Prince Ephraim. I hope I find you in good health. I'm afraid that I have some rather terrible news for your ears...
"I am in good health, Seth, and I’m glad to see you seem to be in much the same." Ephraim nodded at Seth, but his look was solemn, as he could tell from Seth’s tone that it was quite serious. "Terrible news? ….very well, Seth. I am listening."
The prince chuckled. “You’re quite correct to say that you did not think I’d approve. Eirika knows me far too well by now. Really Seth, you sometimes let your worries get the better of you far too often.” Although Seth did not hug Ephraim, though he wanted to, because he was afraid of how the prince might react, the blue-haired warrior took the initiative on his own and hugged Seth. He then stepped back for a moment though, and his expression became serious. "Seth, there is something I very much need you to understand." He looked the paladin straight in the eyes. "Some of this I probably don’t need to reinforce, but I feel I should." He inhaled, then let out a deep breath. "I don’t think there is any man that I know of that would be better for my sister. But you must take care of her as I’m sure you have been. But you also need to understand that she needs to be able to fight her own battles and do things for herself sometimes, no matter how much it may worry you. She did a lot of growing up while we weren’t watching, and I’ve come to understand that in the past few months. Most importantly, though, Seth…if anything happens to me, she will be the one to ascend to the throne. You must support her with all your heart and being regardless of what happens, especially should anything unfortunate befall me. She will always know how to guide Renais, and never lead it astray. Never let anyone believe otherwise. I entrust this all to you, because I know I can, Seth." He smiled at the knight again. "You’re a good man, and a reliable person Seth. Don’t forget that."
"Of course, My Prince," Seth answered, his cheeks still yet to recover from the unexpected hug. As much as he knew that Prince Ephraim was still very different from (and yet the same as) his father, it was always the little things like sudden hugs or even a childish prank or two that reminded the Silver Knight that the twins of Renais were truthfully not much younger than he. "I apologize for allowing my own worries to precede the need to speak to you about our courtship first. I assure you, as it evolves over time, you will be the first to know of its progression."
He stood there, straight as a knight ought to be, listening quietly as Ephraim spoke. There was a small part of him that wished to protest, to tell the other man that there was simply no way in all of Magvel that Ephraim could possibly come to harm now that rebuilding was done and the most dangerous sight of these days was the common bandit. But even then, he knew it was not so; Darkling Woods still reeked of the miasma left by the Demon King, and every so often, a creature from lord would show its face again. The thought of those creatures was terrifying a best... and the idea that they would ever break through the prince's powerful lance was something much more troublesome.
"There is nothing more I would rather do than to support her as she continues to grow," Seth answered, closing his eyes briefly. For a brief moment, he once gain saw the naive long-haired girl he used to watch in between his training as a squire. "But let us not forget that there are two sides to that coin. If you wish me to worry less for her, then by all means, My Lord, please, take care of yourself as well. As long as you live and are healthy, then I know the princess will be safe. Between your lance and my blade, there are none that would ever dare touch her. But should you fall, then Renais shall stand atop a precarious cliff. No matter how strong the support I give your sister, or the hand she guides the kingdom with, there will always be something there that will leave all of us, every man and woman who calls Renais their home, in great mourning. We will be weaker than before, though we will not show it." he paused, then smiled a little. "So, my prince, do be careful where you swing that lance."












