Romance RP

The chancellor smiled back at Matthew and replied,

"There is no need to thank me, sir. I'll do my best to help and hopefully get to something useful. I think you'll find Lady Penelope in the gardens. She said she'll be there after breakfast."

Matthew nodded and replied, "Thank you, sir.  I'll go to the gardens now.  I will see you later then."

He bowed respectfully to the chancellor and then left the room, heading downstairs and outside to the gardens to find Lady Penelope.

In the gardens, Lady Penelope was taking a walk around, getting some fresh air and peace of mind. Things with her daughter weren't any better and she couldn't help but worry and think things over.

Matthew looked around the gardens and found Lady Penelope walking by herself.  Approach her, she said,

"Good morning, my lady.  I apologize if I'm disturbing you."

Lady Penelope smiled happily as she saw Matthew and shaking her head, she said,

"Not at all, darling. Good morning. I am happy to see you. How are you doing?"

Matthew replied, "I'm all right.  I'm surprised to see you here alone, though."

He wondered where the shapeshifter was although he didn't ask the question.

Lady Penelope was confused for a moment but then understanding what Matthew meant, she smiled a little sadly and replied,

"Oh yeah, my daughter isn't here. She is in her room, I think. She's been keeping to herself lately but it's just like her, I guess. She isn't a very social person."

Matthew nodded and replied, "Yes, I suppose that's true.  Well, I'm glad it's just the two of us here.  I actually came here because I wanted to talk to you about something important but it had to be done privately, especially with the company we've had."

Lady Penelope wondered what matter Matthew wanted to talk about privately and looking concerned, she replied,

"What is the matter, darling? Did something happen between you and Lycoris? Is everything alright?"

Matthew replied, "Well, that is exactly what I wanted to talk about but we may have come up with an idea and I think you could help."

He then told Lady Penelope all that had happened between him and Lycoris and then his talk with the chancellor just before.  He left out the more private details but he explained things enough so that Lady Penelope could get the idea.

Lady Penelope listened carefully to all the details Matthew told her, and was a little surprised as she heard the first idea of sacrificing only the true Lycoris while leaving the other self untouched. She was even more surprised as she heard the second idea of getting Alex and Lycoris together behind Nerine's back.

After a few moments of silence to slowly comprehend all of this, she asked,

"So umm, which idea did you decide to pursue?"

Matthew replied, "We're going with both ideas.  The chancellor is currently looking into a spell that will separate both Lycoris' selves but ideally, it would be better to get Alex and Lycoris together.  I know Lycoris still has strong feelings for Alex and I'm sure he feels the same way, too.  If she can be saved this way and be happy, I'd do anything to make it happen."

Lady Penelope looked thoughtful but then a little sadness on her face, she replied,

"Well, that is a solution although I can't say it will be easy. Nerine's presence won't make things simple but we can definitely try. Umm but what about you, darling? Why can't this plan be getting you with Lycoris instead? It would be a lot simpler and I can see how much you care about her."

Matthew sighed sadly and replied, "That's how I wish things would be but Lycoris has made it clear to me that her heart still belongs to Alex.  I can't force her to change it and it wouldn't be right of me to do so.  So I'll do what I can to get her and Alex together and save her, even if that means I'll never get to be with her."

Although Lady Penelope felt sorry for Matthew and touched by his words and actions for Lycoris, there was nothing she could say or do. She sighed and replied, 

"If you say so, darling. So how do you plan to do this? Are we going to tell Lycoris and Alex about it, or will we act secretly without telling them anything? I would prefer the latter, honestly. They might refuse to cooperate. Lycoris definitely won't want to resort to such an option to avoid clashing with Nerine and Alex will think the same."

Matthew looked thoughtful and replied, "Well, I was going to tell them but you're right.  They may not be willing to cooperate if they know what's going on.  So how would we do this without telling them?"

(I'm going to bed soon so I'll get off for the night now but I'll post again in the morning before I go to work and all.  Nite, nite, Love.  ^^)

(Nite, nite, phoenix. ^^)

Lady Penelope looked thoughtful then changing her mind, she replied,

"Well, we might need to tell Alex. I think if we convince him that this is the only way to save Lycoris' life, he won't refuse. He wants to save her as much, I believe. Let me talk to him."

She paused then continued, "Then umm, if we can somehow get Nerine to spend time away from Alex for a while and Alex and Lycoris have some time to themselves, this may rekindle their feelings again? So when it's time for the sacrifice, that miracle can take place? Am I making sense?"

She looked thoughtful, wondering if it was possible to pull this out correctly.

Matthew nodded and replied, "Yes, that could work indeed.  Hmm, the only tricky part is getting Nerine away from Alex for a while.  I kind of have an idea although I would have to ask a favor from Helena for it to work."

Lady Penelope asked curiously, 

"So you have an idea, my dear? That would be great. It would be the hardest part of the plan solved. Then I can talk with Alex and tell him about all of this. He'll take care of the rest, I think. We just need to distract Nerine away. So what do you have in mind, darling?"

(Back now from work.  ^^)

Matthew replied, "I was thinking of asking for Helena's help.  She could come up with an excuse that she wants to know Nerine better and that the two of them could spend some girl time together.  Helena is a dressmaker so she could come up with a disguise for Nerine to spend time in town.  I'm sure Helena would be willing to help if I asked her."

(Welcome back. ^^ I'll be here for a bit till I have to head to work and all so I'll try to post as much as I can until then. XD)

Lady Penelope liked the idea and nodding in approval, she said, 

"Now that could work and Nerine wouldn't suspect anything. Ok, so how about you contact Helena and let her know about this? And I will talk to Alex. Then I think we would have everything taken care of, right?"

(Ok.  ^^)

Matthew nodded and replied, "Sure, that works for me.  I'll head into town now and go to Helena's shop.  If anyone asks for me, just tell them that I went into town to take care of a couple of errands but that I should be back soon.

Oh when are we going to implement the plan?  Today?  Tomorrow?"

Lady Penelope looked thoughtful and replied, "Well, check with Helena. We don't know when she will be free to go out with Nerine and all. If she's free today, then that's fine or if she's free tomorrow, that's fine too. Let her decide according to her schedule and all."

Matthew nodded and replied, "Sure, sounds good to me.  I'll get going now then.  I hope we'll be able to save Lycoris through that miracle and save the devils' world, too."

Lady Penelope smiled a bit and replied, "Me too, darling. I'll look for Alex meanwhile and talk to him. Contact me when you come back and let me know what you came to, ok? Please excuse me."

She bowed to Matthew and then headed to the mansion, wondering where to search for Alex.