[sup][h2][center] [color=black][sub]P R I N C E F E L I X C A M I L I A[/sub][/color] [color=c29e85][sub]P R I N C E F E L I X C A M I L I A[/sub][/color] [/center] [/h2][/sup] [sup][h2][center] [color=GRAY][sub]&[/sub][/color] [color=BLACK][sub]&[/sub][/color] [/center] [/h2][/sup] [sup][h2][center] [color=black][sub]S I R M A T H I A S L A R S E N[/sub][/color] [color=5B89A6][sub]S I R M A T H I A S L A R S E N[/sub][/color] [/center] [/h2][/sup] [center] [color=gray][sub][sub]collab between [@Mole] and [@Rodiak][/sub][/sub][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/0hgKymt.png[/img][/center] [indent][color=gray] After excusing himself from Lady Damien, Mathias made his way from the dance floor to one of the few wine tables. Once reaching his destination, he took one of the many glasses laid out before turning to face the dance floor. His eyes scanned the various faces and lavishly dressed people around the ballroom to distract himself from the two first dances of the season. While he had enjoyed dancing with Lady Vikena and Damien, something had felt off about it. Mathias knew there had been nothing wrong about them or what they had said, but he knew the feeling had originated within him. He could not pinpoint what it was or why he felt that way, but the more he thought of it and tried to figure out why the more uneasy he grew. To distract himself, Mathias downed the first glass of wine in one breath, ignoring the stinging in his throat. One or two nobles noticed him drinking the red liquid like water, but none of them said anything of the matter, even as he reached for a new glass. But instead of drinking the second, he stared down at it, wondering when exactly the feeling deep in his stomach came to be. The wine was clearly something very special, and Prince Felix having thought it was about time for himself to at least indulge in it a little (never to the extent of his companions), left Lord Lorenzo and Lady Crystal. He had other conversations to pursue, but leaving himself empty would start to prove an unwise decision as the party carried further into the night. The prince made his way towards the serving table (having no server offer him any as was typical in these sort of events). His mind quickly abandoned the remands of his previous conversation as he found Sir Mathias drinking the liquid in a shocking abundance. [color=c29e85] “The wine is very special, is it not Sir Mathias,”[/color] he asked the man as he took his own glass. The prince took his attention from the older gentleman and toyed with the rich, red color inside the glass. He tipped the delicate stem towards himself and made a small sniff of the liquid. He admired it respectfully, glanced at the man and then took a sip. [color=c29e85] “It really paints the mood of the evening,”[/color] he continued as he dangled the ideas of Lady Thea and Lord Lorenzo in his mind’s eye. He could not be bothered to surrender himself to such a foolishly golden state. He had his own priorities to uphold. But, alas, there were countless others who had succumbed to the joy, and now, Sir Mathias appeared to be rosying his cheeks, as well. [color=5B89A6]"Your Highness—"[/color] A startled Mathias almost dropped the sweet liquid over him. He cleared his throat before setting the glass down and bowing deeply before the prince. [color=5B89A6]"It is quite special, the first time I've had Caesoanian red wine. Although I must admit, I have not allowed myself to taste it."[/color] He gave the prince a sheepish smile as he rose from the bow. Had he known that Prince Felix would be visiting the tables, he would have resisted the urge to down the glass as he had. He only hoped Prince Felix did not think of him as an alcoholic. [color=5B89A6]"How has the night treated you, Your Highness?"[/color] He picked up the glass of wine again but refrained from taking a sip of it for now. Instead, he looked at the Prince briefly, stealing a quick glance at the delicate features. [color=5B89A6]"I hope both dances were to your liking."[/color] [color=c29e85]“The wine, while not as smooth and eloquent as the Varian fruit, is not something to be overlooked,”[/color] he admitted generously, trying to overlook Sir Mathias’ reluctant display. [color=c29e85]“The evening could simply be summed up as such. My dance with Lady Thea went well…”[/color] he concluded. It was rather embarrassing to mention anything negative about Lady Thea. To do such a thing was like Prince Felix talking about someone else altogether. While, Sir Mathias was a good man and had always offered a mentor’s advice when prompted by the prince, there was something dark that kept him from opening up to anyone about this subject. And, even if he had the sudden ease to say something, now would not be the time. Besides, the dance could have been worse. He had many scenarios bookmarked in his mind over how things could have gone wrong, and (thankfully) none of those scenarios made a show of themselves. [color=c29e85]“I could not be more honored to have such an elegant and elite intellectual of a Lady,”[/color] he continued after taking a sip of his wine. [color=c29e85]“She is quite beautiful, with a remarkable sense of will. Many times, it is as if I am under the spell of her charms,”[/color] Prince Felix made a smile, pondering in his own words of faux charm. [color=c29e85] “And what about yourself, Sir Mathias?”[/color] The Prince lowered his glass and studied the knight. [color=c29e85] “How has the evening treated you?”[/color] He asked, having already concluded a negative answer by the wiles of how the knight was drinking with such an embarrassing hand. Mathias resisted the urge to look around the room in search of Lady Smithwood. The halls of the Varian castle spoke and whispered of her new habits after her father's disappearance. It had been the talk of the year, no one who lived or worked there was able to get away from the topic. He wondered at times if her engagement to Prince Felix had been a wise one, then he remembered that it wasn't his place to think of such things. [color=5B89A6]"I am glad to hear that, Your Highness. Nothing short of perfect, I am sure."[/color] The knight smiled. [color=5B89A6]"Ah,"[/color] Mathias could not say that it had been a lovely experience as the Prince had already seen him swallowing down a full glass of wine like nothing. Lying would only make him bad, more than he already was at the moment anyway. [color=5B89A6]"It was quite an experience,"[/color] This was his first time outside of Varian and his first-ever extravagant ball, so his words were truthful. [color=5B89A6]"Lady Vikena and Lady Damien were wonderful dance partners."[/color] He took a sip of the wine, finally tasting the sweet liquor, and realized that Prince Felix was right about the wine. The small amount of wine that the prince had tasted was enough to ease the nerves, tense in him. He enjoyed the touch of Lady Thea Smithwood, but the feeling was something vacant and distant. He could not outline the darkness. However, right now, as he spoke to Sir Mathias, there was a small spark. He noticed the spark many times when associating with the knight. Right now, his pale words were like feeding a dying light. He had felt this same sensation earlier when making small talk with Lord Lorenzo and Princess Crystal. [color=c29e85] “The way you are consuming your liquor, I can only wonder what the experience was like,”[/color] Prince Felix tried to jest in his own, dark tone, but much like his fencing, he came off as sharp and a little condescending. He wondered about Sir Mathias as much as he could. The man was ruthlessly loyal and compassionate about the ones for which he cared, especially after the departing of his most beloved. Prince Felix has not the patience or time to feel such emotions. He kept everyone within swords length and truly concealed much of what he truly thought and felt to himself. He took another sip, slightly larger than the last, if it made a difference to anyone watching. [color=c29e85] “Lady Thea is a wonderful dance partner, as well,”[/color] he hinted, momentarily, with his guard down and trying to diffuse any presumptions he had illiteously inquired within his previous comment. The last thing he wanted was Sir Mathias to fall apart on him. It was the first of events like this for him, and now was obviously not the time. [color=c29e85] “I dismissed the first dance, solely to observe. There are some wonderful dancers all around us, but that is to be expected,”[/color] he mused. Mathias smiled at the Prince's words, letting a small chuckle escape past his lips. He had known Prince Felix long enough to understand the man's sense of humor, and he did, in fact, have one. [color=5B89A6]"Worry not, Your Highness, I assure that both ladies had nothing to do about the amount of wine I've been consuming."[/color] He did not, however, discuss the reasons why he was drinking in such a way. Mathias wished to prevent souring their conversation or bring about any sort of awkwardness. Besides, he himself did not understand the reason nor the source of the feeling that now lived deep within him. [color=5B89A6]"I hope the first dance was entertaining enough; I did notice your absence on the dance floor and Her Highness too."[/color] He glanced down at the wine glass in the Prince's hand, wondering if both were trying to drink away their worries away. He was bout to inquire about the subject when King Edin's voice interrupted his thoughts. After the small speech, he turned to look at Prince Felix, [color=5B89A6]"Shall I escort you to the guest house, Your Highness?"[/color] Mathias may be attending as a guest, but his job to the crown and the royal family came first. Although, he would not take it to heart if the prince decided to head over by himself. It gave him some time to gather his thoughts and try to process the events of today. Perhaps even plan a small walk around the halls with his son, knowing that the boy would not be close to sleep right now. [color=c29e85]“Of course,”[/color] Prince Felix asserted. He did not bother to finish his glass of wine. Instead, he merely placed it on the table for someone in the staff to discard and clean. As the two men began taking their leave of the grand event, the Prince continued the conversation. [color=c29e85]“If you do not mind my asking,”[/color] he began, deciding swiftly not to make jovial of the event. It was unlikely to be taken with as much heart. [color=c29e85] “What brought you to consume so much wine, last minute at that?”[/color] Taken back a tad with the Prince's question, Mathias was unsure how to answer him. There had not been an external reason as to why he suddenly downed a whole glass of wine. It was out of character for him; the knight did have to admit that, but there wasn't really anything he could say that would satisfy the Prince's curiosity. [color=5B89A6]"Impulse, though I am not sure."[/color] He glanced over at the Prince, hoping to see another teasing look on his porcelain-like features. When he found none, he continued, [color=5B89A6]"I— I have been struggling with some internal conflicts, none that would invalidate my responsibilities as the Captain of the Royal Guard. It is my first grand event since my wedding as well, and I am afraid the thought of it finally caught up to me."[/color] The statement was partly true. Mathias always avoided lying to Prince Felix, but he could not exactly explain the feeling he was struggling with because he had no way of doing so. As the two gentlemen continued to walk, Prince Felix considered what Sir Mathias was saying. He thought about their fencing matches, which had been nonetheless favorable on the Prince’s side for the most part. At times, a man’s swordsmanship reflected his inner character, and despite his perception, had noticed nothing at the heart of the knight’s changing demeanor. There had been a time when the knight had proven guilty with despair, back when he was younger. However, now seemed hardly the time to bring this up. [color=c29e85] “Perhaps it is not my place to inquire any further, then,”[/color] the young prince said with lingering curiosity. Sir Mathias had always lent an ear during their time together, not that he had made too many confessions — as a more stoic individual, but among the times in which he had, he had not regretted it. Now, if he lent his own ear to Sir Mathias, he would only be returning the favor. [color=c29e85] “And, perhaps, it is not my place to make such a statement, you ought not hide your embarrassment, because we all have our inner struggles. I can assure you, you are not the only one. If you care to share anything with me, I would dare not judge such a fine mentor as yourself,”[/color] he spoke in reference to his dearest Lady Thea. Although, he might as well have spoken of himself. And he dared not say anything of his own predicament to any soul, but thought nothing similar to how Sir Mathias might respond. It was his duty to listen, after all. They had approached the guest house now, there were a few lingering nobles and guards outside mingling, but Mathias paid no attention to them. The knight looked over at the Prince, surprised at the words of support he had offered the knight. He smiled, bowing his head in gratitude. [color=5B89A6]"I assure Your Highness I will not hesitate to share my troubles when I finally find the words to do so."[/color] He stopped short from the entrance to the guest house and turned to face the Prince. [color=5B89A6]"In the meantime, I shall follow your advice—"[/color] [color=C1A18D]"Papa!"[/color] A little blond boy dressed in blues and browns came running towards them and wrapped his arms around Mathias's leg. Not too far after him, an older lady came running behind the boy with a worried look on her face. When she saw Mathias, her features relaxed but quickly took notice of Prince Felix's presence and curtsied. Mathias smiled at Mary, his son's nanny, before turning his attention down to the boy. [color=5B89A6]"Lukas,"[/color] The knight allowed his shoulders to relax as he crouched down and took one of his hands. [color=5B89A6]"Say hello to His Highness, honey."[/color] Lukas glanced up at Prince Felix and hid behind his father. When Mathias gently pushed him forward, the boy shyly bowed, [color=8DC4E7]"Hello, Y-Your High... High..."[/color] He took a deep breath and held his father's hand tightly before speaking again. [color=8DC4E7]"Hello, Your Highness."[/color] He smiled proudly. [color=c29e85] “Ah, gentle Lukas,”[/color] the prince gave a nod and a smile. He knelt down to meet the young boy at eye level, [color=c29e85]“Take care of your father. He’s a good man,”[/color] a smirk drew on the man’s face as he commanded the boy, both looking into each other’s eyes. Prince Felix stood up and bowed to the knight. [color=c29e85] “I should be able to make it to my room on my own from here. Thank you for your service, as always.”[/color] [color=8DC4E7]"Yes, Your Highness."[/color] Lukas nodded slowly, bowing again and stepping next to his father, and glared at anyone that got too close to them. Mathias chuckled as he stood up again and faced the Prince. Not long ago Lukas would have run away at the sight of the prince. There were certain people the boy was scared of, and one of them had been the prince. Even with Varrick, he had been so shy to even look at the man. Granted, Varrick could look quite scary at times. [color=5B89A6]"No need to thank me. Have a good night, Your Highness."[/color] He could see Lukas bow too next to him. [color=c29e85]“Have a good night as well, Sir Mathias,”[/color] with that, Prince Felix concluded their conversation for the evening and went his way. [/color][/indent]