♛ @victorums – CONQUEST. ♛
FOR YEARS HE HAD CAREFULLY OBSERVED HIS FATHER’S changing behavior – his adamant mercilessness and growing cruelness – and yet his heart had become so similar to his, adapting to their king’s principles as long as he could truthfully call them as his very own. Nonetheless, more than just once, he found himself in a conflict, feeling no regret after slaying his opponents but knowing deep inside that he simply endured it, bearing it as the one he had to be – for his kingdom, but also for his king. Truthfully, the man had hoped that his father would show signs of gratitude, perhaps even happiness, that Kamui had once found her way back to Nohr – but instead, knowing him for too long, he noticed something different. Like an almost invisible hostility rising from the shadows - but only he was to see it and no one else. And whilst it was true that king Garon showed no deep emotions, no traces of pride even while speaking to him, his firstborn and heir, his behavior towards her was far from what he had predicted. Countless of times the crown prince had already spoken to his father, demanding to know more about his reasoning, yet he was always rejected. Left alone, merely with this heavy burden on his heart, knowing that it did scarcely matter if he received an answer or not, he only felt this rage deep within; and ultimately there was no one else to live with this sin. Yet for once he was not blinded by it; as he was fully aware that his father was hiding something beneath his cold mask; something dark he could not question but also could not ignore.
THE FIRST HINT OF SUCH MENACE HAD ALREADY BEEN VISIBLE as he realized that his father had granted mercy to one who deserved none; a man with no honor and any spine, who lived for naught but for himself. Years ago Xander had been responsible to arrest Hans after his series of murder who served no other purpose than for his own amusement; and after chaining him to prison the crown prince had no difficulties whatsoever to realize that the other man’s heart was naught but an abyss, deep and dark. They could not demand loyalty from someone like him who found joy in torturing and killing alike; for someone who claimed their kingdom’s prosperity without necessity, hesitation or even regret. The many criminals of Nohr were often members of groups of bandits who had simply no other choice in their very life to steal or even to kill to survive; but Hans had always been different to that. Even with the many crimson red bloodstains on his hands, the crown prince had always known of this to be part of his duty – and he found little enjoyment in the procedure of killing. Those unfortunate names he had either executed or killed on the battlefield were erased from history, but their faces still lingered in his very mind, remembering him at times during his relentless slumbers what kind of burden he truly bore. Suffice to say, there was no trace of trust to be shared with this criminal, even after his father had granted him absolution.
LOYALTY COULD NOT BE BOUGHT WITH GOLD and had to be proven and earned by actions; and knowing of this – and the history of one of Nohr’s cruelest murderer – he found himself to be in a quite unhappy position to see Hans being assigned to Kamui. There was little change to this now, ever since she safely returned to their kingdom – and he would be lying if he dared to say he was not concerned. Truly, the amount of tasks his father seemed to give her or planned to were inhuman; torturous even – and even as his heir he failed to see the reason behind it. The nohrian army had more than just one capable commander; and why his father now demanded of her to lead the most dangerous attacks was far from being reasonable. Truthfully, it was an honor nonetheless – but she had so little experience with war that he indeed feared for her well-being. Perhaps his father was truly only seeking to test her loyalty – it was no longer a well-kept secret that Kamui was no actual princess of Nohr but one of Hoshido; and whilst there was no change in his or his siblings heart concerning their trust towards her, he could not speak for his whole kingdom. Certainly, if she succeeded in all of it she would be truly worthy to still be called princess of Nohr, regardless of her heritage or blood; but there was little hope as for now.
HIS CONCERNS NOT SOLELY ABOUT KAMUI BUT ALSO HIS LITTLE SISTER, Elise, who accompanied her was too great to be fully ignored. And whilst his father seemingly attempted to keep him away, perhaps on purpose, he was no fool to not know how he could avoid his own, cruel punishment without failing those he loved. Sending both of his retainers to her, protecting her instead of his life, was the first he had thought of when his father had sent him away to fulfill a different task, far away from her position – and glad he was that they apparently arrived just in time. The man was not easily sending his retainers away, knowing of the risks – but after watching and sparring with them for too long, he had been certain that they would not surrender to the reaper. Even if death smiled upon them they would not falter, returning the gesture and standing up. Unlike his first retainers they would not easily wield to the dark embrace and leave his side for all eternity. It was also thanks to them and their reports that he was fully aware of what had happened in Macarath after Elise became ill; and the hoshidan’s foolish attempt to convince Kamui to return to them.
BLOOD MATTERED NOT WHEN NOHR WAS THE ONLY KINGDOM she had ever known since a young age – and even if she lost her title, her right to call herself a princess of Nohr, she still belonged to this place more than to any other. After keeping her safe for so long, watching her steps for years he knew this to be the truth; even if her eyes were now opened. It had been her decision to return to them albeit she knew that she was not blood-related to any of them; and even if her birth mother had been the second queen of Hoshido. There was only one question to be asked; and this one was already clearly answered. If they truly had treated her like a prisoner, giving her no warmth and love, she would have not returned to them and stayed with her true family instead. Yet she had chosen to remain by their side. His father should be capable of seeing it the same way; but instead it was if all of his eyes were resting on her, patiently waiting for the right moment. And what kind of moment it was, could not be even answered by Xander.
THE MAN WAS QUICK TO RECEIVE THE FINAL REPORTS OF HIS TRUSTED RETAINERS as soon as they returned with Kamui before rushing to Elise’s side, being deeply worried about her health condition. Fortunately she was indeed feeling better, barely showing any signs of a previous sickness despite losing some of her strength in smiling. He immediately assigned more servants to carefully observe his youngest sibling, only leaving rushed orders. He already knew of the revolts in Cheve; and he had also already received word from his father that he planned to send Kamui to take care of this, along Hans. Naturally this was fairly clouding his mind lately, only seeing another opportunity for her to come to harm. Even with his own retainers by her side he indeed feared that she might even lose her own life with the lack of knowledge about war and diplomacy; partly merely seeing her as his father’s beloved toy, similar to his very own existence. The strings had been pulled, and they had to act – like the marionettes they were. For years he had lived like this, accepted his missing humanity and his change of heart, but involving her in these plans were naught he desired. As the eldest of their family, as the crown prince of Nohr, and even if she was no longer his sister, he could not allow it. He knew that all of them, every single one of his siblings, would not wish for her to be cut from life for solely being another chess piece for their father; and so it was his responsibility to keep her safe. Even if his father attempted to keep him away from her – he strongly disagreed.
PERHAPS IT WAS MORE FORTUNATE LUCK THAN ACTUAL COINCIDENCE that he was so quick to find her in the castle, knowing that she had only so little time to prepare for her departure. And he had quite many matters to say and to discuss before she did. Albeit he was indeed glad to see her safe and unharmed, the man scarcely showed this even now, still wearing the unapproachable mask on his face. Nonetheless his tone was a bit softer, similar to the times when he had praised her in the fortress, yet this time out of concern.
‘Just a word, Kamui.
I have reason to assume that my father has already expressed his wish
to send you to Cheve to end the current revolts.
I have to admit I am far from being satisfied with such decision
hence why my retainers will accompany you until further notice.
To speak frankly, I fear for your well-being – particularly with Hans by your side.
He cannot be trusted.’
