would it be okay if i took your breath away

[NUIT DUNSTAN]

Nuit trotted his dark blue roan up the walkway to the large castle doors. He bounced in his seat with a new practice in riding the equestrian's called posting. He found it a great practice for his leg strength, though he'd sat most of the ride to Rausten. Now that he was before the Empress's castle, Dunstan took up the excercise again, hoping to both impress and intrigue a conversation. He stopped at the entry courtyard where a stablehand took his horse from him. Another three relieved his men of theirs as well. Nuit stood tall, feigning confidence as best he could.

He'd heard a lot about Aldith Slava's beauty, and his advisors had told him of her great ability as a leader, despite appearances. He wondered if she'd even deem him worthy, even if their engagement was already agreed on. All he wanted was someone to want him. Well, other than what was best for his country. He wasn't really sure what he wanted, but Lady Aldith sounded like something to be desired. He only hoped he had sounded desirable to her as well.

[LADY ALDITH SLAVA]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding: 20px; background-color: #f0f0f0; -moz-border-radius-topright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 2em; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-top-left-radius: 2em;] [STYLE=float: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: 35px;]STRANGE[/style][STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 200px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: justify;] maze, what is this place? I hear voices over my shoulder. Nothing is making sense at all. Wonder why do we live, everyday we're running in circles. such [/style] [STYLE=font-size: 10px; text-indent: 25px; background-color: #f7f7f7; -webkit-border-radius: 2em; -moz-border-radius: 2em; margin-top: -10px; padding: 10px; text-align: justify; height: 350px; overflow: auto;] Aldith paced in her room as she waited. Waited for her fate, for the future of her kingdom. When her advisers had first spoken of this to her, she had been baffled. Did they truly think the only way to her redeem herself in the eyes of her people was to marry? Had they lost so much faith in her? Was she truly such a lost cause, that she could not make it on her own? To her, marriage was meant to be something sacred between two people whom loved each other. However, she had never laid eyes on Lord Dunstan. She has heard of him though, of his success and handsome appeal and his courteous mannerisms. She never would have guessed just how similar they truly were. Aldith's pacing was put to a halt when she heard the unmistakable sound of horses. She rushed to the window and opened it, leaning out so that her eyes could finally rest on the man her advisers had already chosen to be her husband, in place of her father. She was disappointing when she could not see the features of his face, but she could see the regal air he possessed as he rode his horse, and the confidence he exuded as he dismounted and entered the castle. Not a second later was there a knock on her door, and as she turned around to face her personal maid, she could already hear the wedding bells. Although it would be a while yet until she actually heard them, since they still had to go through a courtship. Why did she feel so heavy? Still, Aldith was a master at pretending to be something she was not. At least, she could muster the air of it. She would never do anything she didn't agree with, but she felt that she needed to match Lord Dunstan in confidence, so that he did not think of her as inferior, but as his equal. They were both rulers of prestigious countries -- although she would always talk up Rauten -- and she felt this was finally her chance to be treated as such. As she followed her maid down the hall to the grand entrance, her back gradually straightened and her eyes shone with excitement, delight, and a regalness that only one of royalty could have. Even though she was more of a religious leader than a queen. Her eyes landed on a group of people as soon as she rounded the corner and faced the grand staircase that led to a room right before finding the front door. Her eyes searched, flickering from one face to another, before they rested on the man she believed firmly to be Lord Dunstan. Of course, judging just from uniforms, one could tell who was who. But Aldith was too excited, giddy as any young woman would be, to pay attention to such things. She recognized Lord Dunstan because she recognized the same presence he had possessed upon entering Castle Rausten, and once her eyes rested firmly upon his gaze, she offered him a kind, friendly, and small smile. The excitement calming from her face. Not because of disappointment, but in her search to be proper. It was still there, just tamer. She didn't want to appear like a brainless, love-struck little girl. Although she had to admit, he was every bit as handsome as the rumors spoke. She waited to be introduced, offering a curtsy as her name was spoken, before returning her smiling face back to Lord Dunstan. "My Lord." She responded, using a proper title and manner until she was told otherwise. They were equals, but she felt that she could not mess this up either. [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 0px; background-color: #dde6d6; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; ] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; padding: 10px; background-color: #f0f0f0; text-align: center; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; float: left;][/style] [STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; color: #ababab; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: 20px;] CREDIT ▌ BY RIMY ♥ OF BTN! TAGS ▌ LORD DUNSTAN <3 WORDS ▌ 620 NOTES ▌ I'M SO EXCITED! I FINALLY HAVE MUUUUSE! [/style]

[NUIT DUNSTAN]

ooc//: I'm glad you got your muse back. Now I just need to build one for Dunstan!

Dunstan looked at the first girl who stepped through the door skeptically. Could this be Lady Aldith? Surely not, for her hair was not green and her eyes not golden, but then he remembered the custom of maid escorts. Mentally he was embaressed by such a slip. While he knew no one was aware of it, he still felt incompetent suddenly nonetheless. He quickly put up his confidence facade again as he saw another figure coming through the doors. This time he was sure this was the Empress, for his breath caught as she stepped into the light. While unable to truly smile, his face relaxed away from its typical saddened droop. An announcer introduced them to one another. The Frelian King couldn't help but admire the grace in which she curtsied. Nuit bowed in return. "The pleasure is mine, My Lady Aldith," he spoke formally, trying on the slightest of smiles. It'd been a hard practice for him lately to smile, but her small, happy innocence cordial grace and geniality lightened his heart some. It'd been a while since he'd had a meeting of any kind, something he knew he was good at, and let alone with such a beautiful woman. Fleeting thoughts of him not being worthy snagged his brain again, however, and Dunstan lost a particle of that lightness.

He motioned gently out with his hand, which had been resting over his torso with its pair. "Maybe you'd like to settle somewhere for us to continue this conversation? I'd loathe for you to be uncomfortable," Nuit continued warmly. While maybe his legs were tired, sore, and starting to shake from his ride he had some alterior motives, he truly didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, and maybe their conversation could become more casual after they sat in private. "My company can find other, appropriate activities with which to entertain themselves with in the mean time," he added, hinting instructions for one particular soldier who enjoyed playing pranks. All of the knights took his subtle direction and dissembled to embark on their own ways.

And suddenly he was alone.

And suddenly he was afraid.

And suddenly...

...any real confidence he'd had faded away. He began to feel rather nervous and timid. He knew he could carry on any meeting without prompting, but how was he going to talk to a woman? Alone? About marriage? When they barely knew each other? Oh God, what was he doing? Could he really ask her to marry him? A stranger? Just so that his country would benefit for the money? To optimize trade? To solidify the Magvel alliance? How could he ask her to do that? Because that's what was better for the country. Alliances were on threads between some countries. If the demon king were to ever break loose again they would be in trouble. But marriage? Why couldn't they just sign a document of alliance? Oh, right, because they already had one.

[LADY ALDITH SLAVA]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding: 20px; background-color: #f0f0f0; -moz-border-radius-topright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 2em; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-top-left-radius: 2em;] [STYLE=float: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: 35px;]STRANGE[/style][STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 200px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: justify;] maze, what is this place? I hear voices over my shoulder. Nothing is making sense at all. Wonder why do we live, everyday we're running in circles. such [/style] [STYLE=font-size: 10px; text-indent: 25px; background-color: #f7f7f7; -webkit-border-radius: 2em; -moz-border-radius: 2em; margin-top: -10px; padding: 10px; text-align: justify; height: 350px; overflow: auto;] It would be a bold-faced lie if she said she didn't enjoy the treatment Lord Dunstan offered her. Every girl liked being treated with respect and charm after all, and Aldith was no different in that respect. She just had more grace in dealing with it. She was completely oblivious as to the affect she had on Lord Dunstan, and could only continue to wear that small, pleasant, genuinely excited smile on her countenance. When he spoke for the first time, there was something in his tone that made Aldith think of fine silk, or down comforters. Both were incredibly inviting and smooth, and there was a tone like that to Lord Dunstan's voice. Her smile grew somewhat, and it almost gave off the tone that she was giggling, only her vocal chords made no audible sound. "As your hostess, I believe that honor rests with me." She said, referring to it being a pleasure to meet him. And that was when the fairytale tone came crashing down, and crashing down hard. They were just meeting. They were perfect strangers -- no matter how perfect Lord Dunstan seemed to be -- and yet they were here because their advisers thought they should marry for the benefit of their countries. Aldith did not know what Lord Dunstan's reasons -- or rather the reasons of his advisers -- were to marry her, but she knew why her advisers wanted her to marry. Her people did not trust her, they did not think she had it in her to run Rausten. She was to marry this man to boost the morale of her people, and make them see that she could make mature decisions. No matter how much -- or how little in this case -- she agreed with it. Aldith had never been in love, but she had always dreamed of what it might feel like to one day experience it. She, like every other young woman, wanted to feel the butterflies in her stomach. Wanted that fairytale, magical kiss every single time her lips met with her beloved. She wanted love eternal. But this...this was prearranged. They had only just met, she had no idea whether or not she really even liked him. However, Aldith was a master, and her smile was unaltered. She could only hope she wouldn't find herself so desperate to discover what it felt like to be in love, that she would equate it to the jitters she felt now. Because she did feel butterflies, but she wasn't quite sure what they meant yet. Perhaps they were just the butterflies a young woman felt when faced with a handsome man, for Lord Dunstan certainly had an elegant air about him, and his face was gentle. Kind. He seemed to be a pleasant man. But that was just it. She really could only guess what he was like, she would only get to know him over time. Courtship. Yet another topic they were to discuss that day. That same smile, though it remained small and almost delicate, brightened on her face when Lord Dunstan made the suggestion that they go somewhere private, again a lighthearted laugh communicated soundlessly through a mere smile. "Yet again, my Lord seems to be ahead of me. How am I to be a proper hostess if you continue to say my lines?" She said, teasing him gently. Which was communicated perfectly clear through her tender, gentle expression. As she knew how it felt to be utterly confused between the line of joke and insult. "Please, if my Lord would follow me." Aldith added after the guards had left. She could detect the slight flashes of nervousness in his eyes, and paused. She turned her maids, unable to consciously dismiss them with a simple wave of her hand. These were people after all, and she was pleased to see that Lord Dunstan treated his guard with the same respect. "Would you ladies be so kind as to check on Mistress Dye for me? I am afraid she might have gotten herself in some form of trouble or other mischief." The maids took the hint with a small smile before they bowed deeply and departed to check on Dionisia, and then continue to wherever they so pleased. She returned her attention back to Lord Dunstan with a graceful turn of her head and returned that same, small smile to her face. "Now then, shall we Lord Dunstan?" It was the first time she had spoken his name in the entire encounter thus far, and even then it was spoken with more respect than closeness. Not that she was cold, far from it. But she did not feel right being familiar just yet. She gave a small curtsy out of habit before she began to lead to Lord Dunstan to her private study, figuring that would be the safest place from Dionisia, as she proclaims to be 'afraid of books'. The room was fairly large, large double doors the only entrance though there was a secret door behind the fireplace. In cases of emergency. She turned to face him once she reached the large wooden doors, the intricate designs making her heart pound with excitement. Though she was nervous too, since very few people had ever stepped foot in here other than herself. "This is my private study." She explained, keeping that small smile on her face, though it more tame now in a way. Still friendly and excited, but now her nervousness was just barely discernible. "We should be undisturbed here." Aldith added before turning and pushing open the large doors. Two large arched windows provided the room with plenty of light, and two large bookshelves sat on opposite walls. On the far end of the room was a semi-large dark oak desk with a small oil lantern on it, for when she was here all night. There was a large space in the center where two couches -- one love seat and one three-seat couch -- and one armchair sat, position around a rather medium-large sized coffee table. The accommodations had always seemed utterly useless, until now. She stepped aside so that he could enter, glancing at him with a somewhat timid, small, yet giddy smile, before leading him to where the couches were. "I come here when I need to think." She admitted. "And when I need to fill out paperwork, although I also use it for leisure." She continued, gesturing to the bookshelves, lined with books. Many, if you looked close enough, bared evidence of excessive use. She felt strange sharing something so personal with someone she just met, but she figured she might as well. If things went the way their advisers planned, they would not remain strangers. Aldith sat down on the love seat, smiling at Lord Dunstan, and gesturing for him to sit wherever he pleased. She felt no need to pressure him into sitting next to her. "Please my Lord," she said, "sit wherever you please." Since he seemed just as nervous as she did, she just wanted to clarify it for him. Her heart pounded, wondering which seat he was going to choose.... It would be very telling, and give her a good window into his thoughts of her, if he chose the seat farthest away from her. But she truly hoped he did not. Despite them just having met, she knew it would pain her greatly if he did so. [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 0px; background-color: #dde6d6; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; ] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; padding: 10px; background-color: #f0f0f0; text-align: center; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; float: left;][/style] [STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; color: #ababab; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: 20px;] CREDIT ▌ BY RIMY ♥ OF BTN! TAGS ▌ LORD DUNSTAN <3 WORDS ▌ 1244 NOTES ▌ THANKS! =D AND LOLZ, I'M SURE YOU WILL FAST. XD STILL GATHERING MUSE FOR THE POST WITH ALDITH&ROIS, THAT MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MORNING. =3 [/style]

[NUIT DUNSTAN]

Nuit managed a tiny smile and nodded quickly. "Yes, we shall," he responded, following the empress to wherever their destination may be. While he admired her beauty, he only felt like a thief at the moment. He was stealing the opportunity for her to find someone of equal if not more beauty. For Dunstan thought his looks no better than any commoner or stablehand. He thought his appearance mediocre, as he did almost everything about himself. He thought himself unworthy, unwanted, but determined to fill his father's shoes. He wanted so desperately to live up to what was expected of him, unknowing that he already did. Nuit stared at the intricate wooden doors appreciatively. He'd always wanted to know how to carve wood, but had never had the time. Undisturbed... Undisturbed sounded amazing. A study of which no one should enter unless under dire circumstances. He would do such a thing if he didn't want the people to feel as if they could approach him at any time. It was good for his public appearance. But this... When she described it more he realized it was something of a sanctuary for her, and he honestly felt criminal invading it. He openly looked and admired the exquisite surroundings, though only his eyes seemed to show any indication of whether or not he liked it.

He looked back at her as he realized she'd sat down. "Please my Lord," she said, "sit wherever you please." He glanced at the seats available. Could he really be so bold as to sit next to her in the loveseat? They'd practically be touching they'd end up sitting so close together. What would she think? Would she become awkward? Quiet? He didn't want to risk anything, yet he didn't want to sit as far away from her as possible... He compromised, choosing the three-seat couch and sitting on the end next to where she was sitting on the loveseat. As he sat he made sure to situate his jacket-tail so as not to wrinkle it terribly. Once on the couch he let out an involuntary sigh of relief. His legs greatly welcomed the rest, despite the pain it'd taken to bend and get there.

Dunstan looked appreciatively at the bookshelves once again. "This is quite a collection you have. I'm quite the book enthusiast myself, though my open court and duties hardly tend to leave time for such leisure. It's quite disappointing. You've good fortune, my Lady Aldith," he commented, eyes still on the books. He searched for a conversation starter in his head before making eye contact. "Perhaps you'd like to share your personal favorites with me?" he ventured, though his question sounded confident and interested. He was truly interested in what her favorites may be (it could hint him into her personality), everything just felt so robotic at the moment and he still didn't think she would like him very much, or that she did like him at all now for that matter. He was unworthy, unwanted, uninteresting, and dismissable.

[LADY ALDITH SLAVA]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding: 20px; background-color: #f0f0f0; -moz-border-radius-topright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 2em; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-top-left-radius: 2em;] [STYLE=float: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: 35px;]STRANGE[/style][STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 200px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: justify;] maze, what is this place? I hear voices over my shoulder. Nothing is making sense at all. Wonder why do we live, everyday we're running in circles. such [/style] [STYLE=font-size: 10px; text-indent: 25px; background-color: #f7f7f7; -webkit-border-radius: 2em; -moz-border-radius: 2em; margin-top: -10px; padding: 10px; text-align: justify; height: 350px; overflow: auto;] Aldith couldn't help a smile when Dunstan admitted his own love for books. That was at least on thing for them to build on, which was much better than where they just were. It was promising. She chuckled when he said she was lucky. "I do not have as much time to dedicate to them as I would like, but I do come here when I am graced with a break." Which didn't include other things she did in her free time, like playing with Dionisia, or wandering in the gardens, or some other activity. She really did try to connect to her people in her spare time as well, but they tended to give of the air that they wanted nothing to do with her; and even though they never voiced it, Aldith was no fool. She sensed it. She could smell it in the air like a wolf detecting the stench of rotting flesh. She took a moment to thoroughly examine Dunstan's choice in his seat. She had heard his exhale of relief, but chose to say nothing of it. She knew riding could be exhausting, especially over such a long distance, and she didn't want to embarrass him. Instead, Aldith focused her attention of bit of smalltalk Dunstan was attempting. "Of course! I would take great pleasure in sharing my favorites with you Lord Dunstan." She said happily, and quite honestly so. She was almost to the point of desperation to find something they had in common, besides their advisers and their impending marriage. Aldith rose from her seat and walked over to one of the bookshelves. A normal person might be intimidated, but Aldith knew precisely which book she was looking for. She was momentarily tempted to pluck a healing magic or light magic tome from the shelves, to show off a little, but refrained. Such behavior was quite improper, and would likely not reflect positively on her. So, Aldith took the book that her mother used to read to her. It was the one moment they spent together at night, but they no longer had that. Aldith and Dionisia were on their own now. Aldith returned to her previous seat and extended the old book to Dunstan with a warm and excited smile. "My mother used to read this to me." The book was a bit of an heirloom in a sense, since her own mother had also been read the very same book when she was a child by her mother. And Aldith read it to Dionisia now. It was old, and it showed. The pages were worn, and book has gold racing the spine and the covers were leather. But, considering the age, it was in amazingly good condition. "It is called The Beauty and the Beast. Perhaps you have read it before? Or heard of it?" The book more than gave a window into her mind. It showed that Aldith was a sucker for a good romance novel, which she most definitely was. She would never bother to deny it. Se so dreamed of that classic fairytale romance, but she had yet to discover if that would happen. She realized now, that there was still a chance for it with Dunstan, and she was willing to be patient, and give the possibility and Dunstan a chance. The fact that she didn't have a choice was beyond the point. She knew that if she so wished, the engagement would be called off. So long as it hadn't been announced publicly, neither country would take shame in it. The question was: did she want that? [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign,top][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,width: 460px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 0px; background-color: #dde6d6; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; ] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; padding: 10px; background-color: #f0f0f0; text-align: center; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 2em; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 2em; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 2em; float: left;][/style] [STYLE=font-family: ms gothic; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; color: #ababab; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: 20px;] CREDIT ▌ BY RIMY ♥ OF BTN! TAGS ▌ LORD DUNSTAN <3 WORDS ▌ 000 NOTES ▌ ASKLNFADLSK- SO LAAAATE! OTL [/style]

[NUIT DUNSTAN]

"No, I'm afraid I haven't. I would love to for you to tell me what it's about, however. Its appearance would suggest it has been read many a time." While he was genuinely interested in the story, the conversation felt too formal and definitely forced. Well, he had to try something. "Does it have something to do about a beast chasing down a beautiful girl in the woods to eat her?" he asked innocently, but slightly joking as well. He tried to change his tone a bit, yet the difference was probably to slight to recognize. Realizing this, Dunstan gave a small, amused huff. Well. That went terribly,[/i] he thought sadly.

(Idk what else to say)