A Fate That Cannot Be Avoided.

"For how long does she intend to continue speaking?' That thought travailed through Thalia's mind; as the maiden proceeded to place her dainty hands on her lap. Seated in front of her was her Mother, Midel, who kept rambling on, in Thalia's own opinion, of things she might Deem as being absolute nonsense. They were seated in her room- her mother had already incepted her paths, before she could even go beyond the boundaries of her habitation. "..Which is why I consider it a necessity for you to work upon... Thalia, whence lies your attention?" Midel asked, when she noticed that her daughter was gazing absent-mindedly at the Door. "It as though you were performing some recital, mother, so I permitted my mind to wander off a little." The damsel said, as she turned back to her mother. "All these things were discussed yesterday, where they not? Of what use is the repetition?" Thalia inquired, as she ignored the glare her mother shot towards her direction. "So you will understand the degree of severity- because so far, you have only tended to it with a nonchalant attitude." Midel explained, before sighing. "This concerns your future, Thalia." "A future of which I have absolutely no say in." Thalia grumbled. "Enough of your complaints, Thalia." Her mother pressed on, she tightened the grip on her clasped hands. "Your father and I, have already gone through such great lengths just to ensure that you would not end up with a bleak future. The least you could do, is to show a bit of gratitude, at least." She added. Thalia knew that her mother was indeed correct- but the problem was that she did not feel secure about it. Although she knew that the day would eventually arrive, it still came as a crude shock to her. "Do you wish for me to report your lack of co-operation to the duchess?" Midel stated, her tone grave. "That woman Is as much as a mother to you as I am- she also has a right to have a say concerning the affair." Thalid exhaled. "You have already made the decision, and it is not as though I can rebel against the one who brought me into this world." Thalia stated. "So please, you need not trouble the duchess any further- she already has her hands full, at the moment." She added, with a slight frown on her face. Simply discussing about the matter caused her to be uncomfortable in her abdominal region. "If I had my way, I would have vouched for you to get wedded into this family, instead." The words uttered by her mother nearly caused Thalia to gape in shock. "Unfortunately, your father stood against it. I see it as a much better choice to be directly related to this family, rather than just having to share a common surname." "I am glad that father objected to your decision." Thalia said, with a smile on her face. "Even if you divulged this information to me, irregardless of the amount of affection I have foryou, I shall not lie still." She added, as she rose up To her feet. "I have heard you out, mother. But I am afraid that I have other preoccupations to attend to, given that the sun still hangs over the horizon."

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 As Thalia trotted down the corridors, the servants could not Help but to stare in her direction. It was more likely to say that her footsteps depicted the mood that she was in, causing the usual silent corridor to become somewhat tense. "Did someone perharps sour her mood?" A maid, who was transporting a basket filled with laundry, could not Help but to whisper to the butler who stood by her side. "Who knows?" The butler replied, as he shrugged his shoulders. "The young miss always had the tendency to throw a fit every now and then." He added, as he watched Her figure disappear as she went further down the hallways.

 'Mother has lost her mind.' Thalia, who was completely unaware of the gossip that sprouted over her affair, mused silently In her head. 'How does she expect me to be betrothed to one, who I always likened to be my own brother?' She sighed briefly. She doubted if Targen would be the slightest bit amused if he somehow heard the news- but at the end, if one was to take in due consideration, the engagement would still fall through. Why? Because neither her nor Targen truly wanted it. And only a few could go against Targen's desires- He was capable of razing the entire empire to the ground just to get what he wanted. "Whatever Is the matter? Is he yet to be awakened?" Thalia addressed the maid, who was fidgeting at the front of the bedroom door, with a basin of water and a towel at hand. "M-my lady." The maid, muttered, after giving a slight bow. "I did.. try to awaken him.. But there was no response." The maid stuttered, with a look of agitation on her face. 'This girl, she must be amongst the recent ones the Duke employed the previous week.' Thalia mused. Although the face was vaguely familiar, she could still determine the actions of an amateur when she saw one- especially with this girl, who appeared to be so frightened at the thought of committing a mistake, rather than focusing on her assigned tasks. "You may pass the bowl to me, and depart from here." Thalia instructed. The maid glanced at her uncertainly. "But My lady.. This was my roaster for the morning.." "You dare to go against my instruction?" Thalia interrogated in a grave voice, making the maid to tremble with fear. "No, my lady.. I shall Leave now!" The addressed hurriedly responded, as she hastened down the corridors. 'The civilians surely apply for vocations that are beyond their capacity.' Thalia thought, as she watched the maid who zoomed without casting as much as a glance backwards. Thalia knocked on the door. "Hey! You big oaf! Is it not time for you to be roused already?" She exclaimed, as she knocked on the door. "My, this is certainly strange." Thalia muttered to herself. "Targen! Is everything alright in there?" She vociferated loudly. Still, she was replied with a stilling silence. As her heat rate quickened, she was left with no other alternatives than to burst the door open. "Targen!" She exclaimed, as she looked around hurriedly. The sight she stumbled upon irked her- There was the man, seated against the frame of his bed, a book opened in one hand, his other hand caressing the sleeping tiger! "What In the.." She began, as she strode up to him. She placed the basin on top if his bed shelf with much irritation, causing water droplets to splash everywhere. "Have you gone Insane!" She exclaimed, as she gazed downwards at the man. Targen as usual, gazed at her nonchalantly. "I already considered myself to be insane decades ago." He replied, as he flipped through the pages of his book. "You seat Here comfortably, while the surging blood Nearly burst my vessels open!" Thalia continued her banter, kicking him on the leg as she did so. Tristan's eyes shot open, and he gave the damsel a low growl. "Oh, just be quiet!" Thalia directed her frustration towards the carnivore. "Why did you not respond when the maid called for you outside?" Thalia asked, as she made seated herself onto ne of the nearby chairs. "I simply did not wish to see anyone." Tegan humbly replied, not making eye contact with her. "What pathetic reasons you have." Thalia clicked her tongue, as she gazed at him. But then, she noticed something odd. "By the way, why do you seat on the floor, when you are surrounded by chairs?" "Because I do not have the energy to rise to my bed." Tegan replied simply. "Ah? You do not have a cold do you? Does your body ache? Do you feel fatigued?" "Enough with those impenetrable questions of yours, and render some assistance to me, if you Deem fit." It was Targen's turn to get irritated now, and this he proved, giving the ferocity of which he slammed the book shut. "Alright, there is no need for a tantrum to be thrown- I would have been of your assistance if you kindly demanded for it." Thalia said, as she approached him. She Crouched low, and gently took the man's hand upon her shoulders. "Great cosmos!" She exclaimed, as she rose to her Feet. "Are you even trying to be of assistance at all?" She inquired, as she struggled to rise to her feet. She had posed that question when she noticed her.. Brother slouched over like one who was paralyzed. Even his head was lowered. "Ought I not to be the one needing of assistance here?" Was all she got as a reply. With a low grunt, Thalia finally succeeded In placing the man on his bed. "You body prohibits me from glancing unto the ceiling." He uttered, unto the woman who towered above him. Thalia, in a strange turn of events, located herself upon the bed, and was currently leaning In on him on all fours. "What a Manner to show gratitude to a damsel." A voice floated into his ears, causing him to peer into those golden eyes of hers. Thalia was the first to break eye contact, as she climbed down from the bed. "You got your sheets changed?" Thalia inquired. Targen glanced at her- of course she would have surely not failed to notice that. "Now I believe the probability of you stalking me, has risen even higher." Targen stated. "Maybe, you are the one responsible for the articles that have gone missing on my room." "Do not dare to blame me for your own carelessness!" Thalia refuted, as she sat herself on the chair. "And who would want to stalk you?" There was a slight disgust in her tone as she uttered those words. "You may not look like It, but you are most definitely needing of a diet." Thalia quipped, as she felt her legs slightly tremble as they made contact with the floor. "Perharps I should instruct the duchess to ration your proportion of food from now on." She added, with a smirk. "Should I command for Tristan to pounce upon you?" Tegan asked, as he turned his head to the woman. "If you are done with whatever business you may have with me, then kindly leave." Thalia smiled. "Two servings per day, then." She added. She loved to infuriate this man. "Starve me; it is afterall, the least most dangerous way to end Me." The man remarked, turning his head away from her. "Ah, but I am only trying to assist you, my brother. You can not expect me to be so gullible to believe all that Weight is attributed to those muscles of yours?" She inquired, as they she placed her hand on her chin, gazing intently at the man who avoided eye contact with her. "It really makes me wonder.. As for how the lady Diane was able to bring you back to the manor in one piece. If it was I, in place of her, you would have most surely ended up with a crushed skull." She continued to tease. "The gate was not that distant from our initial location." Tegan replied curtly. "And If you were indeed the one, I would have gladly Denied your companionship." Targen elaborated. He was compelled to glance at her, when the room felt into a deadly silence. "Will you run your tongue no further? And why Is it that.." A slight frown came into the man's face. "Your countenance has changed as such?" There was something wrong with the current atmosphere- he knew. More than anyone, that Thalia did not belong to the kind that was hurt so easily by words. But before Thalia could open her mouth, a sudden intrusion caught her off Short. "Young Lord, the Mistress Diane pleads to speak with you." The voice of a maid came into hearing. "I am currently too occupied to speak to her, at the moment." Tegan responded curtly. "Tegan!" Thalia mouthed, her golden pupils gleaming with fury. But Tegan chose to remain unfazed by it-he could not care less if the damsel had a contrary view in her mind. "Er.. Are you still there?" Thalia called out. "Yes, Lady Thalia- I was unaware of your presence." The maid replied. "Master Tegan, changed his mind- he demands for you to send the damsel in." Thalia instructed, while shooting Tegan a hard glare. "As it pleases my lady." The voice gave a faint response. Not too long afterwards, they heard the clacking of heels, followed by the door being cracked open. A blonde hair poked her head thorough the Crack, revealing rosy cheeks. "Lady Diane." Thalia acknowledged the latter, with a curt nod of the head. "You look as beautiful as ever." "I could say the same for you, Lady Thalia." Diane said, as she carefully shut the door. "I was not expecting to meet up with your Here. How does Lord Targen fare now?" Diane asked, as she walked up to the two of them. "Perharps I have called at the wrong time?" She added, as she gently tucked her hair behind her ears with her fingers. Thalia was surprised at the latter's question- she was about to ask what Diane actually meant, but she had the intuition to turn her head at the man, who chose to remain silent all this time. "Targen, Diane is here for you." Thalia stated, as she forced a smile on her face, addressing the man who laid ever gracefully on the bed, his eyes tightly shut. "So please, do not cause her to waste her time." "There is no need to.." Diane interrupted- she actually had the opinion that Targen was truly asleep! Hence, her astonishment when she saw Targen's eyes slowly open. "Come sit next to me, Lady Diane." Thalia stated, as she created some space for the maiden to seat at. "How have you been, Master Targen?" Diane inquired. As she sat next to her companion. "I am alright, thank you; you Need not worry about me." Targen simply replied. The tiger which was laid on his side however, upon noticing Diane's presence leapt down in an instant, and proceeded to rub his head against her knees affectionately. If it was capable of purring, it would have performing such an action at that moment. "Well, at least Tristan knows how to demonstrate proper gratitude." Thalia mused out loud. Diane patted the head of the beast, with a smile on her face. "It has been some time since we last met, Stripes." Diane spoke, causing Tegan to cough. "Lady Diane.. that is not the name I gave him." Tegan began awkwardly, from where he was laid. "I am aware." Diane explained, while the beast prepared itself to Lay at her feet. "I only wanted to give him an alias." She added. 'Stripes.' Targen mused inwardly. However way he saw it, one thing remained clear to him- that it was a weird and terrible name. "Ah, was Master Targen in the midst of performing an important ritual?" Diane interrogated, as her eyes wandered towards the Towel and basin near the bed shelf. "Ah, don't worry too much about it- he was roused from his slumber not too long ago." Thalia explained, after discovering what it was that Diane stared at; Although she herself was unsure for how long Targen was seated against his bed. "I would have assisted him, but that affair had already slipped through my mind, completely." Thalia explained. "I do not need your assistance for that." Targen quipped in. "My left humerus has already been dislocated from my shoulder- due to your actions." "Oho, may I help you to adjust the ligaments then?" Thalia inquired, a mischievous smile on her face, as she inched closer to him. Diane just glanced from Targen to Thalia, completely unaware of the incident that transpired that morning. "If you so much as lay a finger upon my body, Thalia, I swear upon my blade.." "I see that you are alright, Master Targen." Diane quipped in, distracting the two individuals who were getting immersed in their squabble. The room descended into silence at once. And thus, came the awkwardness. "I should permit you to have some rest, Master Targen." Diane quipped, as she placed the medallion on the table. "I had longed to return this to you- I was unable to do so due to the pandemonium of last night." Diane explained. 'I had almost completely forgotten about that.' Targen mused, as he stared at the object. "You are about to depart, are you not?" Diane nodded. "That is perfect then- we shall Leave together, this instant." No sooner had Thalia concluded her declaration, than she began to pull the blonde along with her. "Ah..Take care, Master Targen!" Diane could only call out hurriedly, for she did not even have suffice time to pull her thoughts in order. Targen clicked his tongue as soon as he was alone. "That child, will shall not change anytime soon."

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 As she Led Diane towards the terrace, Thalia fell silent. She had nearly almost forgotten the fact that her life was about to take a drastic turn- and she doubted if her perspective, how she viewed the world, would be the Same after that. The companion she had brought along however, was too busy marveling at the scenery as she peered downwards, to notice the sudden change in her countenance. She felt obliged to inform Targen about it- but Diane's intrusion turned out to be for the better, since it caused her to hold her tongue. Targen would have support her, without a doubt- but the way and manner in which he may go about doing so, would Bring a frown to those who may be chanced to hear about the account. "It must truly be a blessing for you, Diane, to get married to the one you love." Diane glanced upwards when she heard that. "What are you.." Diane began, but she came to a halt when she saw the stoic look on the latter's face. "Are you okay, Thalia?" Diane asked, as she lightly touched the latter's shoulder. "Oh, I am alright Diane." Thalia curtly replied. "I am not the first to go through it, and I shall not be the last either." Thalia explained, as she turned to the latter. "I am soon to be betrothed, Diane. I would have invited you to attend- had It not been far from here." Thalia stated, with a slight smile on her face. Only then did Diane understand the reason why Thalia had made mention of the statement out of the blue. And she almost forgot.. that apart from Diego's immediate family members, no one else knew the true relationship she shared with her husband. "What is he like?" Diane inquired, as she gazed at the clouds. Nothing could be done now that the Date of betrothal was fixed-and Diane was aware of it. Would it not be a disgraceful thing if evey maiden, with an aristocratic background, simply eloped or absconded into the thin air, just because they did not like their finance?

 "I have only but met with him once- he portrayed himself to be a gentleman, facade or not." Thalia admitted. "He was able to captivate my parents with his demanor, though." She added. "I see no reason for you to fret-let just be hopeful that he poses himself to be what your parents believe him to be." Diane explained. "Hopefully so." Thalia curtly replied. "Are the Raymonds not worried, that you might divulge their great secret once you are Sent off?" Diane asked, but she heard something that seem like a giggle, which eventually evolved into a full blown laughter. "Pardon me, Lady Diane, but you are particularly amusing." Thalia remarked, while trying to comose herself. "Even such a scenario has not crossed my imagination." She stated, while clearing her throat. "Although my parents and me may not be bound to this family by blood, I am bound to them by name. Whatever affects this household, shall be detrimental to us as well." Thalia explained. "So the Duke and duchess can be rest assured." She added, a smile coming to her face as she grasped the railing. "I shall gain nothing by bringing my family into ruins but.." Her grip on the railing tightened. "If I ever end up doing such a foolish thing, Targen will be the one to behead me first." She turned to the maiden, who stood at her right hand. "Do I frighten you, Lady Diane?" "Of course not." Diane assured the latter. "I do not doubt the slightest bit of what you say." She added, as she beamed at the latter. "It pains me to Leave here though- I do have some memories which bond Me to this place." Thalia said, as she gazed downwards. "Sometimes, I cannot help but to marvel at your Courage, Diane. I would not have been able to make that sacrifice, had I been in your place." Diane on the otherhand, felt slightly uncomfortable as Thalia made mention of that. "It is rather selfish of me to burden you with my own problems." Thalia blurted out suddenly. "It is not as though you would be capable of altering the outcomes." "You may be right in that sense. But nothing prohibits me from supporting you." Diane turned towards the latter, her eyes shining brightly. "So do remember to write to me from your marital abode, alright? Or else.. I shall sever my ties with you." Diane lectured Thalia strictly. The damsel could not Help but smile- her expression was so serious as she did so, although the blonde needed to work on the methods of which she delivered her threat. "One more thing." Diane said, as she glanced at the other softly. "I already told you, to leave out the honorifics when addressing me. Just call me Diane, alright?" "I will do my best.. Diane." The latter said, which led the blonde to smile. "Did you know, my mother even Harboured this thought of getting Targen and myself engaged." Thalia commented, as she leaned forward on the railing, the wind blowing through her hair. "Is Targen aware of this?" Diane asked. "Even if he were, I doubt if he would inform me." Thalia argued. "Maybe she had not had enough of all the fights Targen and myself got into as children- if we did get engaged, we might end up killing each other." Thalia mused. "Maybe, If the blessings of Agerintia be upon me, the duchess might just walk into her son's room, only to discover a sword sticking out of her son's chest." Thalis began. "Or maybe, if I be unfortunate to die first- he may push me down the stairs in a fit of rage? Or perhaps.." A warm hand grasped That of Thalia's. She turned around, only to see her companion place a hand on her chest, looking all teary eyed. "Enough, Thalia." Diane said in a pitiful tone. "How do you come about to imagine all these things?"

Typically, In some aristocratic settings, betrothal between the two would begin at a tender age. Though this format may be rare-it might still increase the probability of them to become fond of each other as adults, due to the exposure they had to themselves as children. Targen and Thalia may have been eligible for such a stance, Diane doubted If they had ever gotten along- they appeared to be the type that would grab each other by the collar each time they fought. The entire Raymond mansion would cease to exist by the flames of rage, their souls would continue to banter amongst themselves, in the afterlife, get reincarnated, stumble upon themselves once more, and continue the feud which was left uncompleted In their past life. Diane just cast an exhausted gaze upon this child, who simply beamed at her as though she had not just uttered something harrowing. "So, where shall we be headed next?"

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"Lady Diane.. I mean, Diane." Thalia began, as her eyebrow twitched. "When I inquired of you the next place you would like to see, I was certainly not expecting you to lead Me to the kitchen area." Thalia sighed. The smoke from the fireplace constantly made her to cough, not to mention the heat from both the meals being prepared and the mammalian heat. Not to mention how crowded It was. "May we leave now?" Thalia inquired, as she tugged uncomfortably at her apron. "Those cuisines will most surely turn at well." Diane muttered to herself, with a smile on her face, as though she happened not to hear her colleague. "Diane!" Thalia called out, as she placed a hand on the latter's shoulder. "Ah, did you demand for me, Thalia?" Diane interrogated, with a blank expression on her face. "I ask if we could depart." Thalia said, a light frown on her face. "You may leave if you want to- I am yet to savor these dishes." Diane replied, a small smile on her face. "You should be grateful that you ended up on the right side of Genetics, Diane." Thalia said, as she sighed. "If not, you have gained quite the weight by now." Thalia explained, causing Diane to turn to her In an offended look on her face. 'Did what I said sour her mood somewhat?' Thalia thought, but she was interrupted by the cooks squabbling at the corner. The two cooks however, brought an end to their cat fight, both women moving in opposite directions. "They often say, too many cooks spoil the broth. It is best of you ignore them, my lady." The cook, who was lecturing Diane on how to prepare a a particular meal, stated, upon noticing the particular look on the maidens face. "Alright then." Diane said, as she glanced at the Area of discord, before turning back to the dish. 'If I do not learn now that I have a chance, I will be too much of a burden to Dorothy at the time we depart.' Diane thought, as she glanced over at the Meal the cook was preparing. "Let me have a try." Diane said, as she stretched her hands towards the ladle, but the woman placed it beyond her reach. "There is no need, My lady." The woman said, with a smile. She would be a fool if she actually permitted for one of the Household's Mistresses to prepare a meal. Simply tutoring her was goo enough- it ought not to go beyond that. "Why do you refuse? I have seen the way in which It is prepared..." "I advice you to Desist from making such demands, my lady." The maid, still beaming said. Thalia, on the other hand, suddenly became Alert. "Does anyone else perceive that.. fragrance?" She inquired, with much caution reflected in her voice. "What fragrance? I.." Diane was interrupted with a sound, which was almost like an exploding bomb, followed by the heart wrenching shrieks and cries of women. She could only stand at the spot, fixated, as the yellow-red flames slowly made their way towards her.