Le Prix
de la Publicité
Mes Lecteurs,
As the columns of before pass on and the new events roll in, it is my duty to provide the public with the most needed knowledge of the empire. At least, the information that everyone is dying to hear. So read on, and see the truth revealed in the writings below. And if you too would like to reveal the truth of those around you, write a letter addressed to myself:
Madame Vérité.
THE DUALITY OF THE DUKE
Mon dieu! Before Astercalia had its start, the prince had his hands deep in drama when Duke Joseph d’Azor had his emboldened daughter come before court and claim the place of the future empress. We all remember his immediate resignation following that and know that this is some plot by the Azors to attempt to regain relevance that they once had under the late Count Ledicort d’Azor. Perhaps this is the saving grace of Duke Joseph’s marriage, by grabbing at the imperial throne that he was so close to as Archchancellor. Qui sait? Lady Lucia Annunziata could simply be a snake in the grass herself or a strong candidate at the future Emperor’s side. She did, afterall, point at Lady Ioanna herself and say, “You’re standing in my spot.” Oh, assez audacieux, she is!
SECOND-BEST SPONSORSHIP
The publications of the debutantes and bachelors in the second dated Astercalia alarmed quite the message, the dryness of the participants posed a query; with the lack of ‘eligible Ladies and Bachelors’ who shall the future and current peers wed? The lack of suitability amongst the list of participants as half of the debutantes are of common birth. However, the list of bachelors have more variation with the houses to which they originated from. Will the illustrious ‘noble lines’ be mellowed with common blood soon enough?
Princess Lorena Theodosia of Furnestock
(( credit: @sunflowerist ))
THE CURSED PRINCESS
The last member of the imperial family and one who is cursed without a doubt, as the courtiers say. Not even a single bachelor will dare go near Princess Lorena Theodosia, even if she is a to-be titleholder and a mainline imperial princess. No wonder, as she was born not longer after the penance walk of Emperor Philip III and Empress Anastasia I. Servants have been seen around the palace, dead, after interactions with her as well. Mon dieu, what is it with this imperial child? Even I would caution safety around her cursed presence. Perhaps even the Aster Sightings that have taken place are relating to her presence.
THE TRAGEDY OF ASTERCALIA
The dinner before the debut led to nothing but bloodshed for the lords and ladies of Astercalia as it was interrupted by the Ferrymen invasion. A particular sadness has washed over society with the falling of John Aurelian mere months after his marriage to debutante Katerina Angelika as he fought valiantly for the empire. His significant loss has left the jewel of Sarkozy widowed whilst pregnant, leaving her to care alone for the children of John. In the height of the social season no less, will she debut as an eligible debutante or will she remain faithful to the vows which she had made to her late husband? We hope that the debutantes of this season will come together and show some support for this poor woman, instead of being reclusive and uncaring for their fellow courtier.
A BLACKSHEEP AND BLACKVALE
Never has Princess Anna Ulyssa seemed to fit into the imperial family for all the prestige and grace that it withholds, pranking and playing around without note to the much needed etiquette that she lacks. And when she did start to inch towards acting like a royal, she disappeared and came back to cause a bit of a stir amongst eligible suitors in the palace. While it seemed like Princess Anna Ulyssa was betrothed with Lord Anton Draskovic, those rumors don’t align with the views of the princess herself! She was caught flirting with Willy Horen during imperial court, and also with other bachelors around the palace.
Au Nom des Commérages,
