Love Holds, Duty Traps
As I walked out onto the vast plain, I saw, and I remembered.
That first night of many, when he had come to our court. The elaborate ball in honour of him was just a ploy. But it made me leave the shadow I kept as leader of the realm's armed forces and show the people who the princess of Galla was. He walked down the hall with the grace of a cat, feet barely touching the ground, and executed a perfect bow to us on the dais. From the hungry looks of the young noblewomen in my service I could see that he had made an impression. And how could he not? Tall, dark haired and an inheritance of Dukedom at the least were more than enough to set many a heart fluttering. But what caught my eye was not his dashing looks or expensive clothes, but the sword that hung from his belt and at least eight knives I had spotted in various hidden places on his person.
I had been intending to just sit and watch the dancing from my vantage point for the duration of the evening, sure that my antics on previous occasions would keep away any suitors. To my despair, and suprisingly to my hearts flutter, the young man had boldly come up the steps to the dais and asked the question of long romantic tradition: "May I have this dance?" Seeing my father's gaze on me, I had no choice but to accept. The only thing that kept me from fleeing was the knowlage that if he was such a "catch" then he was most likely going to be extremely cocky and I would be able to leave him on the floor with no regrets. "May I ask what is concerning my lady?" a voice interrupted my thoughts "Nothing to bother you with I believe, good sir" I could feel the courtly smile pasted on my face. Well then, may I ask where you found such lovely daggers that currently adorn your hair? I have only seen ones like that once, and that was far from a court like this." Stunned, I could only stare at him like he was a frog. How could he have recognised them?
"Don't worry," He had seen the shock on my face "I was just curious. They really are marvelous weapons."
"Oh?" I had recovered "And where did you get such flat blades that they couldn't be found by our guards then?"
The grin that lit up his face showed me all I needed to know. And that was how we got to here. Throughout my daydreaming the other side of the plain had filled up, and behind me, our warriors were getting ready to face the meager onslaught. Why had this happened? It was so stupid, all those men's lives, wasted. And for one king's wish to stay isolated from the fair and just country. We were walking into battle and all I could see at the tiny army's head was the tall figure standing with his men. Jasson. Prince Jasson. His eyes locked on mine and I could see the love and despair hidden under his stoical expression. How I wished I could be there in his arms, instead of leading my army to slaughter them all. But I wasn't, and my orders were orders. The only thing I could hope for now was that it would be both of us in the dead realms after this. Not just him.
The horn blew and our armies charged.