A WILTED CORNFLOWER

[libertyybelle 6187]

 

A WILTED CORNFLOWER

 

 

Amidst the scandal and rumors- a certain Dame and Governess sat within her room in Carrington. Away from the eyes, the whispers of hate and the terrible feeling that sunk in her chest.  “Where are you when I need you, Charles?” whispered the woman as her eyes closed whilst her hands balled into small fists. Her heart ached and though she clawed at her chest, leaving red scars, the pain didn’t cease. 

 

Had her work been for not? Had the stresses, late nights, and tormented days not been enough to save her? 

 

No. For mistakes in the Empire could haunt a man till his last breath- and for a woman even after. 

 

The talk she had with the prior Pontiff lingered with her. The day the news had gotten out of her brief infidelity she rushed to the holy man and wept her grievances. The unjudging man whom had seen her grow up, married her and now watched her crumble soothingly spoke.  

 

 

---

“Well, I'll tell you. In simplest terms, God stated various good things Canonists can do. Actions that please God. Like charity or in other words, giving to the poor. He also stated various bad things. Do you know what these are called?”

 

This word, Anna was familiar with. “Hmmm. Sins?”

 

Father Manfried’s  warm smile grew at that, “Very good. You are quite well versed in vocabulary for what?.. A 10 year old? You cannot be under the age of 10, can you?” His eminence said in that tone all adults use when speaking to children.

 

“I like words.” She'd say proudly, lifting her chin as she swung her feet over the edge of the pew. Pushing back her hair with a palm she finally offered a smile. “I am five and and momma says I am very smart for my age!”

 

---

 

 

“Though GOD can forgive- man does not so easily. Let not their torments stray you from the path of righteousness”

 

For torments had haunted her dreams her whole life. As a child she was bullied and beaten by other children, scolded by adults whom had barely known her. The cheerful and caring child who had grown up cold had eventually became the monster she wished to avoid.

 

She became a bully out of fear. The meek girl whom had been cornered life long finally tasted power and never wished to be cornered again. Yet with an ironic twist of fate, her power led her to be cornered in a final crescendo.. 

 

So she ran. 

 

Late at night whilst the house slept, she wept and wrote her final letters. A silent servant helped collect a few belongings- dresses and such- before placing them in a suit case or two.

 

Slipping into the cold night a carriage arrived with a ticket to a ship on the ocean shore near the edge of Almaris. She rode all night and as the sun started to rise just beyond the skyline she wondered how her children would react to see her gone. They were old enough now. Getting settled in their own life's.

 

 

---

“I am scared to stand up for myself- what if they don't like me? What if- what if they-” she'd pause with a small sigh. “Baba is strict and- and if he thought I liked Charlie I would be locked in my room until I was old and grey and forbidden from playing with them! I don't have a lot of friends- and and I don't wanna lose them!”

 

“No one sane would dislike you!” Duchess Helena scoffed, smoothing over the organized braid. “And, if they truly do dislike you- then they are surely mad, and are not to be trusted in the first place.” The redhead jested, “Your father can be reasoned with, I assure you. You must trust in him!”

 

“Do not underestimate the power of conversation, dear girl. If you plead your case well, he will surely believe you, and you'll be saved from all punishment. And if you are not,” She lofted a finger, “I will have a word with him personally.”

---

 

The carriage stopped upon the wooden deck- the smell of fish and misty ocean air flooded her senses as the lady grasped her luggage and set forth. Each step resonating on the wooden floorboards until she was boarded on the ship. 

 

Perhaps she was a coward but what had she cared? For the public had called her worse. What was one more ugly name on the tacks of many. 

She thought about John. The man who raised her and had cared more about her than most she knew. A man who knew her best. A twinge of guilt pained her as she remembered her promise to help him as he grew old. 

 

She thought about her children. Rhea with her brash and powerful personality, a girl who surprised Anna in the best way every shape and form. 

She thought about Mary and Charlotte- her twins who married well and had every ounce of class and bravery. Mary whom she was the closest with and seemed to take on her own sense of pride and forward ness. 

 

 

 

---

“It appears now to me, that I was not incorrect, then. It is so, that all women are… sensitive. Fragile, as if glass, or the most frail of petals or root alike.” It were, he sought the beckoning for that mantra and dogma, in implied and intended word then, narrow at aquamarine gaze before the table once more. “In all honesty, I haven't the least idea of what else to say here.”

 

The Pruvia whipped her head instantly, frowning. “I am not sensitive nor am I fragile.”

 

“Mmph… if you so insist.” 

---

 

She thought of Coraline- her smart and well sensed daughter who was sure to take the world by storm. In every way a sensible, respectable young lady. 

She thought of Wilhelm- her heir and in most ways the child who took most of her qualities. Starting off as a timid boy and working up to be bright and stubborn.

 

She even thought of Simon- she thought of the pain that had been thrown upon him. Though it hadn’t been her doing, she wished only that she could have been there to stop the chaos that was integrated in his life. 

 

---

“Come, it appears our walk will remain rather brisk.” He'd take hold of her hand once more, walking off at a quicker pace. A slight laugh would escape from his throat, as his lips tugged upwards in a wide grin. “We must take cover, Anna!”

 

She took his hand within her own, laughing out as she tugged him back. “I mind not the rain.” She murmured, placing a gentle kiss to his cheek. Looking up she closed her eyes. “It feels nice.”

---

 

Finally as the anchor was lifted and the boat left the shore, she stared only to that rising sun which warmed her honey skin. Under her breath she whispered her last words in this chapter of her life.

 

“I will see you soon, Charles.” 

 

LETTERS:

 

TO JOHN VIII

Spoiler

My dearest mentor, second father, and the overseer of our Empire. It pains me to leave you with the sea on my heels but it is time I do something for myself and not for the sake of the Empire. In chaos, there is a point where a person finds calm. Whilst in that brief period of serenity I find myself not loving my work, my home, or even our lovely roses which bloom. I picked one to take with me and even have a stash of that lavender perfume you hold so dear. 

 

I may not be there to powder your wigs the way you adore, or calm your nerves when things seem dire but know that you stay within my head and within my heart as the man who took me under his wing and loved me like the child he never had. 

 

I will miss you, ba. Make sure to take care of our garden.

TO WILHELM

Spoiler

My little lord. When you were born the world stopped and I felt like I gazed into your perfect round face that everything else didn’t matter. You had always been my precious baby boy and nothing ever will change that. I know you were thrusted into the draining career of being a lord at such a young age. I wish I could have taught you more so this chaos you released could have been avoided but know I am not mad. 

 

You took a step as a man and it may have back fired but many things in life do. You are young and brash, use that for the good of the family and the good of the Empire I know you crave to be apart of. 

 

You are young. Mend your mistake with your brother and find peace in yourself. Mistakes often happen but it is how you solve them which makes you truly a good man. 

TO SIMON 

Spoiler

Simon. Even if you have slandered my name out of anger, I still will always have a place for you in my heart. Whether or not you believe what was in the letter your father wrote- you were always a son to me. I cared not about the fine points. I know we left thing on bad terms but I do not think you are greedy nor anything less than a strong willed young man. 

 

I wish we could have erased what happened but the deed and hurt was done. I only wish that you remember I have love in my heart for you and I set sale I take with me the little bottle of perfume you made me when you first started your business. 

 

Try not to hate Wilhelm. He and Mary care for you nonetheless.

TO CHARLOTTE

Spoiler

I wish I could have seen my first grand baby from you but alas somethings work out against us in life. I understand we were not as close as I would have liked to be but do know that seeing you grow up into a proper young lady was something that gave me so much pride and joy. Tiberius is a good man and I know he will care for you well. 

 

Try to remember to stay strong and keep your head high, my dear. I love you more than I could write. 

 

TO MARY

Spoiler

My sweet little peony. I know life has given you so many tribulations and yet you have strode through them and landed yourself in a good marriage with a man who loves you as much as your father loved me. You are such a strong willed woman and I hope your work in the palace continues after I am gone. I have left you all the tips and tricks I used as Governess on my bed- use them wisely and do not let power get to your head.

 

Tell your children of the good and bad so that they may learn from my mistakes and be able to be as powerfully elegant and strong as you. I love you so much but you already know that. 

 

You were what made me wish to be a mother. 

 

TO CORALINE

Spoiler

Life has give you the short straw and you feel discouraged but Coraline not only are you beautiful- you are talented, smart and witty. Ever since you were born I envied how bright and joyful you were, like a small star in my life that felt as if I was swallowed by darkness. 

 

Stay bright, my darling Cora. Never let any man nor woman burn out your light as the world burnt out mine.

TO RHEA

Spoiler

When your father left there grew a sea between us. You were the youngest and by the time you were born I had lost a lot of passion. Even so, you were always a joy and while your sisters wanted dresses and dolls- you wanted a chess set and to run around in the city. You were never quite a palace girl but even so you came to every event I held, and you tried your best to be the best. I think, Rhea, you succeeded in being the best. 

 

I wasn’t a great mother to you, my dear, and for that there is nothing I can do but apologize. My last wish for you and with my blessing- is to marry whoever you want and live whatever life you wish to live. For your happiness should have always been my number one priority and I faulted in that.  I hope you can forgive me one day. 

TO AMADEA

Spoiler

My darling cousin and pratical sister. Soon, one day, you will be Empress. And whilst I may not be there to see it, know that wherever I am, I think of the day we planted roses in the gardens inside the palace. I remember holding you close to my side as we stared at the beautiful red and pink hues that we created. 

 

I long for nothing more than to return to that day where everything was at peace. Forget me not, sister of mine. 

TO THE PUBLIC 

Spoiler

This letter I dreaded to write, yet I shan’t leave without a parting goodbye. Though I may be gone, I hope through my faults, that people will remember the hard work and love I had for the Empire. I am a woman whose made many mistakes. Some worse than others. I have no excuse for the way I have behaved and I only hope that people can find in their hearts a way to forgive me and understand I hadn’t wished to cause harm. 

 

I express my apologies to the ones I hurt along the way- I became the monster I never wished to become. I fell into temptation of power and sin. For some may call me a coward for leaving, I read once in a book that the best way to break a nasty habit is to remove yourself from the source of it. So here I stand, taking a step finally for me and not for the sake of my Empire. 

 

On the allegations of my sins, I have only laid with two men. One being my husband and the other being Sergei Othaman in which was publicized. For the latter I met with the prior Pontiff to confess and repent. I followed his instructions and prayed twice a day for forgiveness for months on end. I have no bastard child with Sergei nor any other man. For I may be a brash and harsh woman, but I am no *****. 

 

I go now to find my husband who was lost at sea, I may never find him but I shall try. When he left, the piece of me that always was bright and happy faded. I was left in a dark room of my mind and found every turn I made was followed by the shadow of the once happy girl I was.  When my husband left- the pain and emptiness that followed after led me to become the monster I am today. 

 

There is nothing I love more than this Empire. One day I hope I can return with that piece that was lost. Until then.

 

Adio.

 

---

Anna Henrietta Pruvia of Provins

 

 

1784 - 1822

First female Governess of the Palace

Prior Majordomo of the Palace

Knight in the Order of Merit

 

X    X    X

 

Spoiler

OOC: 

I want to say it was a blast playing Anna and I truly want to thank everyone who helped me along the way. It really sucks it ended like this but last night really opened my eyes. I stopped playing Anna because I loved her but because I felt like I had to. This led me to become extremely stressed over the last month and make many mistakes OOCly to friends I care about in my community. I was so honored to be gifted Governess and to become a knight. It really made the year of hard work worth it. I cannot express my love for this community and for the people within it. I only hope that the people I have dragged into my stress ball can forgive me for the mistakes. 

 

A FEW SHOUT OUTS!!

 

Manny and Ncarr, you guys are my best friends. I knew since I got Anna that I wanted you guys to play my kids because you are the hardest workers for people who are so young. My heart is filled with love for you two and I know you will do great things with Carrington now that I am gone. 

 

Kosher , you and I were once enemies in Curon but you became a person I cannot see being absent in my life. When you told me you would be emperor so long ago I knew you would be doing amazing things and I am so so so SO proud of you and all the amazing work you do. You persevere through all odds, 

 

The Azog group, you guys are the bestest friends a girl can ask for. Thank you for all you guys do and all the support and love you endlessly give me through all my mistakes. 

 

Ivory, you ARE THE BEST person ever and one of my closest friends on this server. Thank you for your support since day one and I look forward to our antics as mother and daughter on Amadea and Amelia.

 

[ncarr 2806]

A young Othaman, d’Arkent by birth, sits at the edge of her bed, a tear covered missive in hand. She rises from the bed, pacing around the confines of her palatial suite before finally settling by the window. As she peers out to the rainy day below her, a memory resurfaces; it’s as if she can see the moment unfolding as it did originally.

 

A mother and daughter stand above two graves, where a bygone majordomo and Baroness rest, the girl in tears whilst the mother speaks. The elder d’Arkent speaks of a female empire, the fight that all ladies must fight just to keep up. The younger wipes her tears, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she embraces her mother with a soft hum.

 

“I love you, Mama.”

 

But a memory was all it would be. The now older d’Arkent sniffles once, no longer a mother to lean on. Her gaze lingers on the cathedral for only a second or two longer before placing the letter on her nightstand, off to busy herself with the endless slew of problems.

 

 

Spoiler

thank you @Kujofor the help.

 

[Mannyy 982]

As Wilhelm steps out from his House of Lords meeting, he would enter a wave of people. A crowd of scowls and sideways glances. He lets out a huff, shuffling through the crowd of press and shouting people, most of what was shouted being incoherent though it was obviously directed to him. After a few moments everyone would be called to gather in which the news would be announced. The Young Baron stands deep within the corner, head to toe covered in his dark blue coat. He would be shaking as it were announced.

 

At that, Wilhelm would rush home to Carrington Estate. Upon arrival, the young man would have a straight face, refusing to bear any emotions on the situation, other than the few statues or paintings he would ruin upon arrival home. 

 

The man would be calling throughout the halls of Carrington "Mama!" He shouted, only to be met with the echoes of his own voice. He crept through the dusty halls, finding his way up to the Baroness-Dowager Tower. He discovered a letter addressed to him. As he read over it a tear would come to his eye, crumpling the paper and tossing it aside as he laid upon the cold tile floor within his bedroom. The coolness soothed him as his body was overcome with heat.

 

---

 

When he was a boy him and Mary would run up and down these now dusty halls, every window open so that the wind may catch their hair, allowing them to bathe in the sun as they were chased by a young Anna Henrietta, laughs erupting from the halls. He remembered at night when he had first moved into his new room, he always found the open balcony to scare him. Wilhelm journeyed across the hall to his mothers tower, seeking her for comfort in the dark of night.

 

---

 

The now grown man would finally pull himself from the floor. He sifted through his mothers closet, most of it being emptied as she left. As he glanced to the floor he would take notice of a box, so easy to have forgotten it laid deep within the corner of her closet. Upon unboxing he'd take out a coat that once belonged to his father, then his mother after his father had gone, and now he would wear the thick, brown coat. "I will be better for you, Mama." The Baron remarked as he looked at himself in the mirror. At that, he would inhale swiftly, wiping his eyes with his now gloved hands, leaving the estate.

 

 

 

[zuziee 4004]

A portrait of Maisie in the fields of Lurin

(c. 1821)

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

On a warm field, rested Maisie. Her champagne curls rested on the grass as sounds of a hammer banging metal echoed in the background. It was a warm, easy, day as the sun smiled upon her. Yet, she could not help but tear up.

 

All her life, she had looked to Anna for reassurance and how to tell right from wrong. Her own mother was never around, and she enjoyed the comfort that Anna brought her when she was young and did not have her own opinions. 

 

Though in the last decade, she saw the woman crumble under grief for her uncle, Charles. It's what gave her hope that Conrad would return to her one day and the hope that someone only finds one true love in this life.

 

Yet, she still felt full of this ickyness. This sort of black sludge slowed her movements and leaked from her eyes. It was an ugly sight.

So she wrote a poem.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Let her

 let ruin end here

 

let her find honey

& let it drip from the golden sun

 

let her enter the skies

& find a field of lilacs

 

let her be at peace

& let this be the end of a sad story

[Moenah 1069]

"She is busy- again." That was the excuse Rhea gave herself, not seeing her mother during the entire frenzy. Most times, it was true- that had usually been the case.

 

After that House of Lords meeting, hearing the verdict given, she didn't go home right away. She had been in the middle of questioning her very identity that day- her own importance. Most of the things she had remembered up to that point had been crumbling down to the lies that they were, day after day, month after month. And if that wasn't overwhelming enough, she received the missive. Only then did she find herself at the estate, reading the note directed to her. Something about this felt familiar.

 

Was that it? She's just gone now? She kept asking herself, not even able to remember the last heart-to-heart conversation they had. Just like that, without even a goodbye to her face. Rhea had hoped that maybe, after everything, she would have the chance to clear her thoughts with her mother herself- but of course, she would never get the chance now. Unlike with Charles' death, she was old enough to understand things more clearly now- old enough to know she wouldn't have to wait for her mother to 'come back' from the sky one day.

 

"You live on in a 'lil lie moreso than any'a us by some, an' thas' the best truth you're going to get from any bullshitter sitting in this palace.” Raised the voice of one of her friends, as she absorbed each word from her seat, head down. “Thas' life, Rhea. Life is death, and it sure isn' fair, but it sure happens. And your peers ignore it.” 

 

No, this wasn't fair. Although she may never have considered herself the smartest, she could have at least showed her the other things she was good at. Proven to her how useful she could have been. But, just like that, and when what she needed the most was her mother, she was gone. Reading the letter, she couldn't help but wonder- This is how she really felt? It wasn't like there was any way to know now.

 

Because, losing now both her parents, she also couldn't help but weep.

[Taketheshot 3834]

Joseph d'Azor Closes his eyes as he read the missive letting out a deep sigh. "You made my sister cry, and you spoke ill of my family, despite this your service to the Empire was vast and the contributions made unmatched, GODSPEED in your journey Anna Henrietta I pray you find peace in your heart wherever you shall land." Joseph d'Azor passes the fire pausing for a moment as he held the missive in his hand "No..." He says walking to his desk where he tucked it deep into a drawer alongside many others.

[Imperium 3495]

John Leopold returns from his travels, "What has happened to my family."

[fetty bridgers 4492]

Tobias de Sarkozy let's off a mischevious grin at hearing the words of the Governess, "It appears that the barony will fall unto my daughters soon to be husband. Isn't life lovely."

Ugrad frowns at hearing the words of the Governess, "You were always kind to me, even for an orc. Thank you for helping me find the next chapter in my life.
 

[ReveredOwl 5639]

"Very saddening that she did not live to face the consequences of her actions or repent for her sins, alas we can only pray for her soul." remarked Father Basil.

[Kholibrii 1211]

Natalie Julia sunk into her chair upon being informed of the news by a delivery boy and being handed the letter. "We aren't even given time to breathe." She'd grunt out as she took hold of the bottle of whiskey which had come to remain at her desk over the last year, pouring herself a glass. She'd surely need it. Having she'd just arrived home from hearing the verdict of the House of Lords. A man she respected being stripped of his titles already didn't sit well with her, now this.

 

"My GOD that poor family." She'd whisper to herself as she read over the letter, idly sipping at he glass, despite not knowing Lady Anna well she still grieved the woman's departure. "Oh ****... I hope Brandt is okay." Her close friend quickly popped into her mind, knowing the closeness between him and the Lady Anna. The thought of one of her closest friends being upset by the ordeal seemed to hurt Natalie more than her thoughts of the family who's now lost both parents.

[champ 194]

r

[Benjikhei 698]

                      - Beryl Jasper Carrington -

 

Sitting, peacefully in the Carrington Estate was not a luxury Beryl had afforded himself much during the Tenth Nordling War, having been not one to venture out to the estate for fear of roaming Nordling parties. Yet there he found himself sitting, by a crackling hearth with a book- this book indeed was a certain book sent to him by his 2nd lady love Theodoria-Lois Shireen, a lady of Rhenyari like himself who he'd found himself in relationship to of recent months, as he sat enjoying this simple pleasure- he heard something loud coming from the halls above his head, a loud stamping noise ringing throughout the grounds.

 

Hearing now only his nephew, the Baron Carrington - Wilhelm Lucius d'Arkent wailing the words "Mama!" above his head, as well as a few household servants running amok in a state of worry and confusion- troubled amidst this chaos, he opted to venture back to Providence. This was where he found news of Anna Henrietta's vanishing. Anna Henrietta, who he'd played with since his days of roaming around the streets of Helena, Anna Henrietta who he'd had multiple tea parties with, Anna Henrietta- one of his oldest and closest friends turned family was now gone, presumed dead. And yet all he did was simply grimace and shake his head- as he'd done for so many deaths before "Seven Skies, take her well- let her be not punished for her mistakes, and let her be rewarded for her service." He'd remark as he walked over to the Augustine Palace, and made his way to the office "I'll have to send for my sons to be brought to Providence now, though they are young it is only right that they attend the funeral." Beryl said as he wrote up a letter to Theodoria.

 

    The Story of Dame Anna Henrietta of Pruvia      

   Provins, Baroness-Dowager of Carrington and    

      Governess of the Augustine is now over.

               

                          -  IN NOMINE DEI -

[capiital 275]

Lady Anne Eleanore of Provins held her chin high as she ushered for nearby servants to prepare her brightest garments. 

 

The damsel in distress rested the missive upon a beautifully crafted nightstand as she placed her hands neatly in her lap. The lack of tears complimented her disturbed mind as she ascended to a stand. The youth would open an argent wardrobe to receive a plush owl. Anne would stare at it momentarily before tossing it to the side.

 

The deranged, demented girl would speak to the vast emptiness of the tower, as if Anna was in the room with her,

”I’ll barely notice a difference, auntie.” Anne would drop to her knees, “Please don’t watch over me. I will not allow your spirit to come close to me... don’t you remember? The restraining order?” She’d state in a mocking tone, emitting a girlish giggle before returning to the dark corner in which she resided.

[Tigergiri 3073]

Elizabeth looked to the missive. At first she didn’t know quite what to do. The Dame had weasel into her heart, the very place she had left cold and forgotten for a good reason. Her childhood poems flickering through her head. The Dame Anna had brought a happiness into her life she couldn’t express and she never had time to express. The notion of leaving something unsaid weighed heavy on her. Setting the news down she left it on the nightstand her words whispering to god or was it to Anna? “May you rest on the ship of the seven skies with as many blue cornflowers as you both can carry. Eternal bliss.” Eyes flickering to ‘thier’ bed but Brandt was already gone for the day most likely holed up in his apartment and lab. Grabbing her things to head to the palace felt foreign and cold. It didn’t have the same joy the same sounds and feel. She knew it wouldn’t feel the same.. at least not for awhile. But while she waited for the wilting to thaw out the flowers she would sow the seeds to make sure everyone was alright. 

[audyush 747]

"If'a one could'a simply run away from their problems, vy would have'a done so many, many years ago..." one Natasha d'Amato Orlov thought to herself.