Chapter Text
Dearest gentle reader,
The ward of the Blofis house, Reyna Avila Grace née Ramírez-Arellano, has been wed. She debuted in the beginning of the season and seemingly gained favor with Her Majesty during a private meeting that even I could not gain knowledge of. She was paired with the favored Earl of Jove, Jason Grace—who is notably also Her Majesty’s alleged illegitimate (yet favored) step-son, but that will be further discussed at a separate moment—and the two wed in the beloved Church of St. Peter.
The wedding was expensive and enjoyed by those who were accounted to have gone. Her Majesty even made an appearance at the nuptials as well. Though it must be asked, is this a union of love or necessity?
While Lady Grace is stated to be lovely, she is still only one’s ward. Her guardianship are respected individuals, but she holds no blood to them. Additionally, Lady Grace’s sister, Hylla Ramírez-Arellano, has continuously refused marriage for some time and is still strict in her pursuit against nuptials of her own, no matter how much Lady Blofis seems to push. Is this marriage just to protect the weak and defensively Ramírez-Arellano name? It has gone through so much. The abandonment of the family by Lady Ramírez-Arellano, the mysterious disappearance of Sir Julian Ramírez-Arellano, and the elder sister who is determined to be placed on the shelf. If Mrs. Grace is only attempting to protect her familial name then she has been quite successful in the endeavor, but can one ever be fulfilled with such a life?
“Will she ever be fulfilled with such a life?” Percy finished reading, growing more frustrated as he read. Blond curls falling over his eyes as he grew more irate. “Who writes this bullshit?”
“Percy, language.” Sally said as she bounced baby Estelle on her lap who seemed to be more enthralled with the newborn in Annabeth’s arms; the toddler babbling at the babe in babyspeak.
“Sorry, mama. It is just… this is ridiculous. Who gives her any right to write such a distasteful piece?”
“Her ability to hold a pen, I suppose.” Reyna offered as she strolled into the room. Percy’s face grew red and his eyes widened, hiding the pamphlet behind his back in a tight grip.
“How much did you hear me read?” He asked, and she accepted the tea offered to her by a maid with little thought of anything else.
“Enough to know that apparently Madame Heartington’s ears aren’t universal if she doesn’t know why the queen favored me.” Reyna said as she took a seat on the sofa beside Annabeth, taking a sip from the earl grey tea.
“You know all of that is…”
“Bullshit?” Reyna offered.
“Language, the both of you.” Sally repeated as she stood from her seat holding the toddler Estelle on her hip. “There are children near.”
“Well, it matters not,” Reyna simply stated.
“Matters not?” Annabeth questioned, “most of the women in the ton would pull their hair at the very thought of Madame Heartington writing of them.”
“Yes, well. Most of the women in the ton cannot play chess, or play piano-forte, or-”
“Most of the women in the ton are not my dear sister.” Hylla cut Reyna off as she strolled into the room with a smile. Her smile was a perfect mixture of natural and sharp, something Reyna envied as she could never replicate. A smile that revealed the witty soul beneath. “She does not care what that witch writes.”
Reyna internally grimaced, “yes, well, I wouldn’t put in such words, but yes, I do not care what Madame Heartington writes of me. It isn’t anything unknown to the people, it is only gossip.”
“Yes, anyone with any respectability does not take the word of Madame Heartington for anything of substance.” Sally added as she attempted to get her hair from Estelle’s grasp, she was failing.
“Exactly. It matters not, I am married to Jason, I am a Lady, and our mystery authoress is… an authoress.” Reyna finished with a sip of tea.
Sincerely,
Madame Heartington.
Dearest gentle reader,
Once again the happy Grace household has found its way into gossip’s lips once again. Perhaps Lord and Lady Grace have much more in common than what appeared to the eye. It has been some time since the name Thalia Grace has crossed high society’s mind, so long in fact the originating incident was far before the times I even began my journalism—
[“She calls this journalism?” Percy questioned, interrupting his reading.
“Percy if you refuse to read only what’s on the page then I will, but you have to be quiet.” Reyna stated from her sofa.]
Yet, the past seems to find a way to wiggle its way back into the present.
Most remember the situation from years ago, but I must refill the gaps in one’s memory. Thalia Grace is the sister to Lord Grace, elder by four years. On her eighteenth birthday she ran away, His Majesty had searches for her—through the disguise of it being a high ranking lady missing, though it is clear it is truly because she is also his illegitimate bastard—but she was never found.
Reports were stated she had rushed off across the ocean, to the far land across it. It has been some time, but at the news of her brother’s marriage, she has returned. This was quite the surprise and by reports from the staff from the Grace House, a shock for the residents as well.
At their wedding party, their unexpected guest arrived and it’s been reported that Lady Grace was quite surprised by Miss Grace. The Lady’s mouth hitting the floor sharper than His Majesty’s temper.
[“Well that’s quite accurate, your mouth did widen.” Annabeth admitted with a laugh as she turned to Reyna, bumping her shoulder.
“Do not bump me and be quiet.”
“My apologies.”]
Now with the return of Miss Grace, can such an uptight couple handle the free spirit? Can Miss Grace even truly handle society once again?
“Or will she once again go running and destroy her brother’s marriage in the process?” Percy finished, the room filled with a pregnant silence.
After a moment Reyna stood and said, “Is the ton truly so dull to only have this to report on?”
“You truly are not bothered by this?” Percy asked with furrowed brows. “When Madame spoke of Annabeth and I, I felt I should pull my hair out.”
“And yet you did not.” Reyna stated as she sat at the piano-forte. She began to play simple melodies. “It does not matter. Madame Heartington will always be that way and… his sister is here, there is nothing to be done.”
Percy went to speak again but lost his voice as his wife passed him their daughter. “Do you truly dislike Thalia?” She asked.
“I wouldn’t say dislike. I do not care for her.”
“Reyna, you do not care for eggs-” Percy began.
“They smell bad.”
“Yes, and you refuse to walk into any room they are in. Your definition of ‘not caring for’ feels closer to hate.” Percy finished as he approached the piano.
Reyna’s fingers slipped from her G sharp, so she had to restart. “Yes, well, Lady Blofis has said that hate is too strong of a word so I use ‘do not care for’.”
Annabeth took a step forward, “Do you think it is good to ‘not care for’ Jason’s sister? She’s not going to go away.”
“Perhaps she will. She seems quite good at it in fact.” Reyna explained, her fingers slipping again as the couple took another step towards her.
“Well you can’t count on that.” Annabeth said, placing her hand on the top of the piano. “She’s your sister now-”
“She is not my sister. Hylla is my sister.”
“Yes, however-” Percy began, but Reyna’s fingers slipped once again and she huffed glaring at the pair.
“Will the two of you stop yelling?”
Percy and Annabeth exchanged glances towards each other, taking a couple steps back together. “We are not yelling, Reyna.” Annabeth softly said, Reyna rolled her eyes.
“Just because you say that softer does not mean you were not prior.” Reyna explained, “Now, please give me space. I cannot practice if you two are yelling at me.” Percy and Annabeth exchanged a look again before nodding and leaving the room finally. Reyna continued playing until the sun went far past and Lord Grace collected her and directed her home.
Sincerely,
Madame Heartington.
Dearest gentle reader,
Pride is not a sin I attempt to divulge in, but I divulge in gossip for a profession so what can I really judge. This is all to say, I would like to say I was correct in a previous series of statements. Lady Reyna Grace does not seem to enjoy the company of one, Miss Thalia Grace. You see, at the recent ball held at the Grace home, Miss Grace made her return to society and the Lady of the home attempted to introduce her to some gentlemen. Perhaps as a ploy to have her new guest rehomed like a sick dog.
“Miss Grace?” A sir asked, he was tall and handsome in a way Reyna assumed other women saw even if she never seemed to. Thalia turned, her curly hair falling over her shoulders in the manner that seemed equally messy and purposeful, and made Reyna desperately want to run her fingers through it—to fix it of course.
“Yes?” She asked with a polite smile. “Mister…?”
“Lord Delos, my lady.” The yellow blond man offered, “The Lady Grace believed we should meet, that we share many qualities.” He said with a smile, it was a bright smile that many women would swoon for. Neither Thalia nor Reyna did, but some would.
“Has she?” Thalia questioned, her polite smile dropping as she turned to Reyna. “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir, but I’ve grown quite tired actually. Excuse me, please?” She walked before any could comment.
Lord Delos offered a confused glance to Reyna who felt even more confused. The lord walked away, and soon Reyna and Jason were left.
The attempt failed, and it’s been told to this author that the conversation between the Earl and Countess was appearing to be quite tense. Lady Grace then slipped away in a similar direction as Miss Grace, but did not return for the rest of the night. Perhaps a fight is the cause?
“You should not have done that, dear.” Jason said with a tight jaw.
Reyna’s mouth opened shortly and her face saddened. “I only wished to help, she clearly wishes for some kind of company if she keeps you up to talk the night away.”
“She is not your responsibility. Thalia is a woman, no less than you, she does not require your meddling.”
“I did not meddle—”
“You’ve meddled.” Jason stated, “and please do not any longer. Please, dear.”
Reyna’s eyes fell to the ground, biting the inside of her cheek. “I’ll apologize.”
Jason attempted to lift her face but she shook from his hand and quickly exited the room. She found herself upstairs by Thalia’s room. It was the room she wished to hold her piano, but Thalia had stayed in that room her entire life and it was silently claimed to the girl woman.
Reyna knocked and a soft “who is it?” caused her to push the door open. Thalia sat by a sofa in front of the fireplace in the large room. “Oh, Reyna.” Thalia commented once her eyes met the tan woman entering.
After a moment of silence, that could be characterized as nothing but awkward, Reyna said, “I’m sorry, for meddling in your personal affairs.”
Brown eyes met black ones. “Are you?”
“I said I am, so I don’t understand why you question it.” Reyna pushed back, grasping the side of her dress. Her mind raced to remember all the times her mother told her to hold her tongue, and seeing the (perhaps) upset look on Thalia’s face, Reyna muttered, “Apologies. I truly am sorry for involving myself. You did not ask me to, so I should not have.
“But I only did because you’ve entered into my life so abruptly. The sister I’ve barely heard of, and all expected to never hear from again. You keep my husband up far too late, we barely have any time alone together, and, and! He’s growing tired all the time, likely due to the change in routine—”
“I doubt a change in routine has made him so tired. Perhaps he is tired of the mundanity of his life with you. All you do is play the piano and read, the two of you sit in silence more than anything else.”
Reyna grew silent. Lady Blofis commonly commented on how the couple acted prior to the engagement. She also knew what people thought of her. The true reason Madame Heartington didn’t upset her was because it was no different from the whispers she heard all her life. She was boring, too attached to routine and what she should do. Most saw her for the piano-forte and nothing else, she was seen as only good for that one thing.
Thalia sensed the melancholy in the air. “Not that there is anything,” she swallowed, “wrong with routine, of course.”
“You do not believe it, so do not say it.” Reyna stated, “everyone thinks it. I’m no fool, Thalia Grace. Plenty think of me for nothing more than my skill, few see me for much more I suppose. Except him.
“From the first moment we met, Jason has seen me for who I am and has not desired anyone else. He enjoys sitting with me in silence when I request it, playing the piano beside me even if I get upset when he forgets proper form, and he cares for me. Our relationship may not be what you and many others desire, but it is fulfilling for us.”
The silence returned in the room, but it was different. It was filled, partially, with understanding. “Well, my brother still needs some excitement.” Thalia said, and Reyna sighed but the opposed woman finished, “So, I suppose I’m here to fill that, while you fill the part of him that craves routine.”
Reyna glanced up at Thalia who gave her a smile. “You are fine the way you are, Reyna. It was rude of me to suggest otherwise.”
Seeing Thalia’s smile warmed a part of Reyna that she didn’t know was dormant, and she returned one. It felt natural, and she doubted that it was perfect but she was none the wiser by Thalia’s look.
“I promised Jason that I would always be there for him, and in the last years I’ve failed at that role. I shall be there for the both of you, however you need.”
Reyna nodded and after a moment said, “Yes, well. I am not blameless either. It was rude of me to push a man onto you, you clearly do not wish to marry and I understand.”
“No you do not.” Thalia said with a laugh as she stepped towards Reyna who felt a blush overcome her face. Thalia had light freckles that dusted over her dark skin, every singular one she saw another one seemed to appear. Reyna gaze lowered down Thalia’s neck, bosom, to where her neckline ended. Her eyes snapped back to Thalia’s when the woman asked, “Do you?”
“No,” Reyna muttered, “I suppose I do not. I’ve wanted to be normal my entire life, and I can’t fully understand why you do not want the same. Still, it is your right.”
Thalia sucked her teeth, “we should attempt to know each other better I suppose.”
“Yes, I suppose we should.” Reyna whispered, sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Thalia sat beside her and they conversed of everything and nothing until the sun revealed itself with its light.
However, I suppose we shall never truly know until one of the two comes forward.
Sincerely,
Madame Heartington.
Dearest gentle reader,
Love is seemingly in the air, and allegedly has an opening property to it. It’s reported to make one more free spirited and caring. If so then perhaps that is why Lady Grace has accepted Miss Grace into her home. Does Lady Grace finally feel open enough to open her home to others? And if so then this match is stronger than this author has once assumed.
If.
I strongly doubt so. Pessimism has never been a flattering shade—however honesty always is—and I seem to never look washed out. Reports have told this honest authoress that the arrival of Miss Grace has not caused the uproar assumed. Yet, the news of any heir or pregnancy is still unheard of. It has been over six months since the nuptials and still Lady Grace has not told of happy news.
Now, one can only speculate on the reasons for this lacking development. However, one may suggest to the young couple that pregnancy is more successful when both parties reach their pinnacles, not just the Earl.
“And if Lord Grace wishes to know how to help his wife in this regard, well, I am no expert but-”
“Reyna, we get it. You don’t have to read that… we all know.” Percy interrupted, placing his hands to his ears in case the woman he saw as a sister continued to read about “pinnacles”.
“Well, you could have read and decided where to end, but one could not seem to close his lips long enough to hold his opinions.” Reyna said with squinted eyes and a tight smile, placing herself on the sofa beside Annabeth who smirked at her husband.
“It truly is none of her business, and I don’t understand how anyone can read this.” Percy said, but Jason chuckled softly.
“It seems whenever I come over, your nose is tucked in one of her pamphlets.” Jason commented, Percy shoo’d him with his hand.
“Yes, yes. Practice what one preaches, whatever. I need a drink.” Percy said, escaping from the room as Jason followed, kissing Reyna on the head before leaving and saying something about bringing a bottle of brandy.
Annabeth turned to Reyna who was still examining Madame Heartington’s pamphlet closely. Her eyes seemingly glued to one section, the section on pinnacles.
“Reyna?”
The girl jumped slightly, as if Annabeth had been completely forgotten. “Oh, yes?”
“Is there a reason you’re still reading? I must admit, it gets dry as she continues on.”
Reyna offered a dry (and somewhat fictitious) laugh, but her dark eyes were quickly drawn back to the pamphlet. She sighed as she glanced at Annabeth, “I- I must ask, do you… God. Do you know what a pinnacle is?”
Annabeth’s skin heated up and she was happy for her darker complexion or else she knew she would be red. “Oh, do you not?” She asked before her mind could think of anything else to say. Something she quickly regretted, seeing the look fall over Reyna’s face. “Not that there is anything wrong with you not knowing it is just, I would assume someone would have told you about it. Hylla or—”
“There is no need to ramble on, Annabeth.” Reyna said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “Hylla was far too focused on escaping marriage to explain much of anything to me I suppose. But… Jason has recently mentioned it as well, and I’ve realized everyone seems to know what this magical pinnacle is and… and I do not understand.”
“Well… it is uhm- it is,” Annabeth began, but stopped as she realized her brain simply gave up for a moment. Reyna’s hand was placed on top of Annabeth’s and the younger woman sat up slightly.
“Please, Annabeth. You don’t need fruitful language, just explain it to me, please. What is it?”
“Well, it’s a,” Annabeth began, God would she pause a lot during this quite short statement. “feeling. A wonderful, amazing feeling.” Pause. “Your body is taken over by it, and it feels impossible to feel anything else. Nothing as,” pause. “physically pleasing, I suppose.” Annabeth explained as she coughed a little.
Reyna bit her lip as she thought. The best she ever felt was when she played a perfect piece by Beethoven, or when Jason had gifted her the Italian piece she loved—she had been especially happy when that was gifted to her, it felt as if she could float.
“Oh, well. That happens whenever I play the piano… But why would that make procreation easier?” Reyna commented, sitting back with a confused pout.
Annabeth looked at her for a moment and it was clear she misunderstood something again.
“Have you never felt that way with Jason?”
Reyna tilted her head. “Well, for some moments. Sometimes I teach him a duet piece and we play together, it goes quite well and sounds truly fantastic.”
“No, I mean, not with music. During your… private moments together?”
“Oh, you mean when we attempt to sire a child?”
Annabeth tilted her head, her eyes squinted slightly, and she bit her lip. “Yes, if that’s what you wish to call it.”
“Not really.” Reyna simply said, but seeing the look in Annabeth’s eyes she knew it was the wrong answer. “Should I?”
Annabeth examined Reyna for a moment, “I don’t suppose you have to, but ‘siring’ would probably be more enjoyable for you if you did.”
“It’s my wifely duty to give Jason a child.”
Annabeth placed her hand on top of Reyna’s, it felt as if it burned. “You should do it because you wish to, not because it is your duty, do it because you love him.”
“I do love him, and we wish to have a child so I do it.” Reyna said, pulling her hand from Annabeth’s and placing it in her lap. “What does anything else matter?”
“Nothing I suppose but—”
“It was rhetorical, Annabeth.”
After a pregnant pause Annabeth whispered, “right, of course.”
Sincerely,
Madame Heartington.
Dearest gentle reader,
It has been some time since this author has written of the Grace household, and I’m quite sad to report on them once again. This section on them will be brief, as even I have respect for the dead. Sadly, the Earl of Jove, Jason Grace, has passed. Leaving his widow, wife, and partner, Reyna Avila Grace née Ramírez-Arellano, on this earth. It is stated his general estate has been left to her, his title of Earl being passed to the next heir—once they are found as the couple did not have a child in their short marriage.
It had been a long day. Jason, Thalia, and Reyna commonly spent their time in the drawing room, and today was no different. Reyna practiced her pieces, Thalia had even convinced her to attempt to write some of her own. It was turning up with some success which both Jason and Thalia pushed to continue endeavoring.
Thalia stood to the right of the piano and Jason to the left. They both offered their opinions of what sounded the best to their untrained ears. After weeks of doing so, Reyna finally finished the short composition which she considered perfection. The only remaining necessity was the name.
“It should be named for the one who did the most to inspire.” Thalia offered, clearly referring to herself which Jason found much fault with.
“You? I assisted so heavily with the beginning parts.”
“I did practically all the heavy lifting compared to you in the end. What is a song if not its beautiful ending?”
“What is a song without the start? Your end is only built on what I began.”
Reyna looked at the pair with a genuine smile—it was beginning to happen so much more often she felt. “It is neither a song, nor something either of you singularly own. Besides, I’m the composer, I get the final say.”
The two turned to her. “Fine,” Thalia sighed, “and what do you wish to name it?”
Reyna bit her lip, “I am not completely sure. It is not quite a nocturne, given I’ve only played it during the day even if I did originally intend it to be so. Yet, it is similar to some aubades I’ve played, however I do not believe the song is fully symbolic of having to leave.”
After a long moment of silence, which neither Jason nor Thalia interrupted. Reyna finally spoke, “Donaire Sonata op. 1 in A-Natural-Major, though stating natural is a bit much given any fool who knows the smallest thing of the piano could assume it was natural since it is not labeled sharp or—”
Before Jason could say anything, Thalia placed her hand onto Reyna’s arm who glanced up at her. “It’s a perfect name for the perfect song—” she corrected herself, “composition.”
Reyna smiled and nodded, “good, then Grace Piano Sonata it is.”
Jason grinned at the pair, but a sudden sharp pain to his temple and a strong urge to sleep overtook him. He sighed, “ah, it seems I feel the need to lay down.”
“I can accompany you?” Reyna offered but Jason shook his head.
“It is fine, my dear. I need to simply lay down and would hate to disrupt you.” He said, kissing her on the head. “Wake me for dinner?”
Reyna pulled her hair behind her ear with a grin, “of course.”
Jason walked from the piano into the doorway, viewing back onto the two most important women in his life. Thalia and Reyna spoke and laughed of something, and Jason had the overwhelming thought that they’d be fine. They fit together like a glove.
Truly this author’s deepest condolences go to his widow and sister. It is told that Lady Grace found the dearly departed in their bed after he went to lay down, to never wake again.
Servants heard the screams of Lady Grace, drawing the attention of Miss Grace as well. Staff crowded their room and soon help was gathered. Lord Grace had been growing tired in recent months, but never thought it was important enough to visit the doctor.
Reyna reached their bedroom, pushing the door open to see her husband fast asleep. The pale light of the moon filled the room and lit his pale skin, his growing white curls appearing slightly blue in the light.
Reyna noticed so many similarities between Jason and his sister. While Thalia’s skin held a deep brown hue and Jason was a pale alabaster, they had a similar wide nose. Soft eyes, Jason’s constantly holding a soft look and Thalia held a sharpness that Reyna could never imagine on Jason.
She sat onto the side of her beautiful husband, “Jason, wake up.” She whispered, he was quite a light sleeper. It would be no difficulty for him to awake normally, but he remained unmoved. “Jason, love?” Reyna questioned, assuming he was just more tired than normal.
A moment passed when she realized something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.
Jason Grace was truly beloved by the ton, and it is a shame what has happened. What shall happen to his widow and sister, left in the world alone? Who shall give either comfort? This author believes the two will manage, but I feel the need to ask how? The wind is changing, there is a shift in the air. Can society handle these new winds. However, I do not ask, I state, as they will happen regardless.
“Jason!” Reyna screamed, Thalia heard her voice filled with a terror the calm woman never once before held. Thalia stood and rushed up the stairs, Reyna screaming growing louder with each step she took. “Jason!”
Sincerely,
Madame Heartington.