Lucas
I stand next to the princess, silently listening to her conversation with the dukes and her brother. Her dress isn't even too conspicuous, but she looks so flawless she made me bashful when I saw her come out of her room. The duke was gawking at her and had he tried to touch her I would've punched his teeth out. I can tell that the conversation is making her uncomfortable, no. Pissing her off.
"That is just a folktale." She tilts her head slightly.
"Pardon?"
"No offense, but how do you think a woman, a helpless creature that bleeds every month unified an entire continent, hmm?"
"So, are you implying that she didn't?"
"I am implying that her story is exaggerated." Her eye twitches. There's a flash of emotion for a second before she composes herself once again.
"Then how would you explain the pure and powerful mana that runs in the imperial family?"
This time, Theodore speaks. "I agree with the duke. The mana is probably partially hers, but the main reason for it is simple. Every emperor after her has been a man with exceptional magical prowess, and it only increases with each generation." He acts like what he just said made sense. How would the emperor after her be so powerful if she was weak? Was her husband not a commoner?
"Yes, your highness. I am glad someone sees it from my point of view." I look at Seraphiell. She has a small smile on her face, acting as a dam to hold back everything she would like to say and do. "I suppose you may be right." She says simply. "I will excuse myself now, I need to visit the lady's room." She's clenching her hand fan so tightly it could fall apart. She spends only a minute in the lady's room before effortlessly navigating her way through idle conversation to get outside. I suppose now that she's almost formally an adult, many noblemen would like to start trying their luck. She sits near the fountain, and I can't help but admire how she puts the stars to shame. Those eyes, just like the emperor's, yet completely different. I would sit back and watch her drown me if it meant I got to gaze into them. Hell, I'd drown in them first before the water filled my lungs-
Hold on.
When did I start thinking sappy things like that? I was practically raised in the battlefield. I could end a life pleading for mercy without batting an eye. I was the youngest general in the imperial army, yet the most feared among even my comrades. But after coming to the capital and spending a year with the princess, I've...
"Lucas." That sweet voice calls my name. "Yes, my lady."
"You overheard the conversation with the duke, correct?"
"I did, your highness."
"And what are your thoughts?" I pause. "Permission to speak freely, your highness?"
She chuckles. "Permission granted." There's nothing I treasure more than seeing the soft side of her that she has hid behind cold walls. And there is nothing I feel more honoured by than the fact that she lets me behind them.
"He was spewing absolute nonsense. I'm beginning to doubt if he got a proper education. I truly admire your self-control."
"Regardless of your phlegmatic nature, you surely don't hold back when you are free." She takes in a deep breath, then continues. "There's nothing to admire, honestly. I simply reached a decision."
"May I ask what it is?" The smile on her face switches from sweet to resilient.
"Theodore Dante de Ezer Aetherwyne..." She stands, and the moonlight bathes her, making every jewel on her sparkle. She looked just as the sound of her name, a Seraph. One promising nepenthe. Like she was welcoming me to paradise.
"Will not become the emperor. Not until both he and I are dead."