Private The Blood of the Court

[The High Court of Illyria]

THE HIGH COURT​

Tags: Fleur Valencia ​

Sieur...
Magnate...
Viscount...
Count...
Marquis...
Baron...
King​

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The Aristocracy of Illyria were the privileged and professional. They believed it was their right and destiny to lead their world into a new time of prosperity. From the Sieur's who command under a hundred acres and small towns, to the Barons who are named Overlords of the largest provinces on the planet. All are held accountable for their actions under the authority of The High Court, the official governing body of the planet. The Royal House of Malvern constructed the High Court to establish policy, oversee law, and settle the weary economy the planet held.​

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Every House that holds a place at Court may send one representative to serve as an Officiel. The Officiels are trained politicians and advisors who translate the needs and wishes of a certain House into the chambers of the Court. Some Houses often send their own Lords and Ladies to serve as Officiels while others hire professional representatives to serve in this capacity. ​

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It was a dark day in Azurine city. The King had summoned the High Court to handle a particularly troublesome matter. On the steps leading into Draggone Palace a number of Officiels made their way into the Royal Palace-proper. Some were yet holding conversations with their colleagues about the upcoming meeting. Few knew the actual purpose of this meeting or why His Majesty had called for it, but only time would tell. ​

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Speaking of time, as the clocks of Illyria struck for the sign of midday, the rest of the Officiels began to file into the palace. The palace was a beautiful place. A wondrous building with regal tones of gold and amethyst throughout the well-structured hall. To those who were familiar with the style, they would recognize subtle tones of Serenno, yet the architecture was purely Illyrian in the pronounced edges and modern decor. The halls were large and comfortable, with warm tones and elegant wallpaper flowing towards the destination of The High Court's meeting chambers. The meeting Chambers themselves were built into a pyramid-shaped atrium with a glass ceiling on the peak of the formation. There were hundreds of comfortable chairs set behind ornate metal desks. Each desk held a datapad, a microphone, and a few other amenities such as a holonet hook up and datalink. ​

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The High Court was somewhat based on The Viceroyalty assembly that was held in the halls of The Confederacy. However, there were notable differences. For one, while it was the right of a Viceroy to rule, it is by the King's grace that all noble's are given power and influence. In these halls there was only one true power that all must answer to, The Monarchy. On the far wall, in a large break between the rows and rows of seating was a raised dais. This dais held two thrones as well as two large desks placed on a platform below these thrones. ​

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For the most part the hall was quiet, though there was the low murmur of idle chatter as the members of the Court found their predetermined sections. Power in the Court was determined by how many "seats" or representations of power that each House held in court. Some Houses held only a single seat, while others held hundreds. Based on this factor, seating was designed so those with the least amount of seats were pushed to the seating in the rear. This did not stop them from speaking or suggesting legislation, it merely showed that their power was limited in comparison. As Sieur's and Magnate's were extremely uncommon in the High Court, this place was usually filled with the lower Viscountry. There were hundreds of nobles who flooded into the room and all remained standing until the door's to the High Court were shut. ​

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All stood. All were silent. There was not a single sound in the room, save the even, pronounced steps that came from one of the room's side door's. ​

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"His majesty, The King!" One of the announcer's spoke out loudly. In that moment, every member of The High Court would kneel, presenting their fealty for their liege to see and accept. The King of Illyria was a rather young man, whose features were youthful, yet attentive. He has crystal, amethyst eyes that scanned from one side of the room to another. He stood in the center of the room for a single moment, wearing an ebony and emerald cloak of fine silk and metallic-like designs flowing from his shoulders. ​

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"Rise." The King Commanded, his voice echoing out almost unnaturally as each and every Noble heard him as if he stood just beside them. The King lowered his gaze from his bannermen, turning away from them and making his way to the throne. Following closely behind him were two aged individuals, each one with gruff features and a presence that was nearly as powerful as the King's. These were the Chancellors of the Left and Right, or Chancellors of the Aegis and the Shield. The King stepped up, resting into his throne while each of the Chancellors took up a position at their desks. Once the King had settled in his own throne, he seemed to consider his words as he rested his chin upon his hand. ​

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"Illyria prevails." He said sternly, with a gauging look in his eyes. "Yet, we must turn our eyes towards further strengthening the Military. The progress that Baron's La'roc and Dulaney have made thus far are commendable, however for us to truly expand our military we will need more military bases and academies." He proclaimed. This was actually no small thing. For a House to offer their land for military use was both honorable and foolish. For the Illyrian Military fell under the direct rule of the High Court, not the individual noble. Although they had access to the military, the only Commander in Chief was the King. So the territory essentially became his. The hall fell silent and the King exhaled softly before speaking up pointedly. "Well?" He demanded.​

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[Fleur Valencia]

THE HIGH COURT​

Outfit: XOXO | Taozin Amulet
Tags: The High Court of Illyria | Raphael Boucher ​

It was her first day. Her first time in The High Court at the capacity of Viscount. To say that she was nervous, had never even crossed her mind. She didn’t feel the butterflies that some would get at the mere prospect of being in a court amongst other high ranking Officiels. No. Fleur had been groomed from the day she was born, to take her place as the head of House Valencia and today was her first official day. Along this path, the woman had many hurdles to overcome and one of those being, was her connection with the force. At least, that was what her parents had said and being that she had been kept hidden from the eye of the public for so long, she couldn’t think of any reason that they would lie to her.

Yet even though she had been kept away from the public eye, Fleur had extensive training. From etiquette, to business. Along with training that ensured that she never lost control under any circumstances. That training had been the hardest of all. Yet through all of that, she rose to the challenges and tackled them so when she became 22 years of age, she would take on the mantle of Head of House Valencia. Today was her birthday and she had become one of the youngest in Valencia history to become Head of the House. Perhaps it was all down to determination, or maybe it was because she had no distractions from others of the outside world, but Fleur herself would simply say that she had wonderful teachers to help guide and push her to be the woman that she was today.

As she walked, it seemed as if she glided and she continued to ponder about her parents. Why would she give them the credit of her current successes, when they were barely there? Private tutors and teachers ruled her every day to day life. She had bounced from one lesson to the next, all the while, her parents would only check in on her progress. Her life had been devoid of parental love, so her successes were all down to simply finding some kind of accomplishment to satisfy the lonely ache within her heart. Now that House Valencia was all hers, it was time to truly shine.

The red dress that she wore, hugged every curve of her body, while her golden blonde hair fell around her shoulders in gentle waves and she quietly took her respective place amongst the Viscountry just as the clocks struck midday. She remained standing quietly and listened with the unknown gift of vampirika hearing; to the sound of the footsteps that carried themselves towards the door. The woman also listened to the announcer and her glided movements, carried her downwards into a kneeling position to present her fealty. She listened to the footfalls of the king and heard every whisper of the man’s clothing that shifted with every one of his movements. No one knew as to why he had called for this meeting, it had been whispered upon the lips of many of her fellow Officiels upon their initial arrival and even as they waited quietly for their King to speak, she could still feel their unanswered question.

Fleur, on the other hand, was more than patient enough. Patience was a virtue and more often than not, the key to the answer.

Finally, he commanded them to rise and she took her seat and it wasn’t long before the unspoken question was answered. To make such a decision on her first day would be bold, but the woman never did things half way. Vibrant blue eyes watched the King for a moment as he demanded once again. Fleur rose, ”His Majesty, if I may?” She queried as she sunk into a bow and waited for his signal for her to rise and speak. Upon such a signal, the pale woman rose and offered a polite smile. ”House Valencia would be more than happy to offer land for such a use. After all, Illyria’s defense falls upon all of our shoulders. However,” Fleur paused for but a moment, only to continue. ”I ask his majesty that House Valencia be compensated for the loss of potential profits that we might have accrued if we had built other establishments upon said land. A small fee, if you will, to be paid on a monthly basis by those who deem to take up residence upon the land. Of which is to be paid to House Valencia.”​

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[Raphael Boucher]

HOUSE VALENCIA?​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

The High Court.

This gathering was nothing short of exceptional. Of course, Illyria had had many Monarchs and each one had been more ardently pro-Monarchical power than the last. How does a newly crowned King of a world suddenly deliver more than eighty percent of the Noble Houses into his influential fold? Gives them purpose, reason, and above all influence. Raphael had never seen the like on the world of Illyria, nor anywhere else. The Aristocratic system that the world now used was a far cry from the one that had come before. It was shaky, dangerous, but above all, it worked.

That was what impressed the scion of the House Boucher. Raphael was a considerably influential man at Court. His lands were nearly as expansive as the more prominent Counts and he held more seats in the High Court than any of them. He remained a Viscount because he was not interested in expanding his lands or influence any further and because it was far less invasive than a full Count.

Raphael watched his counterparts rise to their feet and he followed in turn, falling to a knee as the High Lord of Illyria came before them. Raphael bowed his head until he was acknowledged by the King to rise.

They all stood and took their seats, listening to the man's words as he spoke. Another military base? That would be the fifth or sixth one built this year. It seemed that military might was one of the things that this King prized. Raphael wondered just why it was that is. He paid the thought little mind however as he watched hall turn to a quiet mumble. Some wondered who else would present their lands for this project? It certainly was not something that could be taken lightly, yet the King's demand was plain as day.

There was some silence when a poised, even voice came over the Court. The Viscount Boucher turned his eyes towards the woman who lifted her voice to the court. She was new to these halls, yet now she stood to speak? A brazen thing to do, but not without it's own merits.

Her words caused Raphael's brow to quirk in mild shock.

Then it began.

"Who does she believe she is?!" A Baron declared abruptly.

"Have her head for her tone against His Majesty, she dares declare conditions?!" A Count called out against the woman.

"How many seats does she hold? Two? A half?" A young Officiel snickered out.

Raphael watched as the Court seemed to turn against the woman, his eyes dancing from one person to another as they let out all manner of retorts. The spectacle went on until finally...

"Silence." The King's voice was loud and final. It brought the entire yammering Hall to a complete state of quiet. Raphael could not help but smile softly at the prospect. Adron Malvern's eyes rested on the woman who had risen to declare her lands for the Crown's use. "Viscount Valencia." The King spoke out the woman's name as if she were one who he had known for his entire life. The familiarity in his tone showed that he was aware of the woman and her new presence in the Court. "You would be wise to watch and listen. That is the only advice I will offer you, Viscount."

"As for the rest of you. Unless any of the rest of you wish to offer me your lands here and now, with no cost to the Crown, be silent." He hissed the final word, his eyes suddenly darting from one Noble to the next before the entire hall was silent.

Until a single voice spoke up. "Your Majesty."

Raphael stood from where he was, bowing his head respectfully. "My Lady of Valencia said it well. It is the burden of all for Illyria to be well protected. Therefore I would like to finance the cost of the new base. I will also see to it that House Valencia is well reimbursed for the use of the property." Raphael's tone was as it always was. It was as if each word was finely picked out to leave those with only the information they absolutely needed. "If it pleases you." He said, bowing his head once again.

The King glanced over at Raphael before nodding silently. He waved a hand at the two Viscounts. "Then I will leave the construction of the base in the hands of Viscount Valencia & Viscount Boucher. I will see to it a Royal Constable is assigned to House Valencia so the base is built to standard." He declared. With nothing else to be said, he looked to those around him. "Are there any with a grievance?"

The politics of the high chamber fell to the background as Raphael turned to gaze back at the woman who had so bravely stood up in her first day in the High Court. ​

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[Fleur Valencia]

OBJECTIVE​

Outfit: XOXO | Taozin Amulet
Tags: Raphael Boucher | The High Court of Illyria ​

Fleur heard the uproar that dared to try to shred her to pieces, those that tried to bring her down to their level of simple court bullying and if it hadn’t been for her extensive training, the woman might have buckled. Her curse would have been on display for all of those here and she might have even been called an abomination to Diathims everywhere, however they did not know the kind of upbringing that she had gone through. Words whipped around her as they tried to whip her into line, to call forth her head and she was more than prepared. This was the only training that her parents did provide. The training to bear the weight of the harsh tongue. To not let her emotions, nor the stresses of The High Court bring out the monster from within. She never received praise, nor was she ever given encouragement. Anything she did, had to be by the strength of her own will alone.

The woman never expected to make friends. Especially not at court.

With that, vibrant blue eyes, calm and steady remained upon the King as she waited for his response. She waited with a calm that could shake anyone’s resolve as she waited for the spectacle to come to a conclusion. Finally, the King called for silence, something of which she had maintained the entire time and she waited. Waited for the hall to come to a complete standstill and she bowed her head for a moment as the King addressed her. He had addressed her with a familiarity that almost had a look of puzzlement cross her brow, but she caught the reaction just in time before it was displayed upon her face and she listened to His Majesty’s words. Once again, she simply bowed her head to his words.

They were true words, no doubt, but she also knew that in order to make an impact, she herself had to make waves. Today. Waves had been made and whether or not it created a good impact or a bad one, she would soon find out. One merely couldn’t simply always wait for the perfect moment, for there was never a perfect moment to raise one’s head. Yet even as she watched the King address the rest of the Nobles for their outburst, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment on the inside. For he had given them an ultimatum, one that suggested that the other Nobles should bring a better offer to the table. No one wanted to ever give up land and perhaps if her parents had still been Head of House, they would not have either. Fleur on the other hand, knew that without risk, there could be no reward.

However it was another voice, one that spoke up in her favor rather than against, that had her catching another unbidden reaction before it made its way to her face. It was a quiet surprise and she had to refrain from turning to view this new voice. It was a male’s voice that she did not know, however, no voice was at all familiar to her. Yet if she turned to view the person, she would very much be able to tell who it was. Even as the man spoke, the woman couldn’t help but wonder as to what angle this man was playing. Did he truly believe that the burden of Illyria was for all to share? Or did he simply say that to garner an angle.

Whatever it was, she had best hope to work it out soon, for she watched the King nod and wave a hand, only to give his final verdict. ”Your Majesty,” Fleur said as she bowed and finally took her seat once more while the King moved on. Quietly, she wondered as to why Viscount Boucher had stood up and helped her out. What was his angle and what did he hope to gain by fostering good faith between House Boucher and House Valencia? Nothing was ever given for free. Not without a price.​

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[Raphael Boucher]

THE BLOODY BUTCHER?​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

The Viscount turned his eyes towards his datapad, exhaling softly to himself as he ran a brief, rough-cost of the funding for a new military base. It would be a considerable strain, but not undoable. The favor he would curry from the Crown, the young Viscount, and the envy he would no doubt pull from the rest of the Court would be considerable recompense. The day continued on as most other days of the High Court did. The King called for his Barons and Marquis to bring about their grievances. It was a necessary time for such a thing, as the entire world was in a violently fast-paced shift from one set of philosophy to another. Raphael watched and listened to the problems that the fellow lords brough to the Court. In reality, it was the duty of a Noble to help his fellow Noblemen, yet few were open to such charity without considerable promise of a return on their loans. So, those problems that could not be solved by the High Court or the Upper Nobility were quickly passed along to the Monarchy. Sometimes they would intervene and other times they would not. It was all circumstantial.

The morning quickly passed into the Afternoon and the Viscount looked to the clock upon his desk. He watched as the King rose from his throne, bringing a hand up to silence the chattering hall. The members of the Aristocracy fell silent while the King placed his hands behind his back. "We will recess for two hours. Once we return we will vote on our standing bill's and move on to enactment of the last quarter's new laws." When the King stepped down from the throne, every member of the High Court stood, bowing their heads respectfully as their liege exited the room. Only once His Majesty had exited the room did the air of the political climate waver.

Most members of the Court stepped away from their desks, making their way out of the Meeting Chambers in hopes of finding lunch or merely stretching their legs for a few hours.

Raphael collected his hat, taking it into his hands while making his way towards a very consciously predetermined destination. He stepped towards the back of the chamber to find himself standing before Fleur Valencia . "Bonjour, ma dame." He greeted her, holding his hat over his chest while inclining his head respectfully. "Viscount Raphael Boucher, a pleasure." He said, holding out a hand to receiving the more lithe fingers of the young Viscount.

There it was.

His nose twitched ever so suddenly when he realized an all too familiar scent. His eyes glanced up, gazing at the woman curiously before a slow smile spread over his lips. So, it appeared there was indeed another of his kind at court. Now that was curious. Once he released the woman's hand he glanced around at the steadily emptying hall, he took notice of those eyes that turned to the two and found it amusing.

"You seem to have made quite the impression. In your first session, no less." The amusement behind his words were hard to miss, yet they did not seem malicious in the way he spoke. "Would you like to join me for some coffee, My Lady? After all, it seems we will be working together a bit very soon." He told her.
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[Fleur Valencia]

OBJECTIVE​

Tags: Raphael Boucher | The High Court of Illyria ​

Outfit: XOXO | Taozin Amulet

The day progressed much like she had thought it would, with Barons and Marquis expressing their grievances to the King at his behest while she herself remained quiet as she listened. Except her mind was on a different problem, one that involved land. Her alabaster fingers travelled over the datapad in front of her as she looked at a bird’s eye view of the providence of King’s Water. Quietly she marked the areas that could be used for a military base and then moved on to another project, one that she had been wanting to get kickstarted ever since she had been but a girl. A project that would give House Valencia a new positive light and not one focused on simple casinos and hotels. She could see why it would seem like House Valencia only ever cared for their bottom line, because they did. They were not rich like other provinces were, but they were not poor either and that was by watching their bottom line.

Fleur would be ignorant to disregard the strategies that had gotten them this far; so if she built another hotel with an inhouse casino somewhere close to the military base, then perhaps it would make sure that the military men would also be spending more money in the casino. Perhaps, they may even book a room to have illicit affairs. Either way, it would help boost that bottom line and make sure that the loss of the land wasn’t an entire loss. Which meant that she could move on to other aspects. That being the new project which was to give House Valencia a new image. A project that involved expansions into the health care; hospitals and research centres to help create advances in the medical field.

It was all well and good in theory, to revamp an entire House’s image, but it was costly and so, that was why she had to work on the numbers, boost revenue in any which way that she could. Although she typed in figures and potential new zoning areas, she continued to listen to the room, but felt that there was no need for her to say anything else. The woman had done what she needed to do already and that was make an impression. So when the King rose and called for a recess, Fleur rose with the rest of the High Court and bowed her head. As the King left the room, fingers travelled over the datapad to lock it while she waited for the rest of the High Court to leave.

So when she turned only to come face to face with none other than Viscount Raphael Boucher, the woman was briefly taken aback but recovered swiftly as the man introduced himself. A smile curved her lips then and she respectfully lowered her head as she placed her alabaster white hand into his own outstretched one. His scent reached her nose and a quizzical look descended upon her brow, ”Cursed?” She whispered ever so softly to herself before and an apologetic smile curved her lips once more, when he released her hand. ”My apologies, My Lord. I'm Viscount Fleur Valencia, as I’m sure that you already know and I would love to go for coffee.” Fleur said as she inclined her head slightly to the right to indicate that they should move towards the door.

His words made her wonder about the man, for his words were not malicious, but she still couldn’t help but wonder. ”I could have not said a thing, as I’m sure that most Nobles would have done and did. Yet it is a King’s prerogative to take and demand. I’m sure that the King might have simply taken land from another Noble if someone did not offer. In a way, although I stood up and offered my lands while also asking for compensation, I simply helped the King and the other Nobles by providing an avenue that ensured that the King didn’t have to bear the weight of a disgruntled Noble that lost their land due to a random pick of the litter. In a way, if it had been me who had lost that land, I probably would not have been compensated, yet, because I stood up, it gave me grounds to bargain. Although…” Fleur’s words paused for a moment as she stopped walking and turned to face her companion, ”I am curious as to what you want. What is in it for you by helping me?”​

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[Raphael Boucher]

A SIMPLE WALK​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

The moment that the young Viscount's hand fell into his own, the older man was forced to pause. His eyes lifted up to see the woman before him and he could not wonder...who was she? She had the smell of a Vampire, yet...there was more to it than just that. The pause, which felt like an eternity to the Viscount but in truth lasted a mere second, was broken when he righted himself, regarding the woman with a curious gaze. Nevertheless he offered her a rather knowing smile. "I am familiar with your House. They have been rising to some prominence, especially these last few years." He said.

The Viscount pulled the hat on his head as he listened to the woman's words. He found them to be rather interesting- interesting and foolish. As she explained her point, it was a valid point and while it was not what the Viscount would have done in her position, he respected it. When they stepped just out of the door, the man could not help but quirk a brow at the woman before him. "Why help you?" He asked her curiously.

"The answer to that is exceedingly simple, because it helped myself. You see, in the High Court there are a number of things that will gain you favor, and while those same things that gain favor will gain ire, you must weigh out one from the other. You see, those who hold favor with the Illyrian military have been rather upset with me because my contributions to the military have been below a certain line. Mainly because the military has nothing to offer me, not even in it's most simplistic manner. However, it is our duty to maintain, is it not? But I do not want soldiers running across my lands and mucking up the beauty that has been cultivated there. Not to mention I curry some favor with the King and even show that I am willing to work with my fellow noblemen. Too much gain paired for the loss of a few hundred-million credits." He told her.

As they moved through the halls, the Viscount regarded his head towards a young servant, sweeping the floors silently, her eyes falling as the two of them passed by. "That woman. Her hair is quite nice is it not? Beautiful silk locks of ebony. How do you believe she maintains that hairstyle? Baron Goutier pays for it of course. Every week, a very pricy upkeep. Hair, nails, dresses ,whatever she could desire. In exchange she provides him with the passing words she hears falling from the lips of his cohorts. She is a spy, you see." He said, as they moved out of the halls and into the still cloudy, dark atmosphere of Azurine city. They passed by another servant, a young boy who was cleaning a number of windows as they passed him by.

"That boy there? He is a spy for the Viscount Ko'rhen. He has very keen eyes. If you walk past him with your datapad turned on he can spot every damned thing type up on it. Best to avoid him all together." The Viscount chuckled, leading the Lady to the sidewalk so they could travel down the main street. "You understand what the High Court is in theory, but you do not understand what it truly is. His majesty is an individual who believes that many means will justify the ends. Now, the trick is finding the things he will not abide. Once you have done that, you learn how to properly play the game, and how to win." He advised.​

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[Fleur Valencia]

THE CURSED CHILD​

Outfit: XOXO | Taozin Amulet
Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

Fleur listened to the man and nodded her head from time to time. Blue eyes shifted to view each person that was pointed out to her by Viscount Boucher. Her steps were kept at an even pace beside that of her fellow companion however and with those quiet steps that she took, she drew in the information that was freely given to her. What did it benefit him for her to know such information? Yet even as she continued to let him speak, from time to time she would raise a brow, only to nod her head at the occasional passerby with a soft smile. Did the male beside her realise that he was providing her with information? Helping her, but this time with no guarantee that she would return the favor? Perhaps he was trying to curry favor with her. Either way, she was suspicious.

The woman paused for a moment as her gaze took in the man beside her and she shook her head, making her golden locks bounce a little with the movement as they shifted. Perhaps, she should share some information with the male and see where it would lead to. Would he divulge it with others? Or perhaps keep it to himself? Only time would tell. Either way, it didn’t really affect her all that much, for there were always rumours as to why the child of Elisa and Isla had never seen the light of day until now. ”When you are the cursed diathim child of House Valencia that is kept from the public eye, theory is all that one has. It gives me a disadvantage to other nobles, yes, but I learn quickly enough. One has to when someone can either sink or swim in these trying times.”

There were conditions based upon her rise to the Head of Valencia. Conditions, such as marriage. Being that she was the only child, Elias could not deny her the right as heir and as such, she rose to the Head of her House. However, he had placed stipulations. Stipulations such as marriage to that of a male Diathim within a period of five years. Elias Valencia himself would choose her suitors. As he had said, ’It was to cleanse the Valencia bloodline of the curse that his daughter had brought upon it. To make it pure and remove said curse.’ Such were the words that she had grown up with. Yet, Fleur had managed to make her own stipulation to his terms. He could bring suitors forth and she would have the final say. Yes or no. Such a bargain had not been done lightly and there were consequences if she didn’t marry within the five year deadline. Such was the life of a female heiress.

Elias Valencia had never acted as a father, so such behavior from him was to be expected. He was cold and a stranger to the woman. This man however, seemed familiar somehow. Smelled familiar. Was it strange that she thought that her curse was making her think such delusional thoughts? If one thing was clear, she would definitely have to do her research on this man. For he definitely was not someone that she wanted to underestimate, nor fall under the delusions that he was simply helping her out of the goodness of his heart. Finally she nodded her head as they found themselves at a coffee shop. ”It appears that we are here.” Fleur said with a pause before continuing on, ”I do understand what you are saying though and the advice is extremely solid. I’ll keep everything that you have told me, in mind for future reference.”​

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[Raphael Boucher]

THE HIGH COURT​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

A cursed Diathim.

Now wasn't that interesting, yet as they strode down the sidewalk in Azurine city, Raphael let out a single, dry laugh. "You still don't understand." He said, chuckling before looking to the woman with a raised brow. "Your father should have taught you better of the High Court." That was when Raphael brought his hand up to the rim of his cap, raising it a millimeter before turning his eyes to the woman intently. "Do not trust anyone or they will destroy you." He promised her, before bringing his cap back down a bit. "Perhaps even me..." He said curtly before arching a brow at the woman.

"So tell me. You have the blood of a Diathim within you...but there is something more, something even more vivid." He raised a finger to his mouth showing off a single, sharpened fang. "Your blood is old. As old as mine and that blood does not settle on worlds like Illyria without a story. How did your family end up here, My Lady?" He wondered. He could smell it so vividly in the woman, a scent that was familiar...matching. It was a scent he could not place.

As they entered the coffee shop, the Viscount held the door open for Fleur, allowing her to step inside while he followed behind her. The two would settle into a nice, quiet corner of the room where they could talk with an air of privacy. The Viscount looked to the Barista pointedly. "Let me have a red special, for my Lady as well." He said. The Barista paused before offering a silent nod and drifting off to the bar. When the woman strode off, the Viscount turned his eyes to the woman before him. He looked over to the side of the shop where an Echecs board sat. "Hmm." With a flourish of his hand, the many ebony and ivory pieces on the board began to float off the wooden board, flying over to the table of the Viscounts while Raphael spoke. "The King values ambition, wisdom, and discretion." The Viscount said as the board slowly floated onto the flat surface of their table.

"Your people must be happy, you must maintain order, and loyalty may never be in question. However, outside of that realm there is a considerable grey area." The pieces slowly floated down to the echecs board, placing themselves rhythmically while Raphael continued to speak. "Viscount La'rou passed away this past years. Died of a heart attack. He was twenty-eight. His lands went to Viscount Cornelion, a distant cousin who held no seats in the Court. With the death of his cousin, Cornelion gained eight seats in the High Court. Now, had the Viscount been found in his manor with his throat slit or a blaster bolt in his chest, then the Duty of Justice is to investigate it until the murderer is found. But he was not found butchered...he was found in his bed, with all signs of death pointing to a heart attack."

"This rule is for all things in the High Court. Do everything with discretion and make yourself above reproach. Avoid the eyes of the King and you may yet win his favor." The man explained. It was an oddity. Raphael had no clue as to why he was teaching the young Viscount about the ins and outs of the Court. That was not how things were normally done. Most people entered the Court with wide eyes that were soon crushed by reality, many of them found their own House's crushed by this weight as well. Yet, as Raphael looked upon this young woman's face he had something inside him stir. Something that made him wish for prosperity, not destruction. ​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

VALENCIA​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

A bow of her head was given in thanks as the man held the door open for her and waited for her to pass through the door. It wasn’t long before Fleur found that they were seated in a quiet corner with the other Viscount giving her lessons. She had been quiet with every second that passed until she noticed that he was done talking, at least for the moment. ”I fully expect that you have some hidden agenda. That you may very well be lying right to my face even as we speak. It’s why when I get the chance, I’ll fact check everything that you have said. I have… A good memory.” The woman said softly as she appraised a piece that sat upon the board before her. ”I can tell you much of what I’ve read, but games were always meant for two. I will tell you this, because anyone that has been in amongst the Valencia home will be easily bribed for the information. A noble’s home is never a secret. Their private lives are never private. Someone, somewhere can be bribed.” Fleur mentioned as her words paused and she lifted her head to nod softly as the Barista returned with their drinks.

Quietly she waited for the barista to leave so he was no longer in ear shot before continuing. ”Long ago. Some Diathim families were forced to flee their home, Millius Prime and took refuge here on Illyria. Now we all know that Valencia has been here for quite some time. My father’s family. Purebloods. My mother’s family was known as the Belrose family. I don’t know much about them, except they were not of noble birth and that they too were purebloods. My mother never speaks of them and barely even bothers to look at me for too long, for it is because of me that she can no longer carry anymore heirs for my father. Apparently. I tore my way out of her.” Fleur said as a matter of fact as she angled her head slightly to the right while blue eyes watched the male for a moment.

With every word that she spoke, it was a simple matter of fact. Cold even, as if she was speaking from a report. ”Now you say that my father should have taught me better, but he wishes my downfall the most. He would rather see me die and retake the House for himself than to see it flourish. Which is probably why he stipulated a clause. One that sees me married to a pureblood to produce heirs in five years. Otherwise I may just end up like Viscount La’rou. I wouldn’t put it past him.” Fleur said as a simple matter of fact, while her gaze shifted to the board before them and studied the pieces and their positioning. No. She had not been brought up in a house full of love. It had been cold. Barren. Stripped of any loving emotion.

”I am but a stain upon the diathim bloodline. The Valencia bloodline. I have five years to marry, then one day produce an heir. Preferably male if my father could have it his way. If I don’t. I die. If I marry and produce a male heir; I’ll probably still manage to end up dead. If the other Officiels wish me dead, then they will have to get in line. Either way, I’m in a lose, lose situation. So the most I can hope to do, is to create as much as I can, within the timeline that I have. So then even if I do somehow die one day, I am not able to simply be wiped from the Valencia history book.” Her gaze lifted to view her companion once more. ”All I know is that I am a cursed diathim. If there is something else, I don’t know it.”​

​

 

[Raphael Boucher]

OBJECTIVE​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

To hear the woman's words caused the man to chuckle a bit. It seemed she, like all others on this world, had a history of some intrigue. The thought of a father betraying his daughter, vying for her death? Well even for Raphael the thought of filicide was something to bring his blood to a boil. But he said nothing, he listened to the woman speak and found her story did not match her blood. Yet, as the woman spoke out the name that was all too familiar to Raphael, the man was forced to pause, his cup only a shallow inch from his lips.

Belrose.

Odette Belrose. That name caused Raphael to rest his cup down on the table, glancing down into the off-black liquid silently for a spare moment. "I am familiar with the Belrose family as well as the Diathim who came to this world. It was nearly thirty years ago when they began their immigration here. The world was yet in the middle of a war, so...many Noble families sought out the Diathim as a means of prestige and alliance. Several families took Diathim's into their homes. Le'blanc, Ashier, Cautier, Vincent."

Boucher.

The Viscount looked to the woman before him and he could not help but wonder. He looked to the young woman and he felt his breath catch in his throat for a spare moment. "Beautiful..." He said simply. "...You look..."

....Like Odette.

"Remarkable." He finally said aloud with a smile coming to his lips. He gestured to the cup of coffee in the woman's hands. "You should have a drink." The Red Special was actually a creation of Raphael's. A drink that was three parts coffee and one part O negative blood. The manager of the establishment was an old acquaintance of Raphael's who catered to his specific taste. The Viscount brought his own cup to his lips, drinking down a bit of the coffee as his mind was tirelessly flooded with a mass of information. This young woman was undeniably a member of the Vampirika, whether she knew it or not. Yet, her familial ties were to the Belrose? "I am curious, is your mother's name Odette?" The man wondered, with a curious gaze upon his face.​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

BELROSE​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

Blue eyes watched as the cup that he had lifted an inch from his lips froze and she perked a questioning brow before he finally began to speak. Quietly, the woman took the cup that had been delivered, into her pale hands while she listened. She could understand why the Diathim’s were welcomed into the noble's homes. They held many traits that were desired by many people. Wings. Blue eyes and blonde hair. Their natural hypnotic gifts and even the kind aura that they gave off. The Valencia’s had kept their blood to themselves, essentially becoming a House that prided themselves on their pure Diathim blood without a trace of anything else to taint it. Until Fleur came along. Sometimes she wondered about whether things would have been different if she hadn't been born cursed or if she hadn't ruined her mother’s chances of ever conceiving again.

She angled her head slightly to the right when he complimented her and a slow smile curved her lips. ”My looks are a typical Diathim trait. Minus a few minor differences.” Fleur smirked softly while she pulled the cup of liquid closer to her being. ”You should never fall for such a trap, as legends have been told that Diathim’s have led many men to their deaths.” The woman said before it was noted that she should drink the liquid inside the cup. Slowly she lifted it from the table and sniffed. It smelled strange. Like coffee but with a hint of… Blood? A frown creased her brow as she lifted the cup to her lips and tasted the bitter liquid that had a slight coppery after taste. Well, it certainly was a different way to approach the drinking of such liquid in public.

”A strange concoction indeed, but I like it.” Fleur said with a smile before it dimmed upon her lips. ”I did say that my mother’s maiden name was Belrose. Yes, but her first is not Odette. It’s Isla.” The Viscount paused for a moment as she lightly placed the cup back upon the table and watched the man before her with quiet contemplation before speaking again. ”I don’t know as to why you ask about an Odette when there is no such Odette mentioned in the history of the Belrose family. My mother Isla, was an only child.” It was curious that the man spoke of an Odette and even she had briefly looked into the Belrose family when she did her own research. If there had been such an Odette, it most certainly wasn’t on paper.

It did make her wonder though as she shook her head. Was he wrong? ”Regardless. My mother is a mute. At least towards me anyway. I guess I am to blame for her husband’s ire. So I won’t be getting any answers out of her.” Fleur sighed as she raised the cup to her lips while drinking a little more than a sip. Her mind wandered to the name Odette and she was sure that the name did not exist. So the question remained, why did he ask if Odette was her mother? Was he sick? Did the drink make him so? Quietly she placed the cup upon the table while she took detailed notes of the man’s next movements. ”Tell me; you smell familiar, yet you are not Diathim. Of that I am sure, yet you bear the hallmarks of someone that has been cursed. Much like myself. Why is that?” Fleur questioned as another frown creased her brow. There was so much that just wasn’t adding up. Something was amiss. A detail that she hadn’t quite been able to grasp yet.​

​

 

[Raphael Boucher]

BELROSE​

Tags: @​

Raphael could not help but offer a small smile when the young woman spoke of the Diathim. He chuckled a bit at her words before nodding silently. "I first met the Diathim some time ago and their powers are considerable. Of course, they are able to be mitigated through the Force or some little bobbles I've come across in my years." He took a moment to consider the woman's words before asking a rather curious question. "You can't be any older than your early twenties are you?" He asked with a slight wonder.

When Fleur revealed to enjoying the coffee, that was when he was sure of her blood. Most people would get sick, even from that much coffee, or at the least they would dislike the taste.

What Fleur said next caused the man's face to contort in a slight surprise. "Isla." The next words that Fleur spoke only caused the man to tilt his head in confusion. No, there was certainly and Odette Belrose. Could it be that something had occurred with that family? Something that may explain her disappearance all those years ago. Over twenty years ago. That number continued to ring in his mind, yet he could not give it justice as he was already on to his next point.

When she set the cup down once again, Raphael gestured to it. "Drink more." He said, before speaking to the woman. "Sanguinius Vampirika. They are an ancient species who gain energy and life from drinking from the life-blood of other creatures. The more you drink, the more your smell will improve." He explained to the woman.

"I could smell it the moment I met you. You may be a Diathim, but you also have the blood of the Sanguinius within you. And it is old blood. Blood far older than your life." He told the woman with a steady eye finally resting on her. There was a curios expression on his face and he looked to the woman with a hard gaze. "Twenty-two years ago I fell in love with a Diathim. Her name was Odette Belrose, her sister was named Isla Belrose. I can assure you, Lady Valencia. There was an Odette Belrose. Until now I believe she intended to leave me in the dark, begin a new life, but that does not appear to be the case."

"I need you to drink more blood. Because I need to find out what happened to Odette Belrose." He said lowly.​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

DENIAL​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

Fleur watched with blue eyes as the multitude of expressions, crossed her companion’s face. A smile here, a chuckle and a nod there. Wonder, surprise, a head tilt coloured with confusion. It was as if she was watching a movie about the spectrum of emotions that a single individual could go through in one sitting. It was rather fascinating to watch and yet she never thought that such a broad range would ever be expressed upon a Noble’s face. Much less one of the High Court. She didn’t even think that Noble’s could experience such emotions and yet, she got to witness it in one individual. It was as if the floodgate had been opened and suddenly everything was on the table. At least. When it came to the Belroses anyway.

Who was this Odette Belrose that supposedly existed and how was drinking more blood going to give this man the answers that he was looking for? Then there was the other issue, the issue that he claimed that she had Sanguinius Vampirika flowing through her veins as well as Diathim. Nothing was making sense anymore. It was as if someone was trying to shatter everything that she had come to know and accept. To throw her off her guard and unravel the inner workings of her thoughts. Fleur had to find some logic within this and fast, for she could feel the restraints upon her emotions weakening.

She needed to find some semblance of sanity within this madness. Could she continue to play along with this charade? Could she find any kind of reasoning that would make all of this make sense?

Finally after she searched his face for anything that would indicate deceit and she found nothing. A sigh parted her lips then as she lifted the cup to them and she drank. The woman drank deeply from the cup as if it was the key to making her understand what was being said. Yet even as she drained the last drop and slowly placed the empty cup back upon the table, she still didn't have the faintest clue as to where to even begin. So, she released her grip upon the cup while she licked her lips in thought. However, she gave them voice instead of the inner debate, in hope that it would help her to work through such information.

”I was born upon this day, twenty-two years ago. It was said that my mother, Isla almost died due to the fact that I ripped my way out of her. It is that particular damage that made sure that she could never bear my father another child. This is all that I know.” Blonde locks shifted and fell as Fleur shook her head again, but her lips shifted to turn towards downwards as it accompanied the frown that continued to crease her forehead. ”It makes no sense that my birth could have in any way, had anything to do with this apparent Odette.” Her pale hands interlocked her fingers then, but continued to speak to the man. ”Lord Boucher, it is also not possible, nor is it logical that I am, as you say, Sanguinius Vampirika. My mother Isla, is a pure blood Diathim. My father Elias, is a pure blood Diathim. How could you possibly explain all of that?”

Fleur lifted a hand to her forehead as she pressed her fingers into her temple to massage it, as if she was trying to relieve herself of the pressure that she felt amounting. ”I am a full blood Diathim. A cursed one, but a Diathim through and through. There can be no other logical explanation. It’s just not possible. Otherwise how else can I even be a Sanguinius Vampirika when this curse has been the bane of my entire existence?” It had to be some kind of set up. An elaborate ruse that the man before her had concocted to throw her off her game. What other reasoning was there?​

​

 

[Raphael Boucher]

THE LOCKET​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

Now the Viscount drank from his own cup, deeply. He allowed the blood to flow through his body, reactivating ever predatorial instinct inside of his body. Even that little bit of blood was enough to give him a moment of heightened awareness. He could smell it now. Her blood, pumping into her veins so vividly it was as if his finger was upon her pulse. Her blood was indeed old. This caused his eyes to fall on the woman with a gaze of uncertainty. The blood that flowed through her veins was muddled with that of the Diathim, but it was not pure, far from it. "No, you are of my kind." He interjected, opening his lips to show his fangs, all four which had prominently elongate from the blood in his drink.

"Your body can heal wounds at an enhanced rate." He explained to her. "You have the ability to convert blood into a natural energy that can sustain you for thousands of years. It is the Vampirka within you that gives you these talents. Your pale, white skin is a trait as well." He explained to the woman. "Let me guess, when you are in the sun for too long you feel faint, get headaches? Your skin may even burn and blister? This is not to be cursed, this is the biological makeup of the Sanguinius."

The Viscount leaned back in his seat, glancing over at the barista before whistling out at the man. He rushed over to the table, refilling the cups before them as Raphael looked to the woman with a certain gaze.

"Listen to me. Carefully. Twenty-two years ago Odette Belrose went missing. I do not know what your connection to her is but you are related to her, you have the blood of the Sanguinius in you and Isla Belrose is your mother. I never knew of Isla to be pregnant or have any children at that time. Search yourself. The force calls to you with the truth, you need only heed its call." He explained to her.

Things were too spread out, to uncertain. nothing made sense. When Odette had gone missing, Raphael was certain she had changed her mind on living with a being such as Raphael. The Viscount scoffed at the thought. How much of a fool he must have been. His mind swam, yet it finally came to a single point. "I gave Odette a locket, made from a rare metal that is found in my lands. On the inside of that locket is a phrase. The water shines only under the moon, and it is you who is my moon. It is a phrase we used to say when we would walk in the mountains near my castle...Have you ever seen such a locket? Think...think hard." He asked.​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

PANDORA'S BOX​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

Stunned silence fell over the woman as she sat back and stared at Raphael as he spoke. Spoke of things that had never fallen upon another person’s lips with such knowledge before. It was as if he knew every one of her weaknesses without fail and she could only stare at his four fangs that had elongated. Something which hers never did. Fleur could only feel the emotional distress build up from within with every word that he spoke and she wanted nothing more than for him to become quiet and not speak of anymore words. She wished for the cat to be put back in the back and to not be let out. However, her companion continued speaking and it was becoming harder and harder to deny. He was literally shattering her world. Speaking words that couldn’t possibly be true, yet it was all starting to become clearer.

Quietly, the woman moved the recently refilled cup to the side as she rested her elbows upon the table and she leaned forwards to rest her head in the palm of her hands. Slowly, she focused upon her breathing and her arms shook with the restraint that she had to apply in order to not stand up and walk away. They were too far gone, too far deep into a Pandora’s Box that had been sprung open accidentally by a run in of the two Viscounts. Viscounts that were now both working on a military project for the King. There was no turning back, she knew this, but she was afraid. Afraid that her entire life had been a lie since the moment that she had been born.

Yet he asked her to search her memories, search them for a memory of a locket and she did not want to reflect back upon such horrid memories of a desolate home. She sighed as her hands dropped away from her face and eyes that reflected the desolate memory looked up at Raphael. ”I remember a locket. It was shortly after my tenth birthday. I remember because my father was furious. Furious at my mother for having such a thing lying around the house. He had placed it in the top draw of his desk before he had left for a meeting. I, being the curious child I was and with no place to go, went through his desk for it and I found it. The phrase was on the inside, but there was more. Initials. First letters of names really; R and O. I was just unlucky that my father had come back early due to forgetting some ledgers.”

The memory of the locket had never made sense and yet slowly but surely, the mystery of the Pandora’s Box was slowly unravelling. It was as if Fleur and Raphael were the two partners in crime and all she wanted to do was deny it. Yet, she couldn’t possibly put the lid back on the Box that was beginning to quickly unravel her life, not with Raphael pushing at every turn. He made her question everything that she ever knew and all she wanted to do was curl up under the table to try to forget about all of it once again. Act as if it had never happened. However, she couldn’t live in denial anymore, but what did it all mean? Was Isla her mother? Was Elias even her father? If there was any blood in her face, it would have drained from it as she stared at a man who may be her true father, from across a table. Was Odette her mother? Who were her parents and who wasn’t?

”No.” She said in a last ditch effort to deny the truth, deny a truth that was being pulled like a thread and was fast unravelling at a pace that she could not control. ”Maybe I’m just not remembering it correctly. I was ten at the time and my parents have been married for twenty-three years.” The woman said softly as she tried to dismiss the memory, tried to commit one last act of denial before her world shattered all around her.​

​

 

[Raphael Boucher]

DAUGHTER​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

When the young woman spoke of the locket that Raphael had gifted to his late-lover the man could not help but exhale in a sense of dread. "R & O. Raphael and Odette." He said simply, looking to Fleur. That locket had been the final gift that Raphael had given his beloved Odette before her disappearance and now as he looked at this woman before him he realized what had occured. However, when Fleur said that she was uncertain of her memory, Raphael laid a hand upon the table before him. "No. Your mind is sharp. You can remember what you had for dinner when you turned four years old. Your mind is hardened, it will survive thousands of years of memories, now you must push through to the last few decades."

"When Odette went missing she left me a message. She said there was something very important that she had to tell me, something that would change our lives forever. Never did she lie to me and not once did she turn her back against me. I believed that she was dead, murdered away from my eyes. However you say her family claims no knowledge of her. I believe they know what happened to her and as thick as I can smell the blood of the Vampirika in you I know you are not the child of Isla Belrose. You were born twenty-two years ago to the day when Odette disappeared from my life. Your family has the locket I gave her and snuffed her existence from history. You are the daughter of Odette Belrose. Otherwise there would have been no reason to hide her from you."

"There are few Vampirika on this world and even fewer who have mated with a Diathim. I am one of the few and I know what your blood is telling me."

"You are my daughter, your blood is of the Von Black line, an ancient and powerful Vampirika family." He said meaningfully.
​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

MONSTER​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

Just like that. Everything shattered. One moment she had been staring into a mirror of a world that had made perfect sense, with a clear outline of the boundaries that she had been placed in and the guidelines that she had to follow within the five year plan. A plan that she was sure would only last for another five years before she refused to take on a husband and accepted her final end. It had been clear and at least she had known what to expect when she had grown amongst a family that had been more hateful to her than she had ever known.

Then it all shattered.

The mirror was thrown from its position and it smashed into a million pieces by her feet. Try as she might, Fleur just could not catch it before it fell. Could not devise a plan in time that would ensure the safety of the mirror. For they had thrown open Pandora’s Box; the lid had been ripped off with such force that no one could even possibly begin to fix the hinges. What would they even do with the knowledge that was now presented before them?

Fleur had started the day with one thing clear in her mind. Make some noise. She had and then the dominos had continued to topple, one after the other like the butterfly effect. Now she sat across from a man who had taken one string and pulled until the house of cards that had rested above her head collapsed in on itself. Only to reveal the greatest lie of all. Her own heritage. She was a lie and the people that she had called her parents had known it from her very birth. Why had they claimed her as their own. Why? Why had they done that? Why had they buried Odette and removed her from the pages of history? Why had they hidden Fleur away from all of these people until now? So many questions filtered through her mind at such a rapid pace, that she could barely keep up.

Finally it was all sinking in as she felt like ice invaded every part of her body. If Odette Belrose had been her mother then were the rumours of her birth in part true? Had she truly ripped herself free from her mother’s womb? And if so, was she the reason that her mother had never survived? Was she the murderer of Odette Belrose? Was Fleur the reason that her true biological mother had been wiped from history?

These were all questions that swirled within the chaotic mind and her lips parted to say something, say anything but nothing came until an immense anger finally pushed through. Small veins travelled from her eyes and down her cheeks for about three centimeters while the grey ring around her already vibrant blue eyes shifted to a pale white. ”No!” Fleur said with force as her hands slammed against the table with a physical force as she bared her pair of fangs at him. ”If that is true then it means that it was I who murdered Odette. It means that I tore my way out of her and instead of surviving like I had originally thought Isla had done, she died. Because of me!”

She rose from her seated position, only to turn from the room towards the wall, as she covered her face with her hands knowing full well that she had lost control over her own emotional impulses. Years of cultivating a calm, had been shattered. Fleur quivered, as she felt the adrenaline pulsed throughout her body and had nowhere to go. ”I cannot blame them because I truly am a cursed monster.” She whispered as she sunk to her knees while keeping her face buried. No one was supposed to see such an unbridled thing and it had come undone all in the space of an hour.​

​

 

[Raphael Boucher]

VON BLACK​

Tags: Fleur Valencia​

Perhaps he'd pressed the girl too hard.

When she slammed her hands into the table, her fangs bared for the man to see, he could see it. Her bloodline was as clear as day and it only caused his lips to drop in a moment of awe. This young girl. This bloodling was the daughter of Raphael Von Black. Her blood was the same that flowed through his veins and something about that was astonishingly fear inducing. Yet she declared the words that he was not prepared to hear. He did not shrink away from her or turn his eyes.

Soon the girl turned from Raphael and all he could do was watch and wait. He saw her fall, break, shatter. Had she truly killed Odette in her birth? If that was the case then it certainly answered a great many questions.

Finally, after some time Raphael stood. It was at that time the Barista wandered over and turned to the woman in confusion. He reached out as if to touch the young Viscount, but Raphael's hand shot out to halt his own. "I believe it is closing time." Raphael declared, before the Barista turned his eyes to the Viscount, nodding empathically. "Yes, milord, we can close up a bit early." The man turned, wandering off to ensure no further customers entered the cafe. When the sign was flipped over to Closed and the cafe went quiet, only then did Raphael approach Fleur, bending down to rest a hand on her shoulder.

"Fleur." He said her name so softly, she may have wondered if silk ran across her ears. "Listen to me." His voice was stern, yet it did not lakc sympathy and even a bit of empathy. "Odette was a loving woman and I know she loved you, her child with her entire being. In your life, that woman lives on. There are only two people responsible for her death and they are the ones who hid your true mother from you."

Raphael worked to turn the young woman towards her. "I....I never knew." He began. "I never knew I had a daughter. I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have had to live this life...but now you have. It is up to you what you will do with it. You can hide under a rock and pretend that nothing has changed...or you can seize what is yours. Take control of your life and lay your own path. That is what your mother would have wanted....that is what your father wants for you."​

​

 

[Fleur Valencia]

FLEUR​

Tags: Raphael Boucher ​

In her moment of unbridled rage, she was not sure as to what she would possibly do. Especially to a fragile human. So when the Barista had approached and she could hear his heart thump inside his chest, hear the man’s breath and could almost feel the skip in his pulse as he moved to reach out towards her. Had he actually touched her, she didn’t know as to what she would have done. Would she have killed him? She didn’t know, for Raphael, her true father stopped him from actually reaching her and she listened to his words while she tried to steady her own rapid breath.

Time seemed to slowly tick passed and it was only when she felt his hand upon her shoulder that she winced. However, it wasn’t the harsh tone that she had come to expect, but a soft and stern one. His words seem to caress and calm the shaking girl who had broken under the impact of the truth. Who had suddenly found out the real reason behind the whys and her hands fell from her face as she felt the hands work to turn her around. Reluctantly, she turned into the man who now called himself her father and her hands gripped at his shirt while she buried her face into his chest. Once upon a time she knew that her life had a timer, now she wasn’t so sure.

Once the initial shock of the impact finally wore off and her body stopped quivering with the adrenaline. Fleur was at a loss for words, but she finally managed to gather up some words to try to formulate something. Anything. ”I knew that when I became Head of House Valencia that my life was going to be short lived.” The woman paused for a moment as she closed her eyes and felt the veins simply disappear from beneath her eyes as the calm was suddenly returned back to her. ”Now that I am Head of House Valencia, I cannot simply renounce the title. Especially not on the first day. Yet, I do not know where I truly belong anymore. Am I Valencia? Belrose? Boucher? Von Black?”

The idea of calling this man father was strange, but then again she hadn't known a father that wanted the best for her. The father she had grown up with, she had come to hate and had wanted nothing more than to rip his heart out. Yet it had been that anger which had been squashed along with her Vampirika side when it came to the training that she had endured to hide the fanged beast. So, Fleur had come to know only emptiness and now here was a man claiming to be her rightful biological father. Her world had been smashed with a sledge hammer and she doubted that it had been done on purpose. ”Plus, I know everything there is about Diathim, but next to nothing about Vampirika. I’m at a loss as to where I should be starting.”

A pause. ”What do I even call you? Viscount Boucher? My Lord?” Fleur drew in a breath as she finally slowly drew away from him to look the man in the eyes. ”Father?” The word sounded strange upon her lips, yet when they had first begun to talk, she remembered the familiarity that she had originally sensed. Had that truly been the fact that they were family all along? “I do know that I wish to live, because there is so much that I need to learn. I cannot hide under a rock and pretend that I do not know. I cannot feign ignorance and nor should I, but there is no manual for finding out that you are not a true Valencia Heir.”​

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