eleanorofengland - Tumblr blog

[eleanorofengland]

“Of course - after all, the ball is in your honor.”

“There is quite a lot of choices…it would be a pleasure to assist in your request, if I may, your grace.” 

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor laughed a little, “I suppose it’s the method they’re made? I have not much knowledge about the issues of a vineyard.”

Asger raised a brow as he looked upon the many bottles. “How can this be? Do grapes not grow the same in every country?”

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor smiled - almost all royalty welcomed a distraction - she understood why. She waited patiently as he tasted the wine, “What do you think, Your Majesty?”

"Well, I must admit I welcome the distraction," he responded before jerking his hand subtly to give the wine a little movement within the goblet. "The color is quite attractive, hopefully the taste will do it justice." With that he brought it to his lips and let the grape mixture ignite his taste buds.

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor looked down at the row of drinks, “Well, these are French. These are Egyptian...and these are Greek.” Eleanor mumbled before she turned to the King, “As for the taste, I suppose the strength varies.”

”I am surely not a man for wine but I would never refuse a drink. But what exactly is the diffrence between all of these?”

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor smiled at the Norwegian King, “Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s only an honor to have your aid.” Eleanor tilted her head curiously, expectantly.

“I’m afraid I’m not much of a wine drinker, but it would be out of line for me to turn down a request brought on by a Princess,” he responded while taking one of the iron cups into his right hand.

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor let out a small chuckled, “Have at it, then, Your Grace.” She picked up a giblet to hand to him before she held up her own.

I am a fan of the red wines I can try those if you wish, Eleanor.

[eleanorofengland]

“I have no matters pressing for my attention back at the castle.” Eleanor smiled as she moved to sit on the railing front of him, her hands curled over the skirts of her dress. “What a beautiful name.” She smiled as she set a hand down on the railing, then looked up at him again, “And you’ve sailed with her a lot?”

“I can very well tell you all I know if you ever have time for it. It more a love for the memories I’ve had on this ship.” He spoke fondly his hand ghosting over the railing of the ship remembering the good and bad moments. Julius’ smile turned fond returning his gaze to the princess. “She is named Rowan Empress, for my mother who had many rowan trees planted in the gardens. My father gave her to me when I turned of age.”

[eleanorofengland]

“I believe so as well.” Eleanor nodded, before she held her palms together over her chest, “So?” She tilted her head, “Is it too heavy? I’m not exactly a wine connoisseur.” 

“I am so excited, a ball has been desperately needed here, to cheer everyone up.” she said with a small smile, prior to gently taking the glass from the young woman, sipping it slowly. “It tastes quite good.” she informed the Princess with a small giggle. 

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor remained attentive - what could possibly have to offer that would help her? “He wasn’t just someone I was meant to marry. I knew him as children.” Eleanor whispered - almost offended that someone had taken lightly to her relationship to Alistair.

However, her face fell at his words. “You lost someone as well.” She whispered, “I’m...sorry...” She muttered, her gaze flickering to the ground. She remained silent for a moment before she moved to lean against the wall beside him.

“Do you wish to talk about her?” She asked quietly, “I’d love to know”

“If you want to know when ‘too soon’ becomes—as if by magic—the ‘correct and appropriate time’ … “

Alexander shrugged, finding that the only words he had were rather scathing. He lifted his brows for a brief moment, but it only imitated the expression he used for his mocking, sarcastic observations. “For some people it is mere moments. I understand he was meant to be your husband. Perhaps the promise of matrimony makes it worse.”

He swallowed and fell into a stony silence before appending. “For me, it was only a few moments after I received the letter. Perhaps the distance and the time made it better.”

[eleanorofengland]

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor smiled - she loved the zeal about this German girl, “There will be.” Eleanor nodded once, before she picked up a glass, “Try this one. It’s French. Or...one of them.”

A grin broke out on Therese’s lips, “There is to be a ball?” she asked excitedly, before walking over to the Princess. “Which one should you have me try first, Your Highness?” 

[eleanorofengland]

i think after you post the gif you should switch to html editor and remove the ‘s’ from https in the gif’s link

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor tugged her brows into a frown and tilted her head - she stared at him, the cold now was getting to her bones - but she still stood there. She’d felt this cold before, but it was one of grief, one she didn’t want to recall, and once that was in his presence as well. Any noble would more than gladly take the gratitude of a royal but not this one - and it confused her, “When do you think such time will come?” She asked, trying to stand straighter.

“I thought it was too soon to speak of,” Alexander said, declining to look at her. There was a window nearby—unbroken, whole. He watched the rain outside washing the world in uncertain colors through the whorls of the glass panes. He rapped his knuckles against the elegantly carved stone sill. This was the hand that had opened the gates, and this the tongue that told such skillful lies. Alexander cast a glance at her, brightening his expression to something more characteristic. “I’ll decline your thanks until such a time as I can accept them. If you please.”

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor moved to sit down, before she too lifted a brow, “It is I who have come to inform you, not my brother.” She shook her head once, before she took a deep breath and sat up straight, “I plan to organize an...event of good will, for those who died and were injured during the siege, and in doing so, a sum of supplies and money will be given to the families who lost their men and women.” Eleanor then shrugged her shoulders briefly, “Of course the event will be in form of a ball, and I’ve come here to invite Your Grace to contribute and attend.”

Lucien affixed his signature to a letter as Eleanor made her way in. He looked up briefly before putting down his quill and gesturing to an empty seat in the room at her bidding. “Your brother sends you to inform me of matters?” Luc asked, eyebrows lifting with the assumption. Settling back in his chair, he rested his arms at his sides. “Continue, then.”

[eleanorofengland]

Will you taste this? I’m trying to decide which of these wines will be served at the ball and I won’t last long if I sip from all these goblets.

[eleanorofengland]

Eleanor watched the advisors of the French King leave the room that she waited outside patiently. She drew in a deep breath walked in, before she met the King’s gaze fleetingly and lowered her head, curtsying, before she stood straight again, “I wished to ask your opinion of matter, Your Highness, or...inform you of it.”

Squeezing the bridge of his nose between his fingers, the King let out a heavy sigh. He’d spent the better part of the week in his chambers with his advisors as France had begun to deteriorate. His people were growing restless, taking the news of the failed siege in Switzerland as a sign that Luc did not plan to give in to their demands. Leaning back in his chair, he dismissed his advisors and turned his attention to who entered next. “What might I do for you?” he asked, hoping for a distraction.

[eleanorofengland]

“A ball is much needed.” Eleanor argued, “Don’t you think a spy would be fretful during one, especially so soon after an attack that was supposed to cripple us?”

“              I hardly think that would be wise, do you?”