Arranged Fates

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

She smiled gently at him, knowing she'd gotten exactly what she wanted. Hopefully if they waited long enough to tell everyone his changes she could stop them and persuade some different ones. However it was at that point in the conversation he complimented her on how fascinating she was. Of course she wasn't very surprised, thats exactly what she wanted him to feel - she was however, surprised at his next action when he kissed her. She returned his kiss gently, not pushing him away until she needed air. "..." She met his eyes with her own a moment, feeling as if she shouldn't speak during this quiet moment that they were sharing. She became aware of his heart beat and the fact that she could hear his breath.


She swallowed thickly and finally found the words,"Well....I think its time we go to bed...I'll see you tomorrow at the tasting for the wedding then?" She asked him, trying to break their silence.


( sorry writers block )

 

[Harbinger]

"I guess so, have a good night my lady and I'll see you bright in the morning. Have a good rest and I'll see you soon." Clarence left her room and shut the door before heading back to his room and resting. Undressing himself he had thoughts racing through his head as he had just kissed someone for the first time and loved the feeling of it. Laying in his bed he fell asleep not thinking of anything else and completly forgetting the other things he said from the night before.

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

That night Christiane undressed and went to bed, thinking about their kiss - he seemed to be falling for her already. By this point she was able to tell a real kiss from a fake one, and that certainly seemed real to her. The next day she woke up and several of her ladies in waiting helped to dress her and do her hair before she went and met with Alexander, Altair, and Clarence for the food tasting. Well actually Clarence had yet to arrive. The three of them stood there waiting on Clarence as they spoke with two of the Chefs who had helped prepared the spread of food that spanned two massive 20 foot long tables, each dish the couple would have to try. A few of them were mandatory while some they could actually choose. Today they would be discussing taste, presentation, timing, and table decorations.


After the tasting Christiane and Clarence were to meet with the Priest who would be performing their marriage and they were to go over the exact rituals and traditions that must be carried out, not to mention the royal couple would be given a long serious talk over the wedding night and why it was so important, which at this point they had bother received several times. After that Christiane was due back in her room for a final fitting and some final additions to her wedding dress. She was grateful that she would be able to finish the day with a long relaxing bath and a few feminine spa treatments in preparation for the day after, because today was certainly going to be a long day for her.


As they waited Altair and Alexander were spitting out idea are idea. "This is the largest wedding France has had in a long time and a marvelous union! It has to be big!" he pointed to all the food on the table,"I know these are only samples but we will need everything in twice the quantity you were expecting! I want to see grand presentation and the finest wines flowing! Speaking of which when will the ice sculptures be ready? Make sure they dont melt before the reception!" Altair pitched in,"What kind of wedding would it be for the royal couple if there wasn't ice sculptures?!" They laughed together in a loud chuckle, the two of them seemed to be best of friends already.


 
(brb going to dinner)

 

[Harbinger]

Clarence dreadfully headed to the area where the dishes were being placed and dreaded seeing all those plates of food. Seeing the girl that he was supposed to marry though made it better for him and he went to meet them. Giving her a quick kiss he sat her down next to her and looked at the whole table full of food." Seeing that his cousin and Altair were getting along were quite good but he still didn't like it. "Well I guess we have to start with all this food and If I die from eating to much I will haunt you every night cousin." Clarence began to eat the first serving of food and quite enjoyed it.


(sorry if that was too short.)

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

(no its good hey was ther eanythign you wanted to get done between this and the wedding? otherwise i might just skip to it. I dont have a lot to say xD )

 

[Harbinger]

(No nothing really, I'm fine with what you want to do )

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

Christiane bowed her head to him as he came in and smiled as she took her seat beside him, the chefs beginning to bring the first dish over to them, Alexander and Altair walking over and standing near them. Christiane smiled at Clarences's joke as well as Alexander and Altair,"good one your Majesty!" They laughed,"fortunately you only have to eat a bite or two of each dish." The first plate reached them and the chef made a small portion for each of them and handed them each a small plate and fork to dine with. The food was delicious and nothing really needed changing, of course that was to be expected from the King's team of chefs. As they ate Christiane was appreciative and polite, eating like a lady with good posture and small bites, being careful to make no noise as she ate, making sure to compliment the chef on each and every dish and the one or two she didn't like, saying so in the most polite way.


Finally they were done with the tasting and were off to meet with the Priest at the Palace's church alter, they reviewed the procedures for the next day, explaining why each and every word was important and what it meant. Finally they sat down with the Priest,"Now, you are far from children but you are both still young. After the wedding and the night's festivities, the second most important responsibility you will have other than devoting yourselves to each other before God and crowning Lady Christiane Queen will be consummating your relationship on that night. Your servants will undress both of you and you should have the union on your marital bed." Christiane gave the priest her most solemn look as he told them all of this. This was usually a speech given to young princes and princesses who were married as children really, however she guessed now that it was one he gave to everyone. "This is an important act to solidify your marriage not only in the eyes of your countries and to finalize the treaty, btu also in the eyes of God." He said the last few words in a deep, serious voice.


Afterwards the two left the Palace's steeple and walked for a moment themselves. When they were out of ear shot from the church door Christiane couldn't help but crack a smile. she bit her lip and covered her face with her hands, trying to resist laughing. She paused in walking a moment and finally got a hold of herself. "Oh my gracious." she said, catching her breath. Her laugh, what he could hear of it, was soft and real, a joyous sound with her feminine voice. This was most likely one of the first real emotions she had shown him other than her condolences for his brother.


 
(ill skip next i figured this could be some interaction)

 

[Harbinger]

"yeah that is something odd, well maybe we could go a little bit away from the tradition and do it ourself. It's kinda weird that we will be having a relationship to solidify with god but the country one makes a little sense. Maybe we should try sleeping in the same bed tonight to see what it will be like to since we'll be with each other for the rest of out lives." Leading her back to the palace he walked her into the royal bed chambers of his and stood there.


"Well I guess we have to get some rest as tomorrow is our big day and I just want to say that it is a big honor to marry a beautiful and charming girl such as your self. When we first met I thought I was going to hate being married but I can say that I'm the happiest man in the world right now." Holding her close he moved his hands to her lower back and began to kiss her. He felt like a zombie right now and could only concentrate on the beautiful girl in front of her with her beautiful eyes and sweet smell of lillies.

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

She followed him as he spoke to her, smiling at him with a bit of odd suspicion as if she didn't fully understand what he meant at first. When they reached his bedroom though she widened her eyes, realizing her was serious. She kissed him back gently but broke contact sooner this time. "Yes we should get some rest." she stepped back,"Unfortunately I still have a dress fitting and a bath waiting for me." She said gently and began to leave his room. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him,"I am very glad we are getting married as well." She said and gave him one last smile before she left his company.


She went back to her room and put on her dress with the help of her ladies in waiting, and soon there were four seamstresses all around her sewing on more lace and more pearls, getting the dress fully decked out and ready for tomorrow. Soon Altair joined her, standing in the corner of the room,"The two of you seem to be getting along quite nicely." He said. She looked at him in the mirror and nodded,"We are. He seems to have taken a liking to me." She said with a low, monotone voice as she admired her dress in the mirror. That is until she gave a small smirk at Altair in the mirror. "If he didn't want to be King before he certainly does now." She said then turned around,"It seems as if even he can't resist my charms." She bragged a bit, her seamstresses giving each other faint smiles, remembering talking of romances in their days as young women. She resumed her place in the mirror and let the women finish their work. "I wouldn't worry Altair, my father will definitely approve of our union for years to come." She said, some code meaning that she will be able to manipulate Clarence for a long time to get everything they wanted. everything she wanted.


Altair left with the seamstresses and the ladies in waiting came back in, undressing her and drawing her bath of rose water, bath salts, and fragrant oils. She soaked in the bath for a long time, scrubbing her body clean and beautiful with a scrub that had been imported from Rome. afterwards the ladies in waiting brushed and braided her hair for bed and she went to bed in her own chambers. She certainly had no plans of sleeping with Clarence before the wedding night, partly because it just wouldn't be as much fun.


The next day Christiane was woken at the crack of dawn, dressed, her hair was curled and swept up and laced with pearls and small diamonds through her silken curls. Her dress fit her perfectly, it was white and ivory with gold trim, a wide hoop skirt, a corset that squeezed her waist and heaved her breasts, and finally a long train and so many ruffles. It was really quite extravagant. the first time Clarence would see her would be when she joined him at the alter and they said their vows to each other. When the ceremony was done he stepped to the side and she was crowned Queen of France, officially abandoning her title as a Princess of Prussia. Clarence dawned his crown and the two of them boarded a carriage that was a part of a grand royal procession that paraded around the city of Versallies, waving and greeting their subjects.


(if you want we can have some conversation here)


after the procession they would arrive back at court for food, drink, and dancing.

 

[Harbinger]

Clarence guided Christiane who was now his new wife made him the happiest man in the whole world. Standing up when everybody had finished their meals he stood up and made a toast to the crowd. "I would like to thank you all for coming and being apart of this great ceremony. Me and my beautiful new wife and Queen Lady Christiane. She will make the happiest I've been in years and we will set a new union between our two lands. It's sad to see the king from her land not be here for this joyus occasion but Altair are to be here with her. Well I guess it is time for me and my new wife to share the final dance of the night."


He took her gently by the hand and lead her to the large area of the room that was cleared for her. The royal band played a famous song of their time while he danced with her. Putting one hand in her right hand and the other behind her lower back he continued to dance with her. Clarence kept his focus on her eyes and nobody else forgetting about them. "You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen and I'm proud and honored to say that you're my wife."

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

Christiane enjoyed the party, drinks, food, company and continued to make wonderful impression on all of the guests. She was a charming delight to be around all night. Sadly though it was over all too soon and she was nodding with a gracious smile beside her husband as he told everyone it was almost time to end the reception. She joined him in the final dance and smiled at his compliment, "I am proud to be called your wife. You will make a great ruler." she said, letting him enjoy their moment for now. When their dance was over so was the party. Everyone began to return to their room, a few grazers stayed behind as the servants began to clean up the party.


Christiane met with her ladies in waiting in the bride's closet and they undressed her and redressed her in the satin night gown, they took her hair down and stored her pearls and diamonds in a box and put it up, combing out her hair before leaving her. She waited until they were gone and entered the Marital chambers, the room the two of them would share from now on. As she walked in she noticed he wasn't here yet. She took a moment and examined the room, the finest bed the kingdom could offer, the decorations were ornate and grand and there were several large vases with flowers filling the room with a grand smell only to be rivaled by her own rose and lilly scented perfume and the oils from the bath the night before.


She had been preparing for this moment her whole life but now as she waited for him in this grand room she felt butterflies grow in her stomach.

 

[Harbinger]

Heading back to his dressing room he dressed into a linen shirt and some basic pants before walking into the room to see the decor. He was able to choose the set up for the room and he chose the flowers himself to accent the room. Seeing her in the satin gown made him even more in love with her, walking close to her he pulled her close and smiled. "You look absolutely beautiful and smell amazing, let us remember this night and enjoy it."


Pulling her close and his hands moved to her lower back as he kissed her deeply again enjoying this moment. He gave soft moans as he did this and loved the warmth of her skin and lips against his.

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

For better or for worse both of them had earned this night, weather it was for their sins or their rights. As he entered the room the butterflies in her stomach grew. Christiane returned his kiss and that night would certainly be unforgettable for the both of them- and as their night finished, she knew in her gut, in her bones that this was it. She was now the Queen of France! There was no annulling the marriage, divorce was not an option! She'd be the Queen of France (hopefully) until the day she died! As they laid there afterwards, still catching her breath, she turned over, trying to hide her smile and the tears of joy in her eyes...all her life she was told she wasn't going to be anything, earn any status, that she would live off of her brother when he became king forever. Yet here she was, the Queen of France!


She reclaimed her emotions and turned over smiling at him,"that was truly incredible." She told him, finally done catching her breath.

 

[Harbinger]

"It sure was and I'm happy to do it with nobody either than my beautiful wife on this special night." He held her close as he stroked her hair gently and just laid there comfortabel to have her to himself in such a beautiful place. Everything felt like it was going his way and he felt very good about it when he closed his eyes slowly/

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

Christiane woke up early the next morning, sneaking out of bed and letting him sleep more. Her ladies in waiting were all still asleep as well so she dressed herself and pulled her hair into a braid for now. She went and grabbed a quick bite to eat before meeting with Clarence's advisers and getting caught up on all of his new ideas and changes to the system. On her way she met with Altair and instructed him to meet with Alexander and to keep him as busy as possible for the next few hours. She sat down with the advisers and listened to them intently, paying close attention, for now not making any changes or suggestions...just listening.


When Alexander woke up Altair sat with him for breakfast in the dining room with several other nobles, talking about the last nights events and the woman Alexander left with.


(sorry its short)

 

[Harbinger]

Clarence continued to sleep for a few more hours not knowing that she had left the room. Getting dressed in some simple clothing he headed out to where they were sitting with Christiane and her advisors thinking they just got there. he sat down next to her and held her hand gently before speaking. "Alright men, we can know talk about what we are going to do to get this country back up and running to it;s former glory."

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

The Advisers looked at Christiane nervously. She smiled and held Clarence's hand back. She gave it a little squeeze and looked at him, giving him a gracious smile,"Actually, darling. We are just finishing up. They've been telling me all of the business since the war ended and all of your ideas." She said,"I thought it would be a good idea for me to get informed so that I could support you properly." She said and looked at all of the advisers,"Thank you all for this update. We can resume the discussion after I've spoken with my husband," She stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder,"about his...inspired ideas." She said, releasing them. They glanced at the king a moment then nodded and bowed to them,"Very good Your Highness." One said and they all shuffled out of the room. Once they were cone Christiane moved and sat on the table, smiling at Clarence,"Now then," She stroked his cheek,"lets talk so we can give your Advisers some real answers and take some action." She said,"I don't think its such a good idea to re-rout all of that money right now away from your generals and into the arts. While I believe art is important there are better ways to support them at a time like this. What with the war just ending, its important for the world to know that France didn't just bow out of the war - but that they were so strong that we didn't want to continue pointless bloodshed. After treaties its important to show that your country is strong ot else other will try to take advantage of us." She looked at him sympathetically,"Does that make sense?" She asked,"but I do have some ideas of ways to help support the artists you want to bring back." She said and raised her eyebrows at him as if she jsut gave him a treat, her smile as sweet as ever.

 

[Harbinger]

"I don't know any thing about war or what you do to make it look like your country is still strong. /If you put to much money into your military won;t there be repercussions for just putting all your money to that, besides I'm the king and you're my queen. In the end though I'm the one that makes the decisions and I feel like that is the best solution as it;s the people I care for the most. They need to be happy and have a safe life before I just start throwing excess amounts of money into the military for them to just sit around." He was stubborn about her just coming in and starting to make some major decisions about his countries well being but he knew that she would have experience with the government. Giving a long sigh he was lost again in her smiled a little "alright, you can help with some of them but I'm making the major decisions and It's my final say."

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

She found herself frustrated with his insistence on protecting people without the military. However how was one to have a safe country without arms? Without defense? "You talk as if I'm asking to put the entire budget into our forces but it is far from that. Since we are in a time of peace, we certainly are going to have to make certain budget restrictions for you generals and their troops, however Im just saying we don't need to cut as much as you're implying. They wouldn't be just sitting around either, the money goes into keeping troops trained, keeping troops at all, securing borders, and aiding our allies when they need us as our treaties with our allies have stated. We have responsibilities to keep. And not to mention if our military is weakened other countries will just take the advantage to weaken us and then your people will be dying in the streets without any form of defense. " her words were rather cold but she smiled afterwards,"And we can't risk any kind of war or battles soon, it would put too much stress on us and that won't be good when we are trying to conceive your heirs." She smiled," But I fully believe and agree in your power my husband," She said about him making the final decision,"I am just here to aid you. I studied from the best generals and I know this is a firm course of action." She said reassuring him that he'd be making the right decision in allowing her to guide him. "I know you will ultimately do the right thing for both your country and your family." She said making sure to put that in his head. "Anyways, let me talk to you about the artists as well." She prompted the next conversation topic,"aren't you curious as to how we will support them?' She asked him, moving and taking her seat again, picking up some papers and beginning to look them over.

 

[Harbinger]

"I was going to supply them the money and land to create beautiful works of art. We have many buildings around here that were destroyed or torn down from a bad fire we had during the war. I was planning to give them money for supplies or letting them use many of the palaces that we have in the country side and letting them make it a gallery. We will get money when they sell them or what ever happens, I just want to help them." He took a few papers that were having minuscule problems compared to the ones that Christiane was holding as he knew that she was right but didn't want to be on the sidelines. When she said that he would do right thing to protect his country and family persuaded him a little bit but he still gave the odd sigh watching her read all the papers as he was stuck with the tedious things.

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

She nodded as she listened to him, picking up a pen and making some notes on the papers she continued to listen to him. "Hm, well we will need those palaces in the country side when we go on tour during summer with the court and while we do need to certainly rebuild those buildings, Who do we have on that by the way?" She asked him, making another note,"Don't you think it would help the artists more if we introduced them and their work to some of the nobles? I was thinking we could have some of the artist guilds send us some of their work to put up in the palace and if we find any we like we could fund two artists ourselves to stay at court and encourage other nobles to do the same. If they see the King had artists, they will all want artists their selves, and that way the artists will be making money from the nobles." she looked up and smiled, touching his hand,"We can hold a banquet and show case some of their work! I'll get with someone and start planning that right away." She said happily standing up, taking the papers with her,"Well I'll see you at lunch then." She said and walked away, again taking the papers with her. She went into her study and put the notes away in her drawer and locked it then sent for Altair.


(you can take us to the next scene we do )

 

[Harbinger]

He couldn't argue against that idea but was wondering why she would be helping him with the artists and not be focusing on the military like she said she would do. Not caring he went off to take care of some business with his yunger cousins and their spat going on. A few hours later he had two of the most prominent artists in france come to the palace as a sign of friendship. Inviting them to lunch he had everything srt up in the garden for everybody and waited for her at the time they always had lunch. They waited about another 20 minutes before he got annoyed and they began o eat.

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

(what was going on with his cousins?)

 

[Harbinger]

(no, different cousins that wasn;t alexander. Younger ones whos wives were having an arguement. I forgot to add that by accident)

 

[DungeoneeringGoddess]

(Oh okay I was just going to possibly use it in my post)


Christiane finally arrived at lunch,"I'm sorry I was late, Altair was speaking to me about writing a letter back to my father." She said and smiled at the two artists at lunch with Clarence. "This is a wonderful surprise, please forgive my rudeness for being late." she said and took a seat with them,"My husband did such a wonderful job planning this." The rest of lunch Christiane was a delight, speaking with the artists and the other guests of the small garden party and relaying her support and her plan for other artists. When it was all over Christiane disappeared again until it was time for bed, telling Clarence she was working out budgetary things for meeting the advisers tomorrow.


that night Christiane sat at the vanity in their room in her satin night gown, brushing out her long, blond hair in the mirror