I'm a Damsel, I'm in Distress, I Can Handle It.

[Sylvie DuPont]

for Stefan Gifford and Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais, but maybe also Claire Beauchard if you're interested

She'd made it.

Sylvie had convinced her parents that she was meeting her fiance at the hunt today--a game which they thought was vaguely scandalous, but she'd assured them there was only one hare that she would be chasing. Thankfully, she knew full well that Lord Marwood wouldn't be attending this event; or at least, he'd told her he thought it was for fools and children and that he forbid her from attending. Of course, that was just one more reason to do it--anything that was against his wishes must be something worth doing.

Typically, she didn't participate in social events in general, but it was a prime opportunity for a lesser noblewoman like herself to show up at the Tresterian castle without being seen as an intruder. She'd arrived early in her best dress. The low-backed red garment made her even more aware that her sword was hidden beneath her winter cloak, the handle bumping against her bare shoulder blades as she made her way through the halls. She'd strapped what was normally a belt around her chest like a sash to hide it. After all, what kind of a knight, or even a squire, showed up without a sword? She'd be a fool to leave it behind. 

The soldiers she had trained against often commented that the sword was too large for her, when they saw her carrying it--but the reality was that she was quite capable with her late-father's old sword. Once they saw her in action, those people changed their tune.

Once inside the castle, she'd managed to separate from the main group and lied to a helpful servant to convince them she was supposed to be meeting someone from the Aralorian group, so they would point her in that direction. It was only a half-lie, really; she did want to meet with them. She could see the room ahead, at the end of the hall with a very large man standing near it, just as the servant had described. A hint of anxiety crept up her spine, but she stood a little taller and walked with confidence toward the door, trying to act like she was meant to be there.  She was almost there, her hand was on the door handle, and then--

The bearded man put his long arm across the doorway and gave her a stern look. 

"I realize this is unusual, but I must speak with Queen Alexandria. My life is on the line." Dramatic as it sounded, she was convinced that was the truth--if her fiance didn't kill her outright, she was sure he'd find some way to break her spirit, a fate she considered worse than death. "Please, just five minutes."

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan gave the woman a stern look. He did not recognize her, nor did he know why this woman would have any sort of business with the queen of Aralore while she was in Tresteria. He kept his arm blocking the doorway, his massive hand holding onto the doorknob, making it impossible for the woman to get by him. Unless she had some superpower strength and was able to move him.

"State your name, where you are from, and your purpose."

Stefan stared at the woman for a moment, looking her over. "And I suggest handing over any weapons you have on you if you hope to step foot in there."

He waited silently, giving the lady a look as if daring her to try anything else without heeding his requests.

[Sylvie DuPont]

Sylvie narrowed her eyes as she straightened back up, gauging her opponent. He certainly had an advantage based on size, and she wouldn't be able to simply duck under his arm and into the room as he was now holding the door handle steady. She pressed her lips into a thin line, crossed her arms, and gave him an unamused stare.

"Sylvie Dupont, of Tresteria, and my purpose is to pledge myself to your queen as a knight, or a soldier, or whatever might be needed, if she'll have me. My life is in danger here and I'm seeking asylum in Aralore. I won't be some useless woman in a party dress, however, I'm quite skilled." She sighed and uncrossed her arms.

"I'm going to remove my sword now, slowly. I won't unsheathe it." She told him in an even voice, unclasping her dark cloak and letting it fall to the ground as she spoke. Her fingers shook slightly as she worked to undo the clasp on her belt-turned-sash, but her eyes never left his face; she refused to show fear. This may be her only chance to leave, but she wasn't going to ruin it by being a coward. Once the clasp was undone, she held the strap with her left hand and reached over her shoulder with her right to grasp the sword, scabbard and all, and pull it over her shoulder. She offered it to him flat across the palms of both hands with the belt dangling from it. 

"I swear to you this is the only weapon I carry. I brought it only to prove that I have it and that I can use it."

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan raised a brow as Sylvie introduced herself and admitted that her life was in danger. "And will that danger be following you to Aralore should you find asylum there?" He asked her curiously. This did not feel right to him.

He watched as she removed her sword and offered it to him. Stefan took it from her and stared at her for a long moment before he knocked on the door and opened it just enough to speak and hear the queen.

"Your majesty. You have a visitor. Sylvie Dupont. She wishes to speak with you. Would you like for me to let her in?" He waited, and when the queen accepted, Stefan opened the door wider and held it open for Sylvie. "I keep the sword and the door will remain open." He would continue to guard the queen unless she told him to leave the room. But until he got that order, he would remain watch at the door.

[Sylvie DuPont]

Sylvie paled slightly at his question; it was something she hadn't considered in her eagerness to get as far away as she could. What if her fiance did track her to Aralore? If she swore herself as a knight to a foreign queen, surely he'd have to relinquish his claim. Legally, only a citizen of Tresteria would be bound to follow their marriage laws.

"I certainly hope not. He's only after me personally, and I would hope I'm not worth a sea voyage to chase," she answered slowly and wished she sounded more confident.

She forced herself to stand tall, chin raised, and shoulders back, as the guard called into the room. She could feel a sick kind of panic creeping up the base of her neck, trying to make her doubt herself, but she held firm. She could do this.

When the man opened the door wide, Sylvie nodded to him. "I understand."

She entered the room with purpose in her step, immediately approaching the woman she recognized from her arrival on Tresteria as the queen of Aralore. She dropped to one knee at the woman's feet and bowed her head, staying silent for a moment before she looked up at her to speak.

"Your majesty, I, Sylvie Amandine Dupont, wish to pledge myself to the service of Aralore. If you'll have me, I will leave Tresteria and become a citizen of Aralore. I have been trained as a knight since I was a child, and I will happily serve as a guard, soldier, or knight, whatever you feel is best. I will not be a burden." She paused to take a breath and gave the dark-haired woman a bitter smile. "I have been betrothed against my will to a man who has sworn to break me, and if he cannot do that, I have no doubt he will kill me. He wishes to rip from me everything that makes me who I am and keep me as a pitiful housewife. I have tried everything I know how to escape him, and this is my last resort. I am entirely at your mercy."

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria had heard some of the commotion at the door and was curious, but had faith that Stefan would handle it and turn the person away if they were a thread. But after several moments, she heard him announce the lady's name and purpose for entering. She did not recognize the name and figured it was someone of Tresteria, but she wasn't certain why anyone would be looking for her.

As the door opened, she looked to Stefan first who gave her a nod of assurance. He stood at the door, back holding the door open and arms folding over his chest. Alexandria took notice of the weapons on the floor and her brows furrowed in confusion.

Bright sapphire-colored eyes turned to watch the lady enter and drop to her knee, bowing, before her attention was turned back on her and she spoke, greeting herself and quickly spilling out her purpose, answering the very question Alexandria had been wondering for the woman's arrival.

Alexandria quietly sat, watching her as she explained herself. She understood what it was like to be betrothed against her will, especially to a man she knew would try and break her and take over her kingdom. It had been what fueled the war with Saelis, to begin with. But there were a few things in this woman's story that made Alexandria a bit curious.

She knew Tresteria to not be the type of place to allow women to be trained or to become knights, so she wondered how this woman had her training. Was she originally from somewhere else besides Tresteria? She decided not to ask, at least not directly, simply because she did not want to seem so close-minded as a lot of people seemed to be in Tresteria.

When Sylvie fell quiet, Alexandria offered a warm smile and urged the woman to stand back up where she, herself, stood as well. A deep breath was drawn in before she exhaled it and spoke gently.
"Please believe me when I say I completely understand your concern and worry... And I wish to help you in whatever way I can... But, forgive me for saying and asking this... If you have been trained as a knight since childhood... How are you not able to fight this man off if he tries to kill you?" Her question was asked in a soft tone as if trying to boost the confidence in the lady before her. "How could I trust that you would be able to serve as a guard, soldier or knight... To defend me and my kingdom...If you are unable to defend yourself against one man?" It was true that she knew absolutely nothing about this man, who he was or what he was capable of, but Alexandria would challenge the woman. She needed more than just words to convince her to allow a foreign woman onto Aralore to fight for her. What if she was an imposter of Saelis? What if she had plans of getting into Aralore and attacking once she earned her trust? Alexandria was a smart and strategic woman, she knew better than to just fully trust someone upon first meeting them. They needed to prove themselves, unfortunately-- It was the way things had to be, especially with her life so threatened several times now, and an impending war on the way.

[Sylvie DuPont]

Sylvie winced at the queen's questioning, despite her soft, almost maternal tone. She'd been dreading that question, one that had been plaguing her since the day she met her betrothed. How could she call herself a knight if this one man could destroy her? She'd lain awake several nights, trying to understand the many chains that bound her as a woman of Tresteria. No matter how she twisted and fought, she could not find a way to break free. 

"It's not that I cannot defend myself, physically," she answered slowly, choosing each word with care. "Even if I were to defeat him in one challenge, he would merely attack again, and again, until either he won or I was too exhausted to continue. He would defeat me in spirit; being married to a man who hated me with his every breath, becoming his possession, would make me miserable for life, even if I fought back at every turn. If I defeated him and killed him, I would be immediately put to death. If he defeated me, during one of those challenges, and killed me, he would be called justified." She paused, unable to contain a disgusted scoff that rose in her throat. 

This nausea hit her every time she thought about this for long--she was not considered capable of her own thought, feeling, self-ownership. She would be passed from her step-father to her fiance's ownership, and people would act like it was cause for celebration. She'd imagined strapping a dagger to her thigh, plunging it into his chest in their 'wedding' bed, but she'd never escape on her own. Her so-called parents knew her too well. Hell, they'd probably search her for weapons before she walked down the aisle. She'd never been close to her mother, but it hurt her to know that the woman who had given birth to her saw no problem with handing her over to this disgusting man. It was her final attempt to make Sylvie into what she thought a lady should be.

"My own mother and her new husband are the ones giving me to him. I have no say in the matter whatsoever. So long as I am subject to the laws of Tresteria, he will own me in one month's time. Were my father still alive, she never would have dared to do this to me. But as it stands, I'm trapped. To be married to him, forced to give up my sword, my interests, my fire... it would not be living. So it is either leave this country or die."

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria stood in front of Sylvie, watching and listening as she gave her an answer. Although this woman was a stranger to her, she couldn't help but sympathize and feel for the woman. The queen understood all too well of this situation. Still, she remained quiet and unmoving as she listened carefully.

Her eyes flickered over to Stefan, who remained in the doorway, watching and listening, ensuring that the queen was safe. He, too, seemed to buy the woman's story as he nodded to Alexandria. Her attention returned to Sylvie and she frowned slightly the more she continued on to explain what she was up against.

Alexandria nodded in understanding and forced the slightest of a smile. Once the woman finished speaking, the queen allowed a moment of silence to linger as she pondered her words carefully. "I am sorry you are going through all of this. I do understand as I have fallen prey to several arranged marriages... Ones who had plans to overthrow me of my own kingdom... Plotted to kill me to take Aralore for themselves...War came to my kingdom because of my refusal to allow this from happening... A war that nearly made me lose everything." She took a step back from the lady and folded her arms over her chest as she looked her over once again. "Please understand my hesitation... I recently had impostors in Aralore try to assassinate me and nearly succeed..." She quietly explained, her eyes turning to Stefan again for the briefest of moments. He had been there at the time, too, and had been the only guard left standing after the attack.

When she returned her gaze to Sylvie, she frowned slightly. "I would like to help... But I'm honestly not sure how long we will be here in Tresteria for... If it will be weeks... Months... My husband is the prince here and as you know, his brother has passed... He has some business to care for, and I do not know how long it will take before we can return to Aralore." The woman had said she would be married within a month's time, and Alexandria honestly was not sure if they would be gone before then, or not. She thought for a moment before speaking again. "Are you known here at court?" She placed a finger against her chin in thought. "If not, you could perhaps pose as one of my ladies until we leave."

[Sylvie DuPont]

The silence was deafening. Dark eyes searched the queen's face for any sign of disapproval, but all she found was quiet consideration. The queen was beautiful, she realized distantly, a stark contrast to the fair-haired queen of Tresteria. Each of them was regal in their way--strong, despite the difficulties of being a woman in power. Something about this queen seemed...sorrowful, perhaps. Sylvie wondered if that sorrow and her caution stemmed from the same source.

Sylvie felt hope rise in her chest as the queen finally spoke, sharing her own history with this kind of treachery. A frown crossed Sylvie's face as she realized that even a woman in a position of power, the leader of an island, queen in her own right, suffered from these same pressures and inequalities. It was unacceptable. How could anyone be blind to the injustice of these traditions and rules? Or was it simply that those who were not blind, were glad for the advantages they gained purely by an accident of birth? She would be curious what the queen thought, and what it was like in Aralore, but now was not the time to ask.

She watched as Alexandria took a step away and glanced at the guard near the door as she spoke. Impostors? That was surely a tale worth hearing as well. If she made it off this cursed island, she was going to have a lot of catching up to do. The queen's explanation, telling her that there was no guarantee she would make it out in time, made her heart lurch. Was even this not enough? She had thought...but perhaps it was childish to expect that someone else could simply whisk her away. Sylvie watched the queen consider her options with eyes that showed more pleading than she would have liked. She was already placing her trust in this woman, not much older than herself, who had already faced much more.

Internally, Sylvie said a prayer--to whom, she wasn't sure--pleading that somehow she would make it out of here with this compassionate queen and her people. She had to believe that it would work, that she could find a home where she truly belonged. To lose hope would be fatal.

"Are you known here at court?" The question made Sylvie jump slightly as she broke from her own reverie. Hurriedly, she shook her head, and regarded the queen with curiosity. "If not, you could perhaps pose as one of my ladies until we leave."

A quiet laugh escaped Sylvie's lips before she could catch herself. "Forgive me, it's just..." She laughed a little harder. "How funny that my chance at escape would be the same thing my mother had always wished for me to do--pretending to be a perfect lady." She smiled brilliantly at Alexandria, positively shining with relief and gratitude.

"I would be honored; if you are willing. I can't guarantee I'll be any good at needlework or makeup, but at the very least I can try to be good company...and perhaps support for your guard, should the occasion arise." She looked towards the guard with a slightly more tentative smile. He had only been doing his job, earlier, and if the queen trusted him, she saw no reason not to do the same. 

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria saw the pleading look in Sylvie's eyes and it honestly pained her. She could tell, just by looking at her, that the woman was telling the truth and was just looking for a new life--something she hoped she could help her with.

As the woman laughed, the queen's brows lowered and furrowed in confusion. Had she said something funny? Her bright blue eyes shifted over to Stefan again, in question and he shrugged his shoulders, looking just as confused. When Sylvie apologized for her laughter and then explained, Alexandria smirked knowingly. "My dear... I have no expectations for you to be a perfect lady." She laughed softly.

Sylvie accepted the offer, and it made Alexandria smile. "I would not offer if I was not willing." She laughed again, "and I do not expect you to do needlework or makeup. Company and guarding would be perfect." She gave the woman a reassuring smile. "I am sure that you already know of my name if you sought me out... But I am queen Alexandria of Aralore. This is Stefan, my most trusted guard." She motioned towards Stefan at the door and smiled softly at him. "I can introduce you to my other lady, Claire, who is here with me from Aralore. There is also Cassandra, but I am not completely sure if she will be returning with us. My other lady, Teagan, is back in Aralore, she could not make the trip."
She thought for a moment of Aric and what he would say to this idea-- although she was certain he would trust her judgment and understand. And having a lady also be her guard was an added bonus, especially being in Tresteria where she was a foreigner.

"Do you have things from your home that you will need to retrieve? I can send Stefan here to go with you if you are in need of help." She felt bad for volunteering him, but she trusted him.

[Sylvie DuPont]

Sylvie grinned. Oh yes, she liked this queen, and her knowing smiles. She was definitely pretty, and she seemed...real. Sylvie appreciated that. She nodded about knowing the queen's name--how could she not? The woman had been the talk of the town more than once before she even arrived here. She followed her gesture towards 'Stefan' and gave him another smile, hoping he wouldn't resent her too much for barging in and encroaching on his queen and his job. She truly did hope that they could work together as friends.

Sylvie listened about the others but guessed she wouldn't remember names until they had faces to go with them. It wasn't exactly her strongest suit. Still, she'd be on her best behavior with anyone she met...or at least, she'd be friendly. Best behavior implied leaving out weapons, and she liked hers too much.

The question about her things brought an awkward grin to her face and she tucked her hair behind her ears nervously. "About that...I kind of can't go back there. If I set foot inside, I won't make it back out. Technically, they own me. So I may or may not have hidden a bag of my things in the bushes outside the castle..." She grimaced. "I try to be prepared."

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria definitely had quite the collection of ladies in her court. They were not your typical ladies, but she preferred that, just as she was not your typical queen. Whether or not Sylvie would remain one of her ladies, she would fit in regardless, she thought.

Sylvie's admittance to not being able to return to her home to get her belongings had Alexandria tilting her head curiously as she regarded the woman. Her lips parted to question her, but Sylvie continued to explain and it caused her to frown. It was hard for her to hear someone say that they were owned by someone, but she imagined not all kingdoms were like Aralore, and she, unfortunately, had no say over the matter- especially since Tresteria was aiding her kingdom. She was just lucky that her husband did not inherit a lot of the patriarchal traits of his homeland.

Finally, Alexandria smiled and let out a small laugh. "Very well then. Retrieve your things and we shall have you share a room with Claire Beauchard if that is fine with you? I doubt Claire would mind, she would be happy to have someone to talk to and she can tell you all about home, and me, I'm sure." She smirked. "I would offer to find you your own room, but if you are looking to hide- it's best not to draw attention, right?"

[Sylvie DuPont]

Sylvie smiled, glad that the Queen didn't think she had been too presumptuous in having a bag ready for if she was accepted. She didn't want to assume she would be accepted, but she'd also been too afraid to consider what she would do otherwise. Of course, she'd had everything prepared for the worst-case scenario...but she'd always hoped she wouldn't have to use the little vial she'd tucked into her nightstand. Even if it were to save her from a more horrible death, suicide had always struck her as wrong in a visceral way.

"I'd be happy to, as long as you're sure she won't mind," she answered honestly. She'd be more than happy to, honestly, and relief flooded her as mundane concerns about her belongings and a place to sleep became the main topic of discussion. She was safe. Or at least...almost. Perhaps she shouldn't relax yet, but she felt as if the biggest hurdle had been passed. Her family wasn't likely to seek her at the castle, let alone among the foreigners. They'd likely assume she'd run away to the country on her own, as she'd threatened to do more than once.

"I'll take care of that right away. Once my things are tucked away, would you like me to return here? I'd like to be of service any way I can."

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria smiled at Sylvie and nodded before she waved her hand dismissively. “Once you meet Claire, you will understand why I doubt she would mind you staying with her.” She laughed softly. Claire was a sweet woman who Alexandria thought would get along with anyone and everyone. She saw the best in everyone, and she honestly loved that about her the most.

“Get yourself settled in, first. Rest. Take care of yourself.” She nodded before she looked at Stefan. “Would you be kind enough to help lady Dupont find her things and get her to lady Beauchard’s room?”

Stefan nodded in agreement but had an uneasy, hesitant look on his face. Alexandria smiled and shook her head. “I will be fine.” There were other guards nearby, no doubt. But she understood Stefan took his job seriously and felt that he could only trust himself to ensure her safety.

Her gaze turned back to Sylvie and she offered her a smile. “It was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you more.” She took hold of her hands and squeezed them reassuringly. “Everything will be well. Don’t forget to breathe.” Alexandria smirked and gave her a nod. It was advice she needed to take herself, as well, but it was easier to say to someone else than it was to tell herself.

[Sylvie DuPont]

The queen took Sylvie's hands in her own and pressed them softly, an earnest smile on her face. A swell of gratitude and something akin to love warmed Sylvie's chest, and she knew she was well and truly screwed. Well, that was it, wasn't it? She'd gotten her five minutes with the queen, and her insistence that she'd die for the woman out of duty and honor had become a conviction that she would die to the woman out of loyalty and affection. Fascinating.

A tinge of awe blurred the edges of Sylvie's returning smile.

"I won't forget. Thank you, Queen Alexandria. For all of this." She had to pause and take a breath. "I owe you my life."

She curtsied, then turned to leave, smiling at the guard on her way. "Might I have my sword back?"