scandalous

her smile only grew, a few soft chuckles falling from parted lips as she listened with bated breath. “those little noises they make, the clucks, those are my absolute favorite.” she interjected as he went on, her head shaking as he went on to speak of horses. “i once saw a servant kicked by one, dislocated his entire jaw, it was terrifying.. i haven’t been near a horse since.”

there was no denying the youngest of the de rohan clan was a child at heart, one that made friends by sparing a joke or two and she hoped that was what she could accomplish now... she would need friends in the coming days. “all is well,” she began, her right hand raising to push the hair off her left shoulder. “your husband? is he handsome?”

“shockingly, i am a woman without duties. so i suppose i desire to do so now.” jolie mused, taking one step to the left to allow the girl to lead the way. “after you.”

it was very obviously a joke, a little innocent teasing to bring about a smile on the others face, but jolie was beginning to think this lack luster grumpy appearance was all this man had to offer. in fact, the blonde was so out of sorts by his demeanor towards her that she only decided to mirror it, making her voice as dreary and uninterested as possible. “sounds... nice, i suppose.”

never would jolie deny just how interesting she found those of non noble blood, there was something about living a life without the formalities and placements that made the young woman curious... especially now. “perhaps you could show me every odd and end of this palace. i’ve been here nearly three months and i have yet to see anything other than the same three rooms.”

it had only been recently that jolie had been gazed upon by anyone outside of her child home, in fact, her arrival at versailles had marked the beginning of her true descent into womanhood. and this man, this prince, had been only the second to speak to her in such a deliciously immoral manner. “one could only pray that you are.” she grinned, one hand moving the hair from her right shoulder to gather it all on the left, allowing her neck to be showered in the forthcoming light. “i believe every person is partial to their homeland.. except those who have seen nothing but.”

“pity, a woman so lovely. i would have been honored.” jolie teased, a faux disappointment about her before her lips pulled into a smile. “wow, you’ve lived in both denmark and sweden? i cannot tell you how envious i am.”

the young blonde would have been lying had she said she wasn’t completely enamored by foreigners and their foreign lands. and perhaps the fact that this man was not only from else where but a commoner with a different view on life made him all the more intriguing in jolie’s eyes. “a farmer?” she questioned, tone childlike as her gaze settled on him, her fist now supporting her chin. “did you grow up with chickens and goats and cows? i rather love chickens but my father never allowed me one as a pet.”

jolie could feel her chest growing hot with anger, her grip on the flowers tightening as she looked at the floor and then back at her brother. she was no child and she swore sometimes that bérenger forgot that. “did it ever cross your mind, sweet, sweet brother..” she began, voice soft despite the storm brewing within her, one hand rising to rest on his cheek lovingly. “that it is i who look at the larger picture and you who focuses on the details, the pleasantries and the formalities.” her hand dropped the moment her sentence was finished, side stepping her brother completely to find her way further into the gardens. 

“if i knew any better, i’d assume you were flirting with me.” the young woman spoke, one eyebrow quirked in a playful manner as she teased the stranger she had casually struck up conversation with. “in all seriousness, tell me more about where you’re from...”

jolie doubted the queen dowager would do any favors to her or her bastard child and even asking so would be an insult to her position. but charlotte, surely she would want to protect a child that shared her father’s blood. jolie’s infant would be a sibling to the current queen... to the dowager it would only be a remainder of her husband’s infidelity. “an honor that offers me no ascension. what can the dowager queen bestow upon me?” and maybe she seemed greedy, maybe she came off as a social climber, and hell, maybe she was... but in her own mind, jolie was doing what needed to be done to insure the safety and legitimacy of her child. surely, once that came to light her brother would look back with a certain understanding. “if i offer my talents and company to the queen, i might be granted opportunities that i will not be otherwise and as my brother i had expected you to wish such a thing for me.”

her brows furrowed at her oldest and only brother, one hand rising to rub awkwardly at the nape of her neck for a moment as she tried desperately to come up with some sort of answer. “perhaps i can be a lady to her majesty? i’m sure she’s in need of well educated women to surround herself with... surely..” a beat passed before she pressed the issue more. “maybe your friendship with her would allow you to suggest such a thing..”

FRIENDS: None

jolie often wondered how strong women denied their strength.. made her wonder of their past or their present. but regardless of that fact the girl smiled, taking two steps to the east. “would you like to walk with me? its such a lovely day and i would hate to waste it away with no one by my side.”