Post by Aric Demarais on Mar 26, 2020 20:15:44 GMT -5
[ORIN] His head was beginning to throb from all of this stress and never ending night with one problem after another. Now he got to bring the news to Aric and his sister--whether they'd perceive the news as good or bad, who knew? It was another stress though--one he knew his sister didn't need. And he silently hoped she had fallen asleep and he could just talk to Aric. But with what Alexandria had been through, he didn't think that was likely. He approached the door and nodded to the guards there, sighing quietly. "I need to speak with Aric and the queen. It's very important." The guard nodded and placed a knock on the door. "Orin Evans, your majesties..." He straightened his shirt and let out a long sigh as he waited for the permission to enter.
[ARIC] He managed a small smile as she toyed with that ring, only for his eyes to drift down to his own. He kissed her head again, about to ask if she wanted to try and just lay down, when there was another knock at the door. He was a little on alert with this one, considering they hadn't requested anyone else...but hearing who it was, he gently urged his wife to her feet so that he could get up and open the door. Aric said nothing, just looked at Orin with a puzzled look before stepping aside to allow him to enter.
[ALEXANDRIA] She was finally beginning to relax, and she had stopped crying, just focusing on Aric's breathing and the feeling of his hand in hers. But when there was that knock at the door, she flinched and sat up, startled. Orin was announced and Aric was standing, pulling her up with him. She moved to sit down on the edge of the bed and waited quietly for Orin to enter.
[ORIN] He really did not want to do this. But it had to be him. It would be better if it were from him and not one of the other guards. So he waited at that door until he heard it click open and Aric was opening it, giving him that puzzled look. He quietly stepped in, speaking lowly to Aric, first. "Is she doing alright?" He glanced over to his sister who looked so upset, he was suddenly regretting all of this and he just wanted to tell them to have a good night and he'd tell them in the morning. But it was too late. He was here, and if it didn't come from him now, they'd hear it from someone else. So, for now, he just stood there, seeming as if he had just come to check on Alexandria.
[ARIC] At Orin's question, he gave a very slight shrug of his shoulder...because he really didn't know. She was better than she had been, but not by much. "I've been...trying to ease her fear," he told him quietly. And trying was the keyword here. Alexandria felt as though she was beginning to calm down a little bit moments ago, at least. "Everything alright?" he finally asked, shutting the door behind him. Perhaps he was just coming to check up on his sister?
[ORIN] Green-blue eyes glanced over towards where Alexandria was. She looked horrible, and he wished there was something he could do to help... But he was about to make things worse, and he hated this. He'd nod to Aric as he explained he'd been trying to ease Alexandria's fear. With a sigh, he took another step into the room and motioned for Aric to sit down. "You... should probably sit..." He really had no idea how Aric would take this news, he just hoped he didn't decide to kill the messenger if he took to anger to express his feelings on this news. It was obvious that Orin had bad news now.
[ARIC] As if he wasn't already worried enough, Orin was making it clear that he was here for more than just to check up on Alexandria. A furrow of his brow when he was suggested to sit, he slowly moved to seat himself in one of those chairs at the table. "What is it, Orin?" he asked quietly, trying not to seem impatient. In all honesty, he sounded worried. Was it Eleesa or the boys? Cassandra? He refrained from saying anything because the man had to get to the point.
[ORIN] He waited for Aric to sit down before he sighed again, unsure of how to even start this conversation, how to sprint the news to them. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "I uh...." He stumbled on his words, obviously struggling with what to say and that he didn't want to be the one to tell them this. "I went to check on Edward..." There was a start. But he didn't want to finish this sentence. "Make sure he was down there and your orders were followed...." Yep, he was stalling. Adding in whatever he could before breaking it to them. "... He was..." He cleared his throat and hesitated before finally coming out with it. "He.... was... dead...." A deep breath was drawn in and he held his breath, bracing for whatever was about to happen next after that last word was spoken.
[ALEXANDRIA] She had kept her gaze down to the floor as Orin walked in. She wasn't up for company right now, even if he was just checking on her. Alexandria couldn't handle anymore pity from anyone. But when Orin urged Aric to sit down, she lifted her gaze and watched Aric as he sat. Eyes then drifted to Orin as he stammered through his words, trying to tell them something. And as he uttered those last words, Alexandria's eyes widened. Did she just hear him correctly? She glanced back to Aric, to see if he had just heard the same words she did.
[ARIC] The more Orin hesitated, the more Aric became concerned. He was sitting up straighter in his chair, getting this strange feeling at the pit of his stomach. Something wasn't right. Something was horribly wrong. Orin always said things easily and as they were, no matter what...so what had happened? And then he finally said it. As though against his will, Aric was standing up instantly. Had he heard him correctly? Did he...just say what he thought he said? "...what?" That one word was barely audible, barely full of emotion because he didn't know how to feel. Then, it was hitting him, and he stumbled back a step. "How?" he asked now before those dark eyes narrowed just slightly upon Orin. "Did you...?" He was insinuating something he shouldn't, but if anyone would want Edward dead, it was the queen's brother. The sad thing was, he only sounded half angry about the idea, still disbelieving, still confused. Now wondering if he was dreaming this all.
[ORIN] He blinked as Aric was suddenly asking him if he killed Edward, and he was quickly shaking his head. "I was worried that he might have died from what you and I did to him...." He shook his head again. "But the guard found a small vial in his cell... Said it smelled like something with poppy? And that he could have used it to kill himself?" Orin had a confused look on his face, as Edward didn't really seem like the type to want to kill himself. "Did he typically carry something like that on him?" He hoped Aric said yes. Maybe it was used as some sort of painkiller. Maybe that was what was making the man completely insane? "I have sent a healer down there to.... uh, make sure?"
[ALEXANDRIA] Okay, so she had heard Orin correctly, based on Aric's reaction. And she found herself standing, still keeping that blanket around herself as to not show her brother her legs. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, though, as Aric ran through his questions and then asked if Orin had done it. Her eyes shifted to Orin and he was quickly denying it and explaining what they had found. Alexandria's brows furrowed in confusion. He killed himself? Her hands went to cover her mouth in disbelief. "Aric...." She quietly whispered, not knowing what else to say. And she suddenly felt awful for feeling a tiny bit of relief... But also she was beginning to panic about some other things now.
[ARIC] He'd apologize for that insinuation later, but Orin would have to forgive him right now because this entire night had been crazy, and he was struggling to deal with everything else. His brother-in-law was trying to explain, but Aric's mind could barely wrap around it. It didn't make sense, but then again...Edward had been acting strange. Violently so. Those brown eyes widened in his shock as it was beginning to finally hit him. Staggering again, he finally fell back into that chair, a hand running down his face where it stopped to cover his mouth in the fearful disbelief. "I don't know," he whispered, his gaze beginning to stare off into nothing. "I-I don't know..." Leaning forward now, elbows on his thighs, he ran his fingers through his hair as he was desperately trying to understand. "Eleesa might know more." That instantly made him pause, and he looked up at him. "Oh, fuck, Eleesa." And the boys. Did they know yet? He was starting to feel dizzy now. This happened. This really happened. And he wished he didn't feel a small bit of relief...because that was terrible. It was wrong, wasn't it? Still, his throat had tightened and become sore, realizing that he was holding back tears.
[ORIN] It could have been something the man was hiding in shame. Wait. No it wasn't. He had just lied to Aric. He had briefly started to believe his own lie, though, because Cassandra had planned it all out and that's how it all appeared to whomever would have found Edward. He had even believed it, or would have, if Cassandra hadn't told him.--So it wasn't hard for him to play this out. When he mentioned Eleesa, he frowned. It would need to be Aric or Cassandra to break the news to her. It shouldn't come from a stranger. Orin didn't know what to say, so all he could manage to mutter out was, "I'm sorry, Aric.. I..." He hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "Is there anything you need me to do?"
[ALEXANDRIA] She was moving over towards Aric and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. She, too, had no idea what to say to this. Her mind was racing with so many different things. He deserved to die for all he had done. If he hadn't, despite Aric saying he'd be on the boat tomorrow and never allowed to come back--Alexandria had honestly thought of putting him on trial and holding treason against him. He would lose his head. Aric would have had to talk some sense into her to change her mind. But she worried now about who would now rule Tresteria. Would Aric leave to go back? Would their alliance still hold up? She felt horribly selfish for thinking all of these things. But most of all, she felt saddened for Aric. He was his brother, and now he was gone.
[ARIC] What was he supposed to think? Or feel? Shaking his head, he waved off Orin's apology, knowing full well the man didn't care...and nor should he. Edward had done nothing to deserve Orin's respect. Same with Alexandria. "Do not be sorry." Again, his voice was not harsh. If anything, it was understandable. Sadly so. But he was beginning to feel a little sick; a part of his mind not being able to grasp the truth of this still. Finally blinking at feeling Alexandria's hand on his shoulder, he shook his head to acknowledge Orin again. "No," he whispered. "No...thank you, Orin." He shuddered with the thought that he would have to tell Eleesa, because it most certainly would have to be him. "I'll, uh...have to tell his wife. And Cassandra..." He couldn't seem to get comfortable now, shifting around in that chair as the fingers of his good hand rubbed at his temples. It was late, though, so perhaps telling Eleesa would have to wait until morning. She rarely left her room, so there would be no fear of the gossip reaching her first, if the rest of the castle even knew yet.
[ORIN] Orin did care. Not that Edward was dead, but for those who would mourn for the man. It was never easy to lose someone. And as Aric told him not to be sorry, he frowned and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you." He hesitated, unsure of if he should mention that he told Cassandra already. It would seem suspicious. Not only that they had been seeing each other, but also because Cassandra had been involved. So he stayed quiet about it. He nodded as Aric said he did not need anything. "It's late... I will see if I can have this stay silent for now... Deal with everything in the morning..." It was his suggestion. Eleesa and the boys were probably asleep by now, as was most of the castle. He moved over to Alexandria and placed a hand on her shoulder before leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'm sorry it has been a rough night...Especially on your wedding night..." His words were mostly spoken to both of them. He backed up and sighed. "Try to get some sleep.. Both of you. Goodnight..." He was exhausted now, and it showed on his face as he stepped backwards towards the door before turning and leaving.
[ALEXANDRIA] She watched Orin for a moment, remaining silent-- really not knowing what to say. Her mind was such a jumbled mess right now. But as her brother stepped over to her and touched her, she flinched, though tried to hide it from him, knowing it was her brother and he would not hurt her. It had just been a reflux... not wanting to be touched. To Orin's words, she simply nodded. "Thank you, Orin..." She whispered. It wasn't okay that all of this happened on their wedding night. Or for any night, regardless. She sighed, "you too, Orin....Goodnight..." After he left, Alexandria leaned down and wrapped her arms around Aric from behind the chair and she pressed her lips into the top of his head. He had spent the entire night trying to console her, and he most likely would need her now. She would try--despite how still shaken up and upset she was. But she couldn't find the words to say to him, and only hoped that her arms and holding him would be enough to tell him she was here for him, too.
[ARIC] This almost didn't feel real. Yet, no matter how much he tried to deny it, tried to wake up from this nightmare, it was still happening. Alexandria was thanking Orin for his help, and for having the respect to bring this news to them himself...so he kept silent. He didn't even know what to say anymore. Now, he was dazing off as he sat back in that chair, barely hearing Orin leave, almost not realizing that Alexandria had come over to console him. Aric was feeling empty all of a sudden, not even moving anymore, barely blinking. He wanted to let himself sink into her warmth but he felt so cold right now. "Shouldn't I...be more upset?" And he was completely, he just didn't have the energy to show how much it hurt anymore. The man had clearly begun to lose his mind, had done horrible things...but he was still his brother. Edward had been a good man once, a long time ago…
[ALEXANDRIA] It didn't feel real. One minute, the man was trying to rape her....The next, he was killing himself in her dungeons. It worried her to no end that there would somehow be consequences for this. Alexandria leaned down more and kissed Aric's cheek, allowing her lips to linger on his face for a moment. When he spoke, she frowned and slowly made her way around the chair so she could face him and now she was lowering hersef to the floor in front of him and resting her head on his knees. She reached for his uninjured hand and weaved her fingers into his. Her voice was quiet and gentle. "We have been through a lot today, Aric... It will probably hit you later... And when you least expect it to..." She had dealt with death a lot, and it was never that first moment of finding out that she felt upset, because the shock of it all made it near impossible to feel anything else but that. "And I will be here for you when it does..."
[ARIC] He was trying to wake up, trying to get a grasp on any of this. Maybe he was simply that exhausted. He couldn't stop staring at the wall across from him now, sensing Alexandria moving and taking his hand, her lips on his cheek. "Maybe...this was God punishing him..." He heard himself say before his brain could stop him. Finally, his gaze dropped to find her face as though slowly waking up from a trance. "He used to be...a decent man..." His voice trailed off and he didn't bother finishing that sentence. Yes, he had used to be. He couldn't remember the last time Edward had done an honest, good thing for someone else. It was always for his personal gain. When his eyes drifted away, he was becoming lost in his thoughts again. "I have to tell Eleesa tomorrow," he repeated slowly. "Arrangements will have to be made..." For a second, Aric appeared worried for something. "My nephew will become king, and he's so young..." Now, he was just rambling, murmuring all of these random thoughts out loud.
[ALEXANDRIA] She couldn't say anything-- she would not agree with Aric's statement of God punishing Edward, at least not out loud. And she had no doubts that Edward had once been a decent man. Although she did not know much about him, she wondered if it was the power, greed and being king that had gotten to him, as it did with so many rulers. She listened to Aric ramble on about everything that needed to be done, his sudden concern for his nephew, and she frowned. "I know, Aric..." Was all she could manage to say. She stood up and pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him against her stomach. "I will do whatever I can to help... " Her mind was driving to various things, too, but she wouldn't voice them. This wasn't about her, or Aralore or anything. This was now about Aric and his loss, and his family. And all she could do was be here for him. Alexandria lightly pulled on his arm. "Why don't we go lay down? This day just needs to end before something else happens…”
[ARIC] No, this was still about everything, about all of them. So many things happened and neither took priority anymore. They were all ridiculously insane, but this was a different blow to him. Perhaps because it affected him more. When Alexandria hugged him against her, he sighed tiredly, lifting his arms to lazily embrace her in return. He may have remained there all night if she wasn't urging him to the bed. He nodded slowly, his feet shuffling and carrying him over to that bed. He fell on top of it, hoping she would be okay to lay there with him. He wanted her to be okay, wanted to comfort her as much as she brought comfort to him.
[ALEXANDRIA] If neither could fall asleep, they had the option of taking whatever the healer had given her. But she didn't know if she wanted to sleep. She was too scared to be off guard, even though the person she feared was, well, no longer a threat. After Aric collapsed onto the bed, she moved to the other side and climbed onto the bed, laying next to him. It suddenly and randomly dawned on her that it would now be acceptable for them to share a bed with one another without the judgment or worry about being proper. They were husband and wife, and even that didn't feel real to her. The darkness of her mind made her suddenly wonder if Aric would still wish to remain married to her now that Edward was no longer here to enforce it on them. Would Tresteria blame her and go against Aralore? Would Aric be pulled away from her? She moved closer to him and curled up against him, burying her face in his chest. She wanted to cry, but she no longer had the energy to. She was so afraid of the future now. She wanted to talk to him about all of these worries, but she wouldn't tonight, he had enough of her horrid state of distraught and she didn't wish to burden him anymore. She only managed to whisper out to him, "Please hold me...?" She wanted to feel his warmth and comfort more than anything right now. She wanted to feel safe in his arms. She just wanted to be with her husband.
[ARIC] In truth, he didn't know what this meant for the treaty. The fate of Tresteria was falling into the hands of a young boy, and the council will certainly be fighting over whom will rule as regent until little Edward came of age. There would be questions about his brother's death, suspicions after what had happened at the reception...and he didn't want to deal with any of it. He didn't even know what to think anymore. As he laid there, lingering on the edge of sleep even when his mind was fighting it, he felt her small weight shift the bed as she rested against him, and he wondered how much of this marriage was ruined. The thought of it be annulled didn't cross his mind once... only that Edward, before taking the cowardly way out, may have ruined one of the only good things to happen to him in awhile. But when Alexandria spoke, his eyes opened a little bit more, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, securing her against him. There was a sigh of relief breathed into her hair, and he kissed the top of her head. "Don't give up," he murmured so quietly. Maybe he knew what was going on through her head, or perhaps he was asking her to stay in the light with him, for him, because he was struggling to stay there.
[ALEXANDRIA] Though it may have made sense for her to recoil from him and any man, after what had just happened, she found strangely found comfort in him, in his arms. Perhaps because he had been the one and only man to bring her pleasure rather than harm. Because he was here with her. Because he still hadn't given up on her despite everything. He gave her warmth and peace when the world was a cruel and cold place. She had fallen so hard in love with this man in such a quick period of time, that she wasn't sure how to handle these feelings. She only feared that she would lose him, and she didn't want to know life without him. She breathed in his scent and relaxed against him. As he spoke, she moved against him to try and get closer. "I won't if you won't. " she spoke against his chest quietly. She was teetering on the edge of slipping into that darkness and he was the only thing pulling her away from it.
[ARIC] Any normal brother would be grieving heavily. Any normal brother would be so upset that sleep wasn't an option. But Edward hadn't been much of a brother to him, and it was hard to allow the sadness outweigh that. Aric was, in fact, reeling in agony...but it was below the surface, unable to claw its way out to the surface. Now, he was afraid all of these thoughts were going to make his brain explode. He had to calm down, had to try and sleep, but he also knew that she hadn't wanted to. All he wanted was for this day to end, so that they could deal with whatever it was they had to tomorrow and move on...move on to better things. Be happy again. "I won't," he answered her quietly, his face nuzzling into her hair. "I can't while you're here." She was his lifeline, and she was quite literally everything for him now.
[ARIC] He managed a small smile as she toyed with that ring, only for his eyes to drift down to his own. He kissed her head again, about to ask if she wanted to try and just lay down, when there was another knock at the door. He was a little on alert with this one, considering they hadn't requested anyone else...but hearing who it was, he gently urged his wife to her feet so that he could get up and open the door. Aric said nothing, just looked at Orin with a puzzled look before stepping aside to allow him to enter.
[ALEXANDRIA] She was finally beginning to relax, and she had stopped crying, just focusing on Aric's breathing and the feeling of his hand in hers. But when there was that knock at the door, she flinched and sat up, startled. Orin was announced and Aric was standing, pulling her up with him. She moved to sit down on the edge of the bed and waited quietly for Orin to enter.
[ORIN] He really did not want to do this. But it had to be him. It would be better if it were from him and not one of the other guards. So he waited at that door until he heard it click open and Aric was opening it, giving him that puzzled look. He quietly stepped in, speaking lowly to Aric, first. "Is she doing alright?" He glanced over to his sister who looked so upset, he was suddenly regretting all of this and he just wanted to tell them to have a good night and he'd tell them in the morning. But it was too late. He was here, and if it didn't come from him now, they'd hear it from someone else. So, for now, he just stood there, seeming as if he had just come to check on Alexandria.
[ARIC] At Orin's question, he gave a very slight shrug of his shoulder...because he really didn't know. She was better than she had been, but not by much. "I've been...trying to ease her fear," he told him quietly. And trying was the keyword here. Alexandria felt as though she was beginning to calm down a little bit moments ago, at least. "Everything alright?" he finally asked, shutting the door behind him. Perhaps he was just coming to check up on his sister?
[ORIN] Green-blue eyes glanced over towards where Alexandria was. She looked horrible, and he wished there was something he could do to help... But he was about to make things worse, and he hated this. He'd nod to Aric as he explained he'd been trying to ease Alexandria's fear. With a sigh, he took another step into the room and motioned for Aric to sit down. "You... should probably sit..." He really had no idea how Aric would take this news, he just hoped he didn't decide to kill the messenger if he took to anger to express his feelings on this news. It was obvious that Orin had bad news now.
[ARIC] As if he wasn't already worried enough, Orin was making it clear that he was here for more than just to check up on Alexandria. A furrow of his brow when he was suggested to sit, he slowly moved to seat himself in one of those chairs at the table. "What is it, Orin?" he asked quietly, trying not to seem impatient. In all honesty, he sounded worried. Was it Eleesa or the boys? Cassandra? He refrained from saying anything because the man had to get to the point.
[ORIN] He waited for Aric to sit down before he sighed again, unsure of how to even start this conversation, how to sprint the news to them. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "I uh...." He stumbled on his words, obviously struggling with what to say and that he didn't want to be the one to tell them this. "I went to check on Edward..." There was a start. But he didn't want to finish this sentence. "Make sure he was down there and your orders were followed...." Yep, he was stalling. Adding in whatever he could before breaking it to them. "... He was..." He cleared his throat and hesitated before finally coming out with it. "He.... was... dead...." A deep breath was drawn in and he held his breath, bracing for whatever was about to happen next after that last word was spoken.
[ALEXANDRIA] She had kept her gaze down to the floor as Orin walked in. She wasn't up for company right now, even if he was just checking on her. Alexandria couldn't handle anymore pity from anyone. But when Orin urged Aric to sit down, she lifted her gaze and watched Aric as he sat. Eyes then drifted to Orin as he stammered through his words, trying to tell them something. And as he uttered those last words, Alexandria's eyes widened. Did she just hear him correctly? She glanced back to Aric, to see if he had just heard the same words she did.
[ARIC] The more Orin hesitated, the more Aric became concerned. He was sitting up straighter in his chair, getting this strange feeling at the pit of his stomach. Something wasn't right. Something was horribly wrong. Orin always said things easily and as they were, no matter what...so what had happened? And then he finally said it. As though against his will, Aric was standing up instantly. Had he heard him correctly? Did he...just say what he thought he said? "...what?" That one word was barely audible, barely full of emotion because he didn't know how to feel. Then, it was hitting him, and he stumbled back a step. "How?" he asked now before those dark eyes narrowed just slightly upon Orin. "Did you...?" He was insinuating something he shouldn't, but if anyone would want Edward dead, it was the queen's brother. The sad thing was, he only sounded half angry about the idea, still disbelieving, still confused. Now wondering if he was dreaming this all.
[ORIN] He blinked as Aric was suddenly asking him if he killed Edward, and he was quickly shaking his head. "I was worried that he might have died from what you and I did to him...." He shook his head again. "But the guard found a small vial in his cell... Said it smelled like something with poppy? And that he could have used it to kill himself?" Orin had a confused look on his face, as Edward didn't really seem like the type to want to kill himself. "Did he typically carry something like that on him?" He hoped Aric said yes. Maybe it was used as some sort of painkiller. Maybe that was what was making the man completely insane? "I have sent a healer down there to.... uh, make sure?"
[ALEXANDRIA] Okay, so she had heard Orin correctly, based on Aric's reaction. And she found herself standing, still keeping that blanket around herself as to not show her brother her legs. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, though, as Aric ran through his questions and then asked if Orin had done it. Her eyes shifted to Orin and he was quickly denying it and explaining what they had found. Alexandria's brows furrowed in confusion. He killed himself? Her hands went to cover her mouth in disbelief. "Aric...." She quietly whispered, not knowing what else to say. And she suddenly felt awful for feeling a tiny bit of relief... But also she was beginning to panic about some other things now.
[ARIC] He'd apologize for that insinuation later, but Orin would have to forgive him right now because this entire night had been crazy, and he was struggling to deal with everything else. His brother-in-law was trying to explain, but Aric's mind could barely wrap around it. It didn't make sense, but then again...Edward had been acting strange. Violently so. Those brown eyes widened in his shock as it was beginning to finally hit him. Staggering again, he finally fell back into that chair, a hand running down his face where it stopped to cover his mouth in the fearful disbelief. "I don't know," he whispered, his gaze beginning to stare off into nothing. "I-I don't know..." Leaning forward now, elbows on his thighs, he ran his fingers through his hair as he was desperately trying to understand. "Eleesa might know more." That instantly made him pause, and he looked up at him. "Oh, fuck, Eleesa." And the boys. Did they know yet? He was starting to feel dizzy now. This happened. This really happened. And he wished he didn't feel a small bit of relief...because that was terrible. It was wrong, wasn't it? Still, his throat had tightened and become sore, realizing that he was holding back tears.
[ORIN] It could have been something the man was hiding in shame. Wait. No it wasn't. He had just lied to Aric. He had briefly started to believe his own lie, though, because Cassandra had planned it all out and that's how it all appeared to whomever would have found Edward. He had even believed it, or would have, if Cassandra hadn't told him.--So it wasn't hard for him to play this out. When he mentioned Eleesa, he frowned. It would need to be Aric or Cassandra to break the news to her. It shouldn't come from a stranger. Orin didn't know what to say, so all he could manage to mutter out was, "I'm sorry, Aric.. I..." He hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "Is there anything you need me to do?"
[ALEXANDRIA] She was moving over towards Aric and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. She, too, had no idea what to say to this. Her mind was racing with so many different things. He deserved to die for all he had done. If he hadn't, despite Aric saying he'd be on the boat tomorrow and never allowed to come back--Alexandria had honestly thought of putting him on trial and holding treason against him. He would lose his head. Aric would have had to talk some sense into her to change her mind. But she worried now about who would now rule Tresteria. Would Aric leave to go back? Would their alliance still hold up? She felt horribly selfish for thinking all of these things. But most of all, she felt saddened for Aric. He was his brother, and now he was gone.
[ARIC] What was he supposed to think? Or feel? Shaking his head, he waved off Orin's apology, knowing full well the man didn't care...and nor should he. Edward had done nothing to deserve Orin's respect. Same with Alexandria. "Do not be sorry." Again, his voice was not harsh. If anything, it was understandable. Sadly so. But he was beginning to feel a little sick; a part of his mind not being able to grasp the truth of this still. Finally blinking at feeling Alexandria's hand on his shoulder, he shook his head to acknowledge Orin again. "No," he whispered. "No...thank you, Orin." He shuddered with the thought that he would have to tell Eleesa, because it most certainly would have to be him. "I'll, uh...have to tell his wife. And Cassandra..." He couldn't seem to get comfortable now, shifting around in that chair as the fingers of his good hand rubbed at his temples. It was late, though, so perhaps telling Eleesa would have to wait until morning. She rarely left her room, so there would be no fear of the gossip reaching her first, if the rest of the castle even knew yet.
[ORIN] Orin did care. Not that Edward was dead, but for those who would mourn for the man. It was never easy to lose someone. And as Aric told him not to be sorry, he frowned and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you." He hesitated, unsure of if he should mention that he told Cassandra already. It would seem suspicious. Not only that they had been seeing each other, but also because Cassandra had been involved. So he stayed quiet about it. He nodded as Aric said he did not need anything. "It's late... I will see if I can have this stay silent for now... Deal with everything in the morning..." It was his suggestion. Eleesa and the boys were probably asleep by now, as was most of the castle. He moved over to Alexandria and placed a hand on her shoulder before leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'm sorry it has been a rough night...Especially on your wedding night..." His words were mostly spoken to both of them. He backed up and sighed. "Try to get some sleep.. Both of you. Goodnight..." He was exhausted now, and it showed on his face as he stepped backwards towards the door before turning and leaving.
[ALEXANDRIA] She watched Orin for a moment, remaining silent-- really not knowing what to say. Her mind was such a jumbled mess right now. But as her brother stepped over to her and touched her, she flinched, though tried to hide it from him, knowing it was her brother and he would not hurt her. It had just been a reflux... not wanting to be touched. To Orin's words, she simply nodded. "Thank you, Orin..." She whispered. It wasn't okay that all of this happened on their wedding night. Or for any night, regardless. She sighed, "you too, Orin....Goodnight..." After he left, Alexandria leaned down and wrapped her arms around Aric from behind the chair and she pressed her lips into the top of his head. He had spent the entire night trying to console her, and he most likely would need her now. She would try--despite how still shaken up and upset she was. But she couldn't find the words to say to him, and only hoped that her arms and holding him would be enough to tell him she was here for him, too.
[ARIC] This almost didn't feel real. Yet, no matter how much he tried to deny it, tried to wake up from this nightmare, it was still happening. Alexandria was thanking Orin for his help, and for having the respect to bring this news to them himself...so he kept silent. He didn't even know what to say anymore. Now, he was dazing off as he sat back in that chair, barely hearing Orin leave, almost not realizing that Alexandria had come over to console him. Aric was feeling empty all of a sudden, not even moving anymore, barely blinking. He wanted to let himself sink into her warmth but he felt so cold right now. "Shouldn't I...be more upset?" And he was completely, he just didn't have the energy to show how much it hurt anymore. The man had clearly begun to lose his mind, had done horrible things...but he was still his brother. Edward had been a good man once, a long time ago…
[ALEXANDRIA] It didn't feel real. One minute, the man was trying to rape her....The next, he was killing himself in her dungeons. It worried her to no end that there would somehow be consequences for this. Alexandria leaned down more and kissed Aric's cheek, allowing her lips to linger on his face for a moment. When he spoke, she frowned and slowly made her way around the chair so she could face him and now she was lowering hersef to the floor in front of him and resting her head on his knees. She reached for his uninjured hand and weaved her fingers into his. Her voice was quiet and gentle. "We have been through a lot today, Aric... It will probably hit you later... And when you least expect it to..." She had dealt with death a lot, and it was never that first moment of finding out that she felt upset, because the shock of it all made it near impossible to feel anything else but that. "And I will be here for you when it does..."
[ARIC] He was trying to wake up, trying to get a grasp on any of this. Maybe he was simply that exhausted. He couldn't stop staring at the wall across from him now, sensing Alexandria moving and taking his hand, her lips on his cheek. "Maybe...this was God punishing him..." He heard himself say before his brain could stop him. Finally, his gaze dropped to find her face as though slowly waking up from a trance. "He used to be...a decent man..." His voice trailed off and he didn't bother finishing that sentence. Yes, he had used to be. He couldn't remember the last time Edward had done an honest, good thing for someone else. It was always for his personal gain. When his eyes drifted away, he was becoming lost in his thoughts again. "I have to tell Eleesa tomorrow," he repeated slowly. "Arrangements will have to be made..." For a second, Aric appeared worried for something. "My nephew will become king, and he's so young..." Now, he was just rambling, murmuring all of these random thoughts out loud.
[ALEXANDRIA] She couldn't say anything-- she would not agree with Aric's statement of God punishing Edward, at least not out loud. And she had no doubts that Edward had once been a decent man. Although she did not know much about him, she wondered if it was the power, greed and being king that had gotten to him, as it did with so many rulers. She listened to Aric ramble on about everything that needed to be done, his sudden concern for his nephew, and she frowned. "I know, Aric..." Was all she could manage to say. She stood up and pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him against her stomach. "I will do whatever I can to help... " Her mind was driving to various things, too, but she wouldn't voice them. This wasn't about her, or Aralore or anything. This was now about Aric and his loss, and his family. And all she could do was be here for him. Alexandria lightly pulled on his arm. "Why don't we go lay down? This day just needs to end before something else happens…”
[ARIC] No, this was still about everything, about all of them. So many things happened and neither took priority anymore. They were all ridiculously insane, but this was a different blow to him. Perhaps because it affected him more. When Alexandria hugged him against her, he sighed tiredly, lifting his arms to lazily embrace her in return. He may have remained there all night if she wasn't urging him to the bed. He nodded slowly, his feet shuffling and carrying him over to that bed. He fell on top of it, hoping she would be okay to lay there with him. He wanted her to be okay, wanted to comfort her as much as she brought comfort to him.
[ALEXANDRIA] If neither could fall asleep, they had the option of taking whatever the healer had given her. But she didn't know if she wanted to sleep. She was too scared to be off guard, even though the person she feared was, well, no longer a threat. After Aric collapsed onto the bed, she moved to the other side and climbed onto the bed, laying next to him. It suddenly and randomly dawned on her that it would now be acceptable for them to share a bed with one another without the judgment or worry about being proper. They were husband and wife, and even that didn't feel real to her. The darkness of her mind made her suddenly wonder if Aric would still wish to remain married to her now that Edward was no longer here to enforce it on them. Would Tresteria blame her and go against Aralore? Would Aric be pulled away from her? She moved closer to him and curled up against him, burying her face in his chest. She wanted to cry, but she no longer had the energy to. She was so afraid of the future now. She wanted to talk to him about all of these worries, but she wouldn't tonight, he had enough of her horrid state of distraught and she didn't wish to burden him anymore. She only managed to whisper out to him, "Please hold me...?" She wanted to feel his warmth and comfort more than anything right now. She wanted to feel safe in his arms. She just wanted to be with her husband.
[ARIC] In truth, he didn't know what this meant for the treaty. The fate of Tresteria was falling into the hands of a young boy, and the council will certainly be fighting over whom will rule as regent until little Edward came of age. There would be questions about his brother's death, suspicions after what had happened at the reception...and he didn't want to deal with any of it. He didn't even know what to think anymore. As he laid there, lingering on the edge of sleep even when his mind was fighting it, he felt her small weight shift the bed as she rested against him, and he wondered how much of this marriage was ruined. The thought of it be annulled didn't cross his mind once... only that Edward, before taking the cowardly way out, may have ruined one of the only good things to happen to him in awhile. But when Alexandria spoke, his eyes opened a little bit more, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, securing her against him. There was a sigh of relief breathed into her hair, and he kissed the top of her head. "Don't give up," he murmured so quietly. Maybe he knew what was going on through her head, or perhaps he was asking her to stay in the light with him, for him, because he was struggling to stay there.
[ALEXANDRIA] Though it may have made sense for her to recoil from him and any man, after what had just happened, she found strangely found comfort in him, in his arms. Perhaps because he had been the one and only man to bring her pleasure rather than harm. Because he was here with her. Because he still hadn't given up on her despite everything. He gave her warmth and peace when the world was a cruel and cold place. She had fallen so hard in love with this man in such a quick period of time, that she wasn't sure how to handle these feelings. She only feared that she would lose him, and she didn't want to know life without him. She breathed in his scent and relaxed against him. As he spoke, she moved against him to try and get closer. "I won't if you won't. " she spoke against his chest quietly. She was teetering on the edge of slipping into that darkness and he was the only thing pulling her away from it.
[ARIC] Any normal brother would be grieving heavily. Any normal brother would be so upset that sleep wasn't an option. But Edward hadn't been much of a brother to him, and it was hard to allow the sadness outweigh that. Aric was, in fact, reeling in agony...but it was below the surface, unable to claw its way out to the surface. Now, he was afraid all of these thoughts were going to make his brain explode. He had to calm down, had to try and sleep, but he also knew that she hadn't wanted to. All he wanted was for this day to end, so that they could deal with whatever it was they had to tomorrow and move on...move on to better things. Be happy again. "I won't," he answered her quietly, his face nuzzling into her hair. "I can't while you're here." She was his lifeline, and she was quite literally everything for him now.
