About half way down the carpet, Joseph lowered his arm. Not bothering to say anything to the still waving Corsican woman as they approached a small set of stairs leading up to a nasty guillotine setting to the side, a basket laid out just underneath where the head would fall should the sharpened blade succeed in it's first stroke.
Joseph wondered her reaction should she set eyes on the hideous machine. It made him smile lightly as he spoke under his breath towards her. "Don't worry. It's merely a prop. You will not be executed today. Your fate was already decided upon reviewing your crimes and merits. The treason your ancestors caused during the first civil war have long surpassed and you've more than made up for it." He paused for a moment before giving her instructions, "When you get to the top, kneel before me. The clapping should cease. Once it does, state your name and list off your accomplishments."
As they reached the base of the steps, he removed his hand from her back. Drawing in a deep breath as he proceeded up the stairs. Not looking behind him to see if she was still following, even though it would not take long for them to reach the top.
At the top, he turned around rather quickly, looking at the crowd as he raised his hands in the air, the crowd cheered briefly until he lowered his hands slowly, silence filled the grand hall. "People of Gallia. Today... we're reminded of a treachery that happened nearly a centuries ago during the first Gallic War. An ancestor of the family in question had betrayed the Crown. Turning against my ancestors in a time of crisis. Later, in the year 597, that same family had assisted Corsican commandos in an assault on a Junker inhabited station that was later dubbed the Bourbon Massacre." He paused as someone in the crowd screamed something along the lines of 'Just execute her already.' His eyes narrowed as he watched a couple of guards move into the crowd, removing the woman who screamed. He held a long silence until she was finally removed from the grand hall.
"These crimes have blemished the family name for centuries. It wasn't until now that a descendant of those who committed such treasonous actions against the Crown has came forwards. To rectify and restore her family's name in the line of nobility that it once had been. Mademoiselle LaBrise, please... come forward and state your claims of atonement." Joseph looked down at the woman who had remained at the bottom of the steps. His gaze seemed to hold an eerie hostility.
Aurèlie probably looked like quite the lunatic as she was waving to the crowd during what everyone expected to be an execution. That is, until she caught sight of the guillotine. Aurèlie was suddenly mortified by it, her gaze not breaking away until the Dauphin's words reassured her. For the sake of the illusion, though, Aurèlie kept her grave face as the Dauphin climbed up the set of stairs, shushed the crowd, and began his speech.
Aurèlie preferred to wait before joining him, listening intently to the words of the Prince, each of them striking her like painful jabs, his tone now being one of supremacy and leadership. The man knew exactly what he was doing, and was in complete control the scenery. Finally, he invites her to make her statement. She slowly climbs the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the silent room, her heels making a distinct 'clok' sound which resounded through the crystal lamps set everywhere in the room. Finally facing the Dauphin, she slowly kneels before him.
"My name is Aurèlie LaBrise, head of the LaBrise family. I have atoned my name by hunting down the enemies of the crown, assisting our forces not only through the charting of the Sirian systems, but also against the Bretonian threat. I have openly denounced the deeds of the Orsini family against the Crown and actively fought against them. I have eased our House's relationship with Kusari by establishing firm contacts within their house. I have greatly stimulated our own home's economy by establishing my own succesful legitimate shipping corporation. I have been one of the first to warn our fair people of the danger that Cardamine represents, along with the Outcasts. For these reason, and countless other deeds, Your Highness, I believe that my family has more than repaid its debt to the Kingdom and her People."
Aurèlie did not lift her eyes from the stairs as she gave her speech. If she were to look into Joseph's eyes as he were so authoritative, she was actually afraid of freezing on the spot and getting crushed beneath his heel. Her tone is solemn, loud and clear, though, full of pride that only a true Corsican may show off.
"Many of you are thinking... why does this Corsican whore deserve such a trial?" Joseph stated, moments after she had finished her statement. "Her crimes against the crown are clear! But..." He paused, looking down at the kneeling woman before him. "She did what any respectable noblemen would do during these dark times that lay before us. She pursued a path that did not falter and has proven to me that she is more than willing to do what she needs to do for the betterment of the Kingdom, rather than her own personal gains as is the deal with most nobles. Throughout history, people have spat on the LaBrise name. Calling them cowards, whores, and so forth for an act that has passed on centuries ago."
Just then, a guard carrying a ceremonial sword stepped forwards. Presenting the sword towards Joseph, who took it without much hesitation. "Aurèlie LaBrise. It is time for the Kingdom to forgive the grievances that were brought upon by your family." He said, speaking softly to her as he placed the blade flat against her left shoulder. Looking up at the crowd.
"By Royal Decree. I, Prince Joseph DeFrance, hereby pardon Baroness Aurèlie LaBrise of Provence. May you continue your good deeds for the future of the Kingdom." He stated loudly, lifting the sword from her left shoulder and placing the blade gently against her right.
The entire gesture seemed to have a flavor of mockery towards a rather specific house. Joseph smiled curtly towards the crowd as many began clapping and screaming. The nearby orchestra began playing as Joseph handed over the sword to the waiting guard.
It wasn't long until he held his hand out towards the newly instated Baroness, "You may rise."
The cold blade against her sent shivers through her spine. Or was it from the excitement? She wouldn't be able to tell, at this moment. She took a moment to deep breathly and calm down, lifting her head to smile up to the Dauphin. The Baroness rose proudly, turning to the crowd and bowing to them humbly, taking in the bliss of the moment, before turning back to Joseph, nodding solemnly to him.
"I will honor the title and the name, Your Highness, and I shall keep serving my House proudly, even more satisfyingly so now with the rights and duties that will come along with them.", Aurèlie states so while setting her hand on her heart, the HoloVisions ratings plummeting down when everyone realized that there will be no bloodsport tonight. A playful smile and wink quickly creeps up on her face swiftly all the while as well, amused by the turn of events. She needed a drink now, though, and hoped the after party would be just as amazing as the ceremony.
And thus begins a powerful partnership within Gallia, Aurèlie thought to herself.
But drinks first. A noble must keep her priorities in order, after all.
Once every guest within the grand hall had filed out and left the Palace completely, Aurèlie and Joseph joined the other nobles that had gathered in the nearby, and incredibly smaller ballroom.
There was one point where Joseph had disappeared from Aurèlie's side sometime during the social party, though she didn't seem to have noticed. The Prince, carrying a single glass of wine, had positioned himself near the exit where a scrawny man had been waiting.
"Baroness of Provence?" The man asked, twiddling his fingers as both he and Joseph watched the woman from a distance. "It's highly amusing that you gave her the Lord Marèchal's former estate. Any particular reason why?" "It should be clear as day. She's a Corsican crime lord. Provence is where nox is harvested. I've given her the direct ability to monopolize the entire industry. So that she can begin her goals to take complete control of the black market. She knows it just as much as I do, and... it'll be helpful in our own endeavors to produce more of this poison. Don't worry... I'll keep her close." "It would be wise if you did, my lord. Corsican's can be tricky, and will no doubt use you for her own gain." "That seems to be an agreement she and I have already made." Joseph said, taking a sip from the glass of wine as he looked away from the woman towards the scrawny man. A smile lightly appearing on his face. "You can go back to your work, Doctor. Things are handled here. Besides..." He said, turned to look at the woman in the distance once more, "Tonight is going to be a special night."
The scrawny man bowed respectfully before disappearing into the shadows. Joseph, on the other hand, never bothered to return to the party as the other nobles mingled with the newly instated Baroness. He kept to himself, observing the interactions as she went around the room. A smile was carried brightly on her face. He took another sip of wine, smirking behind the glass.
"Oh the plans I have for you." He muttered softly.
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