Post by Annemarie Gardiner on Jul 26, 2017 10:56:18 GMT -5
Once she'd finished the discussion with Reed that - in her mind - essentially destroyed her happiness, Annemarie retreated to the palace in order to throw herself into her work as a means of distraction to calm herself. Aware that at the moment, she was not fit company for anyone, least of all the impeccable Princes Royal, she took the time to lock herself into her workroom, inadvertently progressing late into the night until she fell asleep at her desk. The warmth and darkness of the stillroom, coupled with the chamomile she was using, contributed greatly to that state.
Awakening with a start, she realized she'd used one of her herbals as a pillow and grimaced, feeling the soreness in her body from sleeping in an unnatural position. Standing, Annemarie carefully stretched and extinguished the candles, emerging from the stillroom to note the early hour. The sun had not yet risen, yet color stained the eastern horizon, promising a beautiful panorama for those awake to view it. The thought of it made her smile as she retreated to her chamber, where she donned fresh clothing rather than seek her bed, aware that there was another prone to rising just as early as she.
An hour's time brought her to the Gardiner manor in Bordelaix, accompanied by one of the guard. It was made abundantly clear to Annemarie that she did not venture forth alone and unescorted as a member of the Royal Household, a command she did not seek to disobey. It was easy enough to request one of the guardsmen join her, after all.
Upon reaching her cousin's home, she did not dismount and approach the front door, but rather rode towards the rear of the manor and the courtyard. There, she felt confident, she would find her cousin Rowan and the advice she intended to seek from him in various family matters.
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Rowan Gardiner