The Diary of Verity, Viscountess of Seawatch
Volume I
This volume contains stories of the early years of Verity Touraine, then the Viscountess of Seawatch. It primarily contains early details of her life in the Komaran court, but there are hints of the direction her life will ultimately take.
Possession of this tome is worth **** Research Point per session. If delivered to the Church, this tome is worth **** Church Prestige Point.
The following note is written in newer ink on the front page of the diary, as though it was added at a later date than the majority of the text.
Hear me, oh seeker into forbidden lore!
My name is Verity Touraine, and in life I was known as the
Duchess of Touraine.
I sacrificed my life to the pursuit of knowledge, out of belief
that truth is a virtue, and wisdom an honorable aspiration.
History will decide if I was a monster or a hero, but the truths I
discover will survive me. These texts contain all that I learned
during my life.
Read them and follow me in my journey through light and
darkness.
...
It is my sixteenth birthday, and my mother has given me this book to act as a diary of my life. I believe I will use it to keep a record of my romantic adventures at court. The year is the ninety-third of Paraceln's Ascension, and I have been presented to Crown Prince Phillipe Komaru, Regent of All Komaru. At my party, Martin Komaru presented me with a Touraine rose. I can tell that he is deeply in love with me, but I find him unspeakably boring. The dashing Leandre Sone is far more to my taste, with his secret smiles and beautiful sea-green eyes. Last night, I dreamt that Leandre came to my balcony and...
...
I feel as though my life has become a glorious dream. During the ball, Leandre asked me to dance with him! His grace made my heart pound, and I nearly swooned into his arms. Afterwards, Rei Kodacha and I stayed up late with a stolen bottle of daddy's finest brandy and talked about the ball...
...
Leandre came to visit daddy today, and they discussed many things. I listened from up on the balcony, but I did not understand what they spoke of, with their astrology and talk of the smelly Gitany. Leandre gave daddy a book, though, and I think I may sneak a look at it to see what my beloved Leandre is so intrigued by.
...
Leandre came today while daddy was out. I know it is not proper, but I invited him in anyway, and offered him hospitality. At first, I was timid, and my heart beat such that I was certain Leandre must be deafened by it. But kind, gentle Leandre spoke of many things to put me at my ease, and through his grace he put me at ease. At last, hours later, he made to depart, but swore to me that he would return on the morrow! Am I not the most favored of women?
...
Leandre came again today, and as he left, he kissed me! I could have drowned in his lips, so strongly did I feel his love in them. The ocean itself could not pull me to death as fiercely as my love pulls me to him!
...
Tonight, all of my dreams came true. As I brushed my hair and prepared to retire to bed I heard his voice outside my window. I told him his presence was unseemly, but he swore that he had to see me, to touch me, to hold me. He ascended to my balcony as though he bore wings. At first, I was afraid, but the sight of his beauty overwhelmed me, and his tender caresses drove my fear away. Oh, how I wish that I could tell Rei or Chastity that I am truly a woman now! My dear Leandre lay by me all of the night, and though he left before I rose in the morning, I knew that his presence had been more than a divine dream. We are destined for each other.
...
A month has passed since Leandre Sone came to my bed, and I will never see him again.
Father returned the next day, and something drove him into a foul mood almost immediately. Ten days after that, my cycle failed to come. I was so afraid that I told Nelly, and she told daddy. Daddy cursed Leandre Sone's name, swearing that he had stolen daddy's two most precious things. Mommy intervened before daddy challenged Leandre to a duel, and swore that she would see the matter dealt with. Eight days later, the Church discovered that Leandre Sone possessed works containing the most blasphemous of secrets. Mommy made me stand in the front when he was draw and quartered. My dress is stained with his blood. I couldn't stop crying. After everything, I still loved him.
...
My heart has died. Mommy has declared that I will be sent to Touraine Castle with only a few servants. In court, she has claimed that I have chosen to retire to a life of contemplation, but only daddy and I know the truth. I am to be sent there to bear my child in secret. When I do, my last tie to Leandre will be taken from me to be raised by the Sone. I will never again see Rei, or hear Chastity's silver laughter as she discusses her latest conquest. The royal court will be closed to me, and I will never again see everything I know.
I swear I will never love again.