( Fewer than there might have been, if Petrana hadn't yet had the opportunity to see of Araceli what she has - her capability, her competence. In Leandra's position, she imagines she might have done similar; set upon the throne that Marius had in mind for her, she imagines she will try to do exactly that, in fact, and can only envy the other woman for what a jewel she'd found.
The jewel is here before her, though, and she is never going to sit upon that throne. She need feel no envy, only appreciate the opportunity. )
She chose well, ( is what she settles on. ) You have been marvelously trained. I believe that you're quite right - I see no reason for this conversation to leave this room.
( Better that Araceli be able to work as she does - forcing people to see her another way, when that other way may not benefit them, that is unnecessary. It is useful for Petrana to understand the tool in her hands, but preferable - quite frankly - if others do not.
There is a pause. )
Where I am from, I am two people. I am la reine soleile; Princesse Petrana de Lamorraine, Imperatrix-in-waiting, wife of l'Duc who rides on Lamorre, his regent and his right hand. La princesse rebelle. L'Duc leads from the front, and so I rule in his stead, at his back. Where we go, so does change - so does war, I suppose.
Illegally, in the opinion of the empire which stripped me of all my rights and entitlements. There, I am the exile's whore, a traitor to the throne and church both, living only on stolen time under a death sentence for witchcraft and treason. Had I been the dutiful daughter of Lamorre that was expected of me, let him go and carried my Marquise's title to a more suitable marriage - had I remained, when he went. Our daughter would have been forfeit. They would have killed her, for what he had done. And none but those nearest me would have ever known she lived at all.
They would like very much to make an example of me. The witch. I will be blamed, always, for Marius's magic.
( Nevermind that by her own account it was her husband that taught her- )
It is much more convenient, that way.
( It is both her story and - a neat dovetailing with Araceli's own, with her logic: here is a woman who understands perception. )
no subject
The jewel is here before her, though, and she is never going to sit upon that throne. She need feel no envy, only appreciate the opportunity. )
She chose well, ( is what she settles on. ) You have been marvelously trained. I believe that you're quite right - I see no reason for this conversation to leave this room.
( Better that Araceli be able to work as she does - forcing people to see her another way, when that other way may not benefit them, that is unnecessary. It is useful for Petrana to understand the tool in her hands, but preferable - quite frankly - if others do not.
There is a pause. )
Where I am from, I am two people. I am la reine soleile; Princesse Petrana de Lamorraine, Imperatrix-in-waiting, wife of l'Duc who rides on Lamorre, his regent and his right hand. La princesse rebelle. L'Duc leads from the front, and so I rule in his stead, at his back. Where we go, so does change - so does war, I suppose.
Illegally, in the opinion of the empire which stripped me of all my rights and entitlements. There, I am the exile's whore, a traitor to the throne and church both, living only on stolen time under a death sentence for witchcraft and treason. Had I been the dutiful daughter of Lamorre that was expected of me, let him go and carried my Marquise's title to a more suitable marriage - had I remained, when he went. Our daughter would have been forfeit. They would have killed her, for what he had done. And none but those nearest me would have ever known she lived at all.
They would like very much to make an example of me. The witch. I will be blamed, always, for Marius's magic.
( Nevermind that by her own account it was her husband that taught her- )
It is much more convenient, that way.
( It is both her story and - a neat dovetailing with Araceli's own, with her logic: here is a woman who understands perception. )