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SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA
(A/N: For any new readers coming in, this is the third installment of a series. The first two are Sonic Chaos Reboot 1: Underground Arc - Manic, and Sonic Chaos Reboot 2: Underground Arc - Sonia. Song at the start of this chapter is a semi-adaptation of the song Dulaman.)
A Stranger in the Crowd
A chorus of singers sang a song in an ancient tongue. Aleena, seated on a throne, listened closely to it while translating the lyrics in her head.
"Daughter of the green hill,
Daughter of the blue ocean,
Daughter of the pink sky,
The best in all the land.
There is a head of dark hair on the Mobian daughter,
There are two bare ears on the stately suitor.
The Mobian daughter has beautiful black shoes,
The stately suitor has a beret and trousers.
Daughter of the green hill,
Daughter of the blue ocean,
Daughter of the pink sky,
The best in all the land."
She longingly observed the guests as they filled the ballroom, dancing happily to the music. Her father noticed her demeanor first and smiled a little. "Aleena my dear, why aren't you dancing? Go on out there and have fun. Nothing is holding you back," he said.
Aleena flushed a little and bowed her head. "No one has asked me to dance," she quietly said.
"Well then we should change that, shouldn't we?" a voice said from nearby. She gasped, looking quickly over only to see Jules smiling a charming smile and offering his hand. "Princess, may I have this dance?" the Commander asked.
Aleena grinned, blushing a bit, and looked to her parents for confirmation. They smiled at her, nodding, and Aleena turned back to him and took his hand. "Of course you may, Commander," she answered, rising. Ever since Bernadette had introduced her to Jules, the man had been taken by her. To be completely fair to Jules, she had grown very fond of him as well. He was a good man.
The Commander looked to Bernadette. "Perhaps afterwards, Bernie, I can enjoy your company as well? Share a dance or two?" he said.
"I would like that very much, Jules," Bernie replied with a strained smile. Jules smiled back and left, sweeping Aleena out onto the dance floor.
Bernadette watched after them and slowly her smile fell as her cousin and Jules vanished from her sight. "Bernie, what's wrong?" Queen Sonya asked.
"Nothing aunty," Bernie replied.
Sonya wasn't buying it and frowned in concern. She smiled at her niece once more and tried to distract her from whatever was making her sad. "You look lovely dear," she said.
"Lovely, but not beautiful," Bernie replied.
"What?" Queen Sonya asked, stunned at the remark.
"Aleena is the beautiful one, aunty. She always has been," Bernie said.
"Oh darling, don't say such things," the queen said, concern in her eyes.
"Well it's true! I don't mind, really I don't. From what I've seen, honestly I think it would be a pain to be so lovely and fair," Bernie said. Though sometimes she did wish...
"Bernadette, you are beautiful. Never doubt that," her aunt said firmly, frowning now.
"Then why is it Aleena the young men line up for?" Bernie asked.
"Hmm, I stop paying attention for five minutes and suddenly this is what I hear?" the King asked as he looked over, tone unimpressed. Bernie winced and bowed her head ashamedly. "Your aunt is right when she says you're beautiful, Bernie. After all, you look just like her say for her reddish orange quill color." He turned to his love and took her hands, leaning in close with a tender smile. "Your aunt is the most beautiful woman I've ever known."
"Oh Maurice, stop it," Sonya said, beaming at her green-quilled husband.
Bernadette smiled at their interaction. She hoped one day she would share a love like that with someone, but she wouldn't get her hopes up. How was she supposed to compete with her little cousin? She simply couldn't. She'd never really been able to. Slowly her smile fell as she looked at herself in a reflective surface, feeling inadequate. It was hard for her not to in Aleena's presence. Most of the time, when her cousin was around, she felt like no one even noticed her...
"Bernie, you're beautiful," her aunt, noticing this, said, gently placing her hands on her niece's shoulders. "One day a very, very lucky man will see that and throw himself at your feet for love of you."
Bernie couldn't help but laugh at that. "It seems far more likely a man would throw himself at Aleena's," she replied.
"Any man who did, Aleena would have precious little use for," the King answered, smiling.
"Because she's so used to it as is," Bernie said with a frustrated sigh. "The day a man actually has it in him to hate her will be the day she falls in love."
"And that will be to her detriment," the King seriously said, frowning in a measure of concern. He looked out over the crowds. "I fear for that girl sometimes."
"She would not lower herself to marry a man who hated her, nor throw herself at his feet. Whatever draws her in will be much more than that," the Queen said reassuringly.
The King sighed and smiled at his wife. He hoped she was right. He looked to his niece and took note of her forlorn expression as she watched Jules and Aleena. He winced, then smiled, standing up. "Come Bernie, no use in you sitting here sulking. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Dance with me and we'll see if we can't lure one out for you."
Bernie blinked then smiled gratefully at her uncle, rising and taking his hand. "Thank you, Uncle," she said.
He smiled, nodding, and linked his arm through hers. "Maybe I'll sneak Aleena away from her young Commander and give you the chance to share a dance or two with him as well."
"If Jules has no interest in me, there's no sense in pursuing him," Bernie said.
"Jules is a young man who doesn't know his own heart," the king answered. "He grows infatuated fast, fancies himself in love, then tends to move on not long after."
"What use do I have for a flighty man?" Bernie asked with a laugh.
The King laughed in turn. "That's my girl!" he praised. "But still, he seems pleasant company so why not give it a shot? Either you or your cousin are bound to ground his flight."
"You clearly missed the way he was looking at Aleena, Uncle," Bernie replied. "She's already grounded him."
"Then we'll find someone who looks at you just as he looks at her," the King said. "Maybe not tonight, but we won't stop searching. I would see both my daughter and my niece happy, not just one." Bernie nodded gratefully, smiling at the man. He wasn't related to her by blood, only through marriage, but when her parents had been killed, and her aunt had taken her in to raise as her own, the King had agreed without argument and done his very best to be there for her as well. She loved him dearly for that, even despite the fact that he... Well, that was another story for another time.
SU
"I must say, Princess Aleena, I just can't keep up with you," Jules said as he danced with the young princess, awed by her skill and prowess.
"It's alright. I enjoy conversation just as well," Aleena answered, smiling. "Skill will come, Commander Jules. Conversation can be had at any time."
"Still, I can't help but feel like this isn't nearly as much fun for you as it could be," Jules ruefully said.
"You can't always have your cake and eat it too, but conversation makes it pleasant regardless," she said.
"I suppose it does," Jules replied with a smile.
"Now were you boring company, then I should be dismayed," she said, spinning around.
"Princess, it's been a year. You're more than welcome to call me just Jules," Jules said, smiling a bit.
"Very well, Jules," she agreed. "Then you are welcome to call me just Aleena. No more formal titles." He grinned at her. The dance came to a close and she released his hands, folding her own in front of her. "Thank you for the dance," she said.
"Of course. I won't tie you down to me alone as a partner, doubtless there are other potential suitors you wish to test out as well, but should you ever desire my company again, I'll never be far. Find me," he said, smiling and giving her a wink.
"Always," she answered with a gentle, fond grin. Jules was handsome and charming. He had been since the day she met him. Endearing as well. She was well pleased by him. She turned her back on him and glanced back. "Potential suitor, Jules?" she teased with a mischievous smirk. He started, flushing, and she giggled a little, waving her fingers and walking off.
SU
Blushing like a fool, Jules watched after her. "Commander Jules? We haven't formally met," a voice suddenly said from behind. Jules gasped, turning quickly. His eyes widened. The King! With him was Bernadette. "Unlike my wife, daughter, and niece, you and I have not had an opportunity to speak face-to-face. You are the son of my ex, correct? I must admit, when I heard your mother had given birth to another child I was shocked. Curious as well. I've long wondered what sort of progeny Julia produced with her second husband." He sighed. "As much as I hate to say it, she was a good woman with a sensible head. Hopefully her son followed in her footsteps, in some form or another."
"I hope I have, majesty," Jules answered, bowing to him.
The King tilted his head and smiled a bit, approving of the display. "You're in the Knothole Army, if I recall correctly?"
"Yes sir," Jules answered, looking up.
"Hmm... Charles has spoken well and highly of you," the King said. He looked to Bernadette. "Given the way my niece does as well, she is in agreement." Bernie flushed and so did Jules.
"I-I should hope your daughter is of the same mind also," the Commander replied.
Bernie winced a bit and bowed her head. "Aleena is," she quietly confirmed.
"An intimate phrase choice, Commander. You have my attention," the King said, sounding amused.
"Sire, I... If-if you and your lady Queen would accept me, but most importantly if your daughter will, then I would ask for the opportunity to court Princess Aleena," Jules said. Bernadette flinched and shrank in on herself, bowing her head and turning away. It wasn't as if she and Jules had ever been official, frankly she doubted Jules had even realized she was interested in him at all, but it was still painful to hear him throw in his hand for her cousin.
The King, pleased by the Commander's humility and how respectfully he had asked, couldn't help but grin in approval. "Commander Jules, I will accept your offer gladly if my daughter will," he said. "My advice to you? Don't get in the line. Aleena isn't one for such things. Those who have had the best luck with her are those with whom a relationship has bloomed naturally. Argus, Titus... I hope you as well, if all works out.
"Thank you sir," Jules said, visibly relieved.
"Of course. Now if you don't mind, I've grown tired. Not as spry as I used to be, I'm afraid. If you could perhaps..." the King began, gesturing to Bernadette.
"O-of course sire!" Jules replied. He grinned at Bernie. "My Lady, may I?"
"My Lady? Come now Jules, it's always been first names between us. No need to get awkward in front of me. We've known one another too long for that," Bernie teased, smiling sadly at him.
"I hardly think I'm worthy of..." he began.
"The last thing you should feel is inadequate or unworthy, Commander," she cut off. "Good reports of you flow in like water. Even Locke the Echidna, I'm told, couldn't find much bad to say about you." Jules blushed.
"Oh?" the King asked.
"Oh yes Uncle. No question," Bernie said with a solemn nod, talking the young Commander up. If Jules had chosen her cousin, so be it. She would do her utmost to secure his courtship with her if Aleena made him happy.
"It's really too bad Locke couldn't make it. In a room full of strangers, the more familiar faces the better," Jules said with a sigh.
"Well I'm quite pleased with the current company," Bernadette said, giving him a sidelong look.
Jules flushed brightly. "A-as am I Bernie," he said, caught off guard.
"Stammering Jules?" the King asked, sounding amused. "Are you usually so lost for words? It seems you've got your tongue in a twist. Not that anyone can blame you, of course. My niece and my daughter are most striking."
"He's not so bad himself," Bernadette said, winking at the Commander. Jules' eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Come Jules, let's dance. Are you much good at this?"
"M-me? I-I suppose I'm passable," he replied.
"Fortunately, passable is all I need," Bernadette teased.
"Well, conversation will be my strong suit more than dancing I think," Jules said. "If you can tolerate my blabbing, I don't see why not."
"I'll tolerate it just fine," Bernie said with a laugh, drawing him towards the dance floor. "I've never had trouble with it before. Come on. I'll do my best to teach you to dance as we go, though my cousin would be the far better tutor."
He relaxed and smiled at her. He found it came easier to him than he would have thought it would. "I think I would very much enjoy dancing lessons with you, Bernadette. Your cousin as well the moment I get another opportunity," he said.
"Oh," she said, trying to ignore the hurt she felt at that. "Y-you know Jules, you don't have to feel obligated to dance with me. If you would rather dance with my cousin..."
"What? Obligated? Bernie, it's my honor to have the opportunity to dance with you! You and Aleena both. Aleena had her turn, now you and I will," Jules replied, turning her around and taking her into his arms.
Bernie flushed a bit and gave him a rueful smile. "Always second choice never first, hmm?" she said.
"Your self-deprecating humor can be quite the turn off, Bernadette," Jules replied with a frown. "Just dance with me please."
"I'm sorry Jules. I don't mean to be so down on myself, but sometimes it's hard," she apologetically replied, bowing her head.
"Hey, I understand what it's like to feel overshadowed by family," he replied.
"You overshadowed? By who?" she asked, smiling in amusement.
"My brother," he dryly said.
"Charles? From what I've heard, you're Knothole's hero," she replied.
"Maybe, but I would have much rather been known as a hero for helping and saving people instead of killing them in war," he quietly said.
Her smile fell, sympathy filling her eyes. "Did you have a choice?" she solemnly asked.
Jules forced a smile. "This isn't a debate stage, Bernie," he replied.
"It wasn't a debate question," she said.
"And here you go dragging me into another bout," he teased. She giggled a bit and he grinned. He liked when she giggled. It was always so infectious. She hated her laugh, he knew, but he couldn't begin to fathom why. "If you don't mind my asking, how much older than Aleena are you?" he asked, changing the subject.
"A good few years," Bernie replied. "Either seven or nine. Care to guess which?"
"Seven," he answered promptly.
"You flatterer," she joked with a grin.
"Am I right?" he asked. "She's nineteen now, isn't she?"
"Commander, it isn't polite to ask a lady her age, much less ask her about the age of her younger cousin while she's in your arms," she teased.
Jules blushed. "I-I didn't mean..." he began.
Bernadette laughed good-naturedly. "Jules, it's alright. Don't worry about it. I was joking." He tentatively relaxed a little and smiled, relieved he hadn't offended her. "What do you do for fun these days, Commander?" she asked, smiling at him.
"It depends on my mood," he replied. "Sometimes read, sometimes farm, sometimes train… What of you?"
"I read and debate. You know how thoroughly I enjoy a good debate. Uncontested thus far. I understand how to win an argument," she said.
"Yes. Yes you do. Hmm... It's been a while since we've tested our mettle against one another, so go ahead. Pick a topic," he said.
"What?" she asked in mild surprise.
"I enjoy a good debate too. I think you'll find I've improved since last time," he said, smiling. "Pick a topic. Let's test each other out. See how much better we've gotten over the years. Or how much worse."
She smiled. "Very well. Hmm… The merits of a good leader and what makes one."
"Which merits will you argue?" he asked.
"Empathy," she said. "Yours?"
"A willingness to take risks even if they're costly," he said.
"You're losing already," she said.
"We'll see," he said, a sad smile spreading across his lips.
She frowned a bit, mildly concerned by the expression, but soon put on her own beaming smile again. "Alright. I'll begin. I believe that what makes a good leader is someone whose love for his men exceeds his love for himself. I believe that a good leader should take it upon him to get to know as many of his soldiers as possible, as well as something about their families. It's admirable to be willing to give your life to save just one of your subordinates, and equally as admirable to take it upon yourself to learn their names and the names of all their loved ones so that, should something happen, they will be honored as much as is possible," she said.
He shifted uncomfortably, regretting letting her pick the topic now. "I should have known better," he said with a tired sigh. "Bernadette, it isn't half as simple as that. If all being a good leader required was an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the names of your men and their families, than I would be one of the best that's ever been. Unfortunately, leadership takes more than empathy. It takes courage, skill…" he began.
"Are you lacking such?" she asked.
"No, but my prowess and bravery aren't where I fall short," he said. "Where I fall short is in everything else. I never even wanted this, you know. I wanted to be known as a hero for helping people, like Chuck was! I didn't want to be known as a hero for how many men I killed in war or caused to die," he said.
"Jules, whatever deaths you think are on your head, you're wrong. People die in war. That's all there is to it. It's not anyone's fault," she gently said, smile falling and eyes softening.
"Isn't it?" he asked. She winced and decided she should probably let this one go. "Another topic?" she asked with a rueful smile.
"Please," he replied, forcing a smile of his own. She nodded and picked something far more lighthearted.
SU
Once Aleena began to dance, nothing could make her sit back down. She spun from hopeful young man to hopeful young man, thoroughly enjoying herself in their company. Not many of them proved to be much of a challenge when it came to dancing, but conversation was always pleasant. Not necessarily stimulating, but pleasant. She dreaded the night's end. Then the line would form again, and the rejections would begin anew. Month after month. She hated them...
As she spun from stranger to stranger, she scanned the crowds for the next familiar face that would sweep her up. Perhaps Argus or Titus? Titus was one of the better and more capable dance partners on offer, she knew. He, at least, could somewhat keep up. She hoped he wasn't too involved in Katrina, but she wouldn't blame him if he was. The cobra countess was enchanting, when she pleased to be. She spun into the arms of yet another partner and was mildly surprise when he swept her up with a practiced hand, waltzing her away from the crowds. It took her a moment to recognize him, but when she did she grinned widely. "Max!" she exclaimed.
"Aleena," he greeted with a smile. "How it must feel to be faced with yet another stream of suitors. Overwhelming I would guess, given the sheer number of men ogling you," he teased. "Especially now that the floodgates have officially opened."
"I don't relish it," she confessed with a rueful smile. "But there are three who may entertain my attention more than most."
"A pity. I was so looking forward to watching you sitting high and tall and imposing on your throne, turning away every young man who dared lavish you with a gift and try for your hand," he said.
"You make me sound awful," she replied, hanging her head a bit sadly.
His gaze softened a little. "I'm sorry Aleena," he said with a sigh. "I know it's been trying for you. You've always said that the day you make a choice, it will be the only choice. You were never one for being an option. Certainly not one for making others options. A pity such things seem to be the way of the aristocracy. If one prospect falls through, another is there for swift backup I suppose. Let me guess at the three men who've managed to pass your screening. Titus, Argus, and Jules? I couldn't help but notice you were quite enjoying the company of Jules," he said.
She smiled fondly at her childhood friend. "You know me far too well, Nigel," she said.
He shuddered. "Aleena, please. You know I hate that name," he said.
She grinned and looked around. "Where is Alicia?" she questioned.
"She took Elias out for a while. He was throwing a fit. I'll find my way back to her presently, but I thought to give you a break from mediocre dance partners for a bit. I can't say I'll prove much a challenge for you either, but at least I shall be passable," he answered.
"Our conversation has been most enjoyable so far," she said, smiling. "Tell me Max, do you have any potential suitors in mind? I've heard mention of Sherman 'Tundra' Walrus and Amadeus Prower," Aleena said.
"Whoever mentioned them is hopelessly out of the loop," he answered with a wry smile.
"I guessed as much," Aleena replied, smirking. "Married with children?"
"Sherman yes. Amadeus is a newlywed," Max answered. "The only one I could have offered you is Jules, and clearly you're already acquainted with him." He gave her a teasing wink and she flushed a bit. "You've made a good choice, Aleena. Jules is one of the finest men I've ever known, brave and courageous and determined. He has the makings of a good leader, but according to your brother Chuck, his heart may be too big for that."
Aleena nodded and hesitated a moment. "There is one thing about Jules that concerns me," she said. "My cousin. She is very fond of him."
"Ooh, such drama," King Nigel teased.
"Please don't be so quick to joke about that, Max," she pled. "I would hate to drive a wedge between myself and Bernie."
"It would be a sad day indeed, when any man came between you two," Nigel said. "Don't worry about such a thing, Aleena. Nothing will ever drive Bernadette away from you. I can guarantee it. If I can guarantee it, then you can guarantee it even more. After all, you know your cousin far better than I. Tell me, is your dance card currently freed up?"
"It is," she confirmed. "I make no more promises than I can keep."
"Then best you mingle like you've never mingled before. You have a great number of hopefuls to vet," he said with a smile. "Now where is your father?"
"Back on his throne, I suspect," Aleena replied. "He is an excellent dancer but tires quickly these days, I'm afraid."
"The curse of age. Soon you and I will be feeling it too," Max dryly said. Aleena grimaced at the thought. She didn't relish that. "Shall we join him?" the young King asked.
"In his aches and pains?" she joked.
"Funny," he replied, chuckling.
Aleena grinned. "If you have yet to greet my father, it would be advisable to join him, yes."
"Then let's get that done, shall we?" he said, linking his arm with hers and leading her towards the thrones. "I see Jules, Bernie, Argus, Amadeus, and Titus are all mingling with your parents as well. You've hit jackpot with your selections now." She rolled her eyes affectionately.
SU
The moment Jules saw the young princess, flustered and radiant, approach with King Max, his eyes widened. Max smiled a charming smile as he came alongside them all, Aleena on his arm. "King Maurice, Queen Sonya, always a pleasure to attend one of your little soirees," he said.
"King Nigel, welcome," King Maurice replied, smiling.
Max grimaced a bit at the name, but let it go and smiled again. He turned to Jules and a mischievous glint shone in his eyes. "Jules, whatever are you staring at old bean? Greet the fair maiden, don't ogle."
Jules started and blushed deeply. He shot Nigel an almost fearful look before turning to Aleena again and clearing his throat. "Um, m-my lady," he greeted awkwardly, despising that he'd been put on the spot like that.
"My lord," she answered, amused. Jules shifted uncomfortably, eyes wide.
"Princess Aleena, would you grant me the honor of this next dance?" Titus asked, turning to the young princess and offering his hand. For that Jules was grateful. It took the spotlight off him. He had never liked being caught off-guard.
"I would be happy to, Titus" Aleena answered with a grin, resting her hand in his. He smiled back and led her onto the dance floor. Jules sighed, bowing his head.
"May I?" Bernie asked, smirking at him. He started, looking at her, then smiled gratefully and nodded, bringing her with him onto the floor for another dance.
SU
Now Titus was a better dancer than most. Markedly so. About on par with King Max, if not a little better. He had always been good at picking up on such things. "You are most talented, Titus," Aleena praised.
"Does that surprise you?" he asked.
"No. It doesn't. You've always striven to improve yourself in any way you can," she said.
"Countess Katrina is fond of dancing. She was certainly useful in teaching it to me," he said.
"Why old friend, have you netted yourself a lover? The serpent countess no less," she teased, smirking.
He blushed a little. "N-no, it isn't like that! We're close is all. She understands me and my ambitions. She's quite the patron of my work in fact."
"Friendship is what the strongest of loves is built upon," Aleena said. "Rumor has it you are among her officially accepted suitors."
"I am, but currently neither of us are looking for a commitment as great as that. Now, enough about my relationships. I'm much more interested in yours. Specifically your interest in the young Commander from Knothole," Titus said.
"He is a good man," she said simply.
"Then you'd best be careful with him," Titus replied.
"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning a bit.
"Aleena, who do you think you're playing here? I've known you all my life. The same girl who was rejecting suitors en masse even before her debutante ball, is now suddenly interested a Commander from Knothole? Something doesn't ring true there," he said.
"Jules is not the only one I favor. I also favor you and Argus," she coldly replied. "Perhaps if any of you had stepped forth in previous lineups, one would be well on his way to marrying a princess by now."
"No, I don't think we would," he answered. "I think we would have been rejected, along with all the others. If I recall correctly, Argus and I did intend to step up the first time. You were the one who actively discouraged us. I believe your exact words were, 'I don't want to have to hurt you'."
"Will you step forth this time?" Aleena asked.
"No. Neither will Argus or Jules. Stepping into a lineup of suitors for your hand is as good as tossing away any chance you might otherwise have had," he smugly replied. That smugness annoyed her to no end. She glared coldly at the man. "Now tell me the truth. Why are you encouraging the Commander? You, the maiden who wants for no lover?"
"Perhaps I am just that fond of Jules," she replied.
"Maybe," he admitted. "But then why bother asking if me or Argus will step forward for you too? You're putting on a show, Princess. For who is the question? Your family? Yourself? Him?" She frowned. "Don't play with his heart. Especially not if his affection for you is genuine. It's cruel and you know it. If you have no intentions of marrying the Commander, don't lead him on. Not him, not me, not Argus. I mean it."
"You were always too clever for your own good, Titus," she said with a sigh.
"It's about the only thing I had that was of any interest to you, aside from my intellect," he answered.
"I don't want to play with your hearts. It isn't something I'm fond of doing," Aleena said. "Hence the reason I've not spent two dances in a row with any one of you."
"Yes, we've noticed you trading us off to partners you think we would prefer. At least Argus and I. Pairing up Jules and Bernadette, though? An interesting choice, princess," he said.
"She is fond of him," she answered with a shrug, not meeting his eyes.
"Ah... And you hope his attentions will turn to her," Titus said.
Aleena was quiet. "No. I don't hope that," she at last said, looking back at him. "If I must marry, then I would sooner marry him than any other."
"You're fortunate I've moved on from you," Titus bluntly replied.
"You know what I mean," she said.
"Hmm... You know, you used to say you'd never marry a man you didn't love with all your heart. You used to say that the day you made a choice, it would be your only one. It's good to know that you've abandoned those naïve fantasies you had when we were together," he said. "After all, love can grow."
She frowned at him. "Love must be allowed to grow. In any relationship," she replied.
"So then what does it matter if it grows before or after marriage?" he asked.
"It doesn't. Have you considered that maybe that's the reason I have begun to show more interest in Jules?" she replied.
"No, but it's good to know. It's probably for the best, really. Goodness knows no man exists on this planet that could ever win your heart," he said.
"That isn't fair," she immediately defended.
"Your standards, Aleena, are ridiculous!" Titus said.
"Simply because you didn't meet them doesn't mean they were ridiculous," she testily defended.
"Listen to yourself," Titus bitterly said, shaking his head. "Reevaluate your criteria and when you do, really, really think about what you want."
"My standards, Titus, are not set in stone," she answered.
"The first sign of that you've shown is in not outright rejecting Argus, me, or Jules as potential suitors," Titus replied.
"This is why you and I could never have worked," she hissed.
"Because you can't handle conflict? Learn the skill, Aleena. No relationship is perfect," he said, spinning her around. She was quiet, head bowed in frustration as she took in his words. Precious few could match her in verbal combat. Unfortunately, Titus was among those precious few. Had he not been so, well, him, perhaps it could have even worked between them one day.
SU
Aleena sat distractedly on her throne watching the dancers despondently. Her conversation with Titus had soured her mood and now played on repeat in her memory. Fortunately, the ball was nearing its end. There were only a few hours left, two or three at most, and then the debutantes and most of the guests would leave. After that would come the line of hopeful suitors seeking her hand... She looked over at her parents, who were rising to make the announcement, but there really was no point anymore. Everyone present knew what would follow. A few daring men would step forth to try their hand, all would be turned away, the night would close out, and everyone would go home. It had happened as such time and time again. She felt like an outsider looking in as the King and Queen made the now familiar declaration. She avoided meeting the eyes of any hopeful suitor who tried to look her way. Bernie sat at her side, watching her in concern.
"Any man who would present himself to my daughter for consideration of courtship may do so as the debutante ball draws to a close," King Maurice said. "Remember always who she is. High daughter of Mobius, gem of light, born of royal stock, the best in all the land." She closed her eyes tightly.
"Quite the pedigree, your majesty, but I wonder. Is your daughter so flattered to be likened to stock?" a man among the onlookers asked. Aleena softly gasped, looking quickly up. A much louder and more abrupt collective gasp of shock rippled through the guests. The music stopped, and everything went quiet.
The King and Queen, stunned for a beat, quickly recovered themselves and immediately sought the source of the voice. "Who dares speak to the King in such a manner?" her father icily demanded, tone dark and threatening. "Step forward this instant, man!" There was a pause, but soon a figure stepped forth to stand before the King, Queen, and Princess. Aleena's eyes widened.
The man who presented himself was tall and well-built. She could neither tell what he looked like, nor even discern his species. He sported a full facemask, you see, that hid his appearance completely. The mask was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. A white wolf interlaced with black and gold lines and patterns that emphasized and highlighted every intricate detail in the workmanship. It was altogether stunning, and she couldn't help but be in awe of it. Even it, though, was not what struck her most. What struck her most was the eyes, which stole her breath away. They were the only feature of his that she could see, the color of golden amber, and never in her life had she seen irises like those. Such a shade was exceedingly rare. They were deep and piercing, and glittered with life and intelligence. She could have almost believed he saw straight through to her soul with them...
They unsettled her.
Yes. Unsettled. You wouldn't think that would be the first word she could think of to describe them, but it was. Something about this man was wholly unsettling. She frowned warily at him, and seeing as her parents seemed to have been struck speechless, she determined to take the reigns.
"A clever play on words, but you know precisely what they meant. You are of your own parents' 'stock' just as I am of mine," she said to him.
"An attitude. How delightful," he answered.
"A wit. Something you lack," she bitingly corrected.
"This is the maiden most favored for marriage? Her cousin seems of a much better disposition," the man said.
"A pity you could not possess one as well," Aleena retorted testily.
"Man, who are you that you would dare speak so disrespectfully to a King and his Queen?" Queen Sonya asked, cutting the argument short before it could escalate. Such a thing would only lead to her daughter and this mysterious stranger making a scene, and a scene wasn't something you wanted to make when you were so firmly set in the public eye. Royalty no less. Nonetheless, this man's interaction with Aleena caught her attention. It was rare that anyone proved engaging or troublesome enough to lock her youngest in verbal combat. Those who managed it normally did not fare so well. This one, it seemed, was a special case.
"Who am I? Oh your majesty, only a lowly soldier," the stranger replied.
"Have you come to court my daughter?" the Queen asked. Aleena started and gave her mother a sharp, accusing look for even suggesting it.
"Oh no your excellency. I am hardly worthy of a princess," he answered. He gave Aleena an annoyed look. "Or wanting of one." Aleena scoffed, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.
"What?!" the King demanded, scowling.
"Ah, a thousand pardons your grace. "I meant deserving," he quickly covered.
"Eloquent," Aleena bit at the man, looking over.
"More so than you," he muttered in response. She heard the snark dripping from his voice and narrowed her eyes at him.
"You say you are a soldier. With who do your loyalties lie?" the King demanded, directing the man's attention back to him.
"Why, whoever happens to be on top, sir," the stranger answered, a smirk in his voice.
"Then you have no true loyalty?" the King asked testily.
"I'm a complete and utter coward," the man answered blamelessly.
"A coward are you? A coward who dared dishonor a king and queen in their own palace and still stepped forward when ordered to?" the queen mused, intrigued by the brazen stranger.
The young man was quiet. "Have you so easily been silenced, youth?" Aleena questioned, glaring at him.
"Youth am I? Says the maiden in her gilded cradle?" he retorted, shooting her a sharp look.
"This maiden in her gilded cradle has the power to be rid of you with a gesture," she warned darkly.
"Now, now, princess. Do you really want to make a scene in front of all these nice people?" he replied. Aleena's lips parted in disbelief and outrage.
"Whose man are you?" the King darkly asked. The stranger gave him an annoyed and guarded look.
"Mine, my lord," Jules suddenly said, stepping out from the crowd to stand at the wolf's side.
SU
All eyes turned quickly to the Commander in shock, even the soldier's, and stunned silence hung in the air as the royal family and stranger processed the man's words with eyes wide. "What?" the stranger at last asked, the first to break that silence.
Jules glanced at him out the corner of his eyes, frowning. "Did you really think I would forget your voice so easily?" he murmured quietly. The stranger gawked at him in disbelief. Clearly the Commander's appearance was the last thing the man had expected.
"You Jules?" the King said in shock. "He's your man?"
"Yes Sire, and I will take full responsibility for his actions," Jules replied, eyes returning to the King
The stranger scowled immediately upon hearing this. "I despise Knight Templars," he said.
"Because of one you are being kept alive," Aleena nipped, frowning.
"For putting a royal brat in her place I would be executed? Hmm. On second thought, it might not be so bad. It would spare me your presence," the stranger answered, giving her an annoyed look.
"How dare...?" she began.
"Aleena! Enough," her mother sharply chastised. Aleena winced and backed down reluctantly, glaring at the stranger with a gaze like ice.
"What can you tell me, Commander Jules, of this golden eyed insubordinate under your banner?" the King questioned.
"Very little I'm afraid, your majesty. Discovering even his name was like pulling teeth. He joined my company about half a year ago, and was far from pleasant company during his short stint with us. He made most uneasy, so the vast majority steered clear of him, but he was just fine with that. Anyone who tried to get close got brushed off, I know firsthand. Despite his less than glowing personality, though, he caused no trouble and saved lives. Many, many lives. More than you know," Jules said.
"Oh?" the King asked, giving the stranger a dubious look.
"Yes sire," Jules answered. "It was a mistake on my part. Inexcusable naivety. The result of a peace treaty gone wrong. In truth, your Majesty, I'm not a great military mind. I'm not a man of war. I would sooner be living a simple life than travelling the continent raining down death and destruction. I'm not even much of a leader I feel, though clearly King Acorn felt differently." He looked at Bernadette apologetically. "My love for my men is both my greatest strength and my greatest weakness." She started, recalling their earlier attempt at debate, and shifted uncomfortably. Jules turned to the King once more. "I never put them in dangerous situations if I can at all help it, and the moment things get too deadly, I pull back. Unfortunately, that tends to backfire more than is acceptable. Sometimes you have to be willing to take risks, whether you want to or not. For instance, pulling back gives the enemy forces that much more ground. Then in the hopes of saving everyone, you end up costing them instead. Leadership requires strategy, and while the strategies I formulate get the job done, they're mediocre at best and oftentimes end up doing more harm than good."
"Since when is it wrong to be peaceful?" Bernadette demanded, determined not to let such a remark slide.
"When being peaceful costs you everything," he answered, looking at her. He turned back to the King and Queen. "Peace can also be taken advantage of. You can be tricked into thinking a truce has been reached, and in honorable warfare that would indeed stick, but it turns out war isn't so honorable as that. Six months ago, during a critical campaign, I made the mistake of believing I'd avoided battle by forging a truce. That same night we were ambushed by those we thought we had won over. We were awakened by bullets and lasers and shouting. Determined to save as many as I could, I ordered a retreat. That was a mistake I never intend to make again. We were surrounded. Retreat was never an option. I should have ordered a counterstrike. Because I ordered a fallback instead, our camp erupted into chaos as everyone scrambled to find a way out. It seemed all was lost."
"Yet here you are," Bernadette said.
He shook his head ruefully. "It wasn't my leadership that saved us," he said. He looked at the masked stranger. "It was his." All eyes went to said stranger, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here right now and was likely reevaluating every life choice he had ever made that led him to this point. Aleena was more than a little pleased to watch him squirm. Jules looked back at them. "They called me a hero for how that battle played out," he murmured. He shook his head. "I'm not the one the title of hero should have gone to that day." He looked at his man once more. "I don't even think he was a soldier, when he stepped in like he did. I half suspect he was a bandit or highwayman or mercenary who just happened to have ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up in it all. In a desperate attempt to save his own life, he saved all of ours too. As I scrambled to figure out what to do, how to fix the mess I'd gotten us into, this man took my arm and told me to order a counterattack. I had no time to ask questions, I just did it. I was too worried about my men, though, to pay attention to myself. I'm skilled, ask anyone who knows me, but when emotions run high, sometimes everything else tends to shut off. I tried to save everyone," he said.
"Is that not admirable?" Bernie asked.
"It is. Never will I regret trying to save as many as could be saved. Except I didn't remember to try and save myself. I ended up badly wounded, bleeding at the edge of the woods. The enemy, of course, tried to drag me into their midst to capture or kill me. Cut off and cauterize the head of a hydra, and the rest of the body dies. Had I been slaughtered, leaving them without leadership, no one would have made it out alive," he said.
"How did you get away?" Bernie questioned, intrigued now.
"I didn't. I was rescued. This man at my side acted to save me. Apparently he knew the hydra analogy as well. I almost cost him his life. I think he was on the verge of just leaving me to die and hoping my men obeyed his orders instead, after they realized I was gone. Better one die than everyone, after all. That was something he and I could both agree on, it seems. He stuck by me, though, and dragged me to safety into the midst of my soldiers. He told me to order them to obey his commands. I did. Once he was in charge, nothing was held back. Without him, not a single man of my company would be present here today."
"And how many died under his leadership?" Aleena challenged coldly. The stranger scoffed.
Jules smirked a bit. "A fair question to ask, but though it might seem like it at first, the answer isn't in your favor. A quarter of us were wiped out. That's a quarter as opposed to every last one."
"How many of those did he sacrifice?" Aleena darkly asked.
Jules was quiet. After a moment he bowed his head sadly. "All of them," he answered, sounding tired.
"How many of the sacrifices could have been saved?" Bernadette asked.
"Had I been the one in control, about half of them." He glared darkly at the man. "No one, as far as I could have helped it, would have been left behind. You threw the weak to the enemy like you would throw scrap to a fire."
"Remind me never to ask for your recommendation, representation, or character witness again, Commander," the stranger bit.
"There was a better way and you know it," Jules hissed.
"Hard decisions, sir," the man coldly replied. "Breaking the enemy line was our only way out. Of course it required death. Besides, better to save the many over the few. Weren't we in agreement with that?"
Aleena scoffed in disgust. Bernadette looked appalled. "You sacrificed a quarter of those men so you could get out alive?" the latter snapped. "Those men didn't need to die. You just wanted a quick and easy way out!"
"And I brought the majority of them with me, including your dashing young Commander, my Lady. You're welcome," Sleet smugly answered. Bernie started and scowled, fists clenching.
"Bernadette, he isn't wrong," Jules quietly said, head hung. "That day I failed to put forward my best face, so he had to. An outlier in the wrong place at the wrong time, forced to fight under a stranger's Command... But without him my entire battalion would have been eliminated and the enemy untouched." He looked back up, drawing a shaking breath. "I blanked, your majesties, and whatever plan I might have had that could have saved them never saw fruition. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. Had I been any sort of capable leader, only an eighth of my men might have died as opposed to a quarter."
"How many enemies fell at his feet?" the King questioned, looking at the stranger.
"Maybe a sixth? His goal was escape, not grabbing victory," Jules replied.
The King looked at the Commander. "How many would have fallen at yours, had you retained leadership?" he asked.
Jules was silent a moment. "At least half, had things gone well, but even the thought of doing something like that... Half an entire company just gone? Sire, I'm not sure I could have gone through with it. After all, what's the most acceptable sacrifice in the end? Some lives or many?"
"Many," the King coldly answered. "As long as it was their lives and not ours."
Aleena started, looking quickly at her father in shock. "What? But father, that would only mean that many more innocent families would be bereaved of their loves ones and left to fester in grief," she argued.
"You are naïve, daughter. You see, now far more enemies remain alive who may not have the same conscience. They will cut a bloody swath through all the land, and then how many will be bereaved?" the King replied. "Had Jules retained command, my opinion is that far more lives in the long run would have been saved."
"That's only if we assume the enemy doesn't share the same conscience we do," Aleena argued.
"Kill or be killed, princess," the masked stranger said.
"Be silent," she testily bit at him, shooting the man a sharp and annoyed look.
"Majesties, I made a grave mistake. That's it. On reflection I could come up with a thousand better plans I might have used in the face of the situation, but I can't travel back in time and so no matter those plans, they're useless now. At the end of the day, if not for this man we would all be dead. He not only saved us, but left a fair enough dent in the enemy that it caused them to think twice about pursuit. He owed us nothing. He happened on our slumbering battalion, tried something funny, and ended up caught up in the enemy's trap at which point it was make friends fast or end up dead. Yet even after we had escaped, he remained. Maybe he stayed only to ensure his own safety, since we were so deep in enemy territory, but whether that's the case or not, he proved invaluable in the subsequent skirmishes that followed over the next few months. Others pressed for his interrogation or ejection, but I remained grateful to him and refused to turn on the man. I held off on making any rash calls until I could get a better sense of his motives, but I was never able to. He slipped away shortly before we met up with General Armand and his company. There was no guarantee the General would share my sentiments, and he had proven himself to me besides as far as I was concerned, so I didn't hold it against him. That's why I stand for him now."
"Commander Jules, this man's intent was never to rescue you or your men. It wasn't his intent to save lives or to be a hero. It wasn't his intent to stop a war or win a battle. His intent was to get out alive no matter how many had to be crushed underfoot. He is no hero because his deeds were not done out of the goodness of his heart. They were done because they benefitted him," the King said. He looked at the stranger darkly. "I wonder if he has ever done anything at all that wasn't to his benefit," he icily said.
"I doubt he has, but that doesn't diminish his efforts in battle. Nor does it diminish his role as my unofficial co-commander for the rest of that campaign. Nor does it negate the impact he had on it. Nor does it change the fact he saved hundreds if not thousands of lives," Jules argued.
"This man deserves neither your praise or defense," the King said.
"Yet I freely give him both and continue to," Jules boldly replied, eyes narrowed. "I stand by taking responsibility for him."
SU
Aleena watched the young Commander, smitten by his courage and determination. She flushed a little at the thought and looked away. "Hmm... Very well, Jules. You have made your arguments for him. I will consider them," the King said. He turned to the man. "You, man, take off your mask," he commanded. "I would see what you are." The man in question was utterly still. The King frowned and looked at Jules. "What is he?" he asked.
"I don't know, your majesty. He's never uncovered his face in my presence," Jules admitted. "Nor did I ask him to more than once. What he is, is his business, not mine. He wanted his privacy, so I gave him that privacy. It was the least I could do. If I didn't ask back then, I won't ask now."
"We are not one in that," the king answered, frowning at the stranger. "Take it off," he ordered. Aleena, curious, turned back. The man bared his teeth. "That was not a request, soldier," the King warned. The man made no motion to do so. "Argus, remove it!" the King ordered. Argus winced, hesitating, then tentatively approached the man.
"Dearest, enough of a spectacle has been made. Let the poor thing go and let's get on with the ball. Leave the matter be for now. We can discuss it later. His transgression was minor and not worth this drama. If he doesn't please to remove the mask, then so be it," Queen Sonya spoke up. The man looked quickly and somewhat warily at her, clearly puzzled at her defense, but said nothing. "We have secured Jules' promise that he will take responsibility for this soldier. Let that be enough for now," the Queen continued.
The King frowned, considering his wife's words. "Very well," he at last relented. He looked to Jules. "Commander Jules, if you would take responsibility for him, so be it, but be careful that it does not become a decision you regret."
"Majesty," Jules said, bowing to him.
The King nodded and looked over his subjects, putting on a smile. "Now, enough talk has been had. Please, everyone, enjoy the rest of the evening. The food, the dancing. You are each and every one our honored guests," he declared. The crowds clapped, relaxing, and slowly dispersed. The stranger gave Jules a cold look then slipped away. Jules watched quietly after him.