[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZUQaIQJ.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QZSL9Tj.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/WdC7gae.png[/img] [color=#EEC86A][b]TIME:[/b][/color] [i]Evening[/i] [color=#EEC86A][b]LOCATION:[/b][/color] [i]The Pasta Oasis[/i] [color=#EEC86A][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [i][@HylianRose] Lucian | [@Princess] Marina[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/WdC7gae.png[/img] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk1WtIjF9Jw[/youtube] [img]https://i.imgur.com/WdC7gae.png[/img] [h1][color=#EEC86A]Part 2[/color][/h1][/center] [color=silver]Askel maintained a blank smile while he slowly blinked after hearing his sister's grand idea on how to decide her suitors. This had taken a turn that he had not expected. The prince was ready to open his mouth, but Ambrose had beat him to the punch. He shot his senior knight a glare back at him though before he could protest, the stoic confidently stated that they would just kill all of her suitors with that unreadable expression on his face. Askel looked at devilish duo and with a bemused laugh said, [color=#C84808]"Were you two always this terrifying or did this come about while I was gone?"[/color] He really did not want to know the answer to that. [color=#C84808]"Anyway, I have to agree with Ambrose; you'd just end up as an old spinstress. Mother and father would be most displeased if the reason you never married was because of us."[/color] Askel grinned mischievously and playfully threw his hands up. [color=#C84808]"Who knows, maybe we’ll lose on purpose to a man with a valiant heart, but the head of an ass. Now that would make for an interesting family portrait."[/color] She had simply clasped her hands together, tilted her head, and gave the most innocent smile she could give at his question. [color=#F09A99]”It would seem that my dreams of a valiant hero coming to save me from two horrible demons just won’t be realized….”[/color] She said dreamily back to the two knights, or demons, as she pictured strong heroes fighting one after the other for her hand. Her brows furrowed, breaking her pure expression to glare at Askel. [color=#F09A99]”You do that and I’ll send a certain [i]someone[/i] a very passionate and romantic letter. I still know your handwriting, dear Askie.”[/color] She let out an annoyed [i]hmpf[/i] that lasted an entire second as she glanced over her shoulder. [color=#F09A99]”Oh, perfect. Our food is about to arrive! All this [b]love[/b] talk has really given me an appetite.”[/color] Sylvia said cheerfully with an eager look as if the entire previous conversation had been entirely scrubbed from her current mood. The truffle butter pasta ribbons with black truffle shavings were placed in front of her. It had been at the top of the menu and looked very good so that had been enough for her. [color=#F09A99]”Oh, what did you two get? Hold on, let me guess, you [b]BOTH[/b] got the pasta with short rib?”[/color] Askel rolled his eyes at his sister's insinuation that he only cared about eating the simplest yet sustaining pasta dish on the menu. What was placed in front of him was a pasta topped with duck and crumbled bits of foie gras that was beginning to melt and meld into the red sauce and cheese. [color=#C84808]"Actually, I got the pasta with the duck confit. You know, the Kimoons have the most incredible way of cooking duck. They-"[/color] Ambrose eyed the waiter with caution as the food was presented in front of Prince and Princess Camilia. The food looked incredible, and smelled even better. Despite his discipline, Ambrose’s stomach could not help but growl as his senses were captivated by the scents and heavenly appeal of such meals. He buried his wants, as one in his position often does. [color=#9E664C]“You know I didn’t order anything. I never do when I’m working. I’ll have a meal after I get you back to your quarters safely.”[/color] The prince looked up at his fellow knight as if he heard the earth's mantle rumble straight from the man's gut. [color=#C84808]"Ambrose, if you didn't have anything to eat then you should have said so before we left! We would have given you time to nourish yourself. You know better than to be on guard duty in a restaurant on an empty stomach."[/color] It was strange to be the one to lecture Ambrose; he was the one who would lecture him on preparedness for all of the years he was a squire. Sylvia had made an overly done look of shock at his choice, preparing to express her deepest surprise Askel had an interest in something other than swordplay. He was spared her genius rebuttal when Ambrose’s stomach interrupted them. Well practiced tears came to the corners of Sylvia’s eyes as she turned in her chair fully to look at Ambrose [color=#F09A99]”But…but…I got you the pasta with short rib…” [/color] She said pitifully and as if on cue the dish arrived at a vacant spot on the table between her and Askel. [color=#F09A99]”Please? I got it just for you.”[/color] Sylvia stared up at Ambrose with wide eyes as she absentmindedly picked up a large amount of her pasta with a fork and shoved it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out just a bit, chewing slowly as she tried to keep up the sad puppy look. Ambrose let his eyes travel down to the floor as he considered their words. Much to the chagrin of his stomach, he ultimately knew what he needed to do. [color=#9E664C]“As adorable as you two are, and though I do appreciate the concern… This is not up for debate. I will take the food you ordered me to go, and I promise to eat as soon as the obligation I have been charged with is complete.”[/color] For the first time since entering the decadence of the Pasta Oasis, Ambrose’s hint of a smirk shifted into the truest form of his smile. [color=#9E664C]“But don’t worry, Princess…and as your brother knows all too well, a missed meal here and there is part of the gig. I’ll be fine, and better for it as long as I know you’re safe.”[/color] His eyes fell to the ground once more, the smile slipping back into the frustration he often wore so well. [color=#9E664C]“I’ve already failed your father today once by not realizing that Princess Marina was up to her usual shenanigans. I had [i]hoped[/i] the conversation her and I had on the way into Sorian would ensure at least a little bit of compliance from your sister… I was wrong. It seems my trust was misplaced. That is all the more reason why I must uphold my oath here and now.”[/color] The prince gave their knight a look of understanding for the role he carried his shoulders was a heavy one. [color=#C84808]"If she really did decide to sneak off instead of turning in for the night, then I'll talk to her myself. You've already done enough, Ambrose; going hungry while we eat is punishment enough."[/color] Askel twirled his fork, gathering a bit of the confit duck, sauce, and pasta before taking a reasonable mouthful and gave his sister a look to tell her to give up. Ambrose was certainly not going to budge no matter how many crocodile tears she shed. [color=#F09A99]”I suppose if you eat it later that will be acceptable enough.”[/color] Sylvia let out a small sigh as she quickly lost her pitiful look and then beamed a smile at the loyal knight. [color=#F09A99]”We appreciate you, Ambrose. I get to enjoy everything I do because I know you are always there to protect me.”[/color] Sylvia was under no delusions about herself when it came to physical combat. She was likely the weakest amidst her siblings. The image of a warrior she was not. Ambrose nodded in return to them both, and what he kindly did not say out loud is just how right the young princess truly was. But he thought it, and my oh my did he smile on the inside thinking about how many antics, shenanigans, pranks, and all the tomfoolery he had put up with to ensure that this sweet and gentle soul could be safe. [color=#F09A99]”You should not worry anyway.”[/color] Syvlia kept the wide smile she had but something shifted in her eyes. It was all she could do to hold back the sinister giggle she let out when schemes began to float in her mind. [color=#F09A99]”I will make sure Marnie receives the proper punishment for deceiving you…”[/color] Her gaze shifted to her plate and she mumbled [color=#F09A99]”....and for not bringing me along.”[/color] The Briar Knight let a real smile tug at his mouth as he just barely overheard the young woman’s mumbles. He looked then to Askel and watched as the young prince, who was becoming one hell of a knight in his own regard, enjoyed his pasta. Of course, out of his own satisfaction he would never say such a thing outright. Ambrose wouldn’t want the man who had become like a little brother to him to grow too terribly big a head. It was already big enough in its present state. The thought forced him to fight back a laugh as he turned to the other patrons of this unnecessarily ostentatious restaurant. Each of them was enjoying their meal, taking a dip in the pool, and otherwise going about their dealings as they saw fit. It had been interesting to see Sorian thus far; being his first time to the city in many years, but this time his meaning here was everything to him. These princes and princesses…as frustrating as they were noble…were his purpose now, in the void his sister left behind. All he truly wished was to do right by her, to make her proud, to protect her chosen family. If that meant he had to skip a meal, hunt down an ornery princess who always seemed to buck the authority of others, or even spill blood in the name of Camilia… He would do anything and everything he had to in order to keep them safe. On his honor, by his hand, now and forever. He was [i]their[/i] knight. [/color]