675-07-24 - A Daughter's Visit
A Daughter's Visit | |||||||
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Summary: Barbeta visits the King in his quarters, to speak about a number of matters. | |||||||
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It is a late night, though Barbie is still wearing one of her simple and most favourite black gowns. She walks across the passages of the castle, making turn after turn. Her handmaiden from the Unknown World follows behind. There are no guards following the two women. After all, it is the princess's home and the hallways are filled with patrolling guards.
The young princess stops in front of the massive doors of her father’s chambers.
"Is the King there?" She asks the guards, offering them a smile.
Indeed, the king is there, as the guard will lead Barbeta inside, after announcing her to the king. Barret Brais is still awake. He sits at the table in his room. There is an oil lamp on his table, beside some parchments he may have been studying. Attired in nothing more than a tunic and breeches in red and black, the king looks tired as his brown eyes turn to study his daughter, although the corners are quick to crinkle in the smile he has for her.
"Barbeta, dearest. You are up late? What can I do for you, child?", he inquires with a friendly voice. "Come, and sit."
The girl smiles for her father too. She comes closer, if allowed and leans to place a peck on the old man's forehead, "good evening, Father..." She greets the man, before moving to take a seat in front of his table, if there is a chair.
Of course, her handmaiden is left outside. There is no need anyone to keep her safe from her own father, "You look so tired. Why are you not sleeping? Are you feeling alright? Maybe I am bothering you? I could come back later..."
She lowers her head a bit shyly, "I came here with a few requests, but they may wait..."
Barret smiles. "I couldn't sleep yet, some matters needed to be looked into," he explains vaguely, gesturing towards the parchments on the table. "I am fine though, no need to worry about me, child. So... what are these requests, you have for me?" he inquires as shoots Barbeta a curious glance.
The girl curiously glances at the parchments, "If you need any help, father, let me know!" She smiles genuinely and then leans back in her seat. She looks at her father for a while, "I have no idea where to start..." Barbie grows quiet for a bit.
"Well..." she finally starts, "First of all, thank you very much for letting me have Livessa as lady-in-waiting. The girl grows up quickly and I can see how she becomes a proper lady. I noticed, that she has a talent in drawing and painting... So, I was thinking... Maybe you know some really good artists? I would like that she could learn from the best and improve her knowledge in this... She wants it too. So, I thought, maybe with your help I could help her?" Barbie giggles.
"Livessa Ivounel?", Barret smiles. "You two are getting along nicely? I am glad to hear that. I am aware there is a lack of girls your age here at Beresgond." His smile broadens even more when Barbeta brings forth her request. "Oh... I am sure you can make your own inquiries in the matter. There is a painter in the city of Farris. Another in Woriscant, as far as I know. He did many of the paintings in Woodwatch Keep, at a time before the plague, when we were all so much wealthier than we are today. As for the names..." His voice trails off and he chuckles. "I do not recall them at the moment. But I am sure you can find out who they are. Mayhaps you want to have painting lessons, too?" Leaning back in his seat, the king will let his gaze linger fondly on Barbeta for another moment before he raises his voice again. "Anything else, little one?"
"Thank you, father. I will look into it," Barbie smiles warmly before shaking her head, "No, I do not have time for such lessons. Also, I do not want that. You know, that I am not so good for the art... My talents are elsewhere..." She grins and places her hands on her lap.
The girl raises her gaze to Barret, "I wanted to ask if Livessa and I could organize a little feast of charity for our poorest people. I would like to send letters for the people of all over the kingdom and invite them to a wonderful event... Let me explain to you, what I have in mind..."
The girl leans a bit closer to the King, "I want to gather all the artists, especially noble ones, of our Kingdom in the one place. They could sell their work during the event. Jewelry, gowns, paintings... Some could offer dancing lessons or archery lessons... And all the money gathered would be given to the poorest people of our lands... I thought it would be nice..."
The king's brows furrow a touch, as he listens to his daughter, a good-natured grunt the first reaction to her idea. "A feast of charity? Now that is a splendid idea, child. But why narrow it down to artisans, painters and the like? Why not enhance it with some other arts as well, like a minstrel contest, like the one we had in my youth, and maybe have some jugglers and entertainers perform for free, for the common folk? This idea of charity is certainly a good one, we will distribute the earnings among the poor in the city, or the poorest in the country, like you suggest."
"Oh, yes... Of course! We can invite anyone. I will write everything down and I will bring my announcement to you, father. You will check if I wrote everything good. You will check if that suits to be sent abroad too... It will be the first massive event organized by me! Thank you very much!" The girl claps quietly, being honestly joyful, that she got approval of the King.
Then she leans back in her seat and sighs, "There is one more matter... I am sorry, if you will think, that it is impolite to intrude into such matters, but I just can't help but mention it to you!" The girl grins a bit, "My uncle, lord Argon... He spends a lot of time together with lady Livessa. I talked with them both privately... Livessa mentioned that she really likes lord Argon. I believe that the girl might be in love... Also, I talked with my uncle, who speaks very lovingly about her. It might be that my uncle may pay a visit for you to ask... You understand!" Barbie raises her gaze to the King, smiling brightly.
"You know, that I wish well for lord Argon and for Lady Livessa. So, I just wanted to say that... They both deserve to be happy, father. I hope that you will approve their request... If that request will reach you..."
A dismissive gesture of his hand comes, along with a warm smile, when Barbeta thanks her father for his approval. King Barret Brais chuckles softly. "It brings joy to my heart to see you so eager to be of use to the realm." Then he waves for a servant to provide them both with a goblet of wine, already assuming that his daughter may be thirsty.
The next topic does take the king by surprise, though. "Argon. Really? Are we speaking of the same Argon that is my cousin? The valiant warrior and leader of men, that has so far neglected his personal life, and as far as I know, never took a wife?" He shakes his head slowly and incredulously, surprise as well as a glint of joy for his relative clearly visible in his brown eyes. "I may ask him about it, should he be too timid to address the matter. And of course, I will talk to Lady Livessa as well. She is very young, but well, if they should both get along, who am I to object. Matters of dowry and such," he makes a dismissive gesture. "Argon is already beyond that age where such could be of importance. She is of noble blood, that is what counts, I suppose." And here he winks at his daughter, as he seems to be in the best of spirits.
"Anything else? If you continue to have such good news, I'll request you come and visit me each day, Barbeta."
Barbeta laughs lively, seeing that her news cheered the old King, "Well... I am very happy to see, that my news bring a wide smile into your features. I really miss the days, when..." She lowers her gaze now and sighs. The girl stays quiet for a while and the smile slowly fades from her features.
"The days when mother, you, my sister and I spent a lot of time together. Riding, for example... Or during the dinner... I miss our mother's laugh... I wanted to pra-..." The girl stops and glances at her father a bit fearfully.
Then she tries to smile again, "It just... Sometimes I feel so scared and lonely, and I don't know where to get the inner strength, father. When mother left us... we lost not just that inner strength, but all the possible future brothers. We lost actual brothers too... And I start to think about the future a lot and then I can't sleep at all, because... What if I will lose you and what's then?" She looks into her father's eyes, "I read the history... Each time, when the King leaves his kingdom without a very clear succession the war starts... "
Suddenly the girl giggles, "And here I ruin all the good mood, which I brought. Though, when I concentrate my minds on charity and how to find a nice marriage to the others... It cheers me up and allows me to forget all this..." The girl sighs again.
The smile remains on the features of the king, albeit it takes on another less cheerful quality. "I miss them too," he assures Barbeta, and his baritone sounds suddenly rougher around the edges. "How can I not? Livia has been a good wife to me, a good mother to you, and a good queen. How proud I was of Adlard. Fredrick and Meriall. None were to live, as /fate/ took them all away from us."
Those brown eyes shift to meet the princess's gaze, and they look at Barbeta with growing stringency. "So... while I in a way understand your need for guidance, Barbeta, I cannot allow us to fall back into bad habits. Rather than rely on some higher entities, we should be aware that fate depends upon us and what we make of it. It will make us try harder, and our successes will be far more satisfying because we owe them to ourselves, and are aware of that! There is little comfort in prayer, nor in accepting some godlings that cared too little about us. I will not allow my people to return to the hand that dealt us blow after blow, like a beaten dog that doesn't know better! No, Barbeta. Stay strong and know that we, the people of Two Rivers are willing to take the responsibility that has been so conveniently been left to the so-called Gods and Godesses before."
The girl listens for all what her father has to say, looking straight into his eyes. She does not turn her look away, trying to remain strong. She nods slowly, letting the father to understand, that she understands and obeys to his words.
When her father finishes his lecture, Barbie stands up. She walks around his table, closer to the man, if allowed. Then the young girl will try to slip to take a seat on her father's lap. She will hug the man tightly, "You are my strength, father and I want to see hundreds of guards around you each day, because I have too horrible dreams sometimes..."
She will squeeze the man tightly, if allowed.
A warm smile is offered back to Barbeta when the king sees that slow nod, and it will remain on his features when she comes over to sit in his lap. "My dearest Barbeta," Barret will mutter in a low grumble, as his own arms close about her slender frame in a fatherly hug in response to her own. "I am strong for you, child, and for our people. But no need to worry. I'm but an old man. Who would want to harm one such as me..." He chuckles softly, as he loosens his grip about her. "There are negotiations on the way, and I am planning to change a paragraph in the Book of Laws. Luanda and you will have to marry soon, child. As I doubt I can find a bride that will not be appalled by my age." His voice trails off and his gaze drifts towards the window. "Maybe... some lady that is not as young as Princess Madalyn Onimus... may be more inclined..."
The eyebrows of Barbie jumps up a bit surprised, when she hears her father's words. She withdraws a bit, but still remains on his lap, if allowed, "Father...." The young woman drawls, "That princess was so silly to refuse you! You are the kindest man in the whole Felaguria!"
Then Barbie sighs and asks a bit shyly, "Father, what you will change in the Book of laws, if I may be curious?.." Her smile grows wider again, "Do you already have some candidates for my sister? She has to marry first, yes?"
"Madalyn is very young, and I am not the one who would mourn being rejected by her. She had her reasons, and I would never have forced her to marry me. No,..." Barret smiles at Barbeta. "Young girls tend to be stubborn sometimes, they are so full of ideals." He falls silent then, when his daughter asks him about the Book of Laws. "I have to consider options," the king finally replies. "The lineage must be secured. What is to happen, should I remain without an heir. And Argon too. I am pondering on having a new passage added, to allow the crown to succeed to a male grandchild, should no male son be available. Which explains why Luanda and you should get married, and soon." He smiles. "I am contemplating one of the princes of the Isles for either her or you, as an alternative match to the one that did not come about."
"Father!" surprised exclaims the young girl, "Luanda's or mine child will become heir?" She turns her look away briefly, but soon she looks back at her father, "I will marry anyone you will ask me to and as soon as you will ask. I am not one of these.... little girls full of ideas or wishes. I have just one wish - help our Kingdom and you..." Then she pauses a bit, before inhaling, "However, I do not want to get into a fight with my sister. She may be sad and disappointed if I would get a chance to marry first. So, may I suggest, that someone from the Isles would be offered to her, and I will marry someone else, if you will see a proper match..."
"It is an option, really, which I still have to discuss in the Royal Council, child," King Barret clarifies. Her eagerness is noted with a fond smile, though. "Indeed, the first I considered for the match with a prince of the Isles would be Luanda. While I have not given up entirely on finding a wife, I will remember your words, when the time comes. Maybe a marriage to an Estorian prince could be of advantage." He takes a sip of his wine, while he studies his daughter thoughtfully. "Or would you consider someone within our kingdom? He should be of station. Alas, Duke Alajos is already betrothed to your dear cousin."
Barbie rolls her eyes, hearing the name of Duke Alajos, "I would marry even him, if you would ask me to, father, but... Even if he would be the last duke in Felaguria, I wouldn't like it a lot.... I don't know why, but... When I tried to speak with him... We wouldn't become friends, believe me..."
Though, when father speaks about someone of their own Kingdom, Barbie lowers her gaze. She might look thoughtful, or shy, or that means nothing. Hard to say if she really has something in mind, "I would consider marring you or my uncle, if we wouldn't be relatives..." Barbie laughs.
"As I said, Duke Alajos won't be available, and House Fennim is already tied sufficiently to our cause," the king says with a smile. "Also... do not expect love at first sight, some relationships may need time to grow, as was the case with your mother and I." A curious glance is shot her way, when Barbie lowers her gaze, and a good-natured laugh comes at her admission. "There are certainly other options, child. Although your words flatter both me and your uncle. Perhaps men that are closer to your age…"
The girl pouts, hearing the answer of her father, "You should know that I am the last person to expect love from the first sight. I understand that marriages are political treaties, first of all. Do not look into me as if I would be just a little girl!" Says princess, who is sitting on her father's lap. Maybe remembering that, Barbie stands up and moves to lean against the table.
She smiles warmly at the old king, "I am happy to hear that Duke Alajos is no longer available. I do not expect love, but there has to be at least a little bit similar view into all the important political matters. I told and I will tell that the means he is using to administrate your lands and present us in the other Kingdoms are wrong from my point of view and we both would have many disagreements."
Now the girl speaks as if she would be a very experienced politician, who perfectly knows her own truths. The cute little girl becomes very serious lady. "Men," she adds, "who are closer to my age are still children. I usually do not have what to talk with them. They see the world in bright colors and they think that their cute smile and strong arm with a sharp blade can do anything. No," she taps her temple, "Minds, experience and knowledge are the true weapons, which can help our Kingdom raise from the ashes."
Barbie smiles warmly once again and leans to take a hand of her father. However, she does not turn her gaze away, "Please, Father, promise, that you won't care about the age of my husband. Please, find me a clever, intelligent and promising man...." Her smile widens a bit and she squeezes her father's hand.
"I do not share your view of Duke Alajos," the King replies with a determined tone that still manages to remain friendly. "I think his way of dealing with the crisis in the Isles did lead to a conclusion. After what I hear the way the authorities handled things there was unacceptable. He is young, yes, but he is learning to fill the spot that has been left by his father, the late Duke Siegfried."
Then his expression softens and he smiles. "So I am to look for men of more mature age, when seeking a husband for you?" Shaking his head there slightly as he chuckles. "Very well then, if that's your preference, I will try to keep that in mind. Intelligence and political understanding should be a quality that is easily found among our nobility, or even abroad."
"Father, you think it is right to..." the girl shakes her head and decides to forget the topic about lord Alajos and that mere commoner.
Good that her father so quickly shows his understanding. Barbie leans to hug the man firmly, "Yes, mature age... You will make me the happiest person in the whole Felaguria. Thank you, father!"
Then she withdraws and offers a curtsy, "Don't work too much. Even if you are the King, you still need to sleep. Sweet dreams!" And she leaves.
"A commoner, aye. This healer was arrested, and things were not handled properly, as our diplomats were not informed." Barret affirms with a nod. "Lord Ralph was hardly offered an explanation. Certain rules apply even for the Isles. We of Two Rivers wouldn't have pulled anything like that off, that's for sure. But you are still young, Barbeta. In time you will learn and understand that politics are not a simple game, with easy options."
Another smile will be offered to his daughter as she moves to leave. "Rest well, my daughter. Mayhaps I should get some rest as well...", he says as his kind brown eyes follow her on her way out.