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Originally Posted by Nella Fantasia
Ciara did have a point. The stability in her being Lord Arnau's blood relative was strong, especially considering her own successor was also of her own relations even if he wasn't her son. Plus, Jamie was young. He had years to develop a family, which could very well consist of many sons. The odds of them continuing on the bloodline was higher than the other two men.
After a moment of thought, Irelin had to nod her agreement. "Yes, you're probably right," She said. "I still believe me being a woman would put a stumbling block in the way because it's unfounded, but it doesn't mean it's impossible." She gave a half hearted shrug of her shoulders. "But it doesn't matter. Hypothetically speaking it might be better, except in reality I think it's a large leap to take." Pausing, she stared at Ciara silently. "As I assume you're not actually suggesting I grant a place among the candidates for the throne, right?" That was ridiculous! Her be queen? Ciara wouldn't really consider that an option.
Actually, that's exactly what Ciara was suggesting. And she was glad that Irelin had caught on. However...there was no way she could say that. She needed to keep her real intentions hidden, act like she had just stumbled across this idea. So, instead of saying yes or no, Ciara remained neutral. "Well, it's certainly something to think about. This opportunity to change Rhytium, to stabalize it's rule, will never come again, and the Council is bound to make a decision soon." She smiled, giving Irelin a nod. "And for what it's worth, I do believe you would make a fine leader for Rhytium. Even if the Council doesn't see that at first, they would eventually, if given the chance to seriously consider you."
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So Ciara was considering it! Irelin stared at the older woman, brow furrowed. But the idea was absolute ludicrous! Why, Irelin? Because she was Irelin Siledur, simple Governess to Brynne, widow of Colonel Darius. It's a title she'd held for many years of her life, and before she was even granted that title, she'd always known it would eventually be hers. But to be queen? That had never been in her life plans! At all! From the time she was born, she was to be Governess. And that's exactly what happened. Why should she mess it all up, and take a different path in life?
Courses do change. Yes. Yes, they do, as she'd seen that numerous times in her own life. However, that didn't mean anything else had to change. She was always to be Governess, and that was fine. If she were to be Queen, she'd change the entire tradition of Floresco. There was just too many things at stake for her to be ruler.
"Well, I think it sounds a little silly," Irelin said. "Better or not, no woman has taken the throne aside from a wife or daughter to the King. A man has always led, in the home and in the country, and that's how it should probably be kept."
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Ciara was disappointed in Irelin's answer. She wasn't even going to consider it? At all? Ciara wanted nothing more than to continue to argue her point, but she knew that now was not the time. The cloaked man had given her three days. Better to let Irelin stew on the suggestion for a day or so and then see how she felt about it. At least the seed was planted.
She couldn't resist, however, saying one last thing. "I suppose." She began, seeming to agree with Irelin at first. "It's just my opinion, of course, but I think it's about time Rhytium had a stable ruler and established line." She nodded once, smoothing her hands over her thighs and then folding them again. "We'll just have to hope that whoever the Council picks will be able to provide that eventually, even if they don't seem to be now."
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Jamie had remained silent as he usually did throughout the Governess and Madame Vassar's talk, but just because he didn't voice his opinion didn't mean he didn't have them. Honestly though, the only thing he kept thinking about when contemplating the Governess as Queen was wondering what that meant for him. Madame Vassar had made it clear she would already have a successor, him, which meant...he would be the one to take over once she passed? But this time it wouldn't be a small town; it would be an entire country!
For a moment that thought overwhelmed him. He'd only become used to the idea of being Governor! But of being King? He couldn't even imagine! From the looks of it, the Governess was having trouble imagining it as well, insisting that it sounded "a little silly". Silly he wasn't quite sure of. Strange? Yes. But if it's what she wanted...
He eyed her carefully, waiting for her response to Madame Vassar. But the Governess simply stared at her for a long time before nodding, "Yes, of course." That seemed to be the end of that. Her eyes flickered to him, and she smiled. "Speaking of important decisions, what have you been learning about in politics, Jamie?" Yes. That was the end of it. For now.
~*~
Palace in Glahndur: Later that Evening
Ianthe sat in her room at the table, watching Carlos eat while in deep thought. It hadn't been more than a few days ago when she realized her son's birthday had already past, having been sometime at the end of Sibtimbur. He was thirteen now. Thirteen. The reason she'd figured this out? Was because of the tiny dark stubble forming on the corners of his lip where a mustache was ever so slowly sprouting. She'd thought it was odd that he was hitting puberty so early...until she realized he wasn't as young as she thought. The other significant difference was the change in his voice. She'd caught him squeaking a couple times, though he'd been able to promptly cover it up. Wow. Here he was, becoming a man, and she was just now giving birth to another one. She was way too old to be a new mother again.
After Carlos stuffed his face with a few more full forkfuls of rice, barely giving him enough time to swallow the first, he caught her staring at him and paused. Then he lowered the fork and furrowed his brow. "What?" He asked, the word coming out in no more than a mumble with his mouth crammed with food.
Ianthe blinked. "Nothing," She said. Lord, he was eating like her! A growing boy and a pregnant woman. It was like a race to see who could eat the most.
Carlos didn't look too convinced. His eyes flickered briefly to Hajari, also at the table, then went back to her as he wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist. During that time of silence, she noticed his gaze dart to her abdomen and she felt a little self-conscious. She knew her stomach was beginning to show, especially when she sat. And she hated how people tended to look at it even when they didn't mean to.
But surprisingly, instead of addressing her about it, Carlos turned his attention to Hajari. "So, you guys really got married because you knocked her up?" Ianthe hesitated, caught off guard herself. What did he just say? Carlos shook his head, continuing, "What did you do that for? I mean, I'm not that old yet and even I know how to prevent that kind of stuff." Lifting his fork, he began wagging it in Hajari's direction like an adult scolding a child, his brow furrowed, and his free hand on his hip. "Weren't you ever taught better?"
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Eating a meal with Ianthe and Carlos was definitely different. While it amused Hajari to watch mother and son interact, they actually rarely did at the dinner table. Most of the time the only sounds in the room were forks scraping plates, water being sipped from goblets, and food being chewed. And tonight? Started out no different. The only words that had passed between mother and son were "what" and "nothing". Hajari didn't care too much, though. He wasn't one for making small talk, content just to eat his food.
That was until Carlos decided to open his mouth and address, not Ianthe...but Hajari. "So, you guys really got married because you knocked her up?" Hajari blinked, freezing with his fork halfway to his mouth. The hell? He hadn't just said what Hajari thought he'd said! "What did you do that for? I mean, I'm not that old yet and even I know how to prevent that kind of stuff." He had! And he'd expanded on it! Hajari frowned deeply, unable to take his eye off the boy. Where in the holy hell did that come from!? But Carlos wasn't done. He lifted his fork and then shook it at Hajari, scolding him. "Weren't you ever taught better?"
Scolding him! Hajari couldn't believe it! There were so many things wrong with what Carlos had just said that Hajari didn't even know where to begin! His mind spinning, he lowered his fork to his plate, staring at Carlos for a moment. Where did a thirteen-year-old boy come off giving Hajari a lecture on contraception!? First off, it was none of Carlos' business what Hajari and Ianthe did behind closed doors! And second, Hajari hadn't exactly been thinking about contraception when he'd had Ianthe tackling him in his room, ripping at his tunic and urgently admitting her desire.
Hajari glanced at Ianthe and then returned his gaze to Carlos, narrowing his eye. "Until you've been in that kind of situation and actually know a little of what you're talking about..." He gave a jerk of his head upward, raising one eyebrow. "...mind your own damn business." He growled. He'd challenge any man to stop and consider different methods of preventing pregnancy at a time like that! Damn near impossible. He looked down at Carlos' plate, pointing his own fork in that direction, though his still had a piece of chicken on it that he'd been about to eat. "And eat your vegetables." He added for good measure, stuffing the chicken in his mouth grumpily. Nosey kid.
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Ianthe couldn't take her eyes off Hajari. What in the world would he say to that? He'd just been scolded by a thirteen year old boy for getting her pregnant! Honestly, she didn't know whether to laugh or die of shock. Probably the former, depending on how Hajari responded. From the looks of it though, he wasn't happy. And that? Only made her want to laugh more. Yeah, I guess we should have used some sort of protection. Figures her thirteen year old son would be the one to point that out to her...a little too late, too.
Hajari reacted in much the same way Ianthe figured he would; with his normal demanding, tough self. Even commanding Carlos at the end to eat his vegetables. Ianthe raised an eyebrow. What was that? A way to divert the conversation? Her eyes went to the kid as she slowly scooped up some of her own veggies and lifted them to her mouth. He didn't seem to be deterred in the least, smiling a little. And as she assumed he would, he didn't even pay a bit of attention to his vegetables.
"I don't like them," Carlos announced, but quickly went on as though they hadn't suddenly switched conversations. Only this time he looked a little more thoughtful, tilting his head to the side. "Since it's out there for the whole world to know, don't you think it's anyone's business? Should I not ask at all about the baby? I don't think you can really hide it."
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Apparently the boy didn't know how to let subjects drop, even when it had been made perfectly clear that the subject wasn't to be spoken of. Only now? He was turning it around and making it look like Hajari told him he couldn't even talk about the baby! That wasn't what Hajari had said! He just didn't want Carlos making assumptions about Hajari's sex life with Ianthe when the kid was only thirteen and didn't know what the hell he was talking about! He even had the nerve to give a small smile!
Hajari's frown deepened as he swallowed his bite of chicken, glancing over at Ianthe. She didn't look like she was going to say anything. Not that he really expected her to. Carlos was addressing him, not her. He returned his gaze to Carlos, reaching for his glass of water. He shrugged. "Ask about the baby all you want." He took a gulp of water and set down the glass. "Just keep your comments about how this baby was created..." He nodded to Carlos sharply. "...to yourself." He didn't need a lecture from a pubescent boy.
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Carlos shrugged at Hajari's response, and went to pushing around some peas on his plate. "It's pretty disgusting anyway," He muttered. Ianthe didn't know if he was referring to the pregnancy or them having sex, but she supposed to a thirteen year old boy it didn't matter. They were both equally disturbing.
She took a bite of chicken as everything went silent, and Carlos went back to eating his food. But the quiet didn't last very long. Only for a few minutes, and then Carlos was looking at her again. "When am I going home?"
Hesitating, Ianthe felt her stomach drop. Actually she had no idea. She still wasn't quite sure what to do with Carlos, whether to keep him with her or not. But no matter what, he needed to be told something soon because in a couple months she was leaving for Glarthir. That meant he either had to go with her or she needed to send him back to Floresco.
She inhaled a deep breath and dropped her fork, losing her appetite. "I don't know," She said. Pathetic.
As she figured, it didn't hold well with him. "Why not?" He asked with a frown.
"Because it's not safe."
But he didn't seem to be believing that excuse anymore. His brown eyes bore into hers as though trying to assess everything, only to come to the realization that she'd been lying to him. "You didn't send the letter to my father, did you?" Before she could respond, his voice rose and he slammed his fist onto the table. "What's going on?!"
Ianthe frowned. "Don't-"
"I'm not stupid!" Carlos interrupted, looking from her to Hajari. "I may be young, but I'm not stupid! What the hell am I doing here?!" His eyes darted back to her. "And don't tell me it's for my own safety! I know it's not! So who are you guys, why did you rescue me, and why am I not going home?"
Ianthe's heart was beginning to beat wildly as she stared at him, the silence settling over the room heavily. She couldn't go on lying to him. He was right; he wasn't a silly little kid. But how? How could she tell him? The way she always did - bluntly. She glanced at Hajari, as though that would help, and averted her attention back to Carlos. "My name is Isolde Gondien," She began quietly, her pulse racing. "About sixteen years ago I met Briscoe Auvrea, we married, and a couple years later I became pregnant with twin boys." Immediate confusion plastered itself all over Carlos' face, but she continued anyway. "Caleb and Carlos."
The boy shook his head. "No, you're lying."
"I rescued you-"
"You're lying!"
"Listen!" Ianthe shouted, shutting him up. Quietly she went on, "I rescued you and have kept you with me because you're my son, and I'm your mother."
It didn't take long for Carlos' reaction to surface. While he looked stunned, he was not at a loss for words. "You can't be serious!" His eyes flickered briefly to Hajari then back to her. "After all this time..." Violently he shook his head and stood abruptly. "Why? Why should I believe you?" Before she had the chance to answer though, he backed up towards the door. "No, forget it. It doesn't matter. No matter what, you'll never be my mother." And with that he rushed out the door.
Ianthe watched helplessly, not bothering to call after him. What good would it do? He was confused, angry, and probably hurt. And he had every right to be. She'd abandoned him years ago, only to come back into his life by practically kidnapping him, and lying to him about it. God, you can't do anything right. With a heavy sigh, she leaned forward over the table and buried her face in her hands. Why could she do now?
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Hajari knew as soon as Carlos got demanding about wanting to know why he couldn't go home, that Ianthe was going to have to tell him. She'd been putting it off, and Hajari understood why. But it was time. The boy was right, he wasn't stupid. He deserved to know the truth.
And apparently? Ianthe thought so too. Hajari kept his eye on Carlos as Ianthe finally revealed the truth, studying his reaction. It was pretty much what Hajari had expected him to do. He looked shocked first, and confused. Then he reacted with disbelief, claiming she was lying and not letting her talk. Ianthe, of course, didn't stand for that, shouting him down until he listened. Though, even when he did, he still didn't believe her. And Hajari couldn't really blame him. The poor kid had never known his mother, or anything about her really, and now he had basically been kidnapped by her.
Then, before anyone could say anything else to him, he began backing up towards the door. "No, forget it. It doesn't matter." Hajari frowned. It didn't? Here he was all upset and calling her a liar, and now he said it didn't matter? "No matter what, you'll never be my mother." Ah. Now he understood. Instead of dealing with the situation, Carlos simply chose to disregard it, pretending he didn't care. He did. Hajari knew he did, otherwise he wouldn't be so upset. Hajari watched as Carlos then turned and practically ran from the room.
Hajari's gaze shifted to Ianthe as she rested her elbows on the table and covered her face with her hands. Well...that went well. He really hadn't expected the boy to rush to Ianthe with open arms and tell her how much he'd always wanted to meet her. That wasn't realistic. But he still couldn't help but feel badly for Ianthe. No matter what had happened, she loved her son. That was something Hajari had known since he first learned she was willing to sell her soul to the Dark One for Carlos and Caleb. She may not know how to relate to Carlos or how to be a parent to him all of a sudden, but she did love him.
He was silent for a moment, taking a sip of his water and letting the dust settle. Then, in a low voice, "Just let him get used to the idea." He said, nodding once. "It's a lot for a kid to take in." A lot for anyone to take in. "Once he's calmed down, I'd be willing to bet his curiosity takes over." That was something he'd seen with Carlos straight off...he was entirely too curious about everything. Granted, some of his questions to Ianthe would probably be difficult to answer, and he'd be asking them with anger and hurt. But he'd at least be willing to talk to her. It would just take a little time first.
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When you ask her her name.
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