she wishes to argue, to tell him he’s wrong. but unfortunately he was right. being as she was, the second born, the idea of becoming queen, the legacy to her mother, were all not for her. not at first. her sister was more prepared for this than she could ever be. socially, her sister was not at that same level than was she, but she needed to be prepared politically and socially. politically is where she lacked. that was obvious. so, instead of putting up a fight, she does as she’s told, taking a seat with a sigh. they’re seated far apart, though. him on one side, her on the other.
❛ okay. ❜ her hands rest upon the tabletop, fingers laced in one another. she does not look him in the eyes, instead she stares at her hands. focusing on not showing any nervous ticks. be it fidgeting, or her eyes wandering. this was not an easy tale to tell. not only was it over her father’s death, it was also hush hush between the people inside the wall, and hardly spoken of by anyone inside the castle itself. the only people briefed would be her mother and closest members of her staff. it was not until recent she was filled in completely, putting what she knew into a fuller prospective.
❛ when my father died.. our people were scared. he was killed in battle, and some people feared that our army refused to protect him, or – if they could not protect him, they could not protect them. so they rioted. ❜ a sigh, readjusting herself. ❛ we were quiet that day, and the next. we didn’t know of what was happening outside because we were grieving. they had a hard time trusting my mother after that. ❜
she stops for a second, this part of the story she did not wish to say. the thought of it made her angry. it made her think of this situation. but not a detail was to be missed. ❛ but there’s more. because of what happened the people did not think my mother could rule all on her own. because they thought my father was the sole person behind everything, and without him, it was almost as if we had nobody to guide us. they thought because she stayed silent she didn’t know what to do. but my mother didn’t let that stop her.. and eventually the riots stopped when people understood my mother was in power, and had control. ❜
thinking about it, if her mother had gone through a similar situation, where people believed she needed someone else beside her to handle the duties of her position, why put her through the same? did her own mother think she was not capable of running the kingdom to a high standard? was she afraid the people would take advantage of someone who was still so new to the idea of ruling? would her sister have been stuck in a similar situation? she knows this is for the better of the kingdom, but still, her heart sinks suddenly.
❛ that’s all, though. all that is left of what happened that day are destroyed buildings. we help with food and supplies, and we had people rebuilding until my mother got sick. so far, they have all understood. but now that you’re here.. they are going to grow impatient. ❜
she shifts in her seat, finally looking him in the eyes, eyebrows furrowed, a determined look across her face.
❛ people get scared for reasons I don’t understand. my father went ahead unprotected because he was the hero type of man. had anyone known that, he’d be here right now. I think the people know the riot was a mistake, but I think it was also a way for them to force my mother into paying better attention to outside of the wall. ❜ she releases her fingers from her own grasp, grabbing the last sheet of paper from the pile he held, placing it down and pointing at the empty space.
❛ I know it sounds like a messy situation. but I have lived this. I have been down to see those people. I have tried to help in whatever way I was allowed. through that, I have developed my ideas. if that is not enough to prove to you I am more than what you think I am, then watch me. ❜
A hum. He takes note of the distance — how telling. Despite his awareness of her aversion, somehow there’s the smallest twinge tugging at his heart. But of what, he wonders ? Annoyance ? No. It’s different, it’s a twisted take on the emotions he’d experienced prior. A part of him wishes for the union to work, more so for the political aspect however, and not for the emotional. Legs cross, a cheek rests to knuckles. Snub the thought.
❛ So, it’s an issue brought on by miscommunication. How unfortunate. Still, it’s understandable. It’s difficult to deliver a message to the entirety of the kingdom without some level of misinterpretation. I must agree, however. Your silence is an act I would have committed myself. It is important to honour the fallen and the noble. ❜
Trust — so fragile, so difficult to earn. Yet, once gained, it is a formidable strength fettering people to loyalty, forging bonds, steeling them. ❛ It seems people are never satisfied, bold enough even to bite the hand that feeds them. They constantly demand more, and we continue to give them more. Without question. Such is the life of a ruler. It is the people who control this land, we are merely their voice. ❜ Silence befalls him afterward, now attentive, genuinely intrigued. Her final plea, however, gives him pause, and he remains unconvinced. Words mean little, actions speak far greater volumes, shake souls, achieve more. Any tale can be spun, exacerbated for effect, sweetened with lies to gain sympathy. While he wholly doubts she is of the type drawn to falsehoods, still, he stands unmoved, skeptical. His hand is stable, still comfortable beneath his chin, unwilling to sign just yet. He is still deliberating, still mulling over the thought.
Leaning forward, spine curving akin to a primed feline. Entwining lithe, gloved fingers before his mouth, they rest just below his nose. Now he waits. Ahead, his gaze bores despite the breadth, mentally encapsulating his own tale for the sake of time — a luxury they cannot afford. He believes some relevance will ease their expectations of each other, expectations which clearly differ. Is what she says enough proof ? No. Not in the slightest.
❛ Then, show me. I would much prefer to watch. ❜
Moments pass. The ink laden nib of the pen drops to paper, etching an elegant signature upon the dotted line. The agreement is officially forged. He hopes for progress, hopes to see the kingdoms evolve. ❛ Let us pay your people a visit tomorrow. We’ll awake with the dawn. I would like to see them with my own eyes. We shall save the formalities after the wedding. This gives us ample to time to devise a solution to this predicament, and time to grasp the situation. ❜
Now he stands, spine straightened to pace about the room, languid, as if taking in the sights ( despite the opulence, how dull a room they share ). Scrupulousness — it’s a habit, helps drive thoughts to the fore of his conscience. ❛ In the meantime, I find it appropriate to become better acquainted with each other and our land. Your mother knows much of me. As for you, not so much. ❜ Not even a breath, ❛ The entirety of my youth was spent in Lindblum. It is not a modest kingdom, we too have our share of affluence. But that attitude is not reflected in our people. The majority are generous, nonviolent... pacifists if you will. The same can be said of our sovereignty. We prefer words over weaponry, we are masters of negotiation, knowledgeable of all aspects of societal structure and how to maintain it. But we crave the unity of our nations to ensure some diversity exists. While ideology evolves with time and generations, our methods have grown stale. And we require fresh minds to stimulate our own. This union will also benefit each state in an economical sense. ❜
A spin on heels, locking his gaze with hers. Stoic, indiscernible. ❛ That aside, I am sure you have questions of me. To which you’re more than welcome to ask. Rather, I encourage it. ❜
