- Location
- Germany
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Noblesse Oblige [Znt/SI]
SKsniper128
22050 kg of ordinance per minute
Nothing like a massive personal failure to motivate someone to never make the same or a similar error again.
-SK
- Location
- sweden
Good question. Probably as many problems as people not being dicks to each other would prevent.
Malbutorius
C'est le bien qui fait mal
But then we wouldn't have all these wonderful Dere archetypes!
Jackercracks
In a British accent
- Location
- England
I like the tone of... disconnect that shade has cultivated between the nobles and the commoners. Even himself, more than just a little. It's like freefall down the side of a collapsing avalanche, when you've make all decisions as well as you can but you have no proper idea of how they will play out and now can simply play out the dance. You tapdance down the sides, hoping that circumstance doesn't throw a bolder at you, and that the ripples of your passage do not cause too many problems further down the line.
- Pronouns
- she/her
Motivation doesn't translate to capability. The guy proved incompetent at managing his own savings. Why promote someone who's qualifications include driving themselves to bankruptcy?
EmpirePlayer
Anyone need some chaos?
- Location
- Penang
In logistic guy's defense, he is in his late-60s. That is like, old by the standards of his time. It might have been possible that he did not expect to live past X-years old, only to suprise himself in the worst way.
Malbutorius
C'est le bien qui fait mal
He had enough money to live the rest of his days, it's just that his days were longer than expected.
- Location
- Malaysia
The tone of this chapter is surprisingly dark, it actually contrasts nicely with the crowning ceremony. Never, ever underestimate King Joseph of Gallia, Henry.
Did Henry ever realize how helpful Karin's Rule of Steel is? Her teachings actually gave him the spine he will need to face the conniving and ruthless personality of the King of Gallia, and actually made him worthy in his eyes. No other nobles actually get this much attention and privilege from Joseph, not even his own child.
I just hope that Henry's choices in the present will not bring calamity in the future. He might have to start preparing now, depending on how his meeting with Duke D'Orleans go.
Did Henry ever realize how helpful Karin's Rule of Steel is? Her teachings actually gave him the spine he will need to face the conniving and ruthless personality of the King of Gallia, and actually made him worthy in his eyes. No other nobles actually get this much attention and privilege from Joseph, not even his own child.
I just hope that Henry's choices in the present will not bring calamity in the future. He might have to start preparing now, depending on how his meeting with Duke D'Orleans go.
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Madou Sutegobana
Autocorrupt has been disabled.
- Location
- Twin Realms Mandala
Actually not that much of a problem when its just a noble title/ identity at stake.
King Joseph: "You on the left. You're name is Charlotte and you're the heir!"
One of the things that kings are for.
- Location
- NC
I believe "that is how I have been raised" or "that is how I was raised" would make a bit more sense here.
- Location
- Greece
And that's another coin for the Monty Python Reference Jar.
I know, right? A Jessica Yamada would do wonders for a metric fuck ton of anime universes (coughneongenesisevangelioncough).
- Location
- Lynn, MA
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I would so read a fic that stars a multiverse traveling Jessica Yamada, who when she arrives in a universe and then proceeds to use her amazing psychologist powers on the main protagonists to help make their lives better. She would also somehow obtain any status/ability that would help enable her to do this but only for that universe. (Say she winds up in a verse where nobles or the like are all mages, she would be a mage as long as she was in that verse.)And that's another coin for the Monty Python Reference Jar.
I know, right? A Jessica Yamada would do wonders for a metric fuck ton of anime universes (coughneongenesisevangelioncough).
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Hell, I don't plan to live past my sixties; my plan is to go off and do something stupid while leaving my cash to my kids who can use it better than I. Who wants to grow old?
- Pronouns
- she/her
That would still be a mark against his economic sense, as it means he did not leave himself a viable contingency plan such as emergency funds. Running out of money with no fallback plan would be very bad for Henry's army considering their sense of loyalty is due to the luxuries he can throw at them.
Also as a side note, am I the only one who thinks his army is very likely to be infested with spies and those of dubious morals due to its recruitment policies? He lets in nearly anyone including criminals with minimal investigation, and gives new identities on demand. While during peacetime there's not a whole lot of incentive to sabotage or betray for the enlisted not working for foreign powers, literally anyone could slip in.
Or, you know, you could make her a planeswalker.
- Location
- Malaysia
Yes, especially since he is the Marshal of Gallia at a young age and a close confidant of King Joseph, the only royal who do not care for court politics. With Henry's marriage with Isabella, him getting the Duchy of Brittany and Joseph's coronation, Henry just became a Person of Interest to most nobles in Halkeginia.
Hell, even his household servants have spies among them. His wife's and father-in-law's yes, but still spies.
It's been 6000 years since Brimir built the church. There's probably a spell for that, locked in the deepest, darkest archives in Romalia under the "Heretical Shit" heading.
That would be a very interesting familiar to have... if it didn't bite you in the jugular first before you contract it.
Tiffania's memory wipe spell might have been useful here, but its also cruel to do since that means erasing what few, new happy memories Josette had with the Vallieres.
This might seem like a sensible (if callous) idea... but it will damage Henry's image and standing among the petite armee foot soldiers. It'll tell them that their commander is a man unwilling to fight his own battles when his life is on the line. "How will he act then when faced with a real battle? Will he throw us to the meat grinder if it means saving his own hide?"
Gotta admit, that's a pretty smooth alibi. I forgot that "dig for blackmail material" is a time-honored tradition in noble courts no matter the time nor place. Charles' was also a a very tempting target, since no one is that perfect, and anything incriminating would be a terrible blow to the image he cultivated.
"Maybe the words that kill are the ones that we never got to say?"
- Pronouns
- she/her
They already had that question answered by the minotaur encounter, wherein Henry defeats a powerful foe by sending a stream of trash mobs at it until it ran out of stamina. The failure was his... except for the part of the failure which involved being ripped limb from limb. That part can be carried by his subordinates.
floppy_seal99
D-O-G-A-R-S DOGARS!
- Location
- snooping as usual
You. I like this.
Madou Sutegobana
Autocorrupt has been disabled.
- Location
- Twin Realms Mandala
Rabbits do have sharp knife-like teeth, that continually grow their entire life, like most rodents. That's why you don't pick up a squirrel.
Incisors are actually the steak knives of teeth, canines are the forks!
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Chapter Eighty-Nine
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Isabella was joyfully fretting over the ring that now adorned her index finger, even as I quietly looked at the passing landscape, my thoughts and emotions in turmoil. "My Henry," Isabella said with a sigh, "father actually allowed you to use him as a scapegoat. Come on now, do not worry."
"I have no intention of doing that," I replied with a visible grimace.
"Stop being so silly," Isabella said, clicking her tongue against her teeth. "Uncle is a renowned duelist, a square mage of unquestionable power-I am glad I decided to tag along. I'll meet my other cousin and see little Helene once more...and also stop you from doing something so foolish," she sighed. "Really, Henry-your dutiful nature is a charming point of yours, but in these circumstances, you act as foolishly as father does."
"I still won't shy away from my responsibilities," I said firmly.
Isabella sighed. "Have you at least chosen someone to be your substitute?"
"No," I said once more.
Isabella blinked, and the next second she jumped from her side of the carriage to mine, grabbing hold of my wrists and pulling them, forcing me to turn my attention from the landscape to her terrified face. "Tell me you aren't planning on dueling him yourself!" she shrieked, eyes wide. "You! You can't!" she yelled, "I forbid you! You're prohibited from doing this!"
"It will be two on one," I said gently, "Raven will help me-since he's a familiar, he's allowed to duel with me."
"It doesn't mean anything!" Isabella yelled, "He's just a big bird! Uncle can transmute gold! He'll have him turned into charcoal and then he'll kill you! He'll kill you and he'll be justified and there will be nothing I could do to stop it!" she clenched my wrists tightly, "Please! If you love me-if there is even a shred of love in your heart for me-please don't do this! You don't know how strong uncle is!"
"Perhaps I don't," I acquiesced, twisting my hands so that the situation reversed, and it was me clutching on to Isabella's hands, "But I know how strong my mother is, and I had no fear in facing her-"
"Your mother wouldn't kill you!" Isabella snapped, "Uncle-Uncle just might!" tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "Don't do this-please, please, please don't do this! Think about me-us, think about the country! Think about-about anything that makes you change your mind!"
"Isabella," I said gently, a smile on my face as my heart drummed, "my common sense-my brain, everything tells me not to do this," I whispered. "But I must uphold my honor as a noble, and thus...I must do this."
"You must be stupid, I understand," Isabella had tears freely pouring down her cheeks now, "You must hurt me, I understand. This is what I understand."
"It's like you don't believe I have a chance at winning," I said in a soft humming voice even as I gently began to pat her head, pulling her on my lap to hug her with my other arm. "Why is that?"
"Because...because you can't," Isabella began to sob, "You can't win-Uncle's...father was foolish and made lots of problems, and Uncle was the one who fixed them. When words weren't enough, he dueled nobles. He could make them lose, even without killing them. He was so strong-I saw him fight more than once. If he's serious...then you've lost, even before you can begin. Only father is as good as him with a sword in hand, but only if it's swords-when it comes to magic, Uncle can't be beaten."
"They say the same thing of my mother," I said, "And yet I managed to defeat her once," I remarked. It was a victory by anything but its name, but as long as it worked in calming Isabella down, then I'd use that too. "Also...he might not challenge me to a duel to begin with. He might be so happy in having his daughter back, he won't do anything. Come on..." which was what I was counting on. By being honest, and perhaps with an earnest plea from Josette, the duel might not happen to begin with.
I pulled out a handkerchief from one of my pockets, and wiped away the tears from Isabella's cheeks. The carriage kept rumbling on, the soft whimpering sobs of Isabella drowned out by the wheels and the hooves of the nearby horses, our escort composed of many knights, and many more dragoons.
"Henry," Isabella said in the end, "You must not die," she murmured. "You absolutely must not die," she continued.
"I won't," I said. "You have my word."
"Your word better be worth the same as that of the Founder then," Isabella grumbled suddenly, "Because if it isn't, I won't simply be sad, I'll be really angry with you."
I hummed, "Well, they say that within Ragdorian lake rests a spirit of water whom, when an oath is made in front of it, will ensure it is kept forever," I proceeded to fold my handkerchief and put it back within my pocket. "If you want, I can reiterate my promise by its shores?"
Isabella lifted her head, and then pouted, her eyes red and puffy from the tears. "You'd better! You'd better promise it on the Founder, the Gods, your surname, and everything else! You'd better write it down a hundred times too and pray!"
I chuckled, and proceeded to embrace gently the young girl in my arms. "My, my, I'll do my very best."
The carriage we were on stopped once we arrived near the shores of the Ragdorian lake, near the border. The patrols meant for that particular corner had been told not to bother with patrolling on that day, and since the order had come from the man in charge of them to begin with, they had neatly obeyed and gone do something more productive with their lives elsewhere. Josette was waiting, alone and with a look that showed just how much she was determined -which was practically a mixture of scared out of her wits and terrified- with luggage by her side.
Raven stood protectively near her, his plumage hiding most of her like a bird would hide his newborn, but he cawed happily at my sight, and took off to the skies the next second. He had a few more tasks to complete still, and hopefully, he'd manage without fault.
Although it was obvious that the ones who had held Josette safe were in Tristain, it was also obvious that one couldn't levy accusations to nobility like the Valliere if there was no physical proof of any wrongdoings. Even if Josette talked about her time spent there, one could simply argue that it was the Duke's ploy to accuse a now rival family. It wouldn't hold any water. No, to be honest, the only troublesome event that could occur from Josette's return to her family would be the Duke demanding a duel. It was the only thing.
Since the court was firmly on Joseph's side now that the political situation had stabilized and he had emerged king, lawfully crowned and all of that, he was the King, and to conjure against the King would be folly -chosen of the Gods and all of that tripe- at least, at the present and especially with the rival for the throne being one with a child of woe.
When I descended from the carriage, I waited for a brief second to allow Isabella to come down too. Josette's eyes widened, and then briefly she exhaled in relief, a hand clutching the neckline of her robes. Her long, blue hair shone prettily enough against the rays of the sun, and she looked every bit like Charlotte, even if her attitude and demeanor were noticeably...milder, to put it in an easy to understand term.
She was also pretty much surrounded by the knights of our escort, the dragoons up in the air circling like vultures their prey.
Once we drew close enough that Josette recognized me, her expression lost most of her fear. "Brother!" she said, then hesitated as she realized there was Isabella by my side. "I-"
"It's all right," I said gently, stepping closer still, "everything is going to be all right," as soon as I was close enough, Josette barreled for my chest, hugging me tightly. I huffed with a smile on my lips, even as Isabella's expression looked on with a curious and puzzled expression.
She was wearing a pretty dress, probably one that had once belonged to Louise, and she looked every bit the proper young lady. She stopped sniffling when Isabella coughed gently in the closed fist of her hand, and as she turned to look at her cousin, the two lightly blue haired girls looked at one another.
"You do look every bit like my little Helene," Isabella said, "But I suppose your name should be little Josette? I'm Isabella, your cousin."
"You're...the princess?" Josette mumbled, wiping away her tears before doing a curtsy that was proper, if a bit slow as if trying her hardest to make it come out perfect. "I'm Josette-It's...nice to meet you."
Isabella giggled, and shook her head. "There's no need to curtsy with me. We're family. Now come on here," she gestured at her to get closer, and then smiled warmly as she engulfed the younger girl into a hug. "I am sure you're scared, but...everything will be fine," she smiled. "My Henry-I'm never going to forgive you for keeping such a cute cousin of mine locked away," she huffed, pinching a cheek of Josette, who widened her eyes in surprise and flailed her arms in a sort of quite cute way. "She's so cute! Just like Helene, but...a bit less excited? Can that be? A calm Helene?" she gingerly pulled the cheek up and down lightly, even amidst the growing tears of Josette. "Oh! Wait-don't cry," Isabella stopped pinching the cheek, even as Josette grabbed on to the sore area with her hands, a sad pout on her face.
"Brother..." Josette whined, "She's mean."
"I most certainly am not mean!" Isabella huffed, "Now-look here," she fretted over her cousin with a worried expression, "Henry, say something to her-she's not listening to me-" she whined next, and I found myself with the unenviable position of having to pat the head of Josette while Isabella looked on with eyes that seemed to scream unfair adulterer!
"Now, now," I said with a sigh. "Isabella's a really nice girl when you get to know her, Josette. Come on now, let's get back in the carriage-is this all of your luggage?"
"Uh-uh," Josette mumbled, looking at the luggage and moving as if to grab it, only for Isabella to link arms with her and drag her along towards the carriage. "But-"
"We'll have one of the knights of the escort carry it," Isabella said with a huff, "Now come on," and with that said, she actually waited patiently until Josette was aboard before climbing herself. I joined the two a short while later, and took my seat by Isabella's side.
The carriage departed again, this time headed for the D'Orleans mansion. Within it, the young twin of Charlotte was squirming in nervousness, her hands gripping on the edge of a Founder's book -not the official treasure of Tristain, but a copy that kind of acted like a bible of sorts. She must have held it close to her and I hadn't noticed it, perhaps.
"Hey little Josette," Isabella said suddenly, "why aren't you happy? You should be excited to meet your family again!"
"I've...I've caused trouble to brother with this," Josette whispered, "I've made-a lot of people sad," she bit her lower lip, "I don't-didn't want to leave, but..." she clutched her Founder's prayers book tighter, "I would have caused more trouble if I hadn't." She swallowed. "I hope...I hope I can meet with my friends again."
"You most certainly will," Isabella said with a nod. "I'll ensure it-now, let us hope your father is in a forgiving mood," she continued. "Because if he isn't, then all sorts of things will happen."
"I'll just face him off. I am sure it won't be to the death-"
"Accidents happen," Isabella clicked her teeth, her eyes smoldering pits of firm seething anger. "Please go back on your idea. Please."
"What is going on?" Josette asked suddenly, her eyes wide, "Is brother in danger?"
"He's a fool!" Isabella yelled, "That's what he is! I've been telling him-"
I palmed my face as Isabella explained, and soon, the voices telling me that this was a really bad idea increased in number by one -or so to say, they doubled.
Still, I was set on my purpose.
The Duke D'Orleans was younger than Joseph, but still way past his prime.
He couldn't be that scary now if a poisoned bolt claimed his life now, could he?
Isabella was joyfully fretting over the ring that now adorned her index finger, even as I quietly looked at the passing landscape, my thoughts and emotions in turmoil. "My Henry," Isabella said with a sigh, "father actually allowed you to use him as a scapegoat. Come on now, do not worry."
"I have no intention of doing that," I replied with a visible grimace.
"Stop being so silly," Isabella said, clicking her tongue against her teeth. "Uncle is a renowned duelist, a square mage of unquestionable power-I am glad I decided to tag along. I'll meet my other cousin and see little Helene once more...and also stop you from doing something so foolish," she sighed. "Really, Henry-your dutiful nature is a charming point of yours, but in these circumstances, you act as foolishly as father does."
"I still won't shy away from my responsibilities," I said firmly.
Isabella sighed. "Have you at least chosen someone to be your substitute?"
"No," I said once more.
Isabella blinked, and the next second she jumped from her side of the carriage to mine, grabbing hold of my wrists and pulling them, forcing me to turn my attention from the landscape to her terrified face. "Tell me you aren't planning on dueling him yourself!" she shrieked, eyes wide. "You! You can't!" she yelled, "I forbid you! You're prohibited from doing this!"
"It will be two on one," I said gently, "Raven will help me-since he's a familiar, he's allowed to duel with me."
"It doesn't mean anything!" Isabella yelled, "He's just a big bird! Uncle can transmute gold! He'll have him turned into charcoal and then he'll kill you! He'll kill you and he'll be justified and there will be nothing I could do to stop it!" she clenched my wrists tightly, "Please! If you love me-if there is even a shred of love in your heart for me-please don't do this! You don't know how strong uncle is!"
"Perhaps I don't," I acquiesced, twisting my hands so that the situation reversed, and it was me clutching on to Isabella's hands, "But I know how strong my mother is, and I had no fear in facing her-"
"Your mother wouldn't kill you!" Isabella snapped, "Uncle-Uncle just might!" tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "Don't do this-please, please, please don't do this! Think about me-us, think about the country! Think about-about anything that makes you change your mind!"
"Isabella," I said gently, a smile on my face as my heart drummed, "my common sense-my brain, everything tells me not to do this," I whispered. "But I must uphold my honor as a noble, and thus...I must do this."
"You must be stupid, I understand," Isabella had tears freely pouring down her cheeks now, "You must hurt me, I understand. This is what I understand."
"It's like you don't believe I have a chance at winning," I said in a soft humming voice even as I gently began to pat her head, pulling her on my lap to hug her with my other arm. "Why is that?"
"Because...because you can't," Isabella began to sob, "You can't win-Uncle's...father was foolish and made lots of problems, and Uncle was the one who fixed them. When words weren't enough, he dueled nobles. He could make them lose, even without killing them. He was so strong-I saw him fight more than once. If he's serious...then you've lost, even before you can begin. Only father is as good as him with a sword in hand, but only if it's swords-when it comes to magic, Uncle can't be beaten."
"They say the same thing of my mother," I said, "And yet I managed to defeat her once," I remarked. It was a victory by anything but its name, but as long as it worked in calming Isabella down, then I'd use that too. "Also...he might not challenge me to a duel to begin with. He might be so happy in having his daughter back, he won't do anything. Come on..." which was what I was counting on. By being honest, and perhaps with an earnest plea from Josette, the duel might not happen to begin with.
I pulled out a handkerchief from one of my pockets, and wiped away the tears from Isabella's cheeks. The carriage kept rumbling on, the soft whimpering sobs of Isabella drowned out by the wheels and the hooves of the nearby horses, our escort composed of many knights, and many more dragoons.
"Henry," Isabella said in the end, "You must not die," she murmured. "You absolutely must not die," she continued.
"I won't," I said. "You have my word."
"Your word better be worth the same as that of the Founder then," Isabella grumbled suddenly, "Because if it isn't, I won't simply be sad, I'll be really angry with you."
I hummed, "Well, they say that within Ragdorian lake rests a spirit of water whom, when an oath is made in front of it, will ensure it is kept forever," I proceeded to fold my handkerchief and put it back within my pocket. "If you want, I can reiterate my promise by its shores?"
Isabella lifted her head, and then pouted, her eyes red and puffy from the tears. "You'd better! You'd better promise it on the Founder, the Gods, your surname, and everything else! You'd better write it down a hundred times too and pray!"
I chuckled, and proceeded to embrace gently the young girl in my arms. "My, my, I'll do my very best."
The carriage we were on stopped once we arrived near the shores of the Ragdorian lake, near the border. The patrols meant for that particular corner had been told not to bother with patrolling on that day, and since the order had come from the man in charge of them to begin with, they had neatly obeyed and gone do something more productive with their lives elsewhere. Josette was waiting, alone and with a look that showed just how much she was determined -which was practically a mixture of scared out of her wits and terrified- with luggage by her side.
Raven stood protectively near her, his plumage hiding most of her like a bird would hide his newborn, but he cawed happily at my sight, and took off to the skies the next second. He had a few more tasks to complete still, and hopefully, he'd manage without fault.
Although it was obvious that the ones who had held Josette safe were in Tristain, it was also obvious that one couldn't levy accusations to nobility like the Valliere if there was no physical proof of any wrongdoings. Even if Josette talked about her time spent there, one could simply argue that it was the Duke's ploy to accuse a now rival family. It wouldn't hold any water. No, to be honest, the only troublesome event that could occur from Josette's return to her family would be the Duke demanding a duel. It was the only thing.
Since the court was firmly on Joseph's side now that the political situation had stabilized and he had emerged king, lawfully crowned and all of that, he was the King, and to conjure against the King would be folly -chosen of the Gods and all of that tripe- at least, at the present and especially with the rival for the throne being one with a child of woe.
When I descended from the carriage, I waited for a brief second to allow Isabella to come down too. Josette's eyes widened, and then briefly she exhaled in relief, a hand clutching the neckline of her robes. Her long, blue hair shone prettily enough against the rays of the sun, and she looked every bit like Charlotte, even if her attitude and demeanor were noticeably...milder, to put it in an easy to understand term.
She was also pretty much surrounded by the knights of our escort, the dragoons up in the air circling like vultures their prey.
Once we drew close enough that Josette recognized me, her expression lost most of her fear. "Brother!" she said, then hesitated as she realized there was Isabella by my side. "I-"
"It's all right," I said gently, stepping closer still, "everything is going to be all right," as soon as I was close enough, Josette barreled for my chest, hugging me tightly. I huffed with a smile on my lips, even as Isabella's expression looked on with a curious and puzzled expression.
She was wearing a pretty dress, probably one that had once belonged to Louise, and she looked every bit the proper young lady. She stopped sniffling when Isabella coughed gently in the closed fist of her hand, and as she turned to look at her cousin, the two lightly blue haired girls looked at one another.
"You do look every bit like my little Helene," Isabella said, "But I suppose your name should be little Josette? I'm Isabella, your cousin."
"You're...the princess?" Josette mumbled, wiping away her tears before doing a curtsy that was proper, if a bit slow as if trying her hardest to make it come out perfect. "I'm Josette-It's...nice to meet you."
Isabella giggled, and shook her head. "There's no need to curtsy with me. We're family. Now come on here," she gestured at her to get closer, and then smiled warmly as she engulfed the younger girl into a hug. "I am sure you're scared, but...everything will be fine," she smiled. "My Henry-I'm never going to forgive you for keeping such a cute cousin of mine locked away," she huffed, pinching a cheek of Josette, who widened her eyes in surprise and flailed her arms in a sort of quite cute way. "She's so cute! Just like Helene, but...a bit less excited? Can that be? A calm Helene?" she gingerly pulled the cheek up and down lightly, even amidst the growing tears of Josette. "Oh! Wait-don't cry," Isabella stopped pinching the cheek, even as Josette grabbed on to the sore area with her hands, a sad pout on her face.
"Brother..." Josette whined, "She's mean."
"I most certainly am not mean!" Isabella huffed, "Now-look here," she fretted over her cousin with a worried expression, "Henry, say something to her-she's not listening to me-" she whined next, and I found myself with the unenviable position of having to pat the head of Josette while Isabella looked on with eyes that seemed to scream unfair adulterer!
"Now, now," I said with a sigh. "Isabella's a really nice girl when you get to know her, Josette. Come on now, let's get back in the carriage-is this all of your luggage?"
"Uh-uh," Josette mumbled, looking at the luggage and moving as if to grab it, only for Isabella to link arms with her and drag her along towards the carriage. "But-"
"We'll have one of the knights of the escort carry it," Isabella said with a huff, "Now come on," and with that said, she actually waited patiently until Josette was aboard before climbing herself. I joined the two a short while later, and took my seat by Isabella's side.
The carriage departed again, this time headed for the D'Orleans mansion. Within it, the young twin of Charlotte was squirming in nervousness, her hands gripping on the edge of a Founder's book -not the official treasure of Tristain, but a copy that kind of acted like a bible of sorts. She must have held it close to her and I hadn't noticed it, perhaps.
"Hey little Josette," Isabella said suddenly, "why aren't you happy? You should be excited to meet your family again!"
"I've...I've caused trouble to brother with this," Josette whispered, "I've made-a lot of people sad," she bit her lower lip, "I don't-didn't want to leave, but..." she clutched her Founder's prayers book tighter, "I would have caused more trouble if I hadn't." She swallowed. "I hope...I hope I can meet with my friends again."
"You most certainly will," Isabella said with a nod. "I'll ensure it-now, let us hope your father is in a forgiving mood," she continued. "Because if he isn't, then all sorts of things will happen."
"I'll just face him off. I am sure it won't be to the death-"
"Accidents happen," Isabella clicked her teeth, her eyes smoldering pits of firm seething anger. "Please go back on your idea. Please."
"What is going on?" Josette asked suddenly, her eyes wide, "Is brother in danger?"
"He's a fool!" Isabella yelled, "That's what he is! I've been telling him-"
I palmed my face as Isabella explained, and soon, the voices telling me that this was a really bad idea increased in number by one -or so to say, they doubled.
Still, I was set on my purpose.
The Duke D'Orleans was younger than Joseph, but still way past his prime.
He couldn't be that scary now if a poisoned bolt claimed his life now, could he?
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