Continued from here @strategematicusrex
It was hard not to feel amused by the way the princess–alright, alright, Queen Eirika now–responded to him. There was something endearing in the way she said how she was his interrogator, and while half of him felt the adrenaline rush because of the challenge, another half wanted to smirk and beg her to just do it.
He scanned people. He interrogated people. He was always the initiator, and not on the receiving end. Eirika had grown to be a formidable sovereign as well as she was a warrior, and her strong personality shone although in the end she was still the Eirika he knew from childhood–the Eirika who would take up challenge as likely as he would.
Right–he shouldn’t forget that she was, after all, sharing Ephraim’s blood.
“I’ll be honored to be interviewed by such regal interrogator,” he said, hoping she did could see that no, he did not at all mean it to be sarcastic. For saving her? Utmost loyalty? There was honesty in wine, they said; so perhaps he could return the courtesy. She seemed to be really, really unreserved at this point.
“I see! So, saving each other grants said person loyalty, is that it, Eirika?” he chuckled, taking her to rise. Why did she even curtsy to him again? It was still endearing, amusing–yet at the same time seeing her drop on her knees before him like that was rather… unsettling. Was it strange that he had no taste of… say, subduing her?
Clearing his throat, he dropped his voice lower. “… Eirika, I never, never forget Carcino–even in my sleep,” he poured himself some water. “I miscalculated everything which nearly cost lives of those who trusted me to command them. When you were there, I learned more than just tactical flaw, Eirika–I never thought I would pray, and yet you came before me; unscathed… no, you rescued me. Despite everything I’ve said and promised you.”
Would she even remember this the following day? Perhaps not. Would he even say this under normal circumstance? Perhaps not. Then hell, why wouldn’t he try his luck with this one? Even if she forgot, he had no regret.
“Eirika, I’m the heir to my throne and a strategist. But I’m also your ally–and friend,” he lifted his glass. “And I do not use princesses and despair as currency. You better forego this idea that I’ll be charging you rent like that.”
… Oh, how the war had made her aware. He wished he could cancel it, but—
“And no. If I seized your lands it would only benefit me in a short, short term, Eirika. Your prosperity grants better stability and growth rather than subjugating you under my rule like that. You curtsied to me, yet you suggest I overlord you?”
Recruiting citizens of Renais–for his army?
He needed the water. Suddenly he wished he could just–perhaps, retrieve her innocence back. Somehow he understood Ephraim’s protectiveness now; as he wondered if Tana ever harbored similar… thoughts and opened up this way to another person.
Suddenly he wished they were children again. Safe and sound, away from cruelty.
Were Eirika thinking more logically, she would have given greater thought to how she approached her questions. As it were, they were rather varied in tone. “All right, Innes. First, is it possible for a pegasus to be afraid of heights? Some people fear them, after all. Second, were you surprised when you heard that I was traveling to Grado in search of my brother? And third... What is your goal in being his rival? At what point is one of you declared the victor?” She imagined Ephraim and Innes urging their grandchildren to wrestle each other for a moment, but quickly dispelled the thought. While she couldn’t speak for Innes, she knew that an heir was far from her brother’s mind.
“Friendship grants loyalty, too.” Why was Innes loyal to her? Was it because she had aided him in Carcino? She looked away from him. No, friendship didn’t mean unconditional loyalty. She sipped from her glass of water.
She nodded in response to his memories of Carcino. “I doubt we’ll ever forget those memories from the war. It’s awful. I know some people use alcohol to escape their troubles, but I’m feeling all the more wretched about everything tonight.”
“I doubt you want to hear this, but in the grand scheme of things, at least you didn’t lose anyone. And I put you in that position anyway. It’s my fault we ended up with this war.” Another sip of water.
She tilted her head, considering his words. “I trust you, Innes, which probably makes me a fool. But I wouldn’t let you take advantage of my country’s troubles.” She missed the significance of what he said; namely, that he would never attempt to exploit Renais in the first place. “And I do not want you to overlord me?” Where had he gotten that idea?
Actually, that made her think of another question. “What do you think Magvel will be like ten years from now? What do you want for Frelia?”
