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UN: glassmidnight
Category: Duke and Duchess of Thealine, Ardelusian Empire
DH: Prince Prosper Rémy Augustin Cosme Delacroix, younger brother of the King, Duke of Thealine (24)
DW: Duchess Apolline Mélisande Madeleine [nee Gentille] Delacroix, Lady of Queen Juliette's Chamber, Duchess of Thealine (22)
DD: Princess Adélaïde Clotilde Mélisande Augustine Delacroix of Thealine (2)
DD: Princess Madeleine Oriane Constance Catherine Delacroix of Thealine (nb)

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Prince Propser and Duchess Apolline added another little princess to the royal house recently. Princess Madeleine is a vital baby girl with a wisp of black hair and blue eyes. She is as healthy as her elder sister was not, and though she is another girl-child, Prosper is happy to see that he can produce strong babes.

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Prosper returned from the Spice Islands not quite a year ago, bronzed and more vibrant than Apolline had ever seen him. He delighted to see his wife again and romanced her more than he had ever done. Apolline was immensely cheered by this and laughs more freely. The couple has become the lovers they never were and Apolline quickly fell enciente, that is, with child.

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Princess Adélaïde was fairly well when her father returned to Ardelus and seems to have warmed up to Prosper quickly, smiling warmly when she sees him and calling him "Papa." However, she has been ill during her mother's pregnancy and has been sequestered away from her parents for the safety of the new baby. She is a docile child, but pale and weak. When her father is not with her, she is often solemn and plays quietly on her, since for a great deal of her life, she has been isolated from her peers, especially from the Crown Prince, who after the first few days of her life, she has rarely seen.

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Prosper was glad to hear of rebellion in the rival empire and has spoken to his brother often about how to react, usually counseling caution.

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Apolline has warmed to the Queen again since Prosper's return and the births of their daughters. She had become distant and fretful, spending much of her time with her daughter's physicians as well as her own, or praying. Now she is happy and friendly, though still quieter than the other ladies. The whole of Queen Juliette's chamber remarked on the duchess' glow when her love affair with her husband began and during her pregnancy. She is falling in love with her witty, intelligent, and suddenly romantic husband, and hopes their love will remain strong so she can bear him many sons. She knows that though Prosper is the second son of the king, she will not be wholly safe until she bears a son.