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!
Occasionally Meiying's work took her out into the busy city streets of Skia. The Hand of the King's counselor had to be up to date not only on political affairs, but internal Nevermeran affairs as well. Giving sound advice that would effect the people of Nevermere would be hard if she didn't know them, and while she rarely stopped to speak to any single citizen outside of specific interactions (making purchases, scheduling meetings, etc), she did like to wander around and listen.
Listening was the best thing she could do: Kennet had taught her that. When people didn't know who you were, and didn't think you were there to question them, they would be more open about how they felt. Meiying might have been a high ranking noble all of her life, but she was rarely in the public eye. Only those at the palace would recognize her, or occasionally those who were in the military while she served. It easy for her to slip through the crowds as just another noble lady, ignored though she opened her ears to their whispers.
After a few hours, she'd more or less gotten what she came for and decided to head back to the castle. She could stop by somewhere for a quick glass of tea on the way, and then hop right back into work. That was her plan, anyway, until she saw a familiar face in the crowd. At first she didn't even recognize him, but the way he towered over the civilians made it hard to deny who he was.
Moving through the crowd with the grace of a noble lady and the determination of a soldier, she caught up to him fairly quickly and reached for his arm to get his attention. "Alden, are you on your way back to the castle as well? Shall I walk with you?" She asked, smiling. Meiying had been friends with his older sister for years, but even though she worked near the king and he was a royal guard, she didn't see the man often.
Alden loved his new job. It was so much better than being a regular soldier, and he didn't have to get shipped off en mass to Coheed and Cambria. Which while he wanted to travel, that didn't seem like a good thing. He wasn't well versed in strategy yet, but that seemed like some kind of strategic move for Nevermere. Not that he entirely cared since it didn't pertain to him. But he figured protecting the important figures of Nevermere would be the a much safer place then a battlefield.
So he was on his way to work with a pep in his step when a familiar voice broke through. Meiying, his older sister's extremely attractive and smart friend. Far too smart for him. Shame. But he also had a lot of respect for the woman, she had made quite the name for herself, something to aspire too for sure. It was nice to have role models for what a proper courtier could be.
"Meiying, what a pleasant surprise. We shall definetely walk together, it would be incredibly rude of me to not accompany such a fine lady like yourself." Smiling, Alden also genuinely enjoyed her company. Maybe it was because she reminded her of Allinore, but far more interesting.
She smiled and nodded when he agreed to walk with her, wrapping her arm with his and continuing down the path. She could have tea once they arrived. She didn't want to slow him down if he was on his way to work, which appeared to be so, and tea made at the castle was just as good as any that could be found in Skia. "Do you flatter every lady in such a way, Alden, or just me?" She asked, using her free hand to tuck her hair back behind her ears.
As always, she felt incredibly small compared to him. Though he was on the thinner side for a member of the military, or guards, he was still very tall. Mei might have been an inch or so above average height for women of Nevermere, and she was over ten years the young mans senior, but he made her feel child-like in comparison.
"I was just speaking with your sister about you not long ago. She told me you were doing well, but I'm glad to see it with my own eyes. So, tell me, how do you feel about your role as royal guard? Enjoying it, I hope? Perhaps we'll see more of each other now that so much of our military has shipped out to Coheed and Cambria."
"Only those as deserving as you are of course." It was such a shame he wasn't the older sibling, but alas, he would always be the Alinore's little brother. Pity, so all he would be able to do was give out her due flattery, good practice he supposed. And also a good lesson in not always getting what you wanted. A lesson that didn't really get through Alden's thick skull most of the time.
It was no surprise that Alinore was boasting about him. She was such a good sister in that way, even if she didn't show it in the typical family manner. "She was bragging about me? Are you sure we are talking about the same Alinore?" Laughing it almost brought a happy tear to his eye, his big sister proud of his new position. She never would have said so to him, so thank goodness for Meiying.
"I do enjoy the change so far though. Maybe I'll even have the chance to guard you sometime." She was the counselor of the hand after all. That was something to guard for sure.
"Those as deserving as I?" She repeated, dark brows lifted. "Who else, besides your sister of course, might be as deserving? I'd like to put them back firmly in their place." In court politics Meiying often found that she had to measure the perfect balance of confidence and modesty and there was nothing wrong with such modesty. Yet it could not be denied that Meiying was the only daughter of one of the most well respected families in the kingdom and she rarely got the recognition she deserved.
With Alinore and Alden, she could express those feelings openly, if only because they were often in the same boat as she. It was bad enough that Aldrich Abbott, a lower noble and lower rank officer, would court her once and then neglect to follow up but she hardly minded leaving behind the prospect of marrying him.
Her free hand roamed over to tap gently against his arm, scolding him in a way. "Come now, is it so surprising that your sister would speak well of you? I believe she's very proud, though..." she glanced up at him and scrunched her nose up. "I might not repeat those very words back to her, lest her own pride convince her to deny them." A light laugh had her eyes brightening, and her other hand remained on his arm. They both knew his sister well enough, but Mei was sure that regardless of how she acted, she had to be proud of her brother turning from the sickly boy into the royal guardsman.
"Guard me? Hm," she seemed to give it some thought but her expression wouldn't betray what she thought of it at first. "Perhaps so, though I feel it's unnecessary. I may have left the military some time ago, but my magic is as strong as ever, I assure you. Aside from that, I remain in the background. No eyes fall upon me that would not first aim for the King, the Hand, even the Captain Commander or the Ministers." She sighed. "I suppose since the King's children remain more often than not in Loren with the Queen, you only have the king himself to guard? Do you find yourself bored?"
"If every woman in Nevermere had to be compared to you and my sister they would pale in comparison every time." It really wouldn't be fair, nor would he ever have any fun. Someday he'd marry someone as amazing and sophisticated at Meiying, but for now it was just a lofty dream of a younger brother.
Laughing, Alden shook his head with a smile. His sister would probably sooner admit a flaw then that she loved him. But she just showed it in other ways. Rolling her eyes at him, talking about her headaches, but there were still some sentimental things. Like the Arynn Frey painting, now that was a gift of someone who cared. "I am truly lucky to have such a good older sister. She replied to all my letters when she was away. Alinore, well you know." She was caring in her own way, and that was good enough for Alden every time.
"Well I'll be here even if these mystery assassins can't see how important you are to keep Nevermere running." And although he did agree that the job had been generally boring so far, that was just fine with him. Work didn't have to be interesting all the time, especially when you were just starting. "Not yet. Still learning everything so there has been enough to keep plenty busy."
She shimmied, dramatically straightening her back and fixing her posture as if preening under his compliments. She lifted her chin until it was almost to the sky and shook her head out. "Yes, that is very true. Thank you for your genuine admittance of our excellence," she laughed, very much at herself, and this time allowed her hair to keep her ears covered. She did reach for it, though, grabbing the ends and touching them as if to tug them downward.
"Yes, I know," she said with a nod and a smile. Although they had been friends for years, they'd grown closer over the last season since Alinore had returned from Arynn Frey. They had written occasionally, but as her brother seemed to acknowledge, Alinore was not one to speak openly about anything too personal. The two had grown closer more recently, though, and Meiying was glad for it. She'd needed a friend to express herself to more openly, even if Alinore wouldn't always return the favor.
She seemed to be breaking the younger noblewoman down, little by little. Getting her to open up just a little, here and there. It was nice, though it seemed like Alden hadn't quite gotten there with her yet. Mei wasn't surprised. She didn't share many very personal things with her own brothers. "But I'm glad to hear you kept in touch while she was away. I'm glad we have her back. Your family contributes far too much to have any of you in another kingdom."
His comment about her importance left her playfully rolling her eyes. It was a blessing, really, not to be in such an open spotlight that people might target you. Yet it did occasionally leave her feeling unseen and underutilized. "I'm glad they're keeping you busy, then. Busy hands and idle minds have knitted many a sweater, but busy minds and idle hands have knitted many a brow." She frowned, looking up at him now, dejected. "Stars above, I'm quoting my mother. Have I really gotten so old?"
Her free hand tugged at her hair once more, before returning to the top of his arm. "Tell me something to take my mind away from such thoughts, will you?"
Alden would sing Meiying's praise to the end of Terra Nova and back, even if it fell on deaf ears. Such was the fate of being the younger brother. No matter the compliment he hoisted up, it would always just be Alinore's little brother being a nice and polite kid. But he wouldn't stop, especially since anyone who was friends with his sister must be a better woman then most. Girl was picky. "If anyone dares say otherwise may they fall on their sword for the lies." Laughing he smiled, considering the matter settled.
"I visited her office last week, it is so nice to have her so close again, and now that I work at the palace it's even better. I can visit you too of course Alinore comes first though, family and all." She had been so happy for the two of them to have tea together, it had really been nice. Munching on some biscuits while she sipped her tea.
Despite the fact that Meiying was right and that the words sounded like something his mother might say as well, he certainly was going to object to the old comment. Goodness if only half the women looked like her at her "old" age. "Old? Nonsense, you don't look a day over twenty-five, you are just wise as to be expected." You could say wise things and be young at heart, alas, she was kind of right. She was old, too old for Alden, sad.
"Well certainly Meiying, what tales shall I regale you with? My new job or the latest suitor to cloud the Thornhill doors?"
"It truly is a blessing to have her home," Meiying agreed, though she was surprised to hear that Alinore had let her brother spend a prolonged period of time in her office. If only she'd been a fly on the wall that day. Although Mei had no doubt that Alinore valued her family as much as she should, the woman was very serious about her work and Alden...well, he could be a little too playful at times. At least by Alinore's standards. Those standards weren't hard to meet, though. Alinore was always 'on'. "And you, of course, are welcome to stop by my office any time you have the opportunity. I welcome a break from the paperwork."
A flat expression covered her features when Alden told her she didn't look a day over twenty-five. Although that was nearing ten years younger than her actual age, twenty-five was still well over the age in which most noblewomen got married. She was among the rare few who had put her work first. Even though Kennet was unwed, she was a widow, and no one would think twice if she didn't get married again. Mei and Alinore, though, would begin to be looked down upon as undesirable if they didn't find someone. "You're so very kind," she spoke, tone as flat as her expression, but it was obviously playful and she smiled quickly after.
"Well, you said you were still in training so I cannot imagine there is much to tell yet. Why not speak to me of your suitors? What young, beautiful, noble ladies have been pining for the youngest Thornhill, hm?"
Alden smiled, his sister never fond of interruptions, it would be good to have someone glad to see him whenever he popped in. Alinore was just too serious about her work sometimes, and he could understand that. To a certain extent of course, he wasn't sure he could ever be so committed to paperwork and politics as his sister. "Well I shall endeavor to see you around more then, my sister often mentions I need good influences in my life." And apparently pointing out that his friend Greggy could put his fist in his mouth didn't count as a good influence.
Looking at Meiying he had noticed her change in tone and knew he had said something foolish. It wasn't all that surprising, he had his manners of course but sometimes the wrong thing still slipped out. All in good intentions of course, but it made him duck his head, and he didn't dare to comment on it any further.
"The youngest Haverill has just finished mandatory, so dear father has decided she would be perfect seeing as she has no plans to continue in the military. Alinore is looking into her though, she thinks there's something wrong with the girl and I can't help but disagree." She also was nothing special to look at, and he had no plans on being linked to such a thing his whole life.
"That would be very kind of you, Alden, and I will do my best to influence you into the proper direction, of course," a more devious grin painted her lips for a moment, as if she thought of turning him astray on the wrong path simply to taunt his sister. But alas, they likely both knew that would never happen. Meiying was far too straight and narrow for any of that.
Moving on to Alden's love-life was much simpler. He was still young, as a newly appointed Royal Guardsmen, noble ladies from many families would be throwing themselves at him. He had everything going for him, and any pick of the woman he wanted. So she nodded once, clearly assessing the woman he spoke of. "The Haverill family is certainly well known for their loyalty to the Kingdom and their intelligence. It seems a...fine match," she said, though her hesitance was clear. "I'm sure if there is anything of note worth preventing the match, though, Alinore will find it." And she would find something, because as good a family as they were, the Haverill's were just not quite on the Thornhill's level. Alinore may have been struggling with her own marriage, but she wouldn't allow her brother to marry just anyone.
"But I don't want to hear of the prospects your father has set forth for you. Come now, Alden, do you have your eyes on no one?" What their parents wanted, or would accept, in terms of marriage would rarely coincidence with what they wanted. She couldn't imagine it would be any different for Alden than it had been so far for Alinore and herself.
Alden didn't notice the devious grin or he might have flushed a little. Instead he figured she was just being the proper lady, willing to help him. She was like his sister in that all things fun were for others, although she was more prone to laughter and jokes then his sister. So he would gladly show up for guidance, especially since it meant he would get to see her more than usual. At least his sister would approve of him spending time with one woman.
"Fine just about sums it up." His father was getting desperate in his old age, and so despite Alden barely being of the age many noble men married, he was going to have to potentially. Unless of course Alinore decided to stop being so picky, which he really didn't see happening, and he couldn't blame her. Some of the ideas were truly dreadful. But the truth would come out, and Alinore was good at brining it out in the best way possible.
Alden's eyes drifted to Meiying as she asked about who he fancied. You.
It would have been easy to say but complicated to deal with, even if he had laughed it off as a joke. Meiying was the ideal that he compared others to, and it made it hard to ever find anyone worth his time. Sure there were those he toyed with and some he had briefly considered only to be disappointed, but his older sisters friend had his eyes. "Alas, I haven't laid eyes on the one for me yet. Perhaps my role models have given me too high of standards."
A laugh, tempered only by their still being in the public eye, bubbled up from her chest. Alden's admiration of his sister couldn't be helped. She was one of the loveliest, most intelligent, and graceful women that Meiying had ever met. She surrounded herself with only the best company (because she really couldn't stand anything else), and held those around her to high standards. It tended to push people, to make them want to be better. It had certainly helped Meiying in her transition from military dog to lady of the courts.
"It's no surprise that your standards would be so high," Meiying said, once more reaching over to pat his arm, and then squeezed it lightly, to comfort him. "And I can certainly empathize with your struggle. Recently I began courting a Lieutenant of lower nobility, Aldrich Abbott. We went out once before he broke off the courtship," she sighed. "Father told me later that he'd only allowed the courtship in the first place because he thought that if I courted the lieutenant for a short period and then rejected him, it would make me seem more desirable to other noblemen. I suppose that backfired on him, didn't it?"
Through work Meiying had to keep track of all noble families, and mentally she began to flip through the stacks of parchment paper notes, dragging out the memories of each of the higher status families and their children. "You should not be experiencing the same problems as @alinore and I at your age, though. I may be able to give your sister some suggestions. Do you know the Atwoods?"
Meiying had looked into them a bit after the Military Gala Ball. There was a group of people more effected by the events than others, and each and every one of them needed to be noted and an eye kept on them. She'd done a fair amount of research, especially on those who had families. "They're a respectable noble family. Elodie Atwood is their youngest daughter, a bit younger than you, I believe. It's my understanding that she's very bright, and a brilliant witch. I've seen her at court, she's quite beautiful. Perhaps you should seek her out. You will be expected," she paused, drawing his attention down to her and lifting a brow. "To treat her like a proper lady, of course, my dear Alden. But it could be worth looking into."
When Meiying started talking about a suitor, it took a lot to put on a brave face. It was no surprise that someone had realized how beautiful and smart she was, his thin and ridiculous hopes dashing against the rocks. He hated the name Aldrich Abbott right away, only realizing a split second later she was talking about All hat no cattle Abbott. The guy had always been a nuisance and now he could be an enemy. But to make matters change entirely, he had apparently turned her down?
He couldn't help but smile, quickly turning his cheek and composing his face. "He's an idiot." Honestly what an utter mooncalf to turn Meiying down. Probably couldn't handle a woman who had opinions or wouldn't put up with his bullshit. "He was a lothario, for the best I suppose, court gossip runs rampant these days."
For a man, Alden was quite young for nobility to marry, so he really was having less trouble then not wanting to. There were plenty of eligible bachelorettes but he was of the opinion that buying the cow was a hassle for now when he could get the milk for free. However if Meiying had suggestions he would listen like he always did to her. Even if it was about a future wife that wasn't his greatest fantasy.
"Of course Meiying, I always treat women with the respect they deserve." Some just didn't deserve a lot of respect. But one that was a lady and from a good family didn't fall into that category. "On your recommendation I will try." He recognized the name, although he wasn't sure why, hopefully nothing bad. She hopefully wasn't an idiot, looks were great but courting required actual conversation.
As they neared Rainecourt Castle gates, Meiying looked up at her escort with the slightest of smirks. A puff of humored air escaped and his encouraging words were the source. "You've always been so very kind, Alden," she said, that same humor still in her tone. "But I must agree that his decision was very short-sighted. My family could have done wonders for his career. I suppose ignorance is bliss, hm? The rumors really have been getting out of hand lately. I would have denied him based on that alone, but of course, it was not my decision."
As they got closer, she nodded her head respectfully to others who passed. People, be they soldiers, guards, or nobility, were always moving in and out of the castle. Security had gotten tighter since the incident at the ball, but everyone knew who they were and who they worked for. They weren't stopped, or so much as looked at except to be greeted, as they entered the grounds.
That he would take her recommendation, though, made her happy. She would mention it to Alinore as well, of course, but Alden had the privilege of having some say in who he ended up with. He should take advantage of it, and find the best woman for the role. Not settle for someone he didn't want. "Good, I'm glad you'll consider my suggestion, and if you find her acceptable and eventually marry her, I would expect my due compensation for setting you up. Of course." Her joke fell as they approached the entrance to the castle, at which time she released his arm if for no other reason than he had to open the door for her and allow her in first. Once they were inside again, though, she took his arm once more.
"Do you have time for tea, or must you get to work right away?" She glanced toward the window, considering the position in which the light flooded through as a casual reminder of the time. "Shift change is nearing, but I believe there is time for one cup. I won't keep you if you'd like to get some early training, in though. As you said, you'll have time to visit me more often in the future."