In Paris 1723

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I paused, standing in front of my dresser and opening my jewelry box, looking down at it for a second before running my hand carefully over the multitude of glittering necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that had been so carefully placed inside. 

With some mindless care, I picked up one of my most elegant and expensive necklaces and placed it on my neck, clasping it closed. The cold metal made me shiver slightly as it fell against my skin.

I took a second, staring at myself in the mirror before continuing to get ready, adding a few rings to my long thin fingers, which I inherited from my mother.

She had always been a beautiful woman, born into a rich and well-known noble family in England before her parents moved to Paris. Soon after, she met my father, and the two married, originally it had been not out of love, but rather a mutual agreement that it would help to cement a strong and rich connection between the two families. It was a few years after they had married that they actually fell in love.

My older brother, Sébastien, was born first, much to the delight of both families, they had gotten their male heir, the male that would carry on the Foix name. After only a few weeks of life, however, he died suddenly. No one really knows what happened, some say it was a curse that was put on our family, while others have dismissed it and just believe he wasn't as strong as he needed to be. It tore my mother apart, driving to her leave Paris for a few months to try and grieve the loss of her child without having to hear the nasty gossip. Eventually, though, she came back and had me.

When I was born it was another welcomed surprise, a few had hoped that I would have been a boy, but my mother was just happy to have another child in her life. I was the apple of her eye, always dressed up in the finest clothes, my beautiful dark brown hair always perfectly styled, not a strand out of place. As I grew up, I had only gotten more beautiful, taking after my mother in looks and my father in height, standing only a few inches shorter than him.

As I got older, I was quickly thrown into the world of nobility, rising in the ranks of popularity, much to my mother's joy. My name brought whispers through the crowds of any party I attended, which was quite a few, all at my mother's insistence. I had never been a big party person, not seeing the point in dressing up, and forcing smiles and polite chatter, only to have people talk about you behind your back the next day.

The world of nobility, while filled with glittering jewels and pretty parties, was just a game of survival. One where you used anyone and everyone that you could to propel yourself to the top.

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I don't remember leaving my house, but somehow I had ended up in front of the Beauchamp Manor. The sound of laughing and lively chatter echoed from the open doors, while the sounds of carriage wheels stopping and starting reverberated from behind me.

"Geneviève!" someone squealed behind me, I blinked a few times before turning around, plastering on a beaming smile.

Eléonore quickly walked up to me, her own jewels glittering on her body. She quickly gave me a hug, kissing my cheeks before smiling at me. "Comment avez-vous été? Vous avez l'air absolument magnifique!" [How have you been? You look absolutely gorgeous!]

I smiled and quickly kissed her cheeks in greeting, "J'ai été bien, merci. Tu es magnifique aussi. Prêt à entrer?" [I've been good, thank you. You look gorgeous as well. Ready to go in?]