Duchess Doja Catherine

The Disclosure Daily

Published 19th of Snow’s Maiden, 56 S.A.

STORY OF THE YEAR

ON SERPENTS AND SINS

Hypocrisy and wickedness lie within the agents of Iblees hearts, defending the kin of Azdromoth which we, as Canonists, have sworn ourselves against. Not one, but both of our FIDEI DEFENSORS have consorted with these serpentine creatures. The Orenians, with the Empress’s ploy to murder Philip Aurelian, and now the Haeseni with the news circling around that the Ferrymen have been willingly working with Azdrazi-agents and the Haeseni still signed to fight along the very people they swore they would protect us from.  

The Emperor and Empress of Oren, excommunicated from GOD’s loyal flock by the shepherds of the faith for the exact same thing that is going on amongst the faithful now. Shepherds of our current Fidei Defensor which lead us to our demise down the route of sin by refusing to cast out working alongside the lizard-people in favor of investigating issues of mercenaries and non-canonists. These mercenaries and butcherers which openly know of the Azdrazi-worshipers in their midst that the so-called defenders of our faith chose to stand beside ‘pending investigation’. These azdrazi lead our people to slaughter, to what end? To what end do we stand beside our brothers and sisters in GOD when they lead us down the path of sin? To what end do we allow for the azdrazi to continue to bring harm to innocent cannonists that become corrupted by the influence of these Ferry-Azdrazi and our Fidei Defensor who supports them. 

It is the job of the good canonists of humanity to take action now, those that defend our faith cast us aside like stray dogs in the muck in favor of marching on wars against those we have excommunicated for less. The common citizenry is innocent, yet it is their burden they have been made to carry the weight of these sins, fighting for sides in which no one is right. Our people have been led astray by that which we call our leaders. We have only ourselves to turn for inner-guidance to make our choices, choices which are virtuous and right by the word of GOD. If no action is taken towards immediate steps towards the betterment of humanity, then what does that make us? Where, dear readers, does that leave you? These are the truths which I uncover to bring the dark to the light that the people deserve to know. 

A FAMILY IN SHAMBLES; THE HOUSE OF DE SAVOIE

Betrayal and bloodshed seems to be the only tactics that the House of de Savoie knows, especially during the coup several saints days ago when Prince Leufroy de Savoie gathered men to overthrow his brother, Prince Olivier II. He proceeded to slaughter men and women in his attempt to gain the crown and it is suspected Olivier Renault, Olivier II’s father, might have played a hand in it with the presence and support of his wife Princess Adeline’s involvement!

Even before Prince Leufroy’s attempt to overthrow his brother, there were attempts at kinslaying amongst these Savoyards. Princess Eugenie was under threat of assassination at the hands of her father, for wanting to marry a Haeseni man. This was a long time ago, yet it does say something - this behavior isn’t unheard of! The family seems to have many of these things among it’s history, as they say it does indeed repeat!

VICIOUS VERSES 

Within the lands of the Savoyards, courtly misbehaviors seem to be prevalent, at least during the Poetry Nights. A rather vicious verbal spat erupted when Roberta de Chalons made a jest towards the young Vasileia Basrid regarding her courtship with Severinus Gradic. Lady Vasileia was quick to escalate however at her insults towards Roberta’s lineage. Yet, it begs the question, is Lady Chancellor truly marrying into a common house? With her father being disinherited by their Orenian cousins, it is no wonder that she does not seek proper marriage into a similarly positioned house. 

BETRAYAL IN THE HOUSE OF NOVELLEN 

It seems that while our leaders of the Fidei Defensor are consorting with the Azdrazi, Iblees has reached its hands into the House of Novellen. The empress consort has conspired against her own father-in-law to have him murdered, leading to her second excommunication as according to the High Pontiff Everard. While it’s said by some that he died of a heart attack, others remember Lady Mary running through the streets crying out for the murder she committed and the vigils which where held in Haense and Savoy.

DOBROV DRAMATICS

To no surprise, the casting out of support of rallying in the defense of the Empire has left the Baroness of Woldzmir, Anne Elizaveta Tuvyic, to simply be known as Anne Elizaveta Tuvyic. It seems with her mother, Princess Charlotte, being seen within the Private Chambers of the Grand King of Urguan, she has gone from a dignitary to disgraced. How unfortunate for her, one can only hope she rebuilds from here. 

SCANDALOUS SAVOYARDS

More on the Lady Chancellor of Savoy, it seems she has been causing quite the stirrups with the rumors floating of who she is and is not courting. During the Haenseti Tuvmas Melee, the young Basrid was seen with Prince Andrik Nikolas in the Royal Booth! His wife seemed to work up quite the fit over their supposed diplomatic discussions and the gossip was encouraged by the Duke Rhys var Ruthern. The Lady Vasileia and Prince Andrik denied all claims, yet it does beg the question, is it only platonic between the two? What does Savoy have to speak about diplomatically with the Haenseti?

An appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirits.
 

SIGNED,
DUCHESS DISCLOSURE. 

1827 

Dearest reader,

   It has been some time since I have written. Sometimes you need to put down the quill and simply look around as the days pass and the crowds go by. The longer I waited,  the more I surely missed my quill: the days were long and dreadful. Coming to this social season was far more pleasing. At first glance, the ladies dressed in white seem to just dazzle in their own spotlight. Though I read the pamphlet and counted each young head, I seemed to be missing out on some very tardy ladies.  A few did come around fashionably late, but they were not missing much and indeed didn't have anything to talk much about. Each walk was an amazement, one of which smelled like smoke as her gown simply burned away.  Marvelous show on its own. The granddaughter of the Imperial shining brightly, Lady Juyila Basrid. The new ruby of the season, Though my close favorite, would have been Ms. Philippa Fitzpeter. I can't fault a Family for choosing their own. I would have done the same if ever given a throne myself.  This new Ruby is a grace upon us as she did nary anything wrong , though her outfit looked more like a circus goers. I was under the impression the ladies had to wear White, like fresh snow.. Helena Rochefort seems to encase that very look, like an aengul that had left its wings in the sky. Her performance was just grand and a bit sloppy, but we can't always fault these girls for what they are never taught, as Juliya Basird held her head up and completed each hoop with grace. She walked into the ballroom with a new sense of confidence that did not reside in the young girl before and chose Baron Wilhelm as her first dance.  

Gossiping starting amongst youngsters is juicy indeed; it breeds chaos.  Applaud the young Petite Potins, they reveal themselves much too soon. It is not only that write and whisper in the crowds, but their sisters within the season also do so as well!  Nothing like the class of last season… Those girls had their troubles but it was not shown so soon.  Though it is not to say that the girls residing from last class will follow suit to these younger counter parts.  These new girls are wild and uncaring.  Speaking out of turns,starting fights at the balls, and simply not even knowing royalty when it spits them in the face. So many heirs of this season and yet they all chase around the few men that catch their eyes. Boys grow into men and step it up otherwise these hordes of crazed girls will be fighting over only one man!  Such children that come into the courtroom.  One Miss Heather was found whispering about Harlot shaming! Not only that, the pontiff had passed by. Whether the holy man chose to hear these words is beyond me. The only house this lady needs is from the church. 

Many children ran about. Many princesses, the first being Princess Amelia. Seems the young child has fallen for someone! Who is it? She speaks of them like it's merely a dream. Is she chasing after someone beyond her station? Oh how the mighty have fallen. Place down that crown, My fair lady, for you have a lot to learn before you wear it before the courts… Maybe she will run away with the lad? A tragic tale that would be for the history books.  As the Season goes on we only hope her mother keeps a more watchful eye. 

The second princess, a lady I have held dear since my last column. Princessa Petra was found crying outside, wonder which man broke that birthday girl's heart. I wonder if she knows her family is slowly breaking apart as the King woos other women than his wife? I certainly wonder if she got her dance lessons from her father or if he only teaches younger  single women. 

Just as I thought things couldn't get any more boring then the same routine of the five minute dance. Things took a turn violent! Splitting the crowd, As Princess Tatiana confronted her now Ex husband. A man everyone thought to be dead! Not only was he standing tall, but he was flirting with debutantes and dancing within! If only my eyes had spotted his visage sooner, would I foretold these events myself.  The Lady firmly Slapping the man on his cheek! Good for her! Stunned and shocked was the crowd as the debutantes rushed to his side. Splitting every one of them up.  Lady Juilya not to be mistaken with the ruby of the season.  The Ludovar Calling another lady stuck up. While the once lovely Maude screeched back calling her a brat. A poor excuse for a debutante once more from Haense calling the men scoundrels.  Oh how lovely it is to say everything without a filter.  Are the palace Tutors anything to do with these ladies? Or did their family simply not teach them  Manners.

Henrietta and Maude seem to be pining after a married man! Well if rumors ever go so far he will not be married for long. Seemingly not caring for the fight that had broken out and only for titles going after the elder Prince of a dying Country. I've said it once, I shall say it again he is only one man. And his territory is dry and barren and measly.  Maude clearly at her best by shouting to many different people “fornications is a sin.” For she is not wrong but she is also not entirely right. Poor Maude the girl is pinning after one man next to another, she cant have Baron Wilhelm now she must go for another. Forever Goldy Locks I assume.  I simply pray her family can find someone just right, but she seems to be going after just a little too old for her first.  Hopefully the next one is a little too young!  

Helena Elenora was seen offering a dwarf her flask? Such a Lady drinking at the beginning of an event?  I truly  thought  the smells of pigs and brine were the ill prepared men and Isa soldiers that flocked around like unnerved sheep. Low and behold it was only the stinging stench of oak and desperation.  Did she wish to smell like alcohol for the rest of the time Or impress us with her sloppy dancing?

  A green dressed child tried to join the fray as her Imperial highness was just begging for Men to dance with her daughter. This small child for I do not know her name had offended the royal family! However she did so I do not know but the gasp around the room did not sound great!  You could however hear the loud and annoyed “excuse me” that followed. 

 A young man that caught my eye was giving out flowers presumably from the garden party before. He seemed to be giving out flowers to all the ladies he danced with? Or were they just the one he especially liked? A smart tactic on his part, a fresh face for this season. How the tables have turned for other men. The couple from last season have returned but have not spoken a single word to each other. Leon d’azor Has come to be a bachelor once more no longer with the Ms. Natalia. Was it because of her birthright? This didn't seem to have stopped anyone before. Such a pity they both looked so good together. After the presentation it felt like slow motion of both seeing each other again for what seems like years.  Natalia rushed out the ball like Cinderella at the strike of midnight. No one saw her for the rest of the ball. Leon on the other hand seemed to be there for just his Isa duty.  That was until he joined the dance floor with a tardy little Debutant. Does he have eyes for another lady or was he trying to make his old fling jealous unaware she had already left?  Hopefully as the season goes on I am not left as disappointed as I was with lifstala. 

An appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirits. 

Yours sincerely,

Duchess Doja Catherine

1819 Karosgrad 

Dearest reader,

     It was a lovely evening when I wasn't using my aching feet to walk away—quite a windy twisting road to get a measly tournament area. With a much needed breath of relief, this event was much more spaced out. Less people if they simply can not find their way through the gardens. Haense surely knows their way around their fists; amongst the fist were men donned in their armor ready to fight to prove their worth for all the lovely roses... If only those roses showed up. The men that wished for their beautiful ladies to make a grand appearance were certainly disappointed to see a measly seven women appear. Suppose if these event organizers would have put the losers in gowns and makeup. Maybe then I would have something to talk about other than this lack of any entertainment. A few new faces entered the arena. Like a lion's roar they were ferocious as if they were fighting for more than bragging rights. Much less a prize! Our poor winners got nothing but a simple declaration. 

While the winners were a splendid show of masculinity, the beaten dogs of the Tournament were nothing but gossiping snakes. Using almost every excuse in the book, to show to their loved ones that they weren't as wimpy as they just had appeared.  If you simply can not take the heat sir do not enter the tourney. It is that simple.  Humiliation across the board. 

    Ser Antonius was the winner of the tourney fighting his way to the top. Not that he attempted to try very hard with his competition. I wonder if the Prince encountered the boars of the arid mountain, if he would still fare the same. Such miserable worms he seemed inevitably to squish beneath his careless feet. It should be no shocker that even his peers naively believe him to be the best knight. Such a grand title to include to an ever extensive list of names. Why he would ever need such a long list of names for a kingdom that has really nothing to offer. I hear it is merely bones and ruins, dry and barren fields..  Is the Prince Worthy of such, Or maybe he already broke all the hearts of his little kingdom. Come to fetch our own hearts? Does he desperately need Haense’s approval so much?. For all you know that is why he is here, within the dull season. To Prove his own salt.  

  Among these seven wealthy ladies was "the Better Blonde". Getting so much needed attention, feeding her wounded ego from my informative articles. Tsk. tsk. Her shrewd eyes seemed inevitably to cling desperately to our lovely Winner and gallant Prince. Now, this is the worthy couple made to oversee this Lifstala. Mothers if you truly wish to snag a prince I would frantically try to add frills and curls to your daughters. Maybe dye their hair blonde for, Tatianna maintains all the men at her fingertips and is already starting her courting. She was seen shunning away her own cousin! Quite harsh! Heed my warning, do not fill your plate so soon, your eyes can be bigger than your stomach. 

    Though the Kortrevich lines breed many many men, they seem to breed the most despicable and ill-mannered children. The youngest of the family hasn't learned right from wrong. Choosing to find her own entertainment rather than watch the boring destruction in front of her. Seemingly to pick on an Elf and make fun of her clothing in a ‘bedsheet.’ Whether that is Elven culture or not we simply have no need to comment on it.  Though from the rest of the men that stood there and be idle, that may all you may be getting from eighty percent of them. Twiddling their thumbs and waiting for a lady to approach them. Such a boring family, no wonder they spit out more like rabbits.  The poor frail nervous Juliya I hope she does not fall charm to such as she was seen talking to a few of them. 

 Poor little Majorie, always second place in everything. She does not need to compete against her elder sister. Such a soft rose. Throughout the minor tournament, she stood unsteadily behind her sister. What the "The better Blonde" eyes didn't catch was that her beloved sister was sneaking glances at the Prince herself! Shying away from his touch, making sure not to look anywhere but his dreamy eyes. Two sensitive dogs are desperately looking at the same bone. A petty rivalry of sorts may break out if gentle Lady Majorie allegedly has the backbone to declare such words herself. Rather than asking wearily about her sister to confirm her doom. This caterpillar is not out of the race yet. She may very well be a gorgeous butterfly by the end of the incredible season, if only she loses all of that baby fat. Could she be the frog just waiting for the lips of the prince to transform her?

An appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirits. 
 

Yours sincerely,

Duchess Doja Catherine

1818 Karosgrad 
Dearest reader,

    I bring forth a beginning of spring, where the children and suitors of Haense gather to the Palace to be presented by the Koenas. Their parents were introducing them like prized farm animals. And much like animals, The Palace itself was a pen of clucking chickens—packed wall to wall with nobility and other unfavorables. A pen filled with chickens, feathers flying, hair and fur of coats in the air. It was stuffy hot and merely not worth this much effort.  This is what the Hanesi Season has started as. A cluster of unhinged chickens and the unmarried missus. Each guardian must present with a spiel, a few songs of nonsense in the chattering room. Some even have to shout over the other patrons and clucks of unmarried hens. I truly believe amongst the fools gold does lay some gems. 

      The first girl to appear was a Ludovar who was positively shaking in her boring gown. If she was this nervous for something this brief there must be something the Ludovar do not want others to find out?

     Three daughters, all from Ruthern, all of different hairs such a sight! You would think with such a lovely marriage, at least one of the daughters would look like their father... As a dutiful optimist, I  wished they would shine like the crown jewels their father claims them to be. I was wrongfully mistaken; Lady Majorie was dressed in an atrociously green gown and looked just about as green in the face. Nothing to help with her chubby face; maybe she should enter the tourney herself! Her curtsy  looked as though she had never done it before and was scared she’d topple right over. Then there is the other sister. Have you heard how Lady Tatiana posted her picture all around Oren begging people to court her? Downright dreadful in all attempts, desperation is never a good look, ladies.  A lady must use her body language and exciting conversation to keep a man interested. You do not need bribes and title to do such. Besides, who would pay 200 mina to speak to a Lady so full of herself? Many spoke of how she was most favored throughout the evening, but her favorable looks turned sour at the sight of other praise as time went on.  The Queen mother had such interesting questions to ask the ladies; Asking which of the two ladies whom they'd prefer? The ladies, with grace, answered each other but imagine if they said something else!   For the rest of the night, Tatiana was called "The Better Blonde." I wouldn't take this as something to pride over as I feel this jewel needs a closer inspection.

I haven't much to speak about Annika. She seems to be living underneath a shadow, with an attitude to match the sun within the skies. Her presentation was undignified for the great Vryonov house. She is nothing but a church bell. 

It is an atrocity of its own, season something for singles to approach to make matches and better stronger families. But this season held the chance of -Bethrovals. Something the families themselves should have the responsibility of doing then using such events. Barely noteworthy of anything that needs to be heard.  A  young boy proved to be the strongest of his generation, though I may have been far from small gasps held across the crowd. Applauds was short-lived as he was dragged up for doing  cruel tricks. To a pre-rehearsed child who spoke of GOD, Her family most extensive like festering crows. They commended the room but showed no promise of any kind. The only remark from the royal pair was to Lady Amelyia reminding him of  his dead daughter. How ghastly pale that Kortrevich must be.
 The only child that needs any noteworthy comments would be the lovely Princess Petra—holding an elegance in her stance, angelic and something that simply can not be taught. Royalty in every glance and much more kindness than the other squabbling birds could present to the Queen Mother. 

    This year, there seems to be a rather large group from the batch of unmarried men that attend to break as many hearts as they can, Ranging from princely, bold and confident—the occasional ruggish bad boy for the ladies that are ready to swoon upon these many men. Certainly the most bold, Edmund Barclay came to the front of the judges, extending his flirtations to the ladies before him. After earning a gasp from Annika Vryonov, it’s quite obvious that Lord Edmund must be nothing but a terrible ladies man. Fathers beware! 

A heart break for sure this season Would be Lord Anders Kortrevich, wooing the ladies of court with such a single phrase. Haense does truly have a beloved adoration towards red.  
Frederik Baruch seemed the most insufferable of the men, proclaiming he was the most “Handsome man in Haense.” Surely he does not wish for us to believe that!

Several Princes made appearances, hopefully these charming men can take their pick amongst the women to find a well made match. Such swagger and charm these males held. One prince, ‘The wild card” -Prince Nikolas  displayed his wealth by walking in upon a Horse! Not only that but he showed his excellent reflexes by doing a backflip perfectly landing off the horse.  Ladies I believe you should be wooing him and not the other way around. The Lady to grab his attention is sure to be the Diamond of the season. 

In terms of looks, it makes sense  Prince Antonius  picked “the Blonde” considering Majorie is really nothing to look at, but personally I like the third sister more. She has more sparkle and seems much more reserved and polite unlike her much harsher sister.

    The rest were simply not noteworthy to waste the squid ink on. If they wish to impress this Duchess they must simply  take in the air of nobility and embrace it. An appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirits. 

                                       '

Yours sincerely,
Duchess Doja Catherine