Who: Audrey & Genevieve What: A discussion of Aud’s sordid life Where: Vivi’s house When: Evening of 8/25 [backdated] Rating: PG Status: Complete
Genevieve sat, eyes trained on Audrey. The young woman had not spoken since she’d arrived, and the countess had never been one to pry. Though, she mused, this situation did have far more reason and concern to be prodded than most. She sighed and picked up her glass - wine had seemed the most reasonable drink to have at a discussion that was likely to require a great deal of subterfuge and planning.
For what was likely the thousandth time, she cursed the name Miles Baines. She had thought, when Audrey had brought up the impromptu engagement to the thief, that he would exercise a deal of caution. After all, he had always been about the long game, and one could not continue to play if one was locked behind bars. Which was likely where he would be considering this stint of his.
“Let us start with the easier matter,” she said, breaking the silence. “Miles’ trial is tomorrow. In order to obtain an annulment, you will have to prove fraudulence. Which means that you will have to maintain that you knew nothing of his identity as Miles Baines.”
Audrey slowly nodded still not bothering to maintain eye contact with the Countess. Reaching for her glass, she took a sip of her drink before setting it down. If anything, she looked distracted. Her thoughts obviously on Miles and his well-being. Those things Rhys said, could it be true? "Do you think they'll hang him?" she paused. "Rhys said it was treason and treason is punishable by death." She paused again. "Why hasn't the Guild done anything yet? Where's Reinholdt?" She pleaded her for answers, much like an unsure child would to its mother.
“I doubt he will get the gallows,” Genevieve replied, brushing the suggestion away. “He is likely to be incarcerated for his actions, though the timeframe will be up to whomever tries his case.” And her sources said that his judge would be Evander. Judge Finch was a wild card, if ever there was one, but despite his ties, he was honor bound to uphold his oath. “As for the Guild, it is none of my business and I remain a separate entity from it, my impending marriage notwithstanding. Though, were I to hazard a guess, I would say that Miles has overreached. This is too grave a crime to be peddled away without raising suspicion.”
Audrey only dropped her head, again reaching for the glass and playing with it in her hand. "I know what I'm to do, but I feel wretched about it." She frowned again. "He's alone."
“This may be callous of me, but he brought this upon himself. Something on this scale…” She shook her head. “It would have been a miracle had he gotten away with it.” She leaned over and placed her hand on Audrey’s knee. There was little she could say that would ease the very real pain that Audrey was feeling, and the scathing remarks that she had would be better released upon Reinholdt later that evening.
“We shall attend the trial tomorrow,” she said, pulling back, voice brisk. Best to treat this as another job; getting emotionally involved would only serve to make them blind to the errors. “We shall have to wait for his sentencing before we can proceed.” She had consulted with one of her friends earlier, playing the part of the distraught mother. An odd role to be in, but one that had gotten her the information that she had needed. “Once he has been sentenced, you can file a motion with the court to have the marriage dissolved on the grounds of fraudulent circumstances. It will take a few weeks to process, but it shall be done by the start of autumn.”
Audrey had exhaled, taking another drink. She rested herself back against the cushion, mind wandering. "So, what role do I play tomorrow?" Finishing her glass, she turned her gaze to the Countess. "What role do I play until the beginning of autumn."
Genevieve considered the question. “You married Basil in good faith, and your public appearances indicate a certain fondness. I would advise being how you are now - confused, hurt, upset, angry. Simply be cognizant of what you say when others query you about it.” Her expression softened. She had had a husband that she had been fond of, once, so she could somewhat understand, even if it was death that separated her and Alistair as opposed to the King’s jail. Alistair had never been fond of risk. “It is quite acceptable to be upset and mourn. Most will see the dissolution as a formality, and so long as you make no indication that you were in on the farce, most will leave you be.”
"I hope you are right." There was nothing more she wished than to hole herself in her lonely estate and disappear from the public eye for a while. Perhaps her feelings weren't as different as Alys', perhaps she was closer to Alys than she initially thought. There remained one loose end, one that knew everything. "There is the issue of Juliette. She knows everything. I doubt she is the type to tell, but..." Audrey shook her head. "All I did was for naught."
This matter, of course, was a far more intricate one. “What have you told her?”
"She knows the truth. She knows you knew of me before becoming Alys. That you helped me transition. Miles and Rhys' truth. She knows most of the bridal party was in on it. That I didn't have amnesia." The blonde shrugged, expecting a reprimanding speech of her wrongs, of how foolish she was.
“I see.” That was more complicated than Genevieve had anticipated. “I take it from her leaving the estate that she did not take it well. And you’ve no idea where she has gone?” There were only so many places in the city the girl could have gone, but that was a matter Genevieve would solve on her own. “What exactly was said?”
With a sigh Audrey had gone over the particulars of the discussion and her regrets in the wording of some of her story. Naturally, the teenager now found Audrey selfish (which in part was true), but her care for her younger sister didn’t waver, if anything it was a bit misplaced. Pouring herself more wine, she took another sip. “Naturally, she’s furious and wants nothing to do with me. The only thing I can think of is she went to a friend’s or she’s staying with her guild, they have barracks don’t they? I haven’t gone to look for her. I would rather avoid the scene. It would only hurt us more. Though surely rumors have already sprouted.”
Genevieve sighed, taking care to compartmentalize the annoyance she felt at being outed to someone whom she had not wished to out herself to. That it was wrapped up in Audrey’s confession was irrelevant; Genevieve had been complicit, but she could also see how the young woman’s wording could lead Juliette to believe that she had been just as selfish. “I have heard no rumors regarding the two of you, and it is not uncommon for to move into the barracks for a time during the first year of class. Unless she has been speaking of it to others” which Genevieve highly doubted “then the focus of the rumormongers will remain on Miles.”
But this would explain why Juliette had not answered her message. Damn it all.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her hands subconscious fiddling with the hem of her shirt.
“There is nothing you need to apologize to me for,” she said quietly. Despite her annoyance, her own part in this would have had to have come out when Juliette learned of the truth. She had hoped to do it on her terms, but… Well, she could easily locate the girl and explain herself. “I think it best to leave her be. Allow her some space.”
Genevieve did not say that she would seek the girl out - should Juliette choose to reach out to Audrey of her own accord, that was one thing. She could easily see how she could need some time to come to terms with what she had been told, ill-advised language and all.