(no subject)

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ the weeks seemed to drag by so slowly for him whilst robert were away, having little-to-no interest in the happenings around him throughout the duration of the other boy's leave. more often than not he would be seated by his window, gaze locked on the path that robert would surely return on. it was there that he stayed for most of his days, leaving it only to eat, bathe, or when his mother summoned him. regardless he would put on a smile for those around him, as if nothing was amiss and would say that his brother would surely return soon, that he would be gone for only a short while.

that short while turned into weeks. months. far longer than robert had ever been gone before. on his bad days he wondered if his brother had grown tired of his position (of their situation) and thus would not return for good, but those thoughts were always shadowed by the hope and faith he had in his prince. surely the day of his return would come.

opens his eyes slowly when the sound of music reaches his ears again, lifting his gaze back up towards the crowd of dancing people before him. after some time of simply gazing he sits up straighter in his chair, the one that is forever to his mother's right. does not look at her as she speaks to someone, his curiosity nonexistent. instead he raises his glass and slips at the liquid inside, going back to his silent thinking (of robert, of other things that had been on his mind for quite some while) as a somewhat glazed look overcomes his features once more. ]

Comments

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ sighs a little. ]

That I will agree to. He really must learn to be a better sport...

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Give him a few decades. Men take much time to ease into their maturity.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

Oh? Are you an expert on matters such as these?

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

It's common knowledge amongst the people, princess.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ sticks his nose up in the air, pretending to be hurt. ]

Well I was unaware. I am surrounded by gentlemen, after all. [ pauses to resume stroking her hair. ] Then again, I have not had to worry about other men. Just one and one only.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ closes both her eyes again, ignoring annabelle's feigned hurt in favour of his latter words. ]

And what a heavy burden he is.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ the smile on his face creeps up on him, closing his own eyes while bowing his head a fraction. ]

Never a burden. Just... difficult at times. He is very kind and cares for this kingdom just as much as I. He will make a great king someday.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Yes, he will. Most definitely.

[ a short pause. ] Just as you will make a wonderful queen.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ doesn't say anything to that at the moment, just keeping to his silence. the stroking slows, shoulders slumping in some kind of defeat. speaks his next words quietly, just above a whisper: ]

No. I will not be.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ stills at the words, then opens her eyes before slowly lifting her head away from annabelle's hand to gaze up at him. ]

In that you will not be a good queen, or that you will not be a queen at all?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

I will not be queen. [ smiles a little sadly, running his hand through her hair once before dropping it onto his lap. ] My post will be taken by another, if Robert should choose a suitable bride.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

. . . He will be unable to. He loves no one as dearly as he does you.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ shakes his head. ]

Then it will not be for love. Someone will need to birth an heir sooner or later, after all.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ also shakes her head. ]

There is the option to simply name a suitable child as heir.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

... perhaps. But it is better if he could produce an heir himself.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Robert has not once mentioned that to be a problem.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ closes his eyes, giving a small nod. ]

I suppose you are right.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

. . . Who wished the engagement to be broken?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

It was I.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ watches him closely, then draws in a breath before continuing on neutrally: ]

Why?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ opens his mouth as if to speak. closes it slowly, a telltale sigh of being unsure himself. does not meet her gaze, suddenly looking very tired. ]

It is a long story, one that I am not willing to speak of just yet. [ lifts a hand to cover his eyes, laughing lightly. ] I am conflicted, I will admit. But this feels as if it were the right choice.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ leans back & crosses her arms above her chest some, head tilted in thought. a soft exhale later: ]

You do not regret your decision? At all? You truly believe it to be the correct choice despite the troubles it may bring?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ hand falls back to his lap, looking her in the eye as he speaks. ]

I believe it will be the right choice for this kingdom. Not for my personal happiness, for I love Robert above anyone else. But is that acceptable? To base my choice off of something that will not do any good for my people? I refuse to be selfish enough to ignore that for the sake of my feelings.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Of course that is not acceptable. As a person of power, the choice to benefit the people is the correct one. The moral one.

[ stares straight back. ] But you refuse to divulge the reasons as to how your current choice can be the right one, Annabelle. As it stands, you and Robert are the highly favoured choices for the throne, with good reason. Honourable and just-- everything the people need.

1/2

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

Honorable and just is not enough, Alicia. [ stands, continuing to look down at her. ] I understand you are quite knowledgeable in many things, but I have my doubts that you have been lectured every day of your life on what being next in line to the throne truly entails.