long may they reign

Clarissa sighed softly as the Palace began to come in to view out of the window of her car. She ran her hands over the skirt of her dress nervously, before glancing at Adelaide, who she insisted ride with her. "Addie.. I'm not sure I'm ready" she murmered nervously, shifting the waitbamd of her gown. Unnervedy as she watched her First Lady, and friend. "What if they are both simply horrific?" She pondered aloud, her face beginning to pale slightly. Clary had not been expecting the role of queen to be placed upon her so soon, but with her fathers devling health, it was the only option left to save her small and beloved country. "Addie, I need you close this evening please, please rescue me if I begin to a bomb a conversation." She asked politely, her chest tightening as she felt the car coming to a stop, slowly watching the convoy come to a stop behind her.

Introducing Her royal highness Queen Clarissa Emilia Antoinette Grimaldi of Genovia, and Her first court, Lady Adelaide

Clary gave Adelaide hand a small squeeze before her door was opened and she gracefully stepped out, beginning to walk towards the royal family and palace which were to remain her home for passing weeks. She smiled regally at the two princes before her, giving a polite nod as they bowed. "A pleasure to meet you all" she said softly, and extended her hand out to the princes, palm to the ground.

__

Sebastian sighed as he was finally announced out of his car, not that anybody was paying Amy attention to him as he exited the vehicle. He watched the back of his younger sisters head as he trailed behind, greeting the lesser members of the monarchy as she spoke the the royal family. By now he had accepted his fate, but a bitterness still lay in the fact that Clarissa, two years his junior got the thrown simply because he was illegitimate.

He slowly worked his way around the crowds, edging closer to his sister and Adelaide, watching them both carefully waiting for his moment. Once. He saw Clary heading for the king and Queen, he quickly stepped on, gently tapping Adelaide on the shoulder. "Lady Adelaide, might O have the pleasure of escorting you inside?" He asked, knowing she could not refuse as to seem impolite before the princes. He was well aware that Addie was never more than 10 feet from Clarissa, and that was how he could keep himself on the upper circles.

@ Kol.

Arthur stood next to his brother Robert and in front of their parents as they waited for the queen of Genovia to arrive. "Do you think she'll be awful?" He asked his brother. Because both he and Robert had met some pretty nasty women in their days. That was totally normal though. Their parents were always trying to find someone to marry them off too. That's just how these things worked. You made an alliance with a country by marriage if at all possible. Though in this case both Arthur and Robert both knew they hadn't made any alliance with Genovia, but given that the new queen was paying them a visit they were both pretty sure it would be easy for one to be drawn up.

Robert sighed, "I'm sure she can't be worse than those fussy girls from Italy. Though no one could ever be worse than the Italians. And who knows brother, maybe she'll have a nice pretty Genovian friend for which ever one of us doesn't win her heart," he joked, knowing there was no way a queen, especially a new young queen, would travel without at least one of her ladies. However, sadly their parents were quite strict about things. And there's no way either of them would ever let on of their sons marry someone who wasn't of royal blood. Even if that someone was close to the queen. Honestly, it was a little tiring at times if he were truthful.

"Oh your right, they were the worst," Aurthur replied before he stood up a bit straighter as the queen arrived and was announced. "The pleasure is all ours your grace," he said gently kissing the girls hand before his brother followed suite, then they were all walking towards the king and queen of France, who led them into the palace.

---

Adelaide tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at her queen and friend Clarissa as she took her friends' hands in her own. "You're stressing yourself out, I'm sure both the princes are both gentleman, and that there's nothing to fear. But of course, I'll be right by your side always," she said before they were coming to a stop finally at the castle.

Addy stepped out of the car behind the queen and let her go ahead, as everyone was really there for Clarissa, she was the queen after all. Her friend was kind of the guest of honor, and she was the one who would eventually be marrying one of the princes so she would have someone to rule by her side. Honestly, watching everything that was happening around her Addy was still kind of in shock. She felt like it was only yesterday Clary's father had fallen ill which meant that her friend would soon be taking on the mantle of ruling their country. Just as she felt it was only yesterday her friend had told her they were leaving for France so she could marry a prince and she wanted Addy to tag along. Of course, it had been a couple of weeks at this point, because well traveling did take time. But here they were, in France about to embark on a new adventure together.

She looked over to Sebastian when he tapped on her shoulder before she offered her hand. "I suppose someone has to escort me inside. And we both know it isn't going to be one of the French princes," she told him. Addy was in no way bitter that her friend was the queen and would likely get all of the attention while they were here if anything Addy had always liked that people paid more attention to Clary than her when they were together. Addy did wonder how her own fate would change while they were here though. As she knew her own family expected her to make them proud and hopefully find a suitor with land and a title no doubt. She was sure her family would rather her marry for power than for love, which truly did bother her when she thought of it.

Clarissa kept her head held high and her back straight the entire time she was in the presence of the Princes' She was yet unsure as to how strict they were about royal protocol, so she would stay on her strictest behaviour until she saw otherwise. She thought it strange that she would be introduced to both princes, historically it seemed to be that the family would choose which prince they wished to marry off and send him only to conquer the queens heart. Throughout her youth, many other royal families had visited with them in Genovia, but at the time, there was no pressing issue regarding Clary's marital status.

"Your Royal Highness-es, I thank you most graciously for your hospitality" she said upon greeting the King and Queen, curtsying before them. "My father sends his best, of course he would have wished to be here if his health permit it." she added, her smile faltering slightly at the thought of her father back home. She allowed herself to be led inside, glancing back to make sure that Addie was alright before looking between the two princes. Both were equally as handsome in their own ways, and she just hoped they would have the personality to back it up. She had found that many of the past princes she had met were arrogant, and seemed to think that she owed them something, It was one of the few things that Clarissa refused to tolerate.

"One of the staff will show you to your room, I'm sure you will be wanting to freshen up before tonight" the queen said kindly to her. Clarissa nodded gently, and took a step forward. "I hoped that perhaps I could be shown around the castle grounds first, My legs are certainly very cramped from the journey here" she asked politely, careful not to overstep her mark as she turned her attention to the princes. "Would one of you mind?"

*****

Sebastian chuckled lightly and looked down at the brunette, smiling. "Unfortunately my dear, you fall a couple of ranks lower than a prince.. still above me however" he told her, clearing his throat as his eyes followed Clarissa through the crowd. "You ever get sick of standing in her shadow?" Sebastian asked Addie as he linked his arm with hers, leading her inside. Most of the staff and royal family members who bustled around them paid no attention to them. He knew that Adelaide was used to being treated like a princess back in Genovia, but he knew she was in for a rude here in France. "I hate to be the barer of bad news sweetheart, but you are quickly going to learn that when you are not a Clarissa's side, you just simply fizzle in to the background" he told her,looking all around entrance of the palace. It was rather impressive.

Sebastian had long ago come to terms with his background act, and he was aware that the best he could probably wish for was to marry the youngest daughter of a noble family, it was unlikely he would ever be allowed to be with anyone of a higher stature. Being a bastard put you just above a commoner in the hierarchy, only with more stigma.

@ Kol.

"Not at all your grace," Robert said cutting in front of his brother. "I'd be happy to show you around a bit before you retire to your room," he said offering his arm for her. Robert knew one hundred percent that it wasn't normal for two princes to both court the same lady allowing her to choose which one would be her husband one day, however, things ran a bit differently here in France than in most places, and well Robert and Arthur were the same age therefore whichever one married first would be the next king of France, once their father passed of course. And well their parents had been very persistent about them marrying, and soon. Probably why they'd had so many royal guests as of late. None of them had quite caught his or his brother's eye, however.

There had been quite a few very pretty woman coming and going over the last number of months, but none of them had worked out. The girls from Italy were just atrocious in too many ways, the girl from Spain was rude, the girl from England had been engaged to someone since she was six, and the list could go on. Now Genovia was in no way a last resort, really Robert felt it was their parents giving them yet another push in the direction of marrying as if marrying a woman of Noble birth from France would've been just the worst. This girl, however, Clarissa, was likely the most beautiful woman he'd laid eyes upon.

---

"I'm always reminded when we travel or when royal families come to visit us that I'm a couple ranks below her. I'm not a princess or a queen, I'm just barely a girl of noble birth. But I'm in no way jealous of her. Clarissa is my best friend, and she trusts me. We've been friends our whole lives, and we've always known that one day she'd marry a prince who becomes a king and they'd rule together. And I've always been happy that it wasn't me. Do I think it'd be nice to have a prince look at me the way they look at her, what girl doesn't? However, I don't want everything else that comes along with it. I just want to support my friend, my queen. And maybe it'll be nice to fizzle into the background for a while. If no one's looking at me then I officially have more freedom here than I do in Genovia," Addy told him with a small smile on her face.

She took a nice look around once they were inside the castle and her smile grew a little bit more. It was a beautiful castle and she was rather excited to be there and explore it over the next however long they were there. "Maybe you'll accompany me one day while I'm exploring this place," she said knowing that her parents, specifically her father, would likely be upset of her fondness of Sebastian. He was a rather handsome man, and he'd never been anything but nice to Addy. However, she knew he wasn't a nobleman, he didn't have a title or land, and her parents would be upset if anything happened. But nonetheless, Addy did want to spend time with him while they were there. She did want to know him better, her father be damned.

[ sorry it took me forever to reply! I've had a long day... I worked, then ended up taking a nap, then had to cook dinner. And I'm just now finding time ]

Clarissa smiled warmly as Rob stepped forward to offer her his giidance. She tried to hide her giggle, as she noticed Arthur sighing that his brother had beat him to it, and Clary made a mental note to ensure she gave Arthur her first dance at the ball. She gently entwined her arm with his and smiled. "Thank you very much Robert, it is much appreciated" she said, curtsying to the king and queen once more before they began to move out of the room.

She glanced at Robert, trying to find the correct words to say, but she didn't want to be too colloquial out of fear of offending him, but feared that too formal may seem stand offish. Being a small island nation of the coast of France, Clarissa was aware of what a dire need it was of her people to be Allied with the French, she did do hope that everything would go well. "So Robert, do please tell me a little bit about your family, the palace" she asked him gently, smiling as she saw a small bluebird fly past the window. She stopped briefly to admire the winged creature out the window before continuing on her way. "It feel so strange to be such a distance from the sea" she told him, with a gentle life. "The wildlife is different" Clarissa added, turning her focus back to the prince.

***

Sebastian nodded as he walked alongside her. "Well I am glad to hear that my sister does not make you feel less than her. It kills me to see her take that thrown.." he admitted and shook his head gently. "Don't gete wrong, she will make an amazing queen, and she knows fenovia like the back of her hand, but I'm the first born son. She's' still a child" he scoffed, his cheeks beginning to go red as he glanced at Addie. "Forgive me my lady, I'm speaking out of turn" he apologised quickly, a not of sarcasm in his voice.

Bash glanced around the room, briefly locking eyes with the French queen, who shook her head gently at him. He slowly unwound his arm from Adelaides's and took a small step away from her. "I don't wish to tarnish your reputation by association" he said to her, rubbing the back of his neck as he shifted the suit jacket he wore uncomfortably. "Doesn't it hurt that she didn't introduce you?" He questioned.

(Sorry its short, I'm on my mobile! And don't worry about it at Ll. I'm loving this RP! )

@ Kol.

Robert smiled at the young queen next to him taking her all in. "Well, my family has been in ruling France for going on two hundred years now, and I can only imagine the hell my father would release on anyone who tried to take it from us," he said knowing very well that they made alliances with other countries all the time but when things didn't work out, his father could be a little harsh. That didn't usually happen though. "Twins seem to run in our family as well. Given me and my brother are twins. Arthur is five minutes older than myself, my mother is also a twin. I actually think her sister Gwen spent a little bit of time in Genovia. Honestly, she might've stayed there after she left France I'm not really sure. We haven't spoken to her in a while." He said trailing off a bit towards the end.

"What's the wildlife like back in Genovia? If you don't mind me asking. I've just never exactly been to Genovia or really that close to the sea so I'm unfamiliar with what it's like there," he told her wishing that he'd traveled more or been to different places. Honestly, he'd only ever left France once, when he was younger. His father had taken both him and his brother to a little country Robert couldn't quite remember the name of for a visit. They weren't anywhere near the sea when they'd went sadly, just as he'd never left since then either. Things had changed though in the last number of years. The king didn't get to exactly travel for fun as he may have liked. And princes weren't exactly allowed to just leave the country or even the palace grounds just whenever they so pleased.

---

Addy frowned ever so slightly at Bash's mention of his younger sister taking the thone. "You know she didn't ask for this," she told him softly. "I understand that you're jealous because she's getting everything you feel like you deserve but remember she didn't ask for this any more than you did," she said before they were close to and she could curtsey to the king and queen. Just as she did her best not to show any emotion as he unhooked their arms and stepped away from her.

"It's fine, I understand," Addy said tucking her hair behind her ear. "You're the king's illegitimate son and being to close to you is bad for others to see apparently. It'll scare off proper suitors and ruin any chances I might've had with rich noblemen who would make my father proud," she said with her own hint of sarcasm. "And it doesn't by the way, I'm introduced everywhere we go normally, but she knows I've been here before and I didn't exactly want to be introduced today and since I'm not a royal they don't have to," she told him knowing it had been quite a while since the last time she'd been to France and honestly she kind of wanted to be as invisible as ever this time around.

Clary nodded as he spoke, making sure to let him him know she was listening intently. She smiled tautly as he mentioned the hell her father would release and continued to walk slowly down the corridor alongside him. "Did being a twin ever cause competition between you and Arthur? It can't be easy both being exactly equal in a monarchy like this" she commented, glancing up, hoping it wasn't too personal of a question. She paused for two seconds before quickly adding "I mean, it's a different dynamic between Sebastian and I, but I know it caused a lot of tension growing up". The queen fell silent for a moment as she tried to think of any Gwens she may have met in Genovia, but none came to mind. "I don't believe I knew her, perhaps she went by her second name?" she suggested, knowing if any member of royal family was in Genovia she would have known about it.

Her jaw dropped slightly as he asked her about the seaside. "You have never been? Oh Robert, you are missing out!" she said, realising she had gotten a little too excited and quickly composed herself."I mean, It's just marvellous there. We have all different kinds of birds and fish, but not any of the kind you would see around here. Sometimes on a sunny day you can even see dolphins in the distance. when I was very young, our nanny used to get one of the men in the marina to take us out in the harbour and we would throw fish for the dolphins" she explained, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. Clarissa didn't know what she would do if she was taken away from the sea. While she didn't necessarily enjoy swimming, it still relaxed her to walk along the sand and hear the waves crashing. Clarissa felt lucky to have seen many different places, Since she was still technically a princess until her coronation, it was customary for her to visit with the princes rather than the other way around.

****

Sebastian sighed gently and nodded "Yes Addy, I know. I'm sorry I don't mean to sound bitter, it just gets rather tiring" he said gently, strolling over to the wall to admire the painting that hung on it. "That's an original Van Gogh" he murmured quietly, more to himself than anybody else as he took in every inch of the painting in awe. He turned his attention back to Adelaide, slowly realising the room had begun to empty, with everyone retiring to their rooms before tonight's events.

He smirked slightly, noting the sarcasm in her tone as she spoke. "Well ou aren't wrong, it is exactly what people think when they look at you with me. I mean, isn't your endgame to end up with a rich nobleman? maybe even a higher rank if luck should have it?" he asked her boldly, taking a few steps closer his eyebrow raised menacingly. "Because word of the street has always had it that your blood may not be as noble as everybody believes" he said gently as he came up behind her. He didn't mean any offence by it, he just wished tolet her know she needn't keep up any appearences around him. "You've been her before?" he questioned, glancing around. "in the french palace? Why so?" he continued, gently placing his hand on her waist so he could move around her and reach for an apple which sat in one of the many fruit bowls around the foyer.

@ Kol.

“Perhaps. I do know that she visited a few years ago with her daughter who’s about your age and looks quite a lot like your friend, and they quite enjoyed their time her. However my mother and her sister have kind of been at odds for awhile so I know when they left it wasn’t on the most amazing terms,” Robert told her though he didn’t know all the details of why his Aunt and mother weren’t really talking. His mother didn’t like to talk about it, and his father avoided the subject all together.

“Well I suppose I’ll have to visit sometime soon then so I can experience it all. It does sound pretty amazing,” he told her truly hoping even if he didn’t marry her that he would be able to visit one day. “Things haven’t been complicated for us yet. I mean we have fights ever now and again like every sibling does but nothing we haven’t been able to come back from. I mean when we were younger we’d fight a bit more especially when it came to getting special treatment but as we’ve gotten older and our mother had another child the baby suddenly got more attention than both of us and we gave up trying to win favor. We’re pretty close honestly, like best friends,” he told her happy he had Arthur to walk through life with. “I’m sorry to hear there’s tension between you and your own brother though. I can only imaging how tough that has to be,”

---

“I can only imagine the way it makes you feel, and how tiring it is for you,” Addy said smiling to herself as she noticed Bash taking quite a liking to the art on the wall. She did know what others thought of her spending so much time with him, or even what they thought of her simply being in his presence alone and she hated it. All because his father had gotten someone pregnant before he’d married the queen and had Clarissa, Bash was looked down upon. He didn’t deserve that. No one did. It wasn’t his fault that the king made the choices he had yet Bash got all of the negative results.

Addy rolled her eyes slightly at his later comment. “The people who speak those things are liars. They believe they know what they speak of but they don’t. Believe me when I say Bash that I know I’m of Noble birth more so than so may know,” she told him hoping she could trust him with what she was about to tell him. “I came to France when I was younger because my mother is a duchess of France, and she happens to be the queens twin sister. They don’t keep in touch as much anymore. And my mother gave up her duties when she married my father and began having children. Also my end goal is to marry for love. Regardless of the status of who I marry. My father would not be pleased if said man didn’t have a title or land but that’s not what I want. My mother has already promised quite a bit of money for me and whoever I marry so I’m not worried about destroying my reputation,”

Clary thought for a moment "No, I'm honestly not sure. I'm almost certain the Addy's moms name isn't Fwen.. and I've never heard her mention any cousins so I'm not sure where the resemblance comes from" she commented, shrugging her shoulders gently. "I'm sorry to hear they are t on great terms" she added, gently running a hand through her hair, and softly fanning her face with her hand. It was the one thing she disliked about official visits, the heavy formal gowns she was expected to wear.

She grinned at the thought of him visiting her home. "Yes, you will have no excuse, I mean you will either be king or duke of-" she trailed off quickly, her cheeks flushing pink. She was almost certain that discussing her true motives for the visit wasn't polite, after all, both princes would hate the option of rejecting her. "I'm very sorry Robert, I didn't mean to slip up like that"she apologised quietly, biting down on her lower lip. The 17 year old was terrified she was going to bring discrace upon herself before her coronation, she didn't at all feel ready to be leading a country... and the countdown was on to her 18th birthday.

****

Bash glanced up, smiling as he noticed her watching him admire the painting. "You know I love my sister, and would do anything to protect her- why else would I be here- but, it's tough to watch her have it lol handed to her, and she doesn't even want it" he said sighing, shaking his head, glad to have changed the subject.

His eyes grew wide as she explained to him exactly how noble she was, a slight pang of jealousy hitting him in his chest. "My my miss Adelaide, isn't that quite the secret to keep, does Clary know?" He asked, trying to mask his disbelief. He wondered why the French family hadn't made a bigger deal of Adelaide's presence given that she was royalty by proxy in their presence. "That is quite the statement Addy, I hope you understand what you would be losing" he said to her, raising his eyebrow slightly. However, he had to admit he felt a slight joy in her confession. He had grown rather fond of her in the past number of years, perhaps it would be of benefit to him to Perdue her romantically. He pondered upon if his feelings of friendship had ever been more.

@ Kol.

"Are you feeling okay?" Robert asked her when he noticed her fanning her face. "Because I can take you to your room where we can find you something more comfortable I'm sure," he told her with a small smile. "I know the formal wear can be a little suffocating at times, plus I'm almost positive my mother left you a much a lighter dress in there to wear for dinner and the evening festivities, which I know about because I remember her talking to someone about it getting done," he told her not wanting her to think that he was just stalking her room or something insane like that. He totally wasn't that weird guy who did things like that.

"You're fine," He told knowing it had to be hard on her being so young and forced into all of these new things with very little to really go on. "Both Arthur and I know why you're here to visit us, or at least we know somewhat of the plan, our father has been keeping us updated on everything. So there's no need for secrets here," he told her laughing to himself really. "Honestly, we're pretty sure our father is ready for one of us to marry so he knows we'll have someone at our side when we take the throne. Plus it's customary that the first one to marry when twins are involved anyways is the one who becomes king. So we've had so many eligible ladies here in the castle over the last set of months in our father's rather twisted way of pushing us along. None of them have really worked out yet though. Most of them have been awful if I'm being honest. And please forgive me as I'm probably crossing a boundary talking about this with you," he said running his fingers through his hair nervously.

---

Adelaide shook her head, "no, she doesn't," she told him biting her lip. "My mother doesn't really want people to know. She left France and gave up her duties for my father after meeting once when she was visiting Genovia. And she kept in touch with her sister some for a while, but apparently, something happened and they had a falling out and I haven't been since. Honestly, they probably don't even recognize me here anymore. It has been awhile," She said remembering how much fun she'd had when she'd been here last time. It'd been so much fun running around the castle with Robert and Arthur just looking for things to get into. Though thinking about it they probably just didn't want to say anything to her and both the queen and king had recognized her right away. Which if they did it made her wonder if they'd be in contact with her parents, and if they were it likely meant they'd tell her father she seemed oddly fond of Bash and then she'd never hear the end of it.

"I'd be turning into my mother," Addy said softly as she reached out for his hand. "I may be losing what everyone else values more than love, but I'd be gaining just that, love. And isn't that why two people should marry? I mean who wants to go into a marriage that's going to last the rest of their life with someone they don't love? Or could never see themselves loving?" She said before she dropped his hand and stepped back. "We should probably go to our rooms and get ready for dinner," she told him knowing she'd just abruptly changed the subject and possibly ruined a moment, but Addy didn't want to pursue anything with Bash unless she was sure that's what he would want as well and of course, she felt like she needed to talk to Clarissa first as well. After all, Bash was her older brother, and Addy didn't want to go behind her best friends back with something like this. Everything with her mother did make Addy feel kind of bad, but it wasn't exactly her secret to go blabbing to anyone who would listen. Plus she didn't think it was that important.

(I'm so so sorry it took me so long to get back to this, it won't happen again!)

Clary shook her head softly, her brown curls falling in to her face as she did so and smiled at Robert. "No I'm fine honestly, it's just a little colder inGenovia, I'm not used to the heat" she told him kindly and let the fan drop to her side. She didn't want anybody to fuss over her. "I'm glad I can be honest.. I kind of have a tendency to speak before I think.. Its something I'm working on, so forgive me should I overstep my right, please tell me so if I do" she asked of him, stopping to look out the window once more. "Is that a Rose Garden?would you mind if we went outside and saw it quickly?" she asked him, excitement growing in her eyes.

She faltered slightly as he mentioned the first married getting to rule the kingdom., but not enough to alert him. It worried her slightly, as she intended for her groom to rule alongside her as king, one could not rule two countries at once. She chose not to make an issue of it just yet, after all it may not work out. "Do you find it tiresome? Keeping up all of these airs and graces?" she asked as they walked out in to the sun, her eyes kept trained closely on him. "because I do. I feel so often that I have to conceal my own personal habits so much that.. I forget exactly who I am for a little while, I know that must sound silly" she said with a soft laugh.

*****

Sebastian listened to her carefully, crossing his legs over each other. "I understand your reluctance, but perhaps you should tell her. You know how Clarisa hates secrets, and it would hurt her to hear it from any of the French court if they were to recognise you" he suggested gently. He felt embarrassed for having accused her of lying about her nobility moments before, even though he knew Addy was understanding, she always had been. It was one of her greatest features. Although in Bash's opinion, it was difficult to find a feature of Adelaide that wasn't great.

A smile lit up his face as she took his hand and he gave hers a gentle supporting squeeze in return. "I know where you're coming from, love is love after all, and in the words of Shakespeare, it conquers all. But to choose it over power is a difficult decision to make my lady, however still, perhaps the most noble decision of all is to choose it" he said with a soft laugh, knowing he had gone off on a tangent. He stood just as quickly as her when she suggested going to there rooms. He worried he had scared her with his minor soliloquy and smiled sheepishly as he gathered his things. "I would imagine to servants have brought yours upstairs, Ian not granted the pleasure. I will see you at dinner Ady" he told her warmly before head g for the stairs ahead of her.

@ Kol.

[ you’re fine girl! ]

“I understand, sometimes it’s hard to be a royal because it’s so easy to lose yourself. I find myself constantly acting one way in front of certain people and then then another with my brother when we’re alone. Because I don’t want to overstep with another royal family and offend anyone so it’s like I put on a mask to protect myself when I’m around them. But I can’t take the mask off for just anyone,” Robert told her knowing fully well what she meant. He was pretty sure they all felt that way at some point.

Robert nodded his head when she mentioned the rose garden. “Yes, it’s my mothers. She spends a lot of time there. She loves her roses,” he told her offering his arm again. “I’d be happy to accompany you to the rose garden,” he told her knowing his mother liked when other people could also appreciate the beauty in roses.

---

Addy tucked her hair behind her ear and sighed softly as she watched Bash walk away. She felt awful thinking about keeping things from her best friend, and maybe Bash had a point. Clary didn’t like secrets, neither of them did really, and even though her mother didn’t want people to know they were in France right now and anyone of the court could easily recognize her and let something slip, which could cause drama. She also knew that her friend deserved to know that Addy had been feelings things for Bash as of late that were more than just friendly.

Adelaide knew what saying something like that could mean for her. She knew what she could potentially be giving up by even admitting that she’d been feeling how she had, just like she knew someone would be disappointed in her. But it was her decision to make, and Addy would be damned before she let someone else make the choice of who she was going to marry for her. Addy truly didn’t want to marry simply for power because that sounded like the worst thing she could ever do to her life. This wasn’t how she’d expected her first hour in France to go. Addy eventually made it to her room where she worked on getting ready for dinner, and hopefully she’d have a chance to talk to Clarissa then.

Clary listened and nodded she wanted to tell homtsht he didn't need to wear that veil of elocution around her, and she would tell Arthur the same, however she knew that could be greatly overstepping boundaries. "Perhaps as we get to know each other, there won't be such a need for these masks" she told him with a kind smile before entering the rose garden. She took in all of the beutifil colours and patterns, a smile of awe on her face.

"Roses are one of my favourites, right next to lily's" she told him, gently leaning over to sniff the flowers. "When they were drawing my personal coat of arms, roses featured quite heavily. They are an exquisite symbol. Delicate but dangerous if handled incorrectly, a signifier of love and care but as red as the blood of an enemy" she commented absentmindedly as she continued to examine the flowers before looking at him blushing. "I'm sorry I rambling again, of course you wouldn't care about that" she said with a soft giggle, straightening up slightly as she walked back to him. "your mother has a great taste In flowers. Are you two close?" she asked, taking his arm once more as he lead her through the gardens and back indoors. She knew she needed to go and get ready soon.

****
Bash turned at the top of the stairs and glanced back at Addy once more, giving her a kind nod before disappearing far down the corridor to his room. He toughy she was one of the most beautiful and interesting women he had ever met, and it sad de Ed him that he knew he would never have a shot with her. He would never wish to reduce her mobility in society by being associated with him, no matter if she said she didn't care about those things. bash had been keeping his feelings for her buried deep under his procotious facade for quite some time now.

He also knew that Clarissa was unlikely to approve of it, she would want better for her friend, and also expect more of her first lady. Bash hated how his life was dictated to him by his 17 year old sister. He loved her dearly in the love hate way most siblings do, but his jealousy was deep seeded for everything she had been given and he was denied.

@ Kol.