TS: 3rd Cycle of Immanis, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post-Fractum
The letter no doubt came from a lady. That much he could assume, at least judging from the heavy perfume and pastel colored paper that had been used. Arken held the envelope to light, a finger tracing over it's surface until it found the crimson wax seal with a lion's face.
The Beaumont Seal.
Still, Arken was far from convinced that this document was indeed genuine. True, his former lover had indeed used the same kind of parchment, and even the writing had a remarkable resemblance to Annabella's but the Beaumont family had long since broken off relations with him.
Why now? What could they want from him? Compensation perhaps?
As far as he was concerned, there should be no reason for any one of the Beaumonts to want to see him ever again. The young noble picked up the parchment and scanned the pink colored parchment once more.
Secrets :
24th Brightening, Immaniss, Era II of Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post-Fractum
Arken Lancaster,
We must talk, there is a matter of great importance that I must discuss with you in private. Meet me at the Palais de Muse, a little after dark. Please wait for me in one of the gazebos. I will find you myself.
P.S. Please, come alone and as a precaution, come armed.
Yours Truly, Isabella Beaumont
Arken folded the piece of parchment and stuffed it into his pockets. The young Lancaster heir could vaguely recall the name. Isabella Beaumont, his lover's sister - the one who could not attend the funeral two eras back. He couldn't imagine what she wanted from him and why contact him now? She had all the time in the world to reach him after all.
The sky was already turning a pale shade of orange and still there was no sign of Isabella Beaumont. Of course, he had never met the woman before but Annabella had told him stories. How Isabella was the smarter and more dependable one, their father's favorite so to speak.
He could already picture it. A prim and proper lady as strait-laced as a woman could possible be. This was not far from the truth however, as he would find out.
"Arken Lancaster I presume?" said an all too familiar voice from in front of him.
Tilting his head up, he found himself looking into the face on Annabella. Immediately his eyes snapped open and his heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth, words failing to come out of his throat.
A disapproving scowl formed on the lady's face. "Well, are you?" she asked him, her expression cold and serious.
Twins!
He winced inwardly, berating himself for having forgotten that all too important detail. Annabella had a twin sister, he had almost forgotten.
"Y-Yes." piped the young fencer, still visibly in shock.
Isabella approached him with her frame swooping downwards until she was face to face with the young noble. With one hand on her hip and the other holding Arken's face by the chin she began turning his face from one side to the other, almost as if she was appraising him like an item on display.
Grinnign, Isabella relinquished her grip on the boy's chin and stood up to her full height. "You're not quite as handsome as I expected you to be." she said, half-hooded eyes still lingering on his face. "But I suppose you do have looks."
Arken really didn't know what to say, he was at a loss for words and it didn't help that his eyes were transfixed on her face. After all, those were the features he had already burned into his memory, though the almost overbearing presence wasn't something he was accustomed to.
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