Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2016 20:17:07 GMT -5
The meeting with Princess Mariette, Prince Emile and the Lord Marshal, along with the other delegates from throughout Vasle was set for late that morning, leaving Anneliese cold to her marrow and almost sick to her stomach. She could no longer hide the truth about her brother from anyone, least of all the royalty of the land. Telling her father had nearly killed him, resulting in his decision to send her while he lapsed into a deep mourning. She dreaded telling Alaric now, but he deserved to hear before anyone else.
She'd had little sleep the night before, worrying over how best to break the news to her cousin. Out of courtesy to him and his own need for slumber, she'd resisted pacing; there was no concealing the odd step-tap-step that marked her gait. Alaric would have heard and demanded answers before she was ready; her cousin was far too perceptive at times for her peace of mind. Anne hated concealing the news that Gabriel was most certainly dead now from him, yet there had been reasons behind it.
In the darkest hours before dawn, she'd stopped pretending to sleep, instead rising and washing before putting on a warm, plain dress. Before the meeting, she'd change into something more appropriate, but this was family. Anne wanted to look like herself when speaking of family matters with Alaric. For a change, her hair was left down, framing her pale face as she seated herself in the sitting room that separated their sleeping rooms, waiting until Alaric awakened to face the day.
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@alaricvann