Speech = ``…..´´
Thoughts = [… …]
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...Sometimes, there can be hidden opportunities...
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``Step aside, Zenon. Now!´´
Commanded an ten year old silver haired, red eyed girl to a young, though more imposing figure that was blocking her way out of her room which appeared not at all face by her words. Something that she knew well enough for no simple eleven year old girl would be able to convince if not cowed a knight into listening to her.
Yet her voice remained as steadfast and resolute to see that which she wanted to be fulfilled, what she lacked in strength she had enough in silent spite to back her up her resolve.
For she was not a simple ten year old girl to listen and mindlessly believe the half baked truths of the man who pretended to act in her best interest.
Zenon.., the blond haired Knight in question was dressed in his work clothes like any other Knight, polished and clean to obscenity as she could even see her own reflection from the glint of his boots, gauntlets or chest-plate. Warped in perfumes and his head carefully shaved so that it was kept in balance he appeared ready to go out in a parade than actually guard a simple room.
He was smiling, he was always smiling….what many girls sough as attractive she believed repulsive.
There was something wrong with him, she did not know what...but she always felt uneasy in his presence.
And now she was alone in his presence, yes, there were guards outside too…, but she was Alone with him inside her room, which until now, remained locked from the inside.
``I cant…´´
She fought down the urge to bit her lip and clench her fists before him, that would only made her look weak. Like a petty child throwing a tantrum..which she was, but there was no need to reinforce that idea.
She pointed one small finger and jabbed at his chest, it did nothing, but it sent the message across.
``I command you to do it...´´
``As I said, I cant..´´
``Do. It...´´
She was not going to back down, not now, not ever...especially not in the confines of her own room. For if she did, she would never forgive herself to allow her last place she felt confident crumble by her own inaction.
Zeon grimaced, his left hand touching the handle of his sword. Clearly not taking it well with the problem he was met with.
She did not spare him any sympathy.
``For ninth time, I can't allow you to go, Princess Alexia´´
``Why? In fact, you have not explain to me why are you here in the first place. Don't you know that is a crime to try to keep royalty locked without permission..?´´
Each word was used like a fine sword, swinging and cutting deeply with the mastery of blade-master.
The blond Knight rose one of his hands in an easy going manner, trying to placate her..
``Believe me, that is not my intent..´´
``And why should I believe you..?´´
``Because those are my orders..´´
He finally revealed, a shadow of annoyance passing behind the depths of his eyes before they disappeared just as quickly.
`` I must follow them. I would be a poor Knight if I didn't, wouldn't you think..?´´
She almost grimaced when she saw that damn smile again. Goddess be good, it was absolutely horrible.
`` Don't care, orders can be changed with the right chain of command..´´
``Indeed, they can..´´
``Then I order you-´´
``Your fathers orders…´´
He cut her off, not an ounce of shame in his face while doing so.
It took her a moment before she regained her composure by such brazen act as-well as granting in her nerves the way her father once again had barged in her own affairs.
``Figured he would have something to do…, such terrible timing´´
``What was that..?´´
He asked, feigning ignorance in his tone. She did not fall for it, deciding to change the topic once more.
``What is going on? Why is everyone panicking? Why is no one telling me anything!? Speak and don't dare lie to me, I will know´´
Zenon stared at her, but instead of appearing fearful or shocked he started at her bemused. His lips remained stiff and still, yet she knew that it was only barely.
He was laughing at her...
The bastard-!
``How would you.., if I am allowed to ask..´´
``I just will…´´
``So you say…´´
``Well..? Anything? ´´
A moment of paused stretched between the two, she was sure that he was not going to grant her the answer she sought, yet she waited all the same.
She could not be the one to break away first…, not in their silent staring contest.
``There is.., as you may have believed a situation developing..´´
``Right, and..?´´
``I am afraid I can not say much about it..´´
One of her wine red eyes twitched.
``Liar! Do you think I would fall for that...!?´´
``Believe me, I would love to know more..but I can not do much from here. I have been with you for an hour or two at least, many things could be happening and I have no one to fill in the gaps.. ´´
She snorted, eyes narrowing with a scowl.
``What? My suppose to be caretaker is not aware why he has to be my caretaker in the slightest? That doesn't fill me with confidence...´´
``Fine, there is civil unrest outside the castle walls´´
Her frown grew deeper...
``This looks more than just civil unrest…´´
``Well, civil unrest is a product of the situation, one of many...houses are on fire, buildings are crumbling and there is the rumour than black clothed men are fighting down the streets. Copious amounts of blood are being spilled eve right now...´´
Battle..?
Fighting..?
It explained many things, hell, it was the most logical thing to explain all the chaos that was unrevealing. Even from the safety of her room she could hear the mess that had taken by storm, literally in this case the capital.
But…
But who would be mad enough to try something like that!? There was no short amount of strong warriors inside the city walls, and even more in the castle. If they were to attempt an assault in a town or a frontier city then it was more believable
No, she lacked information..
She would have to wait to find out more before taking a proper decision.
``Does that satisfy your curiosity, my princess?´´
Her young face creased, she put her arms behind her back. She was not going to show weakness…
Not to him..
``Where is my sister?´´
``She called the Knights to fight, then went down. ´´
That rose an eyebrow from her.
``And you did not came with her?
``As I said..I have my duties to uphold.., even if I wanted I can not disobey my orders´´
[It must bit you a lot to be kept away from the action, yet again I could be wrong, you don't seem the one to enjoy getting your hands dirty..]
``Of course, but where is she?´´
``…..´´
``Well?´´
She repeated with a little hint of impatience drawing in her words. He merely shrugged
``To be honest, I don't know´´
``You don't? But you are a knight´´
``I have been keeping guard on you, my princess...is hard to keep track of Princess Iris while she is outside of this very walls wouldn't you say´
[Touché..!]´
``But you have been talking with the servants that come and go…, you must know something´´
``I did talk with them..., and yet they too know nothing, though they have started to guess what may have happened..´´
``To guess..? Happened?´´
She parroted not liking what she was hearing.
``Yes…, that is what I said´´
``Can you stop beating around the bush..?´´
``If that is your command my princess..´´
``It is..´´
``Then you must know that their conversations carried with them the belief though simple and completely nonsense whether she is already dead..´´
``You were right, that was complete nonsense…´´
``But what if she did...?´´
``Did what..?´´
``Die...´´
She blinked once, then twice…, her face stuck in a dumbfounded expression as she was unable to understand what he had just uttered.
When she did she only felt anger.
Grinding her teeth she sent a glare at the Knight. The bubbling emotions brewing behind her scarlet eyes meeting those smiling and bemused of Zenon.
``Are you listening to yourself!? My sister, dead!? I have heard bad jokes before and I have witnessed buffoons fail, but you are the whole circus if you believe for a second that my sister would ever die just like that!´´
She was just too strong…
Too talented…
Too bright for her to be able to be noticed by the rest of the kingdom, by her peers, her father...
``But what if its true? No one has seen the First Princess and the situation is growing grimmer by the minute. I am sure you know that the First princess would not stand idle for no reason´´
``She is too strong to be defeated…, get it in your head for once´´
``And what if she did..?
``What are you trying to get at? What are you talking about..?´´
She was growing more and more annoyed by the second.
``Think, Alexia...what would happen if she were to die?´´
``She dies, then what?´´
She spatted loudly though she was not believing a single word, it just didn't make sense...
``Then you would be queen...´´
And for once she had nothing to say at that...
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A/N
Delta and Shadow-garden go for a relaxing fishing trip at the beach. Someone should have told her that one needed fishing rods instead of brute forcing her way for the prey