[color=lightgray][center] [h3][color=DDB775]King Edin[/color] & [color=Floralwhite]Lady Morrigan[/color][/h3][/center] [hr] [color=Floralwhite]“Why, there’s the handsome man I’ve been looking all over for,”[/color] Lady Morrigan announced when they entered the Princess’s room. There stood King Edin, planted firmly amidst the pink and looking absurdly out of place. The Knight remained silent and still at the doorway as Lady Morrigan sauntered up to His Majesty. With a familiarity that made the Knight’s skin crawl, she pressed a tender kiss to one bearded cheek while her hand caressed the other. When Her Ladyship drew back, she studied his face. Whatever she saw there gave her pause. She rubbed His Majesty’s arm in a gesture of comfort and concern. [color=Floralwhite]“However is my hero faring?”[/color] she asked. King Edin had seemed as if he had been a lightyears away as he had stood about his daughter’s room. Sensing a new presence, he shifted his eyes down to find his cousin. He caught her hand and gently kissed the back of it. He presented her with a smile and greeted, [color=DDB775]“Ah, Morrigan. Everything is going according to plan of course, as per usual... When it comes to me, everything is always perfect. Just yesterday, I single-handedly solved the kingdom's pigeon infestation... Oh yes, and how are you faring? Do you enjoy your exciting position?”[/color] [color=Floralwhite]“Never a dull moment.”[/color] Lady Morrigan suddenly pouted, an expression the Knight would’ve thought endearing if he hadn’t known she was decades too old for that. [color=Floralwhite]“As you should know from my daily reports… or…”[/color] She toyed with a lock of her hair, twisting it around her finger. [color=Floralwhite]“Maybe you were a little distracted?”[/color] She tilted her head with a coy smile and voice to match. The Knight suppressed another shudder. Truly, he deserved a medal for maintaining composure. [color=Floralwhite]“And… You didn’t answer my real question.”[/color] Her Ladyship reached up, her fingers threading through his hair. [color=Floralwhite]“King Edin has my undying loyalty and love, but I want to know how Eddie’s doing.”[/color] She combed his hair through the silence before adding, [color=Floralwhite]“He’s usually not here on good days…”[/color] The Knight’s gaze swept the chambers absent of the one inhabitant who should be here. What would bring His Majesty to his daughter’s room on any day, if not to see her? Did he secretly admire the decor? Or was there something more...? King Edin's hand, adorned with rather ostentatious rings, performed the obligatory two pats on Morrigan's head. [color=DDB775]"I'm fine, dear,"[/color] he remarked, his voice carrying a tone of detached assurance. A subtle furrow appeared on his forehead as he came to the realization that evasion was futile. [color=DDB775]“Well, if you must know. This was …Jane’s… room. “[/color] he confessed, his words trailing with a ghost of nostalgia. A fleeting vulnerability appeared in his eyes... His gaze shifted towards the window, lost momentarily. The Knight’s brows furrowed at the same time the King’s did. It was strange that His Majesty felt the need to explain something to Lady Morrigan that the Knight was certain she already knew. If memory served, the cousins had lived in the castle together during their early childhood—Prince Callum’s room had once been Lady Morrigan’s, in fact. So why did the King bring up his sister? It was as if he were answering the Knight’s unvoiced questions, through Her Ladyship… or perhaps he truly believed her memory was that of a goldfish. More curious still was the patronizing head pat and tone the King adopted. Granted, the Knight had formed some preconceptions about the cousins’ relationship, but something was off about it. If Lady Morrigan took offense to any of her cousin’s behavior, she gave no outward sign. Her smile remained an artfully crafted portrait of courtly refinement. Then again, she never did. Not in the open. King Edin's features tightened , and he forcefully snapped himself back to the present with a vigorous shake of the head. [color=DDB775] "More importantly,"[/color] he continued with a touch of theatrical disdain, [color=DDB775]"I've caught wind of rumors about Anastasia entertaining unwelcome men in this chamber… “ [/color] With a exaggerated grimace, he told Morrigan, [color=DDB775]“Apparently, she's letting in more peasants than a village fair. The audacity of these men, bringing their afflictions into the heart of the castle where Wulfric and I could be exposed to their filth. I won't have my sons and I falling victim to a commoner's cold. It's beneath our royal sinuses, you see."[/color] He punctuated his statement with a mockingly dramatic sniff. [color=white][i]But who cares if your daughter, wife, or cousin does?[/i][/color] The Knight wondered as a faint gasp slipped from Lady Morrigan’s mouth. [color=Floralwhite]“Oh dear, how dreadful! Do you feel sick?”[/color] she fussed, placing a hand over his forehead to measure his temperature. [color=Floralwhite]“We most certainly cannot take any chances. I’ll have this room disinfected from top to bottom and post a guard at the door to dispose of any ‘unwanted filth’ that try to follow Anya into [i]her[/i] room. How does that sound?”[/color] King Edin had replied after a pause, with a haughty tilt of his head, [color=DDB775]“I am the epitome of health and vigor, as always…But the answer to a bath is always yes.” [/color] There it was again. The feeling that something was off. The Knight’s mind skimmed through the words he knew and found one that could explain it all: A performance. They were performing for an audience of one—himself, the intruder who dared linger in this “sanctuary” of theirs. His armor plates scraped against each other as he shuffled in place, the unseen eyes boring into the side of his face, spreading a cold unease within him. He kept his gaze forward, never turning towards the source of that violet stare. [color=Floralwhite]“Pet,”[/color] she said, [color=Floralwhite]“prepare His Majesty a warm salt bath. And send someone to bring ginger tea with lemon and honey.”[/color] She flicked her fingers in dismissal. [color=white]“At once, my lady.”[/color] The Knight executed a brisk bow before turning on his heel. Eyes trailed after him, needling between his shoulders even as he retreated from the room. Through the crack of the closing door, he saw Lady Morrigan reach up and remove the King’s crown just as the door clicked shut. [hr][hr] [h3][center][color=DDB775]Prince Edin[/color] & [color=Floralwhite]Princess Morrigan[/color] & [color=EBB970]Princess Jane[/color][/center][/h3][color=DDB775][h3][center]1699[/center][/h3][/color] [hr] Princess Morrigan peered through the narrow gap of the door, her eyes scanning the castle library. Inside, Prince Edin sat alone, books and scrolls piled high around him. The room was silent save for the soft rustle of pages and the occasional sigh of frustration as Edin wrestled with the dense texts forced upon him. While studies bored her cousin to no end, Morrigan found fascination in every subject that dulled his eyes—math, history, all of it. But as a princess, Morrigan was groomed for a different path: to charm and be charming, to become the flawless jewel adorning the arm of whichever powerful man her father deemed a suitable match. Time and time again, her parents—Prince Geoffrey and Princess Consort Igraine—reminded her that men sought wives who were young, lovely, and obedient, not ones possessing knowledge beyond manners. Why waste the fleeting commodity of her youth on studying topics women inherently lacked the mind for? If Morrigan must indulge in her intellectual pursuits, it would have to be after she had fulfilled her duty to marry and bear her husband an heir and a spare. Once, the cousins were inseparable, their days filled with laughter and play, free from royal obligations. They had explored the castle grounds, invented wild adventures, and played all sorts of games. But lately, the pressures on Edin to fill his role as the future king had grown tremendously. He was expected to study more, to train more, with no time for frivolity. Morrigan’s presence was a ‘distraction’ hindering his progress, or so the adults claimed. Not that that kept her away from him. If anything, seeing Edin so miserable strengthened her resolve to be the finest distraction he could ask for. Tiptoeing into the room, Morrigan crept up behind her cousin unnoticed. In a swift, fluid motion, she snatched his crown right off his head and bolted across the library with a triumphant giggle. [color=Floralwhite]“Catch me, Eddie!”[/color] [color=DDB775]“Hey! Give it back!”[/color]Edin's voice rang out, filled with playful exasperation as he rose from his seat, his chair skidding back with a slight scrape against the floor. He then chased after her, a scowl quickly turning into a grin. He jumped up on a table then launched himself at her, nearly grabbing her, but missing.[i][color=DDB775]“ I am going to kick your ass !”[/color][/i] he exclaimed, his tone playful and filled with mock threat With an exaggerated eye roll and a dramatic scoff, Morrigan taunted, [color=Floralwhite]“Not if you’re that [i]sllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooow![/i]”[/color] The cousins ran round and round the library—dashing between bookshelves, threading through the obstacle course of tables and chairs—egging each other and laughing the entire time. Their game continued until the creak of the library door brought them to a sudden halt. In the space between heartbeats, Morrigan passed Edin’s crown back to him. She smoothed out her dress just as the newcomer stepped into view. As the door creaked open, a vision of beauty stepped into the library, casting a radiant glow upon the room with her presence alone. Princess Jane's blonde locks cascaded down her slender frame, framing her porcelain face adorned with captivating blue eyes that sparkled with affection as she smiled at the sight of the two young royals. Despite being around twenty-three years young at the time, she was petite in stature, barely taller than the duo in front of her. Her delicate footsteps carried her gracefully across the room as she approached the cousins,[color=EBB970]“Edin, Morrigan... The sound of your laughter brings me so much joy…” [/color] With a gentle but firm tone, Princess Jane continued, [color=EBB970]"However…A crown is not just an accessory—it symbolizes power, responsibility, and the trust of our people. Furthermore, it's worth a pretty penny. We must be mindful of the privileges bestowed upon us."[/color] With a tender touch, Princess Jane then caressed both of their cheeks. [color=EBB970]“...Let us find a different game to play.”[/color] Edin stuck his tongue as he snatched the crown from Morrigan, swiftly restoring it to its rightful place atop his head. [color=DDB775] “Yeah Morrigan! Gosh! You should be more like me, Morrigan.”[/color] When Jane walked in, the room seemed to brighten for her. The tightness in Morrigan’s muscles eased, and warmth returned to her complexion. She had braced for the entrance of King George or her father, but seeing Jane, those worries felt distant. The crown meant little compared to Jane’s gentle touch on her cheek. It was an affection she seldom received from her own parents, a taste of the familial bond she craved, and she cherished every second, even if she was being scolded. Her spirited self quickly resurfaced with Edin’s chiding. She stuck her tongue out back at him. [color=Floralwhite]“If it’s so important, then maybe you shouldn’t make it so easy to take, Eddie.”[/color] She swatted the crown off his head and crossed her arms as she turned her back on him, pouting. Edin, momentarily taken aback by Morrigan's audacity, couldn't help but grin at her antics. Despite the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders, her presence always managed to inject a spark of levity into his existence. He caught the crown in his fingers before it could fall and readjusted it on his head. [color=DDB775] “Ha. See! Didn’t get me that time! I could do this blindfolded and still outmaneuver you.” [/color] Then, he patted her on the head seeing her pout. [color=DDB775] “What are you grumpy for? You have all the free time in the world compared to me, you should be happy… I am too busy and [i]much[/i] too popular to be idle.”[/color] The pout dissolved beneath Edin’s touch, but her heart still ached within. His hand on her head seemed to amplify each beat of pain. [color=Floralwhite]“Being bored doesn’t make me happy.”[/color] Morrigan looked at him. [color=Floralwhite]“Spending less time with you doesn’t make me happy.”[/color] Then turning to Jane, [color=Floralwhite]“And you won’t be here forever.”[/color] One day duty would demand Jane wed and depart. As Edin took on more responsibilities, he would eventually have no time to spare for Morrigan. Without her sisters Elaine and Anna—taken too soon—she would have only solitude for company. Tears welled in her eyes at the sudden reminder of it all. Edin frowned at her, the pain of their situation sending a pang of emotion coursing through him. Spending less time with his beloved cousin didn’t make him happy either. He didn’t even get to spend time with Jane nor any of his friends anymore. But what his father did to him would do to him if he refused to listen, would bring him much more misery. He was about to express his feelings to Morrigan when her comment about Jane threw him off. Edin's frown deepened as Morrigan's words about Jane echoed in his mind. His sister, Jane, was his rock, his confidante, the one person who understood him better than anyone else. The mere thought of her departing sent a pang of anxiety coursing through him. [color=DDB775]"Morrigan," [/color] Edin's tone was sharp, his blue eyes flashing with hurt. [color=DDB775]"What do you mean? Jane isn't going anywhere. She's always been here for us, for me.”[/color] His voice quivered with emotion, his usual calm demeanor momentarily shattered by the thought of losing his sister. Morrigan stared back at Edin, confused. What did [i]he[/i] mean? Didn’t he know what society expected of noble daughters? [color=Floralwhite]“She’s a princess. Princesses are supposed to get married to someone the Kingdom wants an alliance with and have babies.”[/color] This truth had been etched into her very being since the day she drew her first breath, reducing her and her sisters to mere pawns in their father’s game of thrones. It was this very logic that led Prince Geoffrey to openly question his brother’s decision—or rather, his apparent neglect—in not marrying off Jane sooner. ‘A waste of resources,’ she once heard him say. However, that raised the question: why was Jane not married yet? Morrigan turned her gaze towards her older cousin, heart divided between an expectation for confirmation of their predetermined role and a flicker of hope for an alternative fate. If Jane, unmarried at twenty-three, was allowed to stay in the castle, could Morrigan too? Could she stay with them forever? Jane smiled sadly at her and ran her fingers affectionately through her younger cousin’s hair. [color=EBB970] “Starting a family with someone you love can be a beautiful thing Morrigan. The idea may appeal to you when you’re grown.”[/color] Edin suddenly interjected, [color=DDB775] “Well that’ll be the first thing to do when I’m King! You and Jane will not have to do anything you don’t want to… Then you girls will be free to bask in my glorious presence without a care in the world! Getting married is [i]STUPID[/i] anyway. Like anyone would be good enough for me!”[/color] Not according to her father. Love as grounds for marriage was unimaginable, ‘stupid’ even. As for marriage itself, it was one of the few contributions she could make to the kingdom. What use was she to Edin if she couldn’t give him allies? Even so, Edin’s words meant a lot to her. [color=Floralwhite]“I hope you become king soon, Eddie.”[/color] Considering what needed to happen for that to become a reality, it was wrong to say or think it, but she couldn’t help but wish it to be true. Morrigan’s violets watched Jane for a while before catching hold of her sleeve. [color=Floralwhite]“When you finally find someone you love… what will you do?”[/color] She hesitated. [color=Floralwhite]“Will you leave?”[/color] [color=EBB970]“Oh, Morrigan,”[/color] Jane sighed softly, her smile masking her feelings within. She couldn’t bring herself to tell her beloved cousin the truth when it would only bring her pain. [color=EBB970]“I suppose... I’ll do what’s best for them. And for the kingdom, of course…” [/color] Her gaze flickered away from Morrigan, who looked down at the floor in resignation, to Edin, a glint of apprehension flashing in her eyes. [color=EBB970]“And of course, the choice of our future King’s marriage will hold immense importance and carry a great responsibility.”[/color] Edin grumpily rolled his eyes, but Jane's touch on his shoulder softened his demeanor. [color=EBB970]"When the time comes, Edin," [/color]she said softly, her voice tinged with an almost ominous certainty, [color=EBB970]"you'll have to be more than just a King. You'll have to be our protector, a guardian against the shadows that haunt our family. It will demand everything from you—perfection, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve."[/color] [color=DDB775] “Whatever Jane. [i]You’re so dramatic![/i]”[/color] A smaller hand pushed off his crown in response. [center]And it fell… Down… … Down… … Down.[/center][/color]