126/3 An Honest Man? (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine loved weddings. She felt they often brought out the best in people. Also, they were excellent excuses to talk with lots of people one would otherwise rarely see. Despite the challenges House Marsten had faced of late, she was effervescent and conversational as ever. She mainly chatted with the ladies present at the gathering following the ceremony, though was notably more sober, by virtue of being six months into her second pregnancy. Although she wore a flattering modest gown of russet and green velvets, the slight swell was evident.

Spying Ser Theomore in his own for the first time that evening, Corrine approached with a congenial smile.

"
Ser Theomore. A pleasure to see you again. I had been hoping to congratulate you personally on your wedding."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
It appears that my lady now has the chance"
Theomore's mask was impeccable, one more familiar than the shape the face beneath had taken on as late. Though part of him was starting to enjoy weddings again, he had not imagined to be so conflicted about his own. "
Though it would seem to my eyes that there is cause for congratulations in return."
A thoughtful movement of his gaze makes note of the growing life within Corrine. "
I take it my lady is not satisfied with just the one?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Frankly, with the sad history my family has endured in the not too distant past, no,"
she replies, one hand lightly resting upon the bump, her eyes belying a slight twitch at Theomore's remark, lacking somewhat as it was in sensitivity. She had thought he knew about the tragic losses of her brothers and father that had created the Marsten succession crisis.

"
Ben &
I want a large family. We are hoping for a son this time. I think many would feel that a better security for the House. Few would regard Bethany as my heir, the times being what they are."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
She is my lady's heir"
Theomore states matter of factly, though he agrees with her assessment. "
But I imagine we shall require many more lady regnants before the collective mind grows comfortable with the concept. Though I would hope that this will not be the case at Hartshorn if my lady only is granted daughters, those accustomed to wise and prosperous rule under one lady of the house would be a deal more receptive to the idea that another lady could provide the same."


"
The long line of men fancying themselves as the new Lord Marsten with illusions about leadership falling upon their shoulders, if they just could secure her hand first. If Lady Bethany grows to become anything like her mother, she might start resorting to the same sorts of remarks about her suitors that my niece has taken a liking to. "

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Lady Arryn certainly sets a good example to follow. Hopefully we will see more like her,"
Corrine replies, nodding.

She smiles wryly at the comment about his niece.

"
I take it by that comment that Lady Yve is still without a husband? Is there a need for my matchmaking skills?"
she asked, playfully.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
She lacks naught for suitors, but my lady is kind to offer."
Theomore decides that a little bit of playfulness would be welcome "
Lady Yve tends to refer to them by variations on the theme of slithering serpents. She did not take a liking to the game that both of us had to play while my lord nephew remained unwed."
Though his mask holds, unbid thoughts does bubble to the surface on the subject of deception. "
Perhaps it is for the best, while feints, facades and false impressions are sometimes necessary, a healthy distaste for employing such measures is a sign that one's heart is in the right place."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

This was new. Corrine wonders if it is Theomore turning over a new leaf, or another façade.

"
I am inclined to agree, Ser. Deceptions can be, as you say, necessary, even kind. But one must not grow too accustomed to using it, lest we lose our true selves. I must admit I am surprised to hear such a sentiment from you. Has marriage already made an honest man of you?"


It was clear that the question was good-natured, though her expression was a little thoughtful.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I wouldn't know my lady, I am only half married, the part where the good ladies receives their one glimpse of that which they will forever envy my lady wife for is yet to come."
Theomore answers with a bravado which should be a good omen for how entertaining the bedding should be for any lady present that finds enjoyment in the one occasion where it was agreeable to be less than ladylike with one's choice of words to another man. "
But we can certainly hope so."
But that would be dishonest, wouldn't it? Hope always was.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She chuckles, and there is the hint of a blush. She may have been through much in a short time, but her sheltered upbringing still had its remnants.

"
I will endeavour to retain my composure,"
she jests, with a hint of a tone that suggests she doubts she will envy Lady Floreta terribly much.

"
I hope Lady Floreta is not the jealous sort, for your sake."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Perhaps it is my lady who should worry? With all her smiles, chuckles and blushing."
Theomore can do that sort of quipping without giving it much thought, a good skill to have when he needs to buy time to find more serious words for a more serious topic. "
I made her a promise, my lady, I strive to keep my promises."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine was about to protest the jibe, but the unexpected seriousness that followed disarmed her. She gave a similarly serious, but approving nod.

"
I am glad, Ser. There are too many in the realm who do not take their sacred vows seriously. It is reassuring to hear that you don't intend to be one of them."


She glanced over at Floreta, who was chatting animatedly to some other guests.

"
She seems very taken with you. Perhaps that will help."


She returned her gaze to Theo, and smiled reservedly.

"
I wish you both every happiness. The world needs more joy."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The world is a dark place, my lady"
Theomore agrees. "
Making her happy is a rare opportunity to make it brighter by doing something right."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Good. I must say, this is a quite different Ser Theomore to the one I last saw. What happened to change your course?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
In this? I know not if much has changed, my lady."
Theomore answers, a thoughtful expression upon his face. "
I have been protective of my family and dutiful to it since the day I knelt before the prince and rose a knight, and now Lady Floreta has been draped in Tullison red and blue."


"
But one thing I have come to suspect, my lady, is that it easier to pick the right battles when in your mind, you can picture the faces of those you are fighting them for."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

This was sonething that touched Corrine deeply. Duty and honour towards those one cares about was something she valued greatly. She gave a little nod.

"
I think I understand that very well. I am glad you have found renewed purpose in life. I hear talk of a new banner House too, so I expect you will come to love your lands as well. It is a special thing, to be able to have roots."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
New?"
Theomore raises an eyebrow. "
The tower of Falling Stars has been standing for longer than Mountain's Reach, it was held in Lord Frey's name by Lady Floreta's father and then brother, as Lord Forrest's grandfather wished to provide his second son with something to pass on to his children and children's children, now that duty falls to me, and I plan to pass it on in a better state than it is now."
Shouldn't be too hard, few men had been as badly suited to that task as the Furious Frey. "
Though while it will require attention, I do hope I will be at liberty to travel, seeing new places and new people, and seeing them again has always been more to my liking than settling into a routine ever will be."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ah, so not choosing a new name, like Lord Drakeson did. My error,"
Corrine corrected. "
I am sure such an old and well-regarded position will afford you a great many opportunities. Have you immediate plans in mind?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
My Lady, I already have a name to pass to my children so that all will recognize which house they come from. Lord Baelon did not, and so he required a new one."
Theomore of course, would not have chosen such a blatant statement, but it did suit Baelon. "
As for the future, I plan to spend some time to get to know my new home, and I expect to be attending tourneys, festivals and weddings as I am accustomed to. Lord Frey did not grant me the hand of his cousin and lands to hold in his name simply out of a desire to bring her joy, I am now sworn to serve him to the best of my abilities, and my talents tends to be more suited towards earning favors at court than those of other knights."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Of course. Adept with lances and words,"
Corrine agreed. "
I understand. Lord Frey has chosen well. I expect that connection will bring friendships to you more readily. Speaking of which, might I ask you a personal question?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Certainly, my lady."
Theomore cannot help but wonder if maybe he did not wish to answer it, depending on the question, but nor did he want to shut himself out of the world.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I wanted to ask you about my mother. I understand you two have a rapport, so I would value your insight. I have growing concerns that she resents my decision to support Princess Rhaenyra's claim. I have broken from our family traditions in more ways than one, and from the barbs she drops into our conversations, it clearly displeases her. Might you be able to use that famous charm of yours to assuage her somewhat?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
If given the opportunity, my lady, I could attempt it."
Theomore scratches the back of his head, he did not quite remember getting that impression of Isobel, but time passes. "
Though there is no guarantee that I will have the chance to help with the issue even if I managed to engage in lengthy conversation, and I may prove unsuccessful. I can offer no more than the attempt"
Sometimes though, the only way to deal with old hags like that was to confine them to their chambers and tell everyone else that they were sick. Given the time, isolation tended to turn the tale into truth.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you. I appreciate it. I think she respects you, and if the source of reason comes from someone she respects, I think it would help. Relinquishing control has been difficult for her. It is understandable, I suppose, given the House's misfortunes. But we are more prosperous now. Even the clansfolk are integrating. There hasn't been peace with the mountain clans for four generations."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Then we shall need to hope that proves to be sufficient, my lady."
Lady Isobel not being able to contain disapproval was indeed something requiring further scrutiny, and possibly action, hopefully not. But only the man that hoped for the best and prepared for the worst was likely to thrive in this world. "
I do not think I will be able to visit the Vale in the near future, but Lord Frey wishes for a strong representation from The Twins at Lord Baelon's tourney, so if the Lady Isobel is there, I should be able to have words with her."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Of course. I have encouraged her to socialise more. She has not had much in the way of friends since my father passed away. Perhaps I might persuade her to keep in touch. I am sure she would be interested in your new circumstances."


Corrine knew she could never be certain whether or not Theo was deceiving her, but his wedding was not an appropriate place for confrontation. She couldn't outsmart him, but perhaps she wouldn't have to. But she still wondered how much of what Theo said was true, and how much was the evasiveness she associated with him. Surely such an involved schemer, who had been seen, it was reported, helping Prince Aemond feed innocent people to Vhagar, who had known dealings with Greens, who treated women like playthings, and interfered with the course of justice, could not change to an honest man just from having to marry a woman he had already taken advantage of anyway.

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