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[sub][color=gray]A collaboration between [@Pyxis] & [@Rodiak][/color][/sub]

[color=5F9AA0] Raiden[/color]
[color=DC143C] Leo[/color]	
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	After the scene with Henri and Genevieve, Raiden decided to get himself a nice cold drink to calm him down and rethink everything he had planned out for the evening. It was rather clear that Henri hadn't wanted to talk to him or even see him. He couldn't keep thinking about it for the whole night; he had other matters on hand. Raiden had yet to have a conversation with many of Xi'n's allies and their representatives; he had to check up on other friends who he had not seen in months and the most important; keep Princess Beatrice some company. The last of the list was the most important task he had for the next two months, but the thought of having to spend it with someone he was being forced to marry wasn't very appealing. 

	 [color=5F9AA0] "Whiskey, on the rocks."[/color] Raiden said after waving down one of the bartenders. After receiving his drink, he cradled it between his hands and looked into the ice. Had it been worth it? He had put up with his father's demands for so long for the sake of his country, Raiden knew to marry a woman was going to be one of those many demands, and he had never prepared for it. There wasn't anything he could do about it now. 

	[color=DC143C]"Prince Raiden,"[/color] Leo said, walking up to the man with an empty flute of champagne in one hand. There was a polite smile on her lips that hid the displeasure of seeing in front of her; it soon melted away when she saw Raiden's defeated face. Despite everything that had happened, this man was still a friend of hers. [color=DC143C]"Did you try to talk to him?"[/color] Leo knew what that face meant. She may not be close to Raiden as she used to when they were younger, but she was always able to read his face so easily. 

	[color=5F9AA0]"Leo."[/color] Raiden didn't bother with formalities and avoided her question altogether. [color=5F9AA0]"Drinking so early at the party?"[/color] He raised his glass to take a small sip of his whiskey. He didn't look at the woman next to him as she spoke to him. Leo had known about his relationship with Henri since the beginning, and she had been a supportive friend from the shadows. Secrecy had always been their first priority. Raiden's parents couldn't find out about him, or he would lose his title and his country.  

	[color=DC143C]"I should say the same about you, Rai."[/color] Leo looked back at the man next to her as she leaned into the bar and waved down a bartender to order the same as Raiden had. [color=DC143C]"Can't blame us; parties like these always seem like a drag."[/color] She thanked the guy behind the counter when he dropped off her drink. [color=DC143C]"Could be worse, you could be marrying me."[/color] She teased, hoping to lighten the mood. Leo wouldn't press Raiden about his situation with Henri- not yet at least. She knew Henri had been struggling to stay in touch even before the betrothal had been announced and she wondered if they were starting to drift apart.

	[color=5F9AA0]"Poor bastard,"[/color] Raiden scoffed and glanced back towards Asher's direction. [color=5F9AA0]"If only he knew what he was getting himself into."[/color] He knew the prince only from formal meetings, Raiden could tell he was a pleasant man- but a man nonetheless. 

	Leo rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips as she gently slapped Raiden's arm. [color=DC143C]"Rude,"[/color] She pushed herself away from the counter and turned to look at the dance floor, watching the couples dance away in mesmerizing circles. [color=DC143C]"Just moments ago, I was sure I needed to marry him. It didn't matter what I wanted because what I wanted didn't matter. What only mattered was my people."[/color] She watched a princess in a bright red dress twirl in the arms of her partner, both smiling and laughing as they danced. [color=DC143C]"But when Viv asked us about the wedding, I wasn't so sure if it was the right decision for my people."[/color]

	[color=5F9AA0]"For your people, or for you?"[/color] Raiden glanced over his shoulder to look at Leo. He had always admired how she presented herself to others without fear of being judged and always stayed headstrong. Raiden was always afraid of being outed when he and Henri had decided to go steady. That fear was what had driven him to slowly distance himself from the man he claimed he loved. 

	[color=DC143C]"I can't be selfish all the time."[/color] Leo looked back at Raiden, [color=DC143C]"My mother wants me to marry Asher to get me out of her country. She knows I'm too stubborn to control. I'd be forced to give up the title of Crowned Princess to live in Notia, and the title would fall to my brother."[/color] She brought the glass to her lips to take a small sip, careful to not smudge her lipstick. [color=DC143C]"I love my brother, but he's too dense to see what my mother is trying to do."[/color] 

	[color=5F9AA0]"So you're not going to marry him? Find some other guy and marry that one? Finally become queen and show your momma that you can do things your way? You know it won't end well. Your mother is still the queen."[/color] Raiden arched an eyebrow towards Leo. It didn't sound like a good plan overall. Leo needed the support of the nobles in her country, and Raiden knew how flimsy her relations were with those old pompous bastards. 

	[color=DC143C]"Something like that,"[/color] Leo shrugged a shoulder, [color=DC143C]"But I don't need to marry a man."[/color] She reached over and placed a hand over Raiden's shoulder. [color=DC143C]"You have to talk to him. I know he can be an asshole sometimes and he shuts everything out, but talk to him. Tell him what your plan is if you have one, and tell him. Leaving him in the dark like you did was fucked up like really fucked up, but I know you care for him."[/color] 

	[color=5F9AA0]"I know."[/color] Raiden knew he had to talk to Henri and explain to him everything. He had a plan that would bring things backs like they used to be. [color=5F9AA0]"Thanks, I really thought you were going to start shouting at me and kicking me to talk to him."[/color] He offered a teasing smile as he took another sip from his drink. [color=5F9AA0]"Never thought you would give me encouraging words like that, I'm touched."[/color] 

	[color=DC143C]"I think you're the only person who feels that way."[/color] Leo rolled her eyes and gave Raiden one last pat on the shoulder. [color=DC143C]"Now excuse me, I need to talk to Chris and those beautiful ladies he's with."[/color] With that, Leo made her way around to the little group of women around Chris, her easy smile returning to her face.

	[color=5F9AA0]"Good luck, princess."[/color] Raiden watched her go, eyes trailing towards Chris. He should talk to the man at some point, explain to him the situation, and apologize for being a bad friend- but for now, he had to make his rounds with his allies. Raiden had been away from Princess Beatrice for too long now, so he picked up his drink and began to make his way back to her.