#Ms Derinloire is probably still around I think

[housedeaubemarle]

FFXIV Write 2024 #10: Stable

~~

There had been a time, many turns ago, when the twins had had a rebellious streak. Both Oudine and Remont had tried their tutors to the point that the newest teacher to be hired – a promising young woman who'd just graduated from the Scholasticate – had left the house in frustrated tears. That very evening, Viscountess Philomene sent her husband to find out once and for all why his children had turned so uncooperative.

It was only after some patient coaxing that the children confessed they were so bored. All their tutors kept droning on about things like the stories of King Thordan and the high houses and which parts of the highlands provided Ishgard with textiles and food and– everything was just plain boring. 

Unexpectedly, their father had chuckled, and sat with them on the floor of their nursery which served also as a schoolroom, saying, “Yes, mes enfants. These are dull and dreary things to learn for those as young as you. But you will not be young forever.”

“So we’ll be old and tiresome?” had said Remont with childish dread.

Vouloix laughed. “You will never be tiresome, my Remy. But one day, I promise you will see the benefit in some boredom.”

Oudine wore her best sceptical look. “What benefit can there be in being bored?”

“Ships sail home faster with steady winds. Crops grow better in calmer days. And you both,” he had said with one warm hand on each head, “will get to be old and wise if the days are peaceful. There must be stability if there is to be life.”

Brother and sister exchanged one doubtful look between them, then cast it upon their father in unison. There was a brief pause before Remont piped up with, “Does that mean the Heaven of Ice is very exciting?”

Vouloix laughed long and loud at this. It drew their mother into the room, demanding to know the reason for the hilarity when all there should have been was the sound of contrite apologies for embarrassing the family by using Miss Derinloire so shamefully. The scolding which ensued had also included their father.

Long afterwards – after King Thordan could no longer be reflected on as glowingly as he once was, after the lush greenery of Coerthas had frozen into memory, after boy and girl had grown into man and woman, after Vouloix was no longer around to complain to – Oudine would recall that afternoon with a sigh and a shake of her head. 

Their father had a bad habit of being right.

-

end.