No Place for You! [ 4/8, Riordan/Julia, OPEN ]

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It was amusing to Riordan that the woman could somehow be extremely blunt, but also rather charming at the same time. The woman had a pretty smile, even if it was a frankly sly one. There were worse things for Riordan to see in his life, after all! "St. Claire bluntness, too," he pointed out, but softened it with his own natural and warm smile. "I don't think the manliness will ever go away much to the chagrin of certain individuals of Court? Resolve, though? That will be the true test."

Riordan tilted his head at her turn, "You do, hm? And just who else do you think would like to keep him?" If she could be bold, then so could he.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

If he thought she was blunt, Riordan would be shocked by her father's unrestrained frankness. Julia shrugged unconcernedly, now that they were speaking less formally and more to the point. "I am my father's daughter. We St. Claires don't believe in beating around the bush when it comes to making a point." She snorted out a laugh, then shook her head. The manliness, indeed. "Oh, it's good for the court to be shocked on occasion. Reminds them they're not all knowing or perfect themselves."

Three gods, but could she sound more like her father in that minute? Julia adored Daven St. Claire but she didn't want to be him. Or not exactly like him; his temper and moods made him difficult even at the best of times. "Resolve's in all of us, sire. If we just dig deeply enough, it's there, waiting for us. But I'm not sure I'm the right person to keep you. Keep you in line,[/] maybe," she added with that same wry grin, "but can you really see us together? Be honest now."

There. It was out in the open now.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

And there it was. Riordan should have known that the question was long in coming. Did the two of them really want to marry each other? Did Julia really want to be Queen of Demeria? Did Riordan want her as queen of Demeria? At first, he had thought that her icy nature was off putting, but now that he had actually gotten to know her, it was just a layer. It was obvious that there was a more fiery nature lying underneath the surface. That made Julia interesting, for certain... but did that make her a Queen?

Riordan was hesitating, wondering somehow if the question was a trick and this was an elaborate setup to make a fool of him. Granted, he had not seen any indication that Julia would ever deign to do so, but one could never be too careful within the Court of Demeria. "That's a difficult question to answer, honestly," he replied slowly. "I think we could grow to care for, or at the very least, respect each other as we are doing now. But is that going to be enough? Probably not." There. He was honest.

Now he braced himself.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

She listened carefully, aware that they tread a delicate line. Julia was not necessarily pressing for a denial of her hand, but she wanted to know if there was a very real possibility that Riordan might look elsewhere. "I know we are being thrown together by tradition and expectation," began slowly, "and like you, I agree we could gain a measure of respect, perhaps affection for each other, but I also agree that's not enough. I'm not foolish or romantically minded, I don't expect love, yet..."

Julia sighed and looked back at Riordan somberly. "I think it is safe to say we're both of the mind that traditions are for our parents, not necessarily for us. So I think what I am trying to say is," she winced a little, "if you... have a preference for someone else, I won't oppose you or try to stop it."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

When he realized that she had lambasted him for his choice in the matter, he let out a quiet breath of relief, and tried not to be obvious about it. He felt as though he had completed a very serious negotiation for his personal future, but ... he realized that he shouldn't quite treat like such. After all, there were going to be far more difficult challenges in the days to come. Nonetheless, he did let himself smile at her.

"If you don't mind my asking, Lady Julia, if you do not wish to be Queen of Demeria, what do you wish for?" Fortunately, he asked it in a manner that didn't imply she was a fool for turning down such a powerful position. However, she was obvious a woman of ambition, or she would not be her father's daughter. Thus, Riordan was understandably curious.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Julia felt her own measure of relief when he smiled, not reacting negatively to the prospect that they would not likely marry. She'd make a poor Queen and knew it; acknowledging it to Riordan was only the right thing to do, regardless of what her father thought. That didn't mean she was eager to see Lynesse marry Riordan, not that she thought her sister held any such ambition, yet she wouldn't prohibit it if it was what Lyn wanted. Certainly her sister had a far sweeter manner and a gentler mien than she despite her unquestionably formidable temper.

Lyn was every bit a St. Claire, no question.

She hesitated before she answered Riordan, dropping her eyes as she let out a barklike laugh. "With no disrespect intended to you, Your Highness, or the honor of becoming Queen, I think I would be better fitted for the role of Duchess of Twinport. My father, as you know, has no sons, so I have served as his de facto heir from my earliest years." Despite her aunt's and uncle's schemes to replace her with one of their sons, she did not add. Some points were best left unsaid. "It is my hope that I will be able to prove myself to his satisfaction to inherit the House and title." Falling silent, Julia waited with held breath for his reaction. Would he think her mad for harboring such a masculine ambition?

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Somehow, the answer did not surprise him at all. As he has suspected all along, the woman had considerable ambition, and there was a great deal she could do as Duchess of Twinport. It would be advantageous to have her as an ally in court, Riordan thought. A hand came up to idly rub at his chin. "Hmm. The challenge you might face is establishing a marriage, but your house is large and influential, so perhaps that won't be too much of an issue."

Riordan sobered further, and then decided to make one of many political moves. "This is going to be a bit mercenary, my Lady, but if I am going to be the King of Demeria, I must prove my father and the people that I am capable of doing so. If we were to form an alliance, of sorts, to our mutual goals, I believe we could achieve a great deal of good for the Kingdom." Riordan watched her closely.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

She shrugged lightly. "I am not that concerned with marriage, Your Highness. There are other Houses in Demeria that are not averse to matrilineal marriages or inheritances. If I must, I will extend an offer to one of their younger sons or cousins." Julia had obviously thought this out somewhat thoroughly, prepared to face such questions, though she'd expected them more from her father, rather than the Crown Prince. If that did not mollify him, she'd have to reconsider and find a better response.

Glancing back at him when she heard the alteration in his tone, Julia heard him out with a wary look. "What sort of alliance? And what would you ask of me?" On the aspect of his situation whereby he needed to prove himself, there was no point in offering a demurral. Neither would believe it and she was St. Claire enough that the pretty lies wouldn't roll off her tongue easily. However, she was also her father's daughter sufficiently to demand full disclosure before making any binding agreement.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan wasn't all that concerned with her finding a marriage, either. She was a lovely, intelligent and capable woman. She would simply have to find a man that was willing to accept her terms, and that would be the end of it. She could figure it out, though Riordan would help her if she asked for such assistance. That brought him to the topic of his offer to her.

"Like I said, we both have goals and they are not going to be easily reached. Why not help each other reach them? Do you think an outside voice will help convince your father that you are, indeed, capable being Duchess of Twinport? And perhaps you could help my reputation in Court, especially after I display my capability of leadership? Help me being being, say, a vocal proponent?" Riordan paused a moment, "I know I still have to prove myself to you, of course."

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

If she didn't find such a man, then she'd leave St. Claire to one of her sisters' children, or if they proved intelligent enough, one of her cousins. Thomas, perhaps, since he seemed to have a brain or two in his head. For now, the topic of her own marriage wasn't a priority, much less on her agenda. The alliance he offered, however, was, bringing her focus to bear on Riordan's features as she listened.

It seemed both a fair and equitable agreement. He supported her claim; she in turn supported him as heir to the throne. Together, when each rose to accept their roles, they could presumably do Demeria and the people a significant amount of good. "You make an enticing offer, Your Highness. I hope you will not object when I ask for some time to consider it? It's unlikely either of us would make a capricious decision on something this important."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"I would not have expected anything less, my lady," he gave a nod of understandinga nd gave a gentle smile. "It is a very important offer to consider, and there is no time limit whatsoever on it. Let me know when you are wready to do so." And with that, he took a step back. "You'll have to excuse me. I've some business that will probably need my tending. Please, enjoy the merchant. She has a great deal to offer you, and be certain to mention my name. That will guarantee you a good deal."

Once she issued her farewell, he turned and made his way out of the market. He had a great deal to contemplate.