Well, Germanicus was right. She wanted someone to be obsessed with only her, and her alone. Not too many choices when her family is too close in blood and the rest are to deluded in the High Elk's love to consider so. She momentarily thought of Henryk, and sighed thinking on his disappearance- for the man was like a younger brother that she always wanted, but prime candidate for what she wanted for the season.
And then there was only one to choose.
Célnes laughed, as she prowled through the forest, a keen fire-eye looking for her dearest brother
@Cenric.
She always dreamed of a happy life, and being a happy wife, but when chances are so slim she saw it all but a fantasy. It would be delightful if achievable, but the King knew it was all but fake. The love she once felt was covered by the High Elk, and now does she live by lies for the greed and power..
But she needed to survive; couldn't her children as well?
Oh but there was only one in mind, but her place in the world of politics was far too fragile for to be open. But she was never without a plan.
Worn out by the previous day’s hunt, Cenric kept to his den (a ways away from the rendezvous site. He preferred to sleep alone.) for the day. He’d been working tirelessly since the rise of their kingdom. It’s a well deserved (and well needed) break, but not one that would go uninterrupted.
Of all the wolves to come across him, he’s glad it’s his sister. Had it been anyone else he would’ve been slightly displeased. Cenric stood up when he saw her, not because he wanted to, but it was the proper thing to do. Célnes,
he greeted with a brief bow. Out for a stroll?
"Somewhat, rather I was wondering if you would plot with me." She had a particular idea in mind, but only with help of her dearest brother could this plan go in any direction. She would desire to ask another, but there was no one else in their Kingdom that she trusted with secrets. For the two were always tied together with ties of bloodshed, for Grayson, and for Rohesia; betrayal was not an option.
Bluntly so, did Célnes ask with a smile. Though even he should know, her smile was but a cover for a poisonous heart.
Plot with you, hm?
He raised a brow and chuckled. So soon after our last? My dear sister, you’re an eager woman.
To scheme again, so soon after the disappearance of their devoted cousin, could be a risky. It all depended on the task.
What is brewing in that mind of yours?
"I am thinking of asking my dear guard to sire my litter." She said with a slight hum, and a knowing eye to her brother. It was not a way of blood path this time as it was within the past, but more lies to be held within the mixture. The two both know if the King especially, directly said her litter was from an unholy outsider, it would be hell to raise; and worse, perhaps a dethronement.
"I only ask to play with me in but a small lie, to say we sought an outside man of appropriate looks."
There was no love held for Germanicus, but there was respect. She thought her children would be quite well to gain some traits for him, and there was the factor if they were his, he would be more spell-bound to say in Kingslend, and more desire to protect her own flock. Finding someone outsider was trickier, then to make an actual lie and say who truly is the provider of her young.
Someone to worship her, and her alone. He was an appropriate match.
Time and time again the silver guard is the center of their conversations. Each one was more shocking than the last. This suggestion was by far the most shocking yet.
So, Célnes was truly considering this? Two bloodlines colliding—one blessed, the other cursed— to create calves of her own. It’s a risk, and unlike the ones she’d taken before, one he could not understand.
You tread upon thin ice, sister.
Very thin. Cenric did not see the point in it; risking damnation for birth the children of an outsider. He shook his head and sighed.
Before I give an answer I must ask you this: What do you see in Germanicus? Why do you want to go to such great lengths for him? Risk bearing cursed children for him?
Surely, it’d be easier to find a suitor outside Kingslend. Not the most ideal option, but at least he’d have a suitable coat. Hell, Cenric would go out and search for one himself if he had to. At least it’d save his sibling a miserable future.
Even he, she would not share the depth of her mind. The disgust that was building for the religion that they were raised on, and the very predjuce they were told to bare against the world. Only the High Elk deserved such devotion, and even in the end one's own family and mates didn't deserve a life like that. Their parents were an example, and Célnes's once long ago ex-mate, was a perfect show of the 'ideal' man. She wondered if Cenric remembered him, since Marshal was the ideal Deorwine for all to love.
"My choices are so thin.. I do not want to mate with our cousins." Would the Bull prefer that, would even Calhoun share the same thought? To bare the thought of such ill-children rather then to breed with an outsider.. The notion was laughable, and the laugh came to life as she chuckled slightly.
"Such a devoted man is nice, no? I believe he would not betray me easily, even if he is displeased with some acts that I do." How would he react about hearing what she and Cenric had done to not only Grayson, but to Rohesia? Within the future, many more to come as their reign continues on.
"It seems too perfect not to consider, with even the risks. Our closest cousins after all had tints of white to them, it seems regardless of my choosing, it may happen." It was true though. She thought of especially Glaedwine, who was completely black compared to Eadwulf and Rohesia that were only red in color, and with the male of the two adjourning a white mask.
Showing the sins of a betrayal of a father, who whored out for a random women.
Even they cannot escape the sins that shown through the colors.
She has her reasons all lined up, the first being the weakest. Her choices were slim to none. Same goes for all the Déorwine women, especially if Célnes chose to keep her guard to herself. But that’s only if they kept their sights within Kingslend. Look further and there’s hypothetically an endless amount of willing suitors.
So again, why was she so set on Germanicus? Control, he thought. Cenric found deeper meaning in his sister’s words, whether she meant that or not. Sounds... entertaining. It’s twisted, but he gets a sick pleasure from the idea.
But is that enough to sway the King? Close, very close. In the end logic rules over desire. There have been many Déorwine who were unlucky enough to be born with cursed colors, and perhaps many more to come. However, if Célnes were to give birth to gray pups, that would be a different situation. Everyone knows of Germanicus. Everyone would suspect he fathered those children. Chaos would ensue.
Cenric knew all this and yet he says, I will help you.
No matter what he said, that wouldn’t change his sister’s mind. She’s determined, stubborn, and that may well lead to her downfall. It was his job to make sure that didn’t happen. Save both her reputation and his own. He didn’t know how he’d pull it off, but he’d find a way. He always does.
Does Germanicus know about this?
Her smile honest toward her dearest brother. The siblings were inseparable in that way if one was to mess up, there was the backing of the other. Though lately she has been far more reckless then her actions, while Cenric lays low in his duties or so, she has no idea what he has been doing on the outside, but could only imagine it was not an honest day of King-work. Though, she didn't mind.
"No," Célnes shook her head. It had only been days prior since the idea had struck a cord so, the thought of control, such a dangerous temptation that would result in a yearly-bind. Oh but the risks, and the desire to gain numbers as her children would be loyal to truly herself, and not the religion they claim to be. So, she hopes.
"I'll ask upon the season coming closer, especially after the trial."
She had her knight hanging by a thread. One wrong slip and the tie would be severed. Would this plan tear it in two? Time would tell. Either way, he wouldn’t allow his sister to suffer the consequences.
A reasonable choice,
he thought aloud. Well dear sister, I’ll be by your side to help in any way I can.