A Modern Affair

Erik nodded his head and gently put his arms around Raven. He rubbed her back lightly and kissed her head. Keeping her close to him, Erik took and rubbed her back more as he sighed a little bit. "Things will get better, I promise." Erik told her softly keeping her close, allowing her to let her feelings out.

Dominic sighed as he took and listened to his father. Listing to the people of their kingdom complaining about random things. He took and shook his head as he took and leaned back into the throne listing to them. He heard the man accusing someone else. He promised the man he'd look into it.

Isabella took and sighed a little bit. Once she returned to the stables she slipped a carrot to her horse, and brushed it out. Putting the things away she walked out and headed back to the castle. She smiled hearing the melody as she followed it. Seeing Dylan playing she smiled standing there as she hummed along to the melody quietly to herself so she didn't disturb him.

@ McDreamy;
Feeling Erik's arms go around her she felt more tears start to fall and started to sob once more burying her face in his chest shaking her head hearing his words and said, "My baby brother is dead and no one can do anything. I can never see him again." She shhook her head again just crying into him unable to let her grief go at the moment. She forgot that her maid had chased out Dominic and if she had clarity she would wonder why she had allowed Erik in the room. She sniffled and shook her head once more and just sat there having not felt him kiss her head, his touch had been so light.

Jaime frowned sighing as he heard them and tried his best to solve their problems until he heard a band of people come in all complaining of the same thing; that a man had stolen their crops and was burning down other things. He frowned looking to his father for this one, not wanting to say the wrong thing. His father gave him a nod signaling that it was okay before explaining what he was going to do and how they were going to get money for the things that had been burned in order to feed their families.

Dylan had his eyes closed his hands just gently flitting across the keys as he played, his head cocked to the side as he listened. He continued to play, descrescendoing and crescendoing when the music called for it, adding notes where he thought they sounded better and continued to play before finishing the song. He stopped and then smirked softly beginning to play something upbeat knowing that that wasn't the normal music, but liked it and decided to keep playing it. It wasn't waltzing music, that was for sure.

Erik kept his arms around Raven's tiny figure. He rubbed her back lightly and allowed her to let her grief out. He didn't have any words at her news she'd spoken. All he could truly do, is stay with her and let her get some of the grief out even if it wasn't all of it. He could help in some way.

Dominic continued listing to the people of the land and their problems. He took and nodded his head listing letting the people spill their guts. He made a few arrangements and sighed hoping this would be over soon.

Smiling at the upbeat music, Isabella walked over leaning into the piano as she listened to him. She began singing along with it putting lyrics to what she thought was best as she grinned at him before she began dancing around a little loving the sound of the music that he was allowing to flow from the piano.

@ McDreamy;
Raven sniffled softly before nodding and pulling away slowly once she was done. She looked up at Erik and mumbled, "Why is it, you're the one that waited until someone would let you in and not Dominic?" She frowned before just laying her head back down on his chest knowing she shouldn't, but than anything, it felt right and she just wanted to be comforted by someone who cared and it seemed to her as if he cared, so she was going to stay put.

Jaime raised an eyebrow as another person came forward claiming of the same thing had happened. He shared a look with his father before questioning, "Exactly like that?" He saw the person nod and glanced at his father whispering to him, "It seems as if we have a troublemaker on the loose." He waved the guards forward giving them orders, knwoing he couldn't go out with them this time, but promised for next time.

Dylan looked over seeing Isabella leaning against the piano and gave her a smile. He heard her begin to sing and just continued to play smiling again. Seeing her dance he laughed knowing that he could not join her, if he wished for the melody to continue. His light eyes watched her every move a content smile playing on his features.

"Because I am more passionate and considering, than my brother. Dominic thinks it has to be his way or no way." Erik replied softly keeping her close to him and letting her relax and calm. Smiling he stroke her head lightly and smiled softly.

Dominic looked at his father. Once the people had fled out he sighed, "We have a troublemaker that needs to be dealt with." Dominic told his father seeing him nod. He walked with him and sighed knowing they'd have to get to the bottom of it.

Isabella giggled as she looked at Dylan as he continued playing. "You're so amazing." She whispered smiling listing to the melody that he was playing. She was truly amazing by him and knew she should't had been but she was.

@ McDreamy;
Raven sniffled and shook her head, "I don't know if that's true or not, but I hope not." She whispered knowing that she would have to be married to him. The thought of being married to someone that didn't care about her opinions scared her. She felt him stroking her hair and just melted into his embrace wiping at her face once more. She was still in her lemon colored gown having not had the chance to change into anything else.

Jaime heard a piano playing and gave himself a smile before dropping it seeing his father's angry look. He frowned wondering why his father hated that Dylan liked the arts and not fighting. He just ignored it before walking with his father a smile on his face bidding him farewell and walking towards the room.

Dylan laughed shaking his head. "Thank you, but it's just music." He told her with a smile glancing over to see his mother having entered the room almost in tears since he rarely ever played the piano anymore. He had been depressed as of late since his father had told him he would amount to nothing. He smiled at his mom nodding his head. He saw Jaime come in and nodded his head. "Go dance with Jaime." He told her.

Erik frowned holding her close. He just sat like that for what seemed so long. He took and let a soft sigh escape his lips. "I don't know what will become of this. But I do, care for you." Erik whispered to her rubbing her back softly.

Dominic took and was stopped being told by his mother of what was going on with Raven. He'd already known about her brother. Sighing he headed towards her quarters and stopped seeing Erik holding to his betrothed. He narrowed his eyes feeling his temper boiling.

Isabella made a face hearing him suggest she dance with Jaime. She took and nodded before sighing heavily. Isabella took and turned on her heels walking towards Jaime. "Would you like to dance, kind sir?" She smiled seeing him grin.

@ McDreamy;
Raven just relaxed letting him comfort her before looking up hearing his words and shook her head and whispered, "We shouldn't.." She looked at him before sitting up wiping her eyes. "Thank you for comforting me." She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she did so. Her throat hurt extremely bad from crying. Glancing over, she noticed Dominic in the door way and said, "I do apologize for earlier..I was in shock." She tried to explain knowing that she was still in shock. She didn't even realize that having Erik in her bedroom was considered frowned upon. She just took it as him trying to comfort her.

Jaime smiled softly blinking when he heard her questioned and grinned at her. "I would be honored." He told her bowing to her, before gently taking her hand in his own and beginning to dance with her. "What kind of dance do you wish to do? I will follow your lead." He smiled at her. He noticed his parents giving her a grin. "Looks as if you and Dylan have convinced my parents into this as well." He laughed.

Dylan laughed seeing her face, knowing he shouldn't, but it made him extremely happy to know that she didn't want to dance with Jaime. He smiled continuing to play before glancing over his eyes nearly bulging out of his skull when he saw his mother drag his father in to dance with her. He nodded his head continuing to play, but played it ever slightly slower so his mother could do it her speed.

Dominic looked at and sighed a little bit just nodding his head. "Are you alright now?" He questioned staring at her. "Is there anything at all that I can do?" Dominic questioned her softly.

Erik narrowed his eyes at his brother getting up. He looked at Raven nodded his head bidding her farewell. He walked out sighing as he stood in a room to himself letting himself gather his thoughts.

Isabella slowly danced with him as she noticed the queen and king dancing together. Smiling at the couple she looked at Jaime and just danced slow to the music that Dylan was playing. She kept quiet humming along to the music that was quietly playing in the background from Dylan.

Raven shook her head and asked softly, "Would you be alright, even after a small amount of time, if your brother had just died?" She shook her head to his question. "I don't think so." She gave a nod to Erik to show she knew why he was leaving before looking back at Dominic. "I'm forbidden from going home as well." She told him looking out the window. "It was never said, but I know I'm not to go back." She looked back towards him pushing dark hair away from her face.

Jaime smiled softly before twirling Isabella gently bringing her back to him and laughing before asking, "This is a lot more fun than what I was doing." He told her swaying with her to the music and looked down at her again a smile on his face. "How has your day been?" He questioned lightly.

Dylan smiled softly, tapping his foot that wasn't working with the piano to keep his tempo. At this point most of the people in the castle were peeking in to either watch the couples dance or to listen to Dylan's playing closer. Dylan ended the song, before starting up another one that was just as lively but had a different tune to it.

@ McDreamy;

@ FlyAway;

Dominic sighed staring at her, "If I could make it happen, so you could go home for just a small amount of time." He told her. "Trust me, I'd make it happen Raven. That I assure you I would." Dominic sighed softly. "I am sorry if I have upset you, but I promise to leave you be till you're ready." He promised her before walking away to give her time to grieve and all.

Erik heard Dominic and shook his head. Erik sighed heavily. He knew this was breaking Raven. He wish he could do more to help her. Frowning he shook his head sighing to himself hoping he could make things better, in some way.

Isabella danced along with Jaime hearing his questioning, "It was good. Really good." She smiled softly. "Oh was your day bad?" She questioned him frowning. "I am truly sorry." She told him.

@ McDreamy;
Raven nodded before shaking her head, "I know. It's not your fault. You haven't upset me, Dominic. I'm just upset in general." She told him before watching him leave and sighed laying down on the bed before looking up when her maid came in saying she had missed dinner and lunch and she needed to eat. She nodded before gently biting into the food and discovered she was starving and eating all of it in record time. She sniffed before having her draw her bath and getting into it relaxing softly.

Jaime gave her a grin and said, "I'm glad." He laughed seeing her frown. "Don't worry. It wasn't a bad day, just lots of bad news." He assured her. "We'll get the person who's hurting our subjects and bring them to justice." He twirled her once more before hearing Dylan stop and smiled gently bowing to her.

Dylan played for a while longer before finishing his last song and laughing when he heard clapping. He just bowed and grinned his crooked smile before saying, "I do apologize. As I am out of practice, my fingers are simply screaming in pain." He told him. "They are just cramping." He assured his mom seeing her concern.

Dominic walked into the training room and began working out. He did the sword fighting and found that this. This was the most perfect way to clear his mind at this point. He wasn't quiet sure what more he could to try and impress Raven. But knew he was failing and was going to have to figure out what to do soon.

Erik took and sat there pondering on his thoughts. A soft smile touched his lips at the thoughts of him holding Raven in his arms. Smiling to himself he couldn't help but to smile how amazing it truly was.

Nodding her head, Isabella smiled at Jaime. "I see." She said softly. She turned clapping for Dylan and smiled. "This was truly amazing." She admitted and smiled at having enjoying herself with the dancing and singing she'd done earlier.

@ McDreamy;
Raven sunk into the water gently, lowering herself slowly as to not shock her body even more than it already was. Sighing, she enjoyed the warmth the water brought to her before just shutting her eyes thinking about the day's events. Her thoughts wandered towards Erik, her face suddenly heating up at the fact that she remembered him holding her in his arms and the feel of his lips touching her skin. She shook her head knowing she shouldn't be thinking about things like that. If her marriage hadn't been crucial before -- it was now more than ever with her little brother gone. She glanced out the window wondering if people would try and murder her as well. She hoped not, but knew that it was a real possibility since her status had changed.

Jaime smiled enjoying seeing her happy, but he was upset at the fact that it seemed to be his brother bringing her that happiness. He needed his brother to back off and allow him to bring her happiness and convince her that it wasn't a bad idea in marrying him and he needed to convince himself as well. He thought she was stunning. He clapped with her giving her a smile.

Dylan laughed and bowed once more before hearing his words and giving her nod turning to see his father walking out. His smile faltered for a moment before he shook his head grinning again. "Well, thank you." He told her laughing when his mother starting to hug him. He hugged her back before nodding towards his brother.

Sighing when he finished. Dominic took and sat down running his hand over his face. He wasn't too sure of himself anymore. He wasn't too sure of what to do to impress Raven. He was trying hard, but was failing because of his little brother.

Erik walked into the garden and sat down. Laying back onto the soft, grassy ground. He let his eyes fall shut. He listened to the noises around him sighing in content. He needed to escape his own mind for a bit.

Isabella smiled nodding her head. Smiling she stood there as she looked at Jaime, "Well, that was amazing, and you're an amazing dancer as well." She complimented him smiling at him.

((I am so sorry. I thought I had replied hon.))

(It's fine! I've been so damn busy!)

Raven didn't know what was wrong with her. She had a gorgeous man right in front of her trying to appease her in any way he could, and all she could do was think about Erik with his deep blue/green eyes. Focusing, she shook her head softly sighing for a moment. She got out of her bath before getting dressed in a simple white dress that clung to her body showing off her curves. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders before wandering out of her room and outside looking up at the moon gently feeling extremely overwhelmed at the moment from too many things going on at once.

Jaimed looked down at Isabella smiling softly and murmuring, "Thank you, but I believe you don't give yourself enough credit. You're a far better dancer than I." He complimented her smiling softly before looking down seeing that she hadn't let go of his hand yet and just gave it a gentle squeeze smiling at her again.

Dylan laughed hearing his mother gushing and just nodded speaking with her before he felt her leading her out of the room to give Jaime and Isabella some privacy. Everything in his body wanted him to go back and not leave her alone with his brother. He looked back at her grimacing softly but went along with his mother.

@ McDreamy;

@ severide;
( Are you still wanting to do this roleplay? )

Dominic took and looked at Erik when he found his brother. "You are ruining this for me. You need to stay away from Raven. Unless you want to end up dead. And I sure as hell can make it happen." Dominic snapped at him.

"I am not backing off or anything. So be warned. I'll make it a whole lot harder for you." Erik grinned.

"Try it and see what happens, little brother. I warned you." Dominic told him before walking off. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair knowing this was going to turn into a straight out night mare.

Isabella smiled at Jaime and felt him squeeze her hand. "You're too modest." She laughed lightly removing her hand from his. "Sorry I didn't realize that I still had a hold of your hand. I am truly sorry." She whispered smiling at him.

Raven sighed before beginning to step through the outskirts of the castle needing some solace from her own mind and from people. She knew she was going through grief but she didn't need to be reminded of it from puppy dog eyes and the constant worrying. She sighed softly before beginning to head back towards her room. She took her shawl off and crawled into her bed. She then sighed and pulled her blanket over herself once more. She closed her eyes beginning to feel tears leaking from her eyelids. She fell asleep with salty liquid falling from her eyes.

Jaime looked down at her smiling and laughed shaking his head hearing her words. "Not at all." He replied grinning down at her before feeling her slip her hand from hers. He gently took her hand in his again and murmured, "I don't mind at all. "On the contrary actually. I like it." He told her leaning down to press a soft kiss to her cheek hoping that he wasn't overstepping his bounds.

Dylan smiled politely at his mother before he was finally able to escape her. He watched Jaime and Isabella from the shadows. He bit down on his lip to keep himself from saying anything. He was starting to get angry seeing Jaime grab her hand and kiss her on the cheek. He shook his head again and stalked off not wanting to watch the rest.

@ severide;

Dominic laid in his chambers staring at the ceiling. He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe that his younger brother was trying to pull this over his eyes. He'd get even one way or another. And he'd stop at nothing to make sure of it as well.

Erik sat there sighing. Maybe he should just step away. He didn't want to die. But he didn't want to give up on Raven either.

Isabella smiled staring at him, "I...I like it too." She whispered staring up at him with a smile. She felt an attraction to him but at the same time she felt it to wards Dylan. She took and cleared her throat looking at him as she sighed. "I think I am going to head to my chambers to get some rest. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Jaime." She smiled before walking off and heading for her chambers as she sighed to herself upon entering them. She laid back on her bed laying there so confused that it wasn't funny.