An Ill Wind?

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Only an idiot would fail to realize that something was dreadfully amiss in the camp set aside for the Carlisles and their royal guests. Emma was no idiot. She'd heard whispers of a shouting match in the pavilion shared by the Sarkozsian contingent, and two forms storming out. Then of a solitary figure departing in the dead of night and two knights returning to their posts with sore, aching heads, not to mention the look of near fright on Princess Anastasia's face. Something was dreadfully wrong.

She did not leave the pavilion that was hers, but sent Natalie and Serah out to see what they could discover. They could ask the questions she could not, they had their respective sources of information and would soon find out what was going on. Ever since her frank discussion with Nikolai in which she'd told him she was not sure she could trust him, Emma had not seen or spoken with the man. And that did not sit well with her. Her impressions of him were increasingly negative, making her wonder if they could even manage life as husband and wife, let alone King and Queen.

And right now, Emma had little confidence in either aspect. Despite all of her training and education, she couldn't seem to please Nikolai, or make him comfortable in her presence. Every word she spoke, every look she sent, every effort she'd made seemed to fall flat... and that left her wondering what was wrong with her. Where had she gone so wrong? Was she the problem?

Sitting disconsolately on the camp bed, she felt increasingly depressed, uncertain and an utter failure to her family, her Kingdom and her future. It was not the best of feelings, to say the least, and left her without direction. Hopefully someone knew something so she could decide what to do.

Lady Fiona Lancaster

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona had excused herself from the discussion with Princess Anya and her family. She had no real reason to be there. She had no doubt that Princess Anya would agree to a match between Tristan and Katya. The details could be worked out later. For now, she had to find her niece and inform her as to the goings on. She spotted Natalie, but avoided her, wanting to speak with Emma alone. This was a discussion for Emma only, as trustworthy as Natalie was.

Finding Emma's pavilion was the easy part, but actually going in was the challenge. It was not going to be an easy task. A deep breath was drawn in. Fiona entered. The expression on her face was stony as she gazed upon the young woman. It was obvious to Fiona that Emma knew something was going on, but had no idea what. She was depressed, which was also understandable. "Nikolai's gone. He's fled for reasons we do not know."

She didn't know why she blurted it out, but she did. Fiona was never one to soft-pedal the truth.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Nikolai's gone. He's fled for reasons we do not know.

Emma sat in stony silence for several minutes after her aunt's blunt pronouncement. She wasn't surprised to hear it, and wondered if she should be surprised that she wasn't surprised. Whether it was her fault or not no longer seemed important, but it was merely the final insult on top of other insults, the salt in an already tender, bleeding wound. The proof of her failure was flung in her face - Nikolai would sooner flee than work at resolving their issues and find a way to make the marriage work. Dark eyes rose to her aunt's face with a mere ghost of a nod, revealing little beyond a flatly voiced, "I see. Thank you for informing of the Prince's departure, Aunt."

Since the decision had been made without her, and without the courtesy of telling her to her face that he'd sooner humiliate himself, his family and put a strain on relations between their lands than marry her, Emma felt what was left of her emotions draining away. She was hollow now, a pretty shell that felt nothing, not even anger or disdain, for the Prince. Despite her misgivings towards the man, she had been prepared to do her duty, to rise to the call of her lands, and now he was gone, run away like a craven coward from the field of battle. She supposed she ought to feel something significant, but could only feel... empty.

Rising to her feet, her face an icy, composed mask, she inclined her head to Fiona. Emma had no doubts her father had sent Fiona to do the deed, rather than inform his daughter personally of her betrothed's betrayal and the humiliation that was sure to follow when the news broke. "If you please will send Natalie and Serah to me on your way back to His Majesty, I would appreciate it. I believe it is best I return to Triadon."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona wanted to wince at Emma's reaction, but as she went over the possible methods to deliver the news, she realized that Emma would have been hurt no matter how it was delivered. No, there was one: if Nikolai himself had been the one to tell her that he could not go forward with the match. A sigh escaped her as she looked down for a moment. Even though Emma had dismissed her, more or less, Fiona instead strove forward to meet her eyes with her own.

"You know this is not your fault," she stated, trying to be comforting in the face of the devastating news. She had never been particularly good at being a mother, especially when it came to comforting emotional pains. All she could do was put herself in Emma's shoes and take stock of how she would feel in the same situation. The conclusion? Angry, bitter, confused, hurt, though... she would encase those feelings in ice. That seemed to be what Emma was doing.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

What left Emma hollow was the understanding that Nikolai lied to her. She had given him a graceful out from the match, and he informed her he intended to see it through. Now, rather than see it through as he declared it his duty, he fled without so much as a word to her, or likely to anyone else. Her mouth formed a thin, grim line, stopping short as her aunt attempted an awkward effort at soothing her. Dark brows rose towards her hairline. "Is it not? The man would sooner test the King's patience, place significant strain on relations between our lands and see himself labeled a coward rather than grant me the honesty of a clean break. I beg to differ, Aunt. It is clearly very much my fault. I could not persuade him to be a man and fulfill his duty, I could not be what he sought in a bride, a wife or a queen, I could not see my way to understanding him and now he has fled. It is obviously my lack."

Pushing past her aunt, she wasn't in the mood to be told how she should feel or why she shouldn't blame herself. It didn't matter anymore, and it wasn't going to change the fact that thanks to Nikolai, Emmaline was about to become a figure of pity, ridicule and humiliation. The best thing she felt she could do at the moment was leave the area before the news broke, allowing her family to conduct what little damage control could be accomplished.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Following the tracks down to the St. Claire pavilion after an eventful day, Rosalie paused uncertainly as she saw Lady Fiona Lancaster make her way down toward Carlisle pavilion and the tent specifically assigned to Princess Emmaline. Just in case she might be needed, the young woman changed her direction toward the same, wondering if aught was amiss. Well, the only way to find it out was to check up on Her Highness herself, and thankfully, Rose had the excuse to do so as one of Emmaline’s Ladies.

Hesitating at the edge of the tent, Rose took a deep breath, before ducking inside and faltering a little at the sight of those present. Thankfully she remembered to recover with a curtsy as befit the station of both ladies, and turned a smile toward the Princess. “My Lady, Your Royal Highness…Is there any way I can be of help?” She might not have been present during the initial discussion that may or may not have transpired in the pavilion, but now she was inside herself, Rosalie decided that for now, formalities should be observed, especially since she had no idea what happened. Given the reaction from the Princess, however, the news were not good, and perhaps, her presence was a timely one, though she wondered whether her curiosity landed her into a spot of trouble, though she would likely learn either way sooner than she thought. For now she stayed by the entrance, a slight smile playing in her eyes despite herself. After all, since she was just enjoying a walk, Rose had hard time at keeping her expressions in check, though it shouldn’t be difficult given the tension in the pavilion she imagined she was feeling.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Emma was hurting. Emma was hurting. The mantra was firmly repeated in her mind before she snapped a correction toward Emma. She reminded herself that Fiona would have reacted in much the same manner were their positions reversed. It was only understandable, she supposed. Still, she truly wished the Emma would not be so hard on herself. "You had no way of knowing this man would react the way he did. How can you possible fault yourself for being yourself? Everyone loves you for that very quality." The tone was surprisingly gentle.

Before she went on, she spotted the Lady Rosalie and arched a brow. A St. Claire. Maybe she would help Emma see Fiona's point. She was about to suggest that she prepare the Princess's belongings for transport back to Triadon, but it was not her place to do so.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Before she could reply to her aunt, Rosalie made her presence known. Careful not to vent her spleen on the young woman - Rosalie was innocent and knew little of what was going on, or so Emma surmised - she took in a slow, calming breath. "Lady Rosalie, it's my intention to return to Triadon in the next day or so. If you wish to remain for the duration of the Festival, please feel free to do so. All I ask is that you help me pack to return, and then you're free to enjoy yourself. The pavilion will serve to house you comfortably, I'm sure."

She turned to her aunt then and scowled darkly. "I know he lied to me. I know he's proven himself the lowest form of craven coward to darken the earth with his step. I know that I'll be the talk of the court for months over this, everyone speculating what I did to drive the man off that he felt compelled to slink off rather than taking a proper leave. Obviously myself was not good enough for him, and I should have realized that from the start. He hasn't been able to stomach my presence from the start."

Aware that Rosalie was there and probably drinking in every word, Emma shook her head and turned away. The emotions pulsing through her were of the darkest variety. Hatred, loathing, disgust, disdain... they added up until she could barely stand to be in her own skin.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rosalie, indeed, was listening with a most curious expression on her face. From what little she could guess, she was an uninvited, or perhaps, not so much, interruption to an argument concerning Prince Nikolai, whom she hadn’t seen the last couple of days – and if an argument could be called such. Deciding not to comment for now, she gave the Princess as sunny a smile as she could manage. “Of course, Your Highness. How long do you expect to travel and what might you need?” Pausing in thought, she brightened as she hit upon a possible solution. “And it would be my pleasure to share a journey back to Triadon with you, as well, if you would not mind extra company. There are things I’d like to see about back there myself.”

And that wasn’t speaking too much at all, but the truth was that the earlier meeting with Lady Vivianne sparked her natural curiosity. Curiosity, of course, was often the killer of cats, mice, and young ladies who had too much of it for her own good, but there it was, and while the Festival would probably be enjoyable, Rosalie felt that she’d be more useful in Triadon, if that was where Princess Emmaline was going to go indeed, as House St. Claire was amply represented by her father and sisters. Same curiosity made her dart a quick look toward Lady Fiona, particularly at her exchange with the Princess. Perhaps there was more to the words she inadvertently overheard, but she was wondering whether it was her place to ask, and this wondering was making her fidgety enough. Thankfully, the request from Princess Emmaline was enough for her to put some of that restlessness for some use, that was something.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona opened her mouth to issue protest, but held herself in check. Emmaline was too angry and hurt right now to listen. She needed time to sort through her own thoughts and emotions, but she didn't want the woman alone, either. Perhaps Lady Natalie and Rosalie would be good sounding boards. Fiona, at the moment, was not. Right now, she wanted to find Nikolai and throttle him until he turned purple. A hand came up to briefly cover her eyes.

"Have you seen the Lady Natalie?" He glanced toward Rosalie and arched a brow.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rosalie gave the question a due consideration. Did she see either of the Ladies? Indeed no, though she spent an enjoyable hour with Lady Selena earlier, but she doubted that was the lady who needed to be present at the moment. “No, My Lady, I don’t believe I did,” she replied, wondering whether she just missed Lady Natalie by a hair. “I do not recall crossing paths with her on the way here, at the very least,” she amended, as she thought it might be that she had, in fact, seen Lady Natalie around, but it possibly slipped her mind.

Such things as location of certain ladies tended to slip her mind when it wasn’t immediately important, and later, she honestly couldn’t recall them. Making a mental note on trying to practice remembering things, Rose continued the initial task – making sure the Princess had everything she would need for return journey to Triadon. Of course, there might be a bit of delay, but she wondered whether it was her place to speak up right now, so kept on the quiet side and her curiosity under control. Now most certainly was either the best of times or the worst of times for curiosity and she wasn’t sure when it would be otherwise.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Aware that Fiona was trying to make a point and equally aware she had no true desire to hear logic and reason right now, Emma turned to Rosalie. "Pack all of it. Once we get to Triadon, I'll figure out what is going on from there." It would be pointless to tell Rosalie to stay, she could already see the young woman had made up her mind to go with Emma, as would Natalie and likely her cousin Serah.

Drawing a slow breath in a fruitless attempt to calm herself, she let it out in a sigh. "I have an obligation to host the archery tournament tomorrow. Once that is done, I'll consider my obligation fulfilled and will leave in the evening for Triadon. Where I go or what I do from there remains to be seen, Aunt. But I cannot stay here, and what's more, I won't stay here, knowing that half the court will be snickering behind their hands at my utter failure to close a deal that would have benefitted us."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona did not issue a complaint, knowing that Emma would be true to her duty. A small nod answered her promise to complete the archery tournament before leaving. "A strong face is the best, regardless of what the court will or will not say." Fiona would be watching them like a hawk, however, and whipping them into shape if need be. No one would be taking advantage of her niece's misery. Any that dared to do so would answer to her.


"Very well. Triadon will be quiet and peaceful with the majority of the court situated here." A faint smile passed over her lips, "Lady Rosalie," she looked to the woman, "Let us seek out Lady Natalie." She wanted to head off the woman's attempts at barging in here and demanding an explanation.

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rosalie, who’d been keeping herself busy with packing – though of course she’d take a few minutes to do so, given the wardrobe she could see present, also kept an ear on the ongoing conversation. Lightly humming to herself and hoping the other two ladies in the same room weren’t keeping too close an eye on her, Rose wondered whether the situation wasn’t an echo of her own sister’s – after all, hadn’t been a St. Claire daughter supposed to be betrothed to a Carlisle Heir? Wondering whether she should mention it, the young woman took a look at Emmaline’s face and decided that right now, it’d be like throwing seeds at the wall, which she wasn’t planning on testing. If there was a point, Rose entirely missed it herself, as well, at least right now.

That the Princess was willing to remain for duration of the Tournament was a relief to Rose, who entered it herself and was hoping to, if not shoot anyone in the crowd, at least show herself how far ahead she needed to study the art. She was, by no means, a raw beginner, but neither was she a professional, so the entry was made for fun. Blinking a little to bring herself into the present instead of daydreaming about shooting some pompous old lord entirely by accident, Rose grinned at the mention of Lady Natalie. “If Your Highness has no need of me any longer…?” She trailed off with that, curiously studying Princess Emmaline first before agreeing to go anywhere. She would likely be needed, but if the current discussion was anything to go by, the currently missing lady would probably be a better companion right now.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Relieved that Fiona was not about to fight her on these things, and trusting her aunt to keep Rosalie with her, Emma smiled her gratitude and gently nudged Rosalie off with Fiona. "Not right now, and it is a lovely day. Go and enjoy it, I can pack for myself. Thank you." The smile did not reach her eyes, but she doubted they expected it to under the circumstances. Rose could pose her concerns about the similarities to her sister if she wanted once Emma had a chance to settle herself and take firm hold of her nerves.

For now, she merely wanted the solitude and the peace of her own pavilion, and a chance to vent her emotions alone.