Victoria wandered about with only half her hair in her wire net, while the other half was draped long and curly down her back, to her waist. Her plain, simple red gown put more color on her cheeks than she had hoped. She walked slowly into the mirror room, trying not to glance at herself in every mirror she passed. She noted a few other courtiers in the room, but she would not bother with them. She had been in the room so many times before, but she still always had the same problem about trying to avoid looking as if she were self centered, and needed to know every inch of detail about herself.

She found her favorire mirror, the silver framed one with a bench in front of it. She gracefully sat down, her eyes thoughtful. Her mind was on her late Aunt Esabell, her own deceased parents, and a friend who had joined them away from the Earth. Playing with a curl over her shoulder, she began to sing to her reflection. The song was one that her governess had taught her, one that she could sing to remind her of loved ones who have passed, so the heart ache might lessen some. It was sad, and happy, at the same time. It was a song that often made Victoria's fears slip into nothingness. Her voice slowly grew louder as she sang, but she did not care who heard her.

Her voice was one that the Roseworth Manor had come to know. The mirror room was only one of the many areas that had heard her sweet voice. The halls, the garden, the green, the stables, and even the kitchen had heard her, just to name a few. Today would be no different. She would sing until some one stopped her, or until her song ran out, and she grew hourse from singing for too long.

It had been one of those days. A day that just seemed to drag on and on. It hadn't even been that late and he felt like it had already been a days work put in by him. The whole new position as Warlord was a new twist to his life that he took on with pride. Yet it still took a lot of work and he was just getting the first tastes of it. The load has been bigger then he expected, but getting used to it wouldn't take to long. His worst fear in taking the position had been the possibility of him failing. Such as the Pemberton getting attacked and hundreds of people dying. It would have been his fault, all his fault. Over the last few nights he had gotten small little flashes of dreams of this terrible fear coming alive right in front of his eyes.

Sleeping had not been a joy for him lately. Staying late up into the night looking over things and sleeping restless all night long. It could easily be seen around his eyes as he had black lines beneath his eyes. It was one thing if it was just one night, but it had been several now and he just had to go out and do something.

Making his way to the manor he took in the fresh air taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds at a time and then exhaling again. He did this until he had made it into the manor. What his plan had been was to talk to the Duke about some of his responsibilities and that he would like to meet much of the guard over the next few days. They were some pretty simple things to talk about, but he really just needed to get away. His one tract mind suddenly switched to a different airwave though when he heard a muffled sound coming through the manor. He was partly intrigued, but at the same time questioning what kind of person would be singing this loud. Caring must be at the bottom of their list. As he continued to follow the sound he made his way into a huge room that had banners of landscapes, battles, and the mirrors. Oh the mirrors, they were just everywhere. He felt slightly tense to continue in as he would surely see his worn out figure on the mirrors all around. He looked around looking for the voice and it was female for sure. As he scanned the crowd in the mirror room he looked for a lady with her lips moving and didn't see one. Til he set eyes on a lady sitting on bench with her face facing away so he wouldn't be able to see.

Now that he was closer it was a very pleasant voice to listen to. It was.. calming. He just listened for a moment before moving into the room and saying something. Her bun was half in and half out and everything about her just showed calm and a non chalant feel. After a few moments he made his way over to the bench ignoring any other lords and ladies that might have been looking over. As he made his way up behind her a few feet she probably could see him through the mirror and from his footsteps. They weren't exactly the quietest sound out there.

Victoria heard footsteps behind her, and looked more up into the mirror. A man was coming her way. She was pretty sure she knew who he was. She had seen him a few times after his meetings with her uncle, or at other Pemberton events. She did not remember them ever being properly introduced. Well, now was as good a time as ever.

She sang more into her song, her voice coming down in volume again, realizing if she sang any louder they would be able to hear her throughout the whole Roseworth grounds. She did not think that people would really mind, most enjoyed her singing, but not expecting to hear it, it might not be as appreciated. Watching the Warlord in the mirror, she wondered his reason for approaching her. Surely her singing was not the only one. She would find out soon enough, however.

Victoria noted on how the man looked exahuasted. Though, his presence did not stop her song. She would finish it before she spoke to him. Surely if he wanted her attention enough he could wait. She was almost done with her song, and there was no point in ending it early, just to talk with a man she was not sure if she wanted to meet. He was in charge of Pemberton's military, and Victoria was a girl who did not like the idea of war, fighting, or any thing related. She did not know how they would get along.

Once her song finished, Victoria looked at the man, through the mirror. She then stood and turned to greet him. "You are Warlord Samuel Godfrey if I am not mistaken. Lady Victoria Carstairs." She gave him a slight curtsy, then eased out of it and looked back up at him. "You came looking determined, is there something I can help you with, mi'lord?" she asked sincerely. Waiting for his response, she looked at how he appeared to be slightly troubled by something.

As she curtsied he put his hand up trying to let her know that it really wasn't needed. The last thing that he wanted right now was more people knowing of him. Yet he could see that word spread quickly around. When she had turned around he got a good glance at her and it just seemed to ring a bell and when she said her name it all just fit. The duke had mentioned her name before when they had talked with each other. I bet there were a few stories that the duke had about her.

When she finished speaking he made a small smile. "Aye, beautiful singing...soothing." It was rather true and it had lightened his burden slightly about what he was just going to ask the duke about. She had lived under the royal life for probably quite a while and why not her if any to ask a few questions about it? He stood there for a moment looking around the room looking at the mirrors that showed a part of him and looked back towards her. Putting his friends in front of him and rubbing together looking down at them and then back up at her. He asked in a fast pace, "Does the jitters, nerves, and just plain old fear ever end?" It just kind of popped out of his mouth as he looked back up his eyes not as open as before. He was really curious to see what she would say.

It looked as though she was so relaxed. She looked almost the exact opposite of him. He was as tense as a rock and it had been killing him the last week or so. He just hoped that no other people were listening into what he was saying. Having people here that there Warlord was having issues wasn't exactly the first thing that they would want to here. If he was them he sure as hell wouldn't want that.

Victoria smiled as the man waved off her curtsy. She liked being less formal most of the time, so it was a relief that a man like him did not care much for the formalities that made life long. She blushed a little when he spoke of her singing, though she was not sure if that was the real answer to her question. Certainly he did not come with such determination just because she had been singing. But, she would take it as a compliment, and not try to ask him more into the truth. Surely it would come out in conversation any way. So, she responded with a simple, "thank you."

His next words were quick, so much so that she almost missed what he said. She stood there, thoughtful for a moment. She took a seat on the bench, and motioned for him to sit with her. "Please.} She analyzed the words in her head, and thought of how to reply. First, she needed more information on the situation. "It all depends on you are nervous about, I suppose. Lord Godfrey, you are going to have to give me some details if you want any sort of helpful answer from me." she spoke rather diplomatically. She stopped herself there, not knowing how else to help him, and not wanting to sound like she was a know it all.

He was a member of the ranks of Pemberton, an essential part of the duchy. She wanted to help him in any way she knew how. If having a simple conversation to calm a few fears was all it took, then she would be glad to help. It was the least she could do. After all he was a friend of her uncle's right? She did not want to give them any of the wrong ideas about her. She was counting on Edmund and Parliament to keep her out of trouble, should it arrive, when her aunt tries to marry her off to some rich power hunter.