The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
Mara was in fact, a lawyer and chancellor by trade. Now she had a lofty title, and sometimes had important things to do. But there were also times you had to go back to your roots, especially when they were friends with many of your fellow council members. Probably the best to actually help with whatever matter he had to present, and the advisor of Law found herself excited to get into it again when she got the request.
Less so when she found out what it was she would be working on. Divorce was never a good thing, but between two very public figures and with children involved? That would get messy, but this was the part of it that Mara enjoyed the most.
While she hated to delve into rumors, it was nearly impossible to miss this one. It was honestly crazy, and she had thought unbelievable, but the divorce? Well it made it all seem a lot more realistic. It was really bothersome that none of the past and present Lady Stewards seemed to be able to keep themselves out of dramatics. It really was a poor showing she hoped that the King and Queen wouldn’t let stand.
But that wasn’t her job. Her job was now to work on these papers, drawing up some boiler plate things and gathering resources from prior cases. She just needed to find out what Castiel wanted and if he wanted Annabeth to get anything. So she waited for the time of the meeting, everything neatly organized just as she liked it.
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 23, 2023 21:50:11 GMT -5
Castiel had spent the last few nights in a tavern. Where else would he stay? He no longer had a house and the last thing he wanted to do right now was tell Simon about what had happened, although, he was sure he'd find out eventually. Or Cas would grow a pair and talk to him about it later. For now, the tavern was where he'd stay as he house hunted. And so it was there that he managed to bathe himself clear of the smoke that stained his clothing so that he would look presentable for Mara.
He had taken the time to buy some fresh clothes, a simple white tunic and black breeches, but it was enough to make him look still noble, yet simple.
Castiel arrived at the office at the appointed time, expression blank, yet hardened, the same emotionless facade that he had carried so often for many years, before Annabeth had broken his shell. He was quickly rebuilding the walls he'd had before now. He definitely understood why his father beat into him that such things were a waste of time. He gave a quick, yet polite bow to Mara before jumping right into the meat and potatoes of their meeting.
"I request your assistaance in drawing up divorce documents for myself and Annabeth. The reason: infidelity."
Mara appreciated that the marquis was on time. She half expected a drunk man to show up a mess late. From what she'd heard the pair had been a loving couple. But the man who walked in was calm and collected, bowing politely. Nodding her head in acknowledgment she gestured to a chair across her desk he could sit in.
He was direct too. This meeting was going to go well.
"Right well, that is a very good reason." Pulling her quill out of the ink well, Mara scratched out a note and prepared for more. "Lord Andino I'm going to have to ask some rather personal questions to get the best results, are you okay with proceeding or would you like to just have something boiler-plate as to not discuess such things?"
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 23, 2023 22:53:30 GMT -5
Castiel took the proffered seat, maintaining his posture but crossing his arms. He was glad that Mara wasted no time either in jumping right into things. Good. That'll make this all go quickly and smoothly... hopefully.
"I'll provide any and all information as needed, Your Grace. Please ask away."
Mara nodded her head, her mouth in a tight line. She wasn't known for being warm or inviting, but she didn't think it was necessary. She was here for legal advice, and that's exactly what she would do.
"Marriage is meant to be worked on and not thrown away in Lorendale. But I want to hear from you and not the rumors. How long have you both been having issues, and did you make attempts at reconciliation?" All of these were delicate subjects, but if she was going to make this divorce go through she needed it to be air-tight.
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 23, 2023 23:15:06 GMT -5
A good question, indeed, to start things with. Castiel mulled it over in his mind for a moment before answering.
"We began having troubles last Autumna. Rumor had been that she had been seen alone with another man, and she did not deny it. Nothing indecent had occurred, and so I trusted her, and she promised not to see this man again.
"Not long after, I caught her with this man in the training yard with no chaperone, only one of her maids. She had broken a promise and therefore my trust. I was angry, so I took some time to separate from her and calm my wits so that I might decide how to progress. By the time.i had the answer and was heading home, she had been unfaithful a third time, only this time with her body."
He leaned back in his chair. "I will not remain with an individual who so readily turns to other men for her needs without a care how that affects myself or my reputation."
As Castiel spoke, Mara took notes of what she needed. Timelines, intents, and facts. Because she would not put rumors in a legal document.
"Did she admit to being unfaithful?" Clearly he had not caught her literally red-handed in that. He had seen her with another man, and while going against their promise, was not reason for a divorce. But he had taken the right steps, attempted to work things out.
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 23, 2023 23:25:49 GMT -5
Castiel's mouth twitched. "She did. And then she attempted to tell me that she still loved me. I cannot believe someone who loves another would be content to drag their name through the mud. I have become a laughingstock because of this."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "And I'm my own anger I accidentally burned down my own home."
This is why love was a waste of time. She had felt love and it was ripped from her, as was the way of the world. Marriage only ended in death or divorce, and she pitied the man for having to go through the latter. There was a different kind of sympathy you got for a broken marriage than death. And speaking not to any emotions, death was an easier way out.
But it seemed as though Marquis Andino had been more than slightly emotional compared to the stoic man before her. "Burned down your home? Was anyone injured in this emotional outburst?"
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 23, 2023 23:36:17 GMT -5
Castiel shook his head. "I told them to get out, and she took the children and fled. I threw a bottle of alcohol into the fireplace in anger, as I would never take my anger out on a woman. It didn't take long for the building to be consumed."
"Good good, that would have changed things. Was the house something you bought? And speaking on finances, I assume all your money pooled?" It was the norm but Mara wasn't leaving any stone unturned.
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 24, 2023 14:44:14 GMT -5
Castiel shook his head. "I purchased the land, but I built the house myself over the last four years. It's a shame to see it gone so quickly. As for our finances, I have always kept mine separate, for personal reasons." The reason being he didn't trust anyone with his money except perhaps Simon. That, and from the start, he and Annabeth were not supposed to remain a couple. How could he have been so foolish?
Mara raised her eyebrow. Separate finances. It was not conventional for Loren, but she wasn't about to judge. She just needed to know why. "Personal reasons? Full transparency here, why have they been kept separate? Have you had doubts about the marriage from the start?" She'd heard of keeping a small sum for a rainy day, but it was interesting.
Post by Castiel Andino on Mar 24, 2023 15:29:18 GMT -5
Castiel sighed. "Let's just say it was an arranged marriage from the start and leave it at that. I never considered combining our assets even as time passed."
Many marriages were arranged, but Mara was done pushing the subject. She had her answer whether he would say it out loud or not. Their marriage had been rough from the start, which meant there had been plenty of time where they both tried to work on it. That meant a lot in the grand scheme of things.