It was silly, it was all so very silly and childish. Her feelings for Raymond-no, Raven now, the silly promise she held close to her heart and knew he'd never fulfill, and most of all her jealousy towards Lucius. It wasn't his fault Raven had changed over the years, hardened into a man she barely recognized.

But even so, Raven had still replaced her with Lucius as his most cherished person. And it hurt.

"Lady Priscilla?"

She snapped back to here and now, blinking back tears. She was on the sidelines of the battlefield and had apparently nodded off during a conversation with this man. The object of her childish jealousy.

"Oh, I apologize," she said. "That was rude of me, to suddenly go so quiet in the middle of our talk."

"No, it's quite all right," Lucius said. "But...you looked as though something was troubling you. Might I be of assistance in any way?"

"It is nothing." Priscilla forced a smile. "Except...how do I say this..."

"Yes?"

"You're...beautiful, Lucius," she said, "your face is like that of a woman's...no, even more beautiful! Surely, even a few lords must have fallen for you..."

Luicus closed his eyes, his expression becoming grim.

"My appearance has brought me little to no fortune throughout my life," he said. "As a child, I was teased for it, and it's brought me unwanted attention from men who thought me a beautiful girl."

"Oh..." Priscilla bit her lip. "I'm so sorry, I...I didn't mean to bring back those memories! It's just that..." She sighed.

"What is it?"

"No, it's stupid."

"If it's bothering you so much, it's not stupid." Lucius placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Please, tell me."

She swallowed, tears pricking at her eyes once more.

"You're so beautiful, such a kind person, and I've been jealous of you all this time!" she blurted out. "You've-captivated Raymond in ways no one else ever could, he listens to you when you speak, if it weren't for you he'd still be wanting revenge on House Ostia...you've done more for him than I ever could! But even knowing you've been so good for him I'm still jealous..." She was crying now. "I don't blame you if you're angry, I'm so selfish...you must think I'm a monster..."

He was still for a moment, and she waited for him to get angry. Or say something gentle but cruel to further rub salt into the wound. But instead, he laid a hand to her cheek, gently brushing away her tears with his fingertips.

"Lady Priscilla, please don't say such things about yourself," he said. "You're not selfish, and you're not a monster."

"But-"

"Raymond does care for you as much as he does for me," Lucius said. "He only pushes you away to protect you...he tried to do that to me as well. But you can't let him! He will listen to you, but only if you go to him."

She sniffled, leaning her cheek into his palm.

"Y-you really think so...?"

"I know so." He drew her closer. "And Lady Priscilla?"

"Y-yes?"

"You're quite beautiful yourself. Extrordinarily so, I must say."

The only response she could muster was a surprised squeak, and as he brushed his lips against her hair her face turned brighter than its shade.