"The current royal family, the king is a Maxim by blood." Lucien explained. "He's now…fuck, what was it…right! King Alco Maxim le Jesan." he smiled a little. "And then, of course, my mother was a Maxim, which means technically I am too."
It's not in the Cards (O/O)
Aki nods, drawing out a small notebook and scribbling a few things down on the notepad so he wouldn't forget. He didn't want to mess up here. So he wanted to remember the important details.
Lucien laughed a little. "So, yeah, the Maxims are kind of important, if you can't tell." he gestured at the manor grounds as they rode towards the stables, following Enrique.
Aki nods slowly. "Yeah… You weren't kidding." He laughed softly and looks around eagerly. This place was beautiful and intense and WOW. He shivered again in excitement.
The grounds were extensive and lovely, with flowers and trees and clear-cut pathways that wound through them. The stables, too, were large and spacious, and groomsmen came out to take care of the horses.
Aki really wanted to explore the pathways and the stables, but he knew that should probably wait until they were settled and had at least unpacked their things. Still though, it was exciting to think about.
René looked around in wonder, coming over to Lucien and Aki. "This is amazing." He said softly.
"Yeah, it is." Lucien agreed with a smile.
Aki nods and smiles at Rene, his eyes softening. "It really is. We'll have to go exploring at some point." He laughed quietly. It was clear he was fond of Rene.
René beamed. "Great!" He said.
Lucien smiled. "Mhm. I think we have to go inside and see Rémamí first, though."
He nods a little and chuckles, "That would probably be wise." He hummed and brushed his hair from his face before taking Lucien's hand in his own and kissing the back of it.
Enrique came back over to them. "Sorry for not being a good guide, I was…distracted." he laughed a little. "Come on, people will want to meet you." He led them towards the pathway back to the front of the house.
Aki chuckles quietly, his eyes softening. "No worries." He says kindly, squeezing Lucien's hand before following after. He was so nervous but so excited.
Enrique led them to the doors, where a pair of servants opened the massive, stately doors and letting them into the grand entrance hall. The floor was white marble, the columns of the same, trimmed in dark, polished wood.
Aki had to try his hardest not to let his jaw drop to the floor. Surprise after surprise, and this place just kept getting more beautiful. He was so excited, his tail wagging faintly under his cloak.
Ari was quiet, sticking near their fiance as Enrique led them down the hall and towards a door at the end.
Aki squeezed Lucien's hand again, his eyes bright as he took in all the sights. He was just a bundle of quivering energy.
Enrique opened the door, which was solid, shining wood, leading them into a smaller but no less grand waiting room. "Wait here. I've got to speak to–" he broke off as an older woman entered the room. Like Enrique and Lucien, she had olive toned skin, with intelligent dark eyes. Her white hair was pulled back in a simple, but elegant bun, and she greeted Enrique with a hug, speaking in the quick, easy, flowing language that Enrique and Lucien had spoken when Enrique had first arrived.
Aki glances around the room excitedly, his eyes bright. He turned his attention to Enrique spoke before pausing when the older woman entered. He squeezed Lucien's hand, his eyes shining in awe. She was a very beautiful woman, he would admit, and he could feel the power radiating off of her.
Enrique responded in the same language, smiling lightly as he gestured over to Lucien, Rene, and Aki. The woman looked over at them, then dipped her head in a faint nod. "Welcome." she said, her voice carrying the same accent that Enrique's did. "It's good to see you again, Lucien, and it's wonderful to meet your fiance and younger brother."
Lucien bowed. "It's good to see you again as well, Rémamí."
Aki kept quiet as the woman spoke with Enrique, his head tilting at the language. It sounded familiar, his master had often spoken it whenever he was thinking aloud. Aki had never really picked up on it though. He bows when Lucien did, still keeping quiet, a little more shy now since he didn't know what to think or expect.
"Aki, this is my grandmother." Lucien introduced with a soft smile. "Rémamí, this is Aki, my fiance."
The woman inclined her head faintly to Aki. "Nice to meet you." she greeted.
Aki straightened himself slowly, a small, nervous smile on his lips. "It's a pleasure to meet you miss." He says quietly.
The woman smiled a little bit. "I'm not young enough to be a miss." She replied with a quiet laugh.
Aki froze and flushed in embarrassment. "Forgive me-" he bowed his head quickly, his eyes shutting as he mentally whacked himself. It had barely been a moment since they had entered and he was already messing up.
"It's alright." She replied gently. "It's flattering. Has Enrique shown you around yet?"
"No." Lucien said. "We came straight here."
Aki nods a little and takes a deep breath. It was fine, he was fine. There was nothing to worry about. He squeezed Lucien's hand gently just to calm himself.
Lucien squeezed his hand back.
The woman nodded a little. "Ah, of course he did." She looked at Enrique, speaking to him. Enrique dipped his head in a nod, taking Ari's arm and slipping from the room. Rémamí turned back to Lucien, Aki, and René. "Well. Shall I give you a tour, then?"
(Also, uh, just realized I forgot to explain: Rémamí is a title/nickname. Basically it means she's the matriarch of the family, and basically means grandmother)
(Ouuu! Gotcha!)
Aki perked at the mention of a tour, glancing at Lucien, "How does that sound, love?" He asks softly, but there was no denying his voice was quivering with excitement.
(yeah, should have explained earlier haha, sorry!)
Lucien grinned. "It's been years since I was last here, a tour sounds great."
Rémamí smiled a little. "Good. I'll take you three, then. The hall you entered by is, of course, the grand hall. This is the receiving room."
Aki smiled brightly at that and turned his attention to the woman, clinging to Lucien's arm, but also intently exploring whatever he was shown. It was clear he was baffled by everything (which was expected since he had never ventured outside the kingdom before), his tail wagging eagerly.