Kings and Princes

For the first time in months Gisele woke in her childhood room. When she opened her eyes the sight was momentarily disorienting, the familiar colored walls were home, but in a very different way from her castle room. Gisele stretched and blinked several times to open her eyes. There was a tweeting coming from a songbird outside of her window, which had been opened a crack to let in the spring air. As the breeze hit her skin Gisele pulled up the white cotton sheets around her to shield her arms from the chill. For a moment she lay still, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of home. England could never compare to France, no matter what joys it did bring her.

Gisele had been summoned home in a letter from her mother and she had taken the opportunity to be a chance to take the weekend off and return home. She had been verging on homesickness for awhile now and was eager to visit both her family and house. The reasons for her arrival home proved themselves a bit more worrisome. Knots appeared in her stomach every time she remembered the impending arrival of the Krum clan. A house elf scurried in with a tray of breakfast foods, which he set within reach of the bed. Gisele thanked him as he scampered off and emerged from the covers to reach for an orange. Her nightclothes were made of a silky, semi-transparent fabric that wasn't exactly ideal for this spring weather. Goosebumps fell across her arms as she peeled the bright skin off her fruit in one large curl and threw it back on the tray.

Gisele took her sweet time eating breakfast and the sun was risen in the sky and shining through her window by the time she bothered to crawl out of her bed. The gentle aroma of citrus in the air, Gisele settled at her vanity table and readied herself for the day. It was true she looked acceptable without any preparation at all but more out of routine than anything else Gisele applied her light coat of makeup and did her hair. Her magical hairbrush moved through her hair without being touched and everywhere it went it left her locks silky smooth and gorgeous. When her head was deemed acceptable she selected some clothes out of her closet, excited by the new choices that she had left at home and chosen not to bring to school. The whole affair took awhile and by the time Gisele was ready the rest of the house had woken up and gotten a start to their day.

With only the slightest bit of trepidation at the day ahead Gisele exited her room and danced lightly down the stairs. Fresh air moved about the halls, as if the elves had opened a few windows to embrace spring. It was crisp with each breath but in a pleasant sort of way because with it came the promise of the summer heat that was soon to follow. Summer had always been the season that Gisele blossomed in and she couldn't help but anticipate it's return with great enthusiasm. From summers spent frolicking with Millie to cliff diving with Frankie to Italy with Cerelia, so many of her best memories had taken place under the hot sun.

Gisele moved into the entrance hall and through to the parlor. She relaxed herself on a black sofa and grabbed a book of fairytales that sat on the lamp table where she had left it the night before. She could hear people talking a few rooms over but a lack of willingness to socialize kept her attached to her book instead of joining their conversations. If she was wanted, they would come for her, that much she was certain of.

“Who is she?” Alaric demanded, even as Georgio and Gustav teased him about the possibility of a woman who was older than their mother. The pair had seen to the arrangement of what was to seal the deal of the final Krum child in their part of the family. Yet, of course, Kalina had persisted against their company to the Delacours. The boys, like her husband, were never really good with people. Kalina had taken it upon herself, since a long time ago, to be the only face of diplomacy for the family. Without her, there could be no success at such a time like this. There was no need for hostilities and arrogance; she had decided even for Stefan a long time ago, when it came to the business of their children’s betrothals. It was chiefly her role, then, to ensure the smooth transition of unions. Even now, she prided herself on her experiences. Still, one cannot help but be sure of herself – being a Krum – that it would be unthinkable for anyone with the right frame of mind, to deny a union with a Krum, especially that of an offer from a Krum boy. Of course, the offer was never made by the child.

“Can you please tell me who she is already?” Exasperation was clear, even as Alaric fiercely ignored his brothers to glare at his mother, as if the strength of his glare could shake off the coy attitude she was putting up for her own amusement. Undeniably, he was extremely worried. It was always rare to learn of a Pureblood union that was approved by the two real parties involved – the children. The boy felt as if he had heard enough stories to justify the anxiety of an undesirable pairing. Even after weeks of preparing himself for this day, he could not suppress the disdain he felt towards having to put up with a tradition that he had been taught was necessary. Still, he did not protest. He just needed to know it was already.

“You should be ashamed of your impatience. Like your father, every one of you. Even he taught you better discipline, didn’t he?”

“No, but-”

“You’re just going to have to accept the fact that you will have a wife as pretty as mothe-”

“Stop it, Gus.”

*

Shifting uncomfortably in the outfit that Kalina had insisted him to be in, Alaric stared hard at his shoes as he swallowed the lump at his throat. It wasn’t that he didn’t like her. In fact, it was a huge relief to learn that it wasn’t going to be a fifty-year old lady who looked like mother. Still, it did not settle the new worrying fact that Gisele was one of the most sought-after girl at Hogwarts. He had heard stories. Yet, being himself, Alaric had never so much as utter a brief word of greeting to the girl, before cowering back to his awkward cave.

Alaric heard, but could not pay attention to, the chatter between his mother and Geraldine Delacour, who had earlier been introduced as the Head of the Delacour Household. Clearly, the French were strange. After all, the boy never knew of a woman sitting at the head of any household. Sure, Kalina had been at the reins with their lives, but her voice stood for close to nothing in the face of his uncles and grandfather. Geraldine Delacour, however, was clearly used to being the alpha and omega of the Delacour House. Even as he was in awe of that fact, Alaric could not help but worry about seeing Gisele, now that he was going to see her in a new light.

Chewing slightly on his lower lip, the boy rubbed his hands together and contemplated his anxiety, as House Elves were sent to fetch the girl to the sitting room. And then he remembered Julien, which only made matters worse. How can the two women sit and smile for so long beside him when all he felt was clammy and afraid. It was not clear what he was frightened of, but as the sound of the opening of door finally returned to the room, Alaric balled up his hands and bit down further on his lower lip, prompting Kalina to notice. Chuckling, she merely dismissed his anxiety and returned her attention back to the Delacour Matriarch, even as she alternated her gaze to the door.