Alexander

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[emptyxpromises]

Azula actually took the time to get dolled up for her date. It had been a while since she had been on one and even if she didn’t expect much of anything to come of it she was still going to enjoy the hell out of it. Plus it was a damn good excuse to pamper herself for the day. Her pockets were left a bit dry after the bidding though. There was certainly more money to the Durwell name but her father wasn’t allowing her to spend it on frivolities. 

Honestly, she was positive that he just wanted to play no financial parts in her spending time with a man. He had let go but he still held on a bit. 

The sun was setting, golden hues shining on the surface of the sea, as she looked out across the deck of the ship. It had been so long since she had been on a ship, usually flying or taking a horse to get where she needed to go. The few times she had set foot on a boat didn’t last long. It was obvious from the way her legs trembled, the hem of her dress swaying. The faerie’s knuckles were white as snow from how tightly with fear and excitement she gripped the railing. 

“Well… At least the view is spectacular,” she said in a shaky voice as she turned around, clutching at her cloak.

@thebanishedbrother

[thebanishedbrother]

Alex had arrived on the ship first but when he hadn’t seen Azula anywhere he had decided to wander around the boat and see exactly what kind of ship he was on. It wasn’t particularly huge or decadent; it consisted mainly of the main deck, two bedrooms, an indoor seating area, the galley and some store rooms. Still it was nice, and it would be even better when they set sail and he could feel the wind in his hair and admire the view as he ate. He still didn’t know why Azula had spent so much on their date when they saw each other all the time, so he could only assume it was the same reason he had bid on Coralie: a possessive fear of their friend, worried that someone who didn’t deserve them would win the date and play with their heart. Things had almost turned romantic between them once when they were both feeling vulnerable, but they had decided against it and he was glad because he doubted they would have the same friendship if they had gone through with that one night stand.

When he returned to the deck, he found Azula leaning on the railing and he heard the distant cry of one of the crew members as they prepared to cast off as he joined her. “It’ll get better when we’re actually sailing.”

[charliexcarlton]

“A rich prince, single, and up for grabs, remind me, are you second in line or the throne now, or third? Although I suppose you are right, why would anyone wish to bid on that.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“Second in line, my son is third. I guess I just thought a lot of women wouldn’t be interested in a single father.”

[littlewxlfgirl-blog]

“You shouldn’t sell yourself short like that.” Levana said, a chiding touch in her voice. “We may not ever know for sure but it’s better to believe that it is your personality rather than your crown that draws people in, don’t you think?”

[thebanishedbrother]

“I wish I could believe that, but no, I think it was the allure of being crowned a princess that drew those bids in.”

[roseofvaasos-blog]

“I can’t believe you spent any amount of money on me, Alex. Especially since you see me all the time already.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“So? I didn’t want some leering man old enough to be your grandfather winning that date.”

[kinnaraf-deactivated20161020]

“You’re the most valuable, given your station, Your Highness,” she responded nonchalantly.

[thebanishedbrother]

“Well it’s lovely to hear that I’m valuable.”

[roseofvaasos-blog]

“Of course it is. I’m proud that you raised the most money, though, since it’s going to a good cause.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“It’s also going to be a good date, for her and for you when we have ours.”

[littlewxlfgirl-blog]

“It’s not every day people are given the opportunity to win a date with a Prince, so it’s hardly surprising.” Levana responded thoughtfully. Then, realizing her words might have offended the prince, she added on, “But I’m sure it was your personality that really encouraged people to bid for you.”

[thebanishedbrother]

He shook his head. “I really doubt it was personality, I think it just the prince thing.”

[emptyxpromises]

“Exactly – As far as you can tell. I’ve been doing my job properly then,” she said matter-of-factly. Running her fingers through her hair, Azula rolled her eyes. “It could be all of the above. But, like I said, I’ll never tell.” The faerie gave a soft laugh and pressed a kiss on the tip of his nose before spinning away. “I expect this date to include lots of cakes. And pie. And Illyrium blackberry wine.”

“I’ll wear my favorite dress.”

[charliexcarlton]

“It would seem you were the most valuable prize.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“I can’t think why.”

[thebanishedbrother]

enchanting-barmaiden :

“Redemption, maybe. Our first one didn’t really go that well,” she teased as she took the bottle and downed as much of the burning liquid as she could before passing it back with a laugh. “Or maybe I’m just trying to protect you from the harpies trying to swoop in. Or maybe I was too shy to just ask for a date. You might never know.”

“What harpies? As far as I can tell, there are no women trying to swoop in and grab me with claws.” He took back the bottle and took another swig, enjoying the pleasant burn of the liquid running down his throat. “You’re giving me a lot of reasons here, Zu. Somehow I doubt that you were so shy you were willing to spend 950 gold pieces on me. I think it’s far more likely you were trying to screw with another bidder for fun.”

[thebanishedbrother]

roslinaddinell :

“I know. I’m just worried for him, Alex. This has always been his life and he knows what his duties are. If he can’t perform his duties he’s going to be so angry at himself. And… I want kids…”

“Ros, all I can advise is that the two of you get looked over by physicians and if there’s something wrong... then you go from there. There are other options, but first just figure out if there is a specific reason you’re having trouble. Maybe it’s something really small! Maybe if you eat more fruit or something then you’ll have no trouble.” He doubted that diet change could help with conceiving, but he wasn’t a physician and at this stag, anything might make a difference.

[thebanishedbrother]

roseofvaasos :

“It’s going right to your head, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is.”

[emptyxpromises]

“Please don’t make me regret it.”

Azula snapped her small fan shut and flashed Alex a smirk. “And you better make it worth it – I went through a lot of trouble to get that gold.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“I dread to think what you did to get that money.” He grinned and offered her a bottle of whisky he’d pinched from the drinks table. “What made you so keen to go on a date with me anyway?”

[thebanishedbrother]

“I feel so flattered to have raised the most money.”

[roslinaddinell-blog]

Roslin looked up at Alex for a long moment, then she shook her head. “I don’t think I want to consider that. If there’s an issue with him then he’s never going to forgive himself.” She knew he didn’t like talking about this with her, but she wasn’t exactly giving him much of an option. “I know, but I needed someone to talk to, alright?”

[thebanishedbrother]

“It’s just something that you might have to come to terms with. Besides, he’s not completely without heirs. If he dies suddenly, people won’t be crawling out of the woodwork to seize the crown, he still has me and Henry in line.”

[emptyxpromises]

“The point is not for him to slide along the buttered floors. Mostly the guards; They make excellent targets.” Azula gave a mischievous smirk and tousled Henry’s hair. “Don’t think of it as teaching him to play pranks. Think of it as me fostering his cunning and wit.”

[thebanishedbrother]

“Are you honestly telling me that boy won’t belly-slide down the hallways like a buttered seal if given the chance? He already teleports onto people’s shoulders.”

[thekhaljason-blog]

“He looks exactly like you.” Elara agreed, smiling at the little boy who had so warmed her heart. She could see the unmistaken love between father and son and considered it an honor to see how Alex was as a father, dropping everything for the needs of his son. Henry looked from his father to Elara and smiled at her, which elicited a smile and wave from Elara, giving all her attention to the darling little boy. “You’re fortunate, he is always so well behaved. A little cheeky sometimes but I see it as character building.” 

[thebanishedbrother]

“Yes he does.” But his agreement was tinged with sadness. He had noticed that Henry’s fair hair had been turning darker in colour recently. It was all perfectly normal, some children were born with a fair head of hair and it grew gradually darker as they grew up, but Henry’s blonde hair had been all that was left of Luna. “You can blame his godmother for the cheekiness. If she teaches him any more pranks, we’re going to be in serious trouble.” As if to feign innocence, Henry yawned and curled up against his chest, closing his eyes. “Don’t let him fool you, he’s a little terror.”