OOC: Just so you know I tried to PM you but your inbox is full. You should clean it out so I can send you some thoughts on the plot, but for now, I'll just make a note oocly before writing up my post XD
Just so you know, his manor would't make sense to be in Hellvion. If he has become regent, he'd have to move into Reajh, so this technically should take place in Reajh, unless he has a secondary home in Hellvion where he intended to have this party (which would be fine- I just wanted to clarify the reasons behind this because it would affect my post XD )
Hellvion has thinning relations with the Grand Duke, so it makes sense to have the party there so that they can all schmooze wtih the Duke and Duchess from Hellvion.
And just as a note, as far as any marriage to Aella is concerned, it would not give him any rights to the throne in Hellvion, because only male blood line relations can assume the throne. So since the current duke has no male heir produced, it falls back to someone in his family's line who would take it. As it stands, this part is already plotted between myself and goblins between our two characters family, so just so you know, even if he marries Aella, he can not make a claim for Hellvion XD
It would, however, give him a LOT of wealth and power, even outside of becoming a ruler, considering most of the wealth that can be inherited by a female of a prosperous duchy would go to Aella and her husband to be. The reason Aella is now at such an age (as she is her age in her profile + 7 years at this point)- is because, politically, Aella's mother has not found a good match.
She might considering Lucien if only because he is so close to the Grand Duke, but the way things have been plotted for Lucien's position, she would not take his 'ruling' there with too much seriousness, if only because it's been a revolving door, and the regents before Lucien came to be did not last long. She would not considering Lucien to last any longer than them, so any power he might have there might not necessarily appeal to her. So just as a heads up, Aella's mother is a hard nut to crack, plus Aella, in this stage of her life, is smitten with another boy she technically can't have so- complications, I know XD (and a boy she's currently beating with a pillow in another thread X3 )
Feel free to send me another PM with your thoughts but until you erase your PM inbox, I can't send you any replies 8D
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The party was one well received, and though the guest count was relatively low, the guests who were making face were some of the most prestigious in all of Connlaoth. The Grand Duke himself would be in attendance, as would his adviser, Vesrik Delcheux; but above even these, the Duchess and Duke of Hellvion, along with their unwed daughter of twenty and four years of age. Though by now, the fact she was unwed was a bit scandalous in it's own right, no one dared question the reason as to why. Some say it was because Duchess Melora was upset her daughter was not chosen to wed Duke Calent Allarrick before he had become the Grand Duke, while others suggested Duchess Melora was just too over protective of her daughter's perfection, that she wanted to keep her in her castle for herself. She, naturally, was a calculating woman, and knew the disputed throne in Hellvion was a hot topic. If it were up to her, her daughter, naturally, would inherit it, but seeing as she was not going to produce any heir in her current age, and that any of her blood line would not remain on this throne, she still sought for a moment for... perhaps another Duke to become available to wed her daughter off to. With this war, being as ridiculous as it were, she knew one or another had to drop like flies. She was eyeing Folkvar, for there were many unwed men in that family- but none to make a claim to the throne. However, the Duchy of Wulfbauer kept changing hands so rapidly that, before she had a chance to consider a pre-engagement notion there, another Duke was dead, and another on the throne. And so far, she wasn't sure how fast she wanted to act upon the current Duke in his station.
But for now, she had to play kissy face with the Grand Duke, and keep herself as the sole symbol of power in her Duchy, for it was known that clearly, she wore the ruling pants, and that her husband merely followed along with whatever she desired- considered he was often so sickly. But at this such event, even the Duke of Hellvion was in attendance, and they were fashionably late to arrive, for even the Grand Duke and his adviser had showed up long before the Avelonian royals appeared.
And when they did, it was always with the utmost grace, as the beautiful Duchess Melora was presented to Lord Thornwood first, before her husband, and then to her daughter Aella. And as all of the rumors behind it could only make it true, for she was a beacon of beauty; with long, curling blonde hair that was left to fall in strands of glittering gold about her form. And she wore a simple and elegant violet dress, one to match her eyes that was strung through with diamonds and pearls, and as she moved to curtsy before Lucien in their introduction, she rose her head to give him a warm smile, for where her parents wore masks of indifference, she herself, wore an expression that was as warm and bright as the sun. Many claimed she was a gentle spirit, and it was evident, even now, in her mannerisms, the type of person she was- both beautiful outside, and within.
"Lord Thornwood, I thank you for inviting us to this occasion. The travel here was superb, and the gardens of your estate, beautiful," the Duchess went on with a courteous tile of her head. "Though I am aware of your new position in the Palace, how often do you frequent your manor in Hellvion?" Because, Duchess Melora intended to get the most up to date information out of him, and in the most formal and flattering of ways, naturally.
"Yes, it is good to see a Hellvion man at the Grand Duke's side," Duke Avelon stated with a well polished smile. "What with the different regents he has taken, I hope you will be the last from many! It would be good to see stability, something this nation yearns for."
Grand Duke Allarrick nodded in agreement, as he had been standing nearby, at his adviser's side.
"Yes, my adviser, Vesrik Delcheux, had made the recommendation. I believe Lord Thornwood is more than adequate for the job."
"And one so young," Duchess Melora pointed out. "You can't be much older than my darling daughter, Aella." And Aella blushed ever so faintly for having any attention drawn to her.
"Yes, we are hoping a young, fresh mind, will help bring the necessary order expecting by our Grand Duke's when he is away-a nd we all know he travels frequently, what with the war," Vesrik chimed in and gave a gracious nod in Lucien's direction.