once strides have guided them out of view, out of visions so piercing and full of uncalled judgement, did a calloused hand seek out. mirroring a devious serpent, as arm slides gracefully around golden princess' petite waist. a pull, a drag, alike the touch of a feather, does war incarnate guide the sun and seas into half an embrace. like a shield, found towering presence looming himself upon radiant existence, within his hold. a chuckle, rumbles upward, through the volcanic tunnel of a throat.
' - fear not. none is looking. ' he almost hums, and he sways two bodies from side to side, gentle, to the drum of faint musical instruments, in the far distance of the halls. war could not help himself, to brush those fair locks of hers, out of her stunningly shaped visage.
' do tell, dear princess, is it truly a round of chess you were seeking for? or have you had some ulterior motives, to such bold request? what was it again? you wish to mate me? ' - ( oseis/nunnally )
She could not blame the ladies at the court that they laughed at her. She should not have gotten involved in a game, in a competition that was not hers; that she could not win. Nunnally was proud, but not too proud to admit to herself that disturbing the cheerfulness of that circle around Lord Oseis, that proposing a game of chess, no matter the choice of words, was already that one step too far. Showing to the world - or rather to the court as what would the world care? – that she had the same feelings, and perhaps even the same desires, as everyone else. Something that she was forbidding herself to express as long as she remembered. Why was she so eager to toss aside her only shield against all those who despised her? What was it in that man that he was leaving her so fragile, so exposed?
She was grateful War did not laugh; Nunnally could stand all the soft mockery of the court ladies, but would not accept his (even if deserved?). She was used to such a treatment. The lonely princess whose only guilt was that she was not the expected son. A heiress and not a heir. Three letters that were changing so much. More like everything? His deep bow, the chivalrous reply and the light critique of what had just happened, but without having her tainted, without having her involved made Nunnally think that Lord Oseis was not only her sword but also her shield? Her armour against the world?
She happily accepted the arm offered to her, forcing herself to seem, to act casual and not eager. She spoke nothing; they did not deserve her words. Their giggles did not require her reply. And Lord Oseis, as well as everyone else, would simply understand what taking his arm meant. Their steps were quiet as they were leaving the ball room, but as they were being watched by those gathered there, they seemed to drown out all other sounds. A few more strides and she was safely led out to the refreshing coldness of the halls and their nooks and crannies that probably witnessed so many laughs and tears of lovers seeking their solitude…Why was she suddenly thinking about that?
( “(…) I do now vow and I do not kneel…(…)” ) his words were ringing in her mind like red flags when the War Incarnate gently pulled her into a hug…into a dance…his grip so feathery, yet so firm. Lord Oseis was almost not touching her, but why did it feel like he was caging her, tying, taking her proud…her freedom away?
(“ Fear not. None is looking.”) – his luring words as if he could feel her blood quickening and her lungs desperately grasping for air; oh, how good it was that he was mistaken! That what Lord Oseis thought was a fear of being seen, of being discovered, was, indeed, a fear that she would allow herself to indulge into his touch…that she would let herself feel what she had decided she never would. But she never danced in such a way! She did not want Lord Oseis to be only her sword, her shield, her armour…she wanted him to be…no! Nunnally would not admit that even to herself as that could be the first sign to mark the beginning of her end…
His words…they terrified the girl…who was he? How could he read her so easily?
“My Lord…” – her voice seemed so distant, so unnatural – “Since when a game of chess has become a bold request?” – he was not human! Nunnally was sure of it by then, although she could still not decide on who he was. Was Lord Oseis her end? Or was he a new beginning for her? – “Unless you’re suggesting a game for much higher stake?”
(“I wish to mate you?”) – was it what she said? – (“You wish to mate me?”) – was that what he said? Her own words used against her? But she was going to stay truthful to them.
“That’s what it was, My Lord. I wish to mate you…don’t you wish to mate me?” – were they still taking about chess? Was she still taking about chess?
“Winning…seeing the king…the queen collapse…isn't that what you desire?”
@equos
