[Venora] Between the Roses

[Velaine Krome]

Between the Roses

47th of Zi’da, Arc 717

Bellesoir was an exquisitely charming barony. Everywhere she turned, a colorful range of flowers always greeted her. On the fields, in small pots at the front of each house. Florists lined the streets, from simple shops to children carrying basket filled with wreathed flowers. The place was a pretty sight… like everything else related to the Venora. It was throwing her off.

Saints, she was already missing the tranquil forests of home.

Velaine supposed she shouldn’t be picky. The charity gala had given her an excuse to leave Krome for a few trials and, if her betrothed agreed to it, for the rest of the season. That would give her more than enough time to gather her thoughts and come up with a solid plan. And not get killed. Perhaps next time, she would learn not to be so eager in trying to solve her family’s problems – especially ones that were outside her area of expertise. Either that or she desperately to broaden her area of expertise.

As she walked through the rose garden of Novtreve, the young woman tried to imagine what it would be like growing up in such a dainty environment. Little girls would be in love with idea no doubt. Most of the Venoran lands always looked like something plucked right out of a fairy tale. Novtreve was easily a proof of that, with its twisting spires and colorful gardens and fancy fountains. Everything was in order, symmetrical.

The complete opposite to Krome’s untamed land.

Slowly, the young woman could not help noticing the discreet glances shot her way by the other occupants of the garden, be it gardeners or other nobles. Velaine couldn’t blame them. She must have been a stark figure, a lone woman dressed in such a somber color of black when her surroundings bloomed with cheery colors. Or they might simply have some obscure gossips about her. If that was the case, the Krome would need to learn of it soon.

There. A young woman with long brown hair and swelled stomach. Even before her feet brought her closer, Velaine easily recognized the figure. She was family, after all. With her delicate features, the Andaris fit into this scenery quite well. What a perfect timing.

Velaine considered being formal and using her appropriate title, but she discarded the idea. She still remembered that first meeting when the baroness had assured her that they were becoming a family. With a bright smile, the Krome greeted her sister-in-law, “Celeste, it has been a while, hasn’t it?”

[Celeste Andaris]

Velaine Krome. Xander's sister and now first in line to Krome. Celeste stood from where she had been sitting, looking at the winter blooms and her face showed her genuine pleasure at seeing her sister-in-law. "Velaine. How lovely to see you." As the two women drew closer together and Celeste stood, it became obvious that she was no longer a little bit pregnant, if such a thing existed. No, Celeste Andaris was very pregnant. The dress she wore was beautiful, exquisitely made and as flattering as it was possible to be, but the swell of Celeste's stomach made it look like either she was about to give birth, was past her date or might be growing more than one person in there. Yet still, Celeste's pale face and delicate features somehow suited pregnancy, although beneath the expertly applied make up, she looked tired.

"How are you?" Celeste asked and put a hand on Velaine's arm. "I'm afraid I got rather fat. Join me?" She'd been sitting at a small table, very pretty and shaded from the cold winds. Sitting down, she said nothing for a moment, then spoke in an almost wistful tone. "Before I knew your brother, I was engaged to Alistair Venora. I sat in a garden very like this thinking that I simply didn't know if I could live surrounded by so much... " She gestured at the garden, at the place. ".. beauty, I suppose. I don't know. I understand congratulations are in order. I'm sorry I haven't been able to meet him yet." She looked at Velaine, trying to judge how Xander's sister felt about the engagement.

"Honestly, I'm just so tired all the time. Xander didn't think I should come tonight, and maybe he was right, but I wanted to support him." Her expression softened at the thought of her husband. He was protective, frustrating, wonderful and annoying all in equal measure. "The doctor thinks I'm likely to be having more than one. I can only agree, in truth." She smiled at Velaine and added. "I'm due next season. I would very much like it if my child, or children, met their Aunt early on. Perhaps you and your betrothed could call by after the birth?"

How was Velaine feeling about that, Celeste wondered. She herself had indeed once sat in a garden like this, wondering how she could possibly be wife to a man who had no interest in her, or any woman come to that. Yet, here she was in an actual marriage to a man she actually loved. It did happen, somehow and sometimes. "I would like to meet this man who is going to be my brother in law. Tell me about him?" What Velaine chose to say here, Celeste thought, would be telling both in terms of what she said and, of course, in what she didn't.

[Velaine Krome]

“I would love to,” Velaine replied to the Andaris’s invitation, sitting down on the chair next to the pregnant woman. There was no doubting that Celeste was probably nearing her birthing trial. Much to her surprise, she began talking about her previous engagement.

Alistair Venora… Velaine had heard of him, of course. Everyone was talking about him a few seasons ago. He had went to trial against his own family and slandered Venorans’ reputation. Not to mention they say he was an astoundingly powerful mage. Now, the man had disappeared and seemingly disowned by his family. It seemed like the fates were kind to Celeste, taking her away from the man and having her meet Xander instead. While marriages are forever in Rynmere, betrothals were easily made and dissolved – something she needed to keep in mind.

The young Krome decided to respond to the baroness’s congratulations. It was something she had repeated a dozen times before. “Thank you, Celeste. I am sure you’ll see him in the gala. Nathaniel will be awfully hard to miss.”

“The doctor thinks I'm likely to be having more than one. I can only agree, in truth. I'm due next season. I would very much like it if my child, or children, met their Aunt early on. Perhaps you and your betrothed could call by after the birth?”

“Twins?” she replied, the delight showing on her face. While the Krome couldn’t imagine having a child herself, she was quite pleased for her sister-in-law. “That sounds wonderful.” Velaine had always found twin babies rather adorable to see. Though, she imagined that taking care of two babies for such a young couple like Xander and Celeste wouldn’t be so easy – it’s double the trouble, after all. “Of course! I should imagine you might need some backup should you indeed have twins.”

Unsurprisingly, Celeste soon started asking about her betrothed. It was only reasonable that members of her family was curious about the new addition to their fold, especially someone as shrewd as the Andaris.

“As far as arranged marriages go, I suppose I should be grateful that I ended up with Nathaniel. He can seem a bit stoic and intimidating at times – but that might just be because I am a little self-conscious with the fact that I am much younger than him. But surprisingly, we got along quite nicely,” Velaine answered with a small shrug of her shoulders – although she made sure there was an easy smile on her face. Don’t want people thinking she was unhappy with the betrothal – because surprisingly she wasn’t. The Krome was nervous and anxious, but not unhappy. “Though admittedly we have only interacted with each other for a few trials and I doubt that’s enough to judge what sort of man he is.”

The two occasions she and Nathaniel spent in private had been intense and their attraction to one another was obvious enough. Physical attraction, at least. Especially after that whole debacle in her study. Nonetheless, Velaine couldn't tell if that’s all there was or something more had been simmering underneath. There wasn’t much she could do really besides waiting to see where their relationship might go.

“I should hope that I am as fortunate as you and Xander. That this betrothal will serve to bring more joy into my life,” Velaine mused, letting some wistfulness seep into her words. Portraying the hopeful young woman seemed fitting. She wasn’t sure what else she could say to Celeste without revealing too much, so she turned the questions to her. “What did you think of Xander when you two first met? Did you get along quickly? I hope I am not prying too much.” Velaine was honestly curious about it, eager to compare Celeste’s experience with her own.

[Celeste Andaris]

Velaine seemed genuinely delighted at the prospect of twins and Celeste smiled at her. "I'm told they are fairly sure. I have to admit, the size I am, I'm rather relieved to hear it." She maintained her positive expression, but Celeste was more than a little terrified at the prospect of actually giving birth. It sounded exactly like the sort of thing she really was not going to enjoy, but there it was.

Talk turned to Velaine's betrothal and Celeste watched her as she answered. Both what her sister in law said, and what she did not. He was stoic and intimidating? Stoic was one thing, not something which bothered Celeste, but intimidating? Especially when Velaine revealed that she had only met him a few times. If her sister in law was feeling intimidated now, Celeste imagined that Xander might be challenging the Endor chap to a dual or just punching him with the season of Cylus.

Velaine then turned the questions to Celeste and Xander and the young Andaris looked at Xander's sister and considered. Truth was the only available option, really, since they were family and Velaine deserved nothing less. "My father told me that I was visiting your family to pave the way for a trade agreement," she said. Looking at Velaine, Celeste's deep brown eyes were a careful study in calm and controlled. "I had no idea that I was already engaged to Xander. It was only when I was sitting there, and your mother and father started talking about the wedding that I realised." She had been mortified, furious, all sorts of emotions and not a one of them positive. "Xander recognised it, and suggested we go for a walk." It had been a good thing for him to do, she knew that.

Celeste looked into the distance for a moment and then turned back to Velaine. "I didn't want to get married and I determined then and there that, if I had to, then I would make him need me like no man has ever needed a woman." She gave a slightly ironic tilt of her head as she spoke. "That he would fall in love with me and, thus, I would be in control. It was all I had and, honestly, I hated the idea of marrying him. Or anyone. Although he was always kind, always considerate." She shrugged slightly and gestured. "That is what is open to us, often. I had no intention of being a trophy wife, while my husband ran the house and flaunted his mistresses." That had been her parents and, she believed, Velaine's too, although she did not admit either. "So, I determined that I would make it work on my terms."

With a slight sigh and a genuine smile, Celeste added, "I did not plan to fall in love. It is most inconvenient." She looked at Velaine, then, concern in her expression. "I do not like the word intimidating. If he harms you, Xander will react in a very.. well, you know Xander as I do. But there are other ways, also." Women's ways, not men-folks. "Are you concerned?"

[Velaine Krome]

It turned out that Celeste had been as surprised at her betrothal as Velaine had been at her own. It seemed like more than a few noble parents would scheme to determine their children’s future without their consent. The Krome had at least been somewhat more fortunate since she was already prepared to sell her hand in marriage to make sure her family did not go broke. She merely did not expect the Endors to swoop in so quickly.

“That’s… really smart actually,” Velaine admitted, unable to stop her admiration for the Andaris to grow once she finished her story. She couldn’t blame Celeste for wanting to use Xander in the face of an unwanted betrothal. Perhaps a more decent sister would have been a bit more upset at the idea. “Though I am very glad that you changed your mind about my brother.”

There was no doubt in the Krome’s mind that this woman was quite the shrewd politican. More so than her brother. More so than her. Her soft features and pregnant belly could not hide the mind behind it. Velaine couldn’t decide if she should be wary or glad that Celeste was a part of her family. A bit of both, probably. She kept the baroness’s story neatly tucked in her head. Perhaps she could even try to adopt the Andaris’s ideas. Frankly, Velaine also agreed with the baroness’s sentiment – that falling in love would be an inconvenience.

“I do not like the word intimidating. If he harms you, Xander will react in a very.. well, you know Xander as I do. But there are other ways, also. Are you concerned?”

She shook her head at the baroness’s concern. “No, not at all.” Despite her light tone, Velaine’s mind went to their most intense encounters. The first time, Nathaniel had practically stabbed his spear next to her head when his anger had flared. During the second one, he had pinned her onto her own desk. He had backed down when the Krome stood her ground both times. Velaine personally didn’t feel like her life was at risk during either of them, but she knew anyone else who heard the tale would probably think otherwise.

“I think I can handle him.” She let only the slightest uncertainty slip into her voice, wanting to have the option of asking for help to Xander or Celeste should the need arises. She barely knew the Endor after all.

[Celeste Andaris]

What she said was smart? Maybe it was, Celeste wasn't sure, to be frank. It was good in theory, she knew, but in practice she had failed rather dismally and Xander Krome had more power over her than she would ever have wanted. There was no judgement of Velaine in her appreciation of it as a tactic - Xander had been as much a victim of the arranged marriage as she had and not wanted anything personal between them either. How things had changed between the two of them and Celeste was both thankful for him and concerned at how vulnerable she was to him. She smiled at Velaine when she said she was glad that Celeste's opinion of Xander had changed. "So am I, speaking as his wife and the mother of his child or children." Did she say the next bit, she wondered, and then decided that actually, as Xander's wife, and thus Velaine's sister by law, she should. "Speaking as an ambitious woman, though? It would have been far better had he fallen in love and I, not." Glancing around she gestured in the general direction of the gala.

"I was raised to Baroness before we were married. At that point, my father wanted me to call off he engagement," Celeste remembered it clearly and she knew that it had been public knowledge at the time. It was one of the reasons that Velaine and Xander's father had attempted to force himself on her, after all. She pushed that memory away and shrugged slightly. "It would have been more appropriate for me to marry a Baron, or someone first in line." Andraska Venora had been the one her father thought, rumours of a relationship between her and Andraska had even appeared in the Gazette. "Politically, it made sense. But I refused." As Baroness, after all, she could do that. That part of the story she told so that Velaine would realise that she was the first in line, higher ranking among the two of them even before they were wed. And yet? "Yet they still come to Xander first to find out what House Andaris will do, what House Andaris thinks. To make allegiances with House Andaris. Most of them."

She gave a slightly cynical smile and added, "my advice, if I might give it to you my sister, is to keep your name. As soon as you are married, it will become more difficult to be taken seriously in your own right. Make him a Krome." The cynical expression turned almost whimsical and Celeste chuckled slightly. "Bend him to your womanly wiles, make him addicted to you and keep your name. Then, enjoy a hearty breakfast and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Such little suggestions."

Velaine's tone of uncertainty was not lost on Celeste. She looked at her and nodded. "You have family you can rely on. If you are in any doubt, I would suggest strongly considering which house name you take." With a slight raise of an eyebrow, she considered. "Loyal servants are a blessing, and they are used to the standards of behaviour of the house they serve." When she had gone to Krome, Celeste had found out a lot about Xander from speaking to the servants and, come to that, it was a guard who was loyal to Xander who had pulled Jersey Krome off Celeste as she screamed and fought him.

A smile lifted Celeste's lips, her expression teasing. "But here I sit, twenty one arcs old and giving advice like an old grandmother. You will manage your relationships, I have no doubt." And if he laid a hand on her, Celeste had no doubt, Xander would kill him. Glancing back at the gala, she sighed. "I should get back. Your brother will be fussing as to where I have got to." If she and Nathanial came to see them after the baby or babies were born, Celeste said with a wicked gleam in her eyes, maybe Velaine would take the time to sit together and share stories of Xander Krome which might be used as ammunition. She was teasing entirely, but equally it was a statement. As women, especially women of noble houses who were thrown together in to the political landscape, they had to tread carefully. But an alliance, even a friendship? That would be good for them both, Celeste thought and so, the offer lay unspoken between them.

[Velaine Krome]

Velaine hadn’t expected anything but to be mere acquaintaces with her brother’s wife. She never knew her, after all, and all their interactions had been brief and bound by the etiquettes of their society. But as Celeste spoke about being an ambitious woman, the female Krome found herself relating to the Andaris – perhaps more than she did her own brother. There was something about the blatant truth of the baroness’s words that made it a bit easier to trust her. She had indeed planned to use her charm to control Xander and did not hesitate to admit it.

“Yet they still come to Xander first to find out what House Andaris will do, what House Andaris thinks. To make allegiances with House Andaris. Most of them.”

The young woman nodded tersely. It was one of the reasons why she had been so opposed to marriage, especially to a stranger. “I know. It is rather unfortunate really, how our world works.” Most would seek out men for leadership first, no matter the situation. She could see it. Once she was married to Nathaniel, he would become Baron Krome and perhaps even Duke Krome one trial. The people… well, she rarely heard anyone looking for the Duchess to report the state of their lands or layout their problems. Perhaps it wouldn’t even take long for them to forget that she was the one possessing the blood of the wolf and not her Endor husband.

A rather vexing thought.

It seemed like Celeste had a solution for that. “Bend him to your womanly wiles, make him addicted to you and keep your name. Then, enjoy a hearty breakfast and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Such little suggestions.”

A smile tugged at her lips as Velaine nodded at Celeste’s advice. Sometimes it was easy to forget the ruthless edge of this pregnant young woman. Behind the soft features was a wicked mind. “I’ll try my best.” It was not a terrible advice. Nathaniel had shown himself as a good man so far, but she could tell he was the dominating sort. Velaine would have to think of a way to bend him to her will.

Tapping her fingers on the table, the Krome nodded as her thoughts bloomed with ideas at the Andaris’s comment about the servants. “An interesting idea. Perhaps I might actually have the chance to do so, considering I might be heading for Endor at the end of the gala.” It wasn’t a definite thing – she hadn’t even told Nathaniel that she wanted to go there. But something told her that he would not refuse her.

Velaine laughed lightly. “I doubt that’s and advice a grandmother would have given.” She particularly like how this conversation was probably inappropriate if overheard by anyone else. “He always fusses, even when it’s for nothing. Let me help you get back.”

[Tristan Venora]

Name: Celeste

Knowledge: N/A

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: N/A
Magic XP: N/A

Points: 15

---

Name: Velaine

Knowledge:
Politics: Love Complicates Arranged Marriages
Politics: People Look Up to the Men
Politics: Being A Noblewoman is Tricky
Politics: Don't Say Your Betrothed Is Intimidating
Politics: Family as Back Up
Politics: Servants Can Be A Source of Information
Deception: Making Men Fall For You to Control Them
Deception: Showing Vulnerability
Deception: Choose Your Words Carefully

Celeste Andaris: Very Pregnant
Celeste Andaris: May Birth Twins
Celeste Andaris: Was Engaged to Alistair Venora
Celeste Andaris: Shrewd Politician
Celeste Andaris: Curious about Your Betrothed

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Fame: N/A
Magic XP: N/A

Points: 15

- - -

Comments: Velaine’s reaction to Bellesoir amused me. I never thought that I would see a PC who didn’t love Venora. And neither did I expect Celeste to ever admit that she got fat. She always seems so proud to me. It’s great that Velaine and Celeste are so happy with their arranged marriages, by the way. I hope that Nathaniel will be able to accept that Velaine’s a mage, and that it will all work out. Hopefully Celeste’s advice will help, too!

Both of you, please make sure to eventually update your ledger with your most recent wages!