Coexistence in Court

[winterblood 11181]

 

 

[Francois Bouche - detail]

 

With the Social Season kicking off at last, a flurry of emotions fell upon the populace of Providence; especially within the minds of the ladies and gentlemen listed within the debut.  Once the evening of the soiree concluded, all awoke the following morning to various types of publications of rumor columns and tabloids telling their own colorful recollections of the events that transpired the previous night that certainly stirred feelings of unease, jealousy, and other dark emotions amongst the victims in the papers.

 

Troubled by this dubious behavior occurring in the unseen corners of the courtiers, Lady Margaux Helvets sought to bring forth a change in mood and perspective for the upcoming weeks of the Season.

 

C o e x i s t e n c e   i n   C o u r t

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I bid you all a good day, and pray that at least one spark of affection may have been found for you all last evening.  I write to you, openly, today over the matter of these many publications of rumors and other gossip spreading across the capital and estates of the countryside; as well as the mysterious authors behind them, whoever they may be.  I feel as if there is a great irony to be had in these papers, for they heavily scrutinize and aggressively critique any woman or gentleman that is to show a flaw or error while presenting themselves; however, the very existence of these tabloids is an exceptionally worse error in one's etiquette.  My words are further proven by the majority of these authors hiding behind aliases, for I’m sure they’re well aware of the gravity of the scandals they wish to stir.

 

I recall expressing my concerns to a handful of ladies, once the starting lesson of etiquette led by HE the Lady Governess, Anna Henrietta, had concluded; we had retired to the Augustine Gardens for tea.  There, we discussed the ever imminent Presentation of the Debutantes and Opening Soiree.  I had hoped that the ladies of the debut would remain mindful of their etiquette in its entirety throughout the Season, and to not be tempted to act as rabid dogs toward one another and believe this Social Season to be a competitive event.

 

With the release of so many columns of tempting gossip and rumors - and so quickly, at that, I’ve good reason to believe that my fears of how one regards themselves and others souring greatly will come true by the end of the Season.  We must resist the seeds of negativity and despair being planted within our minds; if we are to give into it, we allow for ourselves to listen to our lowest instincts.  

 

I understand that, by writing this, I ought to be criticized by some of these mysterious authors.  You may call me whatever you like; a wannabe mother with no children to discipline, so I choose put the court in its place; a holier-than-thou lady that clings to the skirts of Her Imperial Highness, begging for good favor through my writings; or a common Wench of Cathalon that is so bold as to speak out, after emerging from a large scandal.  

 

I do not claim to be a Saint, nor shall I ever; and I shall call none of these authors monsters for their writings.  I understand we are all various shades of people woven in the same tapestry.  I only wish for better examples of how we ought to behave to be displayed.

 

To offer my good favors to the lovely debutantes of the Presentation, who shall always find a friend in me, I present you with these brooches of herbs and flowers, for each shall have a special meaning for your character.

 

Lady Margaux Helvets

 

Miss Elizabeth de Joannes 

• A musk rose for you, for a small clump fits perfectly well within this brooch of silver.  Their petals are soft and delicate, such a charming flower for all to see - just as you are.

 

Lady Delilah Anne Kaphro

• An eye-catching blue flower, the hyssop, with an aromatic fragrance; its leaves bear a minty scent, which stir thoughts of cleanliness - a lovely reminder to the stunning and the perfectly white gown you wore in your Presentation to Her Imperial Highness.

 

Lady Milena Ipera of Dobrov

• For you, I present a scarlet poppy.  It is certainly an extravagant and eye-catching flower with lucious petals.  Quite fitting for a woman that Her Imperial Highness describes to hold herself quite well.

 

Lady Cosette de Falstaff 

• The flowers from an ash tree are such delicate and sweet things, a true gift to the eyes and nose in the Springtime.  A clump of such beautiful white flowers are an excellent display of Lady Cosette’s grandeur.

 

Miss Caroline de Selm

• Although some of the rumors have described you to be plain and shy, I’ve great faith that you shall blossom into a proper socialite by the Season’s end; therefore, I bestow to you celandine for your joys to come.

 

Princess Charlotte Augusta of Aldersburg 

• I’ve two flowers to present to you as a brooch, Your Highness; a dwarfed sunflower accompanied with a lady's mantle to fill in empty space the sunflower leaves.  Each symbolizes the adoration of your sense of fashion, especially by myself.

 

Lady Helena of Roesmoor and Susa

• Two flowers are to be presented to you, Your Highness, as both I feel are fitting for your display last eve; the flowers of mountain laurel show your ambition in choosing to wear pants in your Presentation, and a white angrec flower as a beautiful metaphor of your Imperial heritage.  A unique display you made, one fitting only for a princess.

 

Lady Margaux Renee of Cathalon

• For myself, I shall use the petals of an acanthus flower for my interest in fine arts.  They shall accompany forget-me-nots, for I’d like to describe myself as not a meek maiden and will be frank when I said I don’t wish for myself to be one so easily forgotten.

 

Miss Ida Mondblume

• For you, Madame Ida, I present mountain laurels - for I think they are a greatly precious and beautiful flower and are an accurate comparison to you for your ambition.  It is no easy thing, to leave your homeland and enter another in hopes of building a better life yourself.  For that, I wish you luck and insight.

 

Miss Claude de Frand

• A white lilac shall be given to you, Miss Claude, for your great display of modesty in an event meant to catch the eye.  I believe it to have been a choice decision, for it leaves many to wonder on what your character might be and encourages others to find out through conversation.

 

Miss Emerentia Kovachev

• Miss Emerentia, you were the definition of elegance last evening - despite the shock of others when they saw your bare shoulders.  You still kept your head high and your smile genuine throughout the evening, none could tear your down from your grace.

 

Lady Alexandrina Frederica of Provins

• The true Ruby of the Season, you are deserving of two flowers as well.  A tulip to symbolize your newfound fame, and a delicate white flower of white called the poet’s narcissus; however, do not think its name as an insult, for it is to encourage your self-esteem with your rightly given title.  

 

Miss Swanhilda Louise Therese Antoinette of Poiteux

• To Miss Swanhilda, I present another mountain laurel for her display of ambition through her attire for the evening; it was the most unique out of everyone in attendance and surely caught everyone’s attention.  I praise you for your creativity and courage to try out new forms of fashion.

 

Miss Agne de Frand

• A sweet william is meant for you, Miss Agnes, for your smile.  I doubt its pleasantness upon your face shall be so easily forgotten, for it lit up the throne room once Her Imperial Highness complimented the beauty of your name.

 

Miss Maisie Adelheid of Sunholdt

• To the woman I would call my most dearest friend, you are deserving of every flower; however, since I’ve already emptied half of the greenhouses of Providence for you… I shall bestow two flowers upon you; the pompon rose and lady’s mantle for your prettiness and impeccable sense of fashion.

 

Miss Gwynevere Wick

• A unique flower is meant for a unique woman, and that is you, Miss Qwynevere.  Your dress and hat reminded me of a sugar-coated dream, therefore you are deserving of a flowering fern.

 

Lady Adriana of Sunholdt

• Lastly, for Lady Adriana, you displayed a special form of courage and uniqueness of character last evening.  A sea lavender is representing your dauntlessness within the throne room, and I shall hope such bravery shall cling to you for any battles you may find yourself in on your path.

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Princess Charlotte Augusta would receive the gifts with great admiration herself, having always admired Lady Margaux from afar for her beauty and engaging nature. She hoped, in future, they might build a strong companionship. For now, she simply wrote a letter of thanks, and an invitation for tea.

[Eryane 3698]

Miss Swanhilda Louise Thérèse Antoinette of Poiteux tosses the missive aside with an absurd, sudden gasp of her own– thoroughly offended by what she had seen. "She did not spell my name correctly! Where are the dashes above my third name, Thérèse? Outrageous!" Swanhilda grumbles as she manages in another metal pin to make certain this time the model ship in her wig does not have another wreck. 

 

---

 

Whilst upon her stride through the Augustine Palace, Lady Milena is brought to a halt by a passing courier who proffers the Majordomo with a new missive. Although she hadn't wished to outwardly show it, she vexed over whether or not to even bother reading over a new tabloid.

 

Yet the heading struck her, the phrase 'Coexistence in Court' that she had not seen anything akin to in the other writings. And so, she thanked the courier before they were to depart and found herself curled by the warmth of a fire as the evening were to grow to dusk. The woman's positivity enlightened her, perhaps even encouraged her to be so similar for when she – a lady of optimistic nature herself – had begun to fall into the waves of cynicism. Those waves of pessimism no longer bothered her so; for, how could they when a woman such as the Lady Margaux Renée had maintained such an attitude in spite of the dramatics to occur about her? "This is a true lady of the imperial court." 

[Ivoreyy 2303]

From within her residence in the Augustine Palace, The Princess Imperial was delivered Lady Margaux's missive - "Coexistence in Court". She idly looked over the young Cathalon's writing, her interest thoroughly piqued with each line. As she concluded, she placed the missive down upon the polished dining table - a warm smile flashing across the aged woman's features.

 

"Look, dear Helena-" She motioned her daughter over. "The Lady Cathalon commends your presentation last eve. She bestows upon you both a mountain laurel, for your ambition, and a white angrec flower for your Imperial heritage have."

 

The Princess recalled her prior conversations with the Lady Cathalon relating to the recent, and certainly emotionally-consuming scandals in which had been made public. An awful, awful affair, as she had told the young woman. Truly, Elizabeth Anne knew from her own experiences in such matters - almost to the degree in which she could feel that familiar pain in which she knew Margaux experienced now.

 

"Lady Margaux exhibits such a quiet grace about her - something that truly, I wish I had possessed myself at such an age. Take note of that, Helena Augusta."

 

She had told each of the debutantes a few evenings prior that they represented much more than just themselves, and their families. For they were the next generation of Oren's women - her public servants, cabinet ministers, judges, governess', royal officials and political players. It was clear to the Princess Imperial that the Lady Cathalon was precisely a woman of the mind and culture in which she had spent all these years trying to cultivate.