Forums » General Roleplay » Trouble and Strife, and All Things Rife [Closed]

"I'm finished,” Anne said, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice, as it was directed at herself and not her lady-in-waiting. But it stung Vivienne none the less. Vivienne bowed, taking the tray that held her mistress' nearly empty breakfast tray out of the small dining where there were often held elaborate games for money. Her face held a smile but on the inside, she was pushing her pissiness down. Perhaps the waning blood moon was coming soon; once a month since she was 9. She sighed, disregarding the thought.

Vivienne walked down the hall quickly, the ceilings high with glass windows on her left hand side. Torches were held high on the stone walls to her right, the flickering shadows bouncing up and down. It was too early in the morning to be up, but Vivienne was starting to become use to it. Looking up to her right, she looked at the tall portraits, wishing one of them was of her. Her eyes wandered to the passing guards and dukes and who ever else she didn't recognized. Vivienne was open about her status and would not shy away from the looks of passersby as did other servants. She knew she was beneath them, but she was still more in her heart. When she first came to court, she was a shy girl of only 18. This was when Queen Catherine was still the queen and trouble was just on the horizon. Now though, people would whisper about the the dishonesty of the King and how he disobeyed the Church. The strife in the air was thick and no one knew how to handle it since everyone were only servants of the King.

She was going down the back stairs to take the tray to the kitchen for the servants to take care of. It was nasty down there, the stink getting stronger as she went further into the castle. Vivienne held her breath, holding the tray closer to her yellow beaded bodice. It was a gift from the queen to have her ladies-in-waiting to look their best. And it was Vivienne's pleasure when men looked at her with ungaurded eyes, although she would never admit it. Finally she was in the kitchen and she hated the smell. People were bustling about without noticing her, she made her way and placed the tray where it belonged in the sink. The man at the was grumbling about getting out of the kitchen not noticing her piling more dishes into the dirty sink.

Quickly getting out the servants that were under her's way, she lifted her chin and walked back slowly to the Queen's room, hoping there wasn't as much work as there was yestersday. Vivienne sighed and leaned against the stone walls, next to a large painting. She closed her eyes for a brief moment before hearing a movement in a small corridor which is usually regarded as servants. It was the Duke of Cornwall and someone else. She couldn't just put her finger on it. It was a hoarse whisper and Vivienne leaned in closer to hear what the man had to say that was so important. She would only stay for a minute, or two? Vivienne was eager to hear gossip so she could tell the other ladies-in-waiting.

Tucking a piece of fallen red hair behind her left ear, Vivienne listened. Something about Germany...

Leaning against a bricked wall, in a silent corridor was Hex. He was running his fingers through his short cropped hair in thought. running over the subject he must go over with the Duke of Cornwall. He was well dressed, fitting in nicely with the elite of the castle. Hex was young, mid twenties at most. A charming air about him, even when he sat in deep thought. His eyes scanned the wall... studying the cracks as he waited patiently.

It was past noon now, and Hex had been waiting for what felt like an eternity. His Grace The Duke of Cornwall had taken his time, yet he always did. Hex assumed it was for safety's sake, they were only talking about things that could, if they weren't totally discrete, could send both of their heads to the chopping block. Hex slid a hand around his neck at the thought, a blunted bloody axe on it's way down as he muttered his last prayers.

Before his imagination ran completely away with him, his thoughts were broken by the sound of feet coming towards him. "I was occupied, I do apologize." his grace, said not even looking Hex directly in the eye as he ushered him into a walk. "It's is quite alright your grace." Hex responded, straightening his posture up, as he soon followed the older man.

The Duke handed Hex a letter as they walked to whatever hideaway they were going to this time. His grace making small talk, about the gardens of all things. Hex flipped the letter over, the parchment a creamy beige color. a royal blue Wax pressing held the paper together, melted at the sides with and ostentatious letter "C" in the middle of the wax. "Not yet." His grace ordered, breaking from his chat on the gardens, as if Hex didn't realize how secretive it was.

As they deepened down the corridors, The Duke broke into a whisper. "They're pleased, so far... Of course they want more." Hex Stopped for a moment his voice going a bit into a slight whisper yell. "They always want more." His grace's voice went even lower, agitation cropping up in his hoarsing voice. "Watch you're voice boy, all of England can hear you." They stopped in a small corridor, Hex lowering his voice. "Well thankfully I have plenty more for you to take back to Germany." His grace leaned in glancing around slightly paranoid that someone might here, though his eyes never left Hex. "His Majesty for one has his eyes on one of the Boleyn Sisters, Anne. She is scheming with her uncle to Have His majesty break his marriage with the queen. The Boleyn's give promises' of a Male heir."

Hex's eyes glanced around, he had an odd feeling but he kept going. "He's with Her most nights, their affair is not very discreet. It's not looking well for her majesty. He's going to break from Rome and everyone knows it." The Duke listened on, making mental notes. "If we have any hope for The Duke of Cleves to get The Duchess into court, he must get her in quickly, or else he'll have disposed of Her Majesty and taken Lady Boleyn as his new queen before she ever has a chance."

Vivienne listened intently, it was unusual for people of higher standards to be sneaking around like this and she didn't know what to make of it. It must be something big that they were planning. What did the Duke of Cornwall have to do with Germany? The Duke of Cleves? As the two men got quieter, Vivienne stepped closer, trying to have a earful of what was being said.

Vivienne felt vividly fascinated by the gossip, her heart skipping a few beats. Although the part about the King and Boleyn being together most nights was not much of a secret. Vivienne sighed and shook her head. If Her Grace was to become queen, Vivienne would be even more regarded for someone to come up through the ranks. Her thoughts were cut off by footsteps in the servants hall, presumably whoever was in there was now coming out.

Vivienne panicked, thinking she was to be caught. To her dismay, she unfortunately ran into the person who she was just spying on coming out of the servants hall.

"You may go, You gaurd that letter with your life." Hex nodded. "With my life.." He responded back. He watched as the Duke hurriedly went out the way they came. Hex glancing down at outside of the letter once more. He slow turned heading out the opposite direction, thoughts on the inside of the letter, He'd never admit it, but he dreaded the contents of the letter.

He was knocked off his guard, someone was running into him. He too Panicked at first. They were caught.. he was alone... he was caught and The Duke was gone. He's was going to lose his head. He gave a quick glance down at the person who would send him there. A young lady in waiting. Hex grabbed her by the wrist. "What did you hear." He more demanded than asked, it wasn't that he was a mean person, he was more fearing for his own life more than anything. His clear eyes where staring hard into her's, demanding she speak.

He held her wrist tightly, as she tried to pull it free from his grasp. Vivienne wasn't use to this sort of touch, the roughness of it. "Everything.." She hissed as she once more tried to pull her hand free, willing herself to run away from the conversation. She was scared and frantically looked at the other man's eyes but held on to the harsh tone she needed to get out of the situation.

"There's nothing you can do about it now, your Grace. I demand you to take your hands off me." Vivienne didn't know what she would do once she was fear, but she stood her ground. If this man was committing a crime, then someone would be told. Or perhaps she could use it to her advantage.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes at the tall man. He stood a few feet above her and was pleasant to look at except she would like to wipe the scowl off of his face. "Perhaps you should explain what you were doing secretly with the Duke?" She knew she was under him, but she needed the upper hand in this situation. Vivienne could loose her head and her eyes probably gave her away that she was scared.

"You'd do best to forget everything then." funny both of them scared out of their minds, but neither daring to show it. He kept his stare, a million situations playing out in his head. All of them ending with him 6 feet under. He wouldn't dare let a servant girl send him there.

"You don't demand anything of me." He was being a jerk, and dispite the fact that she now held his very life, didn't like hearing himself talk to her like those above him talked to him. He let her wrist go, eyes still hard on her for the moment. He was studying everything she was doing, she was asking him questions, He didn't like that but it was too late she knew they were meeting secretly. There were very few options here. Should he tell her? No matter what someone was in deep trouble. He notived she too held a fear in her eyes, his face softened. he took a deep breath and exhaled. "We were discussing The Kings affair. And the Likelyhood of him leaving his wife, and taking Your Lady Anne as his queen." He crossed his arms, and then an idea popped in his head. "You see there are a lot of people who don't like Lady Boleyn, and would rather His Majesty choose someone else if he did dispose of Queen Catherine. I'm gathering information, in the hopes if he does split from rome.. we can have a queen consort the people of England would be glad to have." He looked her in the eyes now. "You... spend a lot of time with Lady Anne don't you?" maybe he could get her to help him. It was an act of desperation.

Vivienne shook her head no, saying noting. It was too late to go back now; to forget what she heard. She couldn't forget the menace in the Dukes voice as he mentioned her Lady Anne. Vivienne shivered a bit at the thought that something bigger was happening and she didn't want any part of the scheming to be had.

Finally, the mysterious man let go of her wrist and she instantly looked down at it, rubbing it. Vivienne felt like she was being scolded by his eyes until his face no longer had the scowl it once had before. He was holding something in his hand Vivienne hadn't noticed before. It was a letter, presumably something to be kept to himself. Vivienne grimaced taking note of it. "What is it that you have in your hand, sir?" Vivienne questioned him. She listened intently, keen to commit every word to memory. It was well known that Anne Boleyn might take the throne, but how would the king go about divorcing his wife? It was against the church and god himself to divorce someone you were wed to. Vivienne bit her lower lip, going over the pros and cons of what she should do. "I... yes. I am close to her Grace and was on my way to make sure there was any thing else I could do for her before I would commit to my room."

Vivienne didn't know what type of trouble she was getting into. She looked at him for a long moment before looking about herself. The hall was becoming crowded and they need not to be caught talking about secrets of the King and court.

Hex was running a thousand thoughts through his head still. It wasn;t good for someone so young to feel as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He look at her earnestly, hoping , praying to God himself and the Virgin Mother that she would help him instead of turn him in.

"I Apologize my lady, about your wrist." He siad, knowing he didnt have to apologize, but feeling the need to do so anyway. His eyes went down to the letter, he himself had no clue what was inside of it. So he responded honestly. "A letter... I'm not to open in it in any ones company. Not even the Duke was allowed to see it. I'm.. not certain of the contents." He answered with complete honesty, rather she believed him or not. His thoughts were with hers he too wanted to rush away, and soon before the both of them got caught. It would have been suspicious with him alone with the duke. But a Lady in Waiting? "Perhaps... my lady." He said turning on his full charm. "You could listen closely to the things going on in places where I'm not allowed. Yet you have easy access too. I could compensate, and neither you or I would have to lose thier head over you bumping into me." He gave her a warm smile now, raising his brows as if to say. "Think on it".

Outside he was completely calm and cool, but inside he was losing it.. still praying, begging god to help him. Hopefully even god wanted the same things he and his uppers were trying to make happen.

She didn't hesitate to answer him in a low quick voice. With the charm and wit of some, she could be molded into anything. Vivienne brushed off the thought, thinking perhaps she could get something out of this... arrangement.

"What exactly am I listening for?" Her mouth pursed into a thin line. Vivienne looked about herself for a moment, her heart beating as fast as a hummingbirds wings. "I beseech thee to come to my chambers later. To discuss this further. Ask for Lady Vivienne Case." She regarded him closely before continuing.

"If you intend on bringing trouble to me, I suggest you know I am a worthy opponent. I will go to great lengths to know the truth and to stand by that." Her face held a smile now. Her cheeks growing a tint of red.

Hex gave her a sideways grin. "Anything, my dear. Anything would be of help. Listen to gossip, make mental notes if Our Lady Anne happens to wander off to meet a handsome king. Perhaps even if he has his sights set on someone else. You could be my ears in the ladies area, while i deal with The king and those near his majesty."

His heart softened a bit and his mind easing down, the panic was over for the moment. His smile held as he took a slight step back. "A pleasure to meet you Lady Case. I am Nathaniel Hex you may call me by either. " Hex nodded with her his smile dropping for a moment as she threatened him. "Trust me my lady, you and I are after the same thing. The truth." His smile returned. "I will come to your chamber tonight." There was a scurrying coming from somewhere. "For now I think we must depart" He stepped back a bit, not willing to let himself be cause once more. "I will be discreet, until later. Lady Vivienne."

Vivienne nodded her head, a smile on her lips. Her heart beat in her chest as hard as it did before, but it was waning now. He seemed genuinely interested in the Kings health as well as the way the court was to be run. If the people didn't want the King to wed Lady Boleyn, then that would be so, wouldn't it? But Vivienne knew politics didn't work that way. She was educated enough to know men handled that sort of things but knew of nothing more than One King, One Law, One Faith.

Vivienne sighed, curtsied and made her ado's. "Until then, your Grace." She would need to think about it. She weighed her options, for one, if she were to do this, it would be considered treason for going against the King as well as Lady Boleyn. The woman who took her in with a kind heart and giving hands. If this sort of strife would cause such a stir among her fellow peers, what would she be able to do? Get her head chopped off. That's what was going to happen.

Vivienne shook her head and quickly walked to her lady's room, hoping she needed nothing more. "Where have you been?!" A shrewd voice called as Vivienne opened the door, a shoe flinging towards her head. Dodging the shoe was unsuccessful, hitting Vivienne quite hard on her forehead. She groaned, knowing full well Lady Anne was in a pissy mood. She rubbed her head, tears pooling in the back of her eyes, before putting on a straight enough face to walk into the room and address her grace.

"I'm sorry, your Grace. I was taking your dishes back to the kitchen and got caught in the middle of the bustling kitchen. I had to go the long way around to come back..." her lie was flawless, as Lady Anne knew fully well how crowded the kitchen was due to the coming feast the following night. She bowed and kept her eyes to the floor.

"Well, I needed you to come fetch me a dress, but you were no where to be found. You were probably gossiping with the cooks like every other servant here." She shouted, stomping to and fro in front of the fireplace. "I need nothing now. Thank you for wasting my time. I will call on you if I need you." Lady Anne paused for a moment, looking directly at Vivienne. "I will be out with the King this evening in the Gardens. If anyone comes to call on me, please do tell them I am not feeling well and have retired to my bed." Vivienne gave a weak nod, looking at her master. She will never be more than a Lady-in-waiting, she better make herself realize it soon.

"Yes, your grace."
"You may go now." Lady Anne shooed her away with a wave of her hand and Vivienne skirted out of the room.

Quickly walking to her chambers, her hand rubbing the welt that was not producing herself on her forehead, the tears were coming back. It wasn't fair to be treated as such. Vivienne shook her head. Finally, she was in her room, the light from the window was bouncing off the stone walls making the room seem brighter. She choked back little sobs as she made her way to her little desk in the right hand corner, producing a piece of paper and a fine quill and ink and started writing a letter to her family that she missed dearly.

Had sat in his own room, across the castle for a while after his meal. He was puffing on piped tobacco as his eyes scanned the page from The Duke of Cleves yet again. He set the pipe down, folding it back up and sliding it into a silver box, inside of the box were countless other letters. They were organized. Some from his mother and sisters, most from The Duke. Hex Slide the lid closed, giving a sigh as he slid back. He walked to the back of the room, sliding out a large stone from the wall, he placed the box there. soon concealing it. He threw a coat of her tall form, as he made his way toward the other end of the castle.

"I said Lady Vivienne Chase." The other Lady raised a brow to him...her face was hard to read. It made him paranoid, though when you found yourself in the possibility of trouble like Hex had, it wasn't too often you didn't feel paranoid.

As She led him to Lady Viv's room, Hex keep running over thoughts in his head. He wasn't making a mistake by showing blind faith in Vivienne was he? He wasn't sure he would have even told anyone else even if he had been caught. What was it that made him talk. Desperation? Maybe he wanted someone to share the burden with. Or maybe he could trust her. Whatever his reasoning, even if he himself hadn't a clue, It was too late to take it back now no matter what happened.

The other lady waved him toward her room, still eyeing him suspiciously as she walked away, He watched until he was sure he was gone, before he gave a swift knock on door, whispering. "Lady Vivienne, It is I.. Lord Hex." He waited patiently for her to answer. Hopefully she had came to his way of thinking. If not then... he wasn't sure what he would have to do.

Vivienne was still writing her letter to each of her family members in hopes of them writing back, but it was futile. Only her father is able to read and write, and he's normally in the fields all day long. A small shake to her hands had set in, taking hold of her. It meant she could no longer write, tonight. She sighed, setting the quill down into the ink bottle for later use. Getting up to walk towards her messy bed, Vivienne picked up a mirror that was at her bedside table.

The mirror held her reflection, someone who wasn't so beautiful as the queen, but justly in a sense. A girl with a freckled face, cloudy green eyes, and a red welt on her forehead. Her makeup she applied each morning had run a little, showing she had cried. Taking a worn handkerchief out of the pocket of her apron, she dabbed at the edges of her eyes. It was no use. Vivienne began taking her hair down, taking the pins out slowly, still holding the mirror in her right hand. Her mind remembered that Lord Hex was to be there soon, she began taking her hair out faster. Her red hair cascaded around her covered shoulders. Finally done with her hair, Vivienne sat the mirror down onto the bed side table again, the candle flickering eerily against the wall.

Hearing a knock at the door, she knew it was time to think over the elephant in the room again. It wasn't as simple as forgetting that it was there, rather than ignoring it. Vivienne swiftly patted down her straight hair, hoping she still looked presentable. Hurrying to the door, she held her breath and opened it to the man who hoped for her to help him. After todays' events, Vivienne didn't need much more persuading. She was fuming on the inside, but calm and collected on the outside.

"Lord Hex, thank you for coming." She bowed, opening the door further to allow him to come in. There was an awkward kind of silence as she closed her door. One did not normally allow the other gender into their room at night. Vivienne shifted uneasily in her place looking down at the ground still. " I hope you had no issue on finding my room, my Lord." The welt was noticeable now, her hair pushed away from her face behind her ears.

Hex slide into the room quietly, giving another glance behind him once more before he shut the door behind him. The uneasyness was very noticeable, he also felt it himself though for a different reason than she did. Though his thoughts were full of hope that she might actually help him, he was also dreading the much more likely scenario that she wouldn't. He took a small glance around her room first, as one often did when coming into a new area. His eyes though fixated on her, he was more inclined to notice her beauty now that the shock of thier meeting had worn off.

"You are most welcome." He responded, with a sly smile. "Minimal trouble, my lady. I was lead directly to your room by the nicest most beautiful woman who gave me not a look, or questionable grimace." He was obviously attempting sarcasm. "I made it quite fine, thank you. Your duties.. go well?" He asked of her duties with Lady Anne.

His eyebrows went into a small furrow as he noticed the welp on her head, "Or perhaps not..Whatever happened to your head Lady Vivienne?" The concern in his voice might've shocked him if he wasnt actually concerned.

Vivienne was still pondering what she should do but bordering on the brink of a yes, to help Lord Hex in the spying. It was a dangerous game, but something worth while to make sure Lady Anne would not be queen.

"I'm glad you faired well, my Lord. This castle is far too big for anyone to go about without an escort." Her voice faltered as she looked upon him. Clearing her voice, she continued, her voice quivering a bit as she recounted what had happened earlier that day. The swelling had gone down quite a bit, but at the mere thought of it, Vivienne swayed. "I.. uh.. Lady Anne thought it best that she throw a shoe at me for punishment on being late." She bit her lip as she looked away from his eyes trying not to think of the incident. Vivienne continued on, "I deserved it, I suppose. Would you like to sit while we discuss more important matters?"

Leading him over to her desk, she made him sit down. Pulling up a chair from the window, Vivienne plopped down on it exhaustion from the day etched on her face. Vivienne pushed red locks from her face, rubbing her eye a bit. "I think I shall agree to your terms, my Lord. There... She shouldn't be queen although I have no right to say so as I am beneath her." Vivienne paused for a moment, weighing her words carefully. "What do I get in return?"

Hex paused for a moment when she mentioned the "shoe" incident. He could easily wrap his head around it happening, plent o things of the like had even happened to him, despite his rank. "She's an adulterer, Trust she'll get worse than a shoe eventually." Not that Hex was overtly religious, he did believe those who did bad would get what was coming to them in the end. He was also attempting to make her feel better about it. It was the best he could do at the moment.

As Lady Viv led him over to his desk, he could feel anxiousness beginning to build up, taking the form o prickles on the back of his neck, leading up into his hair. It was a terrible feeling, like one got when they were caught doing domething they weren't suppose to. He was merely worried, worried that she had infact thought this through, and had decided that No it wasn't worth helping him, and in fact it would be a much smater decision to instead turn him in. So when the words came out of her mouth. Her actually agreeing to it, it took him a moment. He looked at her, in a semi shock that she had actually decided to help. Maybe that shoe bussiness was more helpful than he knew, or maybe he was really out of touch with her class. Either way a smile had spread across his face as his brain registered what was happening.

"You will?" first disbelief "You will! Thank you my dear, Thank you." He sat there for a moment, fishing through his pockets, he dropped a bag in front of her, on the desk. "I'll pay you in gold.. if that's what you desire. Since we're now in this together I see no reason why I shouldn't give you half what the House of Cleves is paying me."