Authors Note: Welcome to chapter two! I'm finding that this is rather fun to write, Before I began, I'd just like to give a shout-out to the late, great, Jean Plaidy! She was a prominent historical fiction writer in the 20th century and lot of her works inspired my own writing style.
And one last thing: I don't own Fire Emblem or it's characters. (otherwise Nyna would marry Camus in the end!) Enjoy! :)
It was quiet, as usual in the Daein castle. The country's crown prince, Soren Remondyn Daein, was busy bent over his desk, writing as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary it seemed. And as usual, his closet friend and confident, Lady Adeliza was near by him. She happen to be painting, a landscape of Daein to be precise. She was quite the skilled artist.
Beautifully, she mixed the colours together as the created the masterpiece. She was had been working for quite sometime, which was evident by the paint stains on the smock she wore over her exquisite green satin dress. Unknowingly in reaching up to paint the clouds, she knocked over some blue paint on Soren's notes.
She gasped and tried to catch the falling jar, but it was too late. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" She quickly apologised and she tried to collect his papers and wipe the paint off, "here, just let me-"
"Don't worry about it." Soren replied, "it was just an honest mistake right?" He took the papers back from her simply tossed then in the trash. Adeliza was pleased he reacted so calmly, but perhaps it was because he liked her so much he was forgiving towards her. This wasn't the first incident, Adeliza had always been a bit clumsy, but Soren had gotten used to an occasional accident every now and then.
It was almost hard to believe that such a clumsy girl was so good at art.
"Um, yeah..." Adeliza replied, "I... Hope those papers weren't important..."
"Well, they aren't really." The prince replied, he looked every bit as regal as her, "it's just, Father asked me to work on contingency plans, though he wouldn't tell me why... Though don't worry, I can just rewrite it. Oh, and uh, please try to be a bit more careful."
"I promise it won't happen again, you have my word your highness." Adeliza said with a mock bow, with which she couldn't help but giggle."
Soren smiled, she often was a bit of a tease "Please Adeliza, don't call me that, it's just Soren. Ok?"
"Yes, I know, you don't like it when I refer to your royal status. I was just...teasing is all."
She smiled and Soren thought he would tease her a little back,
"Don't you have a sky to paint?"
"Oh! It can paint itself..."
"If so, then there goes your hobby!"
"Oh, come off it!"
Then, came a knock at the door.
"Enter." Soren said, rather regally as he had been taught.
It was Ankerette, one of the elderly maids. "Your grace, his majesty the king would like to see you."
Upon hearing those words, the smile was instantly lost from Soren's face. Another meeting with the king of Daein, his father. These always meant more work, or more scolding. The expectations the king set for his son were unreasoningly high, leaving Soren with the feeling that he would never achieve them. His mother, the queen, wasn't much of a consolation. She treated Soren kindly and pampered him, but she would never, ever disagree with her husband. She always supported him, on every word he said. It wasn't exactly easily living as Daein's crown prince.
"And...when would this be? What for?" Soren inquired of Ankerette, straight-faced as always. He would never let emotions show unless he was around Adeliza. Emotions can be one's biggest weakness.
"Right now if possible. And your grace might want to prepare for a trip. The king plans on taking you to Crimea." the maid replied.
Crimea? Adeliza thought, What would Daein ever have to do in that country?
"I see." Soren finally said after pause, he was thinking the same thing as Adeliza, "well I'll head there then ...can Adeliza come with me?"
"No. I'm afraid not." Ankerette said sadly, "His Majesty requested and audience with you, and you alone."
"Very well. ...I'll come right away."
Soren said, rather gravely. Adeliza usually got to go with him everywhere. His mother the queen would always insist upon it, seeing how much her son enjoyed the girl's company. But now she wasn't allowed to come? This must be something serious. He slowly began to fear whatever information he might receive more and more.
"Guess I'll see you later then!" Adeliza called as Soren walked out, close the large grandiose door behind him. Adeliza too worried about what news Soren might hear, but distracted herself with painting. A few strands of her wavy brown hair had fallen down so she clipped then back into place, picked up her brush and went back to work.
Though, she couldn't help but shake the feeling that this would be no ordinary day.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
A while later Adeliza had stopped painting for the day. She sat on a exquisite red couch in the hallway leading to the throne quietly reading a book. Though, in all honesty she was attempted to read. She found it hard to keep focus since she kept worrying about what Soren would return to tell her. She glanced up and around at the hallway decorations, She'd always passed through here in her day-to-day life but, never paid that much to attention to the fine details.
What first caught her attention was the large, numorous portraits lining the walls. Obvious there were ones of the current king and queen, though seeing the one of Soren made her smile. It was painted just last year and she remember how much he hated having to pose for it for hours on end. (She probably read every book in the whole library to him then, just trying to keep him company!)
One in particular she found odd. Well, odd in the sense that she didn't recognise the figure in the portrait. Adeliza walked closer to get a better look, this one was positioned off in the corner too and rather covred in dust. She couldn't help but wonder... why so? Are they trying to forget... Whoever this is?
The woman in the portrait had eyes of a piercing green colour and long golden curls cascading down her back. What was most striking was not her pink, lacey (and even a bit revealing) gown but her sinful seductive smile. Adeliza looked down on to the plaque at the bottom of the portrait which read: Lady Esoldia Despencer. She was one the Despencer clan.
I can't allow myself to end up like her.. She thought as she walked back to her seat on the couch.
Before she even had time to contiplate anything else, Soren soon returned as she even saw him exit.
Her head perked up as she shut her book. "Soren! How did it go?"
"Fine... I suppose..." He simply said then added in a just barely audible whisper, "Adeliza, may we talk privately?"
A bit taken aback by his response Adeliza replied, "um... Yes o-of course... Lets go to your privy chamber then."
So the two headed there in silence, broken only by the impending tension that hung over the two. Adeliza's curiosity grew with each step. Luckily Soren's Privy Chamber* wasn't too far and the two arrived shortly.
"Alright, we're alone now, what is it you have to tell me?"
"Adeliza... I spoke with Father, a-as... You know. And, it was about... Daein and- I... Don't know any other way to say this except: Daein will be going to war with Crimea. We're going to launch a surprise attack on the capital."
"So... The king won't be around for awhile?" Adeliza asked, she was actually a bit hopefully she would be right. Personally, she wasn't fond of Daein's king Ashnard. In fact, you might say she even feared him.
"Not quite..." Soren sadly added, "He'll be gone but... S-so, will I."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry Adeliza Really, it's- I don't have a choice you see. I've been ordered to join my father on the battlefield and he wants me to devise all the strategies." He paused a moment before sadly added, "That's all I'm ever good for to him after all, plans and fighting..."
"No! You can't just... Leave! A battlefield? Oh Soren! What If you're hurt! or worse...you're killed! I wouldn't know what to do with myself!" All sorts of doubt and worry then began to plague the poor young noblewoman's mind, "you mustn't go Soren! You mustn't!" She quickly reached to take his hand in her own as the sat in the four-poster bed side by side.
"I don't have a choice, it's like I said. I don't approve of the idea, but what can I do? Not only is he my father, he's the king. A subject who disobeys the king is a perfect candidate for execution."
"But, he wouldn't dare execute you! You're his son!" Adeliza protested.
Soren simply paused, letting a brief sigh before replying, "Look, Adeliza... You don't know the king of Daein very well at all. You see-, well... Not everyone-..."
"Not everyone... What?"
"Not everyone is as blessed as you, Not everyone had such... Loving parents and an, comfortable, home life."
Now it was Adeliza's turn to be shocked, "I'm... Far from perfect." She added, "I mean, for starters I can't fight and I care even wield a staff. The only bit of magic I know comes from what you taught me recently And-..."
"And... What?"
"It's nothing... Really."
"Oh, you mean... Who's daughter you are...?"
"Yes. Especially that"
~~~~~~~~~one year ago~~~~
The entire royal court was gathered in the Great Hall* for the night's banquet. At the head of the table sat Daein's King Ashnard and Queen Almedha. To there right was none other than there son, Soren, the crown prince. Right beside him, lady Adeliza.
The young noblewoman sat looking trouble, barely even touching her food. The prince noticed and leaned over to whisper to her.
"Hey Adeliza, is something wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh... I-it's nothing... Don't worry about me."
"Oh come on, we've known each other long enough to tell when the other's feeling down. If it's personal, you can tell me later, in private."
"Um... alright, t would probably be for the best if I... Told someone. Meet me in privy chamber after the meal."
"Understood." Soren then laid a comforting hand over Adeliza's, "and hey, cheer up ok... I'm sure whatever it is, it's not as bad as you think. Now, please, try to eat something. You've done nothing but sit here and pick at your food."
Adeliza smiled, "yeah... I guess your right..." She said softly, she careful cut a piece of her meat and gracefully, put it in her mouth.
-later that night-
The two sat out on Adeliza's balcony, it was a clear night and they had a beautiful view of the stars. It was an elegant backdrop for Adeliza to delever some not-so-elegant news.
"What was it that was troubling you Adeliza? There's no one here but us, feel free to speak your heart." Soren knew to be patient with her, let her start talking when she felt ready.
Adeliza paused for a long time, then cleared her throat. "I.. Suppose there's no way to sugar-coat this... Guess I'll jump right to the point... The reason my family was out in Gallia all those years ago, when we first met... W-wasn't to um... Vacation. L-like I had thought... You see, just recently i-I... Found out the real reason." She spoke hesitantly and nervous, fearing what her dear friend's react might be. It was much unlike her usually cheerful demeanor.
"Oh. W-what was it for then...?" Daein's prince was almost afraid to ask.
"Um... M-my father had... He and my mother were-... Um, they Committed treason. During the Border Wars, they sold off important secret state information to Begnion as well as... battle plans and...and because of that many Daein lives were lost. A-and, ...it wasn't just for one battle, it was many...!
So... We had to flee. But, you see- my mother was one of Queen's ladies, so... She had insider information and well... She knew you were missing-and that you were in Gallia. She... And my father, spent their exile trying to find you and reunite you with your parents... Queen Almedha espcially, as a way getting their wealth back. It was only because we brought you back that... We were allowed to stay, without being attainted*...a-a-nd.. Executed."
She paused again, allowing Soren to take in all this information.
There was a silence that then began to uncomfortably hang over the two of them.
Adeliza tried to break it,
"I guess.. Heh, if we weren't friends... My family's heads would be the next on the chopping block because... you see um, my family has a history of treason... I'm a Despencer."
"... I see."
"You're not mad are you Soren? I-I just thought you should know, it was never my intent to use you as an excuse to gain royal favour!"
To the young girl's surprise Soren smiled-albeit faintly, "Yes, I know Adeliza. After all, you've been nothing but kind to me all these years. I would never think any less of you. But... This must've been bothering you, ever since you got here you haven't smiled."
It's true, she hadn't. she tended to hide her feelings behind her smile. No matter what she was feeling, no matter how much something troubled her. In her mind, as long as she put on a brave face, everything would be alright. She often felt that her battles, were hers to fight alone.
"Yes... It's a heavy burden to bear. But, I... Just felt I should tell you. Thank you Soren.I feel a lot better getting that off my chest. The Despencers may have gotten there power through murder treason bloodshed and even secret love affairs, but not me. I swear to live honorably a break the family streak.
"You're very welcome. And if anyone can do it, it's you Adeliza. There's not a gentler soul in the world, then you."
"Aw, thanks. Guess I'll... See you in the morning then?" She felt herself blush a little and gave a slight smile
"Yeah... Good night."
"Adeliza's parents? Traitors?" Soren thought, "It must weigh heavily upon her, even though she's not responsible for their actions... She carries that again upon her., the poor girl, guess we're more alike then we first seem.,."
-Modern Day-
"Don't worry about it Adeliza." Soren said, "It doesn't matter to me about your past. After all, it was you taught me not to care about mine... Alright. I'll go to Crimea with Father, like he wants. But, I'll take you with me."
"Me?" Adeliza asked back, "I'd be honoured to go with you... But um, I don't know what help I'll be... "
"Just being there for me is helping enough. To be honest, you're the only one I truly trust. If nothing else, I'll need someone to confide in."
"Are you sure I'll be allowed to go?"
"Of course, my mother knows how much I like your company and she only wants to make me happy." He smiled, his mother may have been distant but she was always kind, "So, uh, better get prepared to leave. Father says we are to head out tomorrow."
"That's rather sudden! Hardly enough time to ready an attack!"
"Well, Father wants a surprise attack after all. I... Just wish I knew what he was really after..."
"I wouldn't worry about that! Just... Think of it like a vacation! That's it!" Adeliza said trying to put a positive spin on things.
"Yeah... A vacation..." Soren repeated to her, "well, I'd best get packing then and um... Same goes for you Adeliza. Guess I'll see you later."
"yeah, See you later." She then left to return to her room, It was getting rather late and if they were really leaving for Crimea in the morning they would both need their rest.
It was really would be just like a vacation... wouldn't it?
A little explanation of medieval terms that's perhaps, you're not as familiar with:(terms with a * after them will be defined down here at the end)
Privy Chamber: The term for a lord or lady's private room, for many- their only source of privacy in all of the court.
Attainted: To be legally convicted of treason, usually involves the loss of titles and land. Often a precursor for execution.
Great Hall: the largest and most extensive room in a palace, meals were taken there and it's where parties were held.
