675-06-03 - Betrothals and Delegation Matters
| Betrothals and Delegation Matters | |||||||
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| Summary: The King speaks with Duke Alajos about the mission to the Isles, and suggests a match to the Duke. | |||||||
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A busy day it had already been for King Barret Brais. With the Solar of Castle Equitaine put to new use as the King's temporary audience chamber, he had already had some talks with his niece in the morning, then a string of more official talks had followed, with the likes of Duke Herrik himself, and more members of the delegation. There is a slightly fatigued look to his face now that another visitor is announced. Barret sits on the comfortable chair by the hearth, which is conveniently enough not in use at the moment. The windows offer enough light and warmth of a summer sun, as the weather is rather fair today.
Duke Alajos is not very happy to be kept in Equitaine when he is longing for home, but he knows he must pay his respects to the king who came out to greet them here after all. He is glad when he finally gets note that the king is ready to see him and steps into the solar in his finest coat, looking scrubbed and rested. "Your Highness.", he greets formally, offering a deep bow.
"Ah. Duke Alajos," Barret greets with a faint smile, his brown eyes briefly flickering over the Fennim, studying him for a moment. "I have been expecting you," he adds after a moment. "Pray. Have a seat." One hand moves to motion towards a chair beside him. "How have you been faring in the Isles?", the King inquires, in a friendly tone. "I hear there have been some troubles...?"
Alajos folds his tall frame into the seat and sinks into a brief thoughtful silence as he considers his reply. "It was interesting, Your Highness. There were a few little hiccups, but I trust they have been cleared now. I left my cousin Ralph behind to smooth potentially ruffled feathers diplomatically."
"Oh? That's good to hear," Barret replies, as both of his bushy eye brows move a touch upwards. "I hear there has been some minor crisis. One of ours being held in the dungeons, some sketchy facts about an incident in a village. A theft leading to a lockdown of the capital. All being more or less solved by a single letter, written by you, Duke Alajos." The mention of Ralph is met with a nod. "Aye, I believe he will handle the situation just fine. But... I forgot to offer you any refreshment... Would you care for a bit of wine?" A wave is given to one of the servants, to alert him to any of the Duke's wishes.
"No, thank you, Your Highness." Alajos declines the offer of wine. Either he doesn't want to risk getting drunk in front of the king or not risk getting poisoned. Perhaps both. A tiny smile appears in the corners of his lips when the letter is mentioned. "Your Highness, our delegion, including high-ranking nobles such as myself and your very own daughter Barbeta were held in their city like prisoners - on some vague suspicion of murder. It was ludicrous. I couldn't let them treat us this way. It was not dignified. Which I told their Queen in no uncertain terms."
"The queen was absent, I hear?", Barret interjects, after nodding to Alajos explanation. "And is it true that you threatened the Isles with war?" There is a certain amused sparkle in his eyes as he voices that particular question. The decline of the wine is noted. "Anything else perhaps? Some watered apple juice?", but Barret will not insist on Alajos drinking in his presence, if he feels not inclined to do so.
"It was a bluff.", Alajos admits and shrugs, "I just wanted to get the point across that their attitude was a serious slight and unacceptable to us. Their queen's absence was also unacceptable. If visitors come from afar, making a long and perilous journey, the least you can do is see them. My letter, interestingly enough, suddenly brought her out of her shell." He pauses for a moment, declining other drinks with a shake of his head. "My King, I hoped to represent you as well as possible. I am sorry, if I did not meet your expectations."
The king scratches his chin pensively, carefully digesting Alajos' words, it seems. He takes a sip from his own goblet of wine, his gaze lowered, pondering the Duke's last remark especially. Then the goblet is put onto the table, and those brown eyes are raised again to meet those of the Fennim. "I don't see a reason for you to regret your action, Duke Alajos. After all it was your letter that brought about a change in the situation. They are not to think of us as weak and powerless, accepting any insult offered to us, because we a re in a perilous situation and depend on them. Any alliance needs to be built on a foundation of mutual respect. You regained us the respect we deserve." A soft chuckle follows. "As for my expectations,...I really didn't have any, given you are quite young and still need to find your way. So.. no need to be sorry, as I am by no means disappointed."
A brief look of relief does cross the young duke's face. "Well, I am glad to hear that, Your Highness. And I am sure that my cousin will soon arrive with the trade contracts we have hoped for. The Isles now know they cannot treat us however it pleases them and they need us as much as we need them. Now..." He hesitates for a moment, "With your leave, Your Highness, "May we return to Woriscant?"
The king seems to be baffled by the question for a moment, before he nods. "Why, certainly. I forgot this is not your duchy. Your family must be eager for your return. There have been no news from Woriscant during your absence. I believe the steward has handled things just fine. But..." And here he takes that goblet again into his hands. "There is another matter which I wanted to speak with you about. I am not sure whether your cousin Ralph has already mentioned some of it, but I'd like to propose a match for you, Duke Alajos. You are young, and your House has not many males left, after the plague. I feel you need a wife. And soon. Now it happens, my niece Avaline is umarried as of yet. She is a clever woman with many qualities that may help you, also she is a beautiful lady, and I hold her in high regard. I hereby want to offer you the hand of my niece Avaline in marriage. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?" Getting right to the point now, that the conversation about the mission to the Isles is somewhat concluded.
It's not like he could say no when the king offers him the hand of his very own niece. But luckily Alajos has known - as his lack of surprise might indicate - and is thus ready for the question. "My cousin Ralph did reveal this plan to me - quite by accident I suppose.", he assures him with a little smile, that is quick to disappear again. "I am aware of my family's need for male heirs... and of the role I have to play in this matter. Your niece is a charming young lady, Your Highness. It would be a honour to make her mine."
A smile slowly spreads over the features of the king, many traces of good and bad times he has experienced written all over this face with lines here and there. Needless to say at the moment those lines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth are deepened. Yes, the king is pleased indeed. "I am glad you agree," he remarks. "And I congratulate you on your decision, you will certainly not regret. I would like to announce the betrothal as soon as possible, if you don't mind. I have already informed my niece, and she agrees to the marriage. As for the date... I'm open for suggestions. The sooner the better I would think."
"Yes, of course, Your Highness.", Alajos confirms, inclining his head to indicate that he's fine with whatever the king decides, "The only request I have is to wait with the wedding itself until my cousin has returned from the Isles. But surely that is no problem, as he will be here within a week or two." And weddings take aaaages to prepare.
"Of course!", Barret is quick to respond. "I could imagine a wedding in a month or so. Or later, if that should be preferable to you. I suggest you speak with Lady Avaline to get her opinion on the matter. We will also have to discuss such things as the dowry, and where the wedding will be held. Woodwatch Keep would be the natural choice, I would think."
"Yes... I believe so. I would suggest to wait a little longer though - we will need time to send invitations and then people will need time to make their preparations and travel. So perhaps two months from now? I will also have to..." He hesitates for a moment, but struggles to continue: "Have to prepare the castle for her arrival. Her chambers and such. I shall seek the Lady Avaline out to... well, talk to her about all this. And if it pleases you, you can announce it officially at dinner tonight before I depart for Woriscant on the morn."
"Very well then," Barret agrees, leaning back in his chair wth a pleased expression on his face. "In two months. And I will make the announcement tonight."
