Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2014 20:36:17 GMT -5
This was one of the opportunities of which her father had spoken some days ago in Desrochers, a time when she could travel to experience life outside of their home mountains and see how other people lived to determine what interested her. Annaliese was privately excited with the journey and their arrival in the (to her) exotic locale of Vanderhall in the heart of Vasile, though she concealed it behind a composed, serene mask as she trailed the Princesses and her father into the castle's Great Hall to receive the Duke's welcome.
A frankly envious gaze took in the gowns worn by the Princesses, woefully aware that her gown was nowhere near to theirs in terms of beauty or style, but she had done her best to look appropriate. Wearing one of her better gowns, a warm rose colored linen embroidered with red rosebuds and green leaves, she braided and coiled her hair in a somewhat artful imitation of Princess Antoinette's coiffure. Standing demurely beside her father, Annaliese observed the interaction with obvious interest, keeping Atalie's hand firmly in hers to ensure that the little brunette behaved appropriately. Ariel was better off under their father's watchful eye.
Feeling a tug at her sleeve, she looked down to see the questions forming on her young sister's face. Atalie's first word had been 'why?', and some few years later, that hadn't changed. Knowing if Atalie started, she wouldn't stop, Annaliese held her finger to her lips in a silencing motion, then whispered, "I promise, I will explain everything in a little bit. Just watch, Atalie." Straightening, she smiled once more, taking in each Romanov's face. They were distant family, Annaliese remembered. It would be good to finally meet them, so different from the Delacroixs.
Suddenly, she was very glad she'd agreed to this. The experience would hopefully be the first of many.