Phoebe202

Catherine's Governess smiled the sun's smile at this news.

So true. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention and helping to create a more positive gaming environment <3

Florent Willems - The Engagement The Marquisate of Clermont and County of Otistadt are pleased to announce the most auspicious union of Lady Elara Athénaïs Halcourt d’Artois de Clermont and Lord Aldric Hektor Ludovar. The pair shall be joined together in holy matrimony before God, Their families, and the nations of Petra and Haense ’neath the Auld tree, per Petrine tradition. The wedding shall take place during the listed month: The Grand Harvest, 87 Atstana de Regne Petrère (1942 Imperial Time) | Gronna & Droba 495, E.S. OOC: September 16th, 6PM EST Formal Invitations are sent to the following: Her Royal Majesty, Renilde I, Queen of the Commonwealth of the Petra and her Royal Pedigree His Royal Majesty, Aleksander II, King of Hanseti-Ruska and his Royal Pedigree His Eminence, Bishop-Father Callahan Petran Nobility The Right Honorable, Ledicort Tiberius d'Azor, Count of Azor The Right Honorable, Anthony Temesch, Viscount of Mies, Baron of Resmore The Right Honorable, Karl von Theonus, Viscount of Marignan The Honorable, Nicolas E. von Wittenbach, Baron of Wittenbach The Honorable, Xavier Adiler, Baron of Celia'Tahn Her Ladyship, Norra Terrin, Vavasour of Sunrise Grove Haeseni Nobility Her Grace, Roslin Baruch, Duchess of Valwyck His Grace, Viktor var Ruthern, Duke of Vidaus His Grace, Manfred Barclay, Duke of Reinmar The Right Honourable, Otto Ludovar, Count of Otistadt The Right Honourable, Anabel Colborn, Countess of Malkovya The Honourable, Walter Weiss, Viscount of Novkursain His Highness, Francisco de Pelear, Viceroy of Hyspia Her Ladyship, Alyona Godunov, Baroness of Verskaya Her Ladyship, Katrin Stafyr, Baroness of Thurant His Lordship, Henrik Amador, Baron of Mondstadt Her Ladyship, Ileana Kortrevich, Baroness of Koravia His Serene Excellency, Sir Laurens 'the Unwavering' Halcourt d'Artois KCSE, Marquis du Clermont, Chanzlé of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Baron of Artois, Knight-Commander of the Order of Saint Emma, Knight of the Sovereign Order of the Petrine Laurel, Hero of the Petra The Right Honorable, Elara Athénaïs Halcourt d’Artois de Clermont, Baronne d’Artois, Royal Governess to the Children of the Petra The Honorable, Lord Aldric Hektor Ludovar

So true

Reza, Ludvika's younger sister, counts the mina in her piggy bank before taking the quiz herself.

A fruit basket shortly thereafter arrived at the Ruthern estate, a notecard attached to it congratulating Gaius on his retirement -- signed by Lady Elara Halcourt, a distant cousin of the Viscount's.

"But they're nie wearing any furs! How will they keep themselves warm in the winter?" A young Ludovar queried aloud, having never been anywhere warmer than the chilly nation of Haense; and not quite understanding how hot Balian could be. -- Even now, before the first leaves of Autumn began to fall, she donned thick garments more suitable for winter.

The late almost-Baroness Diane smiled at the news nonchalantly; murmuring something about how Gaius and his family had truly inherited her legacy. Elara offered her cousin a cigar and a glass of chardonnay in hopes of lifting her spirits, as the governess in question scoured the markets of Petra and Aaun for suitable gifts to give her newborn charges.

The newborn twins' Governess paced around the nursery as she tended to her newfound duties -- pausing every so often to pray for the survival of their mother. An air of unease was ever-present, despite attempts to lift the spirits of the children and their attendants with the gently tunes of a music-box.

The Count & Countess's youngest, Reza, proudly explained her handmade costume to her parents; having had such ready since she first heard of the plans to host a ball. "I couldn't decide between a fairy-princess, a mermaid, or a frog princess." The little Ludovar declared, putting special emphasis to highlight her twist on the fairy tales pertaining to frog princes. @Doggedwasupxxx@annabanana1014

The Queen's goddaughter smiled brightly at the missive from where she sat between her mother and godmother.

"Enjoy retirement, Papa." Laurens's only daughter, Elara, murmured whilst pouring herself some champagne to celebrate the achievements and thirty-year tenure of the former Chanzlé.

The newborn grandson of the couple in question, Peter Theodoric, rested peacefully in his cradle as all those around him prepared for the celebration.

Gabriel's friend Ae-Ra would forward her wedding present -- an expensive bottle of wine -- to the newlyweds upon hearing the news!

+1, was with the family during Oren and would join again if i had a slot free.

"Kept me waiting long enough!" Franz's late niece, Laetitia, -- who regarded him as her father rather than merely an uncle -- would jest; thereafter offering the man a hug as he was welcomed into the Seven Skies by his various kinsmen. Herself included, obviously. Elsewhere, a young woman mourned for one of the few she truly considered family.

"Je suis une tante!" The Baron's little sister, Elara, declared upon hearing the news.

In the Seven Skies, Laetitia's eyes began to water... A wayward niece curled up into a ball, somewhere. "Why does the concept of family seem so awful? Out of the relatives of mine I've met, they all seem to be at each other's throats nonstop... Maybe I was right to separate myself from them. Most of them, anyways."

"I don't believe I shall be able to go..." A letter penned in response to this news proclaimed; among other things, when it arrived at the home of the bride-to-be's aunt. "To travel to Aaun from Sakuregakure by horse would be one thing, but on foot? I would never make it in time. I'll procure a gift you can take along on my behalf. Send everyone my love, (and dangsine sarange to you especially) Ae-Ra."

Laetitia offered a smile to her stepgrandmother; finally having met Catherine in the Seven Skies.

"Can we go?! Can we go?" The goddaughter of Renilde I would squeal to her parents (and godmother) upon spotting the invitation; bouncing up and down upon her stool near the campfire with excitement as she tugged on her mother's sleeve. "I know Hauchpapej said people from Haense aren't nice, but I've never been to a wedding before... And maybe we could find Yves a lady there, too!" @tilly@EmiliainWonderland@Chorale__@Cloutfather_

The late Mistress of the Robes smiled down from the seven skies.

Chagrin d’Amour et Étoiles Filantes The Maiden She was a fiery thing when she arrived in Petra, likened to a wildfire with her messy red curls and that temper inherited from the father she had never met. Her grudges seemed never ending and so were her questions in regards to the authority of her relatives over her. The sheltered upbringing Laetitia faced caused her to become somewhat uncouth and foul-mouthed, especially in regards to those she viewed as trying to force their authority over her. Laetitia didn’t understand why her mother insisted on dragging her off to a place so cold and dreary. Only that she was finally being allowed to show her face in official, formal settings. This was a great change for the poor girl, and something she had never been allowed to do prior; for fear of her grandmother’s reaction upon learning of little Lottie’s existence. The bastard of a second daughter with the illegitimate son of her grandmother’s treacherous sister; her mere existence was scandalous enough to rend the heart of any woman. And Laetitia proved to be no exception. During her time as Mistress of the Robes to the River Court, Laetitia had fallen head over heels for the illustrious Prince Marius of Haense, younger brother to the man who would later become Georg I of Haense – the latter being none other than the man poor Lottie’s heart would ache for most in the final years of her life, a fact known to everyone who was anyone as she was almost constantly at his side; doting on and fawning over him. The Mother Much like her heart, the state of Petra would become war-torn and weak in the aftermath of Renilde and Marius’s affair being leaked to the public. For many years Lottie traveled Almaris in an idle manner, no responsibilities or desires aside from finding some… purpose for herself after her very world was torn asunder in the chaos of Petra. Peace and respite, that was what she wanted most. She found it in the Morrivi Courts, and for a handful of years she was golden. She was loved, admired… she felt whole again. There was a time when smiles and jokes were a common part of everyday conversation, no matter if it was with a stranger or her nearest and dearest. The highlight of her life was undoubtedly at her debut, when she was named the first ever Swan of the Symposia Pragma. But it would not last, much like the reputation of the woman once thought to be the loveliest of roses in the garden of her family. The Crone Her father’s outright dislike for Laetitia came suddenly; it was one huff at the news he’d eloped without informing anyone and suddenly he was jumping at the chance to disown her and put an end to her “disrespect.” What’s more, he had taken to scolding her for being a “golddigger” every time they met, a fact that was by no means true. During the Symposia she had briefly courted a man of common status before he suddenly stopped attending the Symposia’s events… At which time another suitor made himself known, and she accepted him. What’s worse with her situation at this time, the sudden deaths of Georg’s wife and daughter caused him to grow distant. Not that she was not sad at this news, but She had never met Georg’s wife and infamously had a rather sour relationship with Mariya. Laetitia grew worried, and sought solace from this familial and romantic strife with an uncle, Franz Sarkozic. He was supportive, warm, and paternal; everything she needed at the time–and everything she wanted out of a father figure. He prioritized her over his work, and was there to comfort her when she was upset. He always stood up to protect her, and offered her advice when she needed it most. During a particularly heated conversation, Emir announced that he had ruined Georg and Laetitia’s relationship by gossiping with him about how 'wouldn’t she make such an awful wife and stepmother?' This was Laetitia’s last straw, and she promptly announced that Emir was dead to her. After storming out of Haute-Epine, Laetitia and Blanca promptly filed a lawsuit against Emir, which they were quickly intimidated into dropping as Emir formally disowned Blanca. The rest of Laetitia’s life was one complicated, downward slope. Her heart continued to weaken from the stress of it all, leading to another family argument as Emir refused to treat her for a heart attack until Franz insisted he would have Emir charged for murder if she died. She was well enough for a time, and her family soon decided enough was enough and arranged her marriage. She was to wed a man from the Roa family, who had established for themselves a Viscounty in Urguan. The marriage was as brief as her first, secret marriage. The only difference being that this time Lottie was the one to make a widower of her groom. Her heart was failing, slowly. She knew it. She would never live to watch her children grow up. And so, she wrote. [!] A public statement would be released announcing the death of Laetitia de Roa, formerly Laetitia de Rosius d’Abbassia. It is with great sorrow that the passing of Lady Laetitia Henrietta de Roa, Mistress of the Robes to the Morrivi Court, is announced by her next of kin. She passed on the 18th of Snow’s Maiden, 1923, of heart failure. We ask for you to be with her family at this time, and offer them your prayers. [!] In the days following the news of Laetitia’s death, letters would be sent out Eryane Franz Renilde Emma, Mariana & Blanca Emir Georg The Roas OOC stuff

Laetitia beamed upon receiving her invitation, and promptly began sorting through her wardrobe for an outfit befitting the event in preparation for such.

"Non, Oncle... I could never leave Haense. Not even to be Governess." Laetitia remarked upon a visit to Balian; whereupon her uncle, upon other things, suggested she should transfer her work to the Monterosa Court. Her mind raced as she spoke, as she desperately thought up an explanation that did not make herself sound like a lovesick fool -- She had given up on that, after all! -- "Haense is where I went after everything fell down around me in Petra; it's where I rebuilt my life. I know it must sound silly to you... but it holds a special place in my heart because of that." She answered earnestly, her gaze shifting to the tree that had been named after her mere moments prior. What she did not say, though she thought it, was "Georg is the only friend of mine from that period of my life who did not leave or betray me... how could I ever hurt him like that? Especially when he probably needs me most?" She bid her uncle adieu after that, thanking him a.. third? fourth? time for his help regarding a personal matter. "I have to return home, I haven't done my taxes yet." Was offered as the excuse for her abrupt departure -- the fact of the matter being that such was true was irrelevant, as Laetitia suspected that if there was any time she was needed most in Karosgrad, it was then; and by the side of her oldest friend.