not born to sin

sophie was pacing, her body trembled as she tried to come to terms with what happened. “ — i don’t know. but we have to fine her.  we need to get her back.” sophie said quietly. “someone clearly doesn’t want peace to happen, or else they wouldn’t have taken her.”

cecilia watched the young princess pace, “i think we need to pay close attention to those in the court.” cecilia spoke, “our brothers are too taken with the negotiations...they need eyes and ears. someone needs to find those against the peace.”

it was unsettling knowing that both a murderer and a kidnapper had been under their noses the entire night they spent drinking and dancing. while she had spent most of the night on the arm of her husband, their conversations had been interrupted by the unpleasant news and they were whisked apart as the search began. turning towards the finnish princess, she let out a sigh. “we let ourselves become too relaxed.” though she didn’t mean to sound so pessimistic, it was merely the truth. “we remained too diligent inside this room and failed to note those who slipped through the cracks.”

“I’m afraid that’s a question I cannot give an answer to…” Lucien did best to keep his calm demeanor, but he was bound to slip at some point; he only hoped he was in private when he did so. “What were your whereabouts at the time this happened.” Lucien stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back. Although he wanted to comfort those in fear, there was no time for that now.

cecilia took no offense to the accusatory tone, instead, she just spoke calmly, “i was in the veranda of the north wing with my betrothed. we have had guards posted as well as a servant to refill our wines.” cecilia curled her hands together, pulling her brows into a frown. “how is queen genevieve?”

upon hearing of the french queen’s disappearance, the spanish queen could hardly believe what had happened. it shook her to the bone, filling her entire body with discomfort. how could something like this have happened? who in their right mind would do something so terrible? the amount of questions running through her mind were endless, as she attempted to piece together what happened as well as understand it. the other woman’s words caught prudence off guard, immediately turning her attention toward the girl, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. “i have no idea,” she spoke simply, yet honestly. “something like this should never happen to anyone.”

“understandable, I hope he is treating you well?” oliver smiled softly, he hoped his sister was happy with her betrothal and wanted to make sure of it, “well if at any point you’d like to dance. I will dance with you.” He chuckled softly and sipped his wine, “I’m not much of a dancer but i’ll give it a shot.”

“he is.” cecilia of course, had her own ladies, and her ladies had husbands, and their husbands had trades. they spoke to her of leon and she had no reason to assume any foul behavior from him. she laughed, “you want to dance?” she quirked a brow, “brother, out of the five of us, you are the worst dance.” she joked in a light tone.

“Oh no. I don’t agree.” He chuckled softly, “dear sister, why aren’t you dancing? I had thought you and your betrothed would be dancing the night away.” oliver looked over his sister smiling softly, “You look very beautiful tonight Cecilia. I’m sure you’ve heard the a lot tonight but I truly believe so.”

cecilia chuckled softly as her eyes flickered to the ground, “leon and i are still very much strangers. i feel he’s more nervous about this betrothal than i am, so i let him take things at his own pace.” she peered up at oliver, a wide smile spreading across her face, “but yours is the only one that matters, dear brother.”

A night with a surplus of wine meant there were bound to be many drunks in the room within a few short hours, if not sooner. Niklas was almost certain it would inevitably end in an argument or two. “I wonder how many drunken fights will be broken up at this event meant to foster peace.” He mused aloud, knowing those nearby would hear. 

Oliver entered the ballroom watching the men and woman dancing, he smiled thinking about his sister and her betrothed hoping she was enjoying herself. He made his way over to the table with the wine, grabbing a glass of wine he leaned up against a wall sipping it slowly. His eyes scanning the room for a familiar face.

cecilia bowed her head as she accepted one of the millionth, obligate compliments the noblemen seemed so keen on showering her with tonight. she heaved out a tired sigh, longing for maybe a glass of wine, or even a dance, as she recognized her brother so far away from the crowds. “i would envy you for your lonesome but i believe a king should in that mess of social gathering, in the eye of the storm.”

He sat out in the gardens with his book in hand reading. He had found a few moments where he had time for himself between negotiations and just meetings with royals from other countries he hadn’t had the time for himself. He managed to sneak away from everyone and grabbed his favorite book finding a quiet place in the gardens. He looked up from his book as he heard someone, “Oh I thought perhaps someone from my staff had found me.”

“nonsense. only i could find you when you decide to disappear.” cecilia spoke with pride, and it was apparent on her features, because she’d known her brother far too well to lose him, even in a home that wasn’t theirs “am i interrupting anything important?” she inquired, tilting her head - if she was, she’d leave, after all -- her brother was a king.