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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on May 5, 2011 14:05:23 GMT -6
Elina was a little concerned. A messenger came to her to tell her that Vaan wished to see her. She had no idea what to make of that. What could the King possibly want with Elina? And in his private dinning room too. Elina just wasn't sure what to make of that. Was she in some sort of trouble or something? The more she sat there contemplating while she gussied herself up for Vaan the more worried she got herself. Surely she wasn't in some sort of trouble. Vaan invited guests to dine with him all the time right?
She had no idea what had been going on behind her back over the last couple of weeks. What did she not know? That her father and Vaan had been arranging a marriage to Henry. And not just the marriage but the things George wanted for Elina and what her dowry would consist of. Elina had been suspicious of George ever since he arrived two weeks ago, but she was clueless to what he was really up to. She thought he was just snooping around for a husband as he usually did when he was actually here.
Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked along the marble floors to King Vaan's private dining room. She came to the door and one of the servants let her in. She stopped when she saw George and Althea there, sitting next to Vaan talking over things. Elina looked between her parents for a moment. "Your Highness." She said calmly before curtsying. She looked to her parents questioningly. "Mama... Papa." She murmured calmly, looking between George and Althea. If there was one thing that was certain it was that Elina was definitely George's child. She was her father's feminine counter part all the way through. She even had his stubborn personality.
"Come here, Elina. We have things we must discuss." Elina looked to Althea questioningly before she looked up to Vaan.
"What buisness?" She asked calmly as she slowly eased into the seat next to Althea, looking to her father. What buisness could George Cali possibly have with King Vaan that would involved Elina? That was one thing that Elina couldn't figure out. Her parents said nothing though. Althea just looked down at her daughter, a big happy smile on her lips while George looked to Vaan as if to signal that the king should explain. Elina followed her father's gaze and looked to Vaan. "What buisness is there to discuss, Your Highness?" She asked him softly, chocolate pools meeting his gaze.
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Post by henry on May 6, 2011 11:41:14 GMT -6
Henry tried buttoning his shirt with one hand while closing the door behind the messenger his father had sent. It had been awhile since he'd been given an actual summons. He'd honestly started to believe that Vaan had given in to Henry's ways and was at least resigned to let him be. Apparently not, although the message didn't say why he was wanted. It could be something as simple as another lecture about helping Richard with the paperwork. It could be about Adrienne, which Henry sincerely hoped wasn't the case. As far as he knew, his father was still woefully ignorant of that particular transgression. If Vaan ever discovered that Henry had taken Adrienne to his bed on multiple occasions, there would be consequences. It wasn't about encroaching on Vaan's territory, although it could be taken that way. Henry was just comfortable with Adrienne. He knew who and what she was. She was power hungry, and would sleep with anyone if she thought there was any gain in it. No strings, no complications. Absolutely nothing like Elina.
Henry scowled at himself and ripped his shirt off before hunting for another one. Stupid buttons. Choosing a white dress shirt that appeared a little easier to navigate, he slipped it on and fastened all the buttons but the top one. Audiences with his father already made him feel like he had a collar on. There was no need to amplify the effect. Once he had shoes on, he scribbled a hasty note on a piece of scrap paper and laid it on his pillow. The instructions on it were simple. "Get out by the time I come back." Short, sweet, and to the point. The strawberry blonde haired lycan in his bed would wake and find it soon enough. He didn't plan on coming back to his rooms for hours yet. Plenty of time for her to disappear. Hopefully, the brunette next to her would go as well. He grinned at both of their sleeping forms briefly before slipping silently out the door.
Striding self-importantly down the hall, Henry made his way to the King's private dining chambers. Roughly halfway there, he caught Elina's scent along with others he didn't recognize. She'd been in this section of the halls only a few minutes before at most. Henry's brow furrowed. This route wasn't often used unless under special circumstances, such as a summons. Most everything in his section of the palace was reserved for Vaan's personal use, so why would Elina be here? After a few more paces, he could hear voices coming from inside the room. He didn't recognize the first voice he heard, but the confused reply came from Elina. Henry's steps slowed. Why would she be summoned? He was more and more confused by the minute. His brow furrowed in thought as he neared the doors. "What business is there to discuss, Your Highness?" Well, at least she didn't know either. That was a small comfort in a sea of confusion. Henry pushed open the doors without waiting for an invitation before giving his father a small bow. "She has a good question." Henry waited with his back pressed up against the wall and wished the position didn't look so defensive.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on May 7, 2011 16:16:15 GMT -6
This was something Vaan had wanted for sometime. He just needed the right candidate to appear, and Elina was most definitely the right person for this. It had not taken much to sway her parents to his way of thinking. Actually they were happy to pretty much hand over their daughter on a silver platter.
With those arrangement made, the only thing that was left was informing Elina and Henry. Easy enough when you are king and everyone was at your ready to obey. A messenger had been sent with a summons one for each child. The message was simple and straight to the point, come to his private dinning room immediately.
Seated at the head of the table, with her parents either side they waited patiently. It was Elina who arrived first as he did not except his son to rise from bed at this hour, after all he had visitors to his chambers last night. Elina was polite and everything a true lady should be.
"Elina, please take a seat" He said, his words commanding but soft at the same time. Vaan did not want to frighten or let slip the reason for summoning her just yet. Her questioning of his intentions soon followed her greeting. This was to be expecting as the summons that lacked any kind of information about this meeting.
Before he was able to answer her question, Henry entered the room smelling not of one female but two. As a father his options were running out. "Henry, I did not want to do this but you left me little choice" His voice was harsh, it was almost like he was scolding a child not his adult son.
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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on May 7, 2011 19:57:23 GMT -6
Elina looked up as Henry slipped in quietly agreeing with her question. She smelled not one woman, which is what she really expected, but two. She thought she felt a stab of jealousy hit her when the heady scent of sex from two females. She clutched at her skirt tightly before looking back to Vaan.
Now she was really starting to wonder what buisness could possibly involve her and Henry. She glanced to Henry at Vaan's word, mulling them around thoughtfully. What could Vaan possibly do to subdue his son's Wiley ways that involved her?
She studied Vaan for a moment, continuing to mull the clues together, and that's when it clicked. She wasn't stupid. She could put two and two together. The happy look on her father's face. Althea all excited about something. Vann having no other choice. She knew exactly what was going on. She looked between her parents wild eyed. "No...." She said harshly, standing before looking to Vaan. "No... no... No! I'm not marrying that... " She pointed a finger at Henry furiously. "That... spoiled pig!" She thought much worse than that, but as hot headed as she was being right now, she had the sense to watch what she said in front of Vaan and Henry. Truth be told, she thought Henry was a whoresome, arrogant, spoiled, brat who thought he could get whatever and whoever the hell he wanted. She was not the sort of woman who married men like Henry Niall.
"Elina Calliope Cali!" She went rigid when her father called her by her full name. Furious brown pools turned to George, looking to him. "You will not address the Prince and your future husband in such a way. Now sit." His words were curt and it was obvious that George Cali was used to having his orders obeyed. Elina stood there for a moment before slowly easing into her seat. She was not happy. She was very rigid in her posture and it was obvious she was tense about the entire situation. George kept his gaze rigidly fixed on his eldest daughter before looked up to Henry. "Would you please join us, Your Highness." George gestured a tan hand to the seat across from Elina.
Elina's gaze stayed fixed on her father, her fingers digging into the skirt of her dress tightly, so tightly her knuckles were growing white. She couldn't believe this. She couldn't believe this! She was going to be maneuvered into a marriage she wanted no part in with a man who whored around all the time.
It was a marriage that was doomed to fail before it even began.
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Post by henry on May 7, 2011 20:41:06 GMT -6
As soon as Henry entered the room, Vaan spoke harshly. It made him remember a time long ago when he was a pup and was getting scolded for something or other. It wasn't just the voice of an alpha, or a king. It was the voice of Henry's father. It dripped with disappointment and frustration, and he struggled not to cower under it. If Henry could have sank into the wall, he might have done it. He crossed his arms as the words sank in. Something to keep him in line. Something that involved... Oh hell no. Every muscle in his body went ridged and his fingers twitched. He started shaking his head before he even knew what he was doing.
Elina must have come to the same conclusion a moment later and he dimly heard her throwing a fit over the pounding of blood in his head. Henry honestly thought he might be sick. It wasn't an understatement to say that he feared marriage. He was terrified of it. And now Vaan was purposely giving Elina the power to rip his heart out. Elina called him a spoiled pig, but he couldn't form a response. It was as if his entire body had been frozen at the realization that a marriage, his marriage had been arranged behind his back. As royalty, arranged marriages were common, but he thought he'd been overlooked somehow. Richard was mated and had kids. Why did Henry have to get married? Why now? And why... saints above, why her?
Elina was the one person that set Henry on edge. She was, in Henry's opinion, absolutely perfect for him. Of course, that meant he would never be with her except in a fleeting moment of passion. Nothing more. At least, that had been his opinion. Now, it seemed, he was going to be spending the next few centuries with her. Every thought in his head rebelled. He knew what she thought about his relationships. She hated them, and she hated him for doing it. How could he ever be with her and still be himself? Then there was the feelings he had for her. He cringed inside just admitting it. If he cut those feelings off now, he wouldn't get hurt as much. But he couldn't do that if they were engaged. No, he'd find a way. He wouldn't give her the power to hurt him like his mother did. He wouldn't go through that again.
Henry was snapped out of his thoughts when Elina's father snapped at her. He turned his head, breaking the glare he had pointed at his father, and watched her, his face expressionless. Inside he was screaming. Part of him was raging at Vaan. Another part was holding Elina and promising her anything. Still another part of him was running... running until there was nothing left in him. He couldn't do this. He just couldn't. Elina was furious. He could see it in her posture as she sat down next to her father. Henry's heart pounded in tune with his conflicting thoughts. When he realized that he was breathing hard as if he'd been running, he closed his mouth, but his breath was still coming quickly. If he didn't get himself under control, he'd hyperventilate. "Would you please join us, Your Highness."
Henry hesitated. Panic started to set in, and he could feel his hands and feet start to tingle. Black spots danced across his vision and sweat beaded on his face. He was trapped with no way out. But there was a way... He was still standing next to the door. He could just walk out. Leave. It was a bit embarrassing how much he considered doing just that. Opening his mouth, he tried to say something, but nothing came out. Henry looked at Elina's father, appearing so happy to have his daughter married, and he knew he couldn't leave. Of course, that didn't mean this marriage was going to happen. Even if it did, that didn't mean it was going to work.
Henry closed his eyes and forced his muscles to relax enough for him to move. It felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, and one push would either save him or send him over into the abyss. Before he moved, he looked up to his father one more time, just to make sure. "Father... " He was shocked at the sound of his voice. He sounded like a pup again. Clearing his throat, he started again. "Father... this is madness... I can't..." It was no good. Shaking his head, he stepped up to George Cali. Henry nodded his head to the elder lycan and sat stiffly across from Elina. Beautiful Elina. The one woman, besides his mother, who could utterly destroy him.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on May 30, 2011 13:59:48 GMT -6
The negative reaction from his oldest son was to be excepted. Henry was not the loyal kind, he never seemed to remain with the same woman for more than two nights. Elina on the other hand, he believed would be happy with the challenge to tame the lust driven prince.
There was no going back now, the prideful king was not going to overturn this marriage as in his mind, it was for the best for the both of them. Each in his eyes needed the other in one way or another but that was just his opinion. Vaan could only stand so much disagreement, he would have to put his foot down but not just yet.
"Both of you, stop acting like children and accept what is happening" He commanding, the authority and certainty wrapped tightly around his words. "Now sit down and let us discuss this like adults" His eyes were glued upon Henry's face. For he was the one he was address more so than Elina. Turning his head from Henry to Elina, his eye shone brightly. He was making sure his message had gotten across. Vaan was not going to repeat himself now.
"Good, now the finer details will be sorted out by the two of you. I except Henry to assist his bride to make this a wedding to remember" Of course this meant his son would for once in his life work. The king would see to this, there was no room for compromise.
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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on May 30, 2011 19:14:34 GMT -6
She jumped at Vaan's orders to be silent. Brown eyes widened a little as she looked to Vaan then away, fidgeting a little with the sheer fabric of her skirt. She glanced to her mother for a moment, studying her happy countenance. Why though? Althea had been forced into a marriage with a man exactly like her husband. Why was she so happy of the prospect? Elina was going to be stuck in a marriage where she hates her husband. Did Althea not see that? Or was she severely blinded by the fact that they were marrying her to a Prince.
George finally tore his murderous gaze from his daughter before looking back Vaan. "I'm sorry for her outburst, your highness. She has never been one to take to her manners lessons properly." Elina looked to her father, giving her own murderous glare at the side of his head. How dare he. He had no room to talk. He sat there and paraded his latest bimbo through their suite the other day, right in front of Althea's face. How dare he talk about Elina's manners. She had to resist the urge to growl at her father.
Elina looked up to Vaan finally when he made it clear that the wedding plans were to be hers. And Henry's she drooped a little at this news. Yeah... like he would care about the wedding plans. He had too many women to please. She looked to Henry for a moment, studying him thoughtfully before she looked back to Vaan. "How soon?" The were were soft and a little frustrated, but she would keep her patience at the moment. She just wanted it all to be over all ready.
"We were discussing a spring wedding before you two joined us." Althea looked to her daughter and smiled sweetly. She knew how Elina was feeling now. She wanted to show her daughter that it was okay to put up a front though. It was okay. She understood her daughter's frustrations, but she was in agreement with Vaan. The two were perfect for each other. Even if they didn't realize it themselves. She had heard what the servants said about the music hall. The two were obviously were attracted to each other. The tension between them made it even more obvious. They just needed a little time together to realize how right for each other they were. Althea just hoped that her daughter would come to understand that she wasn't agreeing to this union just because Henry was the Prince of the Lycans.
"What? But that's only three months... there's no way I can plan a wedding in three months!" Elina was growing flustered at this news. There was no way on earth that she could get a wedding planned in three months. Not a wedding fit for royalty. She looked to her mother then to Vaan. "Please, your majesty. There's no way that a wedding, much less a royal wedding, can be planned in three short months." She gave Vaan a pleading expression, but a part of her feared that Vaan and her parents were not going to budge this. Certainly not her father. The sooner the better as a matter of fact. She glanced to her father, who looked like he was getting ready to explode, but she only gave him a challenging look before she turned her gaze back to Vaan.
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Post by henry on May 31, 2011 13:32:52 GMT -6
Henry gave an involuntary twitch at his father's voice. It wasn't just the voice of his father, or even that of an alpha. This was the voice of the King, who would give no quarter and show no mercy. He had heard it a number of times through the years, and he flinched every time, even if he was expecting it. This time, he was too distracted by his panic and his swirling thoughts to expect it, so it had caught him off guard even more. Trying to calm himself did absolutely no good whatsoever as he looked up at his father. Vaan stared back, driving his words home with his stare. Henry flinched away from his father's eyes, looking at Elina instead.
Then Vaan said words that made him flinch again. He was to help with the wedding? Damn it if he would. Weddings, relationships, loyalty, and devotion were not his thing. Elina could do whatever she pleased with the wedding. He was only half certain that he'd even show up. Not that he didn't desire her, because he did, but not for the rest of his life. If he was being forced into marriage, which apparently he was, he was determined to take as little part in it as possible. He wasn't about to let some woman tell him he couldn't do as he pleased, even if she was a truly spectacular woman.
Elina looked at him for a moment, and he made sure to let his feelings on the matter be seen. She looked away, her face unreadable before asking how soon they were to be married. At least she asked somewhat reasonable questions. Henry's questions would have been more like, "Do I have to go to the wedding?" or "Can we just skip to the honeymoon?" Considering that, he thought it best to keep his mouth shut for the moment. He could find a way out of this situation later.
Henry's eyes snapped to Elina's mother's when he heard her answer. Three months? Three frigging months!? Althea looked pleased and understanding which just made Henry's teeth clench. This woman was insane. They all were. Elina turned to Vaan, practically begging him for more time like being married to him was no problem at all. Abruptly he stood up, half angry and half terrified. There was nothing he could do to hide the fact, either which galled him. All of this was simply too much. He needed to get out of this room, and now. He pulled himself together long enough to bow to Vaan. "Father." He turned to Elina and her parents, giving them a nod. "It was a pleasure to see you." Then he turned and practically fled from the room. This whole thing was ridiculous.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on Jun 11, 2011 12:42:55 GMT -6
Henry would never change, Van was certain of this as he watched him leave the dinning room. This was disrespectful and humiliating behavior of someone of his station. A deep, unhappy sigh escaped his lips, Vaan would have to repair the damage, clean up the mess as he always had done in the past. First with Rebeckah and now with Henry, oh how similar were they in times like this. When they wished to escape from the duty laid upon their shoulders.
His gaze moved to Elina. He pitied her position in all of this but it had to be done. Henry needed to reminded about his heart, what it is like to be cared for and this young female was the one to do it. The path was laid out in front of them but in time they would walk it together, hand in hand.
"George, Althea I must speak with your daughter alone for a moment" He commanded, never once turning his sharp gaze from Elina's form. He hoped that this private talk would calm her nerves about the coming months. Neither one of them would deny their King or anything, this was a command and it had to be obeyed.
George was the first to stand, Althea soon followed suit with a smile painted across her red lips. "Of course your majesty" George said, bowing his head ever so slightly. With haste they left the table "I will have one of guards summon you back soon" Once the doors had closed behind them, it was now time to focus on the task ahead him, tackling any problems Elina had and then solving them.
Time was ticking away.
In three months Elina would become part of his family and pack. This had to be nipped in the bud before it blossomed and chaos emerged.
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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on Jun 11, 2011 14:30:43 GMT -6
How typical. She watched as he pretty much ran away. Ran away with his tail between his legs. That was so typical of him. The selfish man whore didn't care about anything if it wasn't to his liking. If he didn't agree to it he simply just ran away. Elina lifted her head and gazed at who would soon be her husband before he turned his back on them. Her eyes stayed glued to his back until the doors to the dinning chambers closed. Then she just stared at the doors, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth in thought.
Elina could feel Vaan's eyes on her and it just made her all the more uncomfortable. She felt so dirty. Like she was a toy being passed around. She had no say in this marriage. That much was obvious. George Cali would marry his daughter to the Prince. Even if Elina was kicking and scream the entire way down the aisle. To be totally honest, she just wanted to run to her bedroom and cry her eyes out. She tensed even more, if it was even possible , when Vaan requested her parents leave Vaan and Elina alone for a bit so that they may talk in private. Elina watched wild eyed as her parents both happily rose and agreed, leaving Elina sitting there with the King.
Elina still did not look to Vaan, not so comfortable in her current situation. She just sat there, staring at the dinner plate that sat before her. "Your Majesty... as... monumental.. an honor it would be to be your daughter in law... I can not marry Henry." Her fingers softly trailed along the edge of the empty plate in front of her before she looked up to Vaan. "I will not marry a man who makes my marriage look like a joke... I don't care if my father signed any agreements." She didn't care if her father signed any binding agreements with the king. She refused to marry a man like Henry. He would humiliate her. Make her and their marriage the laughing stock of the court.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on Jun 12, 2011 8:09:33 GMT -6
Holding his hands up, trying to stop her speaking for a moment. It was obvious that her fear of a bleak and loveless future was winning the battle within her. Vaan would have to put her mind at rest with carefully placed words.
"Elina, I can understand where you are coming from" He started, his voice no longer held the commanding tone as before. In this moment he was not the King, he was just Vaan the father of her soon to be husband. "It can't be undone. Elina I would not trust any other female with my eldest, I know you can turn him around before it's too late" This was all true, the paternal side of him was starting to worry over everything Henry did.
Everything was starting to get out of hand and soon it would be too late to save him, his little prince would be lost much like his mother had been all those many years ago. Maybe he should approach this from another angle. Elina needed to hear the truth, the reasons behind her fiancee's actions and fear of committed relationships.
"I should explain to you why Henry is the he is" Taking a deep breath before he attempted to begin his tale. "It started with his mother" This was a touchy subject for father and son alike. Vaan had not spoken to anyone since Lady Jane about Rebeckah and his feelings towards the woman he once loved.
"Rebeckah was my queen and his mother, one day she was here and the next she was gone" As much as he would have rather avoided such a conversation with his future daughter in law. This was a conversation for Henry to breach with his fiancee not his father doing it for him once again.
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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on Jun 12, 2011 12:54:47 GMT -6
She knew the story of Rebeckah's betrayal. She hadn't even been born at the time, but she knew the story well. She knew what happened. And she knew that was why Henry acted the way he did. It was his way of protecting himself. It kept the distance between him and who ever's company he's entertaining and kept him from getting hurt. He didn't want to get hurt again. She could understand that. She just didn't see what Vaan saw in her.
Her heart sank a little when Vaan informed her that the agreement could not be undone. Of course it couldn't be undone... because George Cali was too greedy and selfish to consult the daughter he was pawning off to the royal family first. The daughter he knew would do what she was told even if she didn't want to. She would marry Henry now because there was nothing she could do or say to stop it now. She was to become the Princess of the Lycans. As much as she had always dreamed of being a true princess like any other girl, but she didn't want it if it meant having a marriage that was doomed to fail before it even began. She didn't understand what Vaan saw in her. What did she have that could possibly whip Henry back into shape. She knew she had a strong sense of duty and fidelity, but what possible good could that be to get Henry to do what he had to as Prince.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I honestly do. I suppose a part of me does not blame him for the way he acts after his mother's abandonment, but... I can not marry him." Elina met his gaze, confused and feeling utterly vulnerable. She didn't understand what he saw in her. Yes, she refused to sleep with Henry unless she had a promise of fidelity, but that wasn't going to stop Henry from sleeping around. He was the Prince of the Lycans. He could have any woman he wanted, and there was nothing Elina could do to stop him. She finally looked up to Vaan, licking her lips softly.
She might as well be talking to a brick wall. It was obvious Vaan wasn't going to budge on this. In three months time, she would become the Princess of the Lycans. She looked down at the fabric of her dress and played with the asymetrical hem for a moment. "What do you see in me... What do I have that could possibly turn Henry around?" She lifted her gaze back to Vaan, wanting him to look her in the eyes when he answered her question.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on Jun 28, 2011 14:49:48 GMT -6
What Vaan saw in Elina, was a breath of fresh air who could break his son out of his shell and get through to his guarded heart. His mother, his former mate was the source of all the pain in his life and Elina would be the one to set him free. Vaan believed that this young woman was up to the great task laid at her feet.
The papers had been signed but that meant nothing to the King, who could easily break off the engagement with one flick of his hand. This was not an option anymore. There was a reason he had put this on hold and focused upon his youngest son. The right woman had not come through the doors of court until now.
With Richard, it had been easier. Vaan had not been alone, his dear Jane had been there the entire time, helping where it had been needed. A mother comfort would influence their son more than he ever could. These were the moments when he wished he had stopped her that day or even joined her on the hunt that took her from him.
These were the moments when Vaan realised how alone he really was in this court of his. No amount of attention from his mistress could change this, maybe it was time to get rid of Adrienne. She no longer was doing her job, distracting him from the pain and chase away his loneliness.
For now he would push back his own problems, he had to focus on what was in front of him. Elina and Henry, the future of his pack.
He had excepted this, his son was not the model for a good husband but there was no turning back. "Elina, the past makes us but the molds can be reshaped and changed if the right person comes along" He started, hinting at what could be achieved but only she is let herself try. Rebeckah had caused more damage to their young son than to himself but it was time to history to be forgotten.
"I see a bright, beautiful caring and patient woman who is what my son needs in order to be the man I know he can be" He said, smiling at his future daughter in law. Elina Cali was made to be the princess to Henry's Prince. Three months time that would be so, the only question on the king's mind was whether his son would actually be there at the altar.
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Post by Baroness Elina Cali on Jun 29, 2011 0:59:57 GMT -6
She didn't want this. If she pleaded with him enough he might void the marriage. He was the only man here who had the power to break the marriage contract. Fat chance he would ever actually do that though. Not unless something went terribly wrong. She sighed and sat back, staring at her empty dinner plate thoughtfully for a moment. This was not how she had planned her life. She was supposed to marry a man she wanted to marry. Not... Prince Henry David Niall. The biggest womanizer in all of the court. How was she supposed to tame that? He was the ultimate womanizer. He knew how to wine them, dine them, and fuck them mindless. What could she possibly do to fix that? Nothing.
She looked back up to Vaan, studying him thoughtfully. He was right. As much as she hated to admit that to herself. The past most certainly did shape people, but you could always remelt wax, as her mother liked to say. Elina had never really understood that statement until now. You could remelt wax. People could change. Could Henry though? She wasn't so sure he could. His father seemed to have faith in him though. He had faith in Elina too. That just put even more pressure on her, which she despised, but she would figure something out. She had a few ideas already as a matter of fact. The trick would be executing them. "How large was the dowry my father agreed to?" George Cali no doubt drove a hard bargain. Elina had no doubts of that. He would at least use some of that money to help take care of Althea and Helena though. That was one thing she had to hand to her father. He took care of what was his. He always made sure that there was plenty of money for her and Helena and their mother. Elina always thought that a part of him did love the three of them, he just didn't know how to put it to words or actions.
She studied Vaan for a very long, silent time when he told her what he saw in Elina. Did he really see all of that in her? Surely not. She licked her lips and closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep, soothing breath before she looked up to Vaan. "I don't want you questioning my methods, You're Highness... I have a few... ideas in mind. And I refuse to share a bed with Henry until he commits himself to me and only me. " She stated her negotiation terms calmly and a bit cooly. If she was going to do this she was to do it her way. She didn't want people questioning her action and what she was doing with or to the prince. She would make him suffer if she had to. Everyone had to suffer through occasional hardships. And this would be as much a hardship for her as it would be for Henry.
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Vaan Niall
King of the Lycans
King of the Lycans
Posts: 170
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Post by Vaan Niall on Jun 29, 2011 7:23:28 GMT -6
The meetings between George Cali and Vaan were few and far between but a dowry had been discussed. It was something that he did not hoped would not be brought up but Elina wished to know. She wanted to know the price her father had placed upon her head, when offering his daughter to the King as Henry's bride.
Vaan took a deep breath before telling her the truth. The amount had been hefty but necessary. "The dowry was initially set at twenty thousand and several aches of land north of your father property but it was settled at triple the amount and ten aches of land" Elina's Dowry was double what Rachel's had been all those years ago. Her parents had not been as greedy as George Cali, he wanted to protect what he considered his and provide for the future.
This was not how he wished to spend this evening, he had hoped that Henry and Elina would be able to deal with this like adults. That had been dashed and thrown out the nearest window when he fled from the room, with his tail between his thighs like a child who could not get his way. Sometimes he wondered whether his son had really grown up at all.
His ears perked, the gears in his mind turned curious at the ideas she was offering up. "I'm open minded about this marriage, I will listen to any ideas you have Elina" He was offering an olive branch to her, maybe this way any trust that might have blossomed between them could be saved.
It was understandable that she did not desire to share a bed with a known womanizer. "I can grant you that but you must share his rooms with him. I can have another bed made up in one of the smaller rooms in his suite" Vaan was not going to change everything he had planned. The suite his son resided in contained several small almost box like rooms, used only by guests and for storage. One could easily be cleaned out for her.
This way they would be forced to spend time together and try to form some sort of relationship. "Is there anything other conditions you wish to put into play?" He asked interested in what she might throw in the mix. The ball was in her court now.
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