[Astedia] Sisters To Be

[Velaine Krome]

Sisters To Be

1st Trial of Saun, Arc 717

Earlier in the morning, an unfamiliar servant had knocked on her door and introduced herself nervously. Apparently, Sophia Krome had picked a dress for her daughter and want her ready as soon as possible. Velaine had little choice in the matter it seemed, for more servants had barged into the room to draw her a bath, laying out a gown, and whatnots. Her first instinct was telling them to get out, but that would not do. The Velaine her mother knew would be thrilled to see her new garment.

The young woman finally opted to just let the servants do whatever they were told to – she was sure mother had a detailed description about how she wanted her to look. Sure enough, all Velaine needed to do was sit in silence as hands worked to curl her hair and paint her face.

When they were done, Velaine couldn’t help but feel oddly out-of-place. Her balance was off thanks to her heeled shoes – it had been a while since she wore something so impractical. She was clad in a startlingly red dress with a flowy skirt, the fabric deigned to hug her torso. It was not something she would have chosen for herself, but at least her mother had the sense not to make her wear something revealing on her brother’s wedding.

It was still too early for the ceremony and it seemed silly for her to just sit around and wait. The Krome strode out her room instead, trying to get used to walking around without obviously stumbling. Perhaps she should find her brother? Of course, she wasn’t entirely sure what else to say to him – their conversation from last trial had left her with mixed feelings.

Velaine spent at least half a break wondering around aimlessly, watching the servants dart back and forth with preparation for the ceremony. It was only when she had half the mind to return to her room that an idea occurred to her. After her arrival yesterday, she had spent the entire trial resting away the fatigue of her long journey. She had not even gotten the chance to meet Xander’s bride. She would be lying to say she wasn’t curious. Velaine could not quite picture the woman who had actually changed her brother’s mind and actually made him wanted to marry.

Finding Celeste’s room wasn’t at all difficult. All she needed to do was ask a servant and he eagerly escorted her there. After thanking the man, Velaine knocked on the door gently.

[Celeste Andaris]

The woman who answered the door was tall, blonde and rather wiry, she looked at the young woman who tapped on the door and dropped a slight curtsy. "Lady Krome, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said with a smile. "I am Lin, Baroness Andaris' personal assistant. Please, come in." The rooms where Celeste was getting ready were surprisingly calm. There was no gaggle of servants, no major fuss happening, just the blonde woman, it seemed.

"Velaine?" Celeste came out from a door to the side. The young Andaris heiress was not currently wearing any shoes, but was in her wedding dress. It wasn't fancy, her wedding gown, it was simple and without fuss. Her long brown hair was loose and her make up subtle. It wasn't fashionable, it wasn't revealing or bold. Celeste turned brown eyes to the woman who was about to be her sister in law.

"Lady Krome, it is a pleasure to meet you," Celeste moved forward to offer her hand. She glanced at Velaine's dress, taking the whole thing in and raised a single eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "I take it your mother chose not to follow the directive we requested of guests? No matter, you are sister to the groom." Gesturing to the area set aside in the room for such, Celeste motioned to a low table with snacks and a jug of fruit juice and the soft and comfortable armchairs which surrounded it.

"Would you like to sit?" As she smoothed down her dress, Celeste's pregnancy became more apparent. Just a small, neat baby bump but the way that her hand moved was protective.

"I'll do it, Baroness Andaris. Immortals forbid a spill." Lin said and poured them both a drink before stepping away.

"Xander is pleased, more pleased than he shows I think, that you have traveled all this way for our wedding." Celeste watched the young woman opposite her, taking in her mannerisms, her way of being. With a slight smile, she gestured around. "Since your brother is about to become Baron Andaris, that puts you in a position in Krome. Are you looking forward to rejoining the vagaries of politics?" Brown eyes regarded Velaine and Celeste took a moment to nibble a savory cracker.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, things you are wondering? If we are to be sisters, then it is best that they are in the open." Celeste leaned back slightly, apparently completely at ease. "There should be no secrets between us, after all." Her smile was gentle and she waited to see what kind of woman Xander's sister was. A pretty little poodle, or a she-wolf. Time would tell.

[Velaine Krome]

Velaine nodded mildly as the assistant ushered her in. She had expected the room to bustle with activity, a flurry of servants busy with readying their mistress. After all, there must be a lot of things that needed done before one’s wedding. Yet, the scene that greeted her was the exact opposite. The only people in the room was Lin and the beautiful brown-haired woman clad in a simple, but elegant wedding dress. This must be Celeste Andaris, the woman who somehow conquered her brother’s unconquerable heart.

The young woman smiled as her head turned to the sound of her name. “A pleasure to meet you too, Baroness. Forgive me for not introducing myself to you yesterday. It turns out the journey took more toll on me than I expected and I can’t help drifting off to sleep once my body found the bed.”

“Apologies, my lady,” Velaine replied swiftly, ducking her head the slightest bit at the comment. She could not help seeing the slight raise of the Andaris’s eyebrow. Typical of her mother to do such a gesture, yet it hadn’t even crossed her mind that there might be some sort of dresscode she could be violating. “I was unaware that there is a specific directive.”

As Celeste offered her to sit, the young woman’s eyes could not help but fall to where the woman was smoothing down her dress. Velaine paused slightly as she noticed the slight bump on Celeste’s stomach. It must be nice, isn’t it? Marrying for love? Velaine could remember her younger self daydreaming about falling in love with a prince and then living happily ever after. The older she gotten, the more she realized that she would be lucky if she didn’t despise whoever her parents chose to marry her.

As she sat down and reached for the glass, Velaine realized she had no idea if Xander had ever talked about her with Celeste at all. She had not even asked him about what sort of person his to-be bride was. So she tried paying a closer attention, trying to see through the woman’s gentle smile.

The young woman shrugged at the inquiry, pressing her lips together. “I’m not sure what to feel to be honest. Being the secondborn, I have never been involved much in the politics in the first place and I have to say, I am a bit nervous to start.” It wasn’t even a lie. Velaine had been thrilled at first at the thought of becoming the heir of the barony, but as she spent more time in Rynmere, she was reminded of what it might require of her as well. Still, if she could rewind time, Velaine would not change her decision. “Any advice for me?”

The female Krome laughed lightly. “I do actually. I do not get a lot of news from home while I was away. I didn’t even know Xander has a lover, much less someone he’s marrying until my mother requested for my return.” She took a sip of her drink and shrugged lightly. “Perhaps the thing I am most curious about is your story. How you and Xander came to this point. I considered asking Xander, but men always explains these things too simply.”

[Celeste Andaris]

"We are going to be sisters by law in a few breaks," Celeste said with a smile. "Call me Celeste." Her brown eyes regarded the woman and she dismissed her words of apology with a wave of the hand. "I fully understand the tiredness from travel. It is better that you rest. I hope that you have been given all that you require?" The serving staff had been given the directive that this young woman was to have her every need catered too.

And as for her soon-to-be sister in law's dress? Celeste shook her head, "Forgive me, I shouldn't have mentioned it. You obviously have not received the directive. Your mother chose not to pass it on. The vagaries of parents." Her smile was slightly on the side of pity. Not least because Celeste's parents didn't dress her and hadn't since she was eight. But then, this little wolf-pup was obviously quite new to the world.

As for advice? Celeste shrugged slightly, "I am the fourth born. I never expected to be first in line for the Duchy. However, fate twists in funny ways. Advice?" There was no humour in her expression when she looked at the woman who was Xander's sister, yet he had never once spoken of and she lifted her shoulders. "Trust no one."

Yet, she wanted to hear of the story of her and Xander? "In this case,it is as simple as it seems. My parents and yours arranged a marriage. I travelled to Krome in order to meet Xander and to get to know him." She put her hand on her stomach and smiled, "this child will be the heir to Andaris and the first of our children. Your brother is a protective and honourable man who loves me deeply." She gave a smile and stood.

"And I was raised to be a noble lady, to wed a man and be his bride. In a few breaks, he will be Baron Xander Andaris, he and I will become Duke and Duchess. When we do, I trust that Krome will be our allies. I know that it would hurt Xander terribly were anything else to occur." Putting a final curl in her hair, Celeste moved and collected up a small corsage of flowers. "These are for you. You are the sister to the man I somehow fell in love with. Therefore, you are family. Welcome, sister."

[Velaine Krome]

Velaine smiled at the Andaris’s remark to call her by her first name and nodded the lightest bit. “Very well then, Celeste.” Now that the other woman mentioned, Velaine realized that she hadn’t really thought about how they would be like sisters. The moment Xander became an Andaris, their houses would be joined – of some sort. Though in a way, it also meant that her brother would be taken away from their house and be expected to put Andaris first.

The young Krome made a visible wince. “I am not entirely surprised, I suppose. Mother does like her statements.” She wondered if it was for her, the Andaris, or perhaps Sophia Krome had simply gone senile. Velaine kept a close eye on the baroness’s reaction at the comment, trying to gauge her knowledge of her future parents-in-law. She liked to imagine that Xander would at least share about their less-than-happy childhood to his lover. But she could be wrong.

Nodding somberly at Celeste’s advice, Velaine took another sip from her glass. Trust no one. It was a lesson she had learnt early in life, yet something she had almost forgotten. Her time in Ne’haer had pushed back the treacheries of nobility to the back of her mind. She definitely needed to relearn its ways soon. Her family would thrust her into parties and gatherings soon enough.

“It almost sounds like a fairytale, you know. Falling in love with the man you were arranged to be married to. Or incredible luck, I suppose.” The Krome let her eyes wander to Celeste’s bump again. “I haven’t seen my brother in a long time and I had known him as somehow who had little care for romance and lovers, but you did the impossible and changed his mind.” Not that it was a bad thing. As distant as the siblings were, Velaine was happy that Xander had found someone he truly loved.

Velaine took the corsage carefully and smiled gently. It was a lovely thing. “Thank you, Celeste. I am sure there are only good days to come for Krome and Andaris.” She could not help noting the fact that they would be a duke and duchess was mentioned. An alliance with the Andaris by marriage… it was something she needed to make sure her parents did not butcher up. Not if she was to get what she wanted.

[Celeste Andaris]

Mother liked her statements? Celeste looked at Verlaine and she smiled. It was the smile of a politician, that one. A pleasant mask which told nothing of her feelings. Celeste had no intention of getting into a discussion about Xander's parents, even with his sister. Especially with his sister who was a complete unknown to her. The 'trust no one' advice was good advice and Celeste was of the opinion that Verlaine was in the group of those Celeste did not trust.

As Verlaine spoke about it being a fairytale, Celeste saw her eyes on the bump and the young heiress smiled again "A fairytale? Maybe. As for changing his mind, I'd say it's more a case that he changed mine," Celeste sighed, slightly, nerves tickling at her. Of all things, she wondered what she would do if Xander didn't show up. What if he decided that he did not want to marry her and.... no, that thought was pushed out as ludicrous. "It must be difficult for you, I understand. To not know him and to be brought back here. Lots of people will have a stake in what you do, your parents certainly." If there was just a brief flash of emotion at those words, it was quickly gone and then Celeste smiled. "Xander has no stake in it, other than his loyalty to you. That means that you may rely on both of us for help, if you should wish it. After all," she smiled then and her expression was beaming. "You will soon be an Aunt."

Celeste was pleased that Verlaine liked the corsage and she looked down at her hands. "I'm so nervous, I'm shaking. How silly." With a glance at Verlaine she admitted the stark truth. "It feels like a fairytale. Sometimes, I worry that it is too good to be true. Do we ever get the happy ending?" She shook her head then, almost trying to dismiss her own words, "I'm sorry. I had nightmares all night last night that I got there, up to the priest and Xander wasn't there. Everyone was laughing." Looking at Verlaine, Celeste smiled and held out her hand. "Shall we walk down together?"

[Velaine Krome]

The young woman had spent enough time studying about the human psyche that she noticed Celeste’s avoidance in reacting to her remark besides a neutral smile. It was completely understandable and something Velaine probably shouldn’t be surprised with. The woman in front of her was a baroness, someone much more experienced than her in this complicated world.

Velaine shrugged mildly as she smiled. “I almost forgot what it feels like to be home, to be honest. To have family in my life again. It had been far too long.” She kept her eyes on the other woman, wondering if she was truly as friendly as she seemed. “That’s good to hear. I’ll probably need all the help I can get.” Even her lips formed the words and her face showed nothing, Velaine did not believe it – not truly. When it came down to it, everyone was out for themselves, even those bound by blood. Elrik told her that it was a rather sad way to live, but the young woman disagreed. It was the best way to live, to always question people’s motives, to prepare for a betrayal that might come any day.

Still, admittedly, she would need someone to get her up to speed to the things happening in Rynmere. Velaine had never bothered to pay attention to the news since she never thought she would return to inherit the barony. In her mind, even if she was dragged back home, she would still be no one. “A lot of things had happened while I was gone, hadn’t it? The failed rebellion and all that. I haven’t gotten the chance to ask Xander about it much.”

The female Krome could not help brushing her fingers light across the fragile petals. “Even if I haven’t seen Xander for five arcs, I highly doubt he’ll leave you at the altar,” Velaine assured truthfully. She could still recall her conversation with her brother just last trial. Xander did change during her time away, she would never imagined him being so in love. “His entire mannerism change every time your name comes up. Even if you think that he’s the one who changed your mind, take it from me, you changed him too.”

“I probably should start praying for my happy ending too,” the young woman remarked lightly and took the baroness’s hand.

[Niv]

Velaine Krome

Knowledge:

Skill Knowledge:
Politics: Trust No One
Politics: Don’t Forget the Treacheries of Nobility
Politics: House Krome and House Andaris Joined Through Marriage
Politics: Need All the Help You Can Get
Politics: Everyone is Out for Themselves
Politics: Prepare for the Betrayals
Etiquette: Addressing a Baroness
Etiquette: Apologizing for the Wrong Dresscode
Psychology: Noting When Someone Avoids a Question

Non-Skill Knowledge:
Celeste Andaris: Xander’s Bride
Celeste Andaris: Baroness of Astedia
Celeste Andaris: Conquered Xander’s Unconquerable Heart
Celeste Andaris: Pregnant

Loot: 

N/A

Injuries: 

N/A

Fame:

N/A

Magic:

These points can NOT be used for Domain Magic

Devotion:

N/A

Skill Points: 

15

Celeste Andaris

Knowledge:

Knowledge:
Politics: Everyone is hiding something
Politics: Prepare someone for not meeting the dresscode
Politics: House Krome and House Andaris Joined Through Marriage
Politics: Line up alliances
Politics: Tell people what they want to hear
Politics: Family should, but doesn't, matter
Etiquette: Greeting a sister in law
Etiquette: Putting people at ease on your wedding

Non-Skill Knowledge:
Velaine Krome: Xander’s sister
Velaine Krome: Potential ally

Loot: 

N/A

Injuries: 

N/A

Fame:

N/A

Magic:

These points can NOT be used for Domain Magic

Devotion:

N/A

Skill Points: 

15

Notes: 

Its nice to read about Rynmere politics again, feels like forever. Very lovely read and I love both of your characters
I will say thought…Scrolly templates? I don’t know why but they bug me maybe I’m just jelly that I can’t code that stuff.



Art credit to Yoshitaka Amano