♔ trois || fool unmade

[ensorceler]

[Elizabeth Tudor]

Elizabeth, you are no child, and so I will not treat you as such. You have married a King of England, and if this is true, I will meet him at once.

[/Elizabeth Tudor]

[ She's already had her shrieking fit off camera, so by now she's become more composed and willing to socialize again. Sort of. She dictates the following with tight-lipped composure; ]

I find it difficult to grasp the notion that none noticed by absence. Truly, I am horrified still at what transgressed, having had to depend on a strange but noble woman for escort, only to return and find none the wiser.

This must cease. This... This mockery of a castle is nothing more than a small child dressing itself up in empty purpose. Any fey who might try such nonsense on me again will rue it. Think you that I am the weaker for not having my lord husband at my side? That is a dangerous mistake to make.

If none other will hold court here, then I will take up that role as Regent, and breathe purpose into the very walls. Any who have or would swear fealty to England, I would have a renewal of your vows. If you do not already know the name Anne Boleyn, you will know it soon, and know it well.

Comments

[heloise]

But you would never be so unkind as to take it by force. Loyalty must be freely given, surely.

[ensorceler]

Again, I am but a woman, despite my title. What force could I offer without an army?

[ Not really an answer, but it's as good as you're going to get. ]

I wish for peace above all else.

[heloise]

That is a relief.

We want the same then, above all.

[ensorceler]

The path to peace is not always an smooth one, though.

[heloise]

[ She hums. ]

I must admit I know too little of peace to say.

[ensorceler]

[ Time to recall some history lessons. And yeah, that sounds about right. Depending, of course... ]

What is your name, child? You sound of noble birth.

[heloise]

Nobility is an amorphous concept.

Lucrezia Borgia.

[ensorceler]

[ Amorphous... That's a big word. Definitely not some commoner, then.

Oh. Definitely not a commoner. Although not exactly nobility, or royalty, as close as it can get in Rome. Rome does everything weird. Anne needs a moment not to sound sharp, because... The Borgias have never hurt her. But ROME. POPES. CONNECTED TO ARAGON. ALL THESE THINGS ARE GROSS.

Maybe this one can be brought away from the dark side. ]

A Borgia? I must consider myself blessed to be permitted to speak so openly and amiably with a daughter of Rome.

[heloise]

[ She must admit to miss an open recognition of her name. There is satisfaction in knowing it is feared, at least, which is similar enough to respect. ]

There is an infans Romanus but he is not I. [ There is the bait. ]

Boleyn, is that not French?

[ensorceler]

Ought I concern myself with you or he, then?

[ Her tone is teasing, as if a jest, but it's a serious enough question. At the same time, she doesn't really expect a papal child to be honest with her at all, even if Lucrezia doesn't know about the discord yet. As it stands, she knows her father would want her to insult the French and cater to the Italians and Spaniards. Damn it. ]

It is in name, but my family is English blood true as can be. I was, however, raised in the French court.

[heloise]

You must content yourself with me in his absence.

[ Just as playful. Lucrezia sees no need for anything less amiable. The French fought in a long hard war against the English after all, and the enemy of an enemy is a friend, or so it was said. ]

I met a French King once. Charles the VIII. He was most charming as I am sure you are too.

[ensorceler]

Ah, he died before I could be born into this world, though I knew the dear cousins that followed his rule.

[ She knew Francis the best, really, but no need to talk about such shenanigans... Oh, empty flattery. Give her more. ]

A woman's charms and a man's charms, can they truly compare?

[heloise]

Yes, I heard. Such a petty accident for a great man. [ A dead enemy hears no insults, anyway. ]

Never. I would say ours are more refined yet I am apparently biased.

[ensorceler]

A fairer charm for a fairer sex, wouldn't you say?

[ Henry is all charm when he wants to be, of course, but his is definitely different. Very...raw. Okay try not to fantasize about the husband while talking, Anne. ]

[heloise]

[ The travails of having a super hot husband, who's away... ]

Perhaps. I was told men can wield swords, and charms, to defend themselves while we have but one weapon.

[ensorceler]

It is false to think we only have one, for truly that weapon can manifest in many a way. And then, if you use these ways to control the man wielding the sword, it is as good as wielding it yourself.

[heloise]

[ She chuckles. ]

You know more about this weapon than I realized. Would you be generous enough to share your wisdom?

[ensorceler]

[ She did not become a queen by sitting around twiddling her thumbs, that's for darn certain. ]

With a loyal friend and gentle lady, I would be most pleased to do so.

[heloise]

And when might I claim my first lesson?

[ensorceler]

You are eager. But we do not yet know each other well enough to be loyal friends. This must be remedied.

[heloise]

Is it words you wish to hear from me, Anne, or shall we spend time together and collect each others' gestures as clues?

[ensorceler]

[ She's silent at first, not liking how this girl just calls her by her name without permission. Court flattery aside, she doesn't think her a friend at all. But, a daughter of Rome... ]

I wish for us to meet, and talk. Nothing more.

[heloise]

[ She chuckles. ]

You are not forbidding me from serving you wine, surely?

[ensorceler]

I would not dream of such atrocities.

[heloise]

Good. I can at least take comfort in having served you the best wine in exchange for your company.