Housewife Laurent

The house's managing staff had brought it in at the crack of dawn, apparently a small ornate box with a note that was titled "For the Mistress of House Laurent Only" It had been sitting on Fiora's study's desk, and it was simply waiting for her. Once she opened the note it would read:
Dearest Madame,
I would like to, on the behalf of my deceased brother, apologize to you for the awful and crude insults he was spreading about your rise to your station of power. Yes, this is the same brother who faced you this last month, and who paid for it with his life.
I hold you no ill will, and I want to make sure the rift between our houses can be mended. I hope this gift might be a helpful start.
Inside the box, there was an ornate, intricately crafted golden necklace. The chains were soft links, and they locked onto a polished silver circled amethyst.

The noble was hardly one for trinkets or baubles, Fiora certainly a noble of action rather than luxury. From an early age, her father had taught her how to wield and fight with a blade, the Laurent household known as the most fearsome duelists in the whole of demacia, and their head the most skilled of all of them. This had never been so truely tested when she had discovered her father had sullied the house name by cheating, Fiora having taken it upon herself to put him down and take over the reigns, and ever since she had taken the name of her house very seriously, the man to whom this not refered too having been killed after challenging her house's honor on the name of her father, something he had not lived to regret.

Still, the neckless did look like an incredibly expensive gift, and while she held herself to a high standard, she was still a noble girl at heart, the soft golden light of the design catching her eye as she smiled and held it up to the mirror, looking at how it shined against her pale skin before undoing the clasp and wrapping it around her neck, trying it on as the circled amethyst rested just above her bust

Almost immediately as she locked it around her neck, Fiora could feel a sense of calm wash over her. Almost like it bloomed from the necklace itself. But such a notion was silly, non? After all Demacia was famed for its hate of magic of almost all kinds. Why the great monument Galio was a testament to such a fact! So perhaps it was just a swell of pride that she had gotten a house to take her seriously after all. Yes...even if it was just a small branch of House Buvelle, any of these simple men showing her some respect was almost as good a gift as this necklace. A thought occurred to Fiora, that perhaps this house could be an ally now that they had admitted their own faults. And after all, if it was some prank, she could most certainly beat any of them in another duel..

Smiling to herself, the wave of calm as she put it on caused her to relax a little bit, watching as the gold complimented her rather formal outfit of dark blue and grey, Fiora not really being fond of dresses, and as such her attire was far more of a feminine take on a traditional man's noble clothes, Though perhaps a dress would be fitting today? You are going to for diplomacy after all... the though suddenly popped into her head, Fiora pausing for a moment before dismissing it. If this was all some sort of trick she needed to be on her guard and ready to fight. Standing up again, she considered removing the neckless, her hands quivering around the lock before a small wave of discomfort ran over her, it did feel nice to wear, it wouldn't hurt showing herself with it just as a sign of good faith would it? Shrugging, she picked up her foil and marched out of her room, ordering the butler to prepare the carriage for travel to the Buvelle estate...

It wasn't the main estate, merely a relation to which they were traveling, much to Fiora's distaste. It was such a bore, dealing with lesser houses. But other houses didn't give her such nice presents! Even on the way over to the estate, she could feel herself sinking into a lovely relaxed state. Even to the point that the bumping of the cobbles under her carriage didn't bother her. She felt her eyes growing heavy, and she must have dozed off, because by the time she woke up, she felt so refreshed! So invigorated and in a very very good mood to meet this brother of a man she'd killed. It did occur to her, that he was being...very very courteous for someone who should have felt so very wounded. He must have just realized she was in the right...

The travel down the Demacian countryside was far more relaxing that she could of imagined, the carriage ride so comfortable that she could actually feel herself dozing off in the back of the plush carraige, the seats feeling so much more relaxing as she let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and nodding off even as the bumps in the road seemed to lul her into a peaceful slumber, only awoken by the sudden neighing of horses as she arrived at her destination, wiping a little bit of drool from the side of her mouth as she quickly composed herself once again, imediatly checking to see if that lovely neckless was still there. "Oh thank you Driver, would you run ahead and see if the Master of the House is present?" She commanded, strethching herself off as she smiled, enjoying the knowelege that she had the upper ground here, after all, he was the one courting her, and it was nice that the name of Laurent was holding such high regard once again

Courting? Oh, what a riske thought for her! Was she starting to gain a bit of a fancy for the strange man who sent her gifts? Fiora should keep her head on straight! Or...maybe she should loosen up....after all, she wasn't getting any younger... And this estate was so nice, calming, serene even. Her driver came back, somewhat perplexed by her friendly attitude as he nodded, "Ah, there's a footman waiting to see you to Master Buvelle's...study, Madame. Are you alright?" When she was about to sink a deal that might secure their house, he thought she wasn't okay? Perhaps she should have come alone? for a more private meeting? No, Demacia needed to know the Laurent were on the rise, and that she was attending meetings with other houses!

"I'm fine, just wait at the carriage for my return, I will see to this Master Buvelle myself.." She smiled, dismissing his motives completely as she shook her head, astounded that one of her servants would have the audacity to imagine that something was wrong with her? The cheek of it almost made her a little angry if it wasn't for the fact this whole place just seemed so relaxing, so enjoyable. Maybe if this went well a few more intimate meetings would make sense? After all, the elders of the family were demanding that she made a marriage to produce an air while she was still young, if this went well, who knows? Fiora's body even shudered a little at the sudden thought of being a good mother and wife for someone so handsome...

Walking up the steps of the house, she was shown through to the man's study, Fiora brushing down her noble attire and adjusting the foil on her hip, the necklace still holding firm on her neck as she fiddled with it idly, even touching it making her slowly relaxed as she let out a sigh, knocking on the door slowly as she waited for a response

And as she toured the grounds behind the servant responsible for bringing her to the study, she couldn't help but adore how the light caught her necklace's gem, making the glinting shimmer across her face in what she felt was a flattering reflection. It did make sense to at least entertain the idea of marriage, no? After all, as the head of her house it was her responsibility to think of how to improve her family's life.....A marriage to the Buvelle family would be much different from wedding the buffoonish Crownguard she'd almost been betrothed to, right? It didn't even occur to her as she thought on how she would be a good wife, no, a homemaker to this handsome noble, that she forgot she had no idea what he actually looked like. Was it foolish? Perhaps. Hopelessly Romantic? Definitely. Like something out of those romance novels she'd caught her cousins with. Full of love, heat, passion......perhaps the idea of a real relationship like that wasn't too far fetched?

And as she stood there in front of the door after knocking curtly, the door stared her back, an implacable barrier...what if he wasn't even home? Had she come all the way out here just for her host to not be there? All those thoughts of growing a relationship, of having children, having a family....they'd be all for nothing.....And then she heard the sound of his voice, coming from behind the door with a deep timbre, "Lady Laurent? Please do come in, I'm just finishing something up."

Fiora quickly dismissed her idle daydreaming, trying to come back to her senses as she heard that voice ringing from the other side, the Duelist having found herself distracted all morning with these strange idle fantasies of starting a family, settling down with a handsome man from another house and being a good homemaker and child carer, doing the chores and housework so that her husband could take care of the important stuff. Why did she think that? It must be her age catching up to her, a fear of losing the chance and all that... and the later must be just tiredness from being in control all the time* or just a secret fantasy of never actually wanting to be the one in charge.

Still, she quickly entered after the call, standing inside the study and looking around the dark oak carefully, seeing how the room was filled with a homely air to it as the fire crackled in the corner, the man whom before she had only recognised making her heart skip a beat as the amethyst glowed a little, the magic seeping a little more as she felt a sudden, growing infatuation towards the man, Fiora stepping forwards to offer her hand as she smiled. "And you must be the Master of this house? I am sorry about your Brother, such a loss for a man that could not hold his tongue..."

And when she entered, and he saw her face, his lips curled up in a soft smile. And what a smile it was... He stood up, taking a powerful stride towards him. This man wasn't like his brother. He held himself like a fighter. He took her hand in his, bowing half way as he brought her fingers to his lips, kissing her knuckles. What a gentleman too....oh, he'd make a fine husband... "Please, Master is a formal term for servants, not for guests as beautiful as you. Let's not talk about the past. We should move on, and look to the future." **A future with him? Oh, be still her beating heart!*** "I'm sure you'd agree with that much at least, non, Madamoiselle?" His Old Demacian showed just how much a noble he really was. Above the fireplace of his study, his family's coat of arms, a sword slipped between the strings of a harp, gleamed in the dim, smoky light. It was so warm in here, so calm...even more so with a big strong man at her side... "I actually wanted to talk to you about arrangements that might bring our houses...very...very close." He was almost whispering in her ear as the last words left his lips.

As she found herself falling prey to his charms, Fiora was quickly moved forwards to seat on one o the comfy sofas in the drawing room, well upholstered and maintained as the dark green fabric matched with the rooms darker colour scheme, Fiora finding herself staring into the man's eyes as she realised that she didn't even pick up his name, too lost in his eyes, his smile, his voice. he really was such a handsome and intelligent man, he would be far better leading both of their houses while she cooked at home.

"So... the future? And a joining of houses...? What exactly did you have in mind?" She asked, feeling her heart racing in her chest as she removed the foil to sit, placing it on the table as he seemed to move in closer to her, whispering against her on the couch as she felt a light blush creep across her relaxed body, the fire glistening in the soft gold of the amulet as she found a small and almost shy smile growing on her usually calm and reserved face

He ran his fingers slowly across her high, noble cheekbones, smiling with her as he slowly touched her, leaving behind tiny fireworks in her brain in his wake. "I was thinking perhaps something simple. Perhaps trading negotiations? I wouldnt want to disrespect you by looking to marry one of my sisters to your brother.... unless you had a better idea?" The voices in her head grew loud. **Ask him to marry you. Trade yourself in to bring your houses closer...He'll probably find someone else if you don't....*

He acted oblivious to her reactions though, merely teasing her soft skin with those strong hands of his. Her foil looked so silly sitting on the table. *What kind of woman came to a negotiation dressed for fighting? She shouldve worn something slutty, something to make him interested in her....*** Oh it was going to drive her crazy....

Her heart pratically skipped a beat as she heard him propose marriage, her mind bubbling as that hand softly stroked across her own, her mouth acting quickly as she barely had time to react, her worries thrown to the side as she suddenly blurted it out. "Oh I mean, if we were going to go that far we might as well just get married ourselves, after all, the Laurent family can hardly be seen marrying off its members when the head of the house has yet to produce an heir..." She replied, suddenly blushing heavily as she realised what she had said. Asking him to marry her when they had barely met? She didn't come dressed for that! He would probably be scared with her sword, she should of come dressed in something slutty to grab his attention, then his hands could roam over so much more of her skin and make her really groan like the good wife she was...