Watching Lyra’s growing fascination, August was led to wonder what new experiences he would encounter as a result of this union. Would he, too, be as inquisitive? Would he be drawn to elven magic with curiosity, as Lyra seemed to be to technology, rather than fear and disgust? From what little knowledge August had of magic, he knew it was something to respect from the destruction it had caused on the battlefield… But he had yet to see it in a positive light, or as something to admire rather than shun. After all, anything that was possible with elven magic, was not only possible with, but was [i]improved[/i] by, human technology.

Right?

August was pleased that Lyra’s response to the gift was one of quiet amazement. After all, despite its beauty, its intricacy, it was still a piece of tech; there was every chance she might have spurned it. It would have been unwise to reject it, but there had still been every possibility that her reply would have been nothing but diplomatic politeness. As it was, she was either an excellent actress or her appreciation was genuine.

Before he could say another word, Lyra requested he stay where he was and disappeared to her own carriage. The prince raised an eyebrow in interest, watching as she fetched a bag before returning to where he stood at the back of the car.

The elf produced a small box, inside which was a beautifully wrought bracelet. Lyra removed the jewellery to show August, which revealed runes carved in to the precious metal; runes that were as foreign to August as magic itself. An easy laugh escaped his lips as Lyra explained she had crafted the item for the man she intended to marry.

[color=1876D2]“I doubt you ever suspected that man would be a human,”[/color] August said with a gentle smile. Certainly, he had never thought he would ever say a civil word to an elf, let alone be [i]married[/i] to one. When he had envisioned the future, August had always seen himself stood with a Queen who was as resolute as she was wise, as fiercely loyal as she was compassionate. A Queen who was [i]human[/i].

He wondered who Lyra had always thought she would wed; had there been an elven man back in her Kingdom who she had loved? Or had she crafted this gift with only the dream of her ideal husband?

August had been in love once. One of his fellow soldiers. There affair had been passionate, with the pair sneaking moments of ardour between grim, hard-fought battles, seeking sanctuary in one another from the horrors that surrounded them.

She had survived the war, for which August was eternally grateful, but even before it had been suggested he were to marry the Nephalm princess, the couple had known their romance was doomed. There was no way the crown prince would ever have been able to openly have a relationship with a commoner. And so, as the war had drawn to a close, they had parted ways; their love for one another just another memory, another victim, to the bloody fighting that had consumed their Kingdom for so many years.

[color=1876D2]“Oh!”[/color] The prince gave a faint sound of surprise, flinching slightly, as Lyra conjured a shimmering orb of light in the palm of her hand. He hesitated, glancing between those sapphire coloured eyes and the bright white that danced at her fingertips. August had not been this close to magic since his time on the battlefields, when he was commanding troops to defend against it. He gave a soft sigh, before offering Lyra a smile.

[color=1876D2]“Sorry I… I am not used to being so close to magic,”[/color] he admitted, prosthetic hand flexing unwittingly as if he could still feel the sizzle of arcane energy that tore his limb from his body. August knew, however, that magic was something he was not only going to have to adjust to, but something he was going to have [i]accept[/i] as a part of his new life, this joining of the Kingdoms. August would have to promote the acceptance of magic to his own people, just as Lyra would need to for technology.

He could not deny the usefulness of such an artefact though. Lyra was right her surmising.

[color=1876D2]“Aye, I think this will help to ease my discomfort around magic. You are a talented craftswoman,”[/color] August hesitated, looking up from the bracelet and at Lyra, almost as if really seeing [i]her[/i], rather than simply his ‘bride to be’, for the first time. [color=1876D2]“It is an incredibly thoughtful gift, so for that I thank you.”[/color]