Rules of Engagement

Henry nodded, watching the animated man in front of him argue his case. "Yes, yes, the Spaniards won't know what hit them." His plan wasn't exactly the greatest, and he wasn't a military officer, but Wichter felt the need to be polite and believe that the plan was foolproof.

The younger Viallon slipped into the meeting room mostly unnoticed, searchinn the room with a few quick glances for Elenor. One of her sister's ladies was grazing on a plate of fruits, and she made her way over to question her about the elder girl's whereabouts. "Clarissa, where is she? I know you've seen her." The two were attached at the hip. When the girl shrugged, the dark-haired girl let out a long sigh.

@ rust and stardust
[Do you want to try and find the picture in a different form for Estelle?]

Normally Elenor would be at the meeting but she had been instructed instead to take a ride and pick some flowers next to the pond they use to vist as a child. The pond with the beautiful gazebo were Elenor had spent many days day dreaming and hidding out with her spunky sister from their tudors. Elenor dismounted the horse and patted his neck. Her father had invited all the neighboring countries in an attempt to creat alliances to win the war against Spain. Elenor made her way over to the gazebo and ran her hand over the stone pillers. She smiked at the rose bush planted close by. This was were their mother was burried. She was a young girl when their mother passed but Estelle was even younger than she and honestly Elenor wondored if Estelle remembered mother at all. She had been a gracous and graceful queen but more importantly she had been a loving and caring mother. Elenor walked around taking her small knife and cutting flowers placing them in her basket. She hummed softly hearing the sounds of the knights horses a few yards into the trees. Her father had insisted on protection for his eldest and would for Estelle if she would hold still long enough to be found.

Luther nodded looking out into the crowd to see the small Viallon girl slipping out the doors obviously not finding what she wanted. He could agree to such terms and since the only other neighboring country already had a king and queen it seemed to be the only option for a country as vunerable as this one. It was beautiful productive land but to expossed. Luther looked at the old king knowing his death was inevitable and from the look of him wearily sitting on his thrown death was approaching soon. Luther wondered where the eldest daughter was before the king spoke up. "I think this might be an option. But as the keeper odf my daughters I wish to pick heir suitors." The old king said in his shaky weary voice that wavered in places and left a sting in the air. Luther looked over the table at Henry. Who would have the honor of taking the eldest and becoming king of this country as well as their own? Luther knew either girl came with rewards that were very pleasing but who did not want more power, more money?

@ Jinxling

[I'll get to it eventually lol]

"I saw her in the gardens just before I came. Picking flowers, I think." A servant supplied in a barely audible voice. "My father's doing, probably." Elenor didn't like to be in a room in which people would talk about her like she wasn't there. To her older sister, the entire point was not to be there at all. It was, she claimed, less offensive that way. Estelle swore that she could have her grace and even temper all to herself, because the crown would only fit on a level head, and passionate as she might've been, the younger Viallon shied away from any major responsibilities. The dark-haired girl wanted glory, but wanted nothing to do with the means it took to achieve it. Her fiery temper and playful jests would never entertain a crown for very long, anyhow. She strode over to a window and pushed the curtain aside to look out, eyes narrowing when her sister was, indeed, picking flowers. "She's always loved flowers." That'd be her name, surely. The Flower Queen. Estelle almost laughed aloud at the thought.

"Your Majesty, if I may, I'd like to express my interest in your eldest, Elenor." Ties with him would establish an alliance with the English, something the French direly needed and wouldn't likely attain any other way. Henry glanced around at the other suitors, dark eyes nearly daring them to try and challenge him for the hand of the older girl. He was competitive, and although it wouldn't especially matter if she wasn't, the woman in question was rather pretty. Calmer, too, it seemed, than the younger daughter of the King. A spirited wife might've been enough for him to handle if she were to be queen, but since she wouldn't be, Wichter was more than happy to bid for the hand of the elder Viallon. Part of him wondered how the King felt about not having any sons to take the throne after him.

@ rust and stardust
"Your intrest is noted. I will make my final decision tonight at the banquet. But now let us retire and enjoy the company of so many wonderful guests." The king anounced and stood his servent coming over and assisting him out toward his chambers. The war room was a place for planning war, peace and such things of politics. But the great hall was a place to socialize and be content. Luther made his way out of the hall and to his chambers to gather his thoughts. As the King of Rome he had to keep a more level head but like the youngest Viallon he was a wild stallion that no crown could contain. Though he kept his temper in reigns so as not to cause wars with those he found it best to alli with. Spain had nothing to offer him but France did. They had many things to offer and he would take them happily.

Elenor finished picking flowers and walked with her horse back towards the castle. A knight came up beside her, Hector the most nobel of knights and the Kings personal favorite. In fact if it had not been for the law he would have made him heir to the thrown. Elenor smiled and handed him a flower. He took the flower and the basket for her. She mounted the horse and rode back to the castle with Hector. Elenor was very fond of the knights and seeing how one day they would be loyal to her it was understandable.

@ Jinxling

The princess found herself in the great hall shortly after having realized the meeting had drawn to a close. The only piece of advice from her sister she'd heeded was to ignore her name when it cropped up in conversation. It was better to be surprised, she guessed, when suitors appraoched her. She wandered over to a table and examined the cheeses with very little vigor.

Wichter filed out with the others, and after stopping by his chambers, strode to the great hall to mingle and wait for the elder girl to return from wherever she'd run off to. Estelle was already there, lingering near the food but not taking any, but that didn't give him much information about where her sister could be. He didn't feel that it was polite to ask, either. So, he picked a corner and waited with a drink in his hand.

@ rust and stardust
Luther walked into the hall and looked around. He smirked and walked over toward the youngest Viallon. He stood behind her and leaned slightly over her shoulder. "Only the finnest wine should pass thy lips, but alas I forgot to bring the barrel." He said and smirked moving to her side. Maybe a spunky girl would be able to keep up with him. Luther smiled down at her but as soon as her sister entered the room his eyes dragged off to her.

Elenor returned to the castle and proceded to her room thanking Hector for holding her flowers. She put the flowers into a vase and called for Clarissa to assist her in dressing on the right apperal for the evening. Once she was dressed she thanked her and walked down to the hall. She walked into the room that even as the men mingled wih the ladies and talked the servents were setting up for the banquet in the connecting ball room. Elenor walked in noticing the way mens eyes followed her. It was such a responsability to know she would be queen and how she acted influenced what king would be at her side ruling her people. Elenor walked over toward the drinks and took a glass of wine offered to her. "Thank you." She said sipping the wine smiling softly at the taste.

@ Jinxling

A voice in her ear drew her attention from the cheese, and she stared straight ahead for a moment, wondering if she recognized the voice. After deciding she didn'f, she turned slightly to the side and was able to match a face to the pitch. "Surely you've got another way of pleasing me, then. A man like you ought to have several tricks up his sleeve." Estelle noticed that he seemed a bit more distant after a few moments, and a quick observation of the room told her that he'd zoned in on her sister. A wave of annoyance threatened to crash over her.

The lady entered sometime later, heading straight for the wine and taking the first glass offered to her, he noticed. Surely, she should've had someone taste it first for her. She was a tad too trusting for his liking, but he supposed that could be improved upon. He made his way over with long strides and bowed, a sly smile on his face. "Good evening, your Majesty."

@ rust and stardust
Luther smirked hearing her words. They were so true, he had many ways of pleasing a woman. He could hear the annoyance nearly simmering off her. He turned back to her and smiled. "My apologies I just had to see why everyone thinks she is so special when you are in the room." He said and smiled. Some music started to play and he offered her a hand. "Would you honor me with a dance?" He asked and watched her. He was sure she might have something spunky to say after his learing at her sister.

Elenor looked at the man that approached her and gave a curtsy in response. "As to you as well." She said and smiled at the handsome man before her. Honestly she rather have everyone call her by her name but such things where inappropriate for those that where not married or courting. Elenor light up a little as the music came on. She picked up her drink again and took a sip. They had the wine tasted by the servents earlier and would continue to do so randomly throuout the night. Elenor wondered what all the excitment in the room was about as soon as she walked in. Sure people always reacted to her but this was more than normal. She looked around the room looking for her sister breifly and seeing her. It brought a smile to her face to see her.

@ Jinxling

He seemed to realize his fault and made an attempt to right it, and she relaxed slightly. "Perhaps they think I should've been born first. A queen can't conquer while making flower bouquets, can she?" Somewhere else in the room, a few musicians began to play, and she placed her hand in his when he offered it to her. "The honor, I think, is mine."

Her face lit up when the music started playing, and his first instinct was to ask her to dance. "May I have this dance, Lady Elenor? This song sounds like it was composed for you." And for all he knew, it very well could've been. He held out his hand, eyes welcoming.

@ rust and stardust
Luther chuckled at her comment and nodded. "Very true. And mybe you should have been." He said softly though sensing a resentment towards her sister. He chuckled at her flattery. Luther swetp her out onto the floor and danced with her. He was a strong lead and she was a strong partner. They would make great rulers over his kingdom together. Luther smiled. "So Lady Estelle what does such a queen do in her spare time that makes her able to conquer a kingdom?" He asked already hoping that this would be a match the King saw was made perfectly by nature.

Elenor blushes as he said her name. It rolled nicely off his lips. "I would be quite please to dance with you." She said and placed her hand in his. She could have giggled at the way he lead her out onto the floor in a sweeping jester. "It seems I am at a disadvantage. For you know my name but I do not know yours." Elenor said dancing with him going where he lead but underneithnit she was strong and dependable. She would be able to dance on her own when the time came for that part of the dance. She wasn't as wild as her sister in the dance but she had a strength to her. Elenor was much more then first impressions and what seemed to be.

@ Jinxling

"It's not a question of what she does, but what she doesn't do. That queen should never sit idle." She raised her eyebrows as they danced, hoping she could sway him in her direction. Every suitor in the room wanted Elenor for her crown. All Estelle had was a title, her looks, and her tongue. "What, then, would you say a king does?"

"Henry. Henry Wichter, my lady. And the pleasure is all mine." He spun her around, his eyes never straying away from her. That, he'd learned, was a key thing in winning over a woman. They liked to be the center of attention. Even level-headed Elenor probably liked to know that the person she was speaking to was fully focused on her.

@ rust and stardust
Luther laughed softly. "We make decisions that are too tough for others too make holding the kingdom on a thin string that could break at a turn of a hand. A king is the heart and head of the kingdom. A king does what is best for the kingdom but also for himself because after all without him what would a kingdom be?" Luther spun her around and then pulled her close again. He smiled. "You have me curious though what do you think a king does?" He knew appeling to her opinion would gain what he lost. As spunky as she was she would want to be heard and seen, and known. Luther could make that happen.

Elenor smiled softly. She appriciated his attention but what she desired most was to be seen for more than a crown, more than a prize to be won. And despite his attempts to whoo her it was her father's decision. But that isn't to say that she could not influence her father, Elenor was skilled in the influencing of men. They saw her as weak because she was a woman and she was only stronger because of it. Elenor knew people thought of her as level headed but only because they compared her to her sister. If they actually took the time to get to know her prehaps she would be known for something much more admirable. The song was quickly coming to a close and she woukd soon be wisked away into a nother dance by another man wishing to take her hand, or her crown rather in marriage.

@ Jinxling

"A king is not the heart of a kingdom. His queen is." She corrected him, dark hair swinging behind her as he spun her. "I was sort of hoping you or someone else here could show me exactly what a king does." The seventeen year old raised her eyebrows and smirked, her light eyes tracing the outline of his jaw.

"Would you do me the honor of giving me another dance sometime later?" It was rude to try and keep her for every song, but he did want to touch base with her at a later time to leave an impression on her. "I know that there are others vying for the opportunity, but I can't resist."

@ rust and stardust
Luther chuckled. He moved closer his lips pressed close to her head. "Maybe I will. But you will have to save me the last dance." He said and smirked. She was young and she wasn't ready for someone to really show her he hings a king knew but he could give her a taste if he could convince her to come back to his room later that night. But really he would need to convince the king. It wouldn't be to hard.

Elenor smiled. "I would be very pleased to dance with you again." She looked around the room and chuckled. "Infact feel free to rescue me from a few of these other... suitors." She said quietly. The song ended and she was asked to dance by another suitor. The king had entered the room sometime during the dance and he was sitting watching his girls. He was trying to make a decision on the right kings for his girls. Elenor needed someone that wpuld stand beside her and would encourage her to make choices because she was already wise. But Estelle needed someone to keep her controlled and teach her to be wise because she was already very brave.

@ Jinxling

It seemed a fair deal. The last dance for a good show. "I'll consider it, my lord. Seek me out then and we'll see." That was another thing she'd picked up on: men loved the chase. They didn't want it to be too easy. Saying yes would've meant he didn't have to work for it.

"It would be unfair for me to have you for every dance, your Grace. But do coem and find me if you need rescue before the last dance." The king, he noted, was back in the room and observing the goings-on, his eyes lingering on his two daughters, the younger of which was dancing with the man he'd feared would try and compete with him for Elenor.

@ rust and stardust
Luther chuckled and nodded. "As you wish." he said and bowed as the song ended. Luther smiled and left her to dance with someone else. He walked over to the side and looked over toward her as she made her move. She was intriguing. He wondered what exactly she thought a king would do.

"I never did say every dance." she teased her eyes sparkling. "And I think you can come find me when you see I need help... that is if you want that dance later." she said and curtsied again then made her way with the next suitor that asked her to dance.

@ Jinxling

Another suitor stepped up and asked her to dance, and although he wasn't half as interesting as the first had been, she couldn't exactly deny him the dance. When the man spun her, she made eye contact briefly with Luther before turning her back on him again, dark hair swaying.

The man chuckled and retreated to the outskirts of the room, his dark gaze sweeping over it and picking out his rival suitors. Luther was done with Estelle, which meant he still might try to dance with Elenor. Two of the others had taken an interest in the Viallon sisters' ladies.

@ rust and stardust
Luther smirked as he saw her look at him once more. He got his drink and took a strong gulp of it. He was quite pleased with how events where working out though he did want to get a dance in with the eldest. He looked around seeing Henry carefully keeping an eye on the prize he wanted. Luther shook his head and waited for the next song.

Elenor smiled as she danced with the quiet small man. He was kind but he was different, not at all like Henry. Henry was intreging and it seemed he would play hard to get but she could play that game too only with love and politics she didn't beleive in games. So when it came to suitors she carefully showed her intrest in those that intrested her.

@ Jinxling

Once the song was over, she politely excused herself from the other suitor and wandered over to the table to accept another drink, curiously watching Luther out of the corner of her light eyes. He seemed to be watching her older sister, and she nearly scoffed. All of that attention, and Elenor didn't even want it, or know what to do with it.

Henry watched Luther, even allowing himself to make eye contact with the man occasionally. He seemed to like the younger sister, and if he knew what was good for him, he'd settle for Estelle. Henry would be damned before he let another man take a good stab at trying to catch Elenor's eye.