ESCAFLOWNE WEEK 2021: Day 4: ROYALTY | THE LOVERS

Aston Captives

NOTE: The final chapter.

Dryden and Folken continue their fateful conversation and much is revealed. This was a blast to write. Their dynamic continues to be so much fun to explore and this was a rare chance for an emotional conversation that wasn't about the war. Romantic exploits can be so tricky, and especially if someone is in denial. But Dryden is nothing if not persistent and he is determined to break down Folken's walls.

In the end, it wasn't really a "fun" buddy story but there was some camaraderie established. I'm leaving it here so things can still practically proceed as they did in canon. Or will they? Anything is possible.

Enjoy and let me know what you think. Thank you!

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"What makes you think that?"

There was an edge to his tone now, so Dryden knew he had struck a nerve. But instead of intimidating him, this only confirmed that he had struck a nerve so he was eager to see where this conversation would lead. It was finally taking the direction he had hoped it would.

"The evidence of my own eyes," Dryden replied boldly, "I've seen the way you look at her and the way you are when she is around, and I know I'm not misreading anything. Though you have been doing your utmost to conceal your true feelings, these always have a tendency of coming out. What I've seen is deeper than admiration and respect."

Folken looked mortified at this assessment and bowed his head, turning his gaze to his half-full glass of vino. Dryden decided to give the other man a moment to process things while he himself reviewed the evidence he had gathered.

After the incident at the fountain, Dryden began to narrowly observe the Fanelian prince whenever the second Asturian princess was in the vicinity. And the more he saw, the more he became confident that the moment at the fountain was not an isolated incident.

They were often seen at the Royal Library together, discussing a wide variety of topics, and never acting inappropriately. Dryden knew that they were both too mindful of their duties and reputations to even appear improper. He made a point to visit the Royal Library more often but never enough to arouse suspicion. He watched them carefully and was pleased. Whether or not they sought each other's company, he could not be certain of, but he had seen enough of their interactions to confirm that there was something going on there.

Dryden noticed the lingering glances and the subtle shift in tone whenever Folken spoke with the princess. He seemed more at ease with her and sometimes even managed to smile. And to Dryden's surprise and delight, the partiality did not seem wholly unrequited. There was a subtle change in Eries's demeanor as well, a thawing of her icy exterior, so to speak, and she did not exhibit the harsh but understandable suspicion that most people displayed to the former Strategos.

While Dryden had not been fortunate enough to witness another event similar to that at the fountain, he was still able to catch the expression on Folken's face whenever Princess Eries took her leave. It was that familiar look of longing but tinged with something that seemed even graver than regret. Dryden understood how Folken's role in the war would prevent him from seeking to establish anything more than a cordial relationship with the princess, but there seemed something almost unbearably painful about the way he watched Eries go each time. The merchant could not be sure of what this meant yet.

"I can sympathize somehow, you know," Dryden spoke, unable to resist breaking the awkward silence and eager to continue the conversation, "Princess Eries is indeed everything you have said, and more! We have known each other for years and I can easily understand how she can inspire admiration and esteem. But she is very selective about whom she values. Her good opinion is rarely bestowed so it is more worth the earning."

Folken nodded but said nothing.

"She is very different from her younger sister, of course," Dryden continued, "Or indeed from her older sister too, as far as I know although I was never well-acquainted with the late Princess Marlene. Princess Eries is of a far more serious disposition, which makes it difficult for many people to understand her and even more challenging for them to appreciate her many merits. But I believe you to be of a similar persuasion, and if given the opportunity, once the dust has settled on all this madness, I do think you would be well-suited to each other."

"I do think you are reading too much into this," Folken warned, "Such a prospect is not at all worth pursuing and I would ask that we drop the subject completely."

"But…," Dryden protested.

"What exactly do you want me to say, Lord Dryden?" Folken asked, his tone both frustrated and inexplicably sorrowful.

"Say how you really feel about her!" Dryden replied sharply, "I opened my heart to you about my feelings for Princess Millerna so I had hoped that you would be equally communicative!"

It was a cheap shot, he knew. He did not usually resort to emotional manipulation. But he was running out of ideas to provoke any kind of response. And he was determined to get Folken to admit to something.

"It is impossible to compare our circumstances, Lord Dryden," Folken pointed out, "And it would be an insult to Princess Eries to even hint at the prospect of any association with me."

Despite such harsh words, Dryden was encouraged by hearing Folken mention the name of the princess. And reckless as he was feeling, the merchant tried a different tactic.

"For what it's worth, I believe that Princess Eries is not indifferent to you," Dryden said encouragingly.

The briefest glimmer of hope in Folken's eyes did not escape Dryden's notice. But the former then settled back into his expression of somber regret.

"Then I hope for her sake that you are wrong."

"Why are you determined to reject any chance you have at happiness?" Dryden asked in exasperation.

"Because I forfeited all such rights by working for Zaibach," Folken argued, "And now, the only thing I can do is endeavor to atone for my sins. I can only seek the forgiveness of those I have hurt but I will never ever be deserving of it."

There was another awkward but necessary pause as they struggled to get their bearings after this particularly intense exchange. Much had been revealed in such a short span of time and neither of them had expected such brutal honesty from the other.

"I know what it's like to not feel worthy of the love of an Aston princess," Dryden said, "I have already resolved to work on myself more if I am ever going to deserve a place by Princess Millerna's side."

"You are more deserving than you think, and I hope that you and the princess will reach an understanding," Folken remarked, "But as for myself, there is no way for me to ever be worthy."

"I must apologize for offending you, Lord Folken," Dryden said but the other man already shook his head. "I merely intended for us to have an earnest conversation about two people whom we hold most dear. But I see now that I have crossed a line."

"It is of no consequence," Folken replied, "And I must apologize for my outburst as well."

Hardly an outburst, Dryden thought, but then again, expression of emotion of any kind must qualify as an outburst for someone so reserved.

"For whatever it's worth, I am still grateful to have found someone who has some idea of the sheer madness it is to love an Asturian princess," Dryden remarked with a sigh, "It's a very exclusive club."

"And before you can say Allen Schezar," Dryden added quickly, "He was more than fortunate enough to have his feelings returned. And by more than one princess, I might add, the lucky bastard. He has not known the same kind of sublime misery that we have."

Folken raised an eyebrow but did not argue further. He noted that the bottle of vino was nearly empty now.

"You will never say the words yourself so please indulge me as I speak for us both and attempt to describe this bittersweet captivity," Dryden said earnestly, launching into an impassioned speech, "What then does loving an Aston sister entail? Sleepless nights as you think of her constantly, listening attentively to her every word whether or not you agree with her, just grateful for the sound of her voice, living for the moment that you will see her smile, devoting all your energy into finding ways to make dreams come true, wanting to give her the world but still feeling like this will never be enough, and desiring her happiness more than your own."

He looked expectantly at his companion. After such relentless verbal attacks, Folken seemed to have finally surrendered. After all, he had promised to be honest about his feelings, even if there was a crucial detail he continued to withhold from the merchant. There was no place for tragedy at that moment, only the truth of their hearts.

"Something to that effect," Folken said softly, and Dryden could not help but triumph. He knew that this was the best concession he was ever going to get, and he was happy to take the win.

"At the end of the day, we should just be grateful," Dryden said humbly, "That we have been accorded with the privilege of spending time with two such extraordinary women. That they deign to honor us with their company should be reward enough."

He refilled both their glasses with the last drops of vino and then proposed a toast. To his delight, Folken raised his glass along with him.

"Let us drink," Dryden declared with a grin, "To the happiness of the Aston sisters and to the exquisite agony of those whose hearts they've ensnared!"