A/N: Chapter 2 is here! This will be kind of a fluffy chapter (scratch that, really fluffy haha). This chapter will be more Sylvia centered, so I hope you all enjoy it! I also realize that in the last chapter I forgot to explain the little annotations. I'll explain real quickly.
(1): I wasn't sure how long ago the King died so I just made an educated guess
(2): I assume the Princess (or Prince) was about 17 at the beginning of the game. So I'm assuming at this point in time the Princess is about 12.
Heart of a King: Chapter 2
After her visit with Logan, Sylvia returned to her home near Bowerstone Market. She was excited by the prospect of having Logan all to herself for an entire day. It has been so long since the two of them had shared proper quality time together. Logan had practically been shoved into the title of king, seeing as his father had died so unexpectedly. The King's illness had been swift and ruthless, and his death left the kingdom unsure of the future. Logan was left with many things to pursue and take care of.
Walking into her home, Sylvia's mother, Agnes, was sitting inside with one of the maids drinking tea. Agnes was particularly fond of her daughter's relationship with the king, even though she was not particularly fond of Logan. Many times she would tell Sylvia that she felt a strange air about him and she could not quite put her finger on what was wrong with him. She only tolerated the relationship because their marriage would lead to vast amounts of money. She would always brag to her friends that her daughter was going to be Queen of Albion one day. She would also complain that if Logan did not propose to her soon, she would march off to the palace herself and make sure he did so.
"How was your visit with Logan, dear?" asked Agnes. "Any signs he may be proposing soon?
Sylvia rolled her eyes, "No, mother. You always ask me this. He hardly has time for himself, and he has more important things to deal with right now."
"Bah, there is always time for a wedding. A king needs a queen."
Sylvia's father, Richard, must have heard the conversation between her and her mother and entered the room. Her father was a tall man and looked quite well for his age. His gray was longer and tied in a low ponytail. He had once served as the financial advisor for the old king and was one of the king's closest friends. That is how Sylvia and Logan had become friends in the first place.
"Are you still badgering her over that, Agnes?" said Richard. "Logan will marry her when he's good and ready. Hell, he may not even want to marry her."
In perfect unison, Sylvia and her mother replied, "Father!" and "Richard!"
"Only joking, my loves," Richard said with a laugh. "But seriously now, Logan has a lot on his plate now. I'm sure once things settle a bit he will be more than willing to take a wife."
"I certainly hope so. I do want grandchildren eventually."
After spending a little more time with her parents, Sylvia retired to her room to continue reading a novel her father had lent her. But, she found a hard time concentrating on said novel. Her mind constantly drifted back to Logan and marriage. The more time that past the more she thought of marriage and becoming Logan's wife. Becoming queen did not interest her in the slightest; she would marry Logan even if he were a penniless lute player.
Sylvia's mind suddenly drifted toward the past when she and Logan were young. Many times during the night, Logan would sneak out of the palace and journey to her home. The two would be out till the wee hours of the morning, running about Bowerstone acting like normal, reckless youths. Sometimes, they would sneak into the nearby grave yard just for the thrill. Sylvia was terrified of the graveyard. Many of her friends said that hollow men would lurk the graveyard at night and would kill any living thing there. But, she did not let her fear show in front of Logan. Even then, her feelings for Logan were bordering on affection, and she desperately wanted Logan to feel the same.
Her mind then drifted back to the time when she and Logan had shared their first kiss. It had been five years ago when she and Logan were 19 years of age (1). Feelings between the two were obvious to all around them, yet they were afraid to act upon them. One night, Sylvia had visited Logan at the castle and they had spent the evening on one of the many balconies. The temperature and dropped considerably as the night wore on, and Sylvia had mentioned she was cold. Logan put his arm around her and pulled her close as he often did. She snuggled against him, relishing in the warmth his body provided. This was normal between the two, but that night the air about them was different. Her heart pounded beneath her chest. She could hear the blood rushing through her ears and she was sure Logan could hear it too. She felt Logan's gaze upon her and she looked up. His eyes were warm and loving and she felt a blush rise to her face. They continued to gaze upon one another, until Logan placed his hand upon her face.
"You're blushing, "said Logan.
Sylvia's blush grew even brighter, "I-it's only the cold."
Logan's hand slid from her face, down her exposed neck then rested on her shoulder. The slight touch of Logan's hand to Sylvia's neck made her shiver in a way she had never experienced. She attempted to look away, but Logan forced her to hold his gaze. It was then his heart betrayed his mouth, and he poured his feelings out to her. He had told her that he had loved her for so long, and that he could not imagine what his life would be like without her. He had said that many times he would lay awake at night picture her beautiful face in his mind. Sylvia watched in awe as Logan spilled his feelings out to her, and her heart swelled with love for him.
Neither knew who moved first, but when their lips met in their first kiss, nothing else existed in that moment. Both were lost in each other and the kiss. When they finally parted, they laughed happily. After that first kiss, Logan pulled her closer and kissed her over and over until she was dizzy with love and passion.
Bowerstone lay in rubble, its citizens screaming and running through the streets. A thick, black tar substance seemed to be taking over the pathways and the houses. The king's soldiers tried their best to protect the people, but it seemed useless. Dead bodies lay everywhere, blood running down the streets.
From the black substance, dark shadows emerged. They took the form of men, but they were not men at all. The evil that emanated from them was palpable. They seemed to drain all of the happiness and joy from the world and replaced it with hopelessness and death.
"They will all fall," came a dark voice from the shadows. "My children will purge this world of its sin and replace it with darkness. All will learn to embrace it!"
Flames engulfed everything, and the darkness swallowed Albion whole
Logan awoke with a start, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. He rarely had nightmares, but this nightmare had felt so real. The darkness he saw in his dream frightened him…perhaps the stress was finally catching up to him. Whatever caused this nightmare, Logan was not sure. He sat upright in bed for a few moments, trying to shake the images of the dream from his mind.
Looking out his large window, Logan saw that the sun was just rising. Standing up shakily, he made his way over to the door that led to his balcony. Stepping into the cool air, he took a few deep breaths to clear his mind. 'What caused this nightmare?' he thought. 'Such darkness and death…and it felt so real to me. I must put this behind me for now.'
He stood outside to watch the sun rise over Bowerstone. This comforted him slightly, but he decided to stay on the balcony a few moments longer, hoping to completely rid himself of the nightmare. He must have stayed longer than he thought, for when Walter entered his chamber, he was surprised to see Logan in his night trousers and no shirt.
"Your majesty," said Walter. "Your audience is waiting for you in the throne room. You're not even dressed."
Logan turned, "I am sorry, Walter. I lost track of time."
"Is something troubling you? You look uneasy."
"Nothing to trouble yourself over. I just had a rough sleep, that's all."
"Ah, I see. But, you must ready yourself for your audience. I doubt the people of Albion want to see their king half nude. Though I'm sure the ladies would like it."
"Speaking of ladies, I promised Sylvia I would spend the day with her today. After my audience, I am canceling the rest of my duties. If I remember correctly, there is nothing terribly important planned for today."
"Yes, but it is important for a king to keep his promises. Could your day with Sylvia wait a few more days?"
"This cannot wait, for today will be an important day," said Logan, looking at Walter and waiting for his reaction.
It took a few moments, then Walter's eyes widened, "You dog! Are you really?"
Logan nodded, "But speaking nothing of it. I don't want the rest of the palace to know just yet. I don't want Sylvia to find out before the big moment."
"Finally, I am so proud!" said Walter who immediately went to Logan and embraced him in a fatherly hug. He was a bit too overzealous for Logan found it hard to breath.
"Thank you, Walter. But I doubt I could get married if you strangle me to death," Logan said jokingly.
"Yes, yes I'm sorry. It's just you have been like a son to me, and I know your own father would have been happy to see this day."
"I'm sure he would, but I believe he knew this is how it would turn out."
Sylvia waited excitedly for Logan to arrive at her home, unconsciously fixing her hair and her dress. He had told her he would not arrive in the royal carriage, for he wanted privacy. He had said he wanted nothing to disturb their day together. After fixing her hair for what she felt was the fiftieth time, Sylvia heard the sound of horse hoofs from outside. Peering out the window, she saw Logan's carriage waiting for her. Saying a hasty goodbye to her mother and father, she quickly made her way outside. As she approached, Logan pushed the door open and helped pull her inside. She looked about the interior of the carriage was happy that no one would be able to see inside.
Immediately Logan grabbed her and kissed her, "You look beautiful as always."
"And you are as handsome as ever," Sylvia replied sweetly. "I much prefer you in this less formal attire. Sometimes it's strange to see you dressed as a king."
"I'm glad it pleases you," he replied before kissing her again. They had just begun their day and already he could not get enough of her. "How do you always do this to me?"
"My natural charm I guess," Sylvia said while sliding onto Logan's lap. "Or, it's just that you lack self control," she added playfully.
"My love, when you are near I find it impossible to control myself."
Logan wrapped his arms tightly around Sylvia's tiny waist and held her close as they kissed. It was true, he could not control himself around Sylvia. Most men could not if they were around the woman they loved. He lost himself in Sylvia's arms every single time. Before he could control himself, he slowly lowered Sylvia onto the seat of the carriage. He covered her body with his, feeling the slight curves of her body. His hands roamed, causing Sylvia to gasp.
"This isn't king like behavior," she said teasingly. "Claiming a woman in a carriage."
"I have claimed you in less hospitable places than this one," Logan said with a look of desire. "Or have you forgotten?"
A rather large bump in the road interrupted Logan and Sylvia's interlude rather comically. The hole in the side of the road was so large it caused Logan to fall off of Sylvia and on to the carriage floor. Sylvia laughed so hard that her face turned a bright shade of red.
"I'm glad I can amuse you," said Logan as he steadied himself. "Now, aren't you curious as to where we are going?"
"Yes, I was going to ask you when I first got in the carriage. You wouldn't let me get a word it," Sylvia said with a wink. "But, please tell me where we're going!"
"I was hoping to spend the day by the lake, if you had no objections."
Bower Lake had always been one of Sylvia's favorite places. Her aunt Muriel (2) lived in Millfields, which was right next Bower Lake. She spent many summer days with her cousins playing and swimming in the beautiful lake. Occasionally, Logan would join her, which made the experience that much better. It had been many months since she had seen her aunt Muriel, let alone been to Bower Lake. The only thing unpleasant about Millfields was a man named Reaver. Sylvia had never met him, but she heard many stories from her father and Logan about Reaver. He was a perverse man with no moral code to speak of. When Sylvia would come to Millfields, she made sure to steer clear of Reaver's manor.
As they neared the lake, Logan grew more nervous, yet he didn't know why. Today was the day he would ask Sylvia to be his wife, yet his stomach seemed to tie itself in a knot. He was the King of Albion and had dealt with many difficulties, yet the prospect of asking for Sylvia's hand in marriage frayed his nerves. At first he worried that she would turn him down, but after thinking it through he doubted she would so. 'Then why am I so bloody nervous?' he thought. 'Perhaps all men think this way before asking for a woman's hand. But I have known Sylvia my entire life. This shouldn't be difficult…why do I feel this way?' The previous night, before he had that awful nightmare, Logan agonized on how he would propose to Sylvia. He mentally cursed himself, for he should have done so years ago. A year ago, he had even gone as far to get a ring made, which he kept in a small chest in his bed chamber. Walter's constant talk of taking a wife had finally taken hold of him, for all he could think of was having Sylvia as his wife.
Finally at the lake, Logan and Sylvia exited the carriage. They spent the day lounging by the lake, relaxing under trees and occasionally splashing in the shallow sections. The beauty of it was no one really knew who they were. Logan was dressed nicely, but not nicely enough to be recognized as the king. As the sun began to set, the sky changed from bright blue to beautiful shades of pink, orange and red. For dinner they dined on a simple dish of cheese, fruit and bread. After their meal, Logan grabbed Sylvia's head and led her around to the other side of the lake. On the other side was a small path that led to a gazebo in the middle of the lake (3).
"I always loved this spot," Sylvia said. "Sometimes if I wanted to escape my cousins, I would come here and sit for hours. They never thought to look for me here."
"I'm glad we came here today. This place seems to make you very happy.
"It does. You know my mother and father almost purchased a home here? Sometimes I wish they did. Bowerstone can be so crowded at time."
Logan studied Sylvia is the light of the setting sun. He wanted to remember this image of her for the rest of his life. She was leaning against the rail of the gazebo, resting her chin on her right hand. The soft wind tossed her hair only slightly. Despite the fading light, her green eyes were as brilliant as ever. Then she looked over at Logan and smiled. This was the moment Logan was looking for. He walked over to Sylvia, taking both of her hands in his.
Leaning over to kiss Logan softly on the lips, Sylvia said, "What it is? You seem so preoccupied."
"Nothing is wrong, my love," Logan replied before taking a deep breath. "Actually, there is something I need to ask you."
A/N: I know, I know. Extreme fluff. But, I must admit I am a sucker for all things cute and romantic. Also this chapter was a bit steamier than I anticipated, but that's ok. Steamy is good too. I know Logan is still OOC, but that will change soon, I promise.
Thank you to all those who reviewed the first chapter. I honestly didn't think I would get any reviews, so thank you!
Next chapter: I'm pretty sure you all know what is going to happen.
(1): To me Logan looked like he was in his late twenties in the game. So at this point in my story he is 24. And the end he'll be 29 (if I did my math right haha).
(2): There is a quest involving a woman named Muriel who lives in Millfields. I made her Sylvia's aunt.
(3): I saw a picture of Bower Lake from Fable III and saw a gazebo, so it does exist.