Crown and Thorn || Daniel & Juno
She said nothing at first, letting his answers come out unhindered. She could understand what he was saying, despite not being royal herself. She felt bad about moving the conversation to an analysis of his life, and where he fit in the world, but it was something both intriguing and revealing to her. She didn’t experience the things she did, and she had always been someone who loved the stories of others.
"You’ll always be proving yourself," she said, glancing over at him," but you’re not the only one. We’re all proving ourselves to someone or another." She shrugged looking away again to watch the places and people they passed, wondering if any would ever seem familiar to her," You may be a prince, you may be the next ruler of this country, but that’s something that won’t ever change. But you’re not the only one trying to make your parents proud, or trying to become the person you want to be, or wanting to be there for the people that need you, or even just trying to do the right thing. That’s a struggle we all feel."
Something nagged at her internally about this whole situation. Why would he invite her on this walk? Why did he seem so interested in the people in the palace? None of the other of the royal family seemed to care so much about anything or anyone outside their own little circles…. so what made him different? It didn’t matter, she probably wouldn’t understand his motivations, but if anything she was at least willing to run with it.
She stopped walking,” I tell you what, for this walk… I’m not some lost soul and you’re no prince. We’re just people, out for a walk, enjoying the day and taking advantage of good weather.”
Despite himself, he felt his lips tremble. Too wrought with emotion he was over this subject. It consumed him; it overwhelmed him. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to find a sense of composure. He needed to find a handle on himself. With a free hand, he covered his mouth and breathed deeply through his nose. Did he appear distraught? Because he felt it overcome his entire being.
This was his life. And what a forlorn one it was.
"Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one," he murmured as he let his hand drop back to his side. His voice was steady, and he felt immense gratitude for that. "Simply because if everyone else feels it, they should understand, right? But at mostly every turn -- they don't."
Not to his face. It was argument after argument, strained words mixed with confusion. He was alone in his struggle; that's how it was supposed to be anyway, wasn't it? He had to discover for himself how to claw back to the light.
The problem? He was being dragged back down to the dark abyss, and pulling himself back up seemed like a lost cause most nights.
Pushing aside those thoughts, he focused back on Juno and her -- suggestion. It was a desired reprieve and he found himself all for it. "--Yes. Yes, I would like that." The relief was adamant in his tone, but he cleared his throat. Extending an arm to showcase what laid before them, he tried for a smile. "Where shall we go since our objective has -- changed?"
