"Victoire?"

"Louis? What are you doing awake so late? Mother and Father will have your hide if they know you're sneaking out of bed."

"At least I'm not sneaking out to meet boys at midnight."

"...I'm not meeting any boys."

"Oh please, sister, I'm not dimwitted. The perfume you're wearing...the rather risque dressing gown you're wearing…and you have the look of someone who is doing something illegal. I'm not daft, and neither are the palace maids. You're seeing someone."

"...So what if I am? I don't want to discuss that with you."

"You can't, you know the law. Sir Edward Lupin is not of nobility. Your relationship will only result in heartbreak...unless you sever ties with him now."

"Never. I will not sever ties with him."

"Then how do you intended to maintain this relationship when our parents find out? They might know already. Not much goes on in this palace that they don't know about, especially anything regarding their children."

"How did you find out?"

"Rumors spread by gossiping palace maids…you're not very discreet, and you will have to let him go because our parents will not let you stay together."

"I will fight them then."

"Victoire...you're my sister, and I love you, but you're utterly foolish. You must stop now."

"Louis, you don't understand. I love him and I would go to any lengths to protect him. Teddy is sweet, selfless, and cherishes me for more than my beauty or my title. He is the only man I will ever love, and I will fight to preserve our love. Even...even if it means defying you and our family."

"Does he really mean that much to you? You would risk being disowned and your status as heir to the throne?"

"Yes, in a heartbeat."

"...If that's the case, I clearly can't stop you. Just...just be ready to answer to Mum and Dad, okay? You're my sister and I don't want to see you hurt, that's why I warned you. But if you're sure that this is what you want, then I won't stand in your way. I won't tell anyone either."

"Thank you for your loyalty, brother."

"And tell me if he hurts you in any way, and I'll load him in a cannon and blast him all the way to Scotland. I even have the legal powers to back me."

"That won't be necessary, but your overprotectiveness is noted. Let me go on my way, then, it's nearly midnight…"

"Go. And for Arthur's sake don't drop that lantern...the last time I did, I nearly burned down the palace."

"I...won't."


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