Private Princess Victoria

[Adron Malvern]

PRINCESS​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

Close your eyes and realize one thing. The galaxy around us is ever changing. Today's conqueror is tomorrows savior, today's hero is tomorrows villain, and today's murderer is

tomorrow's father. What a wonderfully horrid galaxy we live in. - Adron Malvern

The halls of the Royal Palace were unusually quiet this day. So much so that as the King walked his halls, he let out a faint hum, a simple tune he often heard the servants of his hall singing. He did not sing because he loved the songful tones that fell from his lips, rather that he preferred them to the silence that had fallen over the marble and stone that surrounded him. The King wore a suit of pure black with a golden tie. There were a number of golden flourishes running down his pants leg and coursing over his lapel that matched the tie's vibrant color. Over his left shoulder hung a cape that just barely reached down to the floor below.

Today the King had to see to a rather...unorthodox task. There were once several Great Houses of Illyria. These Houses had foolishly allowed the planet to be drenched in death and warfare for hundreds of years. The time of their reign was over. A chapter in a book that Adron had closed through blood and conquest. What was the cost of such a victory? The King's amethyst eyes rose to the ceiling above, taking notice of the beautifully crafted chandeliers that hung above, but truly his mind was on that one question.

What was the cost of Illyria? In reality, a very cheap one. Few had put up a fight when the Sith Lord proclaimed himself King. Those who did like House Astier and House Pascal? Their blood was made the fertilizer of the new age. A sacrifice the King was all too prepared to make. So what happened to the young scion of House Astier? Well, from what Adron could see Fauvel Astier had become one of the most loyal supporters to the Crown and the High Court. She was not foolish enough to follow her family to their deaths on a pure matter of principle.

"Without principle what do we have?" Adron broke the silent of the hall, speaking aloud before chuckling softly. Words his father had often spoken to him as a young boy. Yet, he was not a child any longer.

"The future." He answered his own question.

So what was the future for House Pascal? They were not like House Astier. A revolt from House Pascal could have resulted in a sizable cost to the Illyrian way of life and most important, planetary stability. He could not risk it. So it was on the third day of his subjugation that the King put out a decree. The House of Pascal would be destroyed, from root to stem. All members of the Noble line who contributed in thoughts or acts of dissidents were summarily executed by the planet's Royal Adjudicators. Some members of distant relation were allowed to retain their lives, in promise for oaths of eternal fealty to the planet's stability. Still, that did not mean House Pascal could ever legally rise again. Of the main line family only one woman even survived the executions, Victoria Pascal.

The hall came out at an exit which led to a very special part of the palace. A waterfall overlooked an outdoor area that was often used for small gatherings or sometimes the King came to listen to the sound of rushing water and clear his mind. A single table had been prepared, a table with a single piece of parchment. The King walked over to the table and turned his eyes to a woman approaching with two members of the guard at her side. Adron looked to the woman casually before gesturing to the table in the center of the clearing. "Come. We have a lot to talk about, Victoria."
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[Victoria Malvern]

The Dragonne Palace

Tags: Adron Malvern

“Grief is like glitter. You can throw a handful up in the air, but when you try to clean it up, you will never get it all. Even long after the event, you will still find glitter tucked in the corners. It will always be there...somewhere.” -- Victoria Pascal

She heard him from afar, the monster who took it all away from her. His voice was charming, but laced with a poison which instilled fear in her, as well as compliance. She was the sole survivor of her House, and the scars she bore were fresh. A trifecta of physical, emotional and spiritual scars, almost similar to the scars upon her back. A triple lash from her left shoulder to her right hip, concealed mostly by her dress. She wore her hair up, in a relatively tasteful and simple style. She kept her head bowed as he approached, ever mindful of his poise and mannerisms. Victoria felt the guards salute, their brute force apparent in the force of air that emanated from the salute. Victoria allowed herself to curtsey as the guards finished their salute, gently dipping herself down before the King.

"Come. We have a lot to talk about, Victoria."

She tensed as he spoke, as the syllables of her name exited his mouth, a chill running up her spine...but she dared not to shiver before him. No, he could know no sign of dominance over her. This wasn’t his subjugation, all he could do is release her from this life - something she knew he wasn’t prepared to do. She was prepared for it, at any cost.

“Yes, your Grace.” She spoke softly, as she followed him briefly before approaching the table. One of the guards approached from behind her, quickly passing her to remove the chair from its place at the table. She curtly nodded before stepping in, seating herself, hands beneath her dress to ensure it doesn’t get snagged or wrinkled as she sits down. She noticed the plates upon the table, as well as the decorative teapot which glistened in the light. Small wisps of steam exited the spout, and exuded a sweet, vanilla aroma. Beside all this were letters of correspondence, and flimsy films that depicted plans or inventory sheets.

And a decorative envelope opener - sharpened and all.

She took note of everything, subtly. Honey-brown eyes scanning over the sheets, the plates, every detail she could memorize.

The next five minutes of her life were about to be intense...

 

[Adron Malvern]

PRINCESS​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

She was a lovely sight. The sole survivor of the fallen House Pascal. While the King appreciated the courtly manner she showed, he could sense what laid beneath the surface. The Dark Side, ever his ally, revealed the fear that welled beneath her like a great storms covered by a pretty scene. It was almost impressive, how she was able to call him Grace without spitting it in vile and venom. The King nodded a silent approval as she took her seat across from him. The King rested in his own chair, exhaling a small sigh of relief as he looked to the woman before him. For a moment he merely sat there, studying her expression, searching for the truths behind the silence. Eventually he took hold of the tea pot, pressing the back of his hand to the fine porcelain to ensure it was to temp. "House Astier are loyal bannerman to the Crown. House Amphiere is no more, along with House's Blackrest, Berger, and Caron." He said simply, before looking to the woman with a knowing expression. "All forms of Rebellion have been thoroughly crushed. Not that they had any kind of threat to pose to begin with. When I subjugated this planet, less than one percent of the Nobility wished to raise arms against me." He explained.

"It is because they were tired of hundreds of years of infighting. I cannot blame them. After all, what did they gain from it? A thousand men die and they would get, what? A few dozen acres of land? A score of Bantha? Foolishness. The galaxy is more than the lands we step upon, so much more." He said with the slightest bit of exasperation. The Illyrian King poured two cups of tea in an even manner, once the drink was poured, he handed one of the cups to Victoria. "Now. Since I have taken control of the world, planetary production has doubled and the rate of poverty has been effectively cut in half."

"Illyria is on track to become the crowned jewel of the Outer Rim." He explained to the girl. "Which means that leaves only one loose end to be tied up." He said, taking a shallow sip from his drink. Adron set the tea cup down, his amethyst eyes turning to Victoria with a hard expression. "House Pascal." The King sat with a rigid posture, a single leg coming over the other as he spoke of the fallen House. "My advisors have urged me to execute you. They believe allowing you to live would be a sign of weakness and a reprieve your House did not earn. As is typical fashion for the Illyrian people they want me to hang you until death."

"This will not be." He explained, before a single hand rose to gesture to the woman. "Like the scars you bear on your back, this would be a punishment undeserved. You did not support your family's endeavors of treachery even if you did attempt to stay their execution. There can be no death where it is not earned. Yet, House Pascal has been officially erased, so you may not claim the rite of Pascal any longer." He explained to her. The King took hold of a single piece of parchment, holding it up for the woman to view. It was stamped with the King's amethyst seal, yet the words on the bottom were printed in a beautiful golden print. Two simple words.

Victoria Malvern
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"In respect to your ancient House I have decided to absorb what remains of it into House Malvern." He held the letter out to the woman, that read as so:

To all,

It is by Royal Decree that the House of Pascal, Baronry of Winterport, has been wholly stripped of all rights and privileges. From this moment until the end of time the name of Pascal shall accrue no valors and hold no stations. They are lords of none and masters of nothing. All primary members of the family have been summarily executed for High Treason against the Crown and sedition. Additionally, the surviving member of House Pascal, Lady Victoria Pascal, will be adopted into the Royal Family under the title of Princess of the World. Her rights, though restricted, are now granted by the Royal House of Malvern. From this moment until her marriage or death, she will bare the name Victoria Malvern.

Signed,
Adron Malvern
King of Illyria
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[Victoria Malvern]

"House Astier are loyal bannerman to the Crown. House Amphiere is no more, along with House's Blackrest, Berger, and Caron."

Of course they were! They were cowardly bankers who anguished over lost coin, and the others? “Farmers with pitchforks.” She thought to herself, noting that the contributions of those Houses were a mere fraction of what House Pascal contributed. They were weak and bent the knee.

"All forms of Rebellion have been thoroughly crushed. Not that they had any kind of threat to pose to begin with. When I subjugated this planet, less than one percent of the Nobility wished to raise arms against me."

Of course, he had the backing of the Confederacy. The might of the Confederate Droid Armies would have been brought down upon them, and if House Pascal had a chance to fight back, the entire planet would have suffered. Countless generations would have been wiped out of all houses, the planetary economy would have collapsed and there would be little left beyond ruin and despair.

Victoria listened carefully, facial expression remaining neutral despite the ups and downs of the conversation. At the mention of executing her, her face almost lightened but it soon returned to a neutral gaze discovering her fate would not be freedom through death. The mention of her lashes caused her to shift, and uncomfortability settled into her expression. The uncomfort would turn to fear, which flipped over to anger...and as all things do in this line of succession, hatred came next.

Her eyes began skimming through the letter, twitching ever so slightly as she read through his proclamation. She felt his presence, his eagerness to continue to boast how her family was slaughtered, some of them before her. She didn’t know how she was picked to be saved, her brother was the heir. It didn’t matter, none of it did. They were gone now, what was she to do?

Avenge them?

Fall in line and conform?

“House Pascal has been officially erased...”

“House Pascal has been officially erased...”

“House Pascal has been officially erased...”

The voice hammered away at her, breaking her mental discipline, her rationale, her logic. Although she was young and inexperienced, she was skillful and intelligent. Victoria flung the sheet at him, and with luck - it would elicit a flinch, which she took advantage of.

And flinch he would…

But like everything he did, it was near effortless and smooth. He appeared stunned or shocked or something, she couldn't tell because her heart was racing so hard and fast. Adrenaline surged through her body as Victoria lunged, grabbed and attempted to eviscerate him in one, quick, sloppy motion…


Tags: Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

MALVERN​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

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He could sense her anger. How much of a feast it was for the Sith Lord. For the man who fed on the negative emotions of others, he found the woman's anger to be nourishing. Still, he was not here to torment her or even to make her feel the pain of her loss. No, he was here because the woman known as Victoria Pascal had officially become Victoria Malvern. Absent her consent and wish, she was now the daughter of Adron and Alessandra Malvern. The response to such news? Well, it didn't take a genius to guess what she would do next, though she did execute it rather well. When the piece of parchment flew for his face, he twitched to bat it away. It was a brief movement, but it forced his eyes away from her for a fraction of a second.​

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Suddenly the air around the two grew thick. Victoria's motions were sloppy, unhinged. She was not a master of her anger, rather it had become the master of her actions. So when she grabbed the blade? When she swung to end the life of the King? She was met with nothing. Every joint in her body would immediately grow tight. Her muscles restricted themselves, locking against each other unnaturally to where her body was forced into a complete and utter lock. Frozen in her motion, the King held only two fingers up that had caused the Force to wrap around the woman like a hundred iron chains. ​

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There was a silence. A silence as Adron looked to the woman before him with a deep, searching gaze. She wanted to kill him, this much is certain. His Guardsmen stepped forward, grasping the hilts to their vibroswords. The King of Illyria held a hand up to the two, causing them to return their weapons to their sheathes. His amethyst eyes turned back to Victoria, not yet freeing the woman. Instead his hand came up to grip her own, pulling the letter opener from her hand and eyeing it closely. "Resourceful." He admitted, before tossing the weapon back onto the table below. The King turned from the woman, adjusting his surcoat as he spoke. "I was younger than you when my family was murdered. Still, I was no less a fool than you are now." The King looked to the woman, before narrowing her eyes at the woman and gazing at her curiously. "Hundreds of years of war, ended. Poverty, ended....light finally returning to your world. The cost was what? Your House? It was the price they chose to pay." Finally the spell would break. Victoria would find her muscles her own once again as Adron turned from her once again. ​

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"The way I see it you can do one of two things. Jump over that cliff there and completely destroy what is left of your House or decide to accept the path before you and claim it as your own. One path holds power and the other holds oblivion." He declared, watching her carefully. ​

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[Victoria Malvern]

She felt it.

Every fiber of her being, held stiffly by an invisible energy. Tormenting her very core, taunting her as she listened to his self-righteous speech about how the planet was more prosperous than ever before - and how, little it cost. The sacrifice of generations, the blood of innocents, the souls of the blameless. She would weep and weep hard as she tried to reach him, tried to command her body to respond to her and got nothing in return. The tears would sparkle and flutter effortlessly from her eyes as the Force held her in place. The tears dropping on the parchment, soaking it in the tears of a broken girl.

And then the silence…

It killed her more than his speech. She knew she was beaten and held no cards, Victoria threw all in and the House won.

And just as fast as she was frozen in time and space, she was released.

Just…

Like…

That…

She collapsed into the table with a loud thud and a clanging, clattering of dishes. With a groan, she pushed off the table and looked to the ledge where he spoke of. A cautious gaze would turn back to him, then the guards, then the ledge again. With what pride and dignity she had left, she adjusted her stance, and held her head up high, turning away from the King. His cold, calculated behavior would not be allowed to relish in the sight of her misery.

No, she would deny him - or atleast try.

She walked forward, each step appearing heavier than the last as she approached the cliff edge. Her head would lower with each step, as she came face to face with oblivion. Her hands would clasp before her, tightly weaving together. The skin flushing reddish, a bit purple perhaps as she wrenched them tight. Her heart was racing, a hard and furious beat that vibrated throughout her being. Micro beads of sweat formed upon her forehead as her heart continued to push the adrenaline through her system.

“Oblivion for my House, indeed, but your Grace…”

She looked up at the horizon and beyond. Eyes still glistening from the tears of the past, feeling the radiant warmth of the sun bask across her face.

“It will deny you the victory, in the end. Your conquest will no longer have a prize…”

Was it that way? Was she a prize to be hoisted over the Houses in such a manner? Was she to be a reflection of his triumph?

Sure, as benevolent as he was in his gesture to adopt her, there was something else there. He most certainly would be advantageous to bring her under his House, it showed something.. The man was calculated, everything he did had a purpose, but what was the purpose here? Could it be he truly desired to show the people of their world that despite the genocide against House Pascal, he was merciful and spared her.

Perhaps…

Despite all this, something nagged at her as she remained on the edge, staring out before her.

~He will deny you the release of Death…~

But what if he didn’t?

Was it a big, scary notion? Yes, the uncertainty of it all. She wasn’t some laser sword, faith pounding zealot - she was normal, like everyone else. What if it all ended right there, nothing would be remembered about House Pascal, or Victoria. Was it worth the risk?

It remained to be seen, the next few moments would determine her fate.

Tags: Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

JUMP​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

The woman's voice called out to him and the King turned back to the young girl. His steps slowed, before he turned back to see the young woman who stood before the cliffs. He couldn't help but wonder if this had been what he was like, the months following the death of his family. He had been alone, shocked, and scared. He'd lost all as a boy even younger than Victoria was now and yet, he survived. He survived because he was meant to become something more. Did this mean Victoria would become something more? Was she powerful? Could she do what needed to be done? These questions caught the attention of his mind to the point where there was a pause as he turned back to the woman.

"Victory. Prize." he said the words back to back, as if considering them for a moment and finding them unsettling, distasteful. "The conquest was my Victory." He told her, taking a step forward as a single hand slid into the pocket of his trousers. "The planet is my prize." He said, his other hand sliding into his other pocket before turning his eyes to the horizon that laid behind Victoria. "You are neither of those things."

His amethyst eyes came alight once again, with a vibrant shine that showed the Sith Lord was tapping into the deepest depths of the twisting nether. He called on the Dark Side to reveal those thoughts that laid beneath Victoria's mind. Her thoughts were in a thick cloud of emotion, calling her mind to become a mess to sort through, yet her thoughts were still vividly seen by the Sith Lord. She wished to rob him of his ruling. Destroying herself and with it went any sense of control he would have over her.

These thoughts were interesting. He understood them. He did not blame the girl. In reality it was the sins of the father that led her to this point. Had her family bent the knee and accepted the King's ruling then they would share in the prosperity the world now enjoyed. Instead they decided to rise against him in a pitiful rebellion. "Victoria Pascal has no future." He glanced back from the horizon for a moment, turning his eyes to the nearby falls and admiring the beauty of the water. "Victoria Malvern does. You may hate me for the rest of your life, you may never understand why I have done what I have, but none of that matters. The law is passed. Even if you die right now, you die Victoria Malvern. So if you are too weak for your burden then perhaps it is best that you throw yourself from these cliffs and prove that the blood of Pascal does indeed deserve destruction."
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[Victoria Malvern]

For a brief moment, Victoria could have sworn she felt something touch her mind. Almost like a probe, but not abrupt. Very soft and caressing. She shivered softly and cleared her throat. "Hmph..." With a slow turn, Victoria would face him and stare him down for a brief moment. Amber-hued orbs attempting to pierce the very veil of his soul. Sure, she wasn't some practioner of the Force - no, but she had a purpose. With a bit of confidence and all the pride she could muster, she turned away from him and began to walk away. The sound of her heels echoing throughout the chamber. She kept her eyes closed for the most part, following the sounds that she heard when she first entered. It was a simple, straight forward walk to the exit.

~Either conform, or all your family stood for will perish.~ She held her breath as she continued on forward, tears threatening to escape as she opened her eyes. ~Mustn't let him see me cry...~ Not that it mattered, he was a Force-wielder - he knew her emotions before she did.

Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

PRINCESS​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

~~~ A Week Later ~~~
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Following the young woman's departure from her King and now father, the two did not enjoy one another's company for some time. As the King spent a good deal of time off world, he did not often have the luxury to meet with his adopted daughter. That was until a week had passed and the newly returned King decided it was his responsibility to check on the young woman. He made his way down the hall, clad in a black suit with a well designed tailcoat.

The King found himself in the guest wing of the palace. He hadn't yet had the Princess' room prepared and there was no reason to rush the process. A small part of him was still uncertain as to if she would survive this ordeal. A small part of him felt the pangs of regret from taking the woman's family from her. It was an all too familiar pain to the King, who once saw his family massacred for standing against a Sith occupation. Now, twenty years later, Adron had become that very evil that destroyed his family.

He paused in the center of the hall as he realized this.

His lips came up to a small smile before exhaling softly. "We do what we must." He reminded himself. The Words of House Malvern echoed through his mind as he turned down the hall where Victoria's room was. It was early in the morning, the sun had only just risen over the horizon. A number of servants moved down the halls, opening the windows to allows the cold morning air to spill into the palace and vent the old air from previous days. A number of the men and women passed the King's path, bowing their heads respectfully and wishing him the greeting of the morning.

Finally, he found himself at the Princess' room. On either side of the room stood two men in an iron vigil. Their gleaming armor and amethyst sashes revealed them to be members of the Royal Guard. They were her assigned Knights to keep her safe, as well as her jailors to keep her within the confines of the palace, and on special occasion the city. The King looked to the guardsmen, his eyes offering a silent question. Both of the men greeted him with bowed heads, their heads coming over their hearts as a sign of fealty. One of the men spoke to the King. "I believe she's awake, your majesty." The King nodded before racking his knuckles against the door, just before opening the door.
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[Victoria Malvern]

And awake she was.

She didn't sleep that much, or she hadn't in a while. Somehow always maintaining enough composure as to reject any symbolism of weakness. She would convey nothing of the sort, sure, they had managed to come to a relatively amicable terms but she was still...mad. Perhaps, classification of her mood as being mad was an understatement, no, she was livid but she knew better.

She had become a survivor.

She would not bite the hand that fed her.

She would rise above.

A tension of muscles caused her body to seize with anticipation, perhaps a bit of fear. She winced slightly, knowing he would have most likely sensed the outwards taint of fear - even for the brief snippet of a moment. "Compose..." Speaking sternly to herself in the vanity mirror, as she adjusted herself upright and proper. Victoria cleared her throat and rose, knowing full well who it was. The commotion of his return had attracted her attention outside her walls, and the sound of the Guards clanking their hands against their armor in respect - only cemented what she had witnessed. She said nothing as the door slowly opened to reveal the massive room and her figure standing before a clear, stained glass window. The rays of light from the sun beyond broke through the window, and basked the room in a sunny glow. She knew he would enter as he wished, he was the King and no doubt the guards had alerted him to her current awoken state - so he wasn't intruding by any stretch.

She gently grasp the corners of her dress, avoiding eye contact at first with him. Her curtsying to him was out of respect...nothing more.

Atleast for now.

Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

BANKING​

Tags: Victoria Malvern ​

The King entered the room, his eyes gazing over the woman as she presented herself to the King. He raised a hand so that she would know she may relax, yet he said nothing more for a time. He walked around the room for a moment, taking in what laid within before finally looking to Victoria. "You are a part of my House now. I know it is not what you wished, perhaps the last thing you wished. However, the time for wallowing in your grievances is over. Your lessons begin now." He said simply, before exhaling and turning to the woman. "In the past the planet has made no strides to improve upon its effect to the greater galaxy. That ends with my rule. The military is ran by my House, the government is ran by my House, and next the banks will yield to my house as well. A new organization will be founded. A Royal Bank to take precedence on the planet and the Confederacy as a whole."

"Money is one avenue of control and I will make sure that you are well trained in the control of money. If you do well then you will be rewarded with title and prominence. It will be your endeavor to pursue and it will survive for as long as you nurture it."

The King walked over to the woman's closet, pulling out a woman's suit. It was extraordinarily well hemmed to Victoria's exact sizing's. Adron laid the suit upon the bed and gestured to it. "In this world the women wear suits just as much as the men."

"As of yesterday the Whitestar Banking Corporation gained the lead in the Illyrian Banking Market. It is a small subsidiary of Malvern Incorporated and will serve as our flagship for this endeavor."

"I also made sure to buy out all the remaining seats of the Board. This requires that I elect a new Chairmen and redistribute seats, which I will award them to a number of Noble families devoted to banking on Illyria. They will all gain a piece of the pie, so long as their banks form well with ours. Your position in the bank has already been decided."

"Vice President and Chief of Programs." He said simply.
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