The Scourge
Excerpts from the Scourge, following the Imperial weddings:
A cowardly attack of sorcery against the Emperor was thankfully foiled, and the guards swiftly apprehended the culprit, one Durand Grosner, who is reputed to be a member of the seditious sect of Levellers.
The Emperor and Empress remained until the conclusion of the celebrations, although the Empress seemed to flag as the evening went on, and was heard to complain of a headache. We can only hope that she recovered in due time for the more intimate celebrations.
The Maez family, though still in mourning for Mlle. Theodis Maez following her shocking and untimely death, made a fine showing at the celebrations for her brother's wedding. Prince Tymas appeared in good spirits, and he and the Princess-Imperial were barely separated for the duration of the ball, so great is their affection for one another. As the Prince is also a priest by vocation, it was most appropriate that all of his attendants were also members of the church.
The Prince-Imperial and his new Princess made a hasty and unannounced departure from the ball before the fireworks began. Although some might frown upon such indecorous behaviour, this reporter, sensitive to the violent paroxysms of young love, cannot blame them in the slightest.
The Duchess of Corcyra may be sporting some new jewels soon, having announced her engagement to M. Guillame Rionet, the son and heir of the Duchess of Coindelière.
The Duke and Duchess of Wray were accompanied by their sons Roderick and Anton, the latest young scion of the Talavera family to enter into society. Their daughter Laurine, however, was unfortunately too ill to attend the celebrations.
Princess-Imperial Katia Dyess was elegant as always, in her dark red brocade gown decorated with seed pearls.
The Lord Treasurer squired his country cousin Mlle. Dahlia Arrowood, but was seen to dance twice with Mlle. Zivia Rademacher, cousin to Princess Ilphère. M. Olivier later accompanied Mlle. Rademacher on a tour of the gardens. She was hastily called away, however, when her brother, M. Theron Rademacher, who has of late scandalized the nobility by bringing his (undeniably charming) demi-mondaine to high society events, fell violently ill toward the conclusion of the evening, perhaps due to an excess of drink. His brother M. Dominik Rademacher subdued him, and Mlle. Rademacher accompanied him home. The following day he was reportedly much recovered.
The Countess of Alarches, great-grandmother to Princess Ilphère, seemed to enjoy herself greatly at the celebrations, even going so far as to provide the younger courtiers with a demonstration of a few of the dances from Emperor Enzephir's day.
The Countess of Béziers is now seemingly accompanied at all times by Ser Danyel Rackley, of the Calydon Rackleys, as though his sword was stuck firmly in the hub of her Wheel. Their recent romantic getaway to Bonivent was well-documented in these pages, as are his regular stays at her home in the Grand. If such scandalous behaviour is sanctioned between members of the holy orders, surely the less sanctified among us cannot be blamed for our comportment. Meanwhile, the young M. de Béziers escorted Mlle. Genevea Deanda, daughter of the Count of Ilorin, with perfect dignity and elegance, despite his sister's lack of moral guidance.
Mlle. Cynthea of Gouge, the noted beauty, had no lack of partners for the ball, but did spurn an offer from Ser Royse Dyess, reportedly because she does not like his mustache. We wonder if the handsome Spokesman will shear himself on her account, or whether his love for his magnificent hair outweighs his affection for the young lady, who (our sources indicate) later departed from the ball for a private party at the Duke of Brissarthe's house.
The Count of Jura, whose romantic pursuit of Mlle. Marith Belden, daughter of the Lord Marshal, has been documented in these pages over the past decade or more, had some slight success at the Imperial wedding celebrations when the young lady consented to dance with him. Perhaps in another ten or twelve years, her resolve will have weakened far enough to grant him the liberty of a kiss.
Mme. Lozada-Boyne was unescorted, as her husband was reportedly laid low by sickness. She seemed in good spirits nevertheless, and was seen dancing with numerous gentlemen, including the Duke of Brissarthe, the Lord Marshal of the Spoke, and the Emperor himself.
Lord Grey's new protégé, Martan Olivier, cut a swath through the young ladies of House Wolf at the ball, but seemed particularly taken with Mlle. Lavinie Rademacher, whose abundant charms were most evident in her sleeveless gown of ruffled primrose yellow silk.
Mlle. Ysabeau Chanuier, the newest sensation of the opera and close personal friend of Princess Ilphère, composed a splendid dance in honour of the newly-wedded couples, the score for which is now available for purchase at Blagden's, in arrangements for soloists as well as chamber groups.
An exotic red-haired beauty was spotted on the arm of Castalia scholar M. Sanadhil Orecalo, late of Cozovodë. Her gown was quite remarkable, and none of the city's best modistes have been able to identify its origins. [attached illustration approximating Dozilva's dress]
