Closed starter @ivanrurik
Location: Cordeliers Convent, France 1459
Her brother had sent for her. Evelina had no idea what to expect. The two of them hadn't spoken alone like this in a few years. Those few years since he had sent her lover away. She had long since forgotten the man and had focused on her duty.
"You sent for me brother." Evelina said with a smile as she saw him.
"I think we should discuss not only my future betrothal but also my concerns regarding Katrinka. I'm sure you're aware of how the English treat her." Evelina said in Russian, a tinge of sadness in her voice as she thought about her sister.
3v3linarose
Evelina’s eyes widened as she heard his question and she quickly sat down. “My God! You do not know?”
She took a deep breath before continuing. “Speak nothing of what I am about to tell you. It may seem rather trivial but, I am merely worried about our sister yet I do not wish to disturb the English and Russian alliance. I know you Ivan and I beg of you, do not act irrationally towards her husband either.” Evelina paused to take a breath.
“The English people have destroyed Rurik flags to voice their opposition of the alliance. Their monarchs have not done such, but shouldn’t Harry have put a stop to it? But their marriage is not my business. I spoke with Katrinka recently… she is no longer the sister we once knew. They have changed her. She acts different… more cautious… I have also briefly spoken to her husband… our conversation was quite icy but it remained civil, though if the conversation were not had in public I believe it would not have been as civil as it had been. I informed Katrinka of it and she simply passed off her husband’s behavior as witty English banter. I however do not see it as such. I believe we should pay much more attention to Harry of Wales for I fear he may be quite a thorn in Russia’s side. Katrinka seemed quite disturbed when I told her of the unpleasant conversation I had with her husband… she even told me not to disturb the English and Russian alliance, which I do not wish to do but if I hear of anything else that is of even deeper importance regarding Katrinka then you dear brother, will be the first to know. Russia and our country’s future is of great importance to me… but our family matters as well.” Evelina said quietly in Russian as she gazed at her brother worriedly.
Ivan studied the face of his sister, lingering upon her eyes, the liquid dark of them, before allowing him to sweep the rest of her features. He’d lived long with Evelina’s tempers, and had grown accustomed to dismissing the tempestuous glint of her humors as he did with all his siblings: that passionate Rurik blood curdling in their ears. He, himself, knew its heated song far too well: he’d felt it swell his breast till he felt fit to burst with it. He also thought he could recognize it in his siblings, and sought to take in what their said evenly. How best to rule, if not with a clean mind?
“I cannot promise that,” he replied, solemnly. “If this is a matter of Katrinka, the future Queen of England, it is an international matter, and therefore whether or not I hold my tongue is best dictated by myself, and no one else.” He paused, gesturing for her to go on. “Continue.” He tilted his head, feeling a slight jolt of irritation when she called him irrational. He said, however, nothing, waiting to hear what she would say.
His lips pressed tight together as she spoke, some internal fire springing to the fore. Surely, he thought. Evelina must have mishread. Surely, if that were so, Katrinka would have told me. He glanced down, long lashes sweeping his cheek as his jaw set in anger. Slowly, he exhaled, pushing the anger out and away from himself.
He did not like it, but he knew he must acknowledge: Katrinka had changed, but he’d known she would: she had to. She must transform from something wholly Russian to something wholly English, and from thence, to raise her children as such, that they might one day rule England and, out of love of their mother, look to her strange roots with a notion of fond alliance: that was the way of their world.
He sat back into his chair, sighing softly. “Fortunately,” he said. “It is not a requirement of international treaty that you must be fond of Katrinka’s husband. But I hope you will keep a civil tongue in your head,” he added, arching a brow. “That man, however little you may care for him, will someday be the King of England, and it is therefore necessary that he remember his affinity for Russia with grace and goodwill.”
Coming around the table to be closer to her, he leaned against it, touching her shoulder. “I do not try to excuse his actions - no doubt you have good reason for your distaste, but our personal feelings cannot play a role in our political actions. There is more at stake here than that. If we misstep in Russia, we may tidy it up and forget about it, but should we make such blunders here, the ripple effect could prove disastrous. Please, Evelina, promise me that you will not antagonize the Prince of Wales.” He studied her features, carefully. “Will you promise this to me, as your liege lord? Now,” he added, rubbing his brow. “Tell me of this...disastrous conversation you describe. Precisely why do you believe His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales means to make trouble for Russia?”
