-Brone- Unwanted Announcements

[Serena De Lorme]

To say General De Lorme was unpleased was an understatement. Things were definitely not going according to plan, and with his daughter no longer under his control, he had to take certain measures. Tobias was standing in the corner, flipping one of the gold coins he had been given for the entire ordeal, though even he wasn't pleased. Spying on the couple told him only that Serena was still shaken up. The two seemed closer than ever, which wasn't making the General happy. "For now we'll wait, but you will finish your job. I don't want the prince getting any ideas, understand me?" All he got for an answer was a nod, which made him glare and go back to what he was reading.

[Brone Van Estra]

As much as he wanted to rub this in the general's face, every step closer filled him with dread he couldn't show in front of the guards he had brought with him. The man was powerful, he had definitely had a hand in this whole conspiracy with Tobais, but he could not be certain. It had never been spelled out, and he knew hadn't told Serena how sure he was that her father was a significant player in the mini war that seemed to be unfolding over her--and over his throne. He kept his face very still and was soon on the doorstep, two guards slightly behind him, each taking a side.

How would De Lorme react? Was there anyway to know? Did he have spies within the walls? Brone doubted nothing at this point and was almost afraid to be here, but he had told Serena he would. His own parents had been---well, his mother was excited about the wedding, david seemed to think nothing either way, Mina and Jon were harder to read. And, naturally, his father seemed like he couldn't decide, happy that Brone finally had a woman, but all the same...

Brone knocked on the door briskly. A prince did not yell through doors, or walk in uninvited.

[Serena De Lorme]

De Lorme looked up at the knock at the front door, watching the butler pass the door to his study to go answer it. He gave a nod to Tobias, who quickly put on his soldier's cap and let his shadows turn his dark blond hair to jet black. Once the once-witch was in a more rigid stance required of his position, De Lorme went back to his work, waiting to see who was coming to visit.

The butler, once he opened the door, bowed towards the prince and motioned for him and his entourage to come inside. "My lord, The General is in his study, if you'll follow me," he murmured in respect, before heading in that direction.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone did not incline his head more than the slightest amount to the man. Normally, he would have seen that as rude, but he really had to show authority here, more than anywhere else. Something was truly sinister about this man and his workings. The general was at his desk, a dark haired man rigid beside him, his face was hidden in shadow. Brone was paranoid to think it might be Tobais, who knew what his powers included, if only he had a face.

"De Lorme," Brone said cooly, his so called body-guards stuff beside him. It was less about protection than it was about status about the fact that he was so important. Brone wondered how to begin. He wanted to throw his manners out the window, but this was hardly the time, but he had already done that once today, what with being in the hall in his boxers. "I have some news for you. I suppose you are entitled to it before the rest find out." His tone still cold, and dull, as if it bored him, as if this was purely a formality that had to be seen to.

[Serena De Lorme]

When the prince came into the room, De Lorme looked up and stood, though it was obvious that he was not happy with being bothered, especially by him. Tobias tensed behind him, but remained otherwise still, nodding to the guards in familiarity. Even with the shadows, the two would know him as one of their own, just like the others, and would never had known the connections between the men in the room.

Regardless, tension in general was starting to build in the air as De Lorme bowed his head slightly towards the Prince, diverting his eyes towards the guards briefly. "My Lord, what news is this? My daughter have a hissy fit and you're ready to toss her out now?" he remarked, just as coolly, a smirk playing on his face. He wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now.

[Brone Van Estra]

"Quite the contrary," Brone said, suddenly vary wary of the man beside the General's desk, but if he was to have men with him, he could not refuse the General the same curtousey. Not that he deserved them. His dark eyes flickered to the somehow familiar body, they felt wrong to him... "She has tossed out your ring quite literally, and taken one from me." He said finally meeting De Lorme's gaze easily--even though it was anything but easy. Was that straightforward enough for him? Or did he need a map, so to speak. Had the strange guard gone stiffer, was that possible?

"I'm marrying your daughter, but she has dissolved her ties to you. The glory isn't yours, unfortunately," A miniscule smirk found its way to his lips. "I suppose that clears you of a dowry." He commented, because normally a woman's family paid for weddings and such, not now. One because she was royalty, and two this was no longer her family, not really. Only in blood. "She wanted me to tell you before it became mainstream news." He wondered if De Lorme knew his daughter was pregnant, Tobais might have told him.

[Serena De Lorme]

Well... the General was inwardly quite amazed by that news, though outwardly all he did was widen his eyes and tighten his hands into fists, snapping the quill that had been in his hand straight in half and dropping it to the floor. Tobias behind him lowered his head slightly, his particular corner darkening slightly, but there was nothing he could without the General's command and with those two guards standing there. But then he did look up at Brone, the cold stare masked only by darkness.

"You've chosen to marry her? She that good in bed that you decided to keep her permanently there? Such a rash step for a bed warmer. It's all that she's good for anyway," he sneered, showing his disdain and his naivety. His daughter being pregnant was definitely a fact Tobias had kept from him, for his own reasons. But he did not like being disowned by his own daughter, ruining any major chance of sneaking his way towards the throne. "I wouldn't have wasted a copper coin on her anyway. Saves me the trouble." He sat back down in his seat, disrespectful he knew, but he was too angry at the news to care.

[Brone Van Estra]

Well, the smirk stuck to his face, watching the other man's manners shatter. He was entitled to a few graceless words, but that and sitting. He almost wanted to laugh. He might have said 'She's quite good in bed.' but he did not, knowing her father really did not care wether she was or not. Not to mention he wasn't sure that she would sleep with him at all. Brone did not say he was marrying her because loved her, not because she was having his child. "More than one thing went into the choice." he said simply, glancing at the darkly shadowed face of De Lorme's guard.

Brone crossed the room in a few strides, palms down on the top of the General's desk. "I know you have him around here somewhere." He said trying to bore holes in the man's skull with his eyes. "Tell him if he comes near her again, I'll kill him, or have him killed." His words were in a cold undertone, almost evil thrummed under his words. There was no reason to specify who he was talking about. He was almost sure that De Lorme was involved, this was one way to find out.

[Serena De Lorme]

By the time Brone finished his last sentence, Tobias had a sword at this throat in warning. The Baron raised an eyebrow and had a smirk on his face himself now. Slowly, De Lorme motioned for Tobias to stand down as he stood again, though now the other was standing in partial light, glaring at Brone with onyx eyes. He was slightly unrecognizable with an unshaven beard and mustache, but surely the prince would be able to see the resemblance to the one that had made his life hell recently. And that was precisely the point DeLorme wanted.

"Now, my Lord, forgive my guard, for he is only protecting me and doesn't like threats. That is a threat, is it not?" he asked, staring directly into Brone's eye, matching glare for glare. This was his playground now. "Now, I do not have any clue who you may be referring to, but it seems you are quite the rogue these days. Perhaps you should be asking that tramp of yours about strange men going after her. Make sure she's loyal and all that before you go jumping into such an unbreakable bond as marriage. Who knows, perhaps if I'm lucky, you'll see her for who she is and have her executed. Now that I would pay to see."

"Over my dead body, darling." The voice with a Latin flare to it came from the doorway as a tall, beautiful woman with long, curly raven hair down her back stood there, arms crossed and dark eyes gleaming. There was no mistaking who it was, for she looked just like an older version of Serena. "You treat guests horribly, husband. Especially his highness. Take promises when you hear them."

[Brone Van Estra]

It was Tobais. Any fool could see it, and Brone gave a dark ;look toward him before swinging his eyes to De Lorme as he spoke, he was lying, gloating almost as if he knew Brone knew he was a liar. "Not a threat on you." He looked at the 'guard' with a smirk, holding a hand out from his side to keep his guards from moving closer. Brone relaxed, an almost amused look crossed his face, he would never show his fear to this man. "You tell him, won't you?"Brone said cooly, arms folded on his chest, he looked smug. He knew Tobais was the man in front of him, and it was quite hard not to attack him.

Then, someone broke the silence.

Brone smiled, ignoring the sword and turning to make a small bow to the woman who had entered the room. Serena's mother, a beautiful woman, with a brain. He respected her for this, for standing up to her husband, a man who did not deserve a woman like her. He doubted Tobais would control her, that seemed to risky. But maybe not. "Your daughter sends her greetings to you." Brone told her. "Its obvious that she got her grace and good looks from you." He smiled. Ignoring De Lorme was almost as much fun as arguing with him.

[Serena De Lorme]

Victoria smiled softly to Brone, returning his bow with a graceful curtsy, her long, flowing dress pooling ever so slightly at her feet. "You flatter me, your grace. I suppose it was a good thing I didn't take Serena to Spain with me. Victoria De Lorme at your service, my liege," she introduced herself, walking into the room far enough to extend her hand towards the prince.

Rolling his eyes, De Lorme motioned for Tobias to leave, which he did hesitantly, while he approached his wife. "Well, look what the devil dragged in. Shouldn't you be getting back to those demons you call your family?" he spat, obviously not happy about having her there. This was just not his evening it seemed.

"Did you find yourself someone who could actually stand being in bed with you yet? Maybe I'll stay away until then. I could use someone else to talk to," she snapped back, turning her back on her husband until she turned her back on his and returned her attention to the only person worth talking to in the room. "Perhaps your grace would care to stay for dinner? Or has my husband's sour attitude completely ruin your trip? I hope my daughter is doing well with you?"

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone smiled and took the hand she extended to him and kissed it, as custom would show as the proper way to greet a lady. She was fit for a queen, and her husband was a boar. It surprised him that De Lorme sent out Tobias, since that's who the quarrel was with. he hoped the man was not off with Serena at that moment, he doubted it, it would not be a god time to strike. It was obvious their marriage left something to be desired. He did not blame Victoria for wanting out. Her choice in company could be improved.

"She is quite well Lady De Lorme," He said to her. "In fact, I came to tell you of my engagement your daughter, and since you are her mother, I will tell you also that she is carrying a child, not too many months along yet, starting to show." He said, almost smirking at the thought of how the husband felt at not ebing told this at all. He would have offered her a room in the palace if she needed somewhere to be. "The palace is open to you if you ever need to get away from him." He said with a grin, acting like a prince even while joking. "As for dinner, I shall politely decline." He bowed to her again.

[Serena De Lorme]

"What!?" he shouted, eyes wide and near bulging. Why hadn't Tobias told him that little tidbit?! If he wasn't fuming before, he was then.

"Oh sit down and shut up, will you?" she said, exasperated, waving her hand at him. It was as if the Baron had been pushed forcefully into the couch behind him, for which he glared at his wife of thirty years. She merely laughed and once again returned Brone's curtsy. She knew that the guards would be wary of her sudden use of apparent magic, but she just kept the conversation light. "You would think that after my family saved him from living on the streets he would be more humble... I am quite surprised to hear all of this good news. My family will surely send their regards and gifts as soon as I tell them the news. As for staying at the palace, I respectfully decline, unless I come to visit Serena, for the mere fact that someone with a brain has to stay here to keep thing in order. But I thank you for the offer."

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone let the smirk show on his face as her father reacted. Ha! It was a small victory. Not to mention the fact that the wife was the one with status, it should not have surprised him that the one with manners had the upbringing. The use of magic--what seemed to be magic made his gaurad shift slightly, almost more defensive. But Brone said nothing. He was friendly enough with witches, part witches--if she was anything like that. Aside from Tobais and others who wanted Serena maimed.

"The offer is always open should you need it, feel free to drop by at any time." Brone said to Victoria as if nothing had happened with General De Lorme. "That invitation is not extended to you General." He said cooly. He hoped he wasn't offending his wife by saying so, but neither Brone nor Serena wanted anything to do with him.

[Serena De Lorme]

Tired of the ridicule and embarrassment, Nicolaus stood up and gave a curt bow before storming out of the room. First he would deal with Tobias keeping things from him, then he would deal with his wife. One power wielder had been enough to deal with. Now there were two. If his great grandfather could see him now...

Victoria merely laughed softly to herself, a bell-like sound not unlike Serena's, shaking her head. "I do apologize for my husband's rudeness. He hates being in the wrong. And being embarrassed when he acts like a fool," she pointed out before running a hand through her long locks, combing them over her shoulder. It was a physical sigh instead of a vocal one for her. "I should have warned you. My great great grandmother was a soothsayer when she was bitten, having fallen in love with her husband. We have certain gifts that pass down through the female line generally, though some males have been known to have it. Serena doesn't know, mostly because I spend a good portion of my time avoid him, so any gift she may have had possibly won't reveal itself yet. I use it to annoy her father into submission." She laughed again, glad that someone else despises her husband. "I wouldn't want to keep you any longer than necessary, unless there is more news or business you have to attend to."