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[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220319/e7069392741101ba6a7572342fa3f997.png[/img]
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[center][color=gray][sub][sub]collab between [@princess] & [@Rodiak][/sub][/sub][/color]
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 [color=BBC7E1]”The honor is mine, Sir Mathias Larsen.”[/color]Charlotte had replied to the beautiful blonde man before her. All the effort to utilize the wine to slow her heart rate had been for nothing as she felt it speeding it up again. He was a picture out of a storybook with those green eyes and such a charming face.  She stepped forward toward him as they were directed to move off for another couple to be acquainted. He sure was tall; the top of her head would tickle his chin. Though the name had some familiarity to her, she could not recall ever meeting him before. 

 [color=BBC7E1]”My name is Charlotte… I mean, Lady Charlotte… but no need to fret over the title. I’ve never been quite certain if it’s meant anything all that interesting since I’m very obviously a lady like any other girl here, so why should I in particular state the obvious?”[/color]She smiled at him but her pupils had dilated slightly in the realization of the silly statements tumbling out of her mouth. 

 [color=BBC7E1][i]It seems I am a lightweight.[/i][/color]

 Mathias offered his arm to Lady Vikena for her to take as they walked together to their designated spot to wait for the dance to start. He glanced down at her, seeing her this up close- it felt strange almost after the whole debacle with the Alidasht Kingdom. From his spot Lady Vikena almost looked like a porcelain doll; elegant, graceful and smelling slightly of sweet Caesonian wine. The knight did not blame Charlotte for taking advantage of the free wine, not after what had happened.
 
 [color=5B89A6]"I am not very sure why we carry such titles, my Lady, but you have opened my mind to these questions."[/color] Mathias laughed softly. [color=5B89A6]"Very well, Lady- Charlotte please call me Mathias from now on."[/color] He wasn't much fond of being called Sir Mathias and even less being Lord Larsen. Even after all of these years he was not used to either of those titles. Besides, it would only be fair that she would call him by his given name instead of his title if he was going to do the same.

 She was relieved that he had seemed amused with her words.  [color=BBC7E1]”Very well. Mathias, it is, but you just called me Lady now haven’t you? You’re taller than me so I couldn’t possibly be above you by such an exorbitant status.”[/color] Charlotte had joked. She let him lead the dancing as they had taken hands. Muscle memory helped her place her feet in the right spots luckily enough. She just had to ignore the idea that she was dancing with a two-headed man. Hopefully, this conversation would flow better than her first attempt. [color=BBC7E1]”I-Uh... You should tell me more about yourself..”[/color]

 [color=5B89A6]"I-"[/color] Mathias wasn't just about to spill his whole life story as to why she was indeed in a higher class status than he was- but he just smiled and bowed his head slightly. [color=5B89A6]"My apologies, Charlotte, it shall not happen again."[/color] There was a slight relief in his face, he'd gotten so used to calling everyone around him Lord and Lady that just saying someone's given name brought him back. 

 Tonight's waltz was a bit slower than Mathias has grown accustomed to, leaving him to lead slightly faster than the other dancers on the floor. [color=5B89A6]"There's not much I can tell you that would interest you,"[/color] He spun them around once, twice, keeping his hand firmly on her back as if the force of the spin would break the porcelain doll. As if Lady Vikena had not just taken Crystal's sudden embrace. [color=5B89A6]"I am a Royal Guard of Varian,"[/color] Another spin, this time just in sync with the rhythm of the music now that he had gotten a hand at the slower pace. [color=5B89A6]" the Larsen family has served Varian for centuries now. I'm just following the legacy."[/color] 

Charlotte gripped his hand tighter as they spun, trying her best to keep up with his footing. His first statement had resonated with her soul. The only thing that could be said about her that she was girl privileged enough to be born into money but unfortunate enough to lose her family. It made her heart ache nonetheless to hear someone act as if they had nothing of value to say. Her eyes lit up as he explained that he was a Royal Guard of Varian. [color=BBC7E1][i] How magnificent.[/i][/color] She felt honored to speak to yet another extraordinary person.

Charlotte raised a brow and smirked as she told him sarcastically,  [color=BBC7E1]”...Yes because being a part of a family line of Royal Guards is so uninteresting.”[/color]  She paused her footing to stop their dancing. Her eyes then met his. The dryness melted from her tone and she told him warmly,  [color=BBC7E1]”Please don’t demean yourself. You sound like you’re amazing.”[/color]

She earnestly continued, [color=BBC7E1]”Your duty is a valiant and noble one. Perhaps it does not cross your mind often but I am sure you are part of the reason why the people of Varian feel safe… Why children can play outside, why the Queen and King can sleep at night… It’s all because of what you do. “[/color] Charlotte smiled up at him, [color=BBC7E1]” I do believe that makes you a hero, now doesn’t it?”[/color] 

Seeing her struggle with his lead, Mathias quickly slowed down to correct his pace and match hers. He wanted to apologize and blame the difference in culture when he saw a familiar look in her eyes. It was a flash- and just like that- it was gone and replaced with sarcasm. 

[color=5B89A6]"I suppose you are right, La- Charlotte."[/color] Mathias caught the slip just in time and smiled at her words, nodding his head when he realized that what she had said rang true in her voice. He supposed being a Royal Knight was a grand deed. But the title of knight, or Lord, or just standing here in the ballroom with a beautiful woman before him in a Kingdom far from the slums of Breoven- it didn't feel right. To be here while everyone he had grown up with remained there. 

The following words that slipped past Lady Vikena's lips washed away the creeping guilt that was currently trying to crawl its way into his mind. Now, instead of guilt, there was doubt. Perhaps she was correct. He may have gotten lucky, and that did not mean everything he had now was not well deserved. He worked hours trying to protect and serve all for the sake of those he loved. For his son.

He opened his mouth to say something- anything, but no word seemed to form in his mouth. They stood there as the dancing and music continued without them. Such a small frame, and yet Lady Vikena had brought a Varian knight to the verge of tears. 

[color=5B89A6]"Words cannot express my gratitude after hearing you say that,"[/color] Mathias finally spoke, bowing his head slightly. Charlotte didn't know him, yet she was making him doubt the guilt he had been carrying for years now. [color=5B89A6]"You are a kind woman, Charlotte,"[/color] he cleared his throat and blinked a few times before he let himself smile again. [color=5B89A6]"I- Thank you again. You've opened my eyes, yet again. Perhaps I am a hero to some."[/color]

Charlotte was genuinely surprised by his reaction. She was certain he was blinking back tears. Hearing this man express such heavy gratitude through both his words and his emotion made her feel as if she were perhaps a hero too. She smiled again and squeezed the hand she was holding, [color=BBC7E1]”No perhaps! You are [i]one[/i]”[/color] Charlotte assured him. She paused, her gaze dropping as she contemplated on whether or not she should share her next thoughts.   

[color=BBC7E1]”...Ever since I was a little girl, I’d read books and always be enchanted by knights and heroes. I know it’s not quite the same but I always wanted to have such purpose. I want to help people somehow; to have an effect on the world around me.”[/color] Her voice was softer than before as she spoke.

Mathias looked at her, Lady Vikena carried an air of familiarity he had seen before. A kind woman, one that yearned for change- for power. A title that many wished to possess. [color=5B89A6]"Charlotte, I may not know you personally but I can attest from what I have witnessed today that you are already in fact changing the world."[/color] With an index finger he gently tapped the bottom of her chin, bringing her gaze to meet his. [color=5B89A6]"You are a brave woman, a kind soul. You do not need to be a knight or a hero to continue to have an effect on the world."[/color]

The music continued around them; Mathias took her hand and wrapped the other around her waist. [color=5B89A6]"I am sure you will come to see how others see you, and that you will continue to do marvelous things."[/color] He began to lead the dance again, this time slower than before.

Charlotte’s blue eyes met his as she listened with lips parted in surprise. She could not help but blush at his words. They were as sweet as honey and as if they were created to fill her aching heart with warmth. She hadn’t been certain he had witnessed the fiasco that occurred before but she supposed he indeed had. She took his hand and as they positioned themselves to continue waltzing. She moved her hand delicately on his shoulder.   [color=BBC7E1]” Thank you, Matthias. You’re very sweet.”[/color]Charlotte told him softly.

Though it was often intimidating for her to hold eye contact for long periods of time, especially when she was nervous, she was growing comfortable doing so with him. [color=BBC7E1]”I… I was honestly so afraid tonight that it’s been hard to imagine myself as brave. My stepfather Lorenzo is the only family I have now. I thought…”[/color] She felt her voice choke up a little and took a moment to recuperate before continuing, [color=BBC7E1]”...I thought I was going to lose him.”[/color] 

Mathias looked at her with gentle eyes as he listened to her speak. [color=5B89A6]"And you would do anything to save him."[/color] He gently guided her under his arm for a spin before bringing Lady Vikena closer again, a hand resting firmly on her back as if to comfort her. He understood why Charlotte had done it now and he could feel his chest swell with admiration for her. [color=5B89A6]"Do you love your stepfather?"[/color] 

Charlotte was careful as she was spun, managing to retain some grace. Lorenzo had been in her life for so many years now, but he hadn’t been a father in the traditional way she had thought of one. There had always been expectations with her birth parents. With Lorenzo, that wasn’t really a thing, but… [color=BBC7E1]”Yes of course. I consider him my father. ”[/color] The hand on her back was a great comfort to her as it wasn’t often she received touch like this.

Her shoulders relaxed and she said, [color=BBC7E1]”...I am sure if you were in my place and your family was on the line, you would have done the same. They must feel blessed to have you in their life.”[/color]

There was no hesitation when Mathias nodded his head, [color=5B89A6]"I would have done the same to protect my son."[/color] He smiled at the thought of Lukas, [color=5B89A6]"But I am the blessed one to have him in my life."[/color] Around them, the music began to slow down and other dancers did too. The knight followed in step with the rest, disappointed that their dance would soon come to an end. He had enjoyed Lady Vikena's company much more than he had anticipated and wished for the song to be longer. 

Charlotte’s brows lifted in subtle surprise. She then smiled,[color=BBC7E1] “I am glad your little boy has you and that you have him.”[/color]  As the music began to fade, she let her hands slowly fall off Mathias.  [color=BBC7E1]”Thank you for the dance, well… For everything.”[/color] 

The nearby balcony doors suddenly opened and Duke Lorenzo Vikena emerged from them. Count Calbert followed after. She could not help but utter as massive concern filled her, [color=BBC7E1]”Oh no.”[/color] Charlotte folded her arms as if to comfort herself then apologetically looked at Matthias, [color=BBC7E1]”I am so sorry. Please excuse me.”[/color]


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