(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]

[ 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.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ relaxes a fraction, tone a little less firm. ]

Perhaps you have an idea, but everything I know of what I must do... I cannot fulfill those duties. I would rather recognize my strengths and weaknesses now than later. Do we need more disasters to happen in this kingdom?

1/2

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

I speak from the perspective of the people, princess, not of the court, or lessons laid in texts or stories.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

But no, we do not need more disasters. However, not even the royalty can escape human imperfection. It is simply a matter of choosing the best suited out of a collection of faulted individuals. In my eyes, as well as the eyes of many, you and Robert have the greatest strengths, and the littlest weaknesses. Can so many make the same mistake together? If you appoint yourself to know better than the people of your kingdom, then you are indeed suited for the role.

[ A short pause. ] Is it fear? Or is there a true reason steeped in logic that forced this hand?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

Fear? Of course there is some fear in this matter. But there is more fear in my knowledge of the things that would not make me this wonderful queen you and so many others believe me to be. I would know best, would I not? [ pauses, shaking his head. ] There are many things that are not to be spoken of, no matter how close you are to a person who knows not of these things. I would gladly tell you otherwise so that you may understand more. Do understand at least this.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ watches him for a moment longer before she sighs, shakes her head. ]

. . . Alright. [ breath in, then she smiles a small, but genuine, smile. ] I will not pretend that I can understand your decision, nor be pleased with it. However, I am able to accept it, and trust that you made your choice with the utmost caution.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ finally smiles a tiny smile, lifting his hand to brush it against her cheek, the limb lingering there as he speaks. ]

I did, and I thank you for your concern.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ presses her own hand over his. ]

Concern? Nonsense.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's right. You are not to be known as kind and virtuous. Must have slipped my mind.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Precisely. Thankfully, your blunder is lessened by the fact that you remembered. Belatedly.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

Perhaps my mistake is due to my body demanding that I succumb to slumber, hm?

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

Hmph. My spoiling ends already?

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

If you are good, I may just extend this spoiling time until tomorrow.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ raises a brow. ]

Oh? Then I suppose I should be on my best behaviour.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ shifts to the side, making his way towards his bed. ]

That would be very wise.

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ slowly pushes herself onto her feet. ]

Until tomorrow, princess.

[filleapapa.livejournal.com]

[ inclines his head towards her, saying a soft "good night" before heading towards his bed. with one last quick smile to his bodyguard (friend) he slips underneath the sheets with practiced ease, closing his eyes and turning over so that the smile on his face can grow a bit wider. slips into sleep easily after that, dreaming of happier things for the first time in several months. ]

[savolonte.livejournal.com]

[ stays until she hears his breathing evening out into a pattern obvious of slumber. strolls over to the various lights adorning annabelle's room to dim them or turn them off entirely. then, after one more glance over her shoulder at the bed, she leaves the attached bedroom, footsteps light.

after closing the door with as much stealth as she is capable, she strips away the outer wear of her uniform. draping that over the arm of a chair & after making herself comfortable, she walks over to, & settles herself into, the couch she always claims as her own during the nights, sitting cross-legged on the cushions with her sheathed blade leaning against a shoulder such that she can wrap an arm around it. stays like that for the rest of the night, only allowing herself a couple of minutes of rest at best as she diligently watches over the princess sleeping in the other room. ]