Written By Tristram
Feb. 27, 2017, 10:20 p.m.(1/3/1006 AR)
I am a member of the royal House Valardin. My responsibility as a noble is to marry in order to strengthen my family, and to father children to increase its numbers; made even more important due to the events of the Tragedy. There are many forms of love out there--and many which are not something a noble can ever sanctify with marriage, given the demands places on us by our role. For example, while Prince Ainsley's style of love is possible for him because the Graysons are so numerous and as such procreation need not be his concern, even if it were my *preference*, I do not have that same luxury.
Lest in some way this seem a slight to Prince Ainsley, let it be known: I cared very greatly for Lord Pietro and highly approved of their match. I proved that *directly* to Prince Ainsley on at least one occasion, when I helped Pietro with a delicate matter, for no gain of my own but the care I had for him.
*Because* I do not have that same luxury, *because* I must either father children for my family, or be a match for another family in a way that strengthens the Valardin line, any musings or wistful desires I might have and express here before Vellichor are just that--musings. I believe most people in the world have met more than one person they *could* love, and would if they could. Some of them do so--with a spouse, but an arrangement that the partners might see others. How many bastards, fathered? How many affairs, destroying lives and lines and causing wars? Not for me this dishonor, this besmirching, this cause for chaos.
So: being unable to love more than one person openly, and being unwilling to lie or dishonor a spouse that I *do* wish to have, I will always remain true to the one who marries me. It should *also* be noted, because I am certain that Prince Ainsley imagines otherwise, that I have taken no lover, made no promises, had no relations beyond kissing, with anyone--noble, commoner, or otherwise--since I arrived in Arx roughly six months ago. Nor do I intend to, until I marry. I wish nothing to cause my future spouse, or their family, to have any doubt whatsoever about my love and commitment to them.
Written By Waldemai
Feb. 27, 2017, 9:54 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Written By Qaali
Feb. 27, 2017, 7:57 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Percephon
Written By Luis
Feb. 27, 2017, 5:08 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Magden
I am not the only one, though.
Be magnanimous.
Written By Ailys
Feb. 27, 2017, 4:50 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Valkieri
Written By Eirene
Feb. 27, 2017, 4:28 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Written By Serafine
Feb. 27, 2017, 4:16 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
This is going to be fun!
Written By Valery
Feb. 27, 2017, 4:10 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Written By Valerius
Feb. 27, 2017, 3:44 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Lark
Written By Killian
Feb. 27, 2017, 3:20 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Written By Ailys
Feb. 27, 2017, 3:11 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Written By Driskell
Feb. 27, 2017, 3:07 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Victus is a mighty warlord, he reaves where he wishes and does so with great success but perhaps the disease that Arx has with its land walkers is beginning to infect us. Thankfully, we have calamity to focus on rather than these murky waters of politics and newfound desires of change. I pray those winds of change don't rush us up on the reefs.
Written By Leona
Feb. 27, 2017, 2:14 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Written By Magden
Feb. 27, 2017, 1:58 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Luis
Written By Lydia
Feb. 27, 2017, 1:37 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
I had thought to tell the man that there were bandits harassing a trade route and asking him if he would go deal with it. He would have, of course. Now, these bandits would be sellswords of course, paid to act the part.
Then, after he leaves, you sneak a secret note to his lover, letting her know that the man is riding into a trap and will be outnumbered. There is no time to spare! What can she do!? She must ride after him herself, see, with enough men to act as reinforcements. The timing must be perfect, with messengers to tell the "bandits" when to attack so that she arrives just as the fighting is the thickest and defeat seems inevitable, but at the sight of her, the "bandits" will run and she gets to be the hero who has saved the man.
Now, isn't that romantic? I'm told that there are easier ways, though. Alas.
Written By Talen
Feb. 27, 2017, 1:13 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Serafine
So cut me, bitch.
Written By Ailys
Feb. 27, 2017, 1:07 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Barric
Written By Samantha
Feb. 27, 2017, 12:52 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
Prince Edain kindly gifted me with one of his own Sir Roland's offspring, a female owlet I've named Couquette. I've placed stands in a few of my more commonly frequented rooms for her to perch on when I'm not keeping her on my arm or shoulder, per his instructions so that she bonds to me properly.
A few people have had an opportunity to meet her, and while she is thoroughly charming, I am confused by some of the reactions. People - well, men, mostly - seem quite puzzled by the idea that His Highness would grace me with such a gift without there being some other intent to it. While the Prince is kind, handsome, pious, and valorous, it is ludicrous to think he would take to courting anyone so soon after the Archduchess' passing, and I imagine the standard of comparison even if he was would be far higher than myself. How hard is it for people to understand that sometimes, a gift is just a gift, meant in graciousness and appreciation for a shared interest and casual friendship?
Written By Merek
Feb. 27, 2017, 12:49 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aurora
Written By Eleyna
Feb. 27, 2017, 12:42 p.m.(1/2/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
My sister always held out hope that someone would come along to soften me one day. She thought that it would take someone kind and loving and sweet-tempered to turn my heart from stone to flesh. She was wrong.
Instead, it took a mean-spirited cur to repeatedly annoy me into loving him out of spite. My stone heart couldn't have been softened by anything less than someone with a temperament whose effect on me is rather like the Caith nettles he wishes to use in his duel with my sister. He leaves me feeling frustrated, in pain, burning most of the time. But, above all, he makes me -feel-.
I am just as proud to be your intended as you are to be mine, my dark Prince. You are worth no longer being the Black Widow. I look forward to the new titles and paths the two of us will forge together.
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