A More Accurate Impression

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Her future now unofficially settled, Selena faced a dilemma in the form of the Iron Princess. They had not gotten off to the most stellar of beginnings with their initial meeting, yet Fiona Carlisle Lancaster was an integral part of the Royal Family. To remain at odds with the foremost Lady of the Court, the King's de facto hostess and unrivaled arbiter of Courtly demeanor was unacceptable, as well as plainly imprudent. 

She also quietly hoped to obtain the lady's open acceptance of the match, if she could not receive Fiona's blessing. Determined to win over this most influential of critics, an invitation to an afternoon's stroll along the lakeside was sent to the Iron Princess. Couched in formal, respectful language, she hoped to meet with the lady on relatively solid and even ground. 

Dressing with care, Selena attired herself in a simply cut but well made gown of pale blue, her heavy fall of dark hair coiled and braided with a fine rope of gold and aquamarines. Riordan had not bestowed a ring on her as yet - their betrothal was not yet official, and she was not looking to boast of it. That was not in her nature, and it would be in poor taste to do so before a member of the Royal Family. She stood waiting patiently, alternating her gaze between the shimmering surface of the lake and the path by which Fiona might arrive. 

It was time to make a more correct impression, and gain one in return. Her future relied upon it. 

Lady Fiona Lancaster

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona had her reservations about another meeting with Selena Lancaster. The first meeting had gone so poorly. Yet, Fiona had eventually seen the benefit of it. It had been the jarring experience she needed. She had grown too comfortable with her role as the Iron Princess. A heart of iron was too harsh and difficult to maintain. Iron was, after all, prone to rust and when things rusted, they become useless and fragile. The Iron Princess had no interest in such a fate.

Yet, she knew she could not openly embrace warmth and kindness, either. Someone had to be practical force within the Court, after all and Fiona was determined to be just that. While being in arms with brothers and sisters was a grand goal for the world, Fiona realize its folly. Not everyone wanted to be a brother. Not everyone wanted to be a sister. Always would there be those that sought to take advantage of such kindness. Fiona wished to be the sentinel against such foes. Rupert de Vere was one such guardian, but he was in the shadows. They needed a guardian that stood openly in the gaze of others.

Keeping this in mind as she made her way down to the lakeside, the woman, garbed in a gown of deep blue in contrast against Selena's own pale blue. The hair was not confined, as usual. Fiona had not taken to styling her hair as of late, wanting in to be graceful and free. Though her head was held high, she put on a smile upon her face. "Lady Selena. Thank you for invitation."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

She had plenty of reservations on her own part, but Selena knew that Princess Fiona was a far better advocate than enemy. The woman had a wealth of valuable experience and wisdom that could significantly benefit her in the months and years to come, if only she could ease the very real tension that lay between them. Observing the lady's approach, aware that Princess Fiona was a stickler for formal manners regardless of setting, Selena sank into a graceful curtsey, her eyes lowered respectfully. "Thank you for accepting, Your Highness."

Rising, she smoothed her skirts and raised dark eyes to meet Fiona's calmly. "If you will pardon my candor, my lady, I feel that you and I got off to a poor beginning. It is my hope that we can start afresh and find common ground, if you are willing." Selena would not presume to speak of friendship so soon, nor did she necessarily aspire to anything more than a civil relationship. Friendship with a lady like Fiona Carlisle Lancaster was a privilege to be earned. Aware that Riordan treasured his great-aunt for her clever mind and unimpeachable influence, she had every intention of making such an effort. Only a fool failed to appreciate all that could be learned from so skilled a teacher.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona found the start of the meeting interesting. She bowed her head in acknowledgement of Selena's curtsy. Now it came down to the exchange of words. "I think that would be to the benefit of both of us." The faster Fiona could put her incredibly embarrassing failure behind her, the better. It didn't matter that she had been right in surmising Selena's goals, she had gone about it in a far too heavy handed manner. In truth, she had underestimated Selena. A lesson painfully learned.

"Before we do that, however," she paused for a moment, "I apologize for how I behaved in our first meeting. I approached with a defensive mindset rather than one of congeniality." The smile turned almost ghostly, "Some habits die hard, you see." Perhaps a weak excuse, but it was the truth.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The apology was accepted as graciously as it was given, time and opportunity to think over the meeting presenting a fresh perspective. Selena smiled gently. "You defend your family's name and future, Lady Fiona. There is nothing for which to apologize, but I accept it all the same. In retrospect, I admire your stance. It is a position of strength and power."

Hindsight painted the pose Fiona adopted with respect and understanding. Had she been in the lady's position, faced with an upstart flouting a long-established tradition, she would have held equal reservation and a critical position. "There are, if I may continue my candor, worse habits to possess, my lady. Perhaps in this fresh start, I may have the chance to show you that I have much to learn and experience, but I am not afraid to accept instruction and heed the wisdom of those who have the experience."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Selena's return statement was, for the lack of a better word, perfect. The woman was truly a fascination in the Court of Demeria. Never had Fiona encountered someone quite like her. The only other remotely like her was ... was Spencer. Of course. She was Spencer's daughter, after all. It all made sense to her. Before her stood the feminine version of Spencer Lancaster. She always thought Spencer would have made a fine King if circumstances permitted it. Why should she opposed to his daughter being Queen?

"Given who your father is, Lady Selena, I would imagine that your education only needs refinement... and the occasional reminder that not all are going to be urbane as he is." She indicated herself with a wry smile, "As was already made obvious." The smile turned briefly mirthful. "... Riordan speaks very highly of you. Given how much he has changed in the last few months, I take that very seriously."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Her smile warmed with the mention of her father, a nod acknowledging what was said. "My father is a testament to his breeding, my lady, and a fine example for all of us to follow in the manner of courtiers. I'm well aware that there are few like him, but he has taught me well, for which I am grateful." Certainly the training provided her had stood her in good stead so far within the court, and allowed her to stand out from the majority of the ladies. It gave her the means to draw Riordan long enough to gain a true attraction.

The mention of Riordan, however, painted a blush across her cheeks as her eyes lowered. "He has always been a good man at heart, I believe, but observing the true man he is becoming has been fascinating." Selena had despaired over the womanizer Riordan had been, but seeing the recent venture into maturity relieved her immeasurably. "He speaks most highly of you as well, my lady. I believe he depends on your counsel a great deal."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

The description of Spencer made her smile, but she was wise enough to be distracted by a flower in bloom alongside the lake. It was a simple flower, but a pretty one nonetheless. "Yes, he certainly has taught you well." But then, that furthered her conviction that the Iron Princess would be needed in Court. Someone had to be willing to fight dirty for the survival of the Kingdom. Riordan would not do it, and she was not certain Selena would, either. Marisa would likely do it, but if she became a duchess...

Turning her attention back on Selena at the mention of Riordan, she watched Selena curiously. She did not bother to hide her surprise when she mentioned Riordan speaking highly of her. "Forgive my surprise, but I thought for a time I was not exactly the family favorite. But then, I have noticed he has become increasingly forgiving and steadfast. We have you to thank, at least partially, for bringing that man out of him."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

If Selena glimpsed the smile that blossomed with the mention of her father, she was too sophisticated to mention it. Everyone was entitled to their secrets, especially the Iron Princess, though Spencer kept few secrets from his children. Discretion kept those secrets behind her teeth as she bowed her head gratefully to the compliment. "I owe all that I am and hope to be to my father and my lady mother," she replied simply. Felice Ormonde Lancaster had been a great lady, one whom her daughter strove to emulate.

The surprise was noticed, her smile deepening. "You underestimate your value, my lady. But you should not thank me. It was Prince Riordan who chose to rise to your expectations, and become the man he ought to be. I cannot take credit where it is not due me. It was all Riordan, and I believe we can soon realize a Crown Prince worthy of the title."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

The woman was truly humble, that much was certain. Fiona didn't know whether to admire her humility or be annoyed by it. Still, it was refreshing to have a creature such as herself in Court. It was true. Even if Selena provided a nudge, intentional or otherwise, it was Riordan that decided to clean up his act. "Then perhaps you were but one of many inspirations." She was an inspiring woman, that much was certain.

Steering the conversation away from thanks and praise, she decided to tackle more practical issues. "You'll forgive me for being forward," she gave a bemused smile, "Once again," she cleared her throat, "But this close of a courtship seems to have one direction. I am asking merely out of curiosity," she prefaced, not wanting to put Selena on the defensive. "But ... how do you feel about that direction? The direction that leads to the throne room?"

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

"I hope I was," Selena admitted quietly, allowing a hint of her ego and natural arrogance to show. It was a struggle for her to keep both in check, yet diffidence and humility were more rare than egotism and arrogance, bringing with it the element of surprise to keep others off guard. She smiled gently, eyes lowering to hide the brief gleam of satisfaction. This was going well, and she was relieved by it beyond measure. Fiona was an ally she could not afford to do without, she knew that for a fact.

Returning her gaze to rest easily upon Fiona's face, she considered the question placed before her. If she gave the true answer, it would come across as even more arrogant and perhaps foolish. Selena strove for a balance between confidence and humility in her reply. "I do not believe I am truly prepared for such a role, and obviously, there is much to be learned about the Carlisle family, the expectations placed upon me as not only Riordan's wife but the future Queen. However," she added quietly, "I hope to learn from you, from His Majesty, from Princess Emmaline and Prince Tristan. I know I will make mistakes, but hopefully they will not prove too detrimental." She halted, then posed her own version. "How do you truly feel about this, Your Highness?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

The play to her experience and ego was appreciated. The cynical part of her wondered if it was all just a play of words to get her approval on the matter, but Fiona swiftly tamped that down. She couldn't be cynical all the time. Look where it had gotten her; an unhappy widow making foolish mistakes in the grand scheme of Court. "Oh, I'm certain you can learn a great deal from all of us. Sedrick and I are the cynics, Emmaline is full of hope," at, least, Fiona desperately hoped she was, " and Tristan see things that others do not. I'm just relieved we're not all the same." The amused smile was a brief one.

"I am hesitant, Lady Selena," she stated honestly, and then paused, "Well, I was hesitant. Your father suggested the possibility and I balked at the idea outright. To fly against the face of tradition? For what?" She shook her head, looking away. "Then I realized that I had grown too comfortable in how things were that I did not adjust the new generation of courtiers that have been coming in over the years. The old ways, so to speak, don't always work even though that is why we think to cling to them."

She drew in a breath, "That being said, I am hesitant, yes, but I am willing to support it. I do not believe Lady Julia wants to be Queen, or she would have worked against you quite stolidly, and even more bluntly, I don't think she'd necessarily make a good one. You, though... I have hope for."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena took the time to observe Fiona's facial expressions as she spoke of the varying members of the Royal Family, though she did not fail to notice that there was little mention of her own children. For all that she shared blood with Gerald and Serah, they were yet a part of the Carlisles as well. "If anything, my lady, I believe your family is a collection of disparate yet complementing personalities. But then, I have found my own family to be that way as well. My father is the epitome of a courtier whereas my brothers are less so. And my cousins are subtle and clever, I must admit." Selena respected Serah's strength and resolve; it could not be an easy life as the daughter of the Iron Princess.

Lifting her brows with the initial expression of hesitation, she nodded quietly with understanding. "Traditions are a good thing, but I think we can both agree that there are times when tradition can be a hindrance, rather than a comfort. I am not well acquainted with the Lady Julia, but I concur that she does not desire to be Queen. She is St. Claire enough that she would not be diverted from the course if she was set upon it. I believe she harbors some small hope that the Duke will name her his heir, and in my opinion, she would make a fine Duchess of Twinport." A gentle bow of her head acknowledged the expression of hope as she added softly, "I thank you for that kindness, Your Highness. With your help and guidance, I will do my best to be a good queen."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

But, ah, Selena had not mentioned any desire to learn from her own children. If she had, then Fiona would have brought them up. Gerald had his own path and so did Serah. Did that mean they were going to be a part of court? Fiona did not know. Serah had mentioned wanting to travel with the Grand Duke from Treniata. Perhaps the young lady would be more useful as an ambassador than a mere courtier in Demeria. Gerald? She had no idea what that young man wanted with his life. They did not speak much. The mention of Selena's family made her smile faintly. "I assume you are referring to my own children. They have their strengths. Serah will be a fine diplomat some day, but Gerald... "

The topic was shifted, much to her relief. However, at the mention of Julia being made the Duchess of Twinport, she had to wonder. Marisa was pursuing marriage with Daven St. Claire, and if she were to produce a male heir, that would make things completely different. But then again, she couldn't possibly know what Daven was thinking. Perhaps he would name Julia heir, anyway. How would Marisa feel about that, she wondered? Or Carissa de Vere for that matter. "I agree she'd make a fine Duchess," was all she said for the time being. "That is what we can hope for when it comes to the Queen. You have a great deal to learn, but so does Riordan. You can only be prepared through words and wisdom of others so much. The true lessons will be in performing."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Fiona had not raised the topic of her own children; it wasn't Selena's place to speak for them before their mother. She was striving to be delicate in mentioning her cousins, an undeniable tie between Fiona and herself, but the truth was, the two women were bound as much by blood as by marriages. "I am, yes. My cousins have their undeniable talents, and from what I have seen, Lady Serah has proven herself a great asset to Princess Emmaline, as well as befriending our foreign guests. Cousin Gerald has merely not found his place, but I have confidence he will do so." She smiled to add confidence to her words as the topic altered.

Observing Fiona's features as Selena revealed a few important aspects she might not otherwise be aware of allowed her a chance to take note of how those thoughtful miens appeared. More than that was not necessarily revealed to her, but the discreet reply came as no surprise to her either. "Experience is indeed a powerful teacher, I agree. I look forward to learning."