently if a bit anxiously at the altar. The traditionally quiet, dark-haired man cracked a small crooked smile as he caught sight of his younger siblings coming down the aisle. Sweet little Rhodri was being led down wide-eyed by his elder sister Thrya who looked as uncomfortable in a dress as any preteen young lady who would rather be climbing trees like a hooligan than attending her older brother's wedding.
Thyra had not been pleased with the idea of Ithel marrying for anything less than love. The marriage being solely out of business had appalled her so much so that she had refused to speak to her elder brother for weeks in silent protest. The thought of another woman coming into the house with as much authority has Ithel that could in a way replace her absent mother as well as negate whatever authority she herself held at nine years of age was both terrifying and infuriating. It was only out of obligation and begrudging love for her brother that Thyra fulfilled her duties as a sister and bridesmaid.
Behind them came the terrible twins, a believed curse in Connlaoth but ever so precious to Ithel. Keeleigh and Kermit stuck their tongues out at each other and elbowed each other on their way down the aisle, causing Keeleigh's flowers to spill some from her little basket and the rings to bounce precariously on the pillow that Kermit held. It was only the warning clearing of Ithel's throat and the quick separation to opposite sides of the alter that kept them from doing more harm.
At last the music changed and Ithel found his eyes drawn back towards the woman who that very moment was about to come his wife. She was as much a stranger to him as he was to her but in that moment Ithel's heart soared. Hannah Trova was an angel. There simply was no other explanation for such pure grace and beauty. The nobleman had eyes only for her as his heart thundered in his chest. When he had agreed to the marriage agreement, he certainly had not taken into account that his future wife would be quite so captivating.
'So begins the adventure,' he thought wistfully as he bowed his head respectfully to her and her father in greeting.
Walking down the aisle was a slow process, her father led with a slow pace to music with a slow meter. It drove her up a wall. Hannah liked to be prompt, quick, get things done as quick as they could be, time wasted was money lost. Her face, however, belied her feelings. A nervous smile with a small inconstant quiver of the lip. Quite the blushing bride she was.
Hannah was happy to note that- despite this was a small affair -she recognized most everyone in attendance. Most of the adults were invested in the Torva Winery, the rest were very loyal customers any one of many trade markets that the Torva Trading Company were sticking it's hands in. Not my company, not yet at least.. three more years, she reminded herself.
Her father passed her hands over to Ithel, and she studied him, her eyes very quickly scrutinizing over the little things. She had to admit, he was handsome. Very subtly, she dipped her head to him. If you hadn't been right next to her, or specifically looking for it, you might not have noticed it. As the priest stood before the soon wedded couple, the music quieted to a lull.
"Friends, family, and honored guests, we have gathered here today..."
Ithel tried to remain focused on the ceremony even as his mind swirled with thoughts of their future together. Stoically he wondered if she worried over the same things, if she would even come to accept him as anything more than a stranger she shared a home with. Perhaps one day she would accept him as a friend, he hoped.
Dark eyes slid to the side frequently to observe her as his every thought was filled with her. The feel of her warm hands pressed into his own cool, nervous ones, the ethereal beauty of her first appearance into his life, the idea of life perhaps not quite so alone anymore, all of it made his heart thrum sharply within his chest though none of his emotions waxed over his features.
He was so deep in his thoughts that he did not even notice how his now bored youngest brother had taken to walking from his seat to the side all the way up to where the soon to be wed couple stood until Rhodri was tugging gently on his trouser leg. The guests twittered amongst themselves quietly as Ithel begged forgiveness of Hannah and bent down on one knee with a smile on his face to greet the boy.
"You need to go back to your seat little man," he murmured softly, ruffling the boy's hair as he did.
"Up," the boy begged with a raise of his arms. "Night-night," Rhodri continued, signaling in the only way a two year old boy could that he was ready for his nap.
With a smile and shake of his head to an approaching servant, Ithel swept the boy up into his arms, cradling the small body against him with an arm over the boy's legs as Rhodri readily wrapped his arms about his older brother's neck and rested his head down for sleep.
Ithel quietly apologized again to Hannah before sheepishly nodding to the priest that the wedding could continue. His family meant everything to him and he had not even stopped to consider whether or not he should cater to his smallest brother's needs before readily doing so. It was only afterwards that the nobleman wondered what the noblewoman beside him thought of him and his little family. In that moment he prayed to god that she would not hate the children who knew only his familial love of late. With his free hand, he tentatively reached out for hers as if afraid she would be disgusted by his touch after he had caused such a disruption in their wedding, the supposed happiest day for any new bride's life.
With the slight interruption, Hannah was briefly confused, who was this boy? Why weren't his parents attending to him? Why was he so familiar with Lord Conlaoch that he'd come to him for all things? Then Hannah recalled a rumor she'd heard about the man, filling his father's shoes. It occurred to her that instant when her very soon to be husband picked up the boy, that Ithel Conlaoch was just a man with an old last name trying to do right for his family- a man who would always choose his family above all else, no matter the situation. She respected that. Hannah had long lost track of how much money she spent trying to find some way to aid her mother in her failing health.
And suddenly, her heart ached. That's who was missing. Before leaving for the wedding, her mother had fallen more ill, and was unfit to travel. She would have to later ask Dally to keep try and keep tabs on her health, should she recover some, Hannah would have her brought up post haste. Turning her focus back to Ithel, she placed her hand in his. Even if she hated the man with all her being, she wouldn't embarrass him on their wedding day by refusing him that. Least of all that they were in front of his family, her friends, and business investors in what would- in mere moments -be their company. But she did so without misgiving.
She turned to address the minister, "Please Father, carry on."
The clergy cleared his throat and continued, "And it is within the brilliant and all-revealing light of Angsar that I shall bind this couple, where lies corrode and dark intents crumble. Ithel Conlaoch, do you take this woman, Hannah Torva, to be your wife? Will you honor her, her family, and her name? Will you guide her dutifully through days both bright and mirthful or dark and overwhelming, as Angsar guides you, for as long as you both shall live?"
On the bright side, if Hannah suddenly decided she couldn't go through with this, at least she could choke herself on the religious fluff spilling from the Preacher's mouth.
This was it. This was the moment when Ithel Conlaoch, eligible bachelor, stand-in father of four, head of the Conlaoch family, and disputed heir to the Hellvion duchy agreed to renounce his single life for a life bound to another human being for the rest of both of their lives, to a woman who until she stood beside him at the altar he had never even met.
He licked his dried lips, wondering at when they had gotten to such a state as he turned to look at Hannah straight on. Ithel wanted her to see his sincerity when he said his vows. He wanted her to know that he would do his very best to do right by her no matter what. Their may have just been business but it was a business most personal to Ithel. He was a man of honor and he would accord Hannah all the respect that she deserved and more. She would be well taken care of and supported whether she liked him or not, though he prayed again that she could find it within herself to at the very least tolerate him.
"I do," he intoned clearly and deeply for all to hear. He took the vow to heart and such intensity shone through his normally reserved features. Ithel may not have loved Hannah Torva, but she would not live a life of misery and he wanted her to know that. With a little red head, now fast asleep pressed against his cheek and her hand within his own larger one, the nobleman gave hers a very light and gentle squeeze of assurance even as the minster continued on with Hannah's vows and Ithel waited almost apprehensively for her to make the same lifetime commitment of staying at his side.
"And do you, Hannah Torva, take this man, Ithel Conlaoch, to be your husband? Will you honor him, his family, and his name? Will you follow him, trusting him to lead though days plentiful and scarce, as you follow and trust Angsar, for as long as you both shall live?"
Two simple words. That was all that was left to do, all that remained to make this marriage final, this most personal business a done deal. Two simple words that held a lifetime of impact for her. Unlike any business deal before, her everything was on the line. This was her name, her business, her life. This was her status, her title, her fortunes. This was her all and everything.
She could feel all the eyes on her, all the expectation. She could feel the words forming on her lips. She wouldn't back out now.
"I do."
The preacher turned back to Ithel and uttered with a smile, "You may kiss the Bride."
Ithel blinked slowly for a moment as if he had forgotten about the traditional couple's kiss at the end of the ceremony. Instead his mind was heavily debating how to approach his bride without insulting her or their guests. For an arranged marriage that Hannah had no part in save for the end when she walked down the aisle, Ithel felt it was somewhat wrong to swoop in and kiss her on the lips as if he were a man laying his claim on her for the world to see. The nobleman knew that such marriages and actions happened every day, yet he did not wish to be that man. A kiss on her cheek though could be seen as insult that she was no more important to him than any other woman he would greet on the street, for such was the Connlaothian way. For a woman that was his wife in name and law now, Ithel could not bear to offer such an insult.
With a quiet if somewhat shaky sigh and a twitch of his lips, Ithel made his choice and bowed low over the hand still grasped within his own. Careful not to spend his sleeping brother tumbling as he did so, the nobleman placed a chaste, yet tender kiss upon the knuckles of her hand, his eyes trained downwards on her hand out of respect.
How, unorthodox.
All the same, people still clapped. Hannah didn't know what to make of it, she was expecting any number of ways that he would have tried kissing her, but that hadn't been one of them. Was she offended? Frankly, she didn't yet know herself. The bride had to admit, it had been a unique wedding, unlike any she had been to. From the child sleeping on Ithel's shoulder, to the slight tingling that replaced his lips on the back of her hand.
As she and Ithel were ushered out of the chapel by the minister, she still didn't know what to think, but she had plenty of time to decide what to think about it. After all, she would likely be with this man for the rest of her natural life.
As he made his way down the aisle with his wife at his side, Ithel could not help but think of how strange it was to even think that. He was married now. Hannah Torva was now Hannah Conlaoch and a woman to whom he was forever bound. He stared ahead as they made their way to the heavy oak doors and the carriage that awaited beyond them to take them both to his home where a reception would be held to celebrate the joining of new money to old name.
Behind him he could already hear his six year old twin siblings starting up again with their antics even despite Thyra's attempts to keep them in line. A turn of his head though in their direction followed by a slight but stern shake of his head quieted them at least momentarily.
While Ithel opened the door of their carriage for Hannah, a servant gathered up his three remaining siblings and ushered them over to their own. His siblings would arrive not long after he and Hannah did with the guests arriving a bit later so that the new couple could freshen up and the final arrangements could be made in the manor before receiving everyone.
Reluctant to let go of little Rhodri, Ithel continued to cradle him close even as he followed Hannah into the carriage and sat opposite her. A final wave to the guests and the carriage was soon off, bumping the three occupants back towards home.
Hannah sat quietly in the carriage, taking it all in. Doing what she could to suppress the rising nerve. Hannah Torva didn't get nervous. But she wasn't Hannah Torva anymore, was she? No, now she was Hannah Conlaoch. She placed her hand on the bench in order to readjust herself, to her surprise would be something she recognized. It was the product of her first trade negotiation.
"I must admit, it's nice to know my husband is also a customer." She said in a hushed tone, as to not wake the sleeping child. Rasping her knuckles lightly against the wood of the Carriage, "Imperial Mahogany, Torva Trading Company acquired the logging company that provides this wood about three years ago."
He glanced up in surprise at the sound of her voice before smiling a small almost sad smile. Rubbing Rhodri's back, he replied in an equally quiet tone. "My father had an eye for beautiful things and a shrewd business sense. I'm glad such a small thing pleases you. Hopefully it will not be the last."
His dark eyes stared at her over the top of the boy's head as he found himself drifting deep in thought. Ithel did not know what to say to her. Even in social settings he had always been the listener not the instigator of conversations. He was a master collector of words but always seemed to have more trouble releasing them than acquiring them.
"When we arrive you will have a chance to meet my siblings if it pleases you. I hope their behavior today has not put you off them already. I fear their attention-spans are not meant for such verbose ceremonies."
Hannah waved off his concern, "While I admit that children are not my greatest strength, I can understand their plight. Nothing like a long winded preacher during the lazy part of the day to really get the blood flowing." She added the last sentence with a smile, hoping to be friendly with her husband. Hoping all the more that he wouldn't mind her somewhat free tongue.
"So what's his name?" She asked, nodding the the boy, "To my shame, I'm afraid that I don't know much at all about you or your family. This being our first meeting and all."
Ithel nodded absent-mindedly as he adjusted his little brother who was squirming to get comfortable now that they were sitting. Once the boy settled again, now draped over his elder brother's lap, the nobleman finally let his eyes draw away from the child.
"Rhodri. We call him Rhodi though. He's the baby of our little family being only two. Our little sweetheart," Ithel added quietly with a glance downward. "Is there something in particular you wish to know about me or us? I will try my best to be open with you and answer your questions. I can understand that this...situation must be less than ideal for you. For my part in that I am sorry."
Hannah leaned forward, draping her arms across her knees, "I'm usually pretty quick on the uptake of things, what with being a businesswoman and all. But anything you could tell me that you think I could benefit from would be most appreciated."
The nobleman hummed softly, feeling a bit slapped in the face as it were. Yet, even he mentally chided himself for thinking she would want to discuss anything other than business. It was an arranged marriage after all and as she said, she was a woman of business herself.
In a formal sort of tone Ithel began detailing how things would work now that they were married. "You will be provided with your own space and study to work in and conduct your business in away from the children and myself so that you may always have your own peace of mind. Should there be something that you require, you need only ask and I will do whatever is in my power to provide for you. This may be a...loveless marriage but that does not mean it has to be an awful one. Otherwise you will be free to enjoy your days as you wish. Does that help you? We are a...boring family if you will Lady T-Hannah. There is not much worth telling I'm afraid."
Hannah blinked at him, taken aback by his sudden formal tone, his phrasing seemed- to her -indignantly done. He had seemed much warmer a moment before, "I'm sorry? If I've said something to irk you, then I beg your pardons. Also, your statements conflict with each other. It maybe a loveless marriage, yet if I need something all I need do is ask? I don't know for certain what that is, but I know it isn't loveless."
She looked down and took a deep breath, "Look Ithel, my parents have a loveless marriage. My mother has been bedridden for the past year, and my father doesn't have a care in the world. And while I am uncertain as to what I want from this union. I know I don't want a loveless marriage, but I also don't know you. And I don't know how to go about knowing you or your family other than simply being with you or by treating you like clients..." Hannah trailed off as she noticed Rhodri stir, unsure if he would wake. Then the carriage started to slow.
"I am not a monster Hannah. I would not see you suffer just because you are married to me. You will still be treated as a member of our household. It is basic human kindness and courtesy to ensure you are taken care of. Surely you must know that," he replied without malice, only confusion.
As the carriage pulled to a stop, Ithel paused before moving to exit as if he was debating with himself on saying something. At last though, with his hand on the door handle, he worked up his courage and added, "you will have all the time in the world to get to know us should you choose to. You just will not be forced to do so. This is your home too Hannah for whatever that may be worth to you."
He then slipped out of the carriage and offered a hand to help her down even as the servants came out to greet him and the second carriage began to pull in through the property gate before needing to reach the main gate, closer to the manor.
I never said you were a monster.
Hannah didn't know what to make of Ithel. She didn't know if she should even try making something out of him. She tried opening up to him and he seemed indifferent about it. Like it mattered not to him either way. That pissed her off. Further, he had said that she would have a study to 'conduct her business'. Did he not want her for the lucrative business that is the Torva Trading Company? He seemed to aloof to want her for her body. Then just why did her marry her? She hoped to find out soon.
Putting on the mask that she had been perfecting all her life, she looked happy and carefree, the epitome of ataraxia. She accepted his hand and walked out of the carriage.
A middle-aged woman with graying hair hurried over to the pair, a wide smile lighting up her features as she did so. Ithel carefully handed over his youngest sibling to her waiting arms for her to cradle the small boy close in a loving manner.
"Welcome home milord! How was the wedding?" she asked hopefully, causing Ithel to smile softly in return as he answered. "It went well, Moiran. Rhodi fell asleep halfway through it. Otherwise no one else pitched any fits."
"Poor dear it was his nap-time and everything," she cooed, petting back Rhodri's hair from his face. "I'll have one of the girls take him right up then." A nod of her head brought a younger maid over to quickly scoop the boy up with her own fond smile.
"Let him know when he wakes that he can come down and join everyone for some cake," Ithel quietly ordered her as he watched him be taken inside to his room. At the same time the second carriage pulled up and his siblings immediately came pouring out of it in a jumbled rush as they hurried to race each other into the house.
"I had a nice pair of trousers laid out for Miss T," Moiran informed Ithel calmly to his obvious relief. "I thought it would be prudent given the fuss she gave this morning about the dress.
"Thank you, Moiran. You always think of everything. I don't know what I would do without me." Moiran laughed and blushed, joking that he would manage even as she preened under his compliments. In a lower voice though he leaned in and asked quietly, "how is she today?"
The look that came over the older woman's face was telling though. A sadness clouded her eyes and though the smile remained on her face there was no joy in it anymore. Moiran shook her head slightly. "The doctor came today...she would have been proud of you today Ithel," she stated changing topics while placing a comforting hand on his bicep. "They both would."
Ithel nodded his head slightly in thanks, feeling too grieved to say more. "Please have the children back down when they are refreshed so that they can meet their new sister. I trust everything else is ready then?" It was Moiran's turn to nod as her smile once more brightened.
"Just as you requested milord. Now, do I get to meet your beautiful bride, Ithel or are you going to keep us all waiting for an eternity." While her ribbing was good-natured it did cause Ithel to blush darkly and lower his head in embarrassment.
"Forgive me, both of you I have been quite rude indeed. Hannah this is our housekeeper Moiran. She runs the day to day affairs of the household and ensures the children are cared for properly. Moiran this is Hannah," he continued, pausing for only half a heartbeat if he should call her his wife or not.
"If you be needing anything milady, you need only ask and I will see that it is taken care of," Moiran informed her brightly. "You are family here and I speak on behalf of all of us here that we wish to make you feel as welcome as possible my dear."
Hannah curtsied to the housekeeper, it seemed she were the person to know should you want to learn all the little goings on in the house. "Is an honor and pleasure to meet you ma'am." Friendly and cordial to the staff, like her grandmother had taught her. When Dally came up behind her free from the second carriage it seemed, she introduced him. "This is Dalivon. He's my hand servant and answers just finely to Dally. Should you need extra hands, please feel free to come and grab him." Dally gave a deep bow to Moiran before returning to his place behind and to Hannah's left.
Moiran curtseyed back with a smile. "Should you need anything as well Mister Dalivon you too need only ask. By your leave though milord, milady, sir," she greeted each in turn, "I must be on my way to make sure everything is in order for the guests arrive." With a nod from Ithel she was quickly on her way.
Turning to Hannah and with an acknowledging nod to her hand servant he offered her his arm. "Would you care to see inside? I'm sure the children will be down shortly and you can meet them before retiring to your rooms if you so desire. Your things should already be in place for you though if anything is not to your liking, it can be remedied as soon as possible."
Hannah wound her arm around his and nodded, "I would very much like to see inside, Thank you. I mean, if I am going to live here I may as well go inside at least once." She said with a smile and laughter in her voice as she tried being inviting with him once again. She wondered, briefly, how well she would get along with him and his family. She turned her head towards Dally, "You go after Miss Moiran and see what you can do to help, leave my husband and me to wander about." The Servant nodded and silently headed after her.
"The Manor looks quite lovely from the outside, I am certain the rest of it is to match."
Ithel's cheeks flushed slightly though he kept his expression neutral at being reminded they were married now. He wondered at what ease it seemed to take her to utter it so soon when he himself struggled each and every time he had to introduce her.
"I'm glad you approve," he murmured softly, leading her inside and pausing in the main receiving hall where the small ball celebrating their marriage would take place. Ahead of them was a large staircase that led to separate wings while on either side of it on the lower level were several doors leading the dining hall, kitchens, servant quarters and other similar rooms.
"I can show you this floor later if you still desire but I think it best to stay out of Moiran and the other servants' ways. I have been told I am not always welcome in the kitchen when there is work to be done. I think the cook still remembers me from my youth and my penchant for cherry tarts," he jested fondly before realizing she might not find it nearly as amusing as he did.
Clearing his throat nervously, Ithel continued. "Upstairs if you'll follow me are the sleeping quarters, studies, and the main library. I'm sure my siblings will make their appearance around here somewhere soon too. Is there something in particular you wished to see first? Your rooms perhaps?"
She giggled softly at his comment about being banned from the kitchen, "Our cooks used to have place out decoy plates of pastries, no matter how many times I was banned from the kitchen, I snuck back in." She shook her head with amusement, "I would like to see your favorite room." She stated, trying to look invested in him. No, she was trying to invest in him. They were married, she couldn't treat him like a stranger, or worse, like a client. Though briefly she had to wonder what he meant by 'her rooms'. Rooms implied more than one, just how much space was he providing her. All she really needed was a bedroom and a study, and they didn't even need to be different rooms. Sure the space was nice but is was surely unexpected. Ithel had said she would have space all to herself. Just how much of his house was he giving to her?
"My favorite room?" he found himself repeating dumbly. "Well I suppose it will have to be my second favorite then. The kitchen is still off-limits I'm afraid. However, the room I enjoy equally as much is also upstairs if you'll just follow me. It isn't much but, I enjoy it," Ithel told her quietly as he led her to a small room in his wing of the house on the right wing of the upper level.
The room he led her to was small and quaint. There was a place for a fire with two somewhat worn armchairs beside it with end tables next to them. There was a painting on the mantle and a few unlit candles about the room but it was otherwise rather bereft of purpose. Yet, to Ithel it was a room that meant many things. In life it had been this room and a similar one back home in Turgall where his mother and father had sat and talked while the children played until it was time for bed. It was a room that meant family even when there was no family to enjoy it anymore. It represented things that Ithel could not share with his new wife yet he showed it to her nonetheless before shrugging somewhat bashfully. "It's not much but I enjoy it," he informed her modestly.
The room, oddly enough, reminded her of her grandmother. Something about the atmosphere of the place seemed... intimate. This was a room for those that cared deeply for each other. There was history here, something that she could not, and maybe would not, know. But she could feel it. She could sense the stories these walls told amongst themselves.
She did not belong in this room, not yet at least. She needed to get out. "This looks very inviting, Ithel. I think I can see why you like it in here." She was quiet for a moment out of deference before asking, "Can I see the Library next?"
"Ah the library is back this way," he told her leading her back to the head of the stairs where a large set of double doors opened to another long hall. "Many of the main receiving and meeting rooms are this way as it is deemed a more neutral ground that does not invade the private wings of the household. The library itself is at the very end of this hall. Feel free to use these rooms though as you see fit for your business."
Ithel opened the door of the library, ushering his new bride in even the shouts of children's laughter rang throughout the room. Found at last, his three siblings chased each other around the tables in the library and down the aisles of books until was able to snag his brother who was currently chasing their two sisters.
"Settle down you three. I have someone here for you to meet," he called to them as he kept a firm grip on Kermit's shoulders. "Hannah, these are my younger siblings, Thrya, Keeleigh, and Kermit." Ithel nodded to each of them in turn as the three children bowed and curtseyed in response to their name. Thrya however stepped forward to correct her name as "T" before nodding and falling silent again. Ithel only chuckled at the interruption before continuing. "And this is Hannah, my wife. She'll be like an older sister to you," he tried to clarify for the youngest two who looked between the adults quizzically. "I hope you will treat her well as you treat each other if not better. She will be living with us from now on."
Well, Ithel had finally accomplished it, he had called Hannah his wife without any struggle in his voice or posture. Also to be immediately referred to as an older sister to his siblings. It was a start. The new Lady Conlaoch curtsied to them and said, "It's a pleasure to meet the three of you, I'm sure we will get along quite well."
And that was probably the biggest lie she would tell all day. As Hannah had grown up an only child, she was jealous. If it has been her running around in a library, she would have gotten her tail end warmed by a belt of switch. She'd never really had the chance to interact with many young children. But she would do her best to get along with her new family, all of them.
It was Keeleigh that stepped forward, innocently taking Hannah's hand within her own smaller one and giving it a gentle tug. "Will you come play with us Lady Hannah?" Behind her though her twin huffed and rolled his eyes. "Great! More girls that's JUST what I need. Ithel when are we going to eat?" he whined instead, turning pleading eyes to his elder brother. "I'm hungry!"
"You're always hungry, Kermie," Keeleigh snapped back with obvious irritation. "And what's wrong with Lady Hannah joining us? Afraid she'll be better than you?"
"I'm not afraid and don't call me that! ITHEL!"
Said nobleman winced before offering the bickering pair a stern look. "Enough! Is this the way we greet people? Well?"
Thyra looked like she wanted to laugh while Keeleigh looked nervously and apologetically up at Hannah. "I'm sorry, Lady Hannah! Please don't hate me!" Her apology was ruined though by her own twin's half-hearted and grumbled, "yeah sorry."
It was nearly enough to set them off again had Ithel had the mind to latch onto Kermit's shoulder and pull him to his side with a quiet "behave."
"To answer your question Kermit, dinner will be soon. The guests have to arrive first. Since you're all here I also expect you three to continue to be on your best behavior. You would not want Hannah to get the wrong impression of you, would you? You are sweet and loving not bickering rats. She's not going to know that with the way you're behaving now." All three of the children looked slightly crestfallen at the chastising before each apologizing in turn to Hannah.
Hannah watched the exchange with some amount of humor. It was interesting to her, the whole dynamic was so vastly different than that of her own family. "I don't hate you, dear. I've only just met you. And I would love to play with you, but not today. After all I am still in my dress and our guests will be here soon." She looked to Ithel, hoping that she had spoken well. Children were something of a foreign subject to her, besides that what her old nurse maid had told her. Namely about herself.
Keeleigh beamed with relief and a child's happiness as she impulsively hugged Hannah's arm before retreating back towards her siblings who were already restless to begin their play again. Before Ithel sent them off though Thyra offered her new sister-in-law a small smile and a wink, feeling a slight relief that the new lady of the house was not truly as demonic as they all feared.
While the children hurried to be where they were meant to gather, Ithel could only watch them go with a sigh. "Not exactly the reception I was hoping for but thank you for your gentleness with them. T is only nine and all the rest are so much younger. As adult as they act they are still too young to understand what today even means."
Ithel sighed again and shook his head. "I should not keep you any longer from your own preparations. I have left you with little time and as I understand it women prefer not to be rushed as a rule. My apologies as always. Allow me to escort you to your rooms. I pray to your satisfaction."
"Give them Credit, Ithel. I'm told that children are far more cunning than they let on. While the younger ones may not get it entirely, I have no doubt that Thrya understands more about this day than she is given credit for, I saw more than a little spark of intelligence in her eyes." Hannah smiled knowingly while she spoke. The Lady herself has caught many patronizing nobles off-guard with her wit when she was younger than Thrya was now.
When her husband made mention of her own preparations to be made, she screwed her eyes up thoughtfully, a playful smirk tugging at her lips, "As this is my first wedding, I am a little uncertain of the protocol, Would you like me to stay in this dress for the banquet, or shall I surprise you with one of the dresses I brought?" The former option was far more traditional, while the latter was becoming increasingly more common in wedding between two people of higher status.
Ithel kept his thoughts to himself. He did not feel it would be good to argue especially something so small. He knew his siblings better than her after all and she would learn in time. While it was true Thrya had some understanding of what was going on, Ithel also knew that her view was skewed. Thyra felt threatened by the new woman in the house and did not see the marriage as what it was. Perhaps when she was older she would understand more fully. He could only hope that in time they would come to relax around each other.
As he paused in front of her door, Ithel gave a moment's thought to her question before replying gently. "I leave the choice to my esteemed wife as she understands fashion and woman's comfort far better than myself." The nobleman bowed before her, motioning her inside. "I will leave you to do as you please and meet you downstairs my dear. I need to ensure the last of the preparations have been made before our guests arrive."
Hannah curtsied to Ithel, "I will see you soon." As the door closed, she turned to take stock of her rooms. A fourposter bed with curtains, a dresser with a looking glass attached to it. Walking over, she found that her jewelry had been laid out on little trays. Looking over the pieces of adornment, she sighed, "Grandmother was right, 'Leave it to a man, and you will be left without any clear decisions.'" Hannah was, of course, talking about the multiple times she had asked him what his opinion was on various things involving her. Every time, he responded by having her choose.
"I hope he's not an indecisive lack-wit and is merely trying to make me more comfortable here." she said to no-one in particular, replacing the small diamonds in her ears for deep red, teardrop shaped garnets. They seemed to glint like fire when the light caught them. Next, she when about stripping off her dress, letting the wedding gown lay crumpled on the floor. Dressed in nothing but her modesty, she took note of- for the first time -a large three paned bay window. It was large enough for two to sit and talk while turned to see what sights the window offered.
Despite her nudity, Hannah had the strong urge to go and take a seat, but the brevity of the hour and expectation of guests soon to arrive made that decision for her. Moving to the wardrobe, she found that her dresses had already been hung. She selected a deep purple dress, sliding it over herself and attending to the clasp in the back. The gown portion of the dress had a very thin veil that caught light in a similar fashion as her earrings, reflecting white wherever it managed to snag a sliver of light. Finally, Hannah let her hair down, allowing it to fall around her neck in waves.
Fire and Lightning, Hannah thought as she admired herself in the looking glass. It was a stunning dress, drawing attention in all the right ways without seeming gaudy or tasteless. Making her way from her room, she went downstairs to find her husband, having changed in a very timely manner.
While his wife prepared and settled in, Ithel took the time away from her to remember how to breathe. It startled him to think of Hannah as his wife, as a woman he would forever call his own yet never hold. He cursed politics that had led him to do what was expected instead of what was right in his mind. It had not helped matters that she had been beautiful.
Ithel pulled himself together, straightened out his clothes and was finishing giving a few last orders when she began her descent to the ground level. No it certainly did not help how beautiful she was, the nobleman decided as his heart skipped a beat. Hannah was no sweet angel, she was a battle queen forged from fire with her pride and confidence as a shield. He was mesmerized, unable to do much more than to stare at her in unabashed awe. There were simply no words in any mortal tongue to describe the sight of her. She was a goddess all in her own right.
Hannah finished her descent of the stairs, coming to stand before her Lord Husband. A mirthful grin splayed across her face as she curtsied deeply to him, as one would a king. She found some satisfaction at the agape look across his face. When she did straighten, Hannah accented it all by turning in an easy circle. Her movements were with the effortless grace of water, or a gentle breeze.
Fixing here eyes on Ithel, she started to say 'Well, what do you think?' but as she looked him over, her face became a contradictory fusion of concern and amusement. "Breathe, Ithel." She said, as if the words alone could break the man of the sudden spell he'd fallen under.
He swallowed thickly as she paraded herself in front of him, not even realizing he was holding his breath until she drew attention to it. Ithel inhaled suddenly and sharply, blinking several times as a faint blush dusted his pale cheeks.
"You are the most beautiful sight I have ever laid eyes upon," he informed her honestly and without thinking even as his heart raced as if to drum out a tune loud enough for her to hear. Struggling to swallow again as his throat seemed as dry as his skin felt flushed, he offered her his arm. "Shall we greet our guests?"
Hannah's head lolled to the side and her eyes closed momentarily, as if he had kissed her along the neck. When her eyes opened again, she gave him one of her knowing smiles. "Your voice lacks the subtle lilt needed for such flattery, sweet Ithel. Be bolder." She wound her arm in his and leaned again him. "Lead the way."
Perhaps she were laying it on a bit thick for him. but she couldn't help it! She were used to staving off the lustful advances of Lordling who came to do business with her mother on behalf of their exaggeratedly important parents with cunning and cutting quips. But Ithel? No, what filled his eyes was not lust, but something strange, some strange emotion of focus and unfocus. When she met his eyes, she saw a dichotomatic mixture of discord and serenity. She found it disettling yet comforting.
Ithel's features flashed between hurt to neutrality as he tried to hide the pain her words had caused him. He felt as if he had been slapped with a live fish. What kind of man did she take him for to assume he was attempting such unsavory actions? Worse yet, what men did she associate with normally that had led her to make such assumptions of all men that would seek to compliment her simply for her pure, raw beauty?
"It was not meant as flattery," he informed her quietly, sadness seeping into his tone more than he had meant to as he led her to the entrance where the guests were already making their way indoors. His body betrayed none of what he felt as he accepted praise and well wishes on their marriage.
Hanna couldn't not hear the hurt in his voice, she'd been trained to take in slips of emotion in order to better manipulate a business deal. It sounded genuine enough, like a kicked pup. He's quite the actor, she mused internally.
She spared him a glance before fixing her eyes ahead of them and quietly responding, "Your compliment seemed like flattery to me because your actions seem to say something different. You say I am to have as much space from you and your family as I desire and you have already spoken into possibility the outcome of a union without love. I mean, you kissed me on the back of the hand during the wedding. The most subtle of actions echo with magnitudes greater than words shouted from the peaks of mountains. Surely you must know that, Ithel?" She gave him back his own words from the carriage ride. Letting them fall like an axe leaving silence in its wake.
He kept his silence until the last guest had been greeted and ushered within and the hall doors were closed. Only when they were left on their own to mingle with their guests before the feast did he pause to address her at last, his face expressionless and his voice low as he did.
"Can a man not compliment a woman without it being perceived as anything more than that? Would you rather me lie and call you hideous or hold my tongue altogether? I will not quarrel with you in front of our guests but I do not believe I deserve the cloak you have cast upon my shoulders. I am not the villain here, Hannah. I am not a cad and I hope that perhaps one day you will see that. Now if you'll excuse me," he bowed before her not wishing to stay even as he felt his heart shred itself into smaller and smaller pieces, "there are some guests I need to speak with."
Well that was smooth, the girl mentally berated herself, hardly half a day into the marriage and they were already quarreling. Or rather, not quarreling for the sake of their guests. Their guests. How odd it seemed to her, not even two months ago she was listing off reasons to her mother why another suitor was unsuitable and sending him off. Now she was married to a man she had met once in passing.
She wondered if the feeling would ever pass, by all rights of Law and God, she was subservient to him. And she'd accosted him. True, he's deserved it, what with his sweet words and stupid charming face and endearingly naive personality. Bastard.
The reception was progressing quietly, Hannah making small talk, enjoying a bit of gossip and rumor, but never spreading any, that was not of her nature. She also did a fair amount of stirring up business. despite the small number of nobles, there was quite a bit of services that TTC could provide them, she was certain that her subtle hints would bring more than a few new customers.
But still, it was far too quiet, something was bound to happen. The Karmic Balance of the universe demanded it. All eyes turned towards the large ballroom doors as the weeding cake was being rolled in.
Ithel entertained his guests with ease even as he toiled and chastized himself internally for his foolishness and stupidity when it came to dealing with his newest family member. He felt sick to his stomach and wanted nothing more than to match back to his new wife and hash out whatever problems they were having once and for all to be completely done with it.
When the cake finally was brought out, the sight of it brought both relief and dread to the nobleman. The beauty and massiveness of it screamed trouble just waiting around the corner. Sure enough the cake had not been in sight for more than five minutes before the cake was suddenly lurching forwards in a steady decline to the polished marble floor.
A pair of surprised screeches followed by a long wail rang out through the stunned hall as two cake-encased culprits fought to slip and slide their way out from the colossal mess they had inadvertently created. Ithel could only stare in pained detachment, already cringing at the expected backlash his new wife was likely to create for the destruction of her wedding day cake.
"Dally, With me." the new Lady Conloach quietly said to her manservant, peeling off the long silken gloves off her hands and passing them back, where her servant took and pocketed them. Hannah took on a matronly smile as she approached the crying children, with a sympathetic tut, she took the two that she could see by the hand and led them out of the mound of what was once a very expensive and no doubt heavenly cake.
"There, there children, no reason to cry. Come on, take a deep breath." Once out of the remains of cake, she produced a handkerchief from within her gown and started to whip their faces clean while Dally fished a third child out of the pile of cake on the ground. She hadn't seen the third. About that time, kitchen staff came forward with towels to drape around the children.
While this was going on, one of the nobles in attendance sidled up to Ithel, giving him a gentle prod in the ribs in the elbow, "Congratulation are in order, Lord Conloach, every bachelor from here to Fell must have tried their hand at courting the Torva Heiress, and all were turned away with refusals and, if rumors are to be believed, the occasional lash and sword. Yet you've seemed to tame the fiery tigress of House Torva. Just wait until she gives you one of your own." The lord gave Ithel a pat on the shoulder before melting back into the crowd, that was starting to intermingle again now that the disturbance had been assessed and was being handled. Plus it seemed like the kitchen had found a steady supply of pies and smaller cakes now that the wedding cake was no more.
It wasn't long at all before Hannah detached herself from the kids and headed straight towards her new husband. Two plates of cake in hand, demolished wedding cake scooped from the top of the mound that was now being efficiently cleaned. Handing one plate to Ithel, she smiled at him, "Some traditions can't be deterred by a simple fall." Taking a fork off her plate, she scooped up a large bite of cake and held it out to him.
The nobleman had to all but scrape his jaw off the floor in shock at his new bride's compassion and attention to his siblings. She had acted faster and with more care than he gave her credit for. He had not even managed to process what had happened before she was already finishing with remedying it.
Ithel shook his head slightly to clear it and focus on the other nobleman speaking to him. "Hardly tamed, Lord Dgon. She is her own person," he murmured softly, uncomfortable with the way people were viewing his wife as nothing more than a trophy.
He had little time to relax though for once the gentleman was gone his wife was soon at his side with cake in her hands and a smile on her face. "Thank you," Ithel said softly as he accepted the other plate. After a moment of looking between her and the fork he finally hesitantly leaned in to accept the bite she offered him.