Alexander Brandon

the excitement serena had first had when first arriving back at court had begun to fade, as the excitement she had often did. it was easy to forget, when away from court, the ordered way in which the days followed suit. one day quickly bleeding into the next, strange faces blending one into the next. and still, to her own surprise, she remained, because even with boredom looming overhead there was a sense of something unfinished, something coming, and she certainly could not leave before she found it. 

so the duchess found new ways to busy herself, to keep herself occupied. slowly but surely exploring every inch of the castle. it had been a few mornings now that she had returned to the place, one of the highest points of the castle, blessed with the best view she had found to date. and standing before the grand windows she stood looking out onto the dawning day. her restlessness was washed away. the usual urge to keep moving was stalled, and serena found herself happily still, a taste of what it must have been like to be at peace. 

but in her stillness, gazing out with wonder onto the fields below, her mind had wandered elsewhere, no longer aware of her own surroundings. when she heard a voice coming from behind her she startled. shaken from her own thoughts and forced to act quickly to calm herself she answered, still facing away from the intruder, “no, i would dare say the exact opposite.”

it was rare the woman found herself feeling vulnerable in the least, but caught out here she could not help the feeling of bareness which enveloped her. turning to face the man, she recognized him immediately as someone she had spent a few hours with in a tavern and was surprised to see him within the castle walls. “i should have known better than to think such a place unclaimed”, she added. 

Alexander found himself taken aback for a brief moment, unable to think of anything to say as his intense stare simply took over and he took in her appearance. She had been beautiful at the tavern, but seeing her in the soft light of the morning was a different experience altogether. “Not many people venture this far from the courtrooms and throne room, my lady.” he said, smiling at her. Really, this place had been reserved for the queen and her guards for security purposes should an attack become imminent on the castle as it had a view of the castle walls and beyond where potential attackers would come from. 

Sighing and walking towards her, he stood next to her and leant on the ledge with the top half of his body, moving his sword so that it was not in any danger of inadvertently harming her when he moved. “It is quite the view, isn’t it?” he asked her, showing her that he would not mind them both being up there, and wasn’t about to do anything about it. 

Alexander smiled and shook his head, “Discovered this place when I was a young lad bored and finding more interesting places around the castle. I suspect that’s how you found it as well. This place has a real talent for being found by those who would appreciate it.” He stood straight again, bowing before the lady as he looked up from his lowered position. “We’ve met before..” 

Shaking off the remaining thoughts of the ball, he did recall speaking to one maiden who had intrigued him. She had seemed very familiar and after a lot of thinking the night immediately following the ball, he had narrowed the possibilities down to one woman - he couldn’t remember her name, but he was sure that it was one that had interested him in its uniqueness- that he had met and conversed with at the tavern weeks before. 

His thoughts had consumed him, muddled with questions he had about whether or not Eliza would actually come through with her promises of being faithful if they did end up wed, and before he knew it he had somehow walked himself to the top of the castle, to the staircase that led to the battlements, where he was confused to see the silhouette of a maiden. “Pardon me, madam.. are you lost?” he asked confused as to why a maiden who was not the queen, had found herself there - albeit quite impressed with her choice of venue to watch the sunrise as the view was quite spectacular. 

I did not seek out a husband either, the girl wanted to say, but she bit her tongue in time. She didn’t want to seem rude.He accepted Alden’s offer, so the possibility of them together standing on the alter was highly likely… unless…

Eliza replied with a smile ( since Alden’s arrival she smiled so rarely ) : “ Interesting, indeed. Didn’t I tell you a girl awaits for you on the court, a girl with a sweet smile ?  “ She moved past him, giggling softly. They went down the hallway and stopped at the open balcony, where they could have some privacy. The starry night was quiet, peaceful; the moon was shining brightly on the marble bench at the centre of the garden, where they last spoke. 

“ This marriage is a kind of punishment for me, in Alden’s mind. “ she said quietly. “ For falling in love with a married man. But because it’s you… the punishment doesn’t seem so hard for me. “

Alexander was in good spirits, he didn’t see why his disposition should discontinue when talking to Eliza - after all, they had always been able to speak freely to each other in the past and it had recently become public knowledge that they would be wed - “Aye, but I doubt either of us truly believed it, much less the fact that you would be the lass waiting for me in court, though no one could deny your sweet smile.” Generally flirtatious in nature, Alexander did not hold back very often, and he and Eliza had always had this kind of rapport between them, he found himself then wondering if the way he spoke to her should change given their change in position after the betrothal. 

He followed her to the balcony, standing at the edge and placing his palms flat against the marble. “Is it truly wise for us to speak about the fact that you are, as you’ve said, in love with another?” he asked, wanting to be honest with her- for he would go into this marriage because there was a certain amount of care for the woman in front of him, but he was adamant not to be taken as a fool or a man at play within his own relationship. “I am glad that your punishment does not seem so difficult but I need to be clear about one thing Eliza.. I do not want to be a ploy in a game. If you do not think you can end things with this Baron -- now is your time to speak freely before things are set in stone. I intend on being a fair and kind spouse, but I will not be the fool who’s wife intends to stray.” 

for all her attempts to present herself otherwise, as some kind of hardened character, there were still some aspects of her long forgotten girlhood which clung to her. woven into the fiber of her being, and regardless of how she might of tried she could not wash them away. concealing them was the best she could manage. and so she had seemed so calm with the announcement of the celebration, explaining away the ridiculous extravagance of her costume as just another tool of mischief. but beneath the surface true and unadulterated excitement bubbled on. 

the purple silk which flowed from an intricate bodice trailed behind her, the light fabric nearly fluid in it’s motion. if she had been the cautious type she might have kept a wider berth between her and the other ball’s attendants, for fear it might be stepped on, but in a rush to dodge a conversation with a familiar and dull baron it was the last thing on her mind. weaving through the guests she was more thankful than ever for the delicate mask which concealed her features, anonymity would prove a great friend on that eve. and just as she had put sufficient distant between herself and the dreadful man she felt the tub of a foot landing on the trail of her gown, spinning just in time to catch the offender by the wrist and keep the fabric from tearing. 

looking up at the masked face she managed a composed grin despite herself, “it is hardly the time or place for that kind of undressing”, she remarked in amusement. 

Alexander had been distracted, making a game for himself by trying to figure out who was who with everyone dressed with the purpose of masking their features. He thought he had done quite well, with some figures having physical attributes that he could pin point to exactly one or two members of court, but there was one maiden that he could not seem to place, and as he stepped closer to her to try and observe her from a better vantage point, it seemed that he had been clumsy enough to tread on the delicate fabric of her gown. 

“My apologies,” he said, stepping off of the fabric almost immediately as he bowed down before the woman, unable to shake the feeling that she was someone he’d met before, increasing his frustrations to do with the fact that he couldn’t place her. “No, I daresay it is not.” he said, chuckling at her wit in a situation that most women would have cried in outrage about. “Again, I offer you my sincerest apologies and my admiration for your speed and reflexes, my lady.” 

@alexander-brandon

The feast was over - the guests of queen Margaret were slowly leaving her quarters; after longhours of pretending that she enjoyed the dancing and polite conversations, Elisa finally had some time for herself. She walked down the hallway alongside another lady who kept talking about how great the meal was and how incredible queen’s dress looked like. Eliza giggled at her comments, knowing that kind of response is expected of her at the moment. But she stopped laughing as soon as she saw a familiar figure at the end of corridor. “ If you excuse me “ she said to a girl and approached Alexander. Once they were alone she stated : “ I presume my brother informed you about his… offer… “ 

Alexander had remained outside in the hallway for the most part of the feast celebrations. He didn’t really care for social events like it and preferred to make an appearance every now and again so that the Queen and the royal family could see him and not question his support of them. He had seen Eliza a couple of times throughout the party, but decided against approaching her, letting her enjoy the night, as well as him not knowing if she had spoken to her brother an extended amount since he had last spoken to Alden. Her remarks as she approached him stated the opposite was true. “My lady. I assume you mean the offer of your marriage that he has extended to me.” Alexander said, bowing as a way to acknowledge her. “He has, and I have accepted. Speak to me freely, for if you have extreme objections to the match I will reconsider. I did not seek out a wife, but we’ve found ourselves in an interesting position now haven’t we?” he said, trying to lighten the mood between them.

Alden had to think about how he wanted to word the situation when talking to the general. One thing that he figured was generals and knights liked to save less fortunate, especially women. At least the generals and knights that he had met do, though a great deal also had foul mouths. However, Alexander would benefit Alden greatly in that he could protect Eliza and provide her with a decent life. Alexander could also get this whole situation off of Alden’s hands in order for him to get back to better business.

“I take no offense. Seeing as you are a military man, I am going to make an assumption that you like for people to not beat around the bush. Well, Alexander, I have taken much thought these days into the future for my sister and myself. It was also brought to my attention that you are unmarried. I come here with a proposal for a betrothal to my sister. Upon thinking of what would be best for my sister, I wanted to find a man that I felt fit to take care of her in every way that I could imagine.” He sighed before his next statements. “I am sure that you have heard of recent events and my sister’s misstep in the English court. As a good brother, I am looking to save my sister from such dishonour and pain that befalls the life of a mistress. The benefits for this arrangement for you is that I have set aside a good amount of goods, money, and a property in the country that will all go to you for my sister’s dowry. I will also arrange that my business deals with my brother-in-law will be at a discount. It means that metal, materials, and anything you need for you or your men will be substantially cheaper through my business as long as you inform me that you are in need. I can also tell you that my sister is a romantic. She is a sweet and caring young woman, which is why I feel like she got tied up in this mess in the first place. I know that it is not the most ideal situation to start a marriage with, but I do hope that you consider my proposal.”

Alexander could not deny his surprise when the man in front of him revealed the actual motives behind their meeting that day, and in contrast to how he would have acted if he felt that it was some kind of pitch to further his business, the fact that the nature of the conversation had turned into something far more serious, somewhat sobered him up and made him straighten up in his seat and clear his throat, trying to piece together what had just been said. “Just to be clear.. you are suggesting that I would marry your sister?” he said, making gestures with his hands in the space between them as he tried to think about why Alden could possibly want his sister married to a General, with all the risks that could entail, not to mention the possibility of her becoming a widow early on should the country go to war. “Surely there are more eligible bachelors,” Alexander said, chuckling to figure out whether this whole conversation was some kind of well executed prank. 

When he realized that it was not, he cleared his throat and stared at the other man, looking into his eyes and trying to catch any glimpse of something in them. “I do not know if you are aware of this, mate...” Alexander started, dropping titles as what they spoke of was the most personal and intimate of agreements. “But your sister has got a mind of her own... Seeing as she isn’t here, I’m suspecting that she hasn’t got a clue that you’re arranging all of this, does she?” he said, thinking of Eliza- someone he had come to think of as a friend and confidante considering their similar allegiances to the dowager queen. Then he thought of her as a mistress, and the lie of dishonour and whispers that he was sure would come of it, “-- and yet that being said, you do have a point in your efforts to secure a marriage for her if the rumours that I’ve heard are true.” he thought out loud to the man in front of him, briskly tapping his fingers against the leather lining of the desk. “Answer me this - If you think so lowly about the path she has decided for herself, regardless of whether or not you are right to do so, what makes you think that I would marry a woman who you yourself has admitted to be... un-pure in the sense that affects all women seeking marriages. How do you deem me ‘fit to take care of her’, as you said?”  It was not to say that Alexander would not marry Eliza - for she was beautiful and quick-witted, but he was curious as to how he had somehow made the short-list for her brother’s choice in husbands for her. 

Walking through the corridors of the English palace felt so strange to Elizabeth. Her fingers caressed every furnishing, hoping each touch would trigger an important memory to flash before her eyes. But it did not. The palace was a very different place now, revolutionised by the improvements in decoration that now adorned the homes of Europe. The years of her youth were only distant dreams now, as was her home. Elizabeth had visited, of course, since she permanently left England twenty-nine years ago. She had returned for her father’s funeral, various weddings, specious occasions, and eventually for her brother’s funeral.

“Excuse me,” she said, turning to someone nearby. “Please could you take me to the chapel. I believe it has moved since the last time I used it.”

Alexander had been slowly regaining his familiarity with the castle, walking along the hallway towards the banquet hall when he was stopped by a woman whom he recognized from the portraits, as the late King’s sister. The queen of Spain. “Your majesty,” he greeted her, bowing before he nodded and extended his arm. “You just missed it, it’s along the next corridor.” he said, escorting her along the hallway to the correct door. “I don’t believe it has moved, but the entrances might have changed since the last time you were in England.” 

“ Oh, that kind of details can’t be shown in the lines of your hand. “ she replied, releasing his hand. For a moment she thought about her own fate, ang take a quick look at her palm - was her destiny truly written on her skin ? Was it possible to make some necessary precautions against meeting Edward if she knew her future ? But what her life would be like if Edward didn’t fill almost every thought in her mind ? After all, he was with her always, as if he became a part of her… Eliza sighed, her eyes meeting his - there was no use in thinking about the future, she had to seize whatever she could of the present and enjoy her time with the wealthy baron as long as it’s lasts. The moment she starts to regret her decision will be her downfall.

“ Tell me more about those enemies that currently want to get you - what did you do to earn their attention ? “ she stood up, covering her bare, pale arms with a silk shawl, ready to take a walk with him. “ I promise, I will save you from all of them - if you first teach me how to swing a sword, of course. My mother only taught me how to use a needle… “ 

“A pity, for those details are what would make this whole palm reading witchcraft worthwhile.” Alexander said, smirking at Eliza and shaking his head. He took back his hand and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at her. “And what has you sighing so profusely?” he asked, intrigued at what could possibly be on Eliza’s mind, seeing if she would actually open up and speak about whatever it was. It had been a long time since he’d been around the gossip of court, and he was almost certain that if anyone knew anything - it would be Eliza. 

“What haven’t I done to get their attention? Being a general comes with it’s fair share of risks, it’s all a part of the job.” He stood and chuckled, offering Eliza his arm. “My lady, take no offence to this but even with the assurance of your protection, I think that I would fare better fending for myself.” 

she grinned at his observation, deviance spread across pink lips. why it was that a creature such as herself, whose entire allure seemed to depend on the maintenance of her air of mystery, so often found herself so drawn to figures who seemed most likely to dispel it was beyond her. but the more observant the man proved himself to be the more certain she became that she would be abandoning her newfound friends for the remainder of the evening to keep him company. serena nodded slightly, her head tilting to the side as words laced with irony fell from her wine reddened lips, “i’d much rather be in the company of anyone who threatens only to steal from my pocket.”

the duchess’s eyebrows raised slightly in amusement, playful inquisition on her tongue, “what else would i venture here for?” she slid her empty cup towards him with a smile in response to his offer. “are you suspicious of even my motives this evening?”

She seemed to accept his invitation to spend time with him instead of going back to where she’d come from, so Alexander had the server put whatever she ordered on his tab. There was definitely an air of mystery around the woman that was intriguing, he couldn’t completely define her or label her like he could the women he usually came across at court because she was different. He had no doubt that she was of her own opinions and headstrong - which is something that he found rather attractive in a woman. “As opposed to stealing from what, my lady?” he asked, smirking at her as he had an idea of what would follow that sentence. 

Alexander chuckled, pouring wine into her cup. “Suspicious, no my lady. But you could say that I am apprehensive, as any man would be when in the company of a beautiful woman.” 

she looked around them once more, those in this tavern who had been so quick to befriend the woman in the luxurious dress standing out among the crowd. “less to gain perhaps, but not nothing, there is always something to be gained by liars and cheats”, she answered grinning regardless of the severity of her words. it was a fact she counted on. that people would lie and cheat and she, a girl who had known her fair share of deceit, would be able to recognize their attempts. and spin it to her own advantage. she was a cynic, that much was clear, but beneath all her doubt and criticism laid hope, that perhaps some day she’d encounter someone who did not share such traits. 

“you speak of those at court?” she asked laughing slightly, unable to deny the truth in it. she had never been so gifted at such epic facades as those managed at court, she engaged in games every so often, but no matter the pressure to do so she had never been quite able to present herself in the way that they wished. answering his question finally with another, her head tilting to the side, “i am here and not there, aren’t i?”

Smirking at the woman’s defiance of his rather bold statement he shook his head, “And by that declaration alone, my lady... you have made it obvious that you’ve been around these people before.” he said, stating his observation of her from a careful background of work as a General, trying to find out less visible information for the crown. “Indeed, liars and cheats do have much to gain, but don’t you think it safer to be around those you know to expect it from, than to be blindsided by someone you thought never capable of such poison? Underestimation will be the downfall of many figures at court.” 

“Touché” Alexander chuckled as she made him aware of the fact that she was indeed there instead of at court. “But the question is, are you here for pleasure or for something else?” he asked, smiling as he waved down a server to and ordered another ale, raising his hand and eyebrow to the lady “Can I offer you a pint of ale, or some wine?” 

The halls of the castle, when she’d first arrived, had seemed a maze that she’d once known the ins and outs of, but, it’d been a long time since she knew them half so well as she had. “That is very understandable. The Dowager is quite right to be keen on ensuring their safety,” She said with a nod, a small smile curling at her lips. “We usually reside in my husband’s family home, away from court. But I am very pleased to reside here for now. I was here some years ago, and I’ve missed it rather dearly.” 

“As anyone would be following the kind of attack that has just occured not far from here.” Alexander said, his boots making heavy thuds on the marble ground of the hallway that they had just turned to. “I owe the Dowager and the late Queen all that I have, the least I can do is come and ensure her safety now, and find out who is responsible for these attacks before another happens.” He nodded, thinking that kind of relocation was quite common of noble families-coming in and out of court. “You’ve missed court?” he asked, chuckling to himself as he felt the opposite, being born and raised in court and then finally receiving a glimmer of freedom when he joined the military. 

“ Don’t listen to court gossips then. “ she advised him, through often she was the one to create the gossips herself. She never gave much of thought to how harmful they could be, until now. “ You must discover all the truth for yourself, as every good spy should. “ Eliza added and gave him a wink, followed by smile.

She gazed at his hand, slowly and gently careasing the lines that supposedly showed his future fate. “ Ah, I see ! “ she gasped theatrically “ I see a great victory, and a castle on a hill. But, my dear, beware of your own shadow - soon you may find yourself some new enemies. “ Eliza chuckled softly, more to herself than to him; of course she couldn’t read the palms, but it was something amusing in acting like she did; after all the prophecy she gave him was so unprecized that it as well might be true. “ And I see her - I see a girl with a smile as bright as sunrise… “ Eliza raised her brow and looked up at him. “ Take care, sir Alexander, once you’ve been pierced by cupid, no sword shall save you. “

“A good spy should also learn to use the information that surrounds them, which is what the gossip serves as it’s purpose, don’t you think?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her as she didn’t confirm or deny that any of the gossip currently surrounding her was true. 

He quirked his eyebrow up once again when he heard her extremely vague ‘prophecy’ chuckling as he retrieved his hand back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m a general of the English Army, Lady Parsons... I have no doubts that new enemies will join the battalions of enemies I already have.” he said, addressing her first statement before he cleared his throat and chuckled more openly “I see, and this girl with the bright smile.. might you be more specific to say if she was fair haired or a brunette? Just so that I have an inkling of what to look out for.” he added, playing along to her little game.

she eyed the man a moment before she looked back to her company, the lot of them now far more inebriated than what typically lent itself to interesting conversation. there always came a point in the evening where she found herself faced with the reality that her present company would no longer prove of any intrigue, and after regarding the handsome man before her a moment longer she decided that time was upon her. her stride was not as obvious as the prostitutes she was sure frequented this place or the neighbouring taverns, but it still held a ghost of that fluidity. like the image of the primordial lady rising from the lake. 

“should i be wary of a man who considers himself most at home in a place such as this?” she questioned grinning slightly. the answer was likely a resounding yes, unfortunately for her parents hearts serena had never managed to be wary of the right things. she did not bother correcting his address of her, she rarely did in these places. she felt no shame towards her title, nor did she go to any great lengths to conceal it, but to pretend -for even an evening- to be common had lent itself to any number of adventures. 

Alexander was trained to observe and make calculated opinions of the people he came across, and in this manner the battlefield and at court were very similar, though he could not tell quite as well with those in places like the tavern he was in now where personalities were so intermingled with each other that it was hard to differentiate people. Still, the woman who approached him with no doubt of her confidence was intriguing to him, and he simply smirked at her comment, chuckling to himself as he took a gulp of his ale. 

“Look around you, these people have nothing to gain by lying and cheating their way through life - they are who they are which is a lot less than people at court can say with their two faces and permanent smiles. Can you really tell me you would be more comfortable with people who’ve lied and presented false images all their lives, than here among people who don’t pretend to be anything they’re not?” he asked, wondering what her answer would be. Alexander recognized her nobility, but decided to play along with the fact that she had not corrected him, speaking plainly and without formalities that he would usually use with the ladies at court. 

Eloise smiled when he gave in, and took his arm. “Wonderful,” She said with a nod, starting through the door into the hall. She glanced up at him. “Have you been at court long? I haven’t seen you before,” She mused, raising an eyebrow curiously. She tried to know who all was t court, especially after the attacks, but even she knew there was no way she could know everyone that came and went. 

They continued walking past hallways that seemed at least vaguely familiar to Alexander. He hadn’t been at court in so long, and the last time he had visited he remained with the troops to ensure that the King’s burial was a safe event, and generally kept to himself to mourn the loss of someone who had been a good friend to him for so many years. “I go in and out of court as my duties demand, my lady. I am a General in the Queen’s army and am here simply at the Dowager’s request to ensure her safety and that of her children, along with the rest of the royals that England is hosting. “Are you and your husband situated at court, or do you retire to an estate further in the country?” he asked, knowing that some nobles preferred to live out of the everyday business of the castle.