AN: Good morning all, welcome to my first story! Just a heads-up, this contains what could be MAJOR spoilers for the game series, mainly Gravity Rush 2, focusing heavily on Kat's origins and what I thought would be a perception of her relationship with Syd. I hope I haven't butchered their characters too badly! With that out of the way, please enjoy!
A knight by no other name.
"Every day is the same," Alua pondered as she lay on her ornate bed. Since her reign as the Queen of Eto began, the days followed a similar pattern; overseeing delegations and audiences, being ridiculed because of her heritage and then boredom. Mindless, endless boredom. The only way to relieve it had been to read the myriad books that were on the bookcases inside her room.
'They all read the same, when you look between the lines,' she thought as she flicked through a book. A princess, or dignitary of some sort. Trapped, inside a prison or cage of some repute. Seeking freedom, happiness, even love, sometimes. Then the inevitable death and destruction that follows such 'selfish' acts. Maybe they were given to her as a warning, rather than a gift.
She steadied herself, standing upright. The haughty, hefty gowns she was forced to don every day grew laborious. How they pulled at her, the weight dragging her down in more ways than one. She grew tired of the routine. She walked over to the window.
Locked.
"Of course, they weren't going to leave this open, that would be too easy," she sighed. "...Is this all there is…?"
The door to her chamber echoed with a hollow thud, the sound resonating around her room. She blinked, walking over to answer the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Syd, may I come in?"
'Syd...' she closed her eyes for but a moment. The ashen-haired senate member who so often brought her these books formed in her mind.
"Yes, of course."
The heavy chamber doors parted a moment later. She noticed him on the other side, a wry smile on his face. He was clutching a set of papers in one hand, and a box under his other arm. He strode in, keeping the silence. She could not help but notice that the paper he was holding had nothing printed on it.
"Good morning, Queen Alua. I trust you slept well?" He asked, making his way to the chair by the bed. She nodded in response, slightly wary, but more so intrigued.
"I've come today to give you this," he motioned to the box on his lap. Passing it to her, he noted her curiosity peak as she fumbled at the mechanism on the front.
A moment passed as she grew frustrated. The lock would not open. She glanced at Syd, noting his grin. She pouted.
"Look, if you're here to tease me, I'm not in the mood," her assertiveness offset by her flustered cheeks, Syd rose from his chair, pushing the button in the centre of the lock. It cracked open with a small click.
"I'm not here to tease you, I just thought you would like to read something new."
"Then why put it in this ridiculous box? You normally bring them as is."
"No reason. Now open it, have a look inside – the book inside is very rare, I assure you."
Rare? What did he mean by rare? The past few years of her solitude had brought with them a repetitive state of affairs. How a book could be rare eluded her. She opened the box, noting the cover of the tome inside. A large tree, covered in expertly detailed leaves, and a single apple hanging from its branches. There was no title.
"What's this…?" She looked to Syd, who was peering out of the window. She opened the cover.
"Have you ever wondered what's outside the window?" His question came from seemingly nowhere. Of course she had known. Many years ago, perhaps, but she was a part of the populace before this royalty business kicked in. How she missed her old life. The ravages of time had taken their toll on certain parts of her past, but she remained vigilant that it was much better than what it was now. She opened her mouth, but no words came. She returned to the book, flicking through the pages with distinct candour.
"...I guess that's a stupid question, forgive me," he noted her inquisitive gaze, wholly fixed on the book. He smiled.
A few moments passed. Each page was filled with colourful, almost ethereal, depictions of phenomena that she could only dream of. Flying machines, all manner of wildlife. Even food of varying sizes and descriptions. Her stomach growled at the sights, as Syd laughed candidly in the background. Her cheeks flushed.
"It's fine, my Queen. It's only natural to be hungry," he teased. She placed the book down, exhaling a deep breath.
"Why did you bring me this, Syd?"
"I just happened to find this when I was doing my work in the library. It was hidden from view, for some reason. I thought my Queen would like to see it."
Although the library was by no means off limits, on each of her visits the shelves seemed to harbour the same array of books; light fiction, similar in kind to the ones brought to her on an almost daily basis, and history books about the kingdom. Never, on any of her many trips, did she note a book of this kind. She cocked her head to the side.
"But why me?"
"I see you every day, in the audience chamber. I couldn't help but notice how...sullen, you look."
"It's that noticeable? I apologise."
"It's nothing to be sorry about; quite the contrary, actually," he trailed, standing soon after. He stretched, walking over to the entrance. Alua's eyes followed. "I just wanted to cheer you up, that's all."
Cheer her up? Was it really so bad that even the Senate was worrying over her? She shook her head, hoping to clear it. It did not work.
"Goodbye, Queen Alua. I'll drop by tomorrow with more of those books you like," he spoke with a raised voice. The guard just down the hallway turned, then resumed his watch. Syd winked as he departed.
"Okay. Thank you, Syd." The doors closed with a strong thud, leaving the room in utter silence. She returned to the book, running her hand slowly across its surface. She noted the box, tilting it forward to inspect the lock that had fooled her earlier. She heard something move inside.
She opened the box and found a small piece of folded paper. Her intrigue sparked as she lifted it out and unfurled it.
'Dear Queen Alua, do not give up hope. You must persevere! I will bring you more items when I can get my hands on them. I ask that you hide the items where possible, to stop anyone growing suspicious. I promise next time I'll bring something edible. All the best, Syd.'
Her stomach grumbled once more. She smiled, eventually leading to laughter. How long had it been since the last time she genuinely felt happy? Even she could not remember. It was at this moment that she realised. It was not the Senate who were worried about her, but Syd. Her smile grew wider.
"Oh Syd," she muttered as she resumed reading the book. "I look forward to it."