@letsriddlemethislucifer // continued:
--- The Nohrian Prince had been taking his time treading down one of the towers. He hadn't even realized someone had begun to follow him, as he had been in deep contemplation on his prior missions. However, when he caught the sound of a familiar assistant's voice, he was quick to halt his steps.
It was quite late, wasn't it? How was it he seemed to run into her when he chose to patrol?
Daedra hadn't been one to approach him of her own accord for most instances. After all, Iago had been keeping her buried in work as of late; to the point even Xander had found it rather...excessive. But he was not one to doubt his father's trusted.
He was not one to doubt...
Thin brows began to curl, a familiar habit he had whenever he found something questionable. It was unlike Daedra to approach him, even more so to bring up any of Iago's plans to Xander's attention.
What proceeded to pass through her lips had begun to change his expression to that of alarm. Though he wished to question her certainties, she had already caught onto his doubt.
As far as he had observed, Daedra had never posed a threat to those within the royal family or Nohr itself. In fact, she seemed more prone to be under the prey category than anything else. So to find her earnestly speaking her mind to him, someone who could very well have her life in the balance; it was causing him to think back to when exactly he last checked on Iago's plans.
His father had been adamant in searing faith in the Crown Prince's mind; in both the king's plans for Nohr and the Tactician's undying loyalty in getting things done.
To make their homeland all the better.
To show Pride within the family all the more.
That figure...That sickly figure that sat at the throne, that loomed in the back of his mind ceaselessly; it was a never ending engravement of their path. One that caused his tongue to sour. One that made his lips thin and jaw tighten.
Metal claws let out a hiss in pressure as his knuckles clenched.
His eyes were no longer looking towards Daedra. Instead, he was fixating them elsewhere, his eyes sharp enough to sear holes into the nearest castle wall.
Every plan acted out, every life lost; there had always been a reason for it. There had always been an acceptable loss for his father's great plans for their home.
So if Iago's reckless plans were to be true...then...
"Daedra." His voice was like a droplet in a still pond at that moment.
"You mustn't speak so loudly...this castle has many ears." He was very careful with his words. If anyone else were to hear her, there was always a chance such things would reach his father.
His attention finally moved back on to her as his fingers uncurled.
"Let me look into this personally. So long as you reside within these walls, you must promise me you will not speak any more of this. To anyone. Do you understand?" He had gone so far as to lean down to her level, making direct eye contact with the young lady.
"Promise me. For your own safety, you must remain absolutely quiet about this...I will come and see you once I have verified what exactly Iago plans to do."
As she finished her firm, but quivered plea, Daedra fell to silence once more. Unlike prior times, the small woman could visibly see the tightening restraint taking hold over the Crown Prince’s form. The way his expression changed just enough... how his back straightened, and the sharp clicking of his pointed finger plates furling tight to the palm. For a moment, a small sliver in her heart began to grow in dread.
It was not to made as a mistake though... Daedra was well aware of what she was doing. She had known from the moment the very thought popped into her head. By her speaking up, she was committing a great treason to the monarchy. She, as a royal Tactician’s assistant... she was letting vital information leak outside of the council room. Even if Prince Xander was loyal and high ranks... it was something she was not to ever, ever do. On top of that, she was boastfully undermining her superior’s rank and position.
It did not matter how skilled she was as a tactician proper. It didn’t matter how many battles she’d one before... how many wars were won. As she was here... Daedra was technically supposed to be no greater than a glorified note-keeper or map scribbler. She knew Iago was technically making her perform tasks that normally... an assistant should not be qualified to do. However, he seemed aware, and also seemed happy to use her as a means to ease his own burdens. But... that point was moot. It was unimportant; she cared little about that.
Right now, she was more concerned with what the Crown Prince would do with his information she delivered. And, the longer he took to speak up, the more worried she was getting.
So much so, that Daedra literally jerked when he spoke her name, with a particular firmness. Though she did not move or change her expression from the earnest stare she gave, the small woman was practically scared to stillness. As Xander explained, a feeling a dread grew more and more.
No matter if the Crown Prince had offered her kindness with prior pity, he was loyal to his kingdom first. She was declaring treason so boldly, right to his face. Like spitting upon his cheek.
Unease aside, Daedra’s lips pursed tightly, turning low in an uneasy frown. Almost one to match the expression Xander wore on most occasion. The redhead still nodded at his first command.
“I---Yes, I understand, Lord Xander,” she said, with a noticeable dip in her volume. “I-- I have spoken to no one else. Not after Master Iago reprimanded me but he... seemed convinced I was too frightened after.”
She had been. Daedra was not proud to admit that she cowered and hid, but things were getting thrown at her. Physical objects mixed with insults. She was sure Iago thought little more of her than he did of a cornered mouse in the larder.
“You were the first person I thought to come to.... you were the only one I thought to come to...”
Not that she lacked faith in his siblings but... Xander was the Crown Prince. He technically held rank above all others. Close enough to rival King Garon.... but not quite. He also felt like the only one who would understand her concern.
