| Worth The Trouble |
| Summary: | Summary |
| Date: | 1865-10-16 |
| Related: | Related Logs (If there aren't any, use None. Don't this entry leave blank. If there is a log, use full URLs, like http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/logtitle) |
| NPCs: | {$npc} |
| Players: |
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It's rather annoying to find that the lock has been removed on Alina's door. The Duke of Alasce opens the door to his daughter's room, expecting to find her missing from it, especially given the events earlier in the night.
Events he is decidedly less than pleased with.
His expression is cold and emotionless as the door slides open… but instead of an empty bedroom, he sees two forms on top of his daughter's bed. Most fathers would be angry, and for a moment, a sharp spike of rage does touch the man's expression.
Then he notes that they are both clothed. Well, his daughter may be in a nightgown, but the young man beside her is even still wearing his boots.
Duke James silently moves over to regard the pair, who look to have passed out in sheer exhaustion. Emotion does that, he mentally notes to himself. That is why it is often best to leave it out most considerations.
He looks towards the hidden door, and notes the everlight on the floor, its light already faded. He lifts a brow. Curious. He suspects that the door in the guest room the young man had been assigned had been left open, though that he managed to open it and find his way this far… shows a certain sort of initative, intellect, and promise that the Duke of Alasce cannot simply ignore. Though, of course, he will have to have it closed from within. Not good letting the fop's minders know of these passages.
James tilts his head, whatever momentary anger he had felt fading into a more decidedly interested sort of feeling. He moves to his daughter's desk, takes a spare bit of paper and inks a quill, and begins writing.
Lord Tristan—
I see that you have figured out not only how to make my daughter cry, but to scurry around my keep like a rat in the walls. As you are still breathing, you may assume that I have decided to forgive you for your incredible lack of judgment displayed earlier, though I will keep it in mind when and if I must make heavier decisions later. I trust that the existence and workings of these passages will stay something you hold very dear to yourself; if I suspect otherwise, I may be forced to reconsider my decision to leave you intact this morning.
That said, if you are still wishing to wed my daughter, you understand I am in somewhat of a quandary. I cannot approach your cousin with an offer without permission from my king and queen. I will not ask them without knowledge that your cousin is amenable. Therefore, it falls upon you to make it the case, if that is truly what you wish. If Queen Melisande is willing to, by ways formal or informal, let me know personally that she will consider the match in all good faith, then I will request leave from my King and Queen to begin negotiations in earnest with her; though, as I may remind you, that does not guarantee your cousin and I will be able to come to terms agreeable to us both… it is a chance.
And after the display in my keep last night, perhaps more of a chance than you deserve.
Prove to me you are worth the trouble.
Duke James al'Sylenthar
He waits for the letter to dry, and then folds it neatly, laying it on the bed beside Tristan's face. Then he lightly kisses his daughter's forehead, and slips back out the hidden door and up to his own suite.
He had a few things to do, after all, before he slept.