She shook her head as she looked down at them. " I do not mind. I personally prefer late night audiences compared to early mornings. "

"Lionel" Brichalles
"I too. I find much more gets done in an eve than at any other point of day."
He said with a laugh and a slight smile. It was convincing, but his apprehension was beginning to bleed through.

Giselle Von Alderon
Noticing this, she decided to lead the conversation, folding her hands in front of herself.
"That was not what you were saying earlier, Duke Brichalles. Was it not you complaining earlier or are my ears deceiving me now?
Now, your Majesty, I don't believe I have been present for one of these events before. What exactly are we to be doing?"

"Lionel" Brichalles
"Might want to check your ears, Marchioness.
And what, you never hunted before? What kind of elf are you? Point and shoot. All there is to it, my dear lady. If it helps, I can guide you with the crossbow."

Giselle Von Alderon
"That won't be needed, Duke. Thank you."

"It is alright. I'll explain. But the hunting competition is just that. We head into the forest and we hunt. there is a 6-hour time limit. Whoever returns with the best animal gets one wish granted. Usually, I would be the one to grant the wish, but since I am participating this year, My mother will take that responsibility. "

Giselle Von Alderon
"Thank you, your Majesty. At least someone has decency." She gave a half hearted laugh. "Got my attention at this wish bit though. I could use one in my life."

'Lionel' Brichalles
Acting or not, Lowell was offended by the quip and hastily covered his mouth to muffle a snarl at her.

" Like everyone else in the empire. Of course, the wish has to be within our jurisdiction. It cannot be something absurd. " she cast a glance at 'Lionel' and his covered mouth.

(hope you don't mind but I gave Bilderia a country to have fought in the war you mentioned earlier. For independence, maybe?)

Giselle Von Alderon
"So I can't wish for more friends in my life. Shame."

'Lionel' Brichalles
He decided to play it off, ignoring Seraphina's stare as he dropped his hand.
"It would be much easier for you to actually put the effort in to make them yourself, my lady. I understand the grievances of your family may continue to isolate you, but remaining in your house with all your.. books is hardly conducive to that. Wishing for them just seems like pure fantasy of.. a child at best."

Giselle Von Alderon
"I know, I know." She rubbed her temples. "I'm making a point now to correct that, Duke. I do not wish to continue to remain a caged bird just for the sake of us continuing to hold territory.
I am not oblivious to the fact, however, that I am the only current heir to house Alderon with my older brother's passing in the war with Bilderia."

(sounds gud)

Seraphina looked away from the Duke and back to the Marchioness. " I have...heard about the passing of the late marquess(I think that's right). Apologies for offering my condolences so late. "

(yeah Marquess is the male one)

Giselle Von Alderon
"It's fine. My brother was an absolute fool anyways."

'Lionel' Brichalles
"That is a very chilly way to speak of one's kin, Giselle."

Giselle Von Alderon
"For him? It's a fitting way to remember him. Not a shred of sense on his shoulders and always acting as if no man could best him on a battlefront. You have met my brother before, Duke, you know very well of his bravado.
And.. Besides, I've heard you speak maliciously of your older brother yourself, don't go throwing stones yourself."

'Lionel' Brichalles
Lowell was understandably uncomfortable with his own mention and did not respond to this. He knew it was true how openly his brother spoke poorly of him as a madman and demon, but now there was a sense of irony to it that was not lost on him.

He also knew that his brother would not hide from any accusation of defamation, strongly believing him to be a dangerous man. Maybe he was apt in that assessment.

(That's fine, wanting I have a character called Lionel as well lol)

(Eh, Lionel Brichalles I intend to be an npc if he even shows up at all. He's not a great person for a playable character just because he's a backstabbing jerk)