Dull and boring, full of pomp and airs. Leif Arrant crinkled his nose, able to smell the arrogance even from here as women with high hair and men with tall hats and thick beards strolled around and spoke like dogs in men's clothing. It was a hideous, despicable sight and it made Leif's stomach rot at the thought as to what these nobles were clucking about like hens in a barn; and by his standards, their noise was just as superfluous as the chicken's.
His dark green eyes scouted the room, taking in each guest as his lips sagged. He tried to avoid this ball, but not without consequences, and found himself dolled up, and powder faced as he was suited up and forced into a carriage. Was it a sad fact his father had to put him at sword at his head to get him to go? But he'd rather not be in here in Matron's Hallow. Sure the lake was beautiful, but the festivities were not. Even from where he stood near the punch bowl he could hear the women giggling, and knew their stories and pointed noses spoke only of their vanity and vulgar obsessions. He turned away from their doe eyed looks and took another scoop of punch for himself. He couldn't get enough alcohol to drown this place out.
ANd to make matter's worse, his betrothed would be here; an idea that made him repulsed and set his nerves on edge. He'd rather not meet her, for he had no reason to, but his father insisted, and the sharp end of his sword brought him here, to a Festival of Light,( or whatever the hell it was called). He knew not, for it was a recent addition to the new ceremonies in Connlaoth. The festival was about beauty, but he saw none of that here as he took his drink and made his way outside onto a long balcony that curled around the entire southern edge of the manor house and from here, one could spot the glittering colors of the lakes and the lamps that were set upon it like dazzling blots of twilight.
That might have looked beautiful, or so he thought. But nothing else.
Sighing again, he reached into his breast coat pocket and produced a cigar. Lighting up, Leif leaned against the outter rim and slowly inhaled.
This was going to be a long arduous night.
There was only one thing Valentina hated more than her father. Nobles and their excessive, over-the-top parties. She always felt like a black sheep never wearing one of those stupid, hundred pounds heavy dresses and always refusing to put much makeup on her face. But, this time she had to "mingle around" as her father explained to her. After ten minutes her lips started twitching from too much fake smiles. The conversations she had so far with the men and the ladies were disappointing and plain out boring. Valentina was annoyed by the snobbish behavior and some really stupid subjects she had to talk about. She constantly searched for something more interesting to pass the time.
Valentina frowned when she remembered her betrothed was somewhere in the crowd. He was probably some old lord with dozen of children from his previous marriages. No, you should think positively, she said to herself, he may not be all that bad. The girls around her continued giggling about how handsome were some of the young lords. Unfortunately for them, Valentina wasn't really interested in that, so they just continued gossiping without her. Meanwhile, she continued scanning the place. It was big and grandiosely decorated, full of exotic fabrics and flowers.The group of young women she was standing with continued to talk about some noble's wife who cheated on him because he was too old.
Although she had a fiery argument with her father and her maids, Valentina did manage to convince them all to allow her to wear one of her more simple dresses. The corset was too revealing because it wasn't a perfect compromise. At least the skirt was light and she had no problem moving around. It was in a royal blue color and with some nice golden embroidery. It was probably too simple looking for Connlaothian fashion, and that was why she got more than one questioning look from the ladies. Also, her hair was too short to make any kind of bun from it, it was barely reaching her shoulders so she just kept it loose. It wasn't like she was following the latest trends.
Valentina reached for a glass of vine, near the food table. Unfortunately, she stepped on a piece of fabric from one of the long, big skirts of a nearby lady, and she royally stumbled and fell straight on her behind attracting the attention of the guests. Men raised their eyebrows or had amused expressions and ladies were giggling. Valentina sighed. It can only get better from now on, right?
Leif had been boredly observing the night when something caught his attention. Though he was outside on the balcony, he could clearly see within to where the yellow chandelier light lit up the fiasco of skirts. He smirked against his cigar, allowing himself to exhale a breath of smoke that wafted out from his lips and dissipated up and around his face like a smoky, white veil. But he said nothing, turning from the scene, a subtle grin on his face before it turned as sour as the cigar smoke. His frown deepened when he spotted his father amongst the crowd, and turned his eyes away to glance back at the woman who had fallen, but didn't care to move near her to help. He hadn't seen her at one of these events before. Probably new blood. Then again, he didn't always attend every event there was. Taking another drag, he breathed out the smoke through his nostrils, but didn't let his green eyes leave her.
Valentina got up from the ground, not too graciously. She was flushed a bit and wanted to run away from this stupid party as far away as she could. Unfortunately for her, her arrogance wouldn't allow her to flee, so she just took the drink she wanted and leaned her back on one of the nearby walls. Yes, people were still watching and gigling in the crowd, but she just gave them one of her fake smiles saying 'everything is fine'. Nothing actually was. She could feel her father from the side, watching her, probably with a big urge to strangle her somehow.
In order to avoid it, she turned her head towards the opposite direction: towards the balcony. It was dark outside, but not dark enough not to see him. He was looking straight at her, his gaze was blazing and even from this distance she couldn't help but notice the handsome features and his dark green eyes. They sure were something. Valentina didn't take long to snap out of it. Instead of a fake smile she gave to everyone, she just kept her face neutral.
"What are you staring at?" she murmured more to herself, hoping he would get the cue and move his intense gaze from her. Valentina took a sip from her glass, but still unable to look away from him.
Leif watched her, subtly smiling at the attitude she was exuding, though it was evident even in this faint smile that it was soured. She was haughty, which was.. refreshing, but not too uncommon among the elite. She probably thought herself better than most, so he simply stared back at her, eyes as intense as ever before he lifted up his own punch glass and knocked it back until it was nearly gone.
It was obvious he wasn't going to move his eyes away from her. Valentina took a deep breath, slowly realizing that this has become a small competition between the two of them. It was obvious he was an arrogant rich man, which wasn't too unusual for this kind of party, but the fact that he was alone in the balcony was strange.
She kept looking at him, because she simply wanted to win this unoffical contest. Slowly she gave him a sour smile and raised her half empty glass, like a salutation. At least he should now how much he was getting on her nerves, no matter his appearence.
Leif set his now empty punch glass on the balcony railing he was leaning against and raised his cigar to his lips, and proceeded to blow more smoke through his nose. If her 'salutation' registered with him, he did not show it and continued to nurse on his cigar. He idly wondered how young she was. Maybe she was sixteen and new to these affairs. It would give her good reasons to stare back. Still, it was something different, and outside of etiquette, but he wasn't about to let his green gaze drop as he kept that half leisured, uncaring, but intense stare on her while his entire body exuded his brooding nature like the slow, hypnotic dance of his cigar's smoke. And once again, he blew more smoke through his nostrils, just to feel the scenty burn.
She felt anger racing through her body. He could ignore her all he wanted, but she wasn't letting go of his gaze just yet. It came to her mind, that perhaps she should go and introduce herself, but she didn't want to seem interested in him or polite. Actually, she wanted to tell him some nasty things, which probably wouldn't be consider ladylike. It was probably more because of the party and everything around her than her own irritated attitude towards him.
To Valentina, he seemed like a man who wasn't interested in many thing, like he was easily bored. That was why she was surprised by his persistance. But, she boldly continued to look at him, feeling her father's eyes burning the back of her head. And again, Valentina wasn't showing the best manners and was going to get into trouble. At that moment she didn't care, she just wanted to stare-out this man and win this little duel.
Their little, childish duel of stares was destined to fail. For Remmis Arrant had seen his son, and knew that if he was taking homage by himself on the balcony, he was failing to socialize at the party. It was only as he neared that he realized who his son was looking at through the window and gave his son a dark grin as he approached.
"Like what you see, Leif? That's Miss Corrent." And he paused, his own cigar's smoke brewing between them. "Your fiance."
Leif didn't miss a beat. Thank the Gods he wasn't nursing his own cigar before he moved to turn away, ensuring he pushed his empty glass off the balcony before stalking off away from his father. Naturally, Remmis was pissed.
"Lief Arrant! Where are you going? I demand you return back here this instant! Have you even been introduced?"
But Leif ignored his father's calls, heading towards the balcony's stair case and quickly made his way outside into the garden, knowing full well his father was glaring daggers at him, for he could feel the weight of his stare on the back of his head. He didn't care, and continued until he disappeared into the hedge-maze that wound it's way like an endless serpent int he back yard. Maybe he could claim to have gotten lost inside there all evening. Such a thing would be a dream, and after a time of weaving his way through the maze, he found a stone bench in a remote corner near a smaller fountain and laid out upon it, his face up at the stars, one knee bent and his cigar at he ready between his fingers.
Fiance..
She was his fiance.
And the idea curled his stomach into acidic knots.
Fiance... that little girl inside was meant to be his.
His frown deepened, and his eyes remained glued upon the night sky.
When Valentina saw her opponent leave after a talk to, she guessed the man was his father, she was happy. And again she has won. She took another sip of her drink, finishing off her glass and slowly going back to the crowd. One of the ladies called her with a wave of hand.
"So, interested in the mysterious balcony man?" the lady obviously just wanted a gossip and Valentina didn't feel like giving her anything.
"No, not really." she said, her voice sompletely flat.
"Riiight." the lady winked at her "As cute as you are I doubt he would be interested. Many ladies tried, you know, but his cold personality usually just makes them cry." she continued in a sad tone.
"And who is he, anyway?" Valentina couldn't keep curiousity out of her voice. The unnamed lady grinned on that question.
"Leif Arrant.. I am sure you've heard his name." the Lady said with a smile.
"Nope, first time I ever heard it." Valentina shaked her head and excused herself as she left to the table with drinks. There was something familiar in his name, but she was sure she never met him. She always had problems remembering the names. Valentina bit her lip, trying to remember, when she saw her father approaching. Oh-oh, let's avoid this. She decided it would be better if she pretended to have to go to the ladies room. Valentina left the large ballroom and raced through the empty hallway running in a not-so-elegant manner.
From where Leif Arrant was perched, lying out in the gardens, he noticed flicker against the tall hallway windows of the manor house as a figure shadowed past the lamp light's glow. He lifted his eyes, watching a woman rush past with leisure interest before realizing, with a subtle smirk, he recognized the girl. But after a moment, that grin faded as he frowned.
Right. That as his fiance. And any thoughts of amusements were buried away.
Where can you run and hide from your own father? Valentina rushed outside the large manor and went to the back. She was sure he will com after her sooner or later. Valentina hoped it would be later. The gardens seemed calm enough and empty enough for her to relax. She wasn't feeling completely relaxed, and continued to turn around herself in order to see if she has been followed. After deciding she was alone she sat on the grass, even though there were more than one chair around her.
"I hate my life and my father and every damn noble in that manor." Valentina said to herself. It was quite good actually. Perhaps she should move to a secluded part of the land and spend her time shouting offenses no one will ever hear. She let out a laugh at that thought. Gardens were way better than parties anyway.
Leif heard her running long before he saw her, and it took quite a lot of effort to see the woman. And he knew it was Valentina before he heard her voice, but when it was confirmed, he frowned and turned to lay on his belly. His cigar smoke drifted up from the tip of the ash collecting heavily at the end as his green eyes stared at one of the hedge walls that, from the way he made out the young woman's voice, had her located right behind it. There was a single, hole in the shrubs where he could catch a glimpse of her on the ground, and studied her in silence for a while before speaking.
"Do you often times speak to yourself?"
Though he was sure she must've smelled his cigar smoke before he spoke, he thought nothing of it. she was probably in her own little world, truly believing she had found some sort of sanctuary. He had wanted to believe that himself, but he was not that stupid. Being a realist meant you saw the bad in just about everything. And there was much bad to be seen.
She was alone and happy and the whole world she lived in was looking just a bit brighter. And then, she heard a man's voice.
"Only when I think no one hears me." Valentina said to the unknown man, trying to sound like she wasn't surprised by his presence.
By the looks of it they were very close, but since she didn't really pay attention from where the voice came, she couldn't quite pinpoint his location. Valentina suspected that he could see her so she didn't make any moves, or try and turn around. That was when she smelled the cigarette smoke. She was surprised she didn't notice it earlier. Perhaps she really was spending too much time in her own little world.
"And do you often talk to women you don't know?" Valentina asked, enjoying the smooth grass she was sitting on.
Leif grew quiet a moment, staring listlessly at the hedge between. Then he turned back around to lay on his back side, and peered back up at the sky and took in a long drag. When he spoke again, it was through smoke.
"Only when they invade my private space."
"I didn't realize I was invading." she said, her voice a bit edgy. She was so sure that his 'personal space' was really big, since he probably needed a lot of space for that gigantic ego of his. She didn't care for his words, and she was not easily offended. Valentina was used on people tellng her things and she knew how to return them. But, no matter what she didn't have any intentions of leaving.
Then she realized, she still didn't have any idea who he was.
"I bet you don't know a lot of things, Miss Corrent," he simply replied.
She frowned when she heard her name.
"I am sorry, you have me at a disadvantage." Valentina said "I don't believe I got your name." Even when she tried to sound polite it usually sounded sarcastic and edgy. Valentina gave up trying in the end.
"You'll get my name soon enough," he said coldly, then dropped his cigar to the ground and simply walked away, oil slicked boots nearly silent on the garden pathways as he began to weave himself through the maze and away from the girl.
When Valentina finally found out where he was, she also found out that he left. As hot headed as she was, Valentina immediately jumped. Did he really think he could just leave like that? It wasn't polite, and he didn't even introduce himself. She remembered the path she came to the garden so she just followed it until she was again in front of the large place.
Unfortunately, Valentina didn't check out herself. Some of the ladies near the entrance giggled when they saw her. Her back was greenish from the wet grass she sat on and her cheeks were reddish because of the cool air outside. But, it didn't really matter as long as she came back to the party. Her father was probably going to kill her because she was absent for so long. Gods, help me.
Leif Arrant found himself back inside the manor house, having eagerly approached the table for a second glass of punch. Once that was knocked back, a servant passed carrying a tray of mead passed by, so he helped himself to two glasses and ignored the raised brows from any nearby guests. He might as well get liquored up. This was going to be a long night. Hopefully, he could avoid his father, and future fiance, for most of it.
As soon as Valentina entered the room, her father ambushed her. He didn't say anything, he just put a hand on her shoulder and led her to the empty corner of the room.
"You look like a savage." he said coldly, removing a leaf from her hair.
"Listen to me very well Valentina..." her father said with a dangerous glow in his eyes "Your future husband's father told me that he wanted to meet you. I want you to be as polite as possible or I swear by all the Gods I will burn your library along with those ridiculous clothes."
Valentina bit her lip and her eyes were glued to the floor. She hated him, but she wouldn't risk her library.
"Yes, father." her voice completely emotionless.
Her father led her towards an unknown man. She didn't like him. His smile was the same as her father's. Fake and calculating.
Leif was finally feeling the bubbling fire from the alcohol reach his mind when he spotted someone he'd rather not.. or rather, a certain set of someones, for his father was seen approaching Lady Valentina and her father. Leif lowered his brows, casting a brooding gaze their way as he drank down more of the mead, wishing it was stronger, before lowering the glass from his lips.
Remmis Arrant was a tall man, like his son, with a similar nose and jaw, though his hair was blonde, unlike his son's (which was dark as night), and he possessed a much lighter green colored eyes, his son taking on the dark green colored eyes of his mother. So, from their dissimilar appearance, Valentina might not have known that the man approaching was related to the man staring at her from the balcony. Though, they had a similar brow, if anything...
So as Remmis approached, he politely bowed to the pair of them.
"I am sorry it has taken so long for me to properly meet you, Lady Corrent. You see, I am the Duke of Castavar, and my son is Leif Arrant," he paused, adding, "Your betrothed, and he is here today to meet you though, I must apologize," he sighed, tiredly. "I shall have to figure out where." Then he noticed a few twigs in her hair and raised his brows questionably towards her father.
The face of her betrothed's father looked somewhat familiar, even though she knew she never met him. She recognized the name. It was the man who stared at her from the balcony. Oh no, she wanted to die. He is her betrothed and she stared at him like an idiot. Perhaps now he will think she was interested, and she wasn't. At all. But why didn't he come to introduce himself, she wondered. If she knew who he was she maybe could have escaped this. But now... It was game over.
"The pleasure is all mine." Valentina bowed her head. One of the twigs fell on the floor. She smiled towards the Duke.
"You know how these new fashion trends are." She faked a smile and stuck the twig in her hair, making herself look ridiculous.
Remmis stared at the young lady a moment before clearing his throat.
"Yes, I will never understand them," he admitted, then turned his attentions towards Lord Corrent.
"Are you all enjoying the evening? It seems the dancing has begun. Perhaps my son will show up soon and the pair of you can get acquainted on the dance floor? My wife has saw fit he was well versed in every intricate Connlaothian dance there is to know. But you know how women are. It seems a man well at dance can also hold a blade well, and my son can boast great skills in that,too, so his skills in dancing aid in many things, from self defense to, well, hopefully charming your daughter."
But as he went on rambling about his son's skills, he began to feel impatient and wondered where he had gotten up to. That was, until he spotted his son staring at him with his usual brooding stare over beside the buffet. Near the damn drinks.
Remmis sighed.
"Excuse me, I think I see my son now."
Valentina felt ridiculous, but it would be even more ridiculous for her to try and remove the stupid twigs from her hair. So, she did what she could and just kept on smiling along. The Duke was going on and on about his son, and it took all of her strenght not to start yawning. She needed a drink, or something to eat or anything that would get her attention while her father continued talking with the Duke.
"Fantastic, bring him over so he can meet my lovely daughter." her father said and squeezed Valentina's hand, with too much strength. She felt like saying something but, remembering her father's threat she just widdened her smile and started nodding enthusiastically.
The moment Duke Arrant approached his son, Leif turned uninterestedly away. With his nose to the air, and his stiff disposition, it was obvious the two were arguing, if even in a subtle way. Though after a time, Leif's eyes met darkly to Valentina, piercing her with a coldness harsher than that from the frigid peaks of the Kilanthro's as he stalked along behind his father to join the Corrent's in the corner.
Remmis was all smiles, even a bit red faced and flustered looking after having argued with his son, but none the less, he wore a charming smile and patted his son on the shoulder, then gestured to Lord and young lady Corrent, "This is my son, Leif. Leif, this is Lord Corrent, and his daughter, Valentina," he paused to gestured towards Valetina, where Leif's eyes returnd to her's, as cold as ever. "She is your betrothed."
For a moment, Leif said nothing in response, before stepping forward and taking her hand and lightly kissed the top of her glove with cold lips. Then he raised those dark green eyes to meet to her's before saying, "I'm sure it would be a pleasure if this was our first time meeting. After all, the reasons he has twigs in her hair was because we had a rendez-vous earlier in the gardens."
Remmis's fathers mouth dropped open. What did his son just say!? Was it for real, or was he trying to cause a scandal!? The duke turned towards Lord and young Lady Corrent, as if looking for answers, but it was obvious he was beyond flustered.
Did the temperature just drop below zero? No, that was just the feeling Valentina had when she saw Leif Arrant looking at her. She wasn't sure what he thought about her, but judging from the look on his face, it wasn't pretty. It was the same man from the balcony and she wondered did he know who she was from the beggining. Of course he did, she told herself, he isn't an idiot like you are to stare at people he doesn't know. Valentina wanted to strangle herself or at least run away as far as possible, so that she may never see him again. She felt a bit intimidated by the way he looked at her but instead of retreat she just returned a cold smile instead as he kissed her hand.
Then she heard his words. And, at that moment she felt like she should run away and hide forever. No, she should first slap him hard and kick him then run away. How dare he say that, she didn't have a rendez-vous with anyone in the garden. Or did she? Is he the mystery man who was mean to her in the garden? That would make sense. She flushed deeply but also frowned at him with an angry expression. Her betrothed was a jerk, and that was just one of the reasons she'll never ever marry him.
"Valentina, what is the meaning of this?" her father asked her, obviously angry.
"Well, it's a pleasure of finally meeting you in person." she answered, ignoring his statement "Though I didn't think you were such a man to leave a lady alone in the gardens... At night no less." Valentina said, though it was obvious she didn't looked scared or upset because of it. Two can play the game he just started, she thought and smiled politely.
Ignoring all the stares on him from both her father, and his own, he gave Valentina a soured smile.
"I was hoping you'd become lost and stay out there all night. A pity," he said, plucking a twig from her hair. "Seems even women are too smart for that pathetic excuse for a lawn maze."
Remmis's face went red.
"Leif! What is the meaning of your attitude? Are you not happy to see your betrothed? You have just met-"
"I saw her earlier," he said, flicking the twig aside as he cast his cold gaze to his father. "And she simply stared at me like a blubbering fish. And here you wish for me to marry her." And instead of saying something in order for him to depart, as his father began to growl, Leif simply rolled his eyes and began to walk away.
"Leif! Leif get back here and apologize at once!" but the man ignored his father's request, and took another cup of mead from a passing by servant. Three drinks just hadn't been enough.
He was a jerk, alright. And a male chauvinist. Valentina was beginning to make a list in her head. If her 'dear' betrothed thought she was just another lady who will flush under his gaze and let him insult her... He was very, very wrong and he obviously didn't know her at all. She tossed a look on her father's face who obviously wanted to say 'Do not do anything stupid... Or else.' Valentina wasn't interested in idle threats, so she broke away from his squeeze and came in front of her betrothed.
"I don't like you and you don't like me." she said, this time with no polite smile "And, that's fine. But if you think I will put up with your insults and keep my mouth shut. You are very wrong."
Valentina kept her voice quieter so that she would avoid being in the center of the attention. Again. But, still a few heads turned when she said those words to him. She wasn't sure how will he react on her more than open attitude, but she was sure it wasn't often a woman talke to him like that.
Instead of responding to her, he boredly looked away, drinking his mead.
Damn, the cup he got wasn't mead. It was wine. Damn Vythian wine. He made a face, and looked a anything but her, pretending not even to notice she was there.
"So you are just going to ignore me?" she asked calmly "Fine, but remember you made me do this."
Valentina was known for her wicked and crazy ideas. She took his glass of vine and drinked it all at once. Then she kissed him, trying to adjust the way they were standing so everyone can take a look. And they did. If the scandal with the garden wasn't enough to gossip about, this obviously was. After a few seconds she released him and smiled sweetly.
"Let's see what will they talk about now." Valentina didn't really give a damn about her reputation, and he was her betrothed after all, but people still talked. She could only imagine how her father looked at her. She just kissed the man she met 10minutes ago. It was his fault, he wouldn't look at her, he ignored her and he deserved it.
Well, that was hardly expected, and her kiss caused his face to heat angrily. If he had any wine left, he would have tossed it onto her dress. So he dealt with the next best thing- stealing the drink from a nearby servant and dumping it over her head.
"You're trying to impress the wrong man. Why don't you go roll out in the gardens to cool off," and he turned to walk away, dropping the glass so that it shattered onto the floor.
Perfect. She thought with a satisfied grin as she looked towards her father. He was blowing steam, and was so red in the face that he thretened to explode. The effect worked just as she wanted it. Now, her betrothed will surely refuse to get married with her and her father will hopefully leave her alone. It was a strange sight actually, seeing her wet from the drink and half green from the grass, but still smiling. There was still hope for her. Though she was kinda irritated by the fact that he was the one who got her first kiss.
"I think I will take the advice." her voice chippy when she returned to her father "I am in the gardens if anyone needs me." she threw the crowd a happy grin and was out in seconds. Her father was too angry to follow her and she was alone again. In the same day she managed to piss of her father and probably ruin his plans for her betrothal. Today was a good day.
Remmis was up in arms, and followed his son, chasing him to a remote corner of the manor. There was no end to his threats, and by the time Remmis was done with his son, Leif had a fat, bleeding lip, and a cut over his brow. And Remmis was the first to return to the party. He still needed to save face infront of the Corrent's if he wanted the engagement to go as planned. But Leif had had enough of this party, and began to stalk his way towards the exit when he was stopped by his mother. She noticed the wounds and frowned.
"What did you do this time, Leif? And don't think about leaving, the horses are locked away and you are not able to retrieve them without either I or your father present."
Leif sighed inwardly and simply walked passed his mother, heading out the front door.
Valentina was feeling great. Well, except the fact she was cold and alone and sleepy. Okay she wasn't in a perfect state but it was worth it. There was no chance anyone will get her to return inside to see her father. He would kill her. Literally. It wouldn't be the first time. She wondered what's up with her betrothed.
"He must be healing his gigantic ego." she said and chuckled to herself.
She happily smiled and hugged herself, because of the cold wind. Tomorrow probably won't be the happiest day of her life, but if she hides in the library perhaps father will forget about her. Hardly, but a girl can hope.
His mother's threats that he couldn't get a horse did not deter him from heading towards the stables. Just because his parents horses were 'guarded' did not mean he couldn't steal another guest's. So he made his way past the gardens, heading straight for the stables, unaware (and uncaring) of his betrothed's location.
"And I have outsmarted my father, finally!" she continued talking to herself "I bet he never saw that coming. Now he will have to cancel it all." her voice sounded chippy and optimistic. Valentina was still chuckling at the image of her father's face in her head. It was hilarious, and this was one of those moments she won't let be easily forgotten.
"Perhaps I should just run away before he realizes how large scaled damage I have created?" her voice was now much more worried and serious. The fun has lasted long enough and tomorrow she will be obligated to face the facts and her punishment.
Leif caught her voice, but wouldn't stop until she continued. If he thought she was stupid before, it was only confirmed then. And because he was a smart ass, he paused beside the gardens to speak to her through a tall shrub.
"Still talking to yourself?"
She froze and bit her lip. How long has he been listening? He probably heard everything.
"Still the same jerk as always?" she asked. Valentina didn't like being mean, no she was actually very friendly and polite, but some people just asked for it. Namely the man on the other side of the shrub.
"Some people never change." Or in her case, never learn, and he didn't stick around to listen to her reply, though she might have heard his boot steps walking away as she stalked off down the path, hoping to make his way quickly to the stables.
"His ego is back on track." she muttered to herself. This time, she actually heard him going away. By the sound, she deducted he was going somewhere near the stables and that intrigued her. Was he trying to escape? Well, she was very interested to see how, since the stables were heavily guarded at this time of night. For her, it would be enoughto smile a few times to the guards but a man with a personality of a grumpy old jerk will hardly pass anywhere near the horses. She stayed back, completely silent, watching what will he do.
The guards took notice of young Lord Arrant as he approached. They both had been warned (and paid handsomely in coin) to prevent him from leaving via horse. So as he approached, one man raised up his arm, the one holding his spear as he called out, "Halt there, young Lord Arrant. NOw you know your father warned us about-"
And that's when Leif slugged his fist clean into the man's face. THe other man stood there, shocked, and before he knew it, Leif had hefted up the other man's spear and knocked the second guard down so he was flat on his back. He didn't waste any more time before slamming the spear end into the ground and stalking past the two guards who were choking on their breath, calling out after him, "L-lord Arrant!"
But it was too late, he was already in the stables.
Someone was in trouble, Valentina thought as he watched the man easily finishing off both guards. She must admit that this was a quite violent method, and that she would prefer solving the situation with words, but she also had to say it was effective and fast. She hid behind the large bush in expectance what would happen next.
Valentina was very much tempted to use her magic on him, just a little bit so she can let him know that she wasn't useless. But, she remembered how long she kept that secret and that it would be incredibly dangerous for it to be discovered, especially now.
A moment later, Leif Arrant's form could be seen tearing out from the stables as he rode on the back of a stolen, black mare. The horse's hooves hammered into the ground as it carried Leif off and away, disappearing intot he night.
A moment later, Remmis came out, crying in alarm to see that his son had gotten away. His wife, appearing tired at his side, only sighed and shook her head.
"We should have hired more guards to guard the stable," she said simply, staring off to where her son's form had disappeared.
Yes, he was a jerk and yes he insulted her more than once, but Valentina couldn't help but stare as he rode off. He did have talent for dramatic escapes that was for sure. She spent some more time in the garden, before seeing a couple appear together. That was a real rendez-vous, though if you asked Valentina, it was too much for her. Soonafter she had no place to go, the mansion was a no-no, and the garden was a too-slimy for her to go.
Without anyone's help she easily snuck out of the mansion's large yard and went near the lake which was perhaps a two minute walk. She kept wondering will his parents send someone after him? Also, she realized her father didn't send anyone after her...
Leif Arrant had no idea where he wanted to go, but he knew he wanted to be rid of that stuffy party..
and be as far away from his family as possible. He had appeared at the lake long before she did, tethering the horse into the woods and skirting around the northern side of it. It was remote here, and at this time of night, a light fog drifted lightly across it's surface, muffling the reflection of the stars above. It was here he allowed himself to simply fall into his water, uncaring that his prime and proper clothing was now soaking wet with lake water as he laid beneath the surface of the water, floating but a mere few inches deep, green eyes staring up at the moon through the murky watersa and fog.
Minutes later, he resurface for a breath, and found himself sitting in silence upon a rock at the lake's shore. Only the sound of crickets could be heard as she stared off into the lake, deep in thought, eyes solely focused upon the rolling white fog as water's dripped off from the tips of his soggy, black hair.
It was quiet. Quiet was always bad. It's always quiet before the storm. But, it seemed like the skies were clear and you could see every star on it's dark surface. Valentina enjoyed the silence in her library but this was the first time to experience the beauty of an open nighy sky. And it was a thousand times better than the library. Her loneliness didn't bother her much, because she was mostly used to it.
Valentina smiled gently to herself and opened her both palms towards her face, letting a few small, golden butterflies disappear into thin air. It was weak illusion magic and she always found it calming. She continued to smile as she released the gentle butterflies from her hands and intp the darkness.
Leif had been enjoying the peace, and the soft, fluttering chirp of crickets and the occasional night bird's hoot against other insect's hisses. It was a surrendering melody, so when he opened his eyes to spot a series of glowing orbs through the fog, he rose to his feet, keeping a hand at his side as he reached down to pick up his sword from where he had left it resting on the lake's shoreline.
Cautiously, he moved forward, his boots moving in silence, and just as the fog began to disperse...
there she was, catching gold, glowing butterflies with her palms.
Valentina loved illusion magic. It could be so beautiful, deceiving yes, but still beautiful. She let go a few more of the butterflies from her palms and then closed them. It was risky to even do it for a few seconds, and no matter how much she loved it, she knew she shouldn't push her luck. Althoigh she knew the dangers she slowly sat on her knees and let go one bigger butterfly to glide over the surface of the water. Valentina proudly smiled to herself and stood up from the grass with a happy expression.
Silent as always, Leif remained in a faint shroud of rolling fog as he watched her work her magic. There was an enchanting beauty to the butterflies she let go free, and he knew if he approached her any closer, his mordecai powers would snuff out whatever magic she was casting, and also scare her away.
Another one, just one more... She felt like her magic was begging her to use it. It was true that she rarely used any of it because she was afraid of being discovered, but she was far enough from humans now, and nobody could actually see her. Well, perhaps one more... Just one, Valentina negotiated with herself.
She again sat on her knees, very close to the water and dripped her fingers in the coldness of it. With a small smile playing on her lips she slowly released her magic. In seconds, flowers, created from water and golden streaks of her illusion magic rose up from the surface of water. They were beautiful and Valentina couldn't help but grin.
He saw everything, and if the butterflies hadn't confirmed his fiance was a mage, the trick across the water, had. His lips stiffened, and silently, he headed back in the fog, moving back toward the horse when a voice carried across the water.
"Halt! Who goes there?" Leif remained in place, his back to the men calling after him..
or so he presumed. Shit. Had his parents sent someone after him?
She heard the horses before she saw them. Valentina quickly moved her hands from water, hiding in the nearby bushes. For some reason today she spent more time on the grass than any other day in her life. It was uncomfortable and was slowly leaving traces on her dress. Valentina was almost sure she had a bruise or two on her behind.
She slowed her breathing as she heard the fant voices of the guards. As Valentina slowly rose her head from the bushes she noticed four men in uniforms, talking to someone she couldn't see from the place she was hiding in. Valentina waited to see what will happen.
Three men stepped out of the fog, and Leif let out and audible growl. These three men had been hired specifically from his parents to keep tabs on their son. Dubbed as 'body guards' by his parents, he saw them more as 'the three assholes' as his eyes narrowed upon the tallest, gruffest man of the bunch, named Chace. He had scraggly, thick black hair with some pieces of grey in the mix and a gristly beard. He was all muscle with scars crossed all over his face. A shorter, squatter man stood on his left, named Hartan, who was bald but dawned a thick, black beard and thick brows that always made him look as if he were angry. Then just to their side was a man barely over his own age with sandy-red hair and light grey eyes and always wearing a smile as he stood, the second tallest of the bunch with a thin, lithe body and a smile ever present in his stony eyes. His name was Alistok.
"I think you know why we're here," Chace said with a slight chuckle. "You know your parents wouldn't let you go two paces with out use around to sniff up your trail."
"And this time you left quite a trail to follow, Lord Arrant," Alistok chimed in. "Though how are we to bring you back today? Will it be with sword play again? I'm not sure your parents will be thrilled if we mar up that pretty little face of yours, but you know how my blade always itches for blood."
"You're wasting your time," Leif growled, and Alistok and Chace merely laughed.
"Seems we'll be using our swords," Alistok said, slowly drawing out his blade as the metal hissed against it's sheath, but before he could drw it fully out, Chace placed an arm upon his hand.
"Easy now, lad, let's see if we can't talk some sense into him. After all, it'll look better on us to report back that we tried to be civil," Chace reminded.
Alistok made a face, but let the sword fall back to his side, but his gloved hand never left the hilt.
"Very well," he said with a sniff, and sneered over at Leif. "Though we all know he won't go quietly."
And to their surprise...
he did.
He walked right away from them.. quietly.
"Hey, where do you think you're going!?" Alistok called out with a bark ad shake of his fist, but Leif didn't bother to respond. He just kept right on going. The younger man growled and rushed after him, and before Chace could warn him; it was too late. Leif was ready,and by time Alistok was at his side, his elbow came crushing into his gut, then a quick turn around had Leif kneeing Alistok heavily in his crotch.
One man down.
Two to go.
Valentina could hear muffled voices but she couldn't quite recognize the words. She just understood the voices, which were threatening. Slowly, she moved a few branches from the bush, as she was lying on her stomach, her head almost completely on the ground. What would her father say now? Valentina didn't even want to suspect.
Through the thick branches she could see three figures in front of someone, who seemed kinda familiar. Valentina frowned trying to recognize any of the men. She gasped quietly as she heard a hiss of metal, it was obvious someone was ready to fight. Then there was more of the voices, now she could just recognize a word or two, but still couldn't guess everything.
As one of the men walked away from the rest, towards the place she was at, Valentina covered her mouth not to make a sound. It was a mistake to follow him, obviously, since the man who did ended up on ground in no time. Valentina was now worried. Perhaps if she just stays quiet behind the bush nobody would hurt her. If only she could get to the sword of the man on the ground... Perhaps she could test her magic while they fight? Valentina waged her possibilities, as she looked towards the man on the ground.
With Alistok down for the moment, Chace and Hartan wasted no time. With blades drawn, Leif drew out his own, and soon the sounds of steel crashing together sparked into the night. Leif was quick on his feet, but the other men held the advantage of heavier swings.
"Young Master Arrant, won't your father be upset if we cut you again?" Chace said with a laugh, still hefting his blade around heavily. Leif narrowed his gaze, but continued to swing, his blade meeting to Chace's before he slid it off, sparks hissing into the night time fog.
"Yes, but he'll be even more upset when you've come back empty handed," Leif informed with a grunt as he pushed back another swinging attack from their swords.
But it was two against one, and soon Leif was backing up, unknowingly towards the place Valentina was hiding. ANd with the sword swings coming in quicker and with more directness, Leif's feet were moving fast, and soon he was caught up in the brush, two swords crossed before his as Hartan and Chace was forcing Leif down to his knees.
Chace smirked.
"Seems we've got the upper hand now. Just drop your sword Leif and come back to the ball. Your parents said you still haven't danced with your fiance. ANd you owe her parents an apology."
Leif snarled and pushed back, but it was to no avail. So he did hte next best thing, he dropped his weight away, tumbling beneath the two men as they stumbled forward now that Leif's blade was no longer holding their's back, and he swept their legs out, knocking both men onto the grass. However, as soon as he got to his feet, Chace was quick to try the same tactic, but this time Leif fell over, but backwards, right into the bushes Valentina had been hiding within.
And Leif Arrant lay there for a moment in a daze, lying on his back side with the world swirling above him.
No time to think, it was the time to work. Valentina took the sword from the long fallen enemy and prepared herself behind the bush. What she didn't expect was to actually have to use the sword. Yes, she was very good with this type of weapon but she never tried it in real combat. That seemed not lady-like, or that was what her father said, so she only practiced with her guards.
Valentina gaped at Leif, as he fell into the bushes right in front of her. She managed to move just in time to avoid direct contact. So, it wasn't some wild bandits it was him. Valentina narrowed her eyes, it was always him, it seemed. No surprise, actually, that his parents sent thugs to drag him back to that stupid party. She could only hope that no one was looking for her.
"Very adept." she murmured to Leif as she rose to from the ground.
"Okay, gentlemen, time to end this charade." even though they were after him to Valentina it just seemed wrong to let those idiots drag him off. Yes, he was a jerk and he did offend her on more than one occassion, but hell, these guys were few times worse, plus they had the personalities of a rock. They came here in numbers only to drag one man back. It just seemed unfair to fight three against one, and for some reason Valentina never liked when people were unfair.
Perhaps she looked ridiculous, greenish and her short hair was probably full of leafs and mud and who knows what, but if they thought they could win against her only because she was a woman, they were very wrong.
Chace took one look at Valentina and laughed. And laughed and laughed, lowering his sword.
"Put that blade away girl, before you hurt yourself."
It was about this time Leif Arrant had been broken from his spell. He hadn't expected Valentina to stick around, let alone actually stand up to defend him. Wrinkling his nose, he let out a growl and got to his feet about the same time Alistok had recovered.
"That wench stole my blade!" he shrieked, and a punched to his face put Alistok back on the ground. Leif growled down at him, then moved to stand infront of Valentina.
"Stand aside, young Lady Corrent. This is not your fight," Leif told her coldly.
"No, perhaps not..." she said with a matching tone "But you have no right to control my action. You can't make me do anything." Valentina barely listened to people who were actually related to her. Her father had enough problems as it is to keep her in line. So, if he thought she was going to do what she is told, Leif had a surprise coming.
"And you." she glanced towards the man who laughed at her "I am not a girl, I am a woman and I could win a sword fight against you anytime." Valentina gave him a cocky grin.
It was probably her arrogance speaking in both cases but she didn't mind. Valentina just wanted for everyone to stop telling her what to do. She wasn't a five year old child anymore, she could finish her problems off in her own way.
"Of course not. But when we are married," he reminded her coldly. "I can."
Chace then laughed at the woman's remark.
"Such a bold tongue, girly." But then at the realization of who she was, he only laughed some more and let his sword tuck back into his sheath. "But I think the fight is over. Seeing as the pair of you are together will bring your parents great confidence in your futures."
Leif moved forward with a start, blinking as he stared over at Hartand who, too, also lowered his blade. That made him growl.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll just go back and report to your parents you're both fooling around in the woods. That ought to be enough information to speed up your dream wedding. Especially..." Chace added, giving the cocky girl a cock grin of his own. "After that kiss."
Pissed, Leif didn't wait for either men to draw their blades as he began to make chase after them, though while Leif was distracted, Alistok used this moment to come up behind Lady Corrent as he hooked his arms around hers and struggled to keep her in his hold.
"I'd hold up on your attacks, young master Arrant. Especially if you don't want rumors to fly you were abusing your fiance as well to force her into things."
Leif did halt, his eyes going deathly cold upon Alistok who was holding his betrothed captive. His eyes were colder than winter, and darker than the night, and he wasted not another minute to throw his blade onto the ground.
"Looks like this fight was far too easy to win!" Chace said with a laugh, collecting up Leif's blade from the ground.
Alistok grinned as he snatched his blade away from Valentina before tsking in her ear then letting her go.
"Such a pity. It would have been fun to see the two betrothed fight together," Alistok mused as he joined the others, resheating his blade.
Valentina narrowed her eyes at him.
"Try a bit harder, and perhaps you'll get a chance to feel that on your own skin." she said with a cold tone. Oh, this wasn't only Leif's problem now, it was also hers. These guys were going to pay, especially the one who tried to hold her. Her arms were painful, and she was sure that bruises will appear very soon.
Now she started wondering since when were they here in the woods. What if they saw her performing magic? She was so stupid to practice it here of all places. Valentina made a mental note that nowhere is safe for magic, not even near a lake, some time away from any other people. She shot daggers with her eyes at the man who held her. Valentina wanted to remember his face very good. This was not over.
"Next time we see each other, you'll be on the ground with my sword in your throat." she said coldly at the man. How dare he say all those things. She will be ready next time, but at the moment it would be ridiculous to try and attack since she had no weapons.
"So.. are the pair of you going to come along quietly?" Chace asked, grinning from ear to ear since he knew full well that he had won. Leif was simmering beneath his gaze, but his full fire was held in reserve, broiling within.
Releasing a careful breath, Leif turned and looped arms with young Lady Corrent.
"Let's get back to the damn ball," he growled, and stalked off towards the manor house, not waiting to see if Valentina would comply.
Alistok grinned and walked directly behind them, and Chace and Hartand brought up the rear.
Valentina was trying to untagle herself from his grip. Her arms were surely already bruised from her last attacker and it was a bit painful. But, in the end, she did leave it be as she realized he wasn't letting her go. She glanced behind her shoulder and gave a death stare to Chace and Hartand before turning her head back straight.
"Do you always get in this kind of mess?" she asked Leif as she walked, trying not to jump on any of the thugs around them, her anger visible on her face.
"I could ask you the same question," Leif spat back coldly. "Now I'd advise you to mind your tongue and just swallow this down as best you can. Gods know I'm trying." He made a bitter face, walking with Valentina in tow and as they neared the manor house, his parents were standing upon the balcony, a smile gracing their features at the sight. But Leif was anything but happy as he walked up the steps silently. Though at the sight of them together, and of Valetina's state, his father had to question, "What happened?"
"We had sex in the woods," Leif informed the man sourly. "So you'd better rush the wedding. She might be pregnant." Then he unhooked his arm from Valentina and gracefully bowed. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your night more than that." He told her, not bothering to look into her eyes as he turned to leave.
To say she was mad would be an understatement. He left her to blush in front his parents and her father who looked at her with his piercing eyes. This won't end up well. And, here she hoped her small excursion to the woods would be bad enough to break the engagement. He just said few sentences and ruined her chances of ever breaking it. So, she wasn't mad, she was furious and embarassed. And wasn't he as charming as they get.
"I will retire to my guest chambers for tonight." she said, quickly. Unfortunately, not fast enough. Her father grabbed her by the arm, and she bit her lip not to scream, because too many people were pulling her around this evening. She needed to find something for the pain.
"No, you shall spend the rest of the evening here." he said roughly. Gods, what did I get myself into.
The dancing had begun, with violins and harps strummed elegantly while women fluttered around in their best dress in paired with suited men. Leif hung around the outskirts, brooding against the wall as he took homage with a drink. Though as he was simmering over his own unhappiness, he would be lying if he siad that when he caught sight of Valentina in the corner, being reprimanded by her parents, that he didn't feel a slight pang of guilt. Nothing alcohol couldn't snuff out. But he couldn't help himself but stare as he drank. Her parrents reminded him of his own. Was that pity he actually felt?
Well, seeing as neither of them were going any where for the rest of hte night,a nd he was already sick of the whispers about their 'rendez-vous' by the lake, he sighed and tossed his drink away, approaching her and her father before bowing with grace.
"It seems the dancing has begun. Would it not be fitting for us to be joined upon the floor?" he offered, though coldly as he extended out a hand to her.
Valentina already had quite an offensive speech ready for him, for his words and his mean behaviour towards her. Unfortunately, before she could open her mouth and say what was on her mind, her father tightened his grip on her hand, remind her what she has to do. It was frightening and threatening at the same time. Valentina slowly put her hand in his, watching him and trying to figure out why was he doing this. She almost let out a sigh of relief as the grip from her fathers hand disappeared.
"Of course." she kept her tone wary, not too warm and not to cold, as she was aware of the looks everyone in the room was giving to them.
Leif nodded to her father, but avoided her gaze all together as he kept his arm within hers and began to lead her out onto the dance floor.
"Just put on a pretty face and the night will be over before you know it."
He wasn't sure why he even bothered to say it, and sighed, annoyedly, before he returned his attentions back to Valentina as he took both of her hands in preparation to dance. Though they were barely a few strides into the dance as people began to look at them, or more importantly, at Valentina who was still covered in grass stains and pieces of leaves. Leif could have rolled his eyes, but only drew himself closer towards her as he continued to dance with her in heated silence.
Valentina really wanted to believe that he was the worst person on the planet, after her father, and that he was a horrible and that he hated everyone. But, she just couldn't. Even after all the stuff that happened and everything he told her, and how he embarassed her, she just couldn't mark him as a bad guy. This was probably due to her forgiving personality that believed that there is hope for everyone.
Valentina always said that what other people think about her didn't matter, but she found herself very wrong at that point. She could actually feel people around them glare and comment. She wanted to say something and make them stop. But still, she kept her head low, avoiding everyone's gazes, his especially.
It seemed the whisperings would not stop, and if the pair of them weren't scandalous enough, they certainly were now. To think, dancing dress like that? How uncivilized of his partner. But then again, to see her in such a way, and avoiding his gaze, pulled at the rigid strings inside him as he simply stepped, once again, closer towards her in a seemingly protective manner as they continued to elegantly dance across the floor.
"I think the lords and ladies are jealous of your dress. Green suits you," he commented. "And the new fashion statement of your hair makes you look better than the rest." And surprisingly, his sarcasm was not directed at her as his eyes glared bitterly back at a pair of dancers nearest them. And his glare was enough to have them back away, dancing off intot he corner, but it didn't stop their tongues.
He knew there'd be gossip. Gossip for a good long while..
and was that pride swelling inside his chest as he held this woman close? It was hard to say. It ws that, or the burn from all the alcohol.
The words he directed towards her made her loosen up a bit and even smile slightly. It wasn't everyday that she got to dance in a dirty dress full of grassy smudges all over. And, there was a good reason she always kept her hair to her shoulders, much to her father's dismay. The truth was, she spent more time in this state than she cared to admit. Valentina was so used to this that the twigs and leafs in her hair didn't really cause her any discomfort. But, it seemed that that was ridiculous to the ladies today, and putting live birds into your hair in the last year's fashion was not.
Instead of gossips, Valentina hoped that perhaps she would just start a new trend and that this would all be forgotten. Like that would happen. The ladies will bugger her for the rest of the season for this. But, if nothing, his words did made her feel a bit better.
"Thank you." she said, with a light chuckle. It wasn't everyday that she got compliments. Plus, she probably shouldn't get used to getting any nice words from him, unforunately for her.
Leif frowned at her words. Did she misunderstand him? Then again... it is what he said. He shuffled uneasily, but still, the dance continued as he brooded in silence.
"You shouldn't get so attached to compliments," he muttered. "I want this engagement called off."
And it was only then his eyes finally met to hers, hardening as they dared her, but also, he wanted to see just what her response was to such a bold remark.
"You said that we.. Uhm.. Slept together" Valentina's voice sounded calm but it had a certain edge to it "Do you really think they'll just let us walk out of this agreement after those words?" she asked, slowly glancing up to see her father following them with his gaze, next to Leif's parents.
If he had any ideas, she was all up for them. Unfortunately, his earlier words ruined any chance of this happening. Their parents and every noble in the room thought that they slept together. While that wouldn't mean much for him, Valentina's reputation is now probably ruined. She had no chance whatsoever proving her honor, now.
Leif turned a cold cheek away from her, growing silent as they danced.
Valentina was very worried about everything that was happening at the moment. She kept dancing but all she wanted to do is run away and cry for a long time and then sleep. Both of them very guilty for the situation, even though no one wanted to admit it.
"I understand you don't want to marry me. I am probably not the best lady in the room." she sighed with a wry smile "But, you can't behave like I'm not here, and ignore me." If there was something Valentina learned through many years of fighting with her father was that good ideas could often win over inescapable situations.
Leif frowned at her words, but he hadn't grown silent entirely because of what she said. He had been over hearing a few conversations behind them, something about Valetina being a mage. Had someone caught her performing magic? The other scandalous things they said could be over looked, but the fact they wanted to spread rumors she was a mage, made him blinded by hate.
So he guided Valentina over towards the pair before pulling away from her in one quick motion, leaving her alone on the dance floor as he spun around, knocking a fist into the other man's face. He was down and out, and a gasping crowd backed away from him as Leif glared down at the gentleman.
"Might I remind you who is next in line in Castavar. You are no duke, and you speak of a lady who has ten times the gall and brains that you have, which isn't saying much since you're a simpering welp." And to a nearby servant who had paused to observe the punch with a gaping jaw, Leif snatched up oneof the wine goblets he was carrying before thrusting the contents onto the downed man's face.
"Spread rumors in truths, not lies that you think you saw in a fog." And he sneered at him before storming out.
The situation was too fast for Valentina to follow. Damn, and she wasn't sure why was he so mad about it. Valentina made a mental note to try and pay more attention to what other people were saying. As Leif stormed out of the room, she was left alone, all eyes on her. The man was still cursing on the ground while a lady was sobbing over him. Gods, she thought, he did it again.
Valentina still didn't know what was the reason to this. She wanted answers, and if Leif thought he could just run off like that, leaving her in a very uncomfortable situation (again) he was wrong. She learned her lesson the last time. Valentina raised her head and left the room in big, confident steps. After closing the doors behind her she started searching for him. This time, she'll be the one to ask questions and he will answer them.
Still itching after the incident on the dance floor, Leif took homage on the balcony. The fresh air felt good on his face,a nd hopefully he'd have enough time out here to cool off before having to face his father. Naturally, he'd be punished for such a fiasco. Then again, shouldn't he be happy his son agreed to the engagement?
Frowning, his face became listless as he looked out towards the lake, which seemed to be as dark as ink with the fog only beginning to clear and the skies parting of their clouds. He looked from the lake's reflection of the stars clean up to them, his mind brewing, as were his eyes, over what was to come.
His bride to be was a mage.
Shit.
He seemed to like balconies. That was the place where Valentina found him. Probably the only place where he can brood and play it cool with no one bothering him. Of course, bothering him was exactly what Valentina had in mind. He probably won't like it, but she knew it was only fair since he did leave her in the middle of the dance floor.
"You brood too much, then you hit a man with no reason... Why?" Valentina asked slowly, not wanting to startle him or make him any more angry than he already was.
Leif grew more soured when his thoughts were interrupted as he glared over in her direction.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he said, and reached into his breast pocket to procure another fat cigar as he leaned against the balcony, looking at her, but hesitated in lighting up his cigar.
"You care too much about a man that hates you," he shot back, keeping his gaze narrowed upon hers as he fumbled to find his matches. "Why?" And his words were a mocking gesture.
"You hit that man for no reason." she was ignoring his question "Why?"
She was a bit surprised when he said he hated her. Valentina never thought someone would say that to her, she always tried to be nice and friendly with everyone. She lowered her head a bit and crossed her arms. As much as she wanted to say it didn't hurt to hear that, it did, because Valentina didn't want to be hated. It was enough that she got that from her father. She wouldn't be moved if he told her he didn't like her, that wouldn't even surprise her, but hatred was a hard feeling. Valentina was never good at hiding her emotions but she kept her face as neutral as she could.
Leif struck a match and lit the end of his cigar
"I had many good reasons to hit him," Leif informed her with a sneer. Taking on a long drag, he grew quiet again before asking, "Why do you care?"
"No you didn't... Besides, you can't just go around and break people's jaws." she said frowning."You could've just told him."
Violence wasn't something Valentina liked, especially needless violence. She prefered getting things done with words. Valentina glanced shortly behind her shoulder, afraid that her father or some of the guards may have followed her. The hallway was empty, for the time being.
His cigar smoke brewed between them as he stared.
"I broke his nose, not his jaw," he corrected.
"That is not the point." she sounded a bit irritated by him correcting her "The point is that you were mad, very mad for some reason when you hit him... Why?"
Valentina knew she was being pushy, but she wanted to know. He just wasn't the type of person who easily gets mad.
Leif sighed angrily through his nostrils, white smoke blowing through them. She was rather persistent. He had hoped, like every other girl, that his coldness would push her away. Yet here she was, trying to push back.
"A lot of men are all talk. Speaking back to them won't fix it. But a man would think twice before saying things again if he's struck." He stared at her, daring her to challenge that logic. And part of him knew she would.
She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to see if he was speaking the truth.
"Oh, so this is about something he said." Valentina deducted and crossed her arms "You are not someone who gets that mad, easily. So, tell me what made you that angry to actually hit him and break his nose." she asked with a satified small smile.
"What makes you think you know anything about me," he spat back, the cigar simmering at the end as he took in another drag and spoke through smoke. "I'm not here of my free will. And if you continue to speak, I'll find another way to ruin this engagement."
Or rather, just make the situation worse. Which ever came first.
"If there existed a way to do that, I would've already thought of it." she said to him. In the end it was almost entirely his fault they were in this situation. They'll be lucky if their parents don't marry them tomorrow. Valentina bit her lip, thinking. It was an inevetable situation. And, even if they could find a way to get this engagement of their backs, she would be seriously damaged in the eyes of the society. Perhaps moving to a far away island wasn't such a bad idea. Valentina couldn't believe she was actually contemplating about that.
"There are many ways, yet you hold back. No one owns you, but society puppets us in the way we act." He turned away from her, a bitter expression upon his face before his nostrils sighed out more smoke. "You're as much as a slave to your fate as I." he pressed the cigar back to his lips as he mused, then frowned and held the cigar away, his eyes brooding as they stared out over the balcony at the world of the wilds, that stood in stark contrast to the world of the proper.
"And, when you say something like that you actually don't sound like a jerk you always are." she said, her tone not sarcastic, just calm. Valentina sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"What do you propose?" she asked as she sat on the floor, her back leaning onto the doorway of the balcony.
"There is nothing to suggest," he said after a time, his voice cold as the air as he flicked some of hi cigar ash aside.
"Like dogs, we'll wear suits and dress. Like dogs, we'll obey. Like dogs we'll get married and produce more heirs to follow in line to the same fate as we."
Then without so much as a warning, he walked away.
"Well, I won't." she said behind his back "I'm tired of listening to what everyone else has to say and obey them blindly."
All her damn life she listened to her father, and after they get married she'll just have to listen to him. That just won't cut it. It was bad enough to get into a loveless marriage. Valentina stood up, her mind set. She will say what she thinks to her father. It probably won't end well, but she can always run off.
Leif was thankful for the reprieve. He wanted to be alone, so he sat outside the gardens and puffed away at his cigar, brooding over what just had happened while the party was going on, another dance had started, in the world above.
Valentina has made up her mind. She is going to tell her father that she doesn't want to marry Leif, and that from now on she'll make her own decisions. Valentina entered the room, feeling a bit awkward since people were obviously staring at her. Father was standing near the table with drinks and refreshments. Boldly, she took a few steps towards him.
"Father, may I have a word with you?" she asked politely "Alone."
Her father just nodded and walked to the main balcony, closing the door behind them.
"What is it?" he asked, uninterested.
"I don't want to marry him." before she could react, a slap over her cheek burned her skin. No crying, she ordered to herself, and bit her lip.
"This discussion is over." he said calmly with an angry edge in his tone. Was there even a chance to win an argument against this man? Valentina kept her head high, as her father left her there alone.
He didn't need to be up on the balcony to know what was going on, and he flinched at the sound of the slap. He w..aited a moment before moving to approach Lord Corrent when the man was alone, cigar resting at his sides.
"My father would not be against an early union," he said in cold nonchalance. "With how long feet have been dragging, he would oblige a wedding as soon as the season's end."
He knew his fate well enough that he wouldn't marry for love, but he supposed if he married Valentina, at least she'd befree of her father.
Valentina's father was surprised when he saw Leif approach him, and propose a wedding as soon as possible. Of course he agreed for the wedding to be held as soon as possible. It was going to bring him status and he would finally get rid off his rebellious daughter.
"I couldn't agree more." he said with a sly smile.
Meanwhile, Valentina didn't feel like returning to the ballroom, not with her cheek still burning and on the brink of tears.
"Than it is agreed? At the end of the month, we'll wed." And with a nod, he excused himself from Lord Corrent's side, not certain what he was doing or where he was going as he stalked back into the manor, alone.
Valentina was still standing on the balcony and trying to wrap her head around the situation. Her cheek still pulsed and was hot when she touched it. Her father didn't usually hit her, but tonight it seemed like he was in a foul mood.
"Damn it." she cursed under her breath. There has got to be a way to get out of this... Was there?
A few drinks later, Leif felt more than toasted. But as his eyes scanned the crowd, he felt an emptiness inside him. Then when his eyes met Valentina's form across the way, he found himself staring at her as a sea of men and women danced across the floor.
Valentina was tired, in pain and very angry. It was a strange mixture of feelings that made her want to strangle her father in his sleep. She wouldn't do that, but she could always imagine it. Her cheek wasn't that hot as before but she was sure there was going to be a mark left there. She took a deep breath and wondered should she take a drink.
Many thoughts were going on inside his head; and all of them focusing around his mysterious fiance. Had her father known she was a mage? Is that why they had made the betrothal? Did they wish to pawn her off before anyone could know? And if so, is that why she was treated so harshly, or was her father just a terrible human?
He could relate, and perhaps that's why he found his legs carrying over towards where she stood, alone on the other side of the room. After a moment, he sighed and finally looked at her, offering out a drink.
"It looks like you could use this."
Valentina wasn't used to anyone helping her in any way. So it would be an understatement to say that she was surprised when he offered her a drink. In the right moment, also, because alcohol was something she needed at the moment.
"Thank you." she said quietly as she took the glass from his hand. She hated that se actually looked vulnerable enough for him to help her. I mean, how desperate must she look if he decided to offer her a drink. Very desperate, probably.
Leif shifted uncomfortably on his feet, saying nothing before knocking back some of his own drink. It burned too much. Perhaps he ought to stop before he did something really foolish. But instead of speaking or saying anything, he simply stared at her face, his eyes slowly going down to the red mark on her cheek.
Valentina took a sip of her drink and frowned on the taste. This definitely wasn't her new favorite drink. She noticed him staring at her face, so she raised her glance from the floor and looked at his eyes.
"What?" she asked simply. It didn't sound mean but confused, unsure. Then she remembered and touched her cheek. It wasn't hot anymore, but it was still a painful spot.
Tearing his eyes away, Leif looked to the floor. It almost appeared as if he might say something before he turned away from her, pausing in mid-step as he appeared ready to walk away. But instead, he stared over at the dance floor, the twirling music and it's dancers swirling his mind. Yes, he had a bit too much to drink, and the subtle flush on his face might have indicated that.
Even still, Leif had no idea why he told her this, but he did.
"We'll be married before the end of the season." he told her, taking another sip of drink before walking away.
Valentina lowered her head and bit her lip. That was it. She drank the rest of the alcohol in her glass and then left it on the nearby table. Valentina felt as if she could slump down to the floor and fall asleep. She couldn't even feel mad anymore, she felt as if she has already given up. But, she continued standing, watching at the dance and enjoying the music.
"Would the lady like to dance?" a man asked with a polite smile. WHo would've tought this could happen? Well, it was better than standing in the corner, so Valentina nodded with a slight smile as they moved to the dancefloor.
Brooding off to one side, Leif watched in silence as Valentina danced. And danced and danced. It seemed she was an expert at it, and well...
he was a bit jealous someone else failed to care she was all... tossed over with vegetation. Shifting uncomfortably from where he stood, he disappeared yet again to find silent solace on the balcony and hoped the night would be ending soon. Too bad these things lasted well into the morning...
After everything that happened on that night, Valentina finally felt a bit better. Her dance partner was a charming young lord, and Valentina couldn't remember when was the last time she was having fun this much. After the dance, he they spilt up, but Valentina was still feeling very good. Good enough to forget everything that has happened in the last few hours and good enough not to be ashamed of her appearance at the moment.
"He likes you." a petite lady in a large pink dress told her with a smile.
"No, we were just dancing." Valentina shaked her head and offered her a polite smile.
"That's how it usually begins, you know." she winked "With 'just a dance'."
"Wel, if the lord had anything else in mind, I'll be sure to explain him."
"Oh, now you're playing coy." she clapped her small hands in surprise "Well, just because you're to be married doesn't mean you shouldn't have something on the side." the lady said a bit more quietly.
"I don't think we have anything else to discuss here." Valentina answered coldly "If you'll excuse me." she bowed a bit and went towards the table with the drinks.
He wanted to forget a lot of things that evening, and was beginning to regret his agreement to a wedding. His blood broiled over it, and his mind was almost blinding him in a white heat. It seemed the coolness of the balcony did nothing as he blindly stalked towards the table with refreshments, though paused in mid-stride to notice Valentina was there. With a sneer, he turned to walk away.
Valentina did see Leif as he turned away. Was he trying to avoid her? That was going to be a hard task if they were to be married. She sighed, tired of everything. Valentina still had trouble believing in everything that has happened tonight and she kinda hoped that it was just a dream, and that soon she'll wake up and everything will be fine. Only she knew she wouldn't. Valentina toon another sip of her drink, frowning on the heavy taste of alcohol on her lips.
He was restless, he, itching beneath his skin as he returned outside, and this time returned to the gardens once more. Though he had been careful to avoid his body guards, which, thankfully had all been preoccupied when he mentioned to Alistok Valentina might be in distress.
So while Leif was sneaking away, back towards the lake, Alistok made his way towards the lady. Giving her a cool smirk, he bowed before her.
"Young lord Arrant had been worried about you. He sent me to check on you," but it was only then he paused to observe.. the woman seemed ok, and inwardly frowned at that. Had he been duped.
"How are you fairing this evening?" he inquired, noting that both Hartand and Chace ALSO seemed to be nearby. Had Leif sent them all after his betrothed to watch her? If so...
who was watching him?
Valentina frowned deeply when she saw one of Leif's bodyguards coming near her. It was the same one who annoyed her the most in the bunch, so she kept her face cold while he was approaching.
"How am I fairing is none of your business." she answered in a manner that was unusual for her.
"And you can tell young lord Arrant that I don't need anyone to check up on me. I can take care of myself." she took another sip of her drink, keeping her face neutral. Was he already tryng to keep her under his control? There was no chance she would allow that.
Alisok's brow twitched a little. It was obvious he had been duped, and he gave a surly smile towards her.
"Ah, it just seemed the young lord was worried about you."
As if this problem could have been linked to the man earlier. But Alistok would know no better. He looked the lady over.
"FOrgive me, perhaps I was wrong. I shall go reconfirm the request from his young lord ship then," he stated, bowing humbly before moving away. Too bad for him and the others...
Leif was already rushing towards the tethered horse in the woods near the lake.
Valentina glanced towards his bodyguards as they rushed out. Leif wouldn't have sent them all to check up on her, actually she doubted he would ever send anyone to check up on her. Like he cared. But, she was intrigued as she realized that he probably sent them to her as a distraction. What was he planning? She asked herself, unable to shake the question out of her head. To follow them would be dangerous, plus her father was already as pissed as he could get, she didn't want to push hik further.
Before she could think it over, Valentina glanced from the window to see the men leaving towards the forest and the lake. She definitely wasn't ready for another picnic, as the last one. With haste, she left the ballroom and entered her guest room. There she found everything she needed: her pants, a corset and a dagger. Those were the only clean clothes she had, beside heavy gowns which wouldn't be of much use when running.
Valentina left the mansion in silence and followed his bodyguards. She felt like some of the heroines in her books, and even though she knew it was naive, she loved the feeling.
Unlike Valentina, the three men were smart enough to head to the stables and procure horses for themselves. they knew exactly where Leif was headed,a nd if he got to the horse first, he could be lost for good.
Riding out hard into the night,t he three men disappeared into the fog, only their walloping criesa nd the thunder of their horses's hooves could be heard against the subtle hissing of night creatures.
Valentina very soon realized that there was no way she would ever find anyone in the grim fog around her. She did hear something every now and then, but nothing that sounded remotely human. In her head, she made a mental note: Don't run off after someone, especially if you don't own a horse. She sat on the banks of the lake, hoping that the night would end soon, because she would hate to be seen here alone, seemingly lost. Because she wasn't, she could find a way back to the mansion. It was just to the left. Or was it the right?
Finding his horse, Leif was about to make his get away, kicking his heels heavily into the horses side as it cried out and galloped away. Though it skirted around the lake, and just at the last moment he saw her.
Shit.
He wasn't sure he could stop the horse fast enough but he tried to anyways, grabbing the reins and pulling hard. But the horse became upset, bucked, and soon Leif Arrant went air borne and crashed into the lake waters.
Then all went still.
In the foggy darkness of the lake, Valentina could only trust one of her senses - Hearing. Beside some annoying insects and an occasional owl, it was very quiet. That was until the splash. It was quite loud and Valentina jumped from the spot she was standing in. Then it was all quiet. That didn't sound as a rock, if it was a rock it was a big one. But it wasn't, and soon after she could hear a horse near the docks of the lake, through the fog.
The surface of the water was calm but she was sure something, no someone, fell in the water. Without much thinking, as always only listening to her reckless nature, Valentina jumped in the cold water of the lake. The darkness was absolute. She never tried her magic underwater, but she opened her palm and made a small golden spark, enough to see around herself. Then, she quickly started looking. At this point, she was glad for all the swimming classes she had as a child.
The light that spilled from her fingers cast a light upon his face, revealing who it was: Leif Arrant. And his dark curls were swept away from his face, floating leisurely within the midnight waters, but other than that, Leif remained still... And the closer she got to him, her magics would suddenly 'turn'off, the mordecaism kicking in, even as it were more faint due to his condition, putting her into darkness again, with only the pale light afforded behind a curtain of moonlight cutting hauntingly through the fog.
She was surprised by the sudden disappearance of her light. It was probably a consequence of her lack of concentration. That was at least what she thought. Valentina managed to pull his arm. WIth all her strength she started pulling them both up, towards the darkness of the forest.
When both of their heads were above the water level, Valentina pulled his unconscious body to the shore, and with loud coughing she grasped for air.
Even at the surface, Leif remained still in her arms. And the only sounds heard were the approaching hooves of the three riders.
Valentina didn't know what to do, and that was something very rare for her. She was still hesitating of her actions when she heard horses. And the only men that were in the forest were Leif's bodyguards. Valentina laid him on the shore and started pressing on his chest. She already saw it once, when a boy was drowning and one of the fishermen helped him. She wasn't sure will it actually work, but she could only try.
It seemed as if it wasn't going to work, that Leif was about to waste away and die the very same day they'd met and become engaged. Would not such a fate free her from their future? Would leaving him to die not save her from this unsavory union?
It wasn't until her limbs would be sore did Leif stir as the man shot up suddenly, wretching out lake waters. He had unknowingly clung to Valentina when he awoke, gripping her arms hard. Then, in a daze he raised his eyes, their lids hanging low as he looked right at her with uncertainty.
"Valentina?" Then he glanced around realizing they were on the lake's shore, and then went quiet, hearing the approach of horses. Cursing, he grabbed onto her and rolled as quietly as he could into a tall patch of reeds. He signaled for her to be quiet as he held her close, his heart beating heavily I his chest as the riders neared.
It crossed her mind more than once that he could die. But, Valentina couldn't let that happen. It just wasn't right, and even if she wanted to let him die, she most surely couldn't. She just wasn't the type of person who could let anyone die. To her, death wasn't an option, not if she could do something about it.
Relief and surprise washed over her as he awoke. Valentina flinched a bit when he gripped her arms. She didn't say anything, and gave him a few moments to relax and remember where he was. He recognized her and she nodded once. In the silence, she could hear the horses approaching. It made her heart beat faster. That was never a good thing.
She kept quiet when they were in hiding, although she wanted to say something and ask questions. Questions could wait, the danger couldn't. Horses were now very near, and her heartbeat grew faster.
The horsemen slowed as they neared the pair. Internally, Leif was swearing as he wrapped his arms more tightly around Valetina, pressing her closely to him as he began to sweat. He couldn't see the men, and he hoped they couldn't see them, and just as he heard the horses draw nearer and nearer, one of the hooves trampled mere inches from where they lay int he grass.
Leif's eyes went wide, a hand clasping over Valentina's lips so she wouldn't gasp or shout, as the horsemen continued to walk by.
Once they were far enough away, he removed his hand from her lips and stared off into the darkness, still not yet ready to slip out from the reeds.
Soon, the sound of horses began to fade. It seemed as if they were safe, for now. Valentina kept still for a few moments, listening to everything around her. Wind rustled through the trees and grass, but nothing that sounded human. She returned her gaze to Leif. they were close, too close for her comfort.
"Are you okay?" she asked him, very quietly. With everything that happened that fast she wasn't sure was he really well enough to run around.
Leif made a face at her words, glaring over at her as he snapped beneath his breath, "I'm fine." Then he let his green eye peer out again, looking this way and that before rising and offering down a hand to pull Valentina from the reeds.
"What were you doing out here anyway?" he questioned irritably. Was she following him? Or did she have a thing for hte lake. Either way, he should be thanking her for saving his life, but instead, he felt irrationally upset, and his heart beat was racing clean out of his ears.
"Yeah, you're welcome." she said as he helped her up "It was no problem, saving your life." Valentina continued with a sarcastic note in her voice. In her head, she had no reason to explain her actions to him. She was a free woman who could do and go wherever she wanted. Plus, there was no chance she would say she followed his idiot bodyguards and got lost. It just wasn't something she planned on telling to anyone.
As she rose she cleaned the mud of her back and drew a hand through her hair, which was a wet mess.
"Taking a break." she said finally. It was the only thing that sounded logical enough at the moment.
(sorry for the wait.. I was a bit busy in the school, but now I'm back ^^)
Leif cut her a glare before looking away.
"Why did you bother to save me?" he asked, after composing himself and looking back towards her. "You would have been free of our engagement. I thought that's what you'd want..."
Her mouth slightly opened, as if she couldn't believe he was actually asking her that.
"Do you really think I could just stand by and watch you die?" she asked in disbelief "I would rather marry you than watch you die."
In her head, everything wS better than death. And it wouldn't even matter who was drowning, she would've jumped for anyone. Valentina had a problem with people dying in front of her.
Leif continued to study her in silence before moving to turn away. He had a lot to think about, and his horse to find. He wiped at the water still dripping down his nose from his hair before he paused and muttered, "Thank you." And then he continued through the reeds once more.
She was taken aback, because she didn't think he'd actually thank her for saving his life. But, what's more, she was even more staggered when she saw that he was preparing to go and leave her here. What was she expecting? It seemed like he needed to find a way out on her own. Since the fog has barely cleared out, getting back will probably not be as easy as she hoped.
The horse, being no where in sight, made him sigh irritably. Then he turned towards her, making a face before inquiring, "Well, are you just going to stand there and look at me? Come on, perhaps we can find my horse and I can get you back to the manor so your parents won't grow sick with worry." And he moved forward again, pushing through the tall stalks of reeds.
She made a face at his words. Well, not that she was going to complain if he got her oit of this forest, but he coud have asked more nicely. Besides, now that her father practically sold her to him, she doubted he would care much.Valentina followed him out of the reeds. She hated that her clothes and hair were wet, but she managed to push away her discomfort.
"Your horse ran away after you fell in the water." she said "Probably went back to the stables."
Pausing only briefly, Leif sighed irritably before he kept walking.
"I suppose it's just as well. We should head back to the party." And he grew silent as he began to lead the way.
Valentina couldn't help but smile when she saw that he actually knew a way out of the damn foggy forest. She wasn't sure what was going on in his head, but she was thinking about his earlier words. Would he, if the situation has been reversed, let her drown? She shiverred at the thought, but avoided asking the question. She wasn't sure if she wanted an answer.
The pair walked in mostly silence as they approached the manor. It seemed the dancing had long finished, and the guests were beginning to depart as the sounds of exiting carriages could be heard. Leif studied the warm lights from the manor and the silouhettes of the guests as they approached. This side of the lake had just a few guests hanging around; a pair of lovers intimately walking on one side, and a man with dogs on the other.
It was only here Leif slowed down his steady walk as he hesitated.
"We're both soaking wet," he said, though that was obvious. He turned to her and inquired, "Shall I just say we fucked again?"
OOC: He's so charming >_>
As they approached the mannor, Valentina was glad the party was finally over. Not that she spent a lot of time there, but still. The night was long and hard even without more dancing. If the temperature was a bit colder, she would've froze somewhere but thankfully it was warm enough not to feel uncomfortable. But something else made her feel that way.
"Yes, of course. While you're at it, you can also say we scared your horse and did it in the lake." she said sarcastically, feeling a blush creep on her face. Nope, not now, she told herself as she turned her head away from him towards the gardens.
OOC: yeah, so romantic Valentina can barely keep her hands off xD
Leif gave a dry laugh and smile as he hesitated as they neared the manor house. Then, an awkward moment later, he had shrugged off his jacket and slipped it over her shoulder.
"Keep it. It'll keep you warm on your way home." Then he moved away from her towards the manor house, seeking out his father so he could get intot he carriage and be done wiht this god awful night.
Valentina found her father inside, finishing off his conversations. He barely glanced at her, not really aknowledging her presense in any way. She kept Leif's jacket around her shoulders a bit tighter, because seemingly the temperature just dropped for another ten degrees in her head. As her father saluted all the men, he gave her a questioning glance but said nothing.
"I'm fine... Not that it matters." she said, annoyed by her wet hair and clothes.
"I see... Are we done here?"
She just nodded,
The Arrants were already making their way towards the stable. It was here their families met for a brief conversation, a congratulations to one another, then the topic of the wedding. Leif was hoping to avoid all of this. He just wanted to go home. Despite ignoring it, he was freezing to the bone and it made him all the more irritable. Even still, he hoped Valentina was warm enough in his jacket, and snuck a gaze her way to see how she was fairing.
Valentina was walking two steps behind her father and a group of older men, as they reached the stables. They were talking about politics and economy which didn't hold any particular interest for Valentina. But when she heard someone mentioning mages and commenting how they were up to something she strained her hearing so that she could hear what was it about. She followed the conversation until they changed the subject. They had no crucial information, she sighed more relaxed. Her wet hair was still falling around her face as she tried to keep up with her fathers group. Damn social events... And lakes.
Leif heard the conversation as well, and strained his ears to listen.
Scum bag. Slime. Those men were no better than the piss that the pigs rolled in. That was the topic of choose though- to find the social elite talking so distastefully of mages. He was so caught up in his own anger and the conversation he hadn't realized he bumped into Valentina.
But he only muttered a bitter, "Sorry." before he took a few long steps to get away from her. They were at the stables anyways and the carriages were being readied.
To Valentina, Leif seemed very irritated and mad. More so than usual, if that was even possible. She didn't see him coming, and tried to mumble an apologize, but he said it first. She just nodded, a bit confused by his constant bitterness. Her father continued speaking with the men, as their carriage was being readied so she just took a sigh. Father was probably going to continue talking to them for an hour more, and she'll just stand there and pretend to be a lamp, or a carpet.
Their parents were elated as children on Angsar's day; and as the conversation rolled on, Leif grew more and more angry, his eyes boring into the backs of their heads. Though he said nothing, but once again, caught the tail end of a conversation that spoke about mages and well...
This was just about all he could take. He excused himself, saying he had to piss;a nd left Valentina to rot with the others as he vanished.
A moment later, there was a grunt, the cracking of a fist to skin; then silence. Of course, their parents hadn't noticed it, but Valentina might...
and the talk of mages had ceased. A moment later, Leif returned, sighing as he adjusted his jacket. Then he rubbed idly at his knuckles that were reddened, as if he had just struck a man.
Valentina could swear that her hair has gotten fully dry, as her father continued speaking. She started yawning, shifting uncomfortably from one side to the other and trying to keep some of her posture, and continually failing. In her head, she barely heard the men discussing with her father, she was in a small world of her own thinking about who knows what.
At this state, Valentina noticed little and cared about none. She could still hear a word or two about rising tensions with the mages, and although she tried keeping up with the conversation something always distracted her from it. On the other hand, she did notice Leif leaving and his return. Something told her he was not in a good mood. Was he ever?
It was finally time for them to part ways as Leif's father reiterated, "So tomorrow then? We shall conduct the appropriate wedding plans after dinner." Then to Leif, he smiled his fake smile and gestured towards the carriage, "Are you ready to head home now? You've had quite the busy night."
Leif glared at his father,then the rest, as he climbed on into the carriage at long last. He didn't even afford a glance towards Valentina at all as the carriage rolled out of sight and down the road.
Tomorrow he'd see her again,t he at the end of the month... and again, for the rest of his life. What was he thinking?
Though at that moment, the only thing on his mind was what he had seen at the lake...
Was his wife to be truly a mage? And what did that mean for their future?
With a polite but not a warm smile, Valentina nodded off and said her goodbyes to the people there. All she wanted to do was go home and forget that she was getting married, pretend it was all just a bad dream. But, she knew that wasn't going to happen so she would probably be happy just to climb onto her bed and sleep for hours.
Upon entering the carriage, Valentina couldn't really follow the road as she did upon her arrival. Her father was sitting in the darkness and thinking, not really paying much attention to her. She thought about some of her recent worries, about her future but also she tried to solve the little pieces of information about the mages. She couldn't quite remember how she fell asleep, but it was dark and dreamless, proving that the possible nightmare was in the reality not in her head.
The next day was brimming with activity at the Arrant estate. It appeared immaculate, and the savory foods from the kitchen began to waft through the house as it neared the hour of the Corrent's arrival. Leif dressed in his best, a slick navy suit dotted with an array of gold buttons down the front and upon the cuffs. ANd he dawned a pair of white gloves- and had to fight his father about slicking back his hair. He just left it unruly, the curls hiding just one of his eyes as he stalked through the halls, pausing at the middle landing of the stairs in the front of the estate nearest their front chandelier as he noticed the Corrent carriage pulling up the road.
He stole a glance to the clock. They were early. Most guests knew to come late.
She slept for four hours and an extra half an hour in the carriage, which led to the destruction of her hair. On her way there, Valentina let her haor loose, since she hated the bun her servants made her. She looked like something died in her head, and continued rotting there. Since it couldn't get much worse, she removed everything and let it fall on her naked shoulders.
That morning, Valentina spent an hour getting into a tight blue corset, that was way too much open in her oppinion. And an half an hour over that on her makeup. It wasn't really anything classy, since she didn't want that but she was still made to wear some lipstick. And, as the carriage neared the estate, Valentina couldn't even think about her nervousness as much as she was worried about her breathing. Damn corsets.
The Corrent's were welcomed inside,a nd much to Duke Arrant's chagrin, Leif had made himself scarce the moment they arrived, but ten minutes after they were all settled in with drinks; he caught the sound of the piano playing a solemn tune.
"Ah,that must be Leif. He tends to stick to his own study. Forgive me while I go get him."
Valentina felt oddly out of place. She sat there between two families who kept talking on and on and kept drinking. While, she was slowly getting used to not breathing, she slowly took a sip of her drink. In the moment she heard the piano, she knew who it was. That tune could've been played on someone's funeral. On Leif's funeral if she hadn't saved his life, she reminded herself. His father excused himself as he left to drag his son here. Oh, this ought to be a happy day.
Moments later the house was quiet, and even longer it remained. It was nearly twenty minutes before both Duke Arrant and his son appeared,and Leif looked none too happy for it, though something in his expression stirred when he noted Valentina in her dress, but he promptly diverted his gaze, stole a goblet of wine for himself and let his gaze smolder upon the ground.
More small talk was shared, none that he was interested in,a nd when forced, he approached the group to fake a smile, one that was evidently fake before he hid it behind his goblet, then steeled his green eyes to Valentina before he excused himself toa chair int he far corner to be as alone as he could in a room full of idiots.
Valentina kept her polite smile on her face. But, since shee didn't have the luxury of escaping them, as she sat almost in the middle of two groups, she had to look well mannered. In her head she was barely awake, and she didn't speak until someone asked her a question, which was rare. Perhaps their fathers should've married, she thought with a sigh, that way everyone would be happy.
"Valentina, my dear, would you care to say something about the subject." her fathers voice, full of fake gentleness snapped her out of her daydream.
"No, I must say I completely agree with your oppinions, Duke Arrant." she pulled out a charming smile although she wasn't really following the conversation.
At that moment she really envied Leif and his far off place in the room.
At her fake little words, Leif lifted his eyes to look at her, and let them glare right through her.
"Of course she agrees, and once we're married, she'll move in with me to the Western Estate, as far away from here as possible, until you die father, or I die first, of course. It's hard to tell these days with the war going on if son will ever out live a father." and he raised his drink to the crowd that now stared at him, dismayed.
Valentina tried to keep her mouth closed at his bold words. She offtenly said many things to her father but nothing this borderline suicidal. If she did, she doubted her father would have put up with her. She threw a glance at Leif, than at his father expecting him to say something. With a firm grip on her upper arm her own father reminded her not to get involved. Like she didn't have enough problems of her own.
Despite the obvious lack of respect towards his father, Duke Arrant only laughed.
"You are correct, which is why I'm glad you'll be too busy with a new wife and politics to join in the war."
Leif rolled his eyes at the remark,then peered over at Valentina as he nursed on his wine.
"Before dinner,would it be alright if young lady Corrent and I took a stroll around the gardens?"
Leif's father gathered his brows together, opening his mouth as if to protest when his son rose to his feet and approached Valentina. "That is, unless you'd rather wait here until the pork is served?" Andhe had his arm out for her to take, his eyes bored and listless, though there was a hint of something else.
Anything in order to escape the company of their fathers. Valentina gladly toom his hand, happy to escape the crowd in the house. She was sure that Leif wasn't a prince in a shinning armor, but he did save her from dying of boredom. By now, she learned how to use the corset she was in and breathe without to much trouble.
As she slowly nodded off both older men, she followed Leif out before anyone could protest. They could thnk anything they wanted as long as she gets some fresh air and some time away from their conversations about politics and economy.
Leif was silent as he walked with her outside in the gardens. Though there was a weight upon them, it came from the stares back at the estate. Duke Arrant was watchingthem from the window while continuing to entertain the Corrent's. Even still, he couldn't hear htem all the way down there...
And it was at this idea Leif laughed through his nose, actually smiling as the two continued to walk through a tall pathway lined with red roses.
Valentina always liked roses so she enjoyed the beautiful garden around them. She was aware of the stares they got, but tried her best to ignore them and enjoy and relax as much as it was possible. The day was nice and not too sunny for a walk. As usually, she decided to break the silence.
"Who maintains the gardens?" she asked casually. It wasn't just a random question, it was something she was truly interested in finding out.
"We're rich. We pay for gardeners," he muttered, though paused to look over towards her as she admired the flowers. At least his souredness wasn't infectious, though he could have smiled again himself.
"You know it'll be yours someday. And if you wish it,t he entire garden could be just roses."
She liked that idea, but couldn't bring herself to destroy any of the other flowers there. It looked wonderful just as it is.
"Would it be okay to keep it like this?" she asked "It's really beautiful, full of different kinds and colors." Valentina smiled slightly as she touched a large red rose. She never had anything like this at home.
Leif shrugged.
"Whatever you wish. The gardens will belong to you." And he continued to escort her down the path in silence, only then beginning to slow down his pace so she could admire the gardens for what they were. he hardly saw them as pretty, just another piece of his house that kept him chained down to his obligations as the son of a Duke. He didn't know why, but he wondered if he was even fit to be in politics. The games others played were horrendous, and just about all of the people were fake.
Valentina enjoyed the freedom, because this was the most she got in a long time. Being chained to your father, following him to parties and social gatherings while maintaining a polite smile and a well mannered posture was difficult. Sometimes it was hard keeping the lady like facade always on. That was when Valentina let it slip and let herself go. She was never the right person to mingle in the high society, and always wanted to become an adventurer with all the freedom in the world. Do what she wants and say what she wants, with no limits.
"Our families are positively miserably," Leif commented after a time as the two rounded a far bend int he gardens. "And to think, such miserable beings have power." He stared down at his own gloved hand with distaste. "I saw the way your father treats you, and I'm sure you've heard about mine." he smirked darkly about it, turning his eyes away. "I bring outthe worst in him they say, but I'd like to think I just make public what's already there."
Valentina was surprised by his words, because he said them sp openly. Usually those words just hanged in the air, always there but there was no one willing to say them. It was very much obvious how much his father and her own father only used them to rise in political power. Ever since she was young, Valentina disliked her father and searched for any way she could to avoid him. After she has becom e a little older this became a part of her personality, and she became quite rebelious.
"It doesn't matter what you do, how much you fight against it." she said quietly, her gaze stuck on the ground "They always seem to win and show you your place, make you do what you're told."
Leif grew quiet as he digested her words before speaking.
"Well, they won't win in the end this time. Despite the marriage, we can end their line of secession of the throne by abstinence. No child... No future heir from this wretched blood." Though upon speaking such things he felt his skin crawl as he sighed. "And even though we'll be married..." He began, eyes avoiding hers as they stared at the world off in the distance. "You won't bechained to.this fate. We can keep this as title alone, but other wise... You're free to do as you please."
Valentina took a moment to consider his words. It was a bit too cruel for her. She wanted a child, not at this moment, but in the future. She wanted a family, something she never had at her home, but it seemed that now there wasn't a chance of that ever happening. She gently touched one of the roses, thinking about what he said.
"So, that is the way you want to do this?" she asked calmly, keeping her gaze on the rose.
"It seems the only way," he told her quickly, avoiding her gaze as they continued to walk deeper into the gardens until they reached the middle where a man made pound witha series of carved statues and fountains decorated it's center.
Was her wish to ruin her father's perfect 'investment', really that big? At that moment it was, and perhaps someday she will regret the decision she brought on this day, but as they walked forward, Valentina nodded.
"I think.." she started off quietly, not sure of her voice "I can do that."
Although she felt it was somehow wrong, to make such a revenge on her father and sacrifice the possibility of a family.
Leif nodded hastily.
"Our engagement is a sham, as most marriages tend to be. I don't expect you to do much than to stand there and be pretty, but I meant when I said that you can do as you wish. You'll still be your own person, the only difference, I suppose, is we'll be confined to the politics of our well-bred noose." And he walked a bit faster with her still perched on his arm.
She nodded, now more concentrated on the other thing he said. She'll finally have the right to do whatever she wants to.
"Of course." she tried to keep her voice matter-of-factly. But, now she started thinking about one other thing that would make things harder for her. No question that her magic will pose as a threat to her and the new household she will soon live in. But, it was not as if she could ignore it.
Leif felt awkward with the girl on his arm. He was quick to spit out his spiteful plan on this marriage and towards their fathers that he couldn't help but get the feeling something was missing. Then he realized his mannerisms probably played him off more like a bully, and he slowed down his quick walking to sigh.
"I'm sorry if I come off frank and too direct. I've tried to avoid this marriage for years." He paused and made a turn, guiding her beside a series of fountains that resided in the rectangular, shallow man made pond where their reflections were marred by the rippling waters.
"This sort of life gets under my skin," he admitted, bitterly. "And it's of no offense to you. It's the entire scenario, the propaganda, the fake faces,t he new laws- all of it. And we're forced to uphold the next in line for all of Castavar."
Valentina was a bit stunned by his honest words. She wanted to offer him her support or tell him she understands how he feels, but she doubted he wanted her sympathy or her support for that matter.
"I prefer directness. No need to waste time on pleasantries in these matters." she told him honestly "Neither you or I have chosen our roles in this, but it seems we'll have to play them out to some point." Valentina didn't understand her sudden urge to cry. She considered herself strong, but not having the luxury of making her own decision showed her how helpless she actually was in everything that is happening.
Leif sighed hotly, not realizing he had been holding his breath. Yet he avoided her gaze, sensing the tension still rather than seeing it before he remarked, "Thank you." And the words came out cracked. Clearing his throat, he looked down at their reflection in the waters. Here, they appeared as two people melted together as wobbling blobs of colors. He smirked at it for a moment before the forced mirth faded.
"Also... I feel I must apologize for my behavior the night before." he looked down at his boots. "I was rude to you when my anger should not have been directed upon you. You seem an amicable enough woman, definitely different than most women I've met." And he raised his eyes only then to look at her, recognizing the signs of tears in that moment as he went quiet, lips pressing together as his eyes softened.
A cool breeze had picked up, dark clouds were rolling in from the North-
He cleared his throat and looked away.
"Looks like rain.. We'd better head in."
She dropped her gaze only to drive away the tears in the corners of her eyes. And, as she raised her gaze back to him and nodded at his apology. For some reason, it made her feel better that he actually remembered.
"Thank you, I appreciate that." she told him with a small smile. And she really did. Valentina was, above all, someone who believed that there was something genuinely good in everyone. That personality trait marked her as a black sheep of the family, since both her father and older brother only expected the worse and never believed in anyone. At that moment, she was glad she was that way.
One of the rain drops fell on her skin and she shivered from it's coldness.
"Yes, let's get back." she said with a hurried voice. She didn't want to see or hear any thunder. Valentina hated it since she was a child, and never grew over that fear.
Despite his attempt at civility, Leif still remained cold and tense at her side. He guided her into the house where they were promptly greeted by their family with those same polished, fake smiles. Leif forced just one back of his own, but kept quiet, even his normal, short remarks were removed as the evening went on beautifully. The families were laughing, the wedding was spoke of and Leif hadn't cut into his father...
"So is a month too short a time?" It was Leif's mother who spoke up, which surprised hm as all eyes went upon her.
"Did you not remember the night before?" Duke Arrant said distastefully. "The girl could be with child-"
"It was a lie," Leif stated simply, and suddenly all eyes were upon him. "I lied about it to make you upset." And as everyone continued to look at him, he fought off rolling his eyes before he sighed through his nose and looked away, then back at all the faces upon him. "I am aware it was childish of me. I was upset at my father and took it out on Lady Valentina. I apologized to her in the gardens, and well, at this time, we should ask her if she even wants this wedding at all. With all of the new laws in place, choosing your future husband or wife should be a choice, should it not? Seems about as scandalous as being born a mage."
And everyone remained, staring in silence at Leif. He glanced around, his eyes flickering to Valentina only once before he cleared his throat and added, "But I suppose as it stands, the least choice she should have to make is how long she'd like t be engaged. I'd be up for five years."
"None sense, it's already been decided," his father's voice cut through the moment. "Both of our house parties already agreed, Leif. You two will be wed at the end of the month." And Duke Arrant cut angrily into his pork dinner. "Besides, we don't need any more scandalous talka bout you, Leif. Hopefully this new wife of yours will help cool off that unbridled temper."
Valentina kept her fake smile at her face, never flickering. She nodded, answered all kinds of questions and still her face remained unchanged. In the time she spent in the high society, Valentina learned that you should never show your emotions on your face. So, when Leif's mother and father tried to ask her some uncomfortable questions or simply make her look naive, she just kept answering them very politely with a pretty smile.
She bowed her head and continued watching at her plate as the conversation about last night started. Valentina uncomfortably shifted in her chair, unable to find a comfortable position. Somehow, she could feel a few gazes on her, so in order not to look like she was hiding something, she raised her head keeping the same polite expression. But, when he mentioned mages and nobilty she choked slightly on her drink. Valentina threw a glance to her left, to her right, but it seemed like no one noticed since they were all taken by Leif and his arguments against the engagement.
Unbridled temper, Valentina thought with a in-head eye roll. It was actually quite sad that their both families saw them as something to be fixed. They weren't objects. But, as her father pushed her with his elbow, in her already painful corset, she seemed unable to do anything else but reply politely to Duke Arrant.
"Of course, Lord Arrant, I will do my best." she gave one of her best charming smiles to him. Being a lady was much more exhausting than most people thought.
OOC: Woo! They survived to 10 pages XD
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Leif shot Valentina a look- thought it was hard to distinguish by the twinkle in his eyes if he were upset, or amused; for he wore such a deepened scowl as his default look that it was a wonder if he was ever seen smiling.
"The wedding, naturally, will be held here, in Castavar; at one of the most Grand Churches Connlaoth has to offer. You should see the stained glass, it's beauty is unsurpassed and was designed by the famous glass artist Mortiste, a scholar from Castavar itself!"
And the families went on, discussing gayly over the affairs of their families unionizing over the wedding. Leif, naturally, looked bored and at one point, had lit up a cigar, which made his father frown as he turned to Leif and inquired, "Must you smoke that in here, Leif? Can't you take it outside?"
With a roll of his eyes, he stood up.
"I'll be on the balcony if you need me." And disappeared outside.
OOC: Woohoo! That deserves a toast! *opens champange* xD
..................................................
Valentina hid her yawns behide her hand, trying to look as interested in the subject of her wedding as a future bride should be. Needless to say, she had zero interest in flower arrangement and color palettes everyone was talking about. Rarely, some of their parents asked her something but she just nodded and agreed to everything. She couldn't care less if the curtains were to be blue or purple.
But, as Leif left to the balcony, his mother continued asking her about the dress she was going to wear, and Valentina tried to answer her questions as best as she can.
"Yes, the corset is probably going to have a lot of lace." Valentina nodded to his mother, keeping a smile on her face. These words made his mother smile contently. No arguing she was the one who was going to decide on most things, Valentina's dress included. As his mother continued talking about the dress Valentina threw a longing glance towards the balcony. Unlike Leif, she actually had to stay at the table and discuss the wedding. She sighed, but continued nodding on the dress arrangements of his mother.
Leif continued to nurse on his cigar, breathing out a sigh of white smoke through his nose. It was a god awful feeling, but a habit he picked up since most didn't do it- it burned too much; but still..
Leif hadn't cared much about harming himself, or his future; or any of this, but as he stared back at Valentina he did something that surprised him, he smirked; which was more of a mocking tease at her predicament before he turned his back towards her to enjoy the seclusion of his moment alone on the balcony.
When their parents got into a feisty discussion whether the flower arrangement should be mostly roses or some other flowers, Valentina finally leaned in her chair, exhausted. With any luck they'll continue their argument for some time and they won't ask her to voice her opinion.
Valentina threw one more glance towards the balcony and Leif. Coward, she thought irritated by the fact that he actually escaped before any of this stupid wedding talk became serious. She guessed he was just used to this. He knew when was time for him to flee. Unlike her.
Cigars lasted forever, but the wedding talk could go on for ages. Leif stole a single glance back towards Valentina and caught her soured expression. He leaned one hand against the balcony, cigar perched between his fingers and he actually smiled at her this time. It was... amusing to watched her become bored and suffer; and as he smiled, he blew more smoke through his nostrils.
OOC: Just lol, he's such a nice fiance XD
OOC: Sadists... Sadists everywhere around Valentina...
Valentina narrowed her eyes at his smile. At that moment, a lot of adjectives came to mind, most of them not so pretty. She took a sip of the drink in front of her and sighed as the discussion about the wedding continued. Was it even possible for her to get out of here? It wasn't as if anyone asked her for her opinion on the subject. With a sly smirk slowly forming on her lips, Valentina just maybe had a plan.
Leif wasn't going to stick around for her plan. The balcony crawled upwards to another level of the manor,a nd that's where he disappeared to-
With the cigar brewing at the end of the piano, another song rang out; this time, Leif was playing The Song of War.
Duke Arrant looked up suddenly as the powerful keys were struck, irritation clear in his eyes. He looked over toward the balcony, which was now vacant.
"Excuse me," he said, rising from his chair. "I didn't realize my son wished to play music for us. Give me but a moment so I can request something a bit more.. subtle for our conversations. It's a bit difficult to make wedding plans with that sort of song playing."
And he bowed and made his leave, and a moment later, it was quiet, following by a soft, serene song. it was haunting and beautiful- and this one was titled The Song of the Lake.
With the musical now amicable, Duke Arrant returned.
"With my son indoors, perhaps we ought to take this conversation to the music room?"
"Of course. We still have to discuss the details." her father agreed.
Valentina scowled at her father. How long must this drag on? They weren't planning a coronation, they were planning a damn wedding. Her damn wedding, in which she has yet to decide on anything. Opposed to other people, Valentina rather liked the first melody better than the second one. But, then again nobody asked her for her opinion.
That was when her small plan to leave the room and stumble about the large mansion and it's fields fell into pieces. With an expression full of distaste she kinda hoped that if she were just to stay still and not move, perhaps they would forget about her presence. But, since her father kept a close watch over her, that wasn't going to happen. The only thing that might be interesting to do is to hear Leif playing the piano. Valentina rather liked it.
With the Corrents and Arrants now gathered into the music room, the wedding talk continued. They had moved on from the silly details as flowers and colors and themes to the guest list; which Leif had hoped to avoid. Four hundred guests seemed like a bit much. Were they inviting all of Connlaoth.
And as the conversation went on, Leif went into another piece of music, one that reflected exactly how bored he was.
"Yes... and we should invite the other dukes as well, naturally, and their visors. They should all be there for the union of the future duke and duchess of Castavar.." Duke Arrant went on, staring over at his son, who's gaze was staring well past the piano.
Valentina wasn't surprised no one asked her if she wanted to invite anyone. She was just there to bat her eyelashes and smile politely. It was her wedding but all she has to do is pretend she was the happiest bride in all of world and say what her father tells her to say. Just a pion in a game their families were plotting.
"Of course." her father nodded "We shall also have a few foreign ambassadors." he smiled.
If anything, her father adored boasting. He was also well aware that Corrents had a lot of power in other contries. Keeping close relations to rich foreign families was something Corrents were always good at.
Duke Arrant was pleased at the suggestion, and the talk continued for what seemed hours. Leif was running out of things to play on the piano, and at one point, he simply stopped playing. It was by then his cigar had gone out.
Valentina noticed that time was passing very slowly. Even so, the conversation among their families continued to blossom vividly, as they all decided on every last detail of the wedding. By that time she was already used to not speaking so she spent her time studying the embroidment on her dress.
"What about you darling? Don't you think that candles would look so romantic?" Leif's mother asked her, as Valentina raised her head confused by the question only to see their parents looking at her and expecting an answer.
"I, um... Think candles sound great." she said with a confused smile. Like she cared about candles. It wasn't like the wedding was going to be more romantic because of it.
When the conversation was beginning to wane, Leif had made his approach to Valentina's side and reclined back into a chase lounge near her, raking ahand through his hair and reeking freshly of the cigar smell he just smoked. Sighing, he peered over at her as the conversation continued, his eyes studying Valentina all over, from her face, to her bossom, to her dress and hair; everything. He might as well do something useful in his free moment while he kept one ear open to their parents.
She was just as bored as he was, and his eyes seemed to inquire that in their restless state.
"How about Lady Valentina and I take a walk around the manor? If she's to become duchess someday, she should see more than just the gardens for which she will live."
The conversation halted as their parents looked at him.
"Very well," Duke Arrant began- but was cut off by his son.
"I'll escort her myself. You all seem to be very busy organizing the final details of the wedding, and our younger blood grows restless for more stimulation. And don't worry, I won't get her pregnant again before the wedding," he said, rising as he stalked over towards her, offering an arm.
"Leif Arrant- apologize for such a tone-" his father began, red faced.
"I apologize my sense of humor is lost on the rest of you. I will treat Valentina as delicate as a rose." and he took her hand, kissing the top of it. "We shan't be long." And before anyone could protest, he lead Valetina away.
As they left the room, Valentina couldn't help but feel like a large heaviness was lifted from her chest. A few more moments in that room and she would have said somethin inappropriate - nothing new there, but it would make things awkward later on.
"Gods, how long can they argue about tablecloth?" she asked irritated, more herself than anyone around her.
Valentina was quite thankful for Leif's timely rescue, although she was completely sure he did it for himself not for her. She didn't mind at all as long as she was out of that company. Valentina enjoyed the looks their parents gave to them when Leif and she left the room. They were utterly stunned by Leif's words.
"You might be here for most of the night. Since the wedding was decided to happen so quickly, they believe they need to make most of the decisions for it today." He continued to walk in silence. "We obviously don't need to be there." Then he looked her over in her dress. "You look lovely, were they trying to dress you to impress?" He looked down at her cleavage, then corset. "I bet you can hardly breath in that thing."
"They seem like a bunch of children, arguing about colors and flowers... Actually, I don't mind them acting like that as long as they keep me out of their discussions." she told him as they continued to walk down the hallway.
"Thank you, I am sure they did." Valentina said with a bit of sarcasm. In the end, she did spend the whole morning trying to enter the damn torture device of a dress "Just enough so I don't drop dead."
"I'd be lying if I said the dress didn't look flattering on you, but I know the repercussions of fashion," he said with a slight sneer. "I suppose the only good thing from this union is I won't be marrying a complete monster. And you'll at least look good on my arm." And he continued to usher her away in silence, eyes listless as they walked down the hall.
He knew she was a mage, and only then, was recalling last night.. him spotting her magics upon the lake. He debating informing her he knew her secret, but he supposed she deserved to at least keep that part of her, considering today was a day to discuss her ownership- after all, she was being passed off from her parents into his care.
On one hand, Valentina felt flattered that he thought she was attractive, it wasn't something anyone ever told her probably because she didn't have much contact to men. But, on the other hand, if he thought she was just going to smile and act like most of those bimbo ladies she knows, he was very wrong.
In truth, Leif hadn't expected much from her as he brooded in silence. As they walked along,t hey passed a serious of painted, framed pictures of his family along the wall- all of which he ignored. Despite having said he'd be taking her on a tour, it was a tour in silence if anything.
But as the pair rounded a bend, one of the secret doors int he walls the servants used to get around more quickly inside the manor suddenly opened, and a woman carrying linens nearly barreled the pair of them over.
Her eyes went wide hwen she realized who it was
"Oh, young lord, Arrant!" she said, red faced. "I did not see the pair of you there. I'm terribly sorry!"
Leif only stared at her, his eyes simmering.
"Do not worry about it, Millie," then he waved for her to be off, and once she had disappeared around the corner, he paused to observe the open door.
"Maybe we should take you on a tour a bit more private.." he said, and suddenly lead Valentina into the dimly lit secret pass.
"Where does this passage lead?" she asked looking around.
This reminded Valentina of the adventures she often read about in her books. She was actually quite excited to be passing through something like this. Valentina was aware of most secret passages at the Corrent mansion, or the lack of them. They were usually barely few meters long and led to bedrooms. She had some ideas what they were for.
Keeping his voice low, he spoke to her, "Throughout the whole castle. It provides access for not only the servants, but if the castle were ever to be attacked, a quick way for anyone to get to any part of the building more discretely. We can go as far as the stables, or as deep as the wine cellar.."
And he paused, taking her hand as he peered over his shoulder. "Stay close, the ceiling sets lower here."
"Fascinating." she said, keeping her head lower, and her voice full of awe."Where are we going, then?" Valentina asked him, excited by the numver of possibilities that the passages allowed. They could end up anywhere in the castle. This made Valentina wonder how much time was Leif spending in these passages. He seemed to know what he was doing.
Leif continued moving through the passage; keeping quiet for a time before he smirked.
"Anywhere far away from here." He turned to look back towards her. "You good at riding?"
"Of course I am." she told him. Not that her father allowed her to ride very much, but she did sneak out more than once, only so she can be alone and relax a bit from the city life. With a small smile full of exitement she continued following him. Nothing more interesting than escaping everything for a few hours, plus the possibility of being discovered made her heart beat stronger.
Leif gave a squeeze to her hand and guided her forward. Though she wasn't the only one excited by the prospect; for Leif suffered thrills of his own. His heart was beating inside his ears by the time they began to creep their way deeper through the castle, and an excitement like fire washed over him.
It was just the pair of them now, racing through a castle, running from their parents...
and if he was more inclined to woo her, for he was most certainly becoming charmed, he'd paused to make out with her in the darkness. But as it was, she was still, as he souredly reminded himself, a symbol of the chains that bound them.
Even still, it was odd having chains attached to him that felt like freedom, and he ran even faster through the darkened halls with her in tow, the air growing colder and colder as they went deeper and deeper still through the narrow, secret castle walls.
For as long as Valentina could remember, she was always running away alone. But this, it somehow felt right to run away like this, sneak like a pair of children around their favorite places, although their parents didn't allow them. The thrill of the run and the adrenaline made a strange mixture that was unknown to Valentina, but she liked it, because it tasted just like freedom should taste like.
On the other side, Valentina had to keep her thought straight. Her freedon at that moment was just a beautiful illusion, a lie. But, she would be lying if she said that she didn't adore the feeling.
"Are the stables near?" she said quietly to him, keeping her voice a small whisper.
"Just around the corner.."
And as he pushed a door open, they were there.
The smell of animals greeted them fist, then the pink light of the setting sun as it filtered through the cracks. Leif guided her silently to a stall where his own horse was kept and paused before it as he looked back to her.
"Would you like your own horse?" he asked. "Or do you want to share the horse with me?"
"Well, if you have a horse I could use..." she said "If not I can ride with you."
She liked animals and at home she had dozens of horses, all her father's. She needed a permission to take any of his horses anywhere, and she rarely got it. Valentina raised her head to look at Leif's horse. It was a beautiful dark one. She raised her hand and slowly touched the horse gently, her smile widening.
Leif was only slightly surprised she knew (or rather, wanted) to ride a horse, solitaire. Smirking, he nodded and handed her the reigns.
"This horse is mine. You can use him."
And he moved to untethered a white horse for himself and lead the mare down through the stables and gestured for Valetina to follow.
"There's a path we can follow alongside a stream that cuts through the property." And as he stepped outside, a wind swept across them, and clouds were rolling in over head. Was it going to rain? the idea they'd be caught in the rain sent a thrill through him, and he was reminded how beautiful she looked all soaken wet the night before.
"Do you need my help mounting him?" he said, peering over towards her.
"I understand." she told him as he explained the route to her "No, I can do it myself." but then agan, in her head she could do anything by herself. As used as she was to horses, she easily mounted the horse, and grinned, satisfied with her achievement. Then she glanced towards the sky, almost certain it was going to start raining soon. She didn't mind rain, but what could come with the storm thunder and lighting, that was something that made her uneasy. It didn't show on her face since she was too busy with her attitude full of pride, because she managed to get on the horse all by herself.
Leif smirked, soon following suit as he mounted the white mare. With a hard kick to her side, he called off to Valetina, "Stay close," before he and horse thundered outside of the stables. Down the cobblestone way and dashing into a path cut through the tall grasses, he and his horse moved as one and were quick to make it across the field and into the forest where the stream he mentioned an the path beside it were easily identified. The winds rushed around them, and for a moment, he closed his eyes, enjoying the wild winds, the wild sense of freedom- a wild moment all of their own.
She nodded, but failed keeping the same pace as he did. But she was close enough, much faster than anytime before when she rode her horse, much more exciting and thrilling. She followed Leif completely forgeting all that troubled her, with a wide smile on her lips. The only thing she regretted was the fact that she was wearing the damn corset and the heavy dress. If she weren't,she was sure she could've been faster than Leif.
As their horses stormed through the forest, Leif continued to take the lead, the stream following a steep hill side as soon, the towering mansion behind them was becoming smaller and smaller off into the distance. And it was at thet op of the hill they were reaching more of hte wilderness over the family property as he turned back to Valentina with a short laugh, "I hope you like going fast. We'll be going down hill soon." And once they crested the hill, she'd be able to see the playful sparkle in her betroth's eyes before he and his horse took off like lightning, rushing down the hill in a blurr- and he did so blindly, keeping his eyes closed tight and trusting the horse and it's hooves beating heavily beneath him-
With the wild wind in his hair and the inside out feeling of his belly as he raced against gravity- he felt, for a moment, to be flying.
With a quick smile, Valentina was astonished at the speed Leif and his horse managed to go down hill. It looked as if it was magic, only Valentina knew it wasn't. The only magic arond could come from only one person - herself. Following his example, Valentina took a deep breath.
"Let's do this faster than him." she told the horse with a smile as she readied herself and then with a strong push, started going faster and faster. She didn't want to stop the sensation of many different feelings.
Riding against the winds brought a sense of feeling bonding the pair deeper than they could have realized; a bonding of understanding and of spirit. Though as much as they appeared alone int he world in all of this, neither could have expected it to happen just as quickly- a single moment, just a hazy dream in their preplanned life, their pre planned destiny where another source of freedom, and death, came piercing through the air with a bite as an arrow struck into Leif's shoulder and threw him from his horse.
The white mare kept going, even faster now without the rider on her back to weigh her down as Leif crashed into the hill side and went spinning until finally, at the bottom, after he was knocked across sharp rocks and mud, he lay still in a dizzy and unmoving heap.
As Valentina continued riding down the hill she was confused, because she couldn't see neither Leif nor his horse in front of her. She slowed her horse down, as her head went from left to right, in search of him. His horse, whom she was riding, felt uneasy and as if it was warning her of something.
As she neared the bottom of the hill, Valentna's eyes spotted something that looked familiar. She got off the horse and leading it by it's leash she ran through the short distance between them. Even before she saw his face, she recognized Leif lying on the ground and a sharp arrow in his shoulder. With no hesitation she jumped on the ground next to him, with a worried look on her face.
Leif was stunned, unable to move at first, but when the air returned to his lungs, he was seething and cursing up a storm as he gripped onto his bleeding shoulder. Dizzy and off put from the tumble down the hillside, he could barely make what was up and what was down, and furrowed his brows the moment he spotted Valentina above him.
What had just happened!?
It was only then the wound came to his attention, and he noticed the second arrow heading right for them- aiming to take Valentina's head clean off. Without hesitation he pushed her aside,a nd found himself screaming out as he was struck by a second arrow and was dropped to his knees.
Shit, whoever it was that shot him was out here to kill- and with two wounds and no sign of the shooter, he was at a grave disadvantage.
"V-Valentina, get out of here. Get back onto.. onto the horse.." Leif said as he attempted to crawl back onto his knees.
Valentina couldn't keep her perfect posture at the moment like this. With her heart threatening to break her ribs, this time not from freedom and happiness but from fear. She couldn't quite see where the attacker was, but when the second arrow struck Leif she bit her lip not to scream along with him.
"No." she said sternly "I am not leaving you here. You'll die." Valentina couldn't make herself say that someone was killing him. She had to do something, because she had no intentions of leaving him here to be killed off on the ground.
"Come on, I'll help you." she told him, as she helped him get up, trying not to touch any of the arrows around his shoulder and in his arm. Keeping her eyes towards the forest where the arrows came from, she called for the horse. Valentina had no intentions of dying today, or letting Leif die.
When Valentina tried to call the horse, he took a moment to lift two fingers to his lips, whistling for him and the dark horse came charging back their way.
"Here.. get.. get in the saddle, then I'll climb up after you. We.. we haven't got much time. Hurry." he said, panting as he leaned painfully against the horse, blood gushing down for his wounds, staining his clothing brightly.
She did as he told her and quickly got up on the horse. Then she helped him up, also trying not to hurt him anymore than he was already hurt. She kept her eyes on the forest the first arrows came from, only to avoid them if anymore came.
"Hold on to me as tight as you can." she told him "I'll ride as fast as I can."
As she climbed onto the horse, he had full intentions of following her- that was, until he saw a stirring in the woods. Swearing through his teethwhen he was only half on the horse, he pushed away and gave a hard kick and scream to scare the horse-a nd off the dark horse went with Valentina on it's back- leaving Leif Arrant behind.
Having fallen over, he was on one knee, clutching his wounds as he watched the horse flee, then his eyes went back towards the forest. From what he could tell, it was just one assassin sent after him. With Valentina gone, her life would no longer be compromised, nor would his true identity be revealed to her.
If someone was here to kill him specifically, it was either due to the war and his father's side against mages, another jealous duke who knew his reputation-
Or he was careless one night hwne he was running around in his alter ego- The Masked Mordecai. Either way, he wasn't about to go down without a fight, and before the next arrow could reachhim, he had drawn his blade and was on his feet, breathing heavily and bleeding all over. But he was still alive,a nd still ready to fight. The next arrow sunk away from him,a nd then he saw the archer move throught he foliage.
Growling, Leif took off into the woods, pursuing the assassin like a dog.
As soon as Valentina realized that she was alone on the horse, it was already going too fast. She turned her head back, but she couldn't see Leif. For some reason she couldn't quite understand yet, she was afraid for Leif, that her mind was so divided to go back and take him. Should she do that, or just run for help? Slowing down her horse a bit she cursed loudly and very unlady-like.
What should she do? Whatever she decides she should do it quickly before it's too late for Leif.
The archer would regret this moment. Leif was dogged, unrelenting in his pursuit as he charged through the forests and disappeared into it's tense and haunting shadows.
Then there was a cry in the woods, another arrow shot out, this time into an unknown mark; then all went still.
Moments later, a flock of birds scattered through the trees as a figure collapsed at the end of the clearing. It was Leif, and the blade at his side was coated in blood as he clutched at his wound, breathing heavily into the grass.
To hell with everything, Valentina thought as she slowly changed directions. She was gong back for him, how could she even think about leaving him wounded behind. Valentina was sure she could do much more with her magic if she only tried. By now, she only prayed it wasn't too late.
As she neared the spot where she last saw him, she was still unable to see him. She was travelling very fast, and she could see that the horse was slowly getting tired. Through the blinding speed she was going she could see something, or rather someone at the edge of the clearing. It was a figure on the ground. Quickly changing directions towards him, she felt her heart beating at an abnormal rate. Was he dead? Dying? What the hell was she thinking, when she didn't return for him faster.
Leif remained laying, still breathing into the grass when he heard the approach of a horse. Turning, at first, he hadn't recognized his own dark stallion approaching, but he noted the familiar figure and smiled before closing hs eyes, and the smile faded as he groaned out in pain. He was laying on his back now, his bleeding belly exposed to the world as the two arrows still jutted out of his form. He'd have to get those tended to-a nd fast. Lest he bleed to death in the forests.
Valentina quickly came down from her horse and with a frown fell on her knees beside Leif. He was alive, she slowly let out a sigh, but that wasn't going to last if she continued to dwell on it. Valentina never had a close encounter with so much blood, or with such a wound. She bit her lip nervously.
"I'll have to pull out the arrows so that I can bind up your wounds." she told him, trying to keep away fear from her voice "And it's going to hurt." Valentina told him honestly.
If they kept the arrows inside his body the wounds could easily get more expanded and then he would surely bleed out. But, if she took out the arrows and binded the wounds hard enough that just might be enough tim for them to return to the castle and sew his wounds.
Leif looked up at her, making a face before he shook his head.
"No," he said through a breath, grunting as he managed to sit up, clutching at his wounds.
"I can get them out myself. Here.. stand back." He said, gripping onto one end of the arrow. "I'd hate to get my blood all over your dress..." Though he paused to consider. "We'll need something to bind them though. Perhaps my jacket." Her dress would make mroe sense as he looke dit over, all of that extra fluff beneath it, however, it wouldn't be right of him to ask her to sacrifice her own garb. besides, his was already ruined. "Actually, my blouse might do better.'
"Once I get the arrows out, help me remove my jacket. We cna use the blouse I'm wearing nad tear it up. It's ruined anyways. We can tear it into strips and bind upt he wounds."
Then he drew in a slow and careful breath, snapped the end of one arrow, and shoved it out.
He bit back a scream, and was sweating something fierce, and then he repeated the same process with the other one, tossing the arrow parts into a blood soaked pile in the grasses. Then he nodded to Valentina.
"H-here," he began to say, panting as more blood was gushingout quickly and hotly from hsi wounds. "My jacket.." he was having a hard time of it- there were so many damn buttons and his one arm felt useless as it was stunned from the pain. he was fumbling over the slick gold buttons, but was thankful Valentina was there to help. And once the jacket was open, he sighed with relief.
"Here, help me get it off," for his shoulders were aching from the wounds. One arrow wound was on his side, the other on his shoulder- but blood was just about covering everything by now and it was sticky andc oated his fingers well- making even the slimmer buttons of his white blouse difficult to undo as he let out a frustrated huff. Looked like Valentina would need to do most of his undressing. But he could at least try to help.
"Stop that." she told him, removing his hands from the buttons "You're going to bleed out trying to take your jacket off." Valentina said. She undid one button at the time, fast and effective, as his blood made her fingers more and more slippery as she continued working. As she finished her hands were mostly bloody, but she found at that moment that she didn't care.
"We could use my underskirts for this." she told him "They are much stronger than your shirt and could hold the blood in." Valentina looked at his wounds, inspecting them. It was good those were clean shots not messy ones.
Leif grunted at her suggestion.
"I'm sure your parents would be thrilled," he replied dryly. "No, my blouse ought to suffice. Com eon.." he said, leaning forward as he was having trouble getting it off of his arms. "Help me get the rest of this damn thing off."
Speaking of their parents.. he'd have to start calculating a story to tell them as to why he came back... suddenly injured when they weren't even suppose to leave the manor grounds.
"Like I care what my father will think." she huffed as she helped him take the shirt off. Over few large marks of blood, she left a bunch of her own bloody fingertips over it. Then, she tore it to straps, making something that seemed like bandages. She took one of the pieces and used it to clean the wound as much as she could and then slowly started bandaging him, apologizing everytime she made a move that might of hurt him. She was most apparently not a nurse..
Seeing her stumbling over this process, he pressed his hand down against the make shift bandages.
"Here, I'll hold it down,you wrap," he said irritably, though after sighing, he found himself slowly beginning to smile. What would their parents think? He'd be lucky if he'd get out of this scrap.. alive. Assassins be damned. His father was probably going to beat the shit outo f him. Then, once he was all bound up, he nodded towards her and looked into her eyes.
"Thanks."
"It will have to do for now." she told him, irritated because she couldn't do a better job. Valentina noticed a few bloody marks on her dress, it didn't matter much but she did start to make up a story in her head, because she most certainly needed one for her father.
"Let's go." she told him, slowly helping him up "We shouldn't stay here too long."
Leif nodded, and was careful when leaning against her.
"Careful. We don't need anymore blood on your dress."
Though, it was probably ruined, by their standards as he hobbled over towards the horse. It took some effort, but he managed to swing his legs up and over the saddle before doubling over, clutching onto his wound a moment as he caught his breath. Then, after eh collected himself, he offered down a hand to her and pulled her up behind him on the horse.
"We're going to need a story.." he began, kicking the horses side to get him to move.
She was unsure what to say, but explaining blood all over her hands, some on her face and a lot of blood on Leif would be very hard to explain to their parents. Valentina sighed tiredly behind him and frowned while thinking what they could do.
"Perhaps you should change using the secret pass before anyone notices?" she asked him.
"But that wouldn't give us a story behind your dress. There's blood on it," he said through a tired sigh. "And there's also my injuries.." Though he had hidden injuries before....
"These might be too fresh for me to simply hide." Especially with the way the bandages were already soaked with blood.
She bit her lip, unsure what they should do.
"Well, I can always lie and say I fell and cut myself." she shrugged "My father thinks I'm a clumsy, stupid girl, anyways. What we should do is think about something that would cover your injuries."
Honestly, Valentina was much more worried about Leif and his wounds than about herself. She was used to lying to her father, but hiding something big as Leif's injuries will be a tough task.
"We should think on the way... You are still in danger." she told him, a slight note of worry in her voice.
Leif laughed.
"I'm sure the world would be happier if I were dead," he muttered, but then found himself resting a hand over hers. "Don't worry. We'll be safe now. If there were more men out here,t hey would have shown their faces by now." And he pressed his boots more heavily into the stallion, coaxing him into a gallop as they headed back for the hillside.
She wanted to say that he wasn't right, but kept her mouth shut as they continued to leave that wretched place behind them. Valentina was still afraid because she kept thinking about what happened and couldn't make it disappear from her head.
"We should probably first try and find a medic for you." she told him, her lips close to his ear. Perhaps it was a delay from a meeting with their parents, but it was also something he needed now.
Leif wrinkled his nose.
"No," he told her hotly. "I'll deal with it myself. I know enough about it to be able to patch myself up. I just need to get us back to the manor house before both our parents blow their tops."
Though it felt like it took an eternity to get the horse to carry them up the hill, and once they crested it, he spotted botht heir parents over looking the balcony that faced precisely intheir direction-
and was soon cursing beneath his breath.
"The story is that I got into it with a huntsman," Leif told her, keeping his hand clutched around one of hers. "I ran my mouth- and he got pissed, but your pleas stopped him." He pressed his boots even tighter intot he horses side,a nd despite the horse panting, it obeyed and moved more quickly towards the manor.
"Trust me. It's a story they'll believe. There's been a lot of illegal hunting on our lands... and it wouldn't be far fetched for me to run my mouth. And i'll tell them I've run him through- so there is no threat; and we cna let his corpse rot in the woods where it belongs."
Valentina nodded at his words. She could do this, she lied to her father on daily basis and he never seemed to notice, or perhaps she didn't care to. Anyway, she didn't mind lying to him or Leif's parents if that was going to save them both.
"Alright." she let out a sigh as they neared their parents.
"Valentina, what in the name of all Gods happened?" her father acted as if he was actually worried. Perfect, she tought with a mental eye roll. She just smiled politely as she descended from the horse.
"Everything is fine. " Valentina said keeping her voice neutrally polite."A small outdoors adventure." she said quietly.
Leif held onto his injured side as he gave both their parents a soured look.
"We were out riding on the edge of the property when I spotted a poacher. I don't think he realized who I was until it was too late, and he thought trying to off me might save his face. Now he's dead."
His father went quiet a moment before he hardened his eyes.
"I'll send the servants out to be rid of the body." And he gestured towards the pair. "The two of you get in here at once. I'll call for the doctor."
Slipping off the horse, Leif leaned against it and offered Valentina an arm to help her down. Despite it hurting like hell, he still had to act as a gentleman, even as he was bleeding through his wraps.
As soon as Valentina was down from the horse refusing his help, her worried look passed over Leif. He tried to look as if everything was fine, but Valentina could easily see how much was he suffering. She reminded herself he will be okay now, they'll find him a doctor, someone who is much more capable to help him than she was.
"Please stop pushing yourself." she gently told him "You'll only make it worse."
After all that happened, the last thing they needed was for him to bleed out on his doorstep. Valentina tried to wipe the blood from her hands, rubbing them on the fabrics of her dress, as they walked.
The Duke of Castavar was quick to get his son from his fiance's side once he noticed her dress being soiled. He then gestured towards her parents, "Perhaps we ought to call this a night? I'm sure your daughters in quite the state after today."
Though it surprised them both when the Duchess spoke up, placing a gentle hand upon her husband. "Perhaps she ought to stay and be looked at from the doctor as well? That way I can show her personally around the manor with a more safer escort tomorrow."
The duke looked surprised, but raised his eyes towards Valentina's parents to see if they'd accept such an idea. It wasn't as if Valentina staying over would cause a scandal- considering she could stay as a respected guest.
Leif, of course, had his back to the group this entire time, doing his best to keep his face soured, as usual,a n d indifferent- but Gods, did the wounds ever hurt.
As Valentina opened her mouth to protest to such idea, her father cut through. Valentina had no wish to spend much time with the Duchess and she couldn't say she liked her attitude. Also, that woman was an unstoppable force when it came to doing things her own way. But, after all she wasn't the one who was in charge.
"Valentna would be delighted, won't you my dear?" her father said with a very carefully chosen tone.
Valentina nodded and slowly gave an uncertain smile to the Duchess. She'll probably spend the time lecturing Valentina about high society and silverware, which didn't nterest Valentina in the slightest. Plus, there was the neverending discussion about the wedding...
"I would be honored." she said with a small bow. This is going to be one hell of a trip.
Once the arrangements were made, and Valentina, it was promised, would be gifted with a new dress the next day; a doctor was finally called for and an hour or so later; he finally showed up.
Leif was already half undressed in his room, the doctor coming in to check on him while Valentina was shown to her own guest quarters, and for the first time that evening, she might have been able to enjoy some quiet-
Though for how long?
For down the hall, (though it was quite the long hall...) Leif was being seen to, his wounds being cleaned up, sewn shut, salved over before fresh and proper wrappings were tied to him tight. ANd after he was left a vial of some pain reliever; the doctor left and Leif was finally alone.
There was a fire going inside his hearth, his green eyes staring through it as he was lost in thought. As tired as he was, he found himself unable to sleep; and his mind and body itching to put on his mask....
No doubt that the guest quarters were beautiful, just as Valentina expected. But she really didn't feel like spending the whole evening ina dull room. She was relieved when she saw a new night gown awaiting for her on a large bed. After taking a long bath because she needed to scrub a lot of blood from her body, she felt much better.
"Boring." she told herself as she investigated the room. Makeup table, clothes, perfumes, hair decoration... It was everything a girls room should have. Yet somehow she didn't feel any satisfaction from it.
After long minutes of waiting around the room for something interesting to happen, Valentina decided to take matters into her own hands. Opening the doors of her quarters she looked left then right down a long hallway. It was empty. With her curiosity fired up, she quietly closed the door behind her.
The hallway was vacant except the candles lighting the way. And each room door was closed, though one on the other end of the hall had an orange glow flickering beneath it, and also a light casting out softly from the large key hole large enough to show case Leif's form sitting upon his bed. He had something in his hand- though it would be hard to distinguish just what...
but he was looking at his mask and contemplating dawning it again and taking off for the city...
OOC: Leif would be dumb enough to go out gallivanting herorically at night after being injured XD
Since there was no fuss about it, Valentina was sure that Leif was fine even with all his injuries. She supposed she shouldn't bother him so late, since he was probably resting or sleeping. Plus, he probably didn't want company at the moment. Like there was a time he wanted it. On her tiptoes Valentina was passing through a long hallway with a lot of twists and turns. Thankfully she was smart enough to try and rmember the way back to her room. Was she?
"Damn." she quietly cursed as she saw a door open on the other side of the hallway. The Duke was fastly pacing through, thankfully not really turning his attention to anything else but the papers in his hands. He was a busy man working so late at night.
At that moment, all Valentna wanted was to get herself to the gardens and do some magic. She needed it, her body craved it. It was just like an addiction, but worse. You actually never could stop doing it.
Leif heard just the subtle noise of someone 'tip toeing' outside of his room. Instantly, he shoved the mask into his bed sheets before rising to his feet. He peered out through the key hole and was surprised to see Valentina standing in the hall- but who was she looking at? Leaning against the door, he folded his hands across his chest.
"Are you coming to spy on me?" he asked through the door in a bored and unamused tone.
A heart attack almost struck her as she heard a voice. Leif's voice to be exact. She could tell him she was hiding from his father but she doubted he really cared about what she was doing.
"Of course not." at least not on purpose, she added in her head "This damn place has too many rooms." she said with a frown on her face.
Valentina's voice was still quiet since she was still looking around the hallways in search of any danger.
Leif rolled his eyes as the door slowly creaked open as he leaned against his frame.
"Then you're spying on my whole house hold then?" he said. "Our tax papers are kept int he study, under lock and key, as is our treasury room. Though if you're looking for my mother's jewels, she keeps her key locked behind another key hidden inside her private study." Then he looekd her over before he smirked.
"Unless you were looking to have some fun with the servants. Then their quarters are in the basement. You can follow the same path I took you through earlier."
OOC: Wow, he's so mean!
The fact that he told her all those things, although not true, made her face burn slightly red. The fact that embarassed her the most was that she actually looked suspicious while stumbling around hallways and hiding from everyone. But, in truth all she wanted was the way to the gardens...
"Sometmes I really regret saving your life." she told him honestly, obviously offended by his words. Did he really think so low of her, or did he just want her to suffer? She wasn't really sure, but she didn't want to give him the pleasure of either, because that was what her father did her whole life.
It was at her words he felt the sting of guilt inside him. He was so used to being so angry and cruel towards others, he forgot he was actually starting to care about this girl. The casual expression on his face faded, and before he had a chance to comment, he heard a noise- someone was approaching. Grabbing onto her wrist without an explanation, he suddenly pulled Valentina into his room and closed the door.
Unaware of what happened, her previous thoughts perished from her head. At the first moment she looked terrified, but didn't say a word. Speaking could be a dangerous thing to do in moments like these. With a slight frown on her face and a bit of confusion in her pitch black eyes she finally spoke, her voice barely audible.
"Thanks." it was just one word, but she was really grateful he warned her on time and covered her. There wasn't a chance she would manage to hide on her own.
Leif frowned as he looked at her.
"You shouldn't be thanking me," he muttered. "I owe you more than that."
"It doesn't matter." she slightly shook her head "And you don't have to worry, I won't bother you with my presence much longer. I'll be leaving in moments."
Valentina looked around the room and then crossed her arms.
Leif studied her for a moment in silence.
"If you're looking to get back to your quarters, I can take you there through the passes. That way, you can avoid running into my father."
"I don't want to go back to my quarters." she said "I want to go outside."
She looked at him, cocking her head slightly on the side.
"But, I kind of... Got lost." she bit her lip.
Leif simply stared at her once she corrected him, and a smile twitched across his lips for a moment before he turned away. A moment later, he was sliding open a secret door.
"We can get to the gardens this way.." he told her, glancing over at her from his shoulder to see if she would be coming along....
A large smile was now on her face. She nodded quickly as she followed him though the secret door. She wasn't expecting him to offer her help, but for some reason, she was very glad he did.
"How are you feeling?" she asked him, remembering their latest adventure.
"Fine," he stated, coldly, but he promptly bristled as a chill coursed over his skin.
"Sorry.. I'm just used to being short with people." he muttered through a half whisper as he lead her around the manor.
"Do you always like to seek refuge in gardens?" he inquired, peering just once to her over his shoulder as they moved deeper through the secret hall.
She was slightly put down by his tone, but she was glad that he was at least feeling better.
"That's okay." I'm used to that, she added in her head.
"Usually, yes. Being inside makes me feel like I'm suffocating." she told him honestly.
Leif went quiet a moment as he chewed over her words.
"I know the feeling."
Far.. far too well...
"Why were you awake this late?" she asked with a slight frown.
Valentina was sure that those injuries he got deserved a rest.
Leif remained quiet a moment before replying, "I always have trouble sleeping."
Truth was, he normally slept during the day to avoid his family..
and at night...
Well, he wasn't about to tell her what he did when the sun went down....
"Oh." she said, surprised.
Valentina usually had problems sleeping inside her room, so even when she was a child, she would go outside and fall asleep in some bush or on the ground. That didn't change much even now, when she was a grown woman.
Leif went quiet. It was a few more minutes before a door was found before them,a nd when Leif opened it, they were in a small, remote area of the gardens, hidden from view by a tall series of shrubs.
"These are our gardens. If you recall our walk from earlier,the roses are just around the corner.." and as he guided her forward, he rounded the bed- and just behind him stood the red roses, where their midnight dew caught the moonlight in just a way that made it appear as if the roses possessed sparkles of the twilight that twinkled in the skies above.
"You can spend as much time out here as you'd like," he began, hands clasped behind his back. "The gardeners won't show up until the sun rises, and everyone else in the manor ought to be asleep.."
With a wide smile, Valentina was unsure where to look first. Usually she spent her days and night in a familiar gardens of her father's manor. But this was something completely unknown to her. Valentina wasn't sure did she like the roses more in the lightof the day, or in the shimmering strands of pale moonlight. Either way, the roses took her breath away.
"Beautiful." she whispered "Thank you for helping me get here." Valentina turned towards him.
She wasn't going to say it, but she would probably need hours to get out of the gigantic house. Just like before, Valentina slowly touched the rose. Yes, tonight was the night for magic.
Leif nodded, and watched her staring in the gardens in awe. At least there'd be one happy aspect for her out of their wedding...
He shifted his weight as he stood there, simply watching her before stating, "Take all the time you need." Then he paused to inquire, "Do you know the way back?"
Her orientation was simply bad. She couldn't manage so well with maps, but without them she was totally lost. This was probably because she was as air headed as it gets. Valentina traced the road they came by in her head, trying to remember everything.
"I think yes." she bit her lip, not really remembering it all, but she was sure she could manage it somehow. Besides, she didn't really expect him to wait for her, she would probably spend hours there. Plus, she really needed to use her magic. Alone.
OOC: Lol, like me. I'm SO bad with directions XD
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Leif nodded. "Just don't forget," and he gestured towards the path as he backed up towards it. "Follow the red roses, then behind the high rising shrubs on the west wing. It'll take you to the spot we came out on the side of the building. The door gets stuck from time to time, but keep at it, it should give."
Then he hesitated, watching her a moment before bowing his head. "Good night, Valentina," and he turned to walk away, disappearing behind the path.
"Good night Leif." she nodded slightly with a small smile on her face.
As soon as he was gone, Valentina let the gentle red rose from her palm. First thing she did, she took a deep breath trying to feel the cooly night air enhanced by roses. It was relaxing, just what she needed in order to do magic. And while her illusions were strong, she was rather bad at her destruction magic. Especially at elemental magic.
Was it smart to play with fire and ice in a garden? Probably not, but it wasn't like she had the power to burn it down or freeze it. Plus, if she's careful, nobody will even notice.
Valentina wasn't the only one who wanted to practice things that were illegal, though as Leif made his way back toward shis room, he found himself standing, naked before the hearth, and looking down at his leather armor, mask in hand. He didn't know why he was second guessing himself, and after he turned towards the window, he threw on his navy blue robe and peered outside, down into the gardens below to see if he could spot Valentina Corrent...
A small flame was tickling her hand. It wouldn't hurt her since she manipulated her own body heat and binded it with illusion. So, basically it wasn't even a real flame just a warm fake copy of it. With a pout she looked into her palm, where her artificial flame bursted. It couldn't even burn anything, she thought with her pout deepening.
Closing her palm tightly, she killed the flame and concentrating with a frown she tried again. When it didn't work she cursed. It wasn't a word suitable for anyone, even less a lady, but it did feel good to say it out loud.
Leif wasn't able to see her in the gardens, and was about to drop the curtains away when he spotted a soft flame glowing within the shrubs. He stared at it for a while in silence, regarding what she was doing and dropping the curtain to give her privacy before slipping his robes away and dawning on his leather armor again and disappearing into the night.
It was a stupid idea, but Valentina didn't think much when it came to her mind. She started walking around the gardens her palms open and her face illuminated by the strings of light. Before she realized anything else she let out a small giggle, as a small piece of ice and snow appeared in her hand. And when she raised her head, she then became aware. She was lost in a huge garden. Damn.
That night, it proved fruitless for the masked mordecai, for all was calm. he watched the city from a roof top, lost in thought rather than the normal rage that broiled within, and he suddenly felt strange in his attire before he crept back into the shadow to retire for the night. As he passed by the gardens, he peered in curiously at the sudden drop in temperature and noticed Valentina was still within. Had she really been out there for as many hours as he had been out gallivanting withint he streets? Then again.. who was he to judge her?
Lying on the cold ground didn't really bother her. Being lost in a large, unexplored and confusing labyrinth of a garden was. Also, she decided that elemental magic wasn't really her thing. Probably best for her to do illusions as always. Once again she yawned, shifting on the stiff ground as she looked over the night sky.
There were a few small pieces of ice around her, but she has gotten used to the temperature. She kinda wondered was Leif sleeping, but soon shook off that thought put of her head. She shouldn't be thinking about him. Valentina contnued looking over the sky, trying to keep her head clear.
It was then a scream rang out into the night. Leif turned around, peering out into the darkness through his masked vision-
Shit..
that came from the road leading into the city..
and before he had a chance to think twice, he took off to the stable, whistling for his horse and leaving in a fury down the road.
Valentina raised her head from the grond with a frown. It was faint, but in the deathly silence of the night she was absolutely sure she hear someone. Jumping on her feet, she couldn't really know where was she but she decided the direction where the sounds came from. It was pointless, but she walked through the gardens, not really looking around but cleaning her night gown. Her heart began beating a bit faster since she was afraid that someone might have noticed her disappearance from the house.
A good mile down the road Leif was met with bandits. A family had been traveling into town at night, hoping to arrive come morning. A little girl was ill, and the family's ill timed moment could have cost them their lives. Thankfully, Leif had showed up, and the bandits were driven back into the forests, and just as the mother was turning around to thank the masked man for saving their lives; he had all but vanished from sight. She turned to her husband and held him close, then to their daughter they nestled her within their arms and moved back intot he carriage and entered the town, more cautious now than before, but all the while safer witht he masked mordecai watching them from the shadows....
So it was a while before the horse and rider returned, and Leif was quick to put his horse away before slipping against the gardens. He'd have to use the entrance he had shown Valentina if he didn't want to be caught..
and the gardeners would be arriving soon. Though as she began to slip through the bushes, he paused when he realized..
Valentina was still inside. Cursing beneath his breath, he slunk away, hoping she hadn't seem him as he watched her like a hawk. What the hell was she doing still awake!?
Her legs were crossed on the ground as she sat on the ground. Valentina has given up on finding a way out an hour or two ago, but she didn't mind spending the night outside, and it wouldn't be the first time. She was frowning over her drawing in the dirt. It was embolished with pebbles and fallen rose petals. The drawing was drawn with a stick and on the first sight it looked like a mess of nothing. But, it was supposed to be her. Well, at least now she knew that perhaps she should give up on drawing.
She bit her lip as she took her stick again and continued drawing n the dirt and yawning.
Was she.. was she drawing in the mud? Sighing impatiently, Leif shifted his weight from one boot to the other. His plan was to wait her out, but it seemed as if Valentina wasn't going anywhere fast. Hesitating, he picked up a pebble and cast it over the bushes, and it landed, skipping across the cobblestone path, just a few paces to her right.
He only needed a second to get from one section of bushes to another, and he doubted Valentina would chase after the fluttering tails of his cape, so when she'd turn to look- Leif bolted from the shrubs and dove behind another set and paused there for a moment, holdin ghis breath and hoping she hadn't noticed him- all the while he was tip toeing his way silently down the way.
On the sound of the pebble landng on her side her head bolted up. With a frown she slowly raised up, feeling pain in her legs and back. Definitely too much time spent on the ground, she thought irritably. No one was there, so she picked up the pebble and rolled it between her fingers. She decided it was nice so she put it next to the other that were framing her 'masterpiece'.
With a small smile she sat back down on the ground, with a yawn as she could see the night was ending.
Off in a non-too distant portion of the gardens, she might have heard the door creak open, and glancing back only once, Leif in his masked form, disappeared within. He fumbled around in the darkened passage, and once inside his room, he made quick work to be rid of his costume and threw on his robe. Tying it tightly to his waist, curiosity got the better of him as he moved over to his window to peer down at the gardens, to see if his betrothed was still remained.
Being lost and unaware of how close to the entrance she was, Valentina remained in the gardens. Something told her that tomorrow she'll probably wake up with a cold. Nothing new there. As she sat on one of the nice wooden benches nearby (although she preferred the ground) Valentina yawned once again.
Something told her that after this, she'll be more careful when wandering off somewhere and at least try and remember where she came from. She could be so ridiculous sometimes. She rubbed her eyes, a bit like a small child and relaxed on the bench. She will need to get an excuse for this tomorrow.
Leif furrowed his brow. He had no idea what to make of the girl, for to him, it seemed ridiculous, and after throwing on his discarded clothing from the night before, he slipped out into the gardens and approached her.
"If I would have known you liked the gardens this much, I would have told my parents to build you a personal room right out here." ANd his voice would have come from behind her, for he made no formal proclamation he had approached.
Relief, but also some discomfort washed over her as she heard a familiar voice.
"I thought you were asleep." she said not surprised, because nothing really surprised her when it comes to him "Well, I guess I'll just have to live without it." Valentina answered his question, not turning her head to face him. She was still tired but his presence made her clear her head a bit.
Leif approached her side, hands in his pockets as he tilted his head curiously down at her drawing. He glanced at her side-long and inquired, "Have you been out here all night?"
She slowly raised her head and looked up to him.
"Yes." her answer seemed like a guilty child when confessing it's mischief. But it wasn't because she didn't do anything wrong. That was how she assured herself.
Leif breathed a sigh through his nose as he smirked.
"Come on, let's get you back outside." He said, turning away from her but paused in mid stride before offering a hand down to her, and an arm for her to take, all the while his eyes were hidden from her behind a mess of overly greasy black hair...
Thankfully he was wise enough to fluff it out from it's former slicked back state when he had dawned his mask, though it might have seemed extra glossy in the way it was capturing the first pink lights of the rising son.
"It's getting late." And once she took his arm, he kept her close, realizing she was cold, as he guided her back into the secret pass, and in silence, eventually slipped off his coat for her to wear.
She didn't hesitate at all when he offered his hand to her. And she was thankful for his help, both when they were going outside and inside. Valentina was definitely not feeling caged when they entered the tunnels. She was quite thankful for the warmth, and the jacket he borrowed her. He seemed to be doing that a lot. Well, she did save his life two times, he was obligated to. Valentina assured herself that that was the reason., although somewhere in her head she did hope thay wasn't the only reason.
"Why aren't you asleep?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Leif remained quiet a moment before reminding her, "I couldn't sleep." And he continued down the hall, quiet once again. Soon, they'd be arriving to their quarters upstairs, but for now, they were stuck together for at least a few more minutes as they moved through the dimly lit halls.
"Oh. Right." she said, as he sounded less than talkative tonight. No point in poking him if he doesn't want to speak to you, she told herself and then added, stop acting like an idiot. She hated that part of herself that told her to ask him something more, initiate a conversation.Valentina bit her lip so that she wouldn't say anything stupid. Again.
Leif's pace only slowed as they neared her room, where there, he drew ina careful breath and hestiated before turning to her, "Your room is on the other side of this door.." and slowly, he pushed it open,a nd the pair were greeted by a cold draft. Leif fought back a shiver as he glanced into her cold room.
"There's no fire.." he commented. Had she not asked the servants to light her hearth? Either way.. even if she had, he reminded himself, she had been out all night, and without a second word, he stepped inside and began to feed the fireplace with wood.
"You don't have to..." she trailed off as she entered her freezingly cold room. Ten hours ago the warmth of the fire was choking her but now she was practically begging for it. After all, she deserved something warm and cozy after the whole night she spent outside.
She cocked her head on the side, studying how he made the fire. It looked much easer than foree magic, she thought grimly as she remembered her previous failiures in the gardens.
Leif was still bent over, lightly blowing into the kindling until the first sparks of flames caught and were brought to life. He blew on it gently a few more times, and soon, she had a nice warm fire glowing inside the hearth. Drawing the grate before it, Leif turned around to where Valentina was standing,a nd for an awkward moment, cast his eyes towards his shoes.
"The room should heat up momentarily," he told her, in an almost muttering tone, though if anything,s he might have caught on how tired and defeated he sounded, even as he tried to keep up his grumpy 'facade'. But in all honesty, he truly was too tired for it as he took Valentina's hand and lightly kissed it.
"Good night, Valentina," and he turned away towards her door, only to pause and readjust his route so that he was heading towards the secret door, instead.
It was best not to have the others spot him sneaking outof Valentina's room- even if he didn't really care what they thought.
All he knew was..
Valentina, did.
"Good night Leif and thanks." she said with a smile "Again." Valentina added with a shrug.
She was a worried about how he was doing. It was obvious he was not feeling best. Anyway, who would if he had a close encounter woth death two days in a row. It was stressful avoiding death. Plus, Valentina was somehow feeling bad for the second tme he was in danger, because partly it was her fault and she did feel guilty for it.
Also, she was a bit sad seeing him leave and felt like she would like to spend more time with him. Cocking her head with an awkward expression on her face she wasn't really sure what that meant. Was she really that desperate to have someone to talk to that he was an option? Was she really that lonely? Valentina knew the answer.
Leif only stole but one glance back towards the girl as she stared awkwardly his way, then closed the door between them- but stood there for a few minutes on the other side. He wasn't entirely sure why he lingered, but after a moment of just listening to be sure she was safe, he made his way back towards his room and was quick to undress.
He sat on the edge of his bed now, frowning at the blood freshly staining his wraps. All of his gallivanting this evening must have ripped the wounds open. He made a face and rolled his arms. He'd have to see the doctor again, or rewrap them himself. Becoming the masked man forced him to learn many ways to hide away his injuries, and also to take care of them.
While he was undressed, he paused a moment to observe the other scars on his body..
some from his father, some from becoming the Masked Mordecai, and all the while he looked at them, he kept thinking about the girl in his gardens...
and how ironic it was he was doing this.. partially, for her.
Two beings carved of the same stone...
sharing a similar fate, but with powers to mute one another...
and both with similar stand points...
and both living in their own, other world.
He mulled over their fate for a time before leaning forward, and blew the candle at his bed side out.
Valentina didn't understand why she had so much trouble closing her eyes. Perhaps it was because of the fact that it was almost morning, or perhaps because it was the thoughts in her head. She could bet it was the second one. But, it wasn't just thoughts that bothered her, thoughts about him made her shift n her bed.
He was a livng, breathing contradiction. He was rude, a jerk, showed little affection towards anything or anyone. And yet, n the other side it was obvious he wasn't. They've had similar lives but she was surprised at how much different their masks were. While Leif behaved in that cold manner, she was wild, affectionate, childish. But, fundamentaly they both hated rules... And their fathers.
This made Valentina wonder was Leif ever feeling alone, just like her. That was the thought she fell asleep with.
The next morning, Leif was late for breakfast. He tried to protest, but quiet threats from his father pulled him from his bed. He had bags underneath his eyes,a nd wore the same clothing as last night, uncaring that they were crumpled, and that, well, his jacket had been left in Valentina's room.
So while his mother pleasantly offered tea and tarts to all of them, Leif was brooding and took the tea as it was, letting the bag sit inside hte water until it was as strong as it could get before he sipped on it, completely avoiding all conversation, and all eye contact, especially with his betrothed.
Two hours of sleep were quite enough to live with. She was awaken much earlier than most of them by her maids, since she needed to be dolled up for the breakfast. After a long bath, a make up session, and a half an hour well wasted on gettng into a corset Leif's mother sent her. Valentina could swear that she gave her a corset at least two numbers smaller. It made her look attractive, yes but it also disabled her for eatng, breathing and talking.
Valentina sat at the table, nodding and smiling like sunshine towards his parents. They were casually chatting about weather and other similar and unimportant subjects. In all she ate one salad leaf and four pieces of pea. That was how much her clothes allowed.
Leif, eventually becoming bored, found himself staring over at Valentina in her dress. She looked.. lovely, attractive, though those were hardly the only things she had going for her. He recalled what happened last night, and back to when she had saved his life, and it was while he was staring his mother gave a knowing grin and gestured towards Valentina.
"It seems we've made a good match. I've never seen Leif so smitten over a girl."
And it was at his mother's 'too loud' of whispering that drew Leif back to the present, as he sighed irritably and turned his gaze away fromt he two women. Crossing one leg over the other, he sipped again at his tea.
"He might be a bit stand offish, but don't take it personally. He's only doing it to play hard to get," Duchess Arrante assured her, and Leif couldn't help but smile at his own mother's stupidity, not realizing.. perhaps she was partially right.
Valentina just smiled politely to his mother. In her head she was pleased by her words, but wasn't sure she believed them. Still, they made her feel nicer, though she wasn't ready to forgive his mother for putting her in the torture device. Leaving her knife and fork on the sides of her plate, she finished her breakfast, before she even really ate anythning and continued sipping her tea.
Besides, she wasn't sure if she could ever make Leif feel anything similar to liking her. She frowned deeply on that thought. Why did she even care? Well, she just did, and it made her confused as hell. Shaking the strange new feeling out of her head, she tried to get back into the conversation at the table.
Too bad for Valentina, the conversation now revolved around Leif's mother playing match maker.
"Perhaps the two of you ought to go into town? Hrm? Leif could purchase you a lovely new dress." And his mother was fanning off her face daintily with a lace, silken fan as she looked over at her son. "Don't you think that's a good idea? Especially after what happened last night..."
Leif sighed and didn't respond at first, his mother's fan still moving before he answered, without looking at them, "It sounds like a marvelous idea."
And as Leif rose from his chair, his mother's expression turned absolutely gay.
"Oh, you'll have to take her to DelMont's!" And then to Valentina, she pressed, a hand resting on the younger lady's shoulder, "It's the best place in town. The tailor there makes an excellent dress."
Leif had his back to the pair of women as he rolled his eyes before peering over atthem.
"I'll go bath and shave,t hen we can be off." Though his eyes only met to Valentina's, a bit more warmly than as per usual, before he turned away, stalking off down teh hall.
His mother was absolutely giddy.
"See, what did I tell you? I think he is in love with you!" she cooed, her own cheeks pink at the idea. "Oh, my son has become so handsome. ANd you, why, you pretty little thing, I'm sure you'll make quite the darling pair. And .." she said, leaning in to whisper into Valentina's ears. "Darling children..."
She smiled warmly towards his mother, trying to process everythng she has said. The only thing that came to mind was the word impossible. And, she wasn't sure how could she comment on the children Leif's mother mentioned. She bit her lip slightly, as she couldn't imagine her disappointement when they see no grandchildren. It shouldn't matter, though, she continued to tell herself.
She smiled with a rosy blush over her cheeks, imagining their kids. Damn it, she cursed but kept her smile plastered over her face as a facade for the inner war she was having with herself. Must be because of his mother's enthusiasm, not because she wanted his kids. Her happines had a strange effect on Valentina.
Suddenly, she begged that Leif would return quickly and save her from his mother's enthusiasm and optimism over their marriage.
Unfortunately for Valentina, Duchess Arrant was giving her the grand tour of the place, pointing out each picture of their family line and it's strong connection and lineage back to a former Grand Duke!
But Leif was taking his sweet old time in the bath,a nd at one point, almost fell asleep-
If it were not for the image of his poor, suffering fiance in his mother's clutches, he would have stayed int he bath all day, or even the rest of his life if he could, but instead, he sighed exhaustably at his life and rose out from the tub, shaved and slipped into a fresh pair of clothes.
Once he was down stairs, Valentina would be greeted by quite the charming sight, for as ignorant as Leif made himself appear, he was a rather handsome young man, even with his unruly curls of his hair. Though, most women whispered, that made him all the more desirable...
considering Leif did have a 'reputation'; or so it was said...
Now, standing at the end of the hall, he cleared his throat as Valentina would have been torn away from a conversation about Leif's Great-great-great- Grand father.
"Yes, and he was a war veteran- he had done many a great deeds! Though unfortunately, he was the last of our line with any mordecai blood." ANd she gave a crestfallen look about that. But at the sight of her son, her expression was set ablaze and she placed a hand to her chest.
"You look as handsome as ever. I'll go tell Cedric to ready the carriage.." And with that, the duchess dawdled off to give the two 'love birds' some space.
Sighing, Leif approached Valentina and offered his arm, and as he brought her closer to his side, she'd be able to smell the fresh fragrance on his skin from his bath- and also, the fresh perfumes he now wore, and even the oil that was fresh and slicked his boots so they shined.
"I hope you like dresses," he spoke to her. "I aim to empty their account there by buying you at least a dozen while we're out."
She was tired and she wanted to say a lot of things to the Duchess Arrant. But her new found patience made her keep her mouth shut and listen everythng she said. It was lik a damn history lesson, and while Valentina usually enjoyed those she found that family history wasn't her new favorite subject. They went as far as some three hundred years back, perhaps even more, but Valentina was too busy not yawning and breathng in her corset to try and follow through.
Eight was the number of extra questions Valentina ashed, because after all she wanted to seem interested in the subject. Twelve was the number of times she begged all the gods that existed that Leif finishes soon. He surely took his time. It wasn't like the dress shopping they were going to was going to be much interesting but at least then she could keep her mind off of everything else and concentrate on dressing up.
When Leif reached themshe was rather surprised by the change. When he brought her closer to his side she felt a strange shift in her stomach, it wasn't uncomfortable either. She was also more relaxed with him by her side, content that he actually did come although she was left with his mother and his family history for what it seemed like an eternity.
She slightly smirked at his words, as if she was telling him they asked for it. Besides she doubted that even a dozen of dresses could do much damage to their account. After all, they were quite rich,but that didn't stop Valentina feeling just a bit bad because she was getting gifts. Because she was quite rich too, and yet she rarely bought dresses. She wasn't someone who followed Connlaothian fashion.
Once the pair were in the carriage, Leif lounged out on his own side and relaxed for a second and reached for his cigar case, but recalling he had a guest inside, he hesitated nad put the cigar case away.
"Valentina.." he said, sitting up suddenly as he leaned forward in his bench. "What's your favorite flower?"
Valentina decided she rather liked the way he said her name. It was better than lady Corrent, much better. Still she was surprised by his question, but not for long, because flowers were something she could talk about anytime.
"White lilies." she told him with no hesitation in her voice.
Leaning back in his chair, he called through the window to their valet, "Take us to Vincent's Floral," he said. "We're to order all the white lillies for my betrothed." And once the valet took the corner, Leif actually smiled. It was a bit mischievious, but it was a smile none the less as he looked over at Valentina. "What other things do you like?" he inquired mildly. "Perhaps a lovely necklace, bracelet or ring, to signify our engagement? We can't have a proper engagement without a ring." he said,and looked her over. "How about one with rubies, or do you prefer Emeralds, or pearls? We have a lovely little jeweler's named Armand of Essyrn. So we get all of the rarest and most refined jewels delivered from the heart of the desert." And his lips tugged a bit leftward, cutting dimples into his cheeks. "We're going to spoil you today." He told her his plan at long last, the excitement building within him. "And just live today in decadence." And his parents coin...
"Are you sure about this?" she shook her head slightly. Valentina knew it was the part of his plan but she felt bad because he intended to give her all those gifts only to spend his parents money. On top of that, yet she would feel bad if she had to refuse something he gave her.She had little need or interest in those things, but should she allow him to buy them for her so that he spends his parents money? Valentna still wasn't sure, and her morality again stood on the way of her plans.
"Of course..." he said, still lounging. "Do you even realize how much money my parents make? It would be pennies to them." He said, smirking and staring out the window, before slowly his eyes crept over towards her, and only then did he look at her with uncertainty. "Why...? You can't be feeling badly for them. They're morons. Besides.." he added with a sniff, looking away. "They'd probably relish in it.." and at that, he frowned glumly and turned somber as he looked away from her and out the window while chewing on his thumb nail.
Her gaze was on the ground but than it slowly raised towards him. Valentina bit her lip and returned her gaze to the ground.
"Okay, then." she said "Where are we going first?" Valentina asked with some more enthisiasm. She thought about it this way: it can be an interesting adventure where I might get some new stuff and meet Leif better. She frowned a bit, tryin to decide why she added the last part of the sentence.
"To the florist," he stated simply, and his smile grew as he watched her squirm over her thoughts.
"That way, you can pick and choose whatever flowers you like." And soon the carriage came to a halt as Leif looked out the window.
"We're here."
Vincent's Floral was a quaint shop, with gardens growing all over the outside of the white, stone building, and an iron gate out front with morning glories curling and vining along the front.
"They have quite the assortment of flowers here," he informed her as he stepped out of the carriage then turned around, offering her his hand. He was at least in better spirits now that she seemed to be coming around. He wanted to do this,a nd go all the way, as over the top as possible to spoil her.
Anything to get under his father's skin.
Or so he told himself that was the plan....
Valentina was indeed charmed by the beatiful store full of flowery arrangements. And this mostly improved her mood and made her stop sweating over the decisions she made on the way. With a polite smile, full of real happiness she looked around the store full of excitement. There was a whole collection of many flowers that were familiar to her and a whole bunch of exotic ones that she has never before seen in her life. All of that in dozens of different colors. What occupied her attention mostly were the blue roses and the purple ones, as she has never seen them in anyone's gardens. Yet, they looked spectacular.
The next thing she noticed were the heaps and heaps of white and purple lilies all around. They smelled heavenly and made her feel more relaxed.
At the way her eyes went large, like a child's in a candy store, Leif smirked and stood off to one side, hands in his pockets as he gestured for Valentina... "Go ahead, take a look around." And while she was gaping at the roses, Leif exchanged a few words with the store owner before he moved to Valentina's side.
"Well, it's time to move on.." and he offered out his arm and once she took it, he added, keeping his eyes averted of hers.. "By the way, I just bought you the whole store. They'll deliver it to your parents manor tomorrow morning. ANd if there's no room, I told them to just simply cover your floor with them, and the tables, chairs and walls."
At his words,Valentina's eyes went wide. She knew he was going to be spending a heap of money, but she wasn't aware up until now how many things can be bought for that amount of treasure. All for her. Well, tehnically it was to his parents, since they were his target, but she liked to think that it was for her.
"Thank you." she said "But didn't you say we were just going for the white lilies?" Valentina asked, trying not to sound ungrateful to him.
Leif smirked.
"Of course," he told her, then leaned forward to whisper into her ear, "But I saw that look in your eye, and since money is of no consequence.." And how he spoke, his words were warm as butter on her ears, and up this close, he could smell her sweet smells and almost feel the softness of her skin as he paused in mid-sentence, hesitating as something stirred within.
His lips twitched into a smirk.
"I never get a chance to spoil a lady.." he said, awkwardly finishing his thought before guiding her outside, but not before plucking a single white lily, then handing it back to her with another playful little smirk. Then he tugged her along and helped guide her back inside the carriage.
"Cedric, to the tailor's next," Leif said, fussing over the buttons on the cuffs of his sleeves. "We'll get you fitted into some dresses, then, as you desire, we'll look into getting you some jewels."
And for a moment, his eyes indulged her, every inch before he realized who he was looking at and hastily looked away, his cheeks turning slightly pink.
With a careful smile on her lips, she found herself enthralled by the petite white flower he has given her. That one somehow seemed more important than the whole heap she was soon going to get. It held some special value for her. She loved the smell of her lily, but now it couldn't even come close to Leif and his scent as he was so near to her.
As Valentina entered the carriage she heard about their next place to visit. She absolutely disliked going to the tailor. It lasted too long and she always felt exhausted after trying a few dresses. Besides she wasn't really that good with choosing the right thing. Usually one of her cousins or maids went with her and helped her make a choice.
"Okay." she had a small pout on her face, although it was childish, she just couldn't get it off. "But I think you'll find it almost as boring as I do." Valentina honestly told him, bringing her gaze up from the flower to his face.
Leif raised a brow at her.
"You mean to tell me you dislike the tailors?" He asked, sounding quite amused, and also quite surprised.
She could see that he was amused by her reaction.
"I just.. Dislike spending a lot of time there." Valentina bit her lip slightly, thinking "And it takes a lot of time to try on dresses."
Leif shrugged.
"Such are the casualties of.war..." And he left it at that and soon they were surrounded by suits and dresses, getting wrapped in measuring tape and being stuffed into boned this and laced that. Though Leif was all for his plan, even the patient shadow that he was was growing antsy, so he began to.get.measured himself and was being fitted into a lush, wine suit with ivory details across the black cropped collar and cuffs.
And just as his extravagant suit was being taken in, he peered back towards the dressing room drapes and inquired, "So, how is the young Lady Corrent fairing?" And his tone for the question came out boredly as he awaited a response from Valentina or the tailor.
"Wonderful." she said with a flat voice.
Her heavy, rich indigo skirt with golden embroiderment and details looked quite good on her, and she even liked the way it fitted her. On the other hand, she needed over ten minutes to get into the rich lace corset, full of metal strings that made breathing quite hard. It had a bunch of rich details that looked extravagant and very, very expensive. You don't need breathing if you look pretty, she chanted in her head. While it was rather painful to wear it,her nicely developed front looked quite astonishing in it.
Since she was dressed, she took a few seconds to look at herself in the mirror while the tailor was still taking some last measurments.
Leif stood off to the side, staring almost through Valentina as they fussed over her, but gradually, his eyes began to focus as they brooded upon her. After a time of fussing, Leif spoke up.
"Do you have anything in fashion without a corset?"
Valentina raised her eyebrows at her image in the mirror as she heard the question.
"But, sir, corsets are a must for this season." the tailor said, confused "Besides, they do look quite astonishing. Now, I do have a few of last season's models that don't have a corset..." she offered.
Valentina didn't care much if the dress had a corset or not, all she knew was that she wanted to get out of the dress she was in.
Leif wrinkled his nose.
"Well, what about us getting her fitted into some fashionable attire for when the weather turns? I heard we're in for a cold winter." With a semi-nervous nod, the seamstress obeyed, and while they were rushing to look through their long sleeved dresses and coats, Leif leaned into the wall nearest Valentina's changing room and sighed.
"I'm fine with this dress." she told him, moving her gaze from the mirror to his face "Besides, I can always wear a coat over it if it gets cold." Valentina offered.
Two dresses with rich corsets and skirts were already packed up for her, so she didn't really need any more. But, since they had a plan to acomplish, Valentina was ready to make some sacrifices. Like, getting expensive dresses with embellished corsets. Yes, life can be hard.
Giving her a half realized smirk, the day dragged on so that Valentina was getting a few long, dress coats for the winter, and ones as extensively ornate as possible, with jewels and shimmering embroidered lace. But by the time they were done, Leif was irritable and told the seamstress to bill his house for the goods, and turning to Valentina he informed, "Let's get something to eat. I'm about ready to pull my hair out." And without a moment to spare, he stepped outside for some fresh air as his fiance would finish up, and lit up a cigarette.
By the time Leif finally announced they were done here, Valentina was exhausted and ready to run away from the store in her underwear. Yet, she kept her composure and continued trying on dresses. Her high bun was now a mess on her head, so she decided to let her hair down. As Leif stepped outside, Valentina spent few more moments as she politely thanked the tailor and once again repeated the instruction. Her smile dropped as she stepped outside, she sighed deeply.
"Where are we headed to next?" she asked Leif. Somehow she knew this wasn't everything he planned.
The end of his cigarette.glowed orange at her approach before he sighed smoke out through his nose.
"Sorry about that. It took much longer than anticipated to be in that wretched place and it was my fault." He didn't bother to look at her as he spoke, his brows furrowed and eyed fixated and brooding upon the ground, but after.flicking ash collecting from the end of his.cigarette, he finallyooked towards her.
"What do you say about a picnic in the park?" He took another drag and exhaled before admitting through a sigh of smoke, "I'm irritable and starved."
"Of course." she smiled slightly, before taking a few steps torwards the carriage "The park on the west side is wonderful in this time of the year." Valentina told him.
Valentina doubted he ever had to spend that much time at the tailor's, so he probably never had the opportunity to adjust to it. The perks of being a girl. Unfortunately, not even Valentina was comfortable after spending that much money. Someone could've bought a small house, and she got clothes.
Leif nodded, and after discarding his.cigarette, helped Lady Valentina into the carriage.
"Then to The West Park we shall go,"he said, taking a seat beside her within the.carriage.
It didn't take long to get there, and when they did they walked some distance, arm in arm, until pausing by an alcove of trees. Once a place was secured, the valet began serving them cold.cut sandwiches, and tea. Absolutely.famished, Leif devoured his own meal in silence, his eyes remaining fixated on something far off in The distance as he was lost in thought.
Valentina spent most of the time in the carriage and through their walk contemplating and not speaking much. It was a lot harder being apart of his plan, and although she already agreed to his ideas, after some more brooding she just had a hard time dealing with the consequences.
Not wishing to look worried in front of anyone, she ate her food and started speaking after a long silence.
"So, did we reach our goal for today?" she asked him.
Leif had taken a sip of tea when she pressed her question, and sighed after he swallowed and set the china down ontop of it's resting plate.
"Hardly, there's still the icing on the cake.." and his eyes lingered towards a bare spot on her chest. "Did you forget the jewels? I fully aim to take as much advantage of this moment out to spoil you rotten, and dig into the coin purses very harshly of my parents. Might as well waste their own money on the decadence they themselves fawn over."
Valentina took a sip of her tea. Jewels were nice, but quite useless. She usually ended up tearing up the chains or losing the pendants. Also, her father rarely gave her any luxurious jewelry, for that reason.
A lot of things were now running through her head. She took another sip of tea, not saying anything. Valentina said yes to his plan, and she was going to go through with it. But, she couldn't help but ask herself what his parents will think about this. What they will think about her? As much as she disliked them, she didn't want to think of her as a spoilt high maintenance woman. She didn't want him to thinkthat either.
He didn't notice her silence at first, but after a few more sips of tea, he furrowed his brow and set the tea down to look at her.
"Have you got nothing to say of this affair?"
As much as he was 'enjoying' this plague on his parents, he had, in some small way, hoped she'd be pleased by it, too. Though he couldn't say why...
Valentina raised her head and with a small frown cocked it on the side.
"I agreed to it, no point in discussing it much further." she told him, her voice a bit hurried as she tried to avoid answering his question. Because she, in fact, wasn't sure what should she say. Their feelings towards their parents were similar, and yet they had such different ways in dealing with them. Valentina just didn't want to be a disappointment again.
Leif Arrant was no fool, and despite not daring to commit himself to any sort of relationship, he could smell a soured disposition from a mile away. Perhaps he was too familiar with that feeling himself as he looked her over and carefully replied, "And you do not approve."
Her eyes widened just a fraction, before turning back to normal.
"I.." she stopped for a second, gathering her thoughts "It just seems like I'm using you.. ANd I don't want anyone to think that."
Valentina was sure that was the core of her problem, so she just sighed and dropped her gaze down.
The reply actually made him laugh.
"Use me?" Leif's smile continued to grow upon his face as his cigarette smoke wafted between them. He took in a drag through a smile before blowing the smoke aside and sitting up more properly.
"If anything, Valentina, do you not realize I'm taking advantage of you?" And he laughed again as he reclined. "Is that honestly what has been bothering you? Is that why you've been so quiet? Afraid to make your inlaws upset?" He chuckled again and shook his head, his expression growing much more serious. "Believe me, my family are the last ones you should be concerned about." And his eyes met to hers, reading into them. "If anything, you should be worried for yourself, Valetina." And he tilted his head away, and drew in more smoke between his lips before he exhaled. "Believe me when I tell you this, People like my parents would love to tear someone like you apart."
Valentina was so surprised by his answer that she actually gaped a little before cloing her mouth and frowning a bit. Yes, he as right, and she was concerned for something that shouldn't concern her. But, that was the person she was like. Many things worried her, and as much as she liked to think that other people and their oppinions didn't matter, she knew that wasn't the truth.
"Yes, people seem to like trying to tear me apart." with a small smile she took a sip of her tea. Perhaps she was too sensitive looking, perhaps she should get tougher and then her father and people around her would stop trying to hurt her.
Valentina didn't voice it, but for some reason she thought that people often tried to tear him apart too.
Leif grew quiet at her statement. He no longer had any taste for tea as he looked away, lost in thought.
"Come, let's return to the manor," he said as he rose to his feet and afforded her his hand.
Valentina rose from the ground, with his help and frown.
"But, what about the jewels.. And the plan?" she asked him, her eyes wide in surprise.
Sighing, he avoided her gaze as he hooked her, arm for arm.
"It's not worth it if you too, are miserable. We'll head back and just relax at the estate for the rest of the evening."
Or as much as they could....
Valentina bit her lip a bit, as they walked.
"You are feeling miserable?" she asked him, finally. Valentina didn't want people around her to feel miserable. She didn't want him to feel miserable.
Leif said nothing as he wrinkled his nose.
"Every damn day of my life I'm miserable. But I'm sure you'll feel better once we're back in the manor and you can be off your feet. These heels are killing me, and I'd presume the same fairs for you."
Heels.. always such a hellish fashion source. And why the nobles wore them, who knew. But to gain a few inches by them was not truly worth the sores on one's feet.
"Of course." she lowered her head as they entered the carriage. Valentina couldn't really understand him, but she wanted to very much. But, what she didn't want was to push him and make him feel miserable. It was enough that his parents made him feel that way.
Once they were inside the carriage, Leif sighed and relaxed back into his bench. He had his eyes closed for a moment before opening them and glancing over at Valentina.
"If I might inquire, how do you remain so composed around such people as our parents? And I hope it's not so bold for me to presume our parents are from the same mold. If so, forgive me. I do not mean to offend. It just... seems odd. Unlike the way your parents act, you are not befitting of their heir. It seems you were able to break away from whatever it was that makes your parents assholes."
And after a moment, he smirked and looked away, staring out the window and watching the world go by before looking back to her.
"And so you know, that's a compliment."
Valentina smiled at his question and his compliment as she glanced towards him.
"Well, since my mother passed away when I was ten, we were never close and she was never interested in me nor my brother. Dresses and jewels, money and society were what was important to her." she told him "My father is... Well, you've met him, I'm nothing but a pion to him. And, I don't keep my composure around him most of the time. I am usually wild and unpredictable, I argue and say things I shouldn't to him." Valentina was now pensive and quiet for a few seconds.
"I was too stubborn to become like him. I see him, hear his words and then I promise myself to never become like that, no matter the reason." she finally added firmly.
"It's a never ending battle." and I am getting tired. she added to herself, a sad smile on her lips.
Shifting about from where he sat, Leif studied Valentina with interest.
"We're not all that different." he said, but then said nothing more as he chewed on his thumb's fingernail and glanced out the window in thought.
"No, we're not." agreed with a nod.
Her prying and compassionate nature now made her want to ask him questions, but she was afraid he would just close her off. So, as she kept quiet, she looked over the window, as a slow rain started to pour.
The start of the rain was enough to finally draw him out of his distant stare. He looked and studied the rain for a brief few moments before glancing back towards Valentina. They were very near to his family estate, and something inside him began to intensify, and as the iron gate squealed open and welcomed them inside, he began to shift his weight upon the bench. Though the itch was still there, Leif fought off the urge, until the carriage came to a halt just before the door to his house.
Moving past Valentina, he gave pause in the carriage door, before glancing back towards her and kissing her cheek suddenly.
"Don't ever change, Valentina," he told her as his eyes met to hers, then he stepped outside the carriage and offered her his hand so he could escort her back inside.
Valentina was a bit stunned by his gesture. A strange new feeling enveloped her. She nodded gently and gave a smile as she stepped outside the carriage into the rain. Valentina didn't mind it, it was soothing and it relaxed her a bit. And she needed it, since she was back at the manor. She took in a shaky breath. She should be prepared for everything.
Naturally, she wouldn't be in the rain for too long as a parasol was produced and held over them. Keeping her close so they both could share it, Leif lead his fiance back into his manor. He was surprised to find his father was out, but his mother was excited to greet them, and took Valentina by the arm and began inquiring about their day. Surprising even to him, Leif held off his tongue and was civil when informing his mother about the dress shopping and flowers; and instead of being furious about the amount he had purchased, his mother seemed moved as she pressed a hand to her chest.
She looked over at Valentina, "Oh, how romantic. To think, my son would go out of his way to see you happy. And to buy you so many flowers! Such a story it will make." ANd she affectionately took Valentina's hand and squeezed it, and tried to do the same to Leif's, but as she did so, he blushed and looked away. What turned out to be a spiteful action toward his parents.. suddenly turned into a golden moment that impressed them.
Well, at least his mother. She was always one to support those of frivolous spending habits, and it put a sparkle to her eye.
Right from the door, Valentina was ambushed by Leif's mother. As soon as she entered the manor, she began asking questions. Although all Valentina wanted was to escape to her room since it was raining and she couldn't go to the gardens, she couldn't escape her grip. Keeping a smile on her face, she kept quiet. Perhaps if she's quiet his mother will just forget about her. That wasn't going to help, but Valentina was still intimidated by her.
"It was quite wonderful." she finally told her.
Valentina was sure this wasn't the reaction Leif was looking for, but she thought that his father will have a different opinion on the matter.
Duchess Arrant's.enthusiasm was insatiable. For hours she talked about the wedding and the two youth's future, and when the flowers began to arrive and were filling up Valentina's guest room, she actually started to cry.
Taking a grip to Valnetina's shoulder, she looked her square in the eyes with tears of joy.
"Oh how much happiness this must bring you! To think, there are so many flowers here you have w garden inside of your own!" And her fingers traipsed through the delicate arrangements in awe before she turned.to Valentina with an adoring smile.
"And to think, the.common circles of.gossip think my son has a heart of stone. How surprised they will be to find out he is.blossoming through love with a romantic heart!" And just as the duchess was cooing on about the flowers, the duke had returned home to stare at them, his glare like ice.
The Duchess was far too infatuated with this. Her happiness was obvious, and her tears seemed real enough for Valentina. But now, she couldn't stop thinking about how it was all a deception. A feeling of guilt enveloped her. It was all a lie, an act for his parents. As long as they think it's real it will be okay, she encouraged herself.
Giving the Duchess a smile that was as honest as she could make it look, she felt the guilt. She bowed her head a bit as she continued listening to her happy speech. As her eyes rose from the ground she looked around the room, only to see the freezing eyes of the duke.
Catching her look, the duchess turned and smiled to see.her husband, and immediately latched onto his arm. And despite how she gushed over the circumstance, Duke Arrant knew his son far to well.
"What a waste of money when your betrothed is to return to her own home tomorrow," the duke said coldly.
"Oh but.my.husband, do you not see what a good excuse.this would make to keep our future daughter in law here longer so that she may enjoy these gifted flowers and remain here so our son can continue to woo her?"
All Leif could think about was that his mother was a ninny. Though he knew his mother was an ignorant romantic, seeking it out it gossip and books where it.failed to develop in her own life, he also had to wonder little towards her mental stability. Either way, the iced looked his father was giving was enough evidence for Leif to raise his chin.
"It seems mother has sniffed out my true.intentions," and he took his mother's hand and kissed it softly. "It would please me greatly if she were to.stay long enough to enjoy the life span of these flowers. Perhaps we ought to call on her parents for dinner to.discuss her extended stay?"
And all the while his mother was gushing over how thrilled she was for the idea, the duke's gaze on his son became colder and.colder.
All Valentina could do was stand there and watch this family full of actors. Nobody really asked her to voice her opinion on the matter so she just kept her mouth closed. Partly because she was scared of the duke, and partly because she maybe wanted to stay a bit longer. To tend her flowers, of course.
Although Valentina hated the fact Leif mentioned another dinner with his parents and her father, an extended stay sounded good enough for her. Of course, Valentina kept on her mind that this is just another plan for his parents to become miserable. She kept repeating it in her head.
As Valentina saw the tension growing between the duke and his son, she decided to step in and try to stop a coming disaster, all that while the duchess was still too busy talking about how romantic and wonderful it all sounds.
"I'm sure my father would be honored to come for dinner." she smiled widely towards the duke, her behaviour warm and charming. "Also, I think he'll agree to allow me to stay for a few more days, Duke Arrant." she dropped another beautiful smile in the end.
Her plan worked well.enough, if not.temporarily to distract the duke's mean gaze from his son. He looked Valentina over with mild.scrutiny before sighing.
"Yes, an extended stay might be agreeable. What with the wedding being planned for the end of the season, the more time spent in preparation the better. I take it, Duchess, that you can conduct the arrangements? I have had a long day and aim to.retire to.my study." And he locked one last gaze with his son before he exited the room
Leif kept his eyes upon his father's back as the man left, a smile.stirring deep within his eyes.
As soon as the duke left the room, Valentina exhaled, not even aware that she was holding her breath all this time. She just managed to persuade him into something. Also, she was very glad that no argument came out of it.
The duchess was almost bouncing around. Guess having another female around wasn't such a terrible thing. Keeping her gaze on the floor, brooding over what to do with her own father, she then raised her head and gazed over the duchess and Leif.
"Well, I guess that is settled then." she murmured more to herself then to anyone else.
The evening, naturally went on as planned. After the duchess was finished showering her 'children' with praise, plans for arranged for the Corrent's to visit that evening for pheasant, and cake. Yet, as the house was stirring with activity, the lord of the manor; Duke Arrant, brooded heavily over the events. He was no fool, and knew his son had to be up to something, and found himself internally growing more and more pissed off over it, considering he hadn't a clue just what his son's aims were.
He was marching down te hall, about ready to reprimand young Lady Corrent before dinner, to shake whatever information she could out of her when he was side tracked by his wife. The duchess was over flowing with exuberance, and it was almost too much for the duke to bear. So for now, Valentina was spared the wrath of Duke Arrant as he was lead away to help finalize the details of the evening's events.
For this fact, Leif had been confined to his room, but not without an itch or two to desire to see Valentina. He didn't know why, but he was curious of her opinion of things. He knew she couldn't be happy to see her folks again...
but he wondered, idly, if she were at least enjoying her flowers. And as he slipped out of his room through the secret halls int he walls, he paused beside her room. No.. perhaps it was best not to make entry, as he leaned against the wall that butted up beside her room and let his mind wonder off in thought.
No... perhaps it was best to leave the poor girl alone...
And it was here his mind drifted off, imaging how beautiful she might look sitting in her room full of flowers.
Valentina was glad to be back to her room, for once. After the duchess and her screetching and bouncing around from happiness and the duke and his freezing gaze, she felt safe to have a few walls between her and them.
She was sure that everything was almost planned and now was getting ready for guests. The duchess left nothing to chance and she seemed to genuinely enjoy preparing these events. That was one more reason for Valentina to be satisfied to be in her room. She really didn't want to help in those matters. Also, she wanted to avoid the duke.
One more person she wanted to avoid was her father, but eventually she knew she'll have to come downstairs and see him. She continued nervously pacing the room, that was now full of flowers and reminded her of a garden. This made her staying here much more easy. So, she still wanted to thank Leif once again. That was what a polite lady would do, she reminded herself.
Valentina suddenly stopped pacing and decided she'll need to distract herself somehow. She still had a couple more hours until she needed to start preparing for her father. Reaching to one of the bookshelves in her room, she tried to take one of the books. Unfortunately, the shelf was too high, and all the books came down with a loud thud.
And his thoughts were soon broken at the sound of falling books. He tensed a moment, almost reached for the hidden weapon on his person when he realized, after a time, what that noise might mean, and smirked before slipping outside of the secret hallway and approached her door. For a while he stood before it, hands clasped behind his back before he gave a knock upon the door.
"Valentina?" Shit- was it too late to mention he had heard a noise?
"Is everything alright? I thought I heard something collapsing inside her room." Hopefully it wasn't her...
Valentina bit her lip, hoping nobody heard that. She began collecting the fallen books from the floor. Unfortunately, it seemed like everyone heard everything here. She sighed slowly and tensed for a few moments, but as she recognized the voice she relaxed.
"Ummm.." she began "Just a moment" her voice was hurried as she put all the books beneath the sheets on her bed. She'll just deal with it later.
Valentina cracked the door just a few centimeters and smiled slightly, not wanting anyone to see the chaos in her room.
"All is fine.. I just slipped." she said to Leif.
Slipped?
His brows raised in worry.
"Slipped? Are you alright?" he asked, placing a large hand upon the door.
"Yes.. No need to worry." she said "Good thing my dress has so many underskirts." Valentina smiled, trying to sound as if everything really is peachy.
Like now is the time to make jokes, she thought to herself. It was just a book that kind of hit her in the head, nothing to fuss about. The worst that could happen would be a bump on her head.
Leif heard her reaction and frowned. He remained by the door for a minute before asking, "So you're sure you do not need any assistance? If you are injured in any way, I could see to your wounds."
"Umm.." she took a short look behind her shoulder, and yes it was still a big mess "I think I can handle it." Valentina said, with little enthusiasm. Other than a few scratches and the pulsating bump she could feel growing on her head, she wasn't injured much.
Leif went quiet, taking in her words before sighing.
"Very well. If you need me, I'll be in my quarters." And he hesitated a moment, before she'd hear his foot steps disappearing down the hall.
As soon as Leif left, Valentina quickly returned all the books on their places. The bump on her head was giving her a headache but she decided to ignore it and hide it with some hairstyle for tonight. Also, she decided she should probably take gloves or at least a dress with long sleeves since there were few bruises and scratches on her pale skin.
Leaving her room, Valentina had a plan to reach the medics and take something for the head, or she may indeed do or say something stupid tonight.
Leif had returned to his room,but grew impatient and began to pace down the hall. So he hadn't noticed Valentina as he rounded the bend and crashed into her, both of them falling against the wall. And with his weight pinning down upon her, his eyes widened as he looked her square in the eyes with a gasp.
"Valentina!" he said, and not a moment later had righted himself and helped her to stand more erect. "You're not hurt are you?" he inquired. "Forgive my clumsiness, I wasn't paying attention.."
It was quiet, and it seemed like everything was going to work out fine. But, does it ever really? On her last corner she bumped to him, and stifled a scream as she recognized his scent.
"Leif?" she straightened herself "No, it's fine. I just... I was daydreaming again.." Valentina said "And that's never a good idea" she added as a murmur
At her comment, Leif smirked and admired her before realizing their close proximity, and that his arms were around her. He quickly took a more proper stance between them and cleared his throat.
"I suppose we could both be more careful," he stated, the smile gone from his lips but it was still in his eyes.
"Yes, we could." she said, but then we wouldn't bump into each other, and this jumped in her head. Suppressing the thought, she smiled brightly, not sure how to behave in the situation she was in.
"Where are you headed?" Valentina asked, still not moving.
"I was..." Leif began to say, but promptly realized he had no real direction, and his fingers itched at his side. He licked at his dry lips. "I was growing antsy so I was simply going for a walk down the halls.." Which, fortunately, was the truth; a rare feat for a man who wore a mask in the night...
"Would you care to join me for a walk through the gardens?" he then offered, curious if she'd oblige.
"I understand." she nodded with a small smile as she listened to him.
"Yes, of course." she accepted his invitation, before she could really think about it. It seems like a stroll through the gardens with him was more important than her headache and her bruises. Well, at least she would get the chance to leave the house without being ambushed by any of his parents.
Unable to fight off the forming smile, Leif smiled down at her and guided her down the hall. He took the route less traveled, and paused beside one of the secret door ways.
"Perhaps it might be quicker if we were to travel through here?"
And he, as well as she, did not want to run into his bothersome parents. And he knew his father was still a brewing fire...
Valentina followed him without much thought. She was still quite intrigued with the secret passages around the mansion.
"Your father... He didn't seem too happy about me and.. Well, everything." she told him, as they were walking through the passage. She knew all too well that people like the duke and her father weren't easy to deal with, and if he thought that Valentina was somehow troublesome she couldn't even imagine how she would end up.
OOC: They survived twenty pages- woo! XD
Leif smirked when she brought up his father's unhappiness.
"That's because my father knows me too well. He knows well enough there's an ulterior motive. He's just frustrated he doesn't know what." Though Leif frowned as he realized.... "Unfortunately, I think my plan will go unnoticed. My mother sees it as a blessing. And well, if my father can't figure out what I've meant by it.." he sighed.. "It seems it'll just have to be what it is."
"Oh." she sounded a bit disappointed since she knew how he wanted his plan to work "Don't worry. I doubt your mother could get angry with you no matter what you do." she smiled.
"As for your father, I think he is too wrapped up in his own plots to think about yours." Valentina frowned "Nevertheless if you need my help again, I'm here for you." she added.
Leif didn't know why, but he was wearing a boyish grin as she offered herself to help. And as they moved through the halls, a bit of an excitement grew inside him. He squeezed her hand gently as they walked, "Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer later." he said, pausing at the doorway tot e gardens as he lifted her hand to his lips. "Perhaps.. when we go back out to buy you jewels." And his eyes sparkled with mirth before he opened the way to the gardens and guided her outside by his arm.
Valentina was glad to finally breathe some fresh air. Since the rain stopped only few hours ago, the scents of roses and earth were mixed together in the atmosphere. Also, after contemplating and brooding over his plans, Valentina decided that se wouldn't mind getting some jewelry. Not if it made his mother so happy, and his father irritated. It was probably going to lead to troble at one point, but they'll jus think about that later.
"I won't say no to jewels." she warned him as she entered the gardens with a smile.
The agreement delighted him, and here, he thought he'd never live the day to enjoy an arranged marriage. Though it was probably too early to tell, he was becoming quite taken with the lady on his arm, and he smiled, remaining silent, as they strolled warmly through the gardens. Just like her, he was enjoying the scents, and the warm sun that was just beginning to set as the day rolled onward into the evening. No doubt her parents would be arriving within the hour, but for now... he could just enjoy life, enjoy this moment, enjoy her; for what it was worth.
Her headache was disappearing, but Valentna could still feel the bump on her head pulsating with pain. She tried not to think about it too much since the stroll through the gardens was a delightful surprise for now, and she very much enjoyed it.
"I should probably leave soon. Prepare for tonight." she said to him, but didn't move away, she just continued walking.
And just like that, it seemed their moment was coming to a close. He simply nodded at her request, "Very well," and turned around in stride from where they walked and began to guide her back towards the house.
Valentina continued walking as he guided her through the massive gardens. She didn't want to leave this beautiful place only to return to that damn mansion and see all the people she disliked. And of course, she needed to get ready for dinner, and tha meant a lot of dressing up. With a tired sigh she tried to keep back her headache.
"Leif?" she suddenly called "Can I.. Ask a favor?"
At her words, he peered down at her curiously.
"I suppose it depends on the favor.." he said with a smirk.
"Well, remember the first day I came here?" she asked "You played a lovely but sad piece on the piano. And I was wondering whether you could perhaps play it sometimes again?" Valentina flushed a bit and felt kind of stupid for asking him this. But, she did really want to hear that melody again.
At her request, Leif was actually... surprised, but perhaps mostly over the reason she had remembered that at all.
"I.." he began to say, when he caught the silhouette of his father watching them from the window as he frowned. Then after a moment, he turned to her with a small smile. "I'd be delighted."
Though his father, might not...
"Thank you." she said with a oblivious smile.
As they continued their way, Valentina was honestly surprised that he accepted. What she expected was a laugh, a most probable refusal. She sti wasn't sure where she found the courage to ask that of him.
"It's called The Song of the Lake," he informed her after a time. "It was written by a man after he had lost his lover. They were to be married but unfortunate circumstances had gotten in the way. It was composed that month after her death, and the musician became quite famous. But due to his depression, he had hung himself a year later, and now shares a grave stone beside hers."
"That's sad." she told him, a small chill ran through her body "I don't like sad endings." Valentina added a few seconds after. At that moment, she couldn't even imagine what kind of pain would make someone kill himself.
"Why did you play it?" she asked him as they continued walking back.
Leif shifted his weight uncomfortably at her question before answering, "Sometimes I feel music best expresses my emotions where words fail." And he closed his lips and stared forward pensively. "That, and the song is beautiful."
"The sad things usually are." she said quietly as they continued walking. She was never interested in music that much until she heard that melody and now she can't get it out of her head. Valentina decided not to ask any more questions since Leif seemed to be in deep thought and she didn't want to interrupt.
Their stroll was quiet for the remainder of it, and instead of taking the secret pass, since his father already knew they were in the gardens, he took her to the back french doors and guided her down the hall. Eventually they were met by his mother, who was gushing over how handsome they looked together and how handsome an arrangement this was. Leif had to wonder what sort of alliance her parents were offering to his own, but it seemed the night would go on without a hitch.
Her parents soon arrived, and dinner was served, and despite the conversations focusing on the wedding.. Leif was actually amicable in his responses.
His father, being a bit wary, kept a close eye on his son, and after a few clever phrases on Leif's part, actually had the duke smirking. Perhaps his son had a change of heart? Even still... Duke Arrant was no fool. Perhaps he could question Valentina on this behavior change... later.
She managed to dress up, get her hair and face done and do some business around the damn shelf and those books. All that right in time to go down for the dinner. And while she has never been a fan of these occassions, especially if she knew that her father was there, she also reminded herself that there was no escaping now.
At the dinner table, the topic was still the same - the wedding. But, she tried to hide her surprise when she saw that Leif didn't sound as uninterested and mean as his usual self. That made her wonder whether he had another plan in his head and will that plan include herself. Her appetite low, and her mind focused on everyone at the table, Valentina tried to deduct what everyone was thinking. Little did she know that it was going to be this hard. Too bad that she was leaving one family of good actors for another one, of even better actors.
The night went on as well planned as ever, and the air was kept light. Eventually, Valentina's parents were ushered into the parlor where a game of cards was started and Leif, asked to play the piano. Instead of fighting it, like he usual did, he bowed humbly and obliged, taking a seat and not bothering to spare his fiance a look before playing the very song she had requested. ANd soon the air filled with it's soft sweet notes, bittersweet and lovely.
Not much changed during the evening. The only good thing was that nobody actually asked her many questions, so she had the time to follow the conversation and everyone's behavior. Her thoughts and brooding over everything she heard tonight was interrupted by a very familiar melody. She found herself smiling just a little as she listened to him play the piano./
The song was a long one, and took quite a long time to get through, but it was beautiful none the less, and as the last notes were played, they struck the air with quieting grace before Leif dug his fingers back into the piano keys to start another song. This one was a bit more bouncy, a gay song about the warmth and fertility of the spring time sun.
Since her song, as she now referred to it, ended Valentina now listened to the piano only with half interest. Most of the tme she just played with the lace on her skirt or looked around the room. Finally, after a while she excused herself to the bathroom. After entering upon an empty hallway she decided to take a small walk though the manor since her patience for sitting in the same place was all used up.
Leif wasn't ignorant to his fiance's departure, but he knew he couldn't be so lucky. With a sigh hidden through piano notes, he looked towards their parents to see if anyone had noticed her leaving.
Nope. They were still immersed in conversation. Sighing again, he returned his attentions back to the piano, and moved onto another song, this one themed over Connlaothian river marshes.
And as he played on... he had to wonder...
Where exactly did Valentina go? A part of him hoped she wouldn't go into his room...
Lest she find things she ought naught...
Valentina still had issues getting around the mannor without actually getting lost. That was precisely what happend this time. So, instead of trying to remember how to get back to the room where everyone was, she was as airheaded and lost in thought as always. And that was something that was going to get her to trouble very soon.
After realizing she had no idea where she went to, she frowned deeply. It was strange how she couldn't find any of the servants when she needed them. So, she continued stalking the hallways confident that she will find the room fast enough for no one to notice her long departure.
Unfortunately, no one seemed to notice her departure..
Except for Leif. ANd as he sweated in worry while playing another piece of music, he muttered under his breath, "Come on, Valentina.. get back here soon."
Though three songs later, Leif was beginning to crawl and become uneasy, and after the forth song, he stopped abruptly and rose from the piano.
"Forgive me. I need to use the rest room."
And with that, he bowed and made his way out of the room.
ANd it was only then Valentina's mother asked, "Oh... where's Valentina?"
....
.......
..............
Stalking through the halls, Leif he's cleaved through every direction in which to find her- and just when he felt as if he were about to give up on his search, he rounded a bend and ran right smack into her.
Valentina was rounding her fourth corner so far as she smacked into someone. Raising her head with an apologetic look on her face she recognized Leif. Were they always running into each other because she kept getting lost or because of something else?
"I was just returning from the restroom." she tried to show the direction she came from, but she really had no idea where the rest room really was she just dropped her hands mid air. Not to mention she was gone for a half an hour or even more since she wasn't really counting minutes. Yeah, it was quite clear she was lost, again, and she felt quite stupid. For a girl of her intelligence she seemed to be getting lost a lot.
Leif stared at her a moment before shifting his weight as he sighed.
"So, you were pissing in the billiard room?" he said, glancing down the hall from the direction in which she came. "I didn't know the game room was for defecation."
Though realizing he had been an ass (and although it was origially intentional) he cleared his throat and looked away.
"Sorry.. you've found me at the short end of my stick. I've been too polite all evening. The souredness in my blood wanted to come out." And he bowed his head before her and offered her his arm. "Shall we go back to our parents?"
Though at the tone in his voice implied he hoped she'd rather not.
OOC: he's so mean D;
Her eyes narrowed a bit at his words. She wasn't a punching bag for him to realease the jerkness and his spoiled attitude at her. It wasn't okay, although he apologized. A small flush appeared on her cheeks, whether from her anger or embarassment she wasn't sure. Not acceptng his apology she turned her head slightly on the side.
"What are you doing here?" she simply asked.
Leif raised his eyes to look at her, and realized his mistake with a frown.
"I saw you were missing, and since our parents seemed not to give a rat's ass, I figured I'd better go find you before you run off."
And his lips twitched, exposing a small smile before it faded away. "Though I suppose there was no reason for concern.." She was obviously well, if not.. perhaps, a little... lost? Though he wasn't sure what else she would be doing int he manor.. alone, unless she was a spy- and somehow, even he doubted that.
"My parents never cared where I went to." she simply said "No reason for them to start worrying now."
She couldn't really be angry with him that much, but she was still a bit offended by his previous words. Yet, the thought of him coming to find her seemed strangely unlike him. It seemed to caring and had a lot to do with emotions, and those two things weren't something that had anything to do with Leif. Or so she was convncing herself.
"And no there is no need to worry." she shifted a bit "I was on my way back." her confidence was a really nice lie and she was sure he did.'t believe her for one second.
Leif looked her over before turning away, his face a mask of indifference.
"Then allow me to escort you back, my lady."
"Of course." she nodded not really happy with the fact she was going to return to that room full of people she intensively disliked and spend more hours listening to them talking about HER wedding and other things that concern her, without so much as a glance or a question for her. Talk about contol freaks.
And the night would go on as usual, even as Leif walked her down the long hall. It felt like an eternity, and with each step he had to fight the urge to run...
But back inside the room, the family only smiled at their reappearance and went on with their mild conversation. Leif forced a smile back before leaning down to Valentina's ear and whispered, "You look pretty tonight. The dress... it's color suits you." Before he moved away from her and took another seat back at the piano, playing another song about Somber Rain.
Valentina gave him a small smile in return. She sat back at the same place as before partly listening to the conversation that their families were leading, partly listening to Leif playing the piano and a melody she couldn't recognized and partly playing with the lace that was on her dress. The night continued as planned and as much as she wanted to run away to her quarters she knew she couldn't. Well, as far as their families were concerned she could, because she doubted anyone but Leif would notice she was gone.
THe night continued on without a hitch, and once Valentina's family bid their farewell's, Leif took the time to approach Valentina as he offered her his arm, "Might I escort you to your room for the night?" After all, she might get lost on the way..
After saying her goodbyes, Valentina yawned slightly. She glanced over at Leif and nodded at his proposition. Accepting his arm she let him lead the way. She was far too tired to ask or say much, so she just kept trying to keep her eyes open and follow where they are going through.
Taking her to her room,a servant was nearby and opened the door for them; and Leif was instantly hit with the fragrance from the flowers that filled her room. Blinking, he wasn't entirely sure if that strong of a smell was a good or bad thing,but it at least smelled... pretty? Internally shaking off the shock, he let his eyes roam inside her room, silently impressed with himself that he was able to pull this off.. and partially hoping his fiance liked it (though that part he'd never admit).... And then his eyes landed upon the bookshelf which... looked... odd...
"Thank you for helping me get here." she said trying to get his attention from the shelf she could see he was looking at. Last thing she needed now was for them to think she was clumsy, and she was not. Just extremely unlucky with most objects.
She liked her new flowery decorations, and since the weather hasn't been forgiving past few days, she adored the fact that she had a small garden inside her own room.
Valentina's words drew him back to the present, and he nodded to her and took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"I hope the day wasn't too painful for you. I know how these things can be quite the bore."
Surprised by his gesture and words she smiled slightly and nodded in understanding. It was so easy for Valentina to forget she is mad at this man. Well, knowing him she was sure he was going to remind her of it soon enough.
"I am quite used to it." she told him "And it also seems you are slowly learning the routine too." Valentina remembered his behaviour.
At her comment, his eyes latched to hers for a moment, though the emotion there was unreadable. He then opened his mouth to speak, but instead, drew in a breath and rethought his answer before replying, "So it would seem." And he looked around her room just once more to all of the flowers there before smiling, shortly, and bowing his head.
"Good night, Valentina. I hope you sleep well."
She smiled widely with much enthusiasm.
"You too, Leif." her voice was tired but her words sounded happy nonetheless. For a reason she adored those small and short moments of theirs.
The flowers lasted barely over a week. Having been cut, they began to wilt and dry out- and by that time, it was time for Valentina to go. The week was spent in amicable company- his mother fawned over his fiance like the daughter she never had (though truthfully, she had a daughter- a daughte rshe 'sent away' when Attalia Arrant had been discovered as a mage.) Leif was still bitter over the moment, and though it was presumed she was 'dead'- he thought other wise. ANd it was on her last day, as they were packing up her things, Leif went to visit his sister's grave.
He stood before the tomb stone, staring down at the engraved named 'Lady Attalia Arrant'- and the years and inscriptions below it faded away as he looked down at her grave. He had salvaged a few of the flowers from Valentina's room and rested them on the dirt mound before her grave stone, his eyes silent, his eyes brooding, his mind never at peace.
The whole morning at the Arrant mansion was spent in a hurry. The servants were running around and getting all of her new and old stuff packed. It was her last day here, and Valentina had split feelings about what was happening. She wanted to stay but she also wanted to leave. It was confusing to her and she frowned as she was exploring the grounds.
Since snooping around was her favorite past time, she was already starting to get the hang of the place and it's grounds and she didn't get lost... Much. Her favorite places, beside the garden where she didn't get to spend as much time as she wanted to, was also the attic where she found a new sanctuary and it was conveniently close to her quarters.
Holding a book in her hands she was frowning over the misfortune of her heroine as she neared the graveyard. But, too taken by what was happening on the pages in front of her she failed to notice much else.
Valentina wasn't the only one distracted, and as Leif closed up his final thoughts of Attalia, he turned around- and began to make his way towards the iron gate of the graveyard- wihch he had just pushed open until...
the iron gate struck something suddenly- and he heard a thud on the ground a moment later. Furrowing his brow, he moved outside the stone wall and iron gate to realize- he had just knocked over his own fiance with the wrought iron door!
For a while he stared at her in disbelief before his eyes fluttered, blinking as he moved forward, finally broken from his spell and helped her to her feet.
"Valentina- are you ok!?" he stammered, heart hammering heavily within his chest, eyes wide as he stared at her face and paled.
"You're bleeding.."
And while holding her protectively in one arm, his other hand fished into his breast pocket to pull out a kerchief,a nd moved to press against her forehead, where the iron gate had given her a nasty little gash trickling with blood....
OOC: Hope the bit of CCing was ok D:
I can edit it if you'd like, just let me know <3
I couldn't help myself! It afforded them a cute, quaint moment together <3
"Ouchh.." she said as the door slammed in her face and her book fell from her hands. It was painful and warm and it was pulsating on her forehead. But what she did recognize in the blur of everything that was happening was his worried voice.
She felt the urge to touch her head, but as he pressed the kerchief on her forehead she couldn't concentrate on anything else but the pain. If it wasn't as painful as it was Valentina would be nagging herself over the fact that an iron door almost killed her. Her pride would've been quite shaken. But now, she didn't really think about that.
After a few seconds, as she regained her focus she bit her lip and frowned on the unfamiliar feeling.
OCC: She should have seen it coming... No need for any fixing, it's great! <3
Seeing no response and the woman's pale skin, Leif shook her gently to keep her focused on him.
"Valentina?" And he tried to look into her eyes as he inquired, "Valentina, are you alright? Say something to me, Valentina." And then more urgently, he added, "Please." And again, more hastily, "I'm sorry, I hadn't seen you there and I just-"
And his lips remained frozen in place, dark eyes meeting to hers as guilt became him-
as did her beauty, and words, for that moment, were just forgotten.
Once again, Valentina frowned, but since it was painful to even do that she slowly shook her head. In order to break the tension between them she did the only think she could do at any given moment.
"I know you're not really fond of me, but killing me seems a bit too much, don't you think?" she tried to joke and slightly chuckled, as she slowly tried to regain her composure. But, she could see that he was really worried and something in that made her chest tighten a bit. Valentina took another shaky breath.
Leif's expression fell when she did speak, her words, not quite registering at first (or, at least the joke had not) before he gave a nervous, breathy laugh in reply.
"Not enough to try to kill you," he jested back. "But you didn't answer my question.."and his eyes never left hers. "Are you alright?"
Valentina took a moment to ask herself wether she was alright. Beside the terrible headache that was starting to consume her mind, and the wound that was still pulsating painfully on her forehead, she was fairly well.
"I believe I am." she said while straightening herself a bit. Perhaps she'll have to get bangs to hide her forehead after all.
Leif frowned, but kept the kerchief on her head for a moment before examining the wound more closely, then he turned back to her and began to speak, though his words stopped short after, "It looks rather painful. Perhaps I can help you clean it out once we get back to..."
And somehow, his face had ended up just a few inches from hers...
and they were close enough, perhaps just a breath or so away...
If he had ever considered wanting to give her a true kiss.
And his eyes, a puzzle of emotions, remained locked and frozen upon hers, and only a second later did he recall his place and pulled his face away, his hair tickling against her own as he sighed, his cheeks coloring red.
"Back to.. the manor house." And his eyes flickered a moment in thought before peering back to her.
"Can you walk?"
He was very well being too close for comfort, and Valentina couldn't get the picture out of her head. But, even so she still didn't have the strength to admit to herself that she rather liked it. As she tried to contain her blush she nodded hastly at his question. She wasn't even aware of the tension between them until the moment he withdrew and she could breath again.
"I can." she told him, her voice too quick and her body too eager to move away from him. Valentina wasn't sure could she. Too much stress in just a few moments. She wasn't sure whether the physical pain of the wound was tougher or was it the tension building up in her.
"It's really nothing much.. Just a scratch." she moved a small step away from him, her voice sounding nonchalant , an easy smile on her lips.
Leif frowned as she moved away, feeling the cool air settling between them now and her scent, gone.
"Are you certain?" he said, not wishing to step too far away from her- considering she had barely taken a step by herself to begin with. "I did just hit you with an iron gated door.."
"Really, I'm fine." she smiled, trying to sound as convincing as she could "I'm surprised people don't hit me with things more often." Valentina joked. But, after all, she didn't step away any further, she just kept her easy smile on her lips as she raised her hand and slowly brushed her fingers over the wound. It was warm and she frowned deeply on the pain.
As she moved away, Leif stopped her by catching her by the arm.
"Valentina, wait.."
And he handed her the kerchief.
"Keep this pressed to the wound."
And at her joke, he answered, much later as he looked away, "And no one should ever hit you. There should never be a good reason for that."
She took his kerchief and pressed it to her forehead trying to block out the pain and blood. Honestly, the wound itself probably wasn't as dangerous or serious but Valentina liked the fact that someone cared about whether she was fine... Even though the same person smacked her in the head with an iron gate...
She kept quiet at his words. Perhaps it was true but it didn't stop other people from hitting her.
"So what were you doing there?" she asked finally, trying not to think over the things he said.
Leif grew quiet again at her question before replying, "I.. was visiting my sister's grave."
Valentina raised her head slightly.
"I'm sorry.. I probably interrupted you." she said with worry "You should go back, I can find my way to the mansion and clean the wound."
Leif frowned at her words.
"I was leaving, but maybe you forgot I hit you with the door.."
he looked her over, brow furrowing before he inquired- "Are you sure you're alright?" And befre she could protest it, he took her arm. "Here, it'll make me feel better to assist you back." And as he took a step to be at her side, her arms snuggly in place within his own, he sighed and looked into her eyes, "Besides, my business here is done. We should head back together. And I'd like t see it myself that wound is cleaned before you leave."
This was her last day, after all.
And so her plan to flee away fell into the water. With a small pout on her face, Valentina walked beside him, comfortable with their closeness. She kept pressing her forehead with her other hand. As far as she knew, she couldn't feel any more blood.
"What happened to her?" she asked before she could stop herself "I don't want to pry... You don't need to answer that." her head sank even lower.
"They claim she's dead. Said her caravan was attacked on the way up to the camp they were sending her to.... because they found out she was a mage, and the church could not cure her."
His tone tried to come out with indifference, but his tone was hard and it's temperature, cold and bitter. His brows were more furrowed than usual, and a scowl, ever present on his lips.
"They kept the casket closed, but I know it's empty."
For even if he were to believe that was how she died...
The story never added up to him- and if it was an attack- what remains of her body could be buried?
Valentina slightly flinched at the mention of mages and the connection with his sister. Few seconds she spent reminding herself in what a miserable situation she was in and how easily she could be killed or even worse, end up being locked somewhere. She could notice the strain and the bitterness in his voice. Valentina was on the edge of talking about her own hatred towards the church, but bit her tongue. It would then be so easy to recognize her for a mage.
"I'm sorry, everyone deserves to know what happened to their loved ones." she said, trying not to concentrate on the politics or religion, just pure compassion.
"Well..." Leif began, with an almost scoff of a laugh. "The world will just keep on believing she is dead."
He, on the other hand, was still unsettled...
There were too many... questionable circumstances..
Considering..
The original story was that Attalia was returning to the church.
ANd a few weeks later...
It was said she died on her way to a mage camp....
Leif grew more tense on it as he went quiet and continued to guide Valentina back towards the house.
Valentina didn't wish to press anymore questions about his sister. But, just as he, she was also having unsettling thoughts about her magic. She knew she needed to take necessary precautions and start being more careful. At her home, most people didn't pay much attention to her, but now she could bet that things will change. More eyes will be on her.
At her sudden quiettness, Leif almost made a comment, but then quickly closed his lips. HE knew she was a mage, but she had no idea he was aware of it. He could easily deduce by her reaction this was bothering her,a nd he fought heard for something to change the subject.
"You know.. I never bought you those jewels.."
She raised her head from her deep thoughts and actually smiled a little and relaxed, keeping her thoughts of magic and other future plans in the back of her head.
"I doubt they'll go well with the bloody wound on my forehead." she joked and pointed to her painful forehead.
Leif smiled at that.
"Yes.. it would seem I'd owe you more than jewels," he said, pausing to lightly stroke a thumb affectionately across he forehead, before a blush became him and he turned away.
"The jewelers wouldn't be too far of a walk..." he began to said, guiding her still down the path. "That is to say, if you'd be up for it. Or.. we could share a horse."
"You are really persistant with this, aren't you?" a small smirk was on her lips "I am not the one who will refuse jewels, so don't say I didn't warn you." she told him as they proceeded along their path.
"I don't know.. Last time I walked around, I was hit in the head." she joked, her mood quite better than earlier and her adventurous spirit at it's highest, despite the headache.
The air seemed alot lighter as they joked and smiled and Leif nodded to her comment.
"Fair enough, the horse it is." And he guided her to the stables and brought out his horse, where he petted it gently before moving to help her get onto the saddle, before he climbing up to sit behind her.
As he leaned forward, his front pressed against her back adn the scent of her hair tickling his nose, he felt a thrill rush through him which momentarily caused him to drop the horse's reins. Apologizing, he reached past her, body brushing against her's a few times before he managed to acquire it, then righted himself back on the saddle.
"Well.." he said, sighing as he shook his head ot shake some of his long hair from his eyes. "Are we ready to get you some jewels?"
Something in her head told her that it wasn't the most brilliant idea to choose to go with the horse. And share it with him. As soon as they were both on the horse she was starting to realize that the small voice in her was right. It was a really bad idea.
Valentina started to question her recent behaviour around him. It felt nice being around him, but it was also tense and emotional. She wasn't sure could she handle it all and whether it was better for her to stay away from him while she can. His question interrupted her introspection.
"Of course." she nodded "Let's go."
With a nod, his muscled legs pressed into the sides of the horse and away it galloped, outside the stables, outside their lands, and out into the streets. It took barely half an hour on horse back to reach the outskirts of the small town, and already the horse was slowly down before a small, ivory painted stone building. Out front, the sign was half fallen off it's hinges as Leif climbed off the horse and offered her a hand.
"Here, give me your hand," and he helped her down, one arm around her waist, the other secured on her hand as he picked her up and set her on the ground near to him- and for a moment, he felt the same sensations as earlier, and even he wasn't so stupid to ignore what it was.
But he was attracted to her, so what? They were to be married..
he supposed there were worse things in life.
Blinking back his thoughts, he took her hand and pulled her along with him, "Come on," And the two stepped inside the jewelers.
Although the front of the small store looked old, the inside was beautifully decorated in coloured glass and fine wood. All kinds of jewels were presented in the glass piedestals. Valentina felt slightly in awe as she looked around the store. Earrings, necklaces, rings and many other jewllery attracted her attention as she tried not to look like a gaping idiot. She kept close o Leif.
Armand of Essyrn was indeed, a beautiful store to be seen, and the short, barely five foot tall, tanned skin, black haired and mustached jeweler matched the charm of his stores. He greeted the pair with a respectful bow, and upon catching Leif's request,
"Armand, I'm looking for an engagement gift. Something I can give my wife to be to remember me by."
And Armand looked up at Leif and smiled.
"Then I have just the thing for you, Lord Arrant. Come.." and he gestured for the pair of them to follow him to the easterly side of his store, where he took a moment to step behind a glass top counter before pulling out a brilliant, shimmering, emerald ring.
"They say it is 'of the fashion' to give the lady an engagement ring." And then he set it upon the counter and looked over at the woman, but before any of them would have a chance to touch it, Armand went on to say, "And it is also tradition that the man presents his ring to a woman on bended knee..."
Leif's face fell at the comment and he grew uneasy. And soon he was turning flush.
"No.. just her trying it on would suffice," he said hurriedly, and avoided her gaze as his hands tapped nervously upon the counter.
"Here, just try it on. I bet green would look lovely on you."
Valentina was very infatuated by the emerald ring before her, so much that she actually finally stopped looking around the store and concentrated on that small piece of beautifully crafted metal and jewel. It was large, but elegant and not over the top. It was just as it should be, Valentina thought unsure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Valentina slowly took the ring into her hand looking at it between her fingers for a few moments before she put it on her finger. It really did fit quite nicely on her hand as she looked at it critically assessing the situation in silence for a few seconds.
After deciding it did look quite lovely, her eyes went from the green of the emerald to the green of his eyes.
"So, what do you think?" she finally asked.
For a good long while, Leif was mesmerized. It was difficult for his tongue to react, for his eyes to peel away from hers...
That was, until Armand cleared his throat.
That's when Leif finally looked away, almost ashamedly as he peered down at her hand.
"It looks nice.." he said, clearing his throat. "An appropriate engagement gift."
And as Armand smiled and inquired, "And anything else to match?"
Leif stared around at the room at the glittering jewels.
There were things outside of just jewelry, to hanging jewels for decoration, to diamond encrusted clocks. The room was just dazzling, but even through it all, he could think of just one thing-
what the emerald meant, could mean.. and who's finger it was still worn.
His gaze lifted to Valentina once again before he shook his head, "No." And before Armand could ask, Leif added, "And charge it to my account, not my father's. I'll have the money delivered tomorrow." And as he spoke it, his gaze never left hers.
The ring felt oddly familiar on her finger. Valentina raised her gaze from it to look at Leif, not understanding what he was doing. It was a part of their plan to get his parents to pay a lot of money, and it was a plan she agreed to although she had some issues in the beggining. But he always seemed sure of what he was doing and why, and she deeply wondered why was he doing this now, changing the course of his own scheme.
As Armand left the room shortly to switch the accounts and ready the bill, Valentina turned her questioning glance towards Leif.
"What are you doing?" her voice was worried and there was some of that same worry in her eyes as she expected the answer.
Leif went quiet for a time, and all that could be heard was the ticking from clocks, and Armand rustling through his paper work and scribbling with his quill. It was then he drew in a breath, replying after he sighed, "Because you deserve a gift from me for this engagement, and not from my family."
And the second he was done telling her, Armand had returned with a cheery expression.
"Here's the receipt, and you two enjoy your engagement."
Leif bowed to Armand as Armand bowed to him.
"Thank you," and he turned to Valentina and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
Valentina took his arm and smiled a goodbye towards Armand as they left. Then she took a few seconds brooding over his words, all the while periodically looking over to the ring on her finger. It was shining wonderfully on the daylight. After a few more seconds of silence she raised her head up slightly.
"Thank you." she said "I never got something so pretty." or so expensive, she added in her head but decided not to voice it out loud.
Leif was actually surprised at such an answer.
"Your parents never purchased you things? Nor your relatives, any gifts?"
He doesn't know. The realization hit her as she bit her lip. There was a good reason for her father to marry her off to such a rich family, but Valentina was almost sure that Leif knew about it.
"As I said, my father was never the most generous man." she said "As for my relatives... They have little interest in me or my family." Valentina said shortly.
Leif speculated certain things, but certainly never believed everything he heard. Now that reality was catching up to him, he began to wonder about his own ignorance.
"I'm sorry." He said after a time, and truly meant it.
"Oh, don't be." she smiled widely at his words "I never really cared about jewels." He was probably speaking about her father and her family but since she didn't like to talk about it, jewels were just used instead. She kept her happy and smiling mood as they reached their horse.
Jarred slightly from her response, he used this moment to help her into the saddle.
"Very well.." He replied softly, before placing his boot into the stirrup and hooking his leg up and over as he settled in to sit right behind her.
"Shall we head back to the manor?"
"Yes, we should." she told him "I need to see how my packing is progressing, since I have but a couple of hours more before I leave."
And once again, she had split feelings and opinions on this subject. She wished she could stay, though.. Just a little bit more but as the wedding drew closer she knew she needed to help finish some preparation on the other side.
"Very well." And he prodded the horse forward, they were at the house rather quick. He didn't want to hold her up, and the ride passed without so muhc as a word exchanged between the two. But much had been wished to be said, that muhc was certain. But Leif steeled his tongue, and when they approached his home, the iron gates in front were opened for them, and they rode back to the stables.
He helped Valentina from the hose once he was dismounted, and tethered his horse before taking her arm.
"So do you think my mother will survive without you here? She seems to have taken a shining to you. She never got a chance to prepare a wedding for her daughter. I think she's viewing you as her next best thing." And then he quickly added, "And that was not meant in offense."
"Your mother will have to manage." she smiled "But I don't think you should worry about her and me. She already has dress rehearsals planned. Well, five of them actually." Valentina frowned "So, me and her will be seeing each other a lot." She actually took some pride in the fact that at least one of his parents did take a liking to her.
"Besides, I am actually quite grateful for your mother... I wouldn't have the patience to deal with all those details, while she seems to be a natural at it." she chuckled shortly.
Leif rolled his eyes.
"This is one of the few things my father let's her manage. Now that her own daughter is gone, she's more or less had nothing to do than to focus on our wedding. Though she is trying, she's at least more amicable company than my father."
She couldn't help but agree. Valentina didn't like his father, and from what she saw, the feeling was intirely mutual.
"Well, in any case, she will be the one to thank when all this wedding fuss is over." she bit her lip.
Leif shrugged at that comment.
"I suppose you're right, but I do believe it was her idea you and I became engaged. So be careful who you are thanking."
"And here I thought our fathers were the master minds behind this genious plan." she joked, honestly surprised by this new piece of nformation she just found out.
"I guess I shouldn't waste your time any longer." she bowed a bit "And I should also get prepared for my departure soon... So thank you once again for the ring. It is lovely." Valentina smiled more gently this time.
At her smile, he found himself staring before he bowed his head low, took her hand and kissed it.
"You're welcome." And he paused before the bottom of the large, sweeping stair case to study her a moment. "I suppose you don't need an escort back to your room. I'll be here for your departure.." he siad, looking sheepishly away, his hands now clasped behind his back. "As is customary."
"Of course." she nodded "I'll see you then."
Valentina turned away and headed towards her quarters. If she had the time she would probably think about all that happened, but since she was too busy with the packing she had to concentrate on other things for the time being. But, although she was busy, she glanced over to her new ring far too much. The servants already noticed and started to gossip.
As the last hour came to a close, her family carriage was brought around front. At the end of the stair, Leif waited patiently, he on one side, his parents on the other, and as he waited, he and his father seemed to be having quite the intense staring contest...
As if they were to continue on this path, they might bore holes into one another.