In His Warm Embrace

One should always move with grace.  One should always smile, be smart and be witty in conversations. Most of importantly, one should never resist his/her chosen destiny. This is what it takes to be a Dupont.  The whole country of Annandara knows the Dupont Family. The head of the family for generations have been the King's right hand man. Every male born to the family has been granted the title of a Viscount or Duke. Whereas every female has a chance of becoming a Princess through royal marriages.  Every Annandarans wishes to be a Dupont. Who doesn't? After all, being a part of the family means financial wealth and stability for generations to come. A huge surplus of food which will never make any man go hungry. Beautiful clothes and huge lands to build your own castles.  People would sing praises left and right at the Duponts for being not only kind, but also merciful. In the people's eyes, the Duponts were the epitome of perfection. The perfect family with a handsome father, warm and gentle mother, and beautiful children always. No one foresaw the Dupont's downfall at all. That is until the King and his children were killed by a traitor. The traitor Bernard, was the King's very own cousin. Old, fat and and stout. He walks with half a limp and laughs with a cackle. Bernard always had his eyes on the crown. He secretly felt that his cousin was a rather weak King. No strict policies were implemented and the people were far too relaxed. If he was King, he would make sure to work the people to their deaths. Raise the taxes so there would be even more gold in the reserves. Either ways that didn't matter now. He's officially King and the one thing to do is to marry a beautiful woman with an outstanding social class. His eyes thus fell into Evelyn Dupont. Calm, graceful, soft-spoken and not to mention, a body to die for. He could feel himself licking his lips at the sights of her walking around the garden. Her fair skin is a nice contrast against her striking ebony colored hair. Those off-shoulder gowns that are quite the in thing in fashion nowadays showcases her collarbone and cleavage. Set against a rather petite frame.  She was delicate - just his type. He can still mould her into the ideal bride. To listen to all his wishes and needs. To solely exist for his desires.  Ah yes, Evelyn Dupont would make a fine wife for him. Or so he thought.                                                                                   -------------- The Duponts, alongside everyone else in the country was in a somber mood. Their beloved King had fallen prey to his cousin and his head is now rotting in the stakes. Everyone knew what this meant - peace in their country is gone and has been replaced by a dark time.  No one knew what will happen next. This new King is unpredictable. A happy and joyous mood will make him generous. Aggravated, he will raise his hand to hit anyone within his radius or even worse, send them to prison.  The Duponts were able to be glorious due to the favor of the former King. Their close relationship may meant that they are enemies with this current one. Everyone knew that when the former King fell, the Duponts would be the first to fall alongside him.  This is now but a waiting game. The whole family is in a state of panic. Anxious, waiting for words from the new King to send them off to exile. Or worse, their graves.  Dinnertime came and the candle were lit. As they were about to drink their wines, they could hear a loud knock echoing through the empty castle.  A servant went out to check on their late night guest and soon came back with a pale face. He gulped and stuttered out the words "There is a command from the King". A hush fell through the table and Henry Dupont - the matriarch of the family rose from his seat to receive his orders.  "Henry Dupont and his family has served the throne for many generations and is now deemed to be a traitor as he sided with the former King. As of today, they will be stripped from their titles and lands. All shall return to the crown and they shall be put into prison until the next decision has been made."  Speechless and shocked, not a single person in the room could utter a word as guards marched into their warm dining table and broke the comfort of their home.