Foreclosure ... (Amalie Villiers)

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien enjoyed two things Money and nobility. What he didn't like was nobility with no money and especially not nobility with bad debt. He had lent to the Villiers to save them, he hated to see a noble house fall and they had assured him that they would be back on their feet in no time if he would only lend them enough money to consolidate their debts and buy back their ancestral properties. Sadly things had not improved they had declined. The loan had not had repayments made in two months and the family had defaulted. His communications had been ignored. So Lucien had come for his money the old fashioned way with armed guards.

His motorcade pulled up into the dilapidated remains of the Villiers estate it was a far cry from the images he'd seen of old. Such a shame, none the less he was not here to give sympathy he wanted his money. The driver of the speeder leading his Motorcade approached the window of Lucien's Limousine. The window wound down and lucien turned to him "Knock, give it two minutes if nobody answers knock the door through" He ordered "I want you in fast and hard have one of the fresh faces gather the Villiers children and keep them out of the way I very much doubt this will be clean." No money meant broken legs but it didn't mean lucien was willing to subject children to watching their parents disgrace . He was nasty but he wasn't a monster.

Lucien watched from the back seat of his car whilst his 'Heavies' lined up, it seemed the door had gone unanswered. It was rather a shame. Lucien exited his car as the doors fell through and advanced up the path. the head of his outfit turned with raised eye brows "We goin in ?" He asked Lucien nodded "Fast and hard but remember I want the children out of the way, they will suffer enough in the days to come"

Then they went in, whilst his team flooded the house Lucien stood in the entry hall, he'd attended the Villiers last great ball.It had seemed so alive then, the house a picture of glory in the late autumn. That was a lifetime ago it seemed. The house was a drab corpse now. such a shame.

[member="Amalie Villiers"]

 

[Lief]

She had been in the nursery reading to her little brother when the door sounded. Instinct bade her to set the book aside and rise, moving down the hall and toward the door. Before she could reach it, however, she felt the rough hands of her Father dragging her back, his hand clamping over her mouth. Squirming in surprise the child had peered upward, only to find her Father pressing a finger to his lips, his eyes pleading with her for silence. Then he released her, and stepped between her and the door. He seemed to be waiting for something, though she couldn't tell what.

Shouldn't they be answering the --

Without warning there was a loud crash from across the way as the door splintered in on itself. She watched as her Father turned on his heels and plucked her up from the ground, immediately rushing to the back of the house and away from the broken door. "Where is Jacobe?" he asked, but Amalie's eyes were fixated on the men who were pooling in through the door. That was until her Father slammed shut a different one and set her onto her feet. "Amalie, your brother... Where is he?"

She blinked, and stared up at her Father. Stress lined his face, marring the skin which had just months before been as clear as a child's. It made the girl sad to see him in such a state. But there were more pressing matters now than her Father's appearance. "In the Nursery" she whispered, or at least what was left of it. A cot for her brother, a few stray toys which hadn't been worth anything. Jacobe had taken the whole thing particularly hard, his favourite stuffed animal had been among the first to go, its worth had been higher than some of the paintings they had kept in the lounge, though Amalie did not know why.

"Good, go to him and get him to the cellar" he said, only before she could make a beeline toward the nursery the door her Father had closed suffered the same fate as the main. Amalie jumped, and was swiftly put behind her Father. The eldest Valliers in the Household then pressed back, putting enough space between he and his child and the men that he might have had a chance at fleeing. Only he didn't, because something in the distance caught his eye. Only Amalie was too small to see the figure of [member="Lucien Cordel"] nearing their front door.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien let his coat slide of his arms to land in a heap on the floor one of the lesser peoples would no doubt pick it up, it was worth more than the Villiers' at present afterall. He abandoned his coat to stroll through the house toward the ruckus now being caused by the putting in of interior doors. All this smashing was so unnecessary why did theses debtors never cooperate. He paused as he progressed up the stairs. becoming fixated with a marked stain on the wall across the way. It was blank now but once there had hung a small painting by no means a glamorous work of art it was a simple understated landscape but it had always appealed to lucien it was a shame it was gone.

"Sir," Came the shout of a heavy of his, Lucien turned and the heavy continued to shout up to him "We have found the man and his girl ... they are... " Lucien raised a finger "Stop" he instructed "Take me to Lord Villiers and stop making such a racket ... Inside voices" He walked toward the man "Remember this is someone's house treat it with some respect at least" The heavy, a touch shocked at the conflict of his orders first to knock doors through and then to whisper, stood dumbfounded. Lucien tapped his foot on the stair "Any time" He sighed. That seemed to jump start the soldier which was nice really. Lucien was sure that the good Lord of the house didn't want to accrue any more interest.

Lucien made a brisk pace through the rest of the house at the heel of this soldier of his. afterall one could only fixate on a corpse for so long before the rot began to show. When he arrived in the presence of the good lord he noted the distraction and perhaps fear on the face of the debtor, he also noted a daughter. A daughter who was perhaps the most valuable item in the whole house for she could be married off to a rich man's son. A rich man who wanted his descendants (albeit not blood descendants ) to have a name of substance. A man like Lucien

"Good afternoon My Lord" Lucien said offering his victim a polite nod. Afterall the noble might be in debt but he was still a noble deserving of respect. "Let's not make this unpleasant allow my officers to escort her back to the nursery to stay with her brother whilst we 'talk' elsewhere " Lucien stepped forward faint lightning dancing over his fingers. then he stopped. A query burning in his head "Where is your Lady wife?"

[member="Amalie Villiers"]

 

[Lief]

"Father..."

Amalie tugged on his wrist to try and get his attention, yet before his gaze could lower to her own, before the pair could rush from the house, the men were upon them and all the exits were suddenly off limits. The child stood closer to her Father at that moment, feeling awfully surrounded, one hand remaining upon his wrist. What was happening? Who were all these people?

Craning her neck to peer up at Lord Villiers, Amalie once again noted the vacant look in his eye. Had he known about this? If so, why hadn't he just left with them earlier? The men seemed extremely hostile, even now they were making quite a racket down the ha--

"Jacobe" she whispered, a half gasp accompanying it. Her eyes frantically sought out any means of escape in the room, she had to make sure her brother was okay! But then all at once another appeared, and all eyes turned to him. Something about the man seemed familiar, she likely recognised him from one of the fundraisers they used to hold, he definitely had a more noble air about him than the rest of them.

While Amalie wanted nothing more than to tend to her brother, she also realised that this man was likely not the kind who would harm children. Parents, however, was another matter entirely. She held onto her Father and shook her head as one of the men stepped forward to take her to the other room.

"No" she said, and finally her Father seemed to notice her again for his gaze snapped down to her in confusion. "Amalie, go find your brother" he repeated, but the child set her jaw and shook her head. "I... I'm not going anywhere" she said, "Papa don't make me go." This was more of a whisper than the rest, truly meant for just her Father's hearing. Her eyes pleaded with him, until the man held her close and stared right at Lucien.

"My Lady Wife is not here" he said, prompting a slight frown from Amalie. She had brought Amalie and Jacobe a snack not too long before the knock at the door, why would he-- oh. Amalie gulped, and tried to look as if she knew nothing. Part of her hoped that her Mother had found Jacobe and fled. But she also realised that the chances of that having happened were slim to none.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien inclined his head as he watched the girl, vague recollections of her face came to him. She had been different then ... they had all been different then. It had all seemed so simple so carefree when he'd been the ruler of Skye. It was sad to see such change.

Lucien was also sad to see the children were still here, he'd have thought they would have been evacuated to the Lady Villiers' parents. It meant they were being used as weapons or at the very least sheilds that was low so very low. When did the heads of this family become so Craven.

Lucien sighed and cut off the lightning, he had a soft spot for children and couldn't stand to see them harmed even indirectly. Lucien took a step forward again he was close now and with his eyes still on the girl he spoke his hand raised. An indication for the soldiers to stop their advance even if only temporarily "You have my sympathies My Lord, My lady..." then he reached out to place his hand on the girl, this [member="Amalie Villiers"] ' Head. Unless she resisted her head would become flooded with chamber music blocking out all the noise in the room. Someone had to protect her and her father was doing a damn poor job "I fear My Lord that you are lying to me ... That would be most Ill advised" He turned his attention now to this broken Lord.

"scour the Mansion, If Lady Villiers remains here I want her found ... Mind that no harm comes to her" He ordered his soldiers "I'll handle the young lady" He added before turning back to the pale imitation of the Villiers Patriarch "I do hope you aren't lying to me for the last person to do so lost the very jaw they lied to me with and neither of us want that ... My Lord" Then he stepped back smiled and released the girl, if she was ever under his influence to begin with.

Finally it was to the girl that he turned "Eyes on me Lady Amalie" He ordered his voice laden with persuasion "Me and Your good Father need to discuss some money matters but it will be long and boring you should go back to your brother in the nursery, will you do that for me?" He spoke as calmly and politely as he could, how could a man subject his daughter to this?

 

[Lief]

The man approached, and Amalie felt her Father's grip tighten and pull her closer. To the child it seemed as though her Father was trying to keep her safe, but to the rest of the room it would appear as it was. She was indeed a shield between himself and potential harm.

He reached out a hand to her and the child did her best to move out of the way... But she was rooted most firmly in place by Lord Villiers, so much in fact that it hurt. All at once her auditory senses were overwhelmed, and being that the light had been cut it was difficult for her to read the lips of the man... Though she did her best to try all the same.

"My son" the Lord said, while Amalie was still unable to hear. "I want my son." His eyes were wide, frantic even, at this point. He had seen by now Lucien's reluctance to subject the children to any of this misfortune. And when they found his wife - he knew by now that they would - he would need the leverage of his children to see that he remained alive.

All at once the music was gone, and Amalie blinked up at the man who had caused such a strange moment. When he asked her to go and tend to her brother the child began to nod, but she felt her Father's prying hand and winced. "I don't think I can, Sir" she said instead, trying to be brave the way she was in the school yard. Her gaze remained fixated on Lucien, she had no idea how this was going to end but she could tell by the tension in the air and the broken doors that harm was coming to her Father.

"Please don't hurt him" she whispered, keeping her eyes up at him, pleading for her Father's life the way no child ought to. She tried to take a step toward this mystery Lord, only to have her Father tug her back. "Please" she repeated, "There has to be something else..." Her eyes broke free from Lucien's as she frantically looked around the room for anything of worth, anything of value. It was clear that Amalie was privy to her parent's financial situation.

There wasn't much about this situation that was going to get past her.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien shook his head, this man truly had no spine and no honour. He was a disgrace to his creed, poor financial ability could be forgiven but to put your own flesh at risk to blackmail someone that was unforgivable. Lucien was not about to put on other child in the firing line however. The Lord's request actually sparked full blown laughter in lucien "Do I look to be a fool to you ... no your son stays where he is" Lucien looked to the lord again "Is one child not enough for you must you risk your entire line ... ?" He asked in disbelief.

The Elder Villiers' increased grip on his daughter caused issues for Lucien he could see an intent to leave in the daughter but still the father refused to release her. "I understand" He said softly at her veiled statement that she was trapped. As for her request for clemency on her fathers behalf. That was not a promise that lucien could keep, so he just shook his head and sighed. "Look away now ... close your ears and when your father lets go, run to the nursery , don't look back ... " he ordered his voice laden with the force once more.

Then he turned to the spinless man cowering behind his daughter "You are forcing me to act in an unsavoury way ... Let go now" He ordered the spinless lord placing his hand on [member="Amalie Villiers"] ' shoulder. If the lord refused well then lucien would force push the lord rage building into a massive blunt force. One thing was for sure the girl would be out of her father's grasp in a moment either because he let her go or his shoulder broke from it's socket. In the case of the secound option Lucien hoped the lords arm would remain attached but there were no firm guarantees on that front.

This man was no lord to Lucien, not anymore.

 

[Lief]

Lord Villiers at this point believed Lucien to be bluffing. He had made no attempts at hostility this time, and so the Lord of this Manor believed he would continue to put it off so long as the child remained as a buffer between the two. This was his first mistake. The second was not letting go of his daughter. "They are my children" he said, in his stupidity, "and if I wish them at my side then they ought to be!"

Several feet below where Amalie was stood the child bit her lip and said nothing; the way her Papa was acting was truthfully very terrifying. By now she had realised what he was doing, and she found it most unsavory. Especially at the fact that he was going to try and bring Jacobe into the crossfire too. Her brother was barely three years old, he had his whole life ahead of him, he was the future of their Bloodline, and yet their Father was willing to throw all of that away.

Pain crossed her expression for a moment, until Lucien caught her attention once again. With a nod of her head she accepted his terms without a word and closed her eyes, turning her head to one side to further resist the urge to watch. Amalie did not want her Father harmed, but moreso than that she did not want her brother brought into this. He was far too young, and he would not take it very well at all.

The Lord refused to comply with Lucien's demand to release the girl, there was even a smug expression upon his face as he drew the girl in closer to himself. "You don't have the nerv---"

Amalie heard the crack of bone and felt her arm released all in one instance. Not hesitating the girl moved swiftly forward, though before she reached the door which led into the nursery she could not help but turn and look upon her Father. He was a sprawling mess on the ground, clutching at a now gammy arm. Amalie gulped, looking between the two Lords, and sucked in a breath. The door behind her swung upon, and she watched as her Mother was escorted inside alongside some of Lucien's men.

Unlike her husband the Lady Villiers retained her noble demeanor. She made no attempt to fight, coming quite quietly into the room and looking upon her husband with just a hint of sorrow for what he had endured. But the moment she saw Amalie the sympathy was gone and instead she shook her head in his direction. "Amalie" the woman said, having heard Lucien's terms through the door, "You go to Jacobe now, and let the good Sir and ourselves talk."

"Mother..." she gasped, stood frozen in the doorway. Her arm was sore and bruised from where her Father had grasped, and when she lifted her hand to try and reach for her Mother she winced slightly. "Please don't hurt her too" the child said; how could she leave the room knowing that something horrible could happen to them if she did? Amalie was torn.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien frowned as Lord Villiers was catapulted across the room, it was most unsavoury indeed and Lucien was displeased by the necessity of having to act. Why couldn't the Noble have just let go. For all his bravado and all his demands he still had no spine. He had scarred his daughter more than necessary and for what ... he didn't scare lucien off, he didn't protect his wife and he inflicted more harm on his daughter and his house than lucien ever would have. He did still have his arm however, at least there were small mercies.

Lucien then realised that in the young Lady was still here. It was regrettable that she had to see her father brought so low. He touched her shoulder again "I'm sorry you had to see that Your Ladyship " He sighed. He would have gone on to say that he had no other choice but that was a lie he had had a great many choices this was just the easiest on all parties. Then he let her go again her brother would need her and Lucien couldn't bear for her to watch her Parents brought any lower.

The arrival of Lady Villiers prompted mixed emotion in Lucien on the one hand he was glad they had found her but if truth be told he had hoped that the male noble had been telling the truth. He had just deprived himself of Brandy to ease the pain while his arm was reset. "Lady Villiers you have my apologies and my sympathies " He rubbed his hands all of this had rather become the mess he feared it would "I had exhausted all of the polite ways to reach you however thus I had to make a show of force"

He turned at the voice of the girl again and went to his knee to be at height with her " I promise that that if your mother continues to co-operate as she has already and if your father holds his tongue in contrast to how he has recently behaved the no further physical harm will come to them on my watch" He stood up "Now go to the nursery your brother needs you"

"Bring a chair for Her Ladyship and some cushions for Lord Villiers as well as a brandy soaked cloth, I don't want the children to hear him scream when you reset his arm" He instructed the assembled guards "and see if you can't find some tea I'm sure it's been quite the testing day for all assembled " He sighed, how far this house had fallen.

Whilst he waited for the things he'd requested he just stood in a silent awe looking around with a sad glance "Did you know My Lady that you held the very first Ball I ever attended in fringe space, I had just arrived having fled the empire, securing in invite only by virtue of what was at the time a puddle of influential friends " He could still recall all the details now a decade on " I had appeared in what was in effect poorly cobbled together white tie having fled the empire with very little and I remember being in awe at your house and thinking that I would never see such Luxury again but then I did. I was at your last charity ball, just before the system collapsed ... I'm sad that I was at least Partially right that first time" He stepped back to lean on what was left of the door frame looking back out toward the stairs "There used to be a painting on that wall a simple landscape nothing opulent but it had stuck with me all these years, I hope to see it hang here again."

The time for lamination was soon over however and lucien was forced to return to business as the soldiers returned. He would let them reset Lord Villiers arm first there was no use beginning business whilst the noble was still screaming.

[member="Amalie Villiers"]

 

[Lief]

Amalie breathed in slowly and for a second closed her eyes, she wanted to run a hand down the length of her face but she knew that was very unladylike so she kept it to herself. Instead she began to nod her head; he had given his word, that was as good as she was going to get from this arrangement. She was just a child after all, she wasn't calling any of the shots. Best she tend to something she could control, namely the situation involving her brother.

Flicking her gaze between both her parents quickly, and then finally at Lucien, the child begrudgingly decided it was time to leave the adults to it. But not before she said something offhand to Lucien in a low enough tone that neither of the other Villiers in the room could hear. "Thank you for not killing him" she said, her tone painfully sincere, "He's a good man, really, a good Father..." the last bit pained her to confess after what had just happened, but truly the times had been unfair on him.

The girl could not help but defend him, even after the acts he had just pulled.

Without another word she moved from the room, and headed down the hall to where Jacobe was waiting. Inside the Nursery she found him, alongside a man who towered over her, no doubt one of Lucien's men there to ensure the kids were kept safely out of the way. Either way Amalie ignored him entirely after the initial once over, and hurried over to Jacobe. His eyes were red, though he was no longer crying. She bundled him up into her lap when she settled onto the carpet and put his head to her shoulder. Then she rocked his little body, humming quietly into his hair.

Best she get him to sleep lest anything else happened, it was difficult sometimes to stop Jacobe from rushing through the house in search of Mother when he was upset, and he could not see her right now. Not with what was going on.

In the other room, Lady Villiers inclined her head ever so slightly to Lucien by way of acknowledgement and respectful greeting. "I recall the events you speak of" she said, as if her husband hadn't been sprawled on the ground between them. Her gaze hadn't fallen upon him since she had seen Amalie, truthfully she probably wouldn't have been as easy on him as Lucien had been if given the chance, she was fiercely protective of her children even if she had failed to show it yet.

Her eyes glazed slightly at the mention of the painting, it had been one of her own, painted just before she had met her husband. He had despised the thing, and insisted it be placed where few people would have the time to view it. "Perhaps I should have it sent to you when all is said and done" she remarked, glancing around the bare room, "I apologise for the inconveniences my Husband has caused," she added, before lowering herself down into one of the few seats that remained in the household once it was offered to her.

"I would've greeted you myself, only I was busy packing the children's things." Why bother hiding the fact that she was preparing to leave? The Lord would have probably guessed as much soon anyway, and it would inadvertently speak for her Husband's foul behaviour. "I dare say he has enough pride to make an angel fall, no doubt." She said of her husband, smiling a little, trying to keep the conversation light as Lucien's men got to work on her husband's arm.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien had not responded to [member="Amalie Villiers"] thanks, such morbid topics had no business in a child's mouth and he would not acknowledge them. As for the Lord Villiers status as a good man and a good father Lucien would not comment the man Lucien had seen before him today was not the man of a decade ago. It was true of course that the Lord Villiers of memory was a good man but Lucien struggled to see his present form as a man it was but a husk.

He watched Amailie leave the room and smiled a little "That girl is cleverer than her years, you have raised a fine daughter" No doubt the standard of parenting had inclined by now but the truth was once you had a diamond no amount of dirt could change that.

Loyalty like that was hard to find, Lucien doubted he could have rallied to the side of his own father if this had happened when he was a child.

When the chairs did arrive Lucien sat down across from the Lady of the house. He smiled as she said that she ought to have sent the painting to him "Who did you sell it to?" He did afterall have his ways of getting it back, running the legal department of a large corporate theocracy had to have it's perks afterall. "Get me a list of where every piece of furniture that was here when I last was is now and I'll forgo a proportion of the interest on the loan " A generous offer perhaps more generous than he should be but he was resolved to heal this manor house it was to be his new project.

He raised his hand to halt her as she apologised for all the inconvenience "It doesn't do well to fixate upon what has gone before " He said, rather hypocritical of him since was was willing to forgive what was a large sum of money to restore a pipe dream of a rose tinted memory but no matter " Nothing can be done about them now "

Her admittance that she was leaving was unsurprising but also unexpected. A contradiction perhaps but true all the same he was unsurprised that she was leaving, who in their right mind would stay. However by the same token what aristocrat would stand for such a scandal, Divorce was just not something that existed in high society he had therefore not expected it. He inclined his head smiling politely at what little humour she could draw from what was otherwise a dire situation. "Can I speak openly ?" He asked before swiftly carrying on for he intended to speak openly regardless of what she said " Don't leave him stand at his side, do so and you will be martyred by the aristocracy, they will look to you as a paragon of Loyalty and that will keep the Villiers name distinguished" He lent on his hand "In the coming years your children will be your salvation there are plenty of rich knitwits running around with more money than they know what to do with who have dreams of country houses and the names to go with them"

"Your name is the biggest thing you have, right now it's valuable marr it in the scandal of divorce and that goes away" He sighed "I will be honest I came here to rough up your husband, foreclose your home, repossess your valuables and throw you and your family into the street ... but I can't I lack the grit " He was always too weak for the blood when it came down to it "So whilst I am going to take your house I will give you a week to sort out a place for your family , however I also have an offer foster your boy with me and I will write off a proportion of your debt in exchange for a betrothal contract between your family and mine. Give me your son and I'll turn him into your savior"

 

[Lief]

The Lady Villiers managed a slight smile to Lucien's compliment toward their daughter. She too was grateful that the child had left the room, the less her darlings could see the better. Leaning back in her seat the woman finally glanced upon her husband and sighed. "Do sit up, Marius dear," she said, as he was rested onto the cushions and the men prepared to reset his arm.

As Lucien spoke of their furnishings she returned her attention to him and smiled ever so slightly. "That is likely a kinder offer than we deserve" she said, refraining from a tut, before nodding her head. "But very well, a list can be drawn up." Anything to help get her family back on track, not that her parents would hear any of it were they present. They had a little too much pride, they were like her husband in that regard.

"You may always speak openly" the Lady of the house said, as she proceeded to listen to what he said concerning her marriage to Marius. She could not help but chuckle lightly, shaking her head. "Oh I wasn't going to divorce," she began, peering down at her husband yet again, "our unification was about more than love, as it ought to be." No, she had simply been planning on taking the children away so that they would not be subjected to such an empty home and the temper of their Father.

But then talk turned to the children, and their place in the future of the household, and the Lady Villiers pursed her lips a little. "Jacobe is but a child" she said, a faraway look in her eye for a moment. "I cannot say with any certainty that he would take well to being separated from us..." Glancing around the room the woman could not help but sigh. "With that said, perhaps he would benefit greatly under a man such as yourself." Sometimes difficult things had to be done in order for progress, who knew the kind of man her son might turn into under the right guidance. It was clear that in his present state her Husband did not quite fit the bill.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was pleased to see The lady smile, he never enjoyed inflicting pain upon the nobility. Following the Ladies glance Lucien looked upon the now broken Lord Villiers he looked Pale and weak now. It almost made Lucien sad. Lucien didn't break his gaze away as the Lord's arm was reset "Get him another brandy and put Ice on his shoulder" He instructed, mainly so that he didn't need to suffer through the Lord whining in pain.

He shrugged at her gushing over his offer concerning the furniture list, he offered not to be generous but to satisfy his rose tinted memories of the past " You give me too much credit I just hate to see houses fall to a shell like state" He smiled as she took up his offer "send the list to my P.A. and I'll forgive 15% of the interest" He leant on his hand.

"That is good news My Lady, good news indeed" Divorce was messy, much too messy for the aristocracy. "For what it's worth I think it's regrettable that your family has been forced to suffer in this way" he sighed. He didn't regret doing what he had but he did regret the fact that the whole family had suffered for the sake of money. He hoped that a move would ease their stresses, he did endeavour not to be a cruel man.

Then talk turned to the sticking point in their conversation, the boy "Regrettably all children must grow eventually and sometimes children must be adult before their time" He sighed, he knew that truth all too well "As for the separation I have had in my care a number of orphans " his own son included " I have some experience of easing such pain, it will be easier in your case as you are ... well not dead" He chuckled despite himself. He would endeavor to do his best for the child "I hope he would ... shall we go to check on the children, they are no doubt stressed?"

 

[Lief]

A slight flutter of her eyes was the only outward sign of the Lady's discomfort toward her husband's cry of pain following the resetting of his shoulder, that and a very slight intake of breath. The whole sordid affair had gotten quite out of hand, her husband's actions had been unbecoming of him and their household, but she didn't wish the pain on him all the same. Still she had to remain composed.

The conversation continued in very much the same way as it had until little Jacobe was once again brought to the table, and the Lady's smile turned significantly sadder. It would pain her to let go of her youngest, but somethings were more important than their present lives and Force knew somebody had to work toward the future of their household.

With a nod of her head she acknowledged all he had said, before adding a short "Quite right" and rising to her feet. Brushing down the folds of her dress the woman glanced down at her incapacitated husband and then to the door. "I suppose we had best check on the little ones" she remarked, before following Lucien from the room and down the hall to the nursery.

Inside Amalie sat, still cradling her red-eyed sibling. When her mother entered the girl looked up, and upon seeing Lucien alongside her but not her Father she frowned. She had heard the screaming, thankfully Jacobe had fallen into quite the deep sleep or no doubt he'd have been out of the door and investigating. She wanted to make sure her Father was okay, but the words wouldn't form so instead she simply stared and hugged her brother closer.

Something didn't feel right, she could sense her mother's off-tone even though the Lady was doing a good job of covering it up. What had happened? What was going to happen?

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien half led half followed on the road to the nursery. He was in front but he was being silently directed by the movement of Lady Villiers. Their movement through the corpse of the great house disheartened Lucien for in the face of the Villiers family he saw his own. One false move and he would watch his wealth stumble off a cliff. It was daunting.

The suffering of the children in the nursery was also disheartening, they proved quite the quandry. However he acted in their regard was immoral to take both would be a fate of insurmountable pain for the parents, to take neither condemned both to a life of shame and poverty at worst and a year or so of hell at best, to take but one was to raise on away from their family and condemn the child to watch their blood family's fate from the side lines. It was hard being a moral minded man.

They rounded into the nursery, At least the room that was once a nursery. If not for the presence of children one would think the room abandoned. Seeing the red eyes of the boy and the steel face of the girl lucien went to one knee. Better to talk from their height .

"My lady" He said softly addressing [member="Amalie Villiers"] "Your concerned ... Your father?" He asked tilting his head a touch. He didn't need to ask her mind spoke to him as if they were old friends. One of the few gifts he had ever sought to take from the force. "I won't lie he's in pain, His shoulder was dislocated when I forced him to let go of you" He sighed such an unnecessary inconvenience "My people are helping him though, his arm is reset and they are icing it for him he'll be fine in a short amount of time" How long Lucien didn't really know and he wasn't about to lie to the girl, she seemed too smart for that.

Now came the harder part ... getting the boy with as few tears as possible "Your brother," Lucien frowned "Your brother is going to come and stay with me, he will be able to see you whenever he wishes but he will live with me, This is to ease the burden on your parents until they have their finances in order" He shuffled closer "Your parents and I need your help to ensure that your brother is troubled to the bare minimum by this transfer, can you do that?"

 

[Lief]

The man read her mind in more ways than one.

Amalie had to fight to keep her expression neutral, else she might have growled a little at what the man said concerning her brother. Her grasp tightened around the little boy, her eyes expressed betrayal at the choice made by - no doubt - her mother, but otherwise she remained unchanged. When asked to play her part and assist in the exchange, however, the child became rather blunt, unbecoming of who she was.

"No."

It wasn't harsh, in fact the word spoken in solitary was almost musical, poetic in dictation, yet it was most definitely firm.

"He's too young" she continued after a moment or so, having momentarily shocked herself; Amalie at this point could not look in the direction of her Mother who was no doubt aghast at the way her daughter was behaving.

The young girl shuffled back.

"He isn't going to understand. You don't understand, neither does Mother. Jacobe needs her."

Her gaze faltered for a moment, dropping to the face of the blissfully unaware youth she was cradling. "He would never forgive them, or you. It wouldn't end in your favour."

The mechanisms of her brain had begun to whir; she realised that one of them had to go, her family had nothing, their name tarnished, and that could not be rebuilt from within. She may have been just a child, but she had witnessed a great many things that her parents had been oblivious to her understanding. Words exchanged around innocent minds, ones soaking in information, impressionable.

For now however she did not voice the conclusion her mind had come to. Let her first be reprimanded, for she felt certain that was what faced her as she lifted her gaze from Jacobe to glance upon the Lord.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

The girl was quite something her face remaining stoic and neutral. A true noble. But her eyes told a vastly different story, she was angered feeling betrayed even and her grasp on the boy in her arms tightened. Her mind told him of her anger at her mother. This was going to be difficult.

He raised a brow at her bluntness and chuckled

"Firm, I like that" He smiled

The girl it seemed would not be a simple doormat and yet she never dropped her airs and graces, her tone remaining lifted.

"Don't toy with me mind" He replied in a firm tone of his own "He might be young but that will ultimately be to his advantage"

He shook his head as she shuffled back and claimed that no one understood. He checked the young boy's mind true enough he did need his mother, taking him would lead to messy relations. He was hesitant to subject himself to that.

" I will be taking one of you" He replied

He was a man of his word and he had to take one of the children or people would think his threats were empty, He was in truth helping the Villiers out. He was reducing their burden . Children were expensive.

He watched the girl again as her mind began ticking over. She was planning something

"What are you thinking about?"

 

[Lief]

One moment for praise, the next for reprimand. Amalie felt as though her life had turned into the most bumpy of speeder rides, drifting up and down the hills of her home, crazy and chaotic and not all together planted upon the ground. How she hoped that Father was okay, daring a glance toward her Mother showed that she wasn't too worried. But she did seem irritated behind the facade, as her child - and her Eldest - Amalie knew the subtleties her Mother portrayed.

And then the Lord held her attention again, and questioned what was on her mind. Restating the need for one of them to leave with him. It was all she could do not to cry. She couldn't, she had to remain strong, to uphold the name of her Family even as it crumbled into ruin with each passing day.

"Forgive me, Mother" she whispered, without glancing in the Lady's direction, before taking in a slow breath to brace herself for what was to come. "You can't take him, My Lord" she repeated, her grip beginning to loosen until she simply cradled the boy rather than holding him in place, "but you can take me."

She could feel her Mother's tension, hear the momentary slip as the woman sucked in a breath and made ready to interrupt. Amalie ignored her, closed her eyes for a moment, before exhaling and looking Lucien in the eye. "I understand what needs to happen, I know the reasons, I've lived through it. You can't just explain that to Jacobe when he's older." It wasn't right.

For a second Amalie's lips trembled, the man might not accept this turn of events, for all she knew the next step was to have Jacobe torn from her arms, yet the uncertainty it posed not only for the next few minutes but also her future filled the girl with dread. She did not know this man, she had not met him before that she could recall, but that wasn't necessarily what mattered.

She had always known she would be sold off as some pawn in a greater game, for her Father's benefit and the lineage of her name, she just hadn't expected the moment to come so suddenly. Still, there would be no name to bolster and protect come the end of the day lest something was done about it.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien tracked the feelings running through her mind, the confusion at the chaos, the concern for her father , the worry for her mother. He followed her eyes to her mother. The woman was unchanged but her mind screamed that she was livid. Lucien could understand this whole situation was likely hard for her .

Then the girls eyes returned to him still neutral faced. but her mind telling of misery in the face of a need to stay strong. He supposed he ought to do something nice for her. Whilst she was apologising to her mother he summoned a soldier over "Bring Lord Villiers in here, see he doesn't cause trouble though" Then back to the girl.

She reiterated that he couldn't take her brother and loosened her grip on the boy. Lucien could have taken the boy, she had seen his skill, his soldiers. but he understood what she meant. Then she announced that he could take her. "Very well, I will take you " He stated. Ignoring the noises of disquiet of the woman behind him and continued to Listen to the girl. "You are correct " He could supplant the understanding directly into the boy's head but that could get messy it would be easier to take the girl who understood the situation.

He reached out to the girls mind "Don't cry, steel yourself, show nothing" He reached a hand out to tap her hand and smiled softly. A small gesture to comfort her. She was scared as anyone would be she was about to lose her family.

"We ought to go, I will leave you to say your goodbyes " He rose then "Pack your bags then meet me downstairs"

 

[Lief]

It was over in an instant, yet her ears rang for what felt like a solid hour as the world span before her. Just like that her life as she knew it was over, and something new stood upon the horizon waiting. Her Father stumbled through the doorway a short while after he was sent for, with Lucien likely having passed him on the way out of the nursery. During that time neither Mother or Daughter moved, no word uttered, until the Lord of their once great Household was present.

Soothed by his wounds, the man looked utterly out of it, yet it did not take him two seconds to realise what had gone on in his absence. Between his Wife and Daughter he glanced, shaking his head in mute dissatisfaction. Yet she knew that he would later be grateful to keep his son and Heir close at hand. He had wanted Amalie to be a boy, after all, she had overheard conversations concerning such before. At least now he would have a shot at raising Jacobe through the important years.

"I'm sorry" Amalie finally said, to break the silence. As telepathically instructed, the girl kept her wits about her and miraculously managed to keep it together, as much as she longed to mourn her loss with tears. Settling her lips to the forehead of her brother, and then gently setting him aside, the girl rose from where she had been sat and glanced between her parents. With the room devoid of all save the Villiers line their faces had crumpled as the guise was pulled apart.

She wanted to comfort them, then, but she knew that she would not let go if she embraced them now. Instead she bit her lip, looked sheepishly away from them and hurried from the room - not quite running, but certainly not walking. Her Mother called after her but whatever she said was drowned out by the same static ringing as before.

Finding most of her things already packed, with the family having been making plans to leave for her Grandparent's home, it was a very simple task to gather her case - small, as the majority of her things had already been sold - and her favourite teddy which she had managed to save from the chopping block. Stood there in her room, the walls as magnificent as ever with their childish wonder, marks on the floor where furniture once lay, Amalie allowed herself a moment of anguish, a few tears pricking at her eyes and stinging her cheeks.

And then she left the room she had grown up in behind. She had seen just seven years here, but in truth it was an eternity, the entirety of her existence.

Down the stairs she walked, past the nursery where naught save silence could be heard, and into the foyer which had once been as grand as the estate itself. Amalie said nothing as she approached the door and waited to see what fate had in store.