de tragedia

♔|♱      “Perhaps learning from the past to secure a better and happier future would be a suitable compromise?”

❝ A concept much easier to propose rather than carry out. The past has the claws of a lion, once it has you it will not let you go. ❞

Cristiana swept gracefully out of her carriage, pausing briefly to gaze at the castle. Pedro’s paranoia, justified though it had become, had confined her to a single suffocating corner of Portugal for the majority of her life. But her brother was dead, and the crown was hers. Since her coronation, Cristiana had taken every opportunity travel and further her nation’s diplomatic interests. Shaking away the thoughts of her past, the Queen greeted the person she came across with a smile.

Leon would’ve preferred to have been there prior to the arrival of her carriage, but a very sleepy Elena prevented that from happening. He hurried through the courtyard, eager to greet his cousin before she had chance to be whisked away by important matters. He wriggled his way through the crowd of spectators and servants working to remove her luggage before he finally caught her gaze. ❝ My dear cousin! ❞ he announced himself before offering her a bow. ❝ I hope you are well after your travels. ❞

“I am flattered. I am truly blessed with these gifts.” Lucretia said, gleaming a smile shortly after. “The wine is Spanish, yes? It’s been quite some time I have tried anything exotic. The wine here in France is something I have certainly lost taste for and grown terribly bored of.” Looking at the wine bottle with approval, Lucretia turned her head forward facing Leon. “And how do you fare, Leon? I hope our last encounter didn’t scare you away from me.”

❝ Of course, my father takes far too much pride on the exotic blends of Spanish wine, often claiming it is the best throughout all of Europe. ❞ his lips curved into a gentle smile as he spoke. ❝ Certainly not, it would take rather a lot to ever scare myself away from you, dear Lucretia. But I am well, incredibly so. A visit home heals the mind and soul, it seems. I hope you are well too? ❞

♔ —– “I must say, you are rather lucky. The Lord definitely favours you, I would think.  Sadly, I was blessed to arrive here just before the plague hit, and was even more blessed with the disease itself” she told him, joking slightly. “I suppose I should not complain, but I was hoping for at least a little more excitement.” she confessed, before her brow rose. “You are leaving France for good? Well that is a shame, I am sure you will be sorely missed. However, I’m sure those back home will be happy to have you back, I’m sure your presence is highly noticeable.” 

❝ He has been kind to me now, perhaps not so much in the past dare I say. ❞ he huffed a gentle chuckle, ❝ Ah - I once wished for similar things myself. Excitement, adventure, perhaps a spark of trouble. I was gifted with all three, but with good must also come the not so good. And I suffered those too. I imagine soon I shall have to, yes as my father cannot reign forever. But hopefully he shall still reign for quite some time to come. The people of Spain do quite miss the presence of their Prince within the palace, however they miss my daughter even more considering they have barely had more than one sighting of her. She is all the people at court seem to talk about recently. ❞

✕      “How is your daughter? The air in the castle was a bitter one, people dying in all ranks, it would’ve been no sight for her to see. Scotland is well, celebrating it’s new friendship with Spain. The English, however, wrongfully crossed our boarder. They took the life of a woman I cared for greatly.”

❝ She is well, no sniffle nor small cough, I like to think the change of atmosphere did her lungs and health good. Ah, that I am also thankful for. It was a good change for her to spend time with her family too as soon she shall be living among them. That I am glad to hear, although if you are in need of any supplies due to the war or the plague, I offer our help. The English did? An attack against yourself or a mere coincidence? ❞

♔ —– Smiling, Isabella sat down as he’d instructed, hands folded neatly on her lap as she watched him pour some of the dark liquid out. Once he was done, she gingerly took the chalice from his hand and took a sip. “Well,” she started, taking a moment to think. “Did you know about the plague that made its way to the castle? Unfortunately that happened, but other than that, Highness, not much has transpired. I fear not too many people lead exciting lives here.” Taking another sip, she glanced at the floor. “How was your visit home, Highness? Full of good news I hope.” 

❝ I did... It seems my leaving could not have been timed more perfectly as we left just before news of the arrival of the plague. It is surely making its way across Europe, but I have narrowly just missed its deathly grasp and I thank the heavens each day for it. Ah - I have discovered that too myself.” an amused smirk teased the curve of his lips. “But at times I find myself thankful for the peace this castle can often offer. It was good - refreshing, too. I imagine soon enough I shall be returning to Spain for good, so I shall hope to enjoy what time I have left here as best I can. ❞

✕     “A gift? Well I’m ashamed to say I haven’t much to give ye in return, contact with Scotland has been scarce since word of the plague spread. I’m glad to see ye escaped it’s wrath however.”

❝ We do not give to receive, I assure you, and we especially do not expect anything in return when the plague is still clingy tightly to the air we breath all across Europe. Thankfully myself and my daughter just narrowly missed the plague as it arrived in Mont Tomb, a blessing from God it seems. How is Scotland fairing? ❞

♔ —– “Please, give your father my gratitude. I am quite appreciative for the gift. I will have to return the favour…. Would you like to sit down and partake in a glass with me? I promise we will not get intoxicated.” 

❝ Of course, Princess Isabella. I shall personally make sure he receives the message himself. I could not decline such an offer, your highness. Come, sit. ❞ his hands moved for a bottle, pouring them both a modest amount before offering her a chalice. ❝ Do tell me of all the things I missed whilst I visited home. ❞ 

♚ — Asta looked to Leon before she lifted the bottle of wine, holding it up to the light before looking past the green glass to Leon. ‘’What is the occasion?’’ She furrowed her brow a little, placing the bottle back down in the crate she plucked it from.

❝ No particular occasion at all, it seems. My father simply offers good wishes in the hopes of maintaining our relationship with the people of France. He has grown more giving with age, it appears. ❞

“I am not late. I am not,” the young princess reassured herself as she stood outside the main courtyard, “Must I go in? It is not as if my presence is requested at the moment, correct? I believe I have time to walk freely.” 

❝ You may walk away if you still wish. Do not worry, I will not tell anyone that I saw you here. Or, blame myself. Tell them I caught you in conversation in the courtyard, therefore making you late. ‘Tis still the truth, is it not?  ❞

❝ Then what prize is it you seek? ❞

❝ Your Majesty, ❞ he greeted her the gentle curve of a welcoming smile, his hand moving to rest upon the hilt of his sword. ❝ It is both a pleasure and an honour to make your acquaintance. Prince Leon de Casanueva, of Spain. I trust the hospitality of the French is treating you WELL. ❞

“I am sober… Enough.” Lucretia felt sad again. The woman has only loved two men in her life, and one is dead and the other doesn’t share her same feelings. This is what she feared most. “If I was sober, we probably wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But I am glad that we are. So that now we can reason with each other and apologize for our past. I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better wife.”

❝ Apologise for loving another? Both you and I know neither of us shall apologise for how we once felt. It was no matter of being a better husband nor wife... It was the timing of everything, Avalyn and Elena... My past. It is something I cannot apologise for, but something WE could have worked around if we had not acted so hastily. We are both at fault for the downfall of our marriage, not yourself, do you hear me? It was not your fault. And perhaps in time... I shall be able to wholeheartedly love again, but time is something I need and something I fear you do not have. ❞