can I has "marionette" for Eugénie in the one word prompts? :3
sfjdjf thanks Halk. Second go-around with this particular prompt. XX. Marionette | One Word Writing Prompts
The invitation to dine with Duke Germain had come as a surprise, but Eugénie had accepted it all the same. That the oldest and highest-ranking member of the Council of Heralds wanted her company spoke volumes - her gambit might have paid off, and so she sent her thanks, and abided the servant dressing her up in petticoats, stays and a heavy court gown that felt strange.
Still, the night was pleasant, and the old man had plenty of interesting insights into the court that were invaluable for a newcomer like herself; it reminded her, in a way, of her dining with Madame Anselme back in Serault, where that acerbic dowager's evenings were often educational, and full of companionable honesty.
"There is something I'd ask of you, Marquise," Germain tells her as the conversation hits a natural lull, and Eugénie steels herself. Here it comes. Nothing is given by an Orlesian for free. Behind the mask of moon-like silver lined with sapphires that she wears, she feigns interest.
"Of course, your Grace. The least I can do is listen, on account of your hospitality this evening." She leans forward a little, tilting her head towards him like she is hanging onto the old man's every word.
"I understand that my nephew has taken a liking to you."
Ah. Eugénie fights the urge to grimace. The Emperor had wanted her as a mistress, propositioning her not long after they had hunted together in the forests surrounding Lydes. She had enjoyed his company, and perhaps after a few glasses she might have entertained the notion, but not for anything long-term. That she had little interest in, so she declined. "He has, but as flattering as his attention is, I believe there are more worthy objects of his attention than the great-granddaughter of a heretical pariah, no?"
Germain swirls the wine in his crystalline cup. "Oh, naturally. All of the prominent noble houses will put a daughter or granddaughter in front of him, in the hope of marrying into my nephew's new dynasty and curry his favour. But not you."
"You sound disappointed."
She catches the small curve of a smile beneath his mask. "Perhaps I am. You have a... reputation for being able to deal with difficult men - your father, the Baron who roams your lands, the Duke of Alyons. And Gaspard is more difficult than most. I would like you to reconsider his attentions."
Eugénie looks up at the Chalons family heraldry draped across the top of the fireplace - black lions on a field of emerald, accented with gold thread. "Because I denied him, and he is not used to that?"
"No. I believe that will do him some good." Germain shakes his head. The beads on his mask rattle. "But he needs an Empress who can take many of the burdens that the role has that will not interest him. Someone who can temper him - for all his ambitions, Orlais cannot afford another war. I think your...aptitude for such men will be a boon."
"You would have me be your marionette, so I can whisper your agenda in his ear. I imagine it would sound a great deal more... amenable coming from a pretty thing, no?" And that was the last thing she wanted - Serault dancing to the Empire's tune. The last age of isolation has made her marquisate proud, with a sense of individuality and local custom that not many back home would be willing to give up. But Serault needed money; she needed protection from the river-bandits and from the horrors within the Deepwoods. Serault's star needed to rise again for her to survive.
Eugénie could have sworn she saw a twinkle in the old man's grey eyes as he reached across the table to pat her hand.
"Consider it, my dear."
