Weight off the Shoulders

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It was now official. Riordan was the Regent of Demeria. All official duties had now fallen to him and he was, essentially, in charge of the kingdom. Granted, his father could step in when required, but it was still a tremendous amount of responsibility. In the time leading up to it, Riordan was convinced that he was ready, that he could face anything. Nothing could stop him and nothing could get in the way. Yet, now that the actual moment had arrived... he found himself unsure.

He was the Regent. He was in command. The vassals of the Carlisles went to him, answered to him and obeyed him. Or, at least, that was the hope. Even from the meeting, he wasn't all that certain he had the support of the Duke and Duchesses of the realm. They answered to him as much as he answered them. That was a significant realization he had during the meeting. It was a great deal to absorb, he realized.

And he didn't want to absorb it alone. Thus, the man made his way through the camp in search of the pavilions assigned to the Lancaster. Despite the heavy weight of his mind, he was being discreet about his movements. He did not necessarily want to get noticed. There was no desire in his mind to start a scandal, after all! Thus, he tended to stick to the shadows behind the tents that evening. Selena's tent had to be near. He recognized the Lancaster banner.

Surely, she had the one next to her father's. Carefully, he made his way toward the front, whisper Selena's name along the way.

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena decided to make an early night of it, wearied from the near-constant social whirl that was the Summer Festival. Despite the events that cast a pall over the festival, the courtiers were determined to make each night nearly a bacchanalian event. Excusing herself from the festivities, she pled a headache and intended to enjoy a bath, a light supper and then to retire with a book until she was ready to sleep. 

The bath had been enjoyed, the supper consumed and a pot of tea prepared as she sat down to brush her hair out. Wearing a nightgown and dressing gown as a concession to comfort, Selena sat on the edge of her bead, drawing the brush through the long, dark locks when she heard a voice calling her name in a whisper. Curious, she lowered the brush and slipped a hand under her pillow, drawing out the dagger kept as a precautionary measure at her father's counsel. Gripping it firmly, she rose to her feet and approached the flap to peer out warily. 

Spotting Riordan, Selena lowered the dagger with palpable relief, gesturing for him to step into the pavilion before he was heard or seen. She was admittedly curious, letting the flap fall closed behind him as she examined him quickly. "What is it, Riordan? Is something wrong?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Relieved that she was within her pavilion, he smiled when he saw her but blinked at the dagger. Well, he supposed that was to be expected. One could never be too careful in this day and age. He was also momentarily surprised to see that she was only in a nightgown. But, he wasn't going to let that distract him... too much. It couldn't be helped; she was a rather lovely woman, after all.

Indeed, he didn't have anything to say to her. Rather, he took a gently hold of her jawlines with his hands and pressed a long and tender kiss against her full lips. It was a feeling he had been craving ever since the day began. It gave him warmth, comfort and reassurance. After a few moments, the kiss ended and he pulled back slightly with a light sigh. "Forgive me, my dear Selena. I needed that. I needed it more than I realize, I think."

He looked into her eye then, a faint smile forming, "It's official. The betrothal is announced and I am regent."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The dagger was set aside, a sheepish flush staining her cheeks. "Forgive me, I did not know who it was and Father has always cautioned me to take care." Selena would never draw a blade knowingly on Riordan or any member of the Carlisles; such an act was nothing short of treason itself. Drawing her dressing gown closed, she hastily tied the sash about her waist before she looked up, startled to find him so close.

Before she could speak further, he moved in to kiss her. Stunned briefly into immobility, she gripped his arms as the kiss stole her breath and threatened to weaken her knees, tasting the first hints of passion in him. When he pulled back, she opened her eyes, dark and hazy, to gaze up at him in speechless surprise for a moment before she smiled. It was quite a kiss, one she would remember.

Seeing the look in his eye change, Selena blinked at his announcement. "What? When did this happen? Did you know it was coming?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

All he cared about for several moments was both the kiss and the look on her face. She enjoyed it, he could tell. He had as, well. If he had allowed the kiss to go on, there was no telling what might have happened. Oh, the desire was there. The desire to have her form against his in passionate embrace, but he refrained for now. The time for such would come. There was, unfortunately, a great deal on his mind. Still. The kiss had been wonderful. "Thank you," he breathed out, "I've desperately needed that. I wish I could have such a kiss every day."

He waved off her concern about the dagger wielding and focused on the matter at hand. "Today," he breathed out and smiled at her faintly. "Can we sit? I think I need to sit. I've been meaning to come to you sooner, but matters have kept me away. We announced, my family and I, earlier today to all of the dukes and duchesses of the realm."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Outwardly, Selena was the epitome of the cool, composed and elegant lady, but a woman was contained within her skin, a woman who appreciated a man's passion and desire. She had been well-trained to self-control, yet the kiss had been the first genuine test of her resolve. Riordan could be dangerous, though she was glad they were officially betrothed now. She did not have to fend off kisses now, though she would ensure little else transpired until they were safely married.

His words made her laugh softly, a hand rising to cup his cheek. "Then a kiss you shall have every day if we can find the privacy in which to do so. Have you not realized I've been waiting for such a kiss as well?" Her eyes cleared enough to show the truth of her words as she drew him to sit. "Of course we can. Come, tell me what was discussed and how you are feeling."

Within the pavilion was a sitting area, comfortable and cushioned. It was there Selena guided him to one of the chairs, opting to sink onto an ottoman drawn closer to his chair for easier conversation. "Lord St. Claire wasn't there, was he? How did the rest take it?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Now, now, my dear, I seem to recall a rather nice kiss on a vantage point over Lake Trilliad," the twinkle in his eyes showed that he was not irritated by her forgetfulness. Or, perhaps, that was not exactly what she had meant. "Though, you make a good point. We will most certainly not have to worry quite so much about propriety..." He grinned a little wickedly at her, "Though, I wonder if this means I can sneak into your rooms now." It was a tease, he promised!

"Father told me that Lord St. Claire was informed before he left for Twinport." He spread his hands, then. "He didn't give me much on how he responded. I am not certain how to react to that. As for those that were there, most were not surprised. Lady Rose issued a concern about tradition being broken, but ... otherwise, they were mostly calm and accepting of it."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

"That, Your Highness," Selena tapped a finger chidingly on his knee, "was before we were betrothed and compelled to proper behavior. I have not forgotten it, but you must admit that the change in our status adds a certain... spice to this evening's kiss." Soft brows raised higher at his teasing, her eyes sparkling with the mirth of it. "You accomplished sneaking into my pavilion, though I believe you already know you'll not receive anything more than perhaps another kiss for your pains."

Surprised to hear that the St. Claire lord had been informed, she muttered, "And there was no great and terrible response? How on earth did I miss that? Though perhaps he was not taken off-guard. Surely Julia informed him that she spoke with you about the matter." Selena could not imagine that Julia would have kept that from her father. "That's good news, then. I had feared someone would raise a mighty objection. One hurdle cleared. How did the meeting with the Tsar go?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Oh, perhaps another kiss?" He replied teasingly, "I shall have to keep that in mind." When he would kiss her, she would n ever know. Admittedly, he rather enjoyed the look on her face after the kiss had ended. He surprised her thoroughly and he knew that gave her a certain thrill. It gave him the same thrill. "I see your point, though." And it also allowed him to be somewhat proud of himself. Had it been a few months ago, he would have been sneaking into the pavilion to seek the comfort of only her body. Instead, he came here for the comfort of her entirety. Perhaps he truly had changed.

"I think, like you just implied, he was more or less ready to receive that news from my father. He's not happy about it, but roaring and beating his chest is not going to get him anywhere. As for the rest of them, they were rather calm and accepting. I should have known that to be the case. Only Daven St. Clair really has a reputation." In an odd way, he wondered if he were disappointed there wasn't a bigger reaction. "Tensely," he answered her final question with a quiet laugh, "Very tensely. Tsar Anatoli has denounced Nikolai in every way you could imagine... and the man's not even been caught yet."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

"Oh?" Dark eyes scrutinized his face in an effort to plumb the depths of meaning to his teasing comment. He did rather enjoy surprising her, and stealing kisses contained a certain measure of thrill to it for both. "Do keep that in mind. Both the kiss and my point, of course." It was a positive sign that he had made a genuine reform of himself that he was not attempting to seduce her and that he settled only for a single kiss.

As he spoke of Lord St. Claire, Selena had to nod. "Far be it from me to speak disparagingly of him, but perhaps it is for the best. I like Julia very well, but I do not think she would make a good Queen and you two would forever butt heads." The truth was, Julia was far too much a St. Claire for Riordan's own good. She winced, however, when he spoke of the meeting with the Tsar. "Hopefully that has improved them in the King's graces... but there is a small part of me that feels bad for when Nikolai is caught. And he will be, I am sure of that."

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Yes. Darton is on his tail and I have never known him to fail." He shook his head, "I think he is getting closer and closer. Apparently, Sir Christopher of the de Winter has been sent to help him. Between the two of them, he will be caught, probably near Twinport. The speculation is that he is trying to reach the port to escape via a ship from Linten. I'm not all that certain why he would want to flee to Sarkozsy. I can't imagine that he would have many supporters there."

He cleared his throat, "Father and I also discussed just what to do about the Fyodorovs. I besought him to give them a chance to prove themselves and take the time necessary to let wounds heal. I know they offended my sister. I know she was humiliated, but I have to be practical. Should a whole nation suffer because of one person's humiliation?" It was a stark view, he knew, but ... he sighed. "I don't know. I feel like a poor brother when I think that way."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena considered it, frowning as a possible situation occurred to her, one that carried especially negative connotations. Her eyes sought Riordan's as she spoke with slow care. "Riordan, is it at all possible that Nikolai has turned traitor against his father? That he comported himself deliberately to sabotage the possible alliance and undermine the Tsar so that he could seize power?" To her own ears, it sounded both fantastical and yet eerily possible. Did Nikolai possess the stomach for treason?

She halted when he spoke, listening with care. "I think you are in a difficult position on this. There is no clear-cut solution to the problem that I can see, nor can you. Time, patience and a great deal of compromise is all that will resolve this, but only after Nikolai is caught. I would like to see what comes of that."

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

At the suggestion, he looked at her with a surprised expression on his face. Was such a thing possible? Could it be possible? He opened his mouth to protest, yet no protestations came forth. In all honesty, how could he reject such a notion. Did he have the evidence? Did he know Nikolai all that well? No, no, he did not. It was not something, admittedly, that he had thought about. He closed his mouth and thought heavily on her words. "It's... it's feasible. I don't know. We'd need more information. I should get word to Darton. Ask him to question the Prince, perhaps?"

He nodded faintly, "Yes, once Nikolai is caught." He paused, "Oh, Selena. I do like the Princess Anastasia. She is a very capable and well-meaning woman. I have developed a friendship with her. I want to believe in the best of the country because I believe in her. Does that make sense to you?"

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Seeing his surprised look, Selena paused. Had such nefarious thoughts never occurred to him? Would it lower her in his eyes that they had to her? She felt a sudden surge of anxiety, but waited in silence while Riordan worked through it on his own. "I would have him questioned before the Tsar, the King and the Council, since you ask. Let the truth be heard by those who are most involved. Especially Emma. If this proves to be the genuine reason for his behavior," she met his eyes, trying not to let her own fear show, "then she will know it was never personal to her. She deserves the truth too."

Lowering her eyes as he spoke of Anastasia, she nodded quietly. "It does, and had circumstances proven different, you might well have married her, I believe. She seems a good woman, one who has the best interests of Sarkozsy at heart. It would be a shame to let one... misguided act destroy an alliance that benefits both lands."

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

No, such thoughts had never occurred to him. It was bad enough that he had been the playboy of the family, but to think of treason? No. Such a notion never came to him and he was glad for it. A hand came up to touch her cheek in reassurance. He cold see the anxiety in her face, though he knew not the reason. It was possible that she thought of a potential danger against Demeria. "You are right, of course. And I will make certain that I am there so that the questions are asked. It's possible that this notion has not occurred to them, either."

As for Anastasia, he let out another sigh. "I know. It's quite a tragic pity. A stupid situation, really. I can't believe that it's happened." He shook his head in disbelief. "I truly wish the best for her and her family, even if it against some of the opinions of the court." He looked at her.

"Also," he said quietly, "I'm quite pleased the majority did not issue a serious complaint against my marrying you."

Lady Selena Lancaster