| The Queen's Investigation |
| Summary: | Laetitia questions Serah, Ciarrah's maid, about the recent events. |
| OOC Date: | 02/August/2013 (OOC) |
| Related: | When The Queen Calls, Not So Stable, Kitchen Sickness, Beach Confidences |
| Players: |
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| Crown Prince's Office |
| A man's room. This spacious room is graced with a gorgeous view of the ocean. Three tall windows, topped with gorgeous stained glass look out over the harbour to east, and the ocean below. Dominating it is a truly massive, oaken desk, topped with assorted bits of small statuary and objects of art. The desk is ornately carved with an elegant vine pattern. Behind it is a rather grandiose throne of a chair, carved in a somewhat gothic style. What isn't wood is covered in black leather secured by silver studs. In front of the desk is a cluster of smaller black-leather chairs. The hardwood floor is covered in a thick purple rug with silver trim. A few silver candelabras spaced about the room in addition to a few wrought-iron wall sconces provide plenty of light. The walls are paneled two thirds of the way up the wall with a dark cherry wood. From there on up they are painted purple, and about a foot from the ceiling is silver stenciling. On one side of the room, a bookshelf lines the wall, from floor to ceiling. The shelf is filled with books from all across Daeren. A door leads to a private room for the Prince. |
| Friday, Nar 30, 228 |
The Queen has taken a hot bath and changed into a simpler dress than one on the beach, one with long sleeves and a hugging bodice, fabric dropping down in tones of yellow and red, like flames flickering up. Her hair is still wet and has been twisted up and pinned. She sits behind the desk in her sons chair, a glass of wine in front of her, having sent one of her own maidens and a guard to go and detain Serah for questioning. The Queen can hardly keep still, her ladies and guards within the office, fingernails busily tapping into the side of her goblet as she waits impatiently, pale green eyes fiery.
Wearing a simple dress of lavender with a white apron over it, Serah arrives at the office as soon as she had been summoned. Stepping inside, she dips into a deep and formal curtsy, keeping her head bowed demurely. "Your Majesty." In no way does she take the initiative, waiting to be invited to stand or sit.. or breathe. In the presence of the Queen, she waits with breathless anticipation.
Laetitia breathes in deeply as Serah comes in, her eyes closing once the girl has done the appropriate motions. Calming her nerves and steadying herself for the questioning. This poor girl has done nothing wrong. Although technically she has by not reporting but ..still, "My dear girl, please. Rise and take a seat. You have knowledge that is dear to me to know about my son Prince Logen Kilgour and Princess Ciarrah Kilgour. I wish to know of all said between them and any misdeeds." A pause, the wine goblet slid forwards near the edge of the desk, the Queen rising up slightly from the seat to press it so, "Do not think to lie to me, either, my dear. But know that you will not gain trouble for your words and truths." Settling back the Queen will lift up a delicate hand and gesture to the goblet, "Please, drink, whet your throat and then speak."
No way would she defy the Queen! Rising from her curtsy, Serah takes a tentative step forward, accepting the wine in her hands before taking a seat in the chair indicated. Lifting the wine, she takes a hurried sip, her hands trembling. Never had she had the complete attention of a Queen before, not even the Aberdeen one! Clearing her throat, she death grips the goblet. "I.. am.. always present.." starting out with hesitation but growing more confident in her softly spoken words. "I am always present when the Princess leaves her chambers each morning. We usually go to the kitchens first where she has befriended the cook, and the cook has been showing her how to cook. After, she takes a meal up to the battlements where she writes in her journal. Yesterday when we went to the kitchen, Prince Logen was there, cooking with the cook. Princess Ciarrah remained only a short time before the smells of the burned food made her sick, so we went to the battlements where Prince Logen followed. He offered her a plate of food but she declined, she said she was going back to bed because she had caught what Princess Caillin had. We went back to her room and I cared for her the remainder of the day, alone." And that is one day. "Night before that, Princess Ciarrah went to the stables to feed her horse an apple, I was there and a guard at the door. Prince Logen arrived shortly after."
Laetitia listens keenly, leaning back and waving a hand at one of her girls, murmuring something to her when the handmaiden comes, the handmaiden curtseying and murmuring "Yes my lady." Before she rushes out of the room to fetch the Queen her tea. The eyes of the Queen never left Serah, and when the woman comes to the day prior the Queen will nod her head and gesture for Serah to continue, "Continue, my dear - I wish to know everything. Every word spoken between the two, including today in the waters off the beach. But the stables …After Prince Logen arrived, then what."
Taking another deep breath, Serah clasps the goblet tighter, her fingers turning almost white. "Princess Ciarrah was feeding her horse apples when Prince Logen arrived, cloaked. At first, we did not recognize him, but when he spoke we did. They spoke of how his journey had gone first, then they spoke of Prince Tyrel and how busy he had been of late. Princess Ciarrah expressed hoping to spend more time with him, and when Prince Logen asked her.. about the bed, if he still took care of things there, but not in those words, at first she did not understand, only asked him to explain, he asked in another manner which she understood. She was offended he asked and told him her husband came to her each night, though at the last moment she added that when he did come, that he always had been drinking very much. Prince Logen told her even if it were not her husband, she should have someone to love her." Looking infinitely uncomfortable now, she shifts in her seat, but forges on. "Princess Ciarrah did continue to speak up for Prince Tyrel and Prince Logen also said his brother was a good man and said he would speak to his brother about how his wife needed him to spend more time with her. They parted ways, and I escorted the Princess to her chambers, and remained with her until Prince Tyrel arrived before retiring to the servant's quarters."
"Princess Ciarrah today went to the beach to collect sea shells as she does at home," Not realizing the slip there in calling home, Aberdeen. "Prince Logen was there and they were speaking about his feelings for someone, though he did not say, for Sir Ruxton arrived just then and the conversation became about the congratulations for him wedding the Princess Caillin. Only when Sir Ruxton left did Princess Ciarrah ask what he had been intending to ask her. He spoke of spending time in the Library with the Lady Caitlyn, a good part of the evening last night until books fell on his head in which Duke Cedric took him to his room. After a bit, Lady Caitlyn visited him in the room during the night and he said she should not have done so, but he thinks he has a sudden infatuation with a pretty smile and a beautiful heart and that he had that feeling a few days now and not only about Lady Caitlyn. Princess Ciarrah urged him to seek a marriage with Lady Caitlyn, to ask you and the king for one, saying it was good news and she felt happy for him. He said he could not guarantee his heart was set or that it ever would be. And the politics, how upset the Duke would be if you did not agree. Princess Ciarrah said she understood, for she was bound to a man who would love her and would never allow her to love him as she had always dreamed. Then she wished Prince Logen every happiness. He mentioned once more to find someone who loves her in return even if not her husband. He also said his brother only needed time and wished Prince Tyrel was not so busy so he could speak with him and offer insights on how to be a better husband to Princess Ciarrah."
"Princess Ciarrah assured he did say he loved her but never in private, only one time and it was at the joust, because people were there watching. She said she was grateful Prince Logen understood her and took the time to speak with her, for she had so few friends here save for her brother and myself, and her brother was always busy as was her husband. Then Prince Logen whispered for her to fall in love with him. Then said nothing, and she should not consider it and assured her his brother would eventually fall for her. He touched her arm as well, but then you arrived and all Princess Ciarrah said was she thinks Prince Tyrel will not love her."
Laetitia listens, clearly disturbed by the revelations, but the girl Serah did a good job in explaining so much so that the Queen did not have to ask any questions. Nodding her head slowly, "So no actual physical transgressions took place." Actual relief there, the issue of a child being born and not knowing which brother it was would be a fickle task indeed. Thoughtful silence then as the Queen considers if there is anything else, fingers of her right hand lifting to gently press against her lips, playing there a moment as she glances away from the handmaiden, "So mainly an emotional …endeavour between these two but sense came to them both." Nodding her head slowly, "Thank you. You've been very helpful, my dear. You may go. But finish your wine first."
Having gained some confidence while speaking, relaying the events, Serah shakes her head, "There was no touching, other than the hand on her arm." Lifting the goblet, she drinks a large amount in one gulp, rarely did she have such a fine wine. "I will inform you of anything and everything in the future, right away, my Queen." Finishing off the Goblet, she automatically puts the goblet where it belongs after rising, then curtsies. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Laetitia's smile parts warmly for Sareh and the Queen will ensure she cements the loyalty of the girl as she rises up as the girl does her curtsey, the Queen walking around the desk and motions for the girl to rise before her ringed hand presses to her shoulder to gently squeeze, "Thank you my dear. Next time we have each others company I will have more wine for you, and perhaps some sweet cakes."
Certainly cemented, quite firmly. "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will let you know everything!"