[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240213/6a1af8e5082bd8470db334cb0cc5c1d1.png[/img][/center][right][sub][@Obscene Symphony] [@Hero][/sub][/right][hr]It seemed the prince was eager to divide them, which left Renault with a sour taste in his mouth. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Lucas was displeased with his current selection of Scions, and might have been making an effort to, say, spring clean a few of the less desirables. Rather church-like, and Renault had never taken the royal blemish to be overly devout; perhaps that was just what prophecies did to you. 

Either way, Renault wasn’t about to let himself be pruned so early or so easily. His aunt was last to be taken, and he assumed if given the chance, her assailants would gladly snatch up the new Scion of Lightning. 

Hunting monsters on the Garda seemed like a complete waste of his time; setting aside it would make him look like the High Cardinal’s bloodhound, when it came to combat he was…rusty. Despite his skill with magic, a year and change in captivity would warrant a little warming up from anyone, to say nothing of the Scion abilities he’d yet to tap beyond meager testing. The trip to Croia was equally unappealing. Renault dealt with the [i]mortal[/i], and he was quite good at it too, but spirits? He could think of few things he wanted less than to doll himself up like a saint for the ethereal.

As little as the prospect of being in Lucas’ company excited him, he would be lying if he said he wouldn’t relish the opportunity to step back into politics. A high-class place like the academy? His mind bristled to think of all the familiar names and faces that might be in attendance. Much of his network had been dismantled during his incarceration, but the information remained, and that was plenty for now. Reconstructing a base of spies and useful idiots would take time, but if there was one thing he’d hammered into the minds of the Doumercene aristocracy, it was that he kept his word. 

The Scion of Gravity offered herself up to go along with prince, and Renault hesitated. Instinct told him she would cause problems—too eager, too blood thirsty, too cowardly. She reasoned homesickness and practicality, but he wondered if there was something more. Perhaps, like him, she figured proximity to Lucas would make it more difficult to have her removed. Tricky, to an extent few celebrities were. If only he’d been there at that gala, to see for himself if the mask had slipped.

Well, in the worst case, having the whole of Doumerc swoon at her return would hopefully keep the paparazzi busy while he refamiliarized himself with his home. 

“[color=9e005d]A trip to the academy sounds lovely, Your Highness,”[/color]” he said, making his intention to join clear. “[color=9e005d]I was never a student myself, but I’ve visited plenty of times. I’m well acquainted with several alumni and even a few of the professors. Unfortunately, even a place so devoted to the scholarly arts is still steeped in bureaucracy, and it can be rather stifling.[/color]”

His eyes flicked over to Maya, and lingered a moment longer on her guard dog, Silvaine. It hadn’t escaped Renault how a few of the Templars had tensed at his arrival. He doubted the man would be happy with this arrangement.

“[color=9e005d]In addition to our beloved Scion of Gravity, it may benefit you to bring someone along who’s used to navigating Doumerc’s deceptively turbulent political scene,[/color]” he said, looking to Maya once again. [i]“[color=9e005d]Vous n'êtes pas d'accord, madame?[/color]”[/i]