Necessitas is the mother of frustration

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Her parents are actually going through with this. Carolina has negotiated and argued for countless hours now, only to find out that they signed the treaty behind her back. Never mind that she will one day rule the country of Necessitas in her mother's place. She's being married off like chattel to a man who cares more about his profligate affairs with various lovers than about his own kingdom.

Some stories call him a demon. Carolina is already convinced he's a monster.

She won't weep. Not in front of the court. But when she sweeps into the privacy of her own room, angry tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "This is wrong," she whispers.

Comments

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Great. Now she's crying in front of her maid. Carolina tries to duck Daphne's ministrations.

"The treaty," she says. "They signed it. They've signed me away."

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"They have not. You know there are laws and approaches in the country you can use to argue your way out of it."

Abby's learned that much. "Right? You can approach the council, argue that you're more than old enough to take over for your mother, and that you should be. That might let you argue that her recent treaty, done with the aid of your father who isn't a noble here, is a moot one."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Carolina shakes her head. "The deal is also with the Azure Kingdom. My parents both signed and negotiated on behalf of their nations. My marriage is now a condition of my succession."

No matter how hard she argued, she couldn't replace it. Someone had already written that clause into her rights for succession long ago; Lady Allison simply chose to clarify exactly whom she would have to marry first.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"I am so sorry, my lady," Abby says, hesitating before wrapping her arms around her mistress. Has to be a real hesitation so it seems real. No maid would be so forward. At least not one Carolina hasn't taken into her bed, but whatever. "Let me make you some of that peppermint sweet tea. It might make you feel better."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

She resists leaning into the touch. She doesn't want to be comforted. ...at least, not by Daphne. A situation like this calls for a proper sulk until a pair of strong hands or sweet lips can pull her out of it.

"I'm all right," she whispers, though she wouldn't be surprised if Daphne made it for her anyway.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"You are not," Abby counters immediately. She releases her lady and immediately moves to the fireplace to start the kettle. "Please, sit. I will rub the tension from your shoulders, my lady. Keep you company until Serah Vanessa returns or the stablemistress can come to see you."

She needs company, and Maine is busy too.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Well, it will keep her from tearing out her hair. Daphne had styled it so well this morning, too. Sighing, Carolina goes to sit at her padded stool.

"Thank you," she whispers.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"It is a pleasure to serve you," Abby says quite simply. It's a lovely situation for her, and Carolina believes she elevated a low servant, so she's happy to build the myth of Daphne.

When she finally gets the tea properly steeped she returns to Carolina, setting the tea in her hands before moving behind her and rolling up her long sleeves. With a deep breath and a moment to warm her hands by rubbing them together, she starts into the most basic rubbing. She can get creams later.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"Yeah? You earned it," she says. The tea does smell tempting, if still not. Carolina cradles the cup in her hands and breathes in the smell, trying to relax.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"Peppermint increases blood flow. It will soothe your stomach from this sickness," Abby answers as she works the shoulders slowly, carefully.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"Too bad my stomach isn't the problem," she says, halfway joking. She wants to resist the soothing touch, but...well, Daphne doesn't deserve that.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

Abby reaches down under the stool to pull out the basket she leaves there of creams. A quick rub of some lavender scented one to soothe her mistress, and Abby is rubbing again. "No, your mind is. The fear. But you are brave, my lady. Not one to let a man rule you with fear."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I don't--" She sighs, exasperated. He's not worth being afraid of. "From what I hear, the only thing to fear is his ravenous sexual appetite."

Joking is better, right?

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

Abby giggles as she works. "My lady, do you get to judge? Is your appetite not very healthy itself?"

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"What do you know? You sneak away," she points out.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"I know how often I am forced to, my lady," Abby giggles. "One cannot miss that detail. Except those who do not look for it. You are lucky that people here do not care as much."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Carolina rolls her eyes where Daphne can't see them. "They only don't care because I don't get pregnant," she grumbles. Her preference for ladies turned out to be rather helpful.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"I don't think your father knows," Abby chuckles. "I don't think he knows about her Ladyship either, but that's for the best. No, I think your mother knows and allows it because she cares for you. Parents are like that."

How to make the woman smile? Abby wishes she'd learned that one.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"Clearly we're not that loud, then."

She's got you now, Daphne.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"Loud and insatiable are not the same, my lady," Abby giggles. "So I don't know that you have me. I am so prone to dancing out of your grip. And by that I mean I am not your type, so it works for us both."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I like my women older," Carolina banters back. It's a familiar dance.

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"I could hardly be a good handmaiden if I was older than you, my lady," Abby returns immediately. Not her fault that the woman has silly standards.

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"You could," she says. "Maybe I should've found someone older."

[quicksmiles_nimblefingers]

"And lack me, my lady? Never," Abby tease as she moves further down toward her shoulder blades. "You need someone who can be honest with you without losing the chance to be bedded. And without the sharpness of Serah Louisiana."

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

"I like her sharpness," Carolina teases back. "Why else do I keep her around?"