Title: Virtuous Knight
Characters/Pairings: Guilford/Cornelia, mention of Darlton and Euphemia
Rating: PG
Word Count: 580
Warnings: None in particular.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
Notes: First CG ficlet. Takes place during Stage 8.75
"Are you really sure?" The thin layer of uncertainty clouding Cornelia-sama's strained voice was still audible despite the rustic oaken door. Uncertainty was no attribute to be used in context with the Vicereine.
Guilford's ring finger twitched. His protective instinct dictated him to throw himself in front of his Princess and shield her from the source of her discomfort. Modesty and common sense, however, rooted him to his spot in front of the door. It was not his duty as a guard to protect Cornelia-sama from the tasteless creations of her brother's, the late Third Prince Clovis, may he rest in Peace.
As a rule, Guilford was a virtuous and pragmatic Knight (as long as Cornelia-sama was not concerned; it was impossible for him to keep a cool head when she found herself in the face of imminent danger). And now he felt like he was duelling with propriety. For although he was patient enough to wait for his Princess, his palms started to sweat at the prospect of beholding her in a daring outfit. He did not know whether to dread or look forward to this instant.
To keep his mind off of those dangerous paths it was tempted to follow, Guilford concentrated on the conversation with Darlton instead of Euphemia-sama's tirades that rather disturbed his calm. Luckily, his steady voice did not betray his conflicting feelings as he had feared.
A couple of breathing exercises later, Cornelia-sama's stepping out of the dressing room nearly nullified his mental focus. His involuntary gaze swept over her flushed cheeks and voluptuous (barely covered) breasts to the ground. All that filled his vision were impossibly long legs, although he forced himself to focus on her ankles instead of making sure where those pale legs he usually only saw uniformed began and where they ended.
During the inauguration ceremony of Clovis Land, Guilford sensed burning gazes lasting on his Princess. He himself kept his studying gaze straight ahead, targeted at the visitors, away from Cornelia-sama. It was improper to be staring. (Guilford had to school his features to stillness so as not to scowl at the audience.)
Hours later, when he and Darlton could finally escort Cornelia-sama to her private chambers, some of the accumulated tension left his jaw and shoulders. Though not entirely.
"Cornelia-sama," he grasped her shoulders when they were finally alone and he felt that he was allowed to speak up. "I beg of you not to expose yourself publicly in this manner again. I understand the circumstances today, but... I--" Thoughts died on their way to his mouth, as he noticed his place and how wrong it was for him to articulate his feelings.
A faint blush crept over Cornelia-sama's cheeks and in this moment he saw her not as formidable general or great tactical mind. Not even as his superior, but as a woman. The shoulder beneath his hands suddenly felt frail as a bird's and he loosened his grip, afraid he could break her bones so easily.
The moment his hands left her skin, and his eyes her face she seemed to recollect herself, for when she said his name it was with her usual firmness. Any emotion that might have tinged her voice must have been his imagination.
Without looking at her face again, he bowed deeply and withdrew. As a mere Knight of the Britannian Empire it was not his place to question his Princess, not even in private. It just was not proper.