Chapter Text
Eglantine
Like any lady, Eglantine was flattered by enthusiasm of her admirer to pursue her. Noblemen in general were proud folks, Prince Sigiswald for example just sent gifts and polite compliments to her. From what the gossip says, for the last decade only one middle territory Aub courted a lady as aggressively as Anastasius did.
Alas… the similarity ended there, Anastasius’ adoration of her started to feel suffocating. He might call her the Goddess of Light he long for, he was more like God of Life than Dark God to her. There was no mutual respect, he barged in to tea parties she hold uninvited, giving presents she never asked for, and just plain domineering in their interaction.
Her aides could see Eglantine’s desperate plea for Duldsetzen’s blessing, as interacting with the second prince was really wearing her down. Hiding in her dormitory was useless as he could demand to see her there and almost everywhere else, so Eglantine’s only choice to get a break was to go somewhere the prince would never look for.
It was the library.
Eglantine would never consider coming to the library if not to flee Prince Anastasius’ relentless pursuit of spring with her. It sounded like a perfect place to unwind and seek Verbelken’s blessing for herself. So she went- and the librarian directed her to the second floor where she could relax with a music book they recommended.
“There’s only Lord Meinrad reading upstairs, I am afraid this young lord can be too focused on his book and unaware of your presence but he meant no harm.”
That made Eglantine smile, “A Drevanchel I presume?”
Librarian Solange smiled, “No, he is an Ehrenfest’s lord candidate. I assure you the young lad is very considerate and quiet. He would not bother you, Lady Eglantine.”
Ehrenfest? Where did she heard the name of this duchy before? Ah… the duchy with Aub who had the abundant blessing of Brennwärme!
When Eglantine walked upstairs with an attendant and two knights escorting her, she found the place quiet save for the sound of the book being read. A pair of knights and a scholar were watching their charge attentively, close enough to assist but far enough to give their master a privacy.
“Oh-” Their young lord, perhaps a second year? He had the hair of the night sky that shone like stars tied in a complicated braid decorated with garland made of ochre thread. His expressive golden eyes were like the moon had been plucked from the sky to be his eyes. A smile curled the lord’s lips as he closed the thick tome he had been reading, both content and seductive.
“Hm?” He at last noticed Eglantine’s presence and her heart quickened for no reason she could not understand. “Has the goddess of light descended from heaven before me, it’s too bright to see anything else but the goddess of light herself.”
Eglantine couldn’t help but giggled, earning an adorable fluster from the young lord. It was obvious he blurted out the compliment without thinking, his mind was certainly wandering after reading such a difficult book. He introduced himself with proper greeting this time as Meinrad of Ehrenfest. She had not seen him at the beginning of the season since he fell ill and couldn’t attend. Which was a shame as she would love to know him better.
Her eyes were drawn to the unique garland decorating his hair, and when she asked he gave her the most outrageous answer! Meinrad claimed he made it himself! It was actually amulet, and when one looked closer between the leaves there were fruit like feystones beautifully arranged.
“It’s quite an unusual way to disguise an amulet.” They were usually worn as jewelry.
“It’s perfect to protect one’s back.”
Usually shouldn’t protection for back was in… cloak- ooh… his cloak was clean, perhaps he had no mother or any female relative to embroider his cloak.
She shouldn't but Eglantine couldn’t help but returned again and again to the library whenever she could, taking care to ensure no one could find out about her trip to Mestionora’s sanctuary to see Meinrad. There was no end of new and fascinating thing to learn about Meinrad.
He was an adopted son of Aub’s half-brother, his real father had been a very free man- it’s complicated. Which explained to Eglantine the lack of embroidered cloak.
His greatest passion was book, he had been reading book after book whenever he had a spare time. Meinrad was also avoiding Dunklefelder’s lord candidate Restilaut, as apparently his… self declared rival had been unreasonable. Eglantine could relate.
Meinrad had a deep respect for his adopted father, Lord Ferdinand. He was a legendary lord who completed three courses and a master of harspiel! Which was a pleasant surprise to Eglantine that Meinrad was a master himself even at a young age and he loved to compose songs. It took all Eglantine’s lady training to not invite him to a tea party and have him play a song or two.
Eglantine knew an unwanted raffel was taking root inside her, but… if she had to marry either Siegswald or Anastasius… she could at least enjoy this short spring a little more before the unforgiving winter arrives.
Mid-season, music teachers granted her wish by inviting Meinrad to their tea party. Eglantine was restless at the idea she could soon hear him playing harspiel, would he play a patriotic song? Serene tune praising Shutzeria guarding his homeland? Or… sweetest romantic song that would shake one’s heart?
Her excitement for the party and Meinrad’s performance evaporated when she saw Prince Anastasius once again force his way to the party. She greeted him as cordially as she could but Eglantine couldn’t help but resent the prince for not even giving her this momentary spring her heart yearn.
As if that was not bad enough, Prince Anastasius made it clear he was very jealous of Eglantine’s fondness of Meinrad and even brought up his temple upbringing. Which made Eglantine fume, as she knew the story behind that. The boy was not there for being unworthy but for his own safety from factional conflict! Eglantine herself had been lucky her grandfather protected her in Klassenberg, Meinrad had similar circumstances but had no maternal family with strong backing to end up in the temple.
Prince Anastasius’ assessment as a potential Dark God was diminishing the more he talked.
“Your Highness, must you show such contempt to a younger student for his misfortunate circumstances?” Eglantine questioned the prince, who recoiled at the iciness of her voice. “When one lost protection of Wigenmiche at times it’s inevitable for a child to fall to lower status, though it’s no fault of theirs in my personal opinion.” Her eyes narrowed, “So that’s how the one who don the cloak of Dark God could look down at those who fell.”
She was still an honorable lady, but there was no denying her loss of status as a royal princess. Would Prince Anastasius mock her for that? He already did, his blatant disrespect for her boundaries and comfort with his persistence…
“No, Eglantine… I didn’t mean to offend you I just-”
The professors scramble to change the topic, and Meinrad looked relieved Anastasius stopped harassing him. At least… until the conversation about art and fashion bore Prince Anastasius enough that he suddenly brought up Meinrad’s reputation as a composer. “If you’re so blessed by Kuntzeal, compose a song for the light goddess. I will compensate you if you did well.”
Eglantine fumed, “Prince Anastasius, is the sovereignty so lacking of a capable composer? Klassenberg had the abundant blessing of musicians, would you like to borrow ours?”
“I… no-”
If he was so afraid to court her displeasure, he could stay silent!
“Actually… it would be my honor to offer a song that celebrates the grace and beauty of the light goddess.” Meinrad smiled charmingly, “That is… if you don’t mind me performing a song that has been on my mind since I saw the vision of the Light Goddess.”
Before anyone could respond Eglantine did. “Of course, it would be my pleasure to hear your offering to Light Goddess and Kuntzeal.”
Meinrad’s musician passed his harspiel to him, and Eglantine willed all her being to listen to this song. She dared not to dream but… Eglantine would like to think this song was for her alone.
In the dark, trapped by Schlaftraum-
Sehweit , let me see
Dregarnuhr,let me meet you
O’ Light Goddess
Far across the distance
And Glücklität’s trial come upon me
Your light show me the way
Near, far, wherever you are
In the darkness, you are there.
Your gentleness,
Your grace,
Your sweet voice-
Tell me your happiness!
Your wish, burden, hopes and dream.
Unload them all, I shall accept your light!
Eglantine could feel the smoothness of feystones in her crossed fingers and then the grainy feel of gold powder dripping through the gaps. Then their eyes met.
Fill the heart with your gentle light.
O’ my light goddess-
And she knew no more.
“Lady Eglantine!”
“Eglantine!”
She had fallen from heaven for him indeed.
Ehrenfest later~
There was an incarnation of beautiful Verdränner in the room, and thy name was Ferdinand. “What in Geduldh’s name possessed you to seduce the princess of Klassenberg, the royal princes courted?!”
Meinrad hid behind Justus, “I swear I am not seducing her, I just want to be her healing companion, harmless!”
“Do you mean you invoke the blessing of Glammatur and Kuntzeal to bewilder the ladies again - Meinrad?!”
Meinrad was innocent, sure he sweet talked Eglantine from time to time but it was more to cheer the girl up! She had a stalker, and a royal starker at that! The girl need all the sugar and flowers the world could offer. A moe little brother figure who admired her as a big sister was healing, right?! Urano was reborn as a cute boy, of course she had to use it for good!
“The lady fainted after listening to your song for all to see… There's no denying Bluanfa danced for her because of you. I didn’t educate you to be such a careless lord candidate frolicking with ladies.”
Look who's talking! “Ferdinand… you are one to talk, during our charity concert you felled at least a dozen ladies!”
“Meinrad!”
“SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!” Sylvester, their Aub roared. He looked like their heraldic symbol for a moment. “We have a political disaster here because you steal the heart of Lady Eglantine, what should we say to the royal family then?! Can we even apologize for this?!”
Meinrad pouted, “Well… if they’re not so suck at courting ladies and upset Lady Eglantine so much-”
Sylvester groaned, “And we’re not even done with the domestic problem you caused at home! Charlotte has been asking me to approve her engagement to you! Think of my feelings as Dad, how can I tell her I can’t approve?!!!”
“Oh Charlotte is so cute…”
“Meinrad!!! You damned romancer!!!”