[color=lightgray][h1][center][color=slategray]Lucian[/color] & [color=#D0B4EC]Lottie[/color][/center][/h1]

[color=#D0B4EC][b]Time:[/b][/color] [i]Ignis 5 Afternoon[/i]
[color=slategray][b]Location:[/b][/color] [i]Petal & Perk Café — window table[/i]
[color=lightgray]______________________________________________[/color]

At the table by the window, Charlotte sat perched on a cushioned stool in the Petal & Perk café. Golden afternoon light poured in ribbons through the doorway and through the panes of the window. The light illuminated the melancholic young woman, whose chin was propped up in her palm in a manner that almost suggested her head was too heavy to keep upright otherwise. She had been staring through dark lashes at the bundle of roses set in the glass vase at her table, as if they were the only thing in the room safe to set her gaze upon. Half of her hair was drawn back with a delicate lace ribbon, whilst the rest spilled over her shoulders in waves. 

Her dress was adorned with white lace that was rather pretty despite the sorrow in her expression. The bodice was modest and high at the throat, detailed with tiny buttons. The skirt fell in light layers, not quite grand, but undeniably feminine. The bruising on her neck was mostly swallowed by the high collar and barely noticeable to anyone who wasn’t looking for it, but she felt it every time she swallowed. The fabric tugged, and the reminder slid down her spine. Her free hand cupped around her untouched tea, fingers curled around the cup for the heat.

Charlotte had initially told Delilah she had been only coming here to purchase some seeds for the estate gardeners, and it was true, technically. Yet deep down, she knew she’d come for a respite from it all. She needed to be away from home for a moment, where Delilah’s hovering tenderness had turned her own helplessness into something impossible to ignore. Though she knew Delilah had meant well, somehow that had only made it worse.

People drifted past her as if she weren’t really there. And in a way… [i]She truly wasn’t.[/i]

Nothing around her had been registering. Inside, she was still in that tavern. And she was still [i]exhausted[/i] in that particular way sleep never seemed to help.

[hr]

Lucian knew that his sisters would flourish in a place they stepped foot into. It was in their nature and in their blood. He wasn’t sure there were many places that they couldn’t find a place to belong in. But still, he knew being far from home couldn’t be easy and he wanted to make sure that they had something that would remind them of home in their rooms.

Which was precisely why the young crown prince was making his way to the local florist. He’d asked around where to buy flowers and had the address scrawled on a tiny ripped piece of paper. He’d dressed modestly so as not to attract attention to himself and his fiery red hair which was pulled into a neat low ponytail to keep it out of his face as he had ridden into town. He looked like a rich prince in commoner’s clothes, which was admittedly amusing to see.

When he finally arrived, he slipped the ripped piece of paper into his breast pocket and stepped inside. It was a delightful little cafe, which he hadn’t been expecting. He smiled, walking through the room towards the counter where a woman stood.

He greeted her with a soft smile and placed an order for two small bouquets of red roses. The woman raised a brow at him and he swiftly mentioned that they were for his sisters, lest she think that he was buying roses for two women. She laughed and went back to start the order for him.

While he waited, Lucian turned to look at the decor, admiring the flowers. His gaze passed over the occupants as well. A young man with a cup of tea, a young blonde woman admiring flowers she had been given by the man across from her, a woman with a pretty lace ribbon in her hair, a man who-

Wait.

Lucian whipped his head back to the woman with the ribbon in her hair, his heart skipping a few beats. It sank to the floor as she turned her head to look behind him. It wasn’t her. His expression dropped and melancholy washed over him like a tidal wave. His gaze remained on her for a few minutes, watching her expressions, before he pulled away.

A second later, however, he found himself watching her again, unable to shake the feeling in his chest. She looked… upset. He saw Sophia overlap her for a brief moment and he felt the urge to know why she was so sad.

Charlotte felt it before she located the source of it—the weight of someone’s eyes on her. Her eyes slid up, at last, with reluctance, until she found the sight of a man with his red hair tied back. It was no fleeting glance; he was watching her with a focused, steady gaze as if the moment he looked away she might disappear. She blinked once, her head tilting slightly as she sifted through her mind to try to decide why he felt familiar, and whether she even knew him at all. Nonetheless, the attention made her feel a little awkward, so she offered him a little wave finally, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Lucian’s eyes went wide as he made eye contact with the woman. He stood for a moment, like a deer in headlights, a little unsure of what he should do. He swallowed and took the few strides it would take to close the gap between them.

[color=slategray]”I am so sorry.”[/color] He spoke, bowing just a bit towards her. [color=slategray]”I-”[/color] He stuttered, his mind racing with what he should say, how he should approach this. [color=slategray]”You look like someone I know, but it was incredibly rude of me to stare. I would understand if you were upset with me..”[/color]

Charlotte’s hand tightened around her tea cup then eased. Her expression softened and as did her tense shoulders. [color=D0B4EC] “Oh–no,”[/color] she said hastily, her voice warm with reassurance. It was as if the very idea of him thinking that he may have offended her pained her. [color=D0B4EC] “It’s quite alright. Truly.”[/color]

She studied him openly now—and curiously. [color=D0B4EC] “ I—…”[/color] Her eyes drifted to his hair and the line of his profile before returning to his eyes. [color=D0B4EC] “I also thought you looked a little familiar as well actually.[/color] A self-conscious breath escaped her that sounded almost like a laugh. [color=D0B4EC] “Have we met before?”[/color]

Lucian shook his head at her question. He couldn’t be sure, his memory was overlapping in a way that made the truth difficult to parse through. [color=slategray]”I don’t know…”[/color] He spoke after a moment, his brows furrowed as he tried to remember beyond just the startling realization that she looked the spitting image of his late wife.

[color=slategray]”Forgive my rudeness. I am Lucian Camilia, Prince of the Varian Kingdom.”[/color] He offered her a deep bow, hoping that by revealing his identity to her, she would reveal who she was. She looked familiar even beyond just her similarities to Sophia.

Her face lit up with realization and she rose to her feet hastily, her ankle faintly catching on the leg of the table. Nonetheless, she recovered with pose and gracefully presented him a curtsy.

Realization crossed Lucian’s features like a mirror to hers. He moved just close enough that he could reach his arms out to be prepared to catch her should she fall.

[color=D0B4EC] “Your Highness, please pardon me… It’s been some time since we last met.” [/color] She formally greeted him with a warm smile. [color=D0B4EC] “I am Lady Charlotte Vikena, of the Vermillion territory. My stepfather is Duke Lorenzo Vikena.” [/color]

Then, she gestured toward an unoccupied stool. [color=D0B4EC] “Please join me if you so wish.”[/color]

He smiled, the sort of practiced smile one comes to expect of someone of his station. [color=slategray]”It would be my pleasure, Lady Vikena.”[/color] He replied, his tone instantly swapping once he realized her identity. His mind still reeled silently at just how much she had grown and how similar she had become to Sophia.

[color=slategray]”It has been far too long. I hope things have been well for you and your family?”[/color] He offered as he took a seat in the offered stool.

She held onto her smile as she returned to her seat, though her gaze dipped toward her folded hands. [color=D0B4EC] “ How I do wish I could say it has been so,” [/color] she admitted, a sigh drooping her posture. [color=D0B4EC] “ It has been difficult since my mother’s passing, but we’re managing the best we can.” [/color]

Charlotte’s eyes returned to his—the melancholy still lingering in her gaze. However sincerity marked her expression as she told him gently, [color=D0B4EC] “ I do hope your family has been faring well, and that the world has treated you all with kindness.” [/color]

He listened quietly, his gaze set on her face as she spoke. She looked so sad. The overlap of her and Sophia left his heart feeling as though it had been ripped to shreds all over again. He couldn’t help the way the corners of his mouth dropped into a slight frown or the way his brows furrowed with worry.

[color=slategray]”We are managing as best we can as well. Life was not kind to us after Sophia’s passing. It left,”[/color] He paused, taking a deep breath, [color=slategray]”a rather large hole.”[/color]

Charlotte’s expression faltered at his words and she gently reached across the table to touch his hand tenderly. [color=D0B4EC] “ I…I’m truly so sorry.” [/color] She paused, her thoughts drifting. Then against her better judgment, Lottie decided to say more than that.

[color=D0B4EC] “ I do recall when you two married.”[/color] She began softly. Her brows furrowed in concentration and then for a moment she saw it all again through her younger gaze—the photos, the paintings, the way other girls had fawned over their marriage.

[color=D0B4EC] “My mother would show me the photos... “[/color] She murmured, nostalgia warming her tone. [color=D0B4EC]“Princess Sophia looked ever so lovely, and you were the object of many girls’ dreams even here in Caesonia… I did not often believe in love outside of the books I held dear but you two seemed—“[/color] She swallowed, pausing briefly, [color=D0B4EC]“—as real as it could be.” [/color]

She peered at him through her lashes, shy in her next admission, [color=D0B4EC] “ I do remember crying when I heard of her passing… I only ever did hear about how darling she was…and even over in Caesonia we felt the loss. I hope you know she has not been forgotten.”[/color]

Lucian tried to keep his face even, tried to temper his reaction to her words. A prince was not meant to fall apart in front of others, least of all a crown prince. His jaw tightened and he swallowed thickly.

[color=slategray]”Thank you for the kind words.”[/color] was all he could manage, his voice cracking ever so slightly as emotions threatened his practiced composure. [color=slategray]”And once again, I apologize for my rudeness before. You just,”[/color] He paused again, as if thinking, [color=slategray]”looked upset.”[/color]

[color=slategray]”I’d like to offer my ear in reconciliation if I might be so bold.”[/color] He suggested after a short beat. It was something he might not have done if it weren’t for her appearance. Sure, he would have continued the conversation, but Lucian felt a pressing need to ensure she was okay.

Charlotte’s smile stayed in place–sweet and ladylike as she always made sure to keep it. But there was something about the way he noticed she was upset, the way he had even offered an ear, that made her composure start to crack like glass. It was such a simple kindness. And yet it made her realize something in her had been fraying since last night… or perhaps since the very first ball.

The offer of his ear had landed on her like warmth she didn’t know what to do with. Something in her chest had lurched at his words, and she let out a shuddering breath. [color=D0B4EC]“Oh—Your Highness, please do not apologize… You’re not rude,”[/color] she told him politely, but the words slightly trembled. [color=D0B4EC]“Not even a little.”[/color]

[color=D0B4EC]“If anything, it was…”[/color] Her lashes dipped modestly, [color=D0B4EC]“very kind to notice, your highness.”[/color] Her fingers tightened together briefly. [color=D0B4EC]“...I’m afraid I simply look a bit…”[/color] She searched for a word that wasn’t too honest. [color=D0B4EC]“—tired.”[/color]

Her gaze slid toward the roses on the table as if they might help her find the rest of her poise. She reached out and brushed one of the petals with the tip of her finger, as if she were petting a beloved pet. [color=D0B4EC]“The evening of Drunkard’s Day was… unpleasant,”[/color] she offered gently, as though that single word could hold everything that had happened. [color=D0B4EC]“And I suppose it has taken longer than I expected to…”[/color] The sentence suddenly died on her tongue.

She had been interrupted by a sound that didn’t quite belong in a sunlit café–[i]the hiss of a poker sliding back into coals.[/i] Then the broken edge of a man’s scream—Lord Edwards’ scream. His scream bled slowly into a desperate, animal scream of another. It wouldn’t stop as the smell of burning hair seemed to come from nowhere. The sight of flesh burning off the woman’s face hijacked her vision next. Her pupils dilated, and her hand froze, hovering over the rose.

For a moment, she was back on the sticky tavern floor, lungs seizing as she choked, the world around her muffled as if she were underwater. Charlotte watched the severed female head roll past her gaze, leaving that dark, [i]horrible[/i] trail.

She tried to keep speaking anyway. She really did.

[color=D0B4EC]“—to forget.”[/color] she finished, voice still sweet, still careful… but now the tremor was more apparent under it, like a violin string pulled too tight. And when he heard her own voice, something inside her wavered.

Charlotte’s mouth parted to offer another graceful reassurance. But instead her hand rose, too quickly this time, and she covered her mouth as a sob clawed up her throat. Her eyes shone, and though she tried to blink them away, they very quickly started silently spilling from her lashes. They spilled over her knuckles in streams before she could do anything more to stop them.

Lucian felt his heart wrench like a vice grip had just squeezed with all of its might. He felt the almost violent urge to scoop her up and tell her it would all be okay, that nothing could hurt her again. He couldn’t be sure what had happened, whether someone had attacked her or said something simply untoward. He knew she wasn’t Sophia. And yet.

Lucian quickly reached for his handkerchief and reached over to offer it to Charlotte, all while every fiber of his being wanted to hold her. He was at least cognizant enough to know better.

Lucian pivoted in his seat, looking for the woman behind the counter, but she had gone into the back to prepare his flowers and hadn’t returned. He wracked his brain for ideas, solutions that could offer her the privacy she needed.

[color=slategray]”Would you like to find somewhere more private, Lady Vikena?”[/color] He offered, his voice hushed and warm, filled with all the compassion the man could muster.

Charlotte had only hesitated a moment before reaching for the handkerchief with her free hand, her fingers trembling so badly she nearly missed it. She took it anyway and pressed the linen to the corners of her eyes. Her other hand, however, remained fixed over her mouth, knuckles tight, as though the moment she lowered her it, the noise that came out might ruin her entirely.

His question registered in her mind, but she didn’t trust herself to answer with words. Instead, she nodded slowly—a silent yes that asked for mercy without the shame of doing so aloud.

His jaw clenched, cursing whoever or whatever had her in the state before him. In a swift movement, Lucian was up and at her side, guiding her up from her chair. His eyes scanned the room, sending anyone who dared look his way a glare that spoke of the measures he would take to protect her image.

He spotted a little sitting room with a door and, luckily, no one in it. He began to guide her over to it, his grip gentle on her elbow. [color=slategray]”Just a few more steps..”[/color] He murmured.

Once they were in the room, he shut the door. Looking around, there was one window looking out towards the street. He sat Charlotte down at one of the tables and moved to close the curtain. The room was enveloped in a soft lavender shadow as the sun seeped through the lavender fabric.

[color=slategray]”No one can see now.”[/color] He spoke quietly, moving to sit next to her. He was keenly aware of the rumors that would surface from what he’d just done, but he couldn’t think clearly when she looked like that.

She let him guide her as if she were fragile, her steps careful. With a lowered head, she kept her mouth covered. Though she didn’t look up, she could feel eyes on her. She nodded once when he murmured and forced her feet to obey as they made their way into a private room.

A quiet followed as she sat where he placed her, shoulders drawn in. She slowly lowered her palm from her mouth and let her lips part.

Charlotte swallowed hard. [color=D0B4EC]“I’m-”[/color] She began, and her voice cracked. Then she pressed the handkerchief to her cheek again, ashamed of how wet it already was. [color=D0B4EC] “I am so terribly sorry. I am not… usually like this.”[/color]

Her lashes fluttered as another flash of terror threatened. A shaky breath that sounded like a forced laugh escaped her. She shut her eyes for a brief moment and then when she opened them again, she added ever so softly, [color=D0B4EC] “It was just all so awful.”[/color]

Watching her felt like taking several stab wounds. His mind flashed for just a moment to Sophia, ripped to shreds and carried off into the night in front of him and how useless he had felt. His fist tightened against the arm of his chair.

[color=slategray]”No need for apologies. While that door is closed, I am not Prince Lucian. Consider me… a wall. Or a stuffed toy.”[/color] He spoke, [color=slategray]”Say what you need to say, let it out if you want to. Nothing will leave this room.”[/color]

And with that, Charlotte told him about what had happened at the Tough Tavern the night prior—the deaths, the witches, how her friends had been hurt, even the sickening moment one had been kidnapped.

She had summarized it, of course, but it had been a few minutes all the same. When she had finally finished, she let out a shaky sigh. [color=D0B4EC] “I… I just wish so strongly I had been strong enough to prevent it all.”[/color] She then gestured toward herself with a sad smile that did not quite reach her eyes. [color=D0B4EC] “But I suppose there’s only so much one could expect from someone like me… when I can hardly keep my composure.”[/color]

His knuckles went white as he gripped at his chair, anger seething just under his skin. [i]Of course.[/i] He thought bitterly. He shouldn’t be surprised that witches would be behind the girl’s pain and he felt a swell of bile threaten his esophagus. Another girl victim to their filthy actions. At least Charlotte was still here, still living and breathing. The same could not be said for Sophia.

[color=slategray]”I know how you feel.”[/color] Lucian admitted softly, pulling his hand away from the chair to grip them together in his lap. [color=slategray]”When all you can do is watch and do nothing…”[/color] He picked absently at a scab on his ring finger, a small wound from practice with Kilian.

Her breath caught at his words. [color=D0B4EC] “I…”[/color] Her eyebrows met as she frowned. [color=D0B4EC] “I mean this with all my whole heart, Your Highness— I wish you did [i]not[/i] understand. It pains me so.”[/color]

After a swallow, her attention snagged onto the movements on his finger. A tender sort of disapproval took over her countenance and she murmured, [color=D0B4EC] “Oh, please don’t do that.”[/color] A flush rose in her cheeks as she realized she was ordering around a prince, but she supposed it was too late to back down. She reached into a small satchel about her torso and began to rummage through it. [color=D0B4EC] “It will reopen and take twice as long to mend. “[/color]

[color=slategray]”It’s really nothing…”[/color] He started, his voice trailing off. He had a deep seated wish that she wasn’t this kind to him, that she didn’t touch him with those warm hands that made his longing only worse. She couldn’t know the effect she was having on him and the despair he felt at knowing [i]her[/i] warmth was dead and gone.

She finally produced a small folded square of linen and a little wrap of clean cloth. [color=D0B4EC]“I… have a plaster.”[/color] She announced with a sniffle. Then she leaned in just slightly, offering it, [color=D0B4EC]“May I?”[/color]

He stared at the objects in her hand for a long stretch of seconds, debating. He couldn’t think of a way to turn her down without seeing some sort of disappointed look on her face and he knew that would be far more devastating. He nodded quietly, watching her.

Charlotte inched her chair closer with a soft squeak of the metal. Then, she began to work gently, applying the plaster to his finger, a slight tremble remaining in her movements. [color=D0B4EC] “When a scab is disturbed, the skin has to begin the whole process again. It’s… quite rude of us, really, to ask our bodies to do the same work twice.”[/color] She informed him quietly, though her wobbly attempt at humor did uplift the corners of her mouth.

After securing the plaster, she raised her gaze and smiled as she wiped at her cheeks again. [color=D0B4EC] “There.”[/color]

Lucian watched her quietly, acutely aware of the way her skin felt against his. The scab was of no real consequence to him. He didn’t much care about it or himself, if he ever being honest. It wasn’t a lack of self-preservation or hurting himself, he just didn’t care. Still, her words did warm him.

[color=slategray]”Thank you, Lady Vikena.”[/color] He replied politely, placing his hand back in his lap. [color=slategray]”I apologize for having worried you.”[/color] He offered, his words sounding hollow even to himself.

His response drew a breathy giggle escaping her lips, [color=D0B4EC] “[i]Worrying me[/i]? “[/color] She repeated with astonishment. [color=D0B4EC] “I am the foolish girl you had to relocate to the next room. ”[/color] Her smile wavered, softening. [color=D0B4EC] “If anyone ought to apologize, it’s certainly me.”[/color]

He glanced up from looking at his hand to meet her gaze, his own soft smile returned to hers. [color=slategray]”You are not foolish, Charlotte Vikena. Merely human.”[/color] He returned. [color=slategray]”And if you ask my sisters, worry is just about all I do.”[/color] He chuckled.

[color=slategray]”The things you went through are hard and you are a strong woman for having made it out alive. Don’t worry about the things you couldn’t do or should have done.”[/color] He spoke after taking a short breath. [color=slategray]”But please know that you are not the only one who feels that way. I imagine there are many from the tavern who feel similarly. I think it’s human of us to have those feelings.”[/color]

[color=D0B4EC] “I suppose you have a point,”[/color] she conceded, though it didn’t seem as though she truly thought so deep down to her core. Then, after a pause, she added, [color=D0B4EC] “Your sisters are very lucky to have you.”[/color]

Lucian smiled gently. He wasn’t entirely sure about that, but he was going to do his best to make it so.

Charlotte gently put her hand over his and looked up at him through her lashes. [color=D0B4EC] “I can tell you carry more than you ever say.”[/color] She told him, and then an earnest smile flickered. [color=D0B4EC] “Thank you. You’re a good person, Prince Lucian Camilia.”[/color]

Lucian simply smiled back, not trusting himself not to suddenly begin sharing everything to this girl. She was not his wife, despite how much he wished it so. If she were, he’d have no shame in letting tears fall, emotions boil over. He’d have no shame in sharing his burdens and his guilt. But his wife she was not. She was just a girl, a girl who was also carrying around her own burdens. She didn’t need his on top of that.

[color=slategray]”Do you feel a [i]little[/i] bit better having gotten some of that out?”[/color] He asked with an earnest smile.

[color=D0B4EC] “Indeed, I suppose I do.”[/color] She replied softly. Though it had been therapeutic to vent, Charlotte knew this was something that would haunt her— one conversation wouldn’t just tidy it all away. But she also knew couldn’t dump all this on someone again; especially a prince at that and one she hardly knew.

And Charlotte could feel in her heart that last night was only the beginning of her troubles. There was no sense dragging Lucian into them.

With another smile, she rose once more. [color=D0B4EC] “It was lovely to see you, Your Highness. Hopefully we can speak again under better circumstances.” [/color]

Lucian knew the look on her face all too well and based on what she’d told him, those images would linger and give her endless nightmares. A shoulder to cry on could only do so much against those kinds of horrors, especially from someone like him. While he could empathize with her, at the end of the day, he was a Crown Prince, someone next in line for his kingdom’s throne. He wasn’t exactly someone people typically let their guard down around.

He stood as she did, bowing ever so slightly towards her. [color=slategray]”It was lovely to see you as well, Lady Vikena. Please send your family my regards.”[/color] He returned curtly. He couldn’t stop the nagging feeling at the back of his neck.

[color=slategray]”I-”[/color] He started, his breath getting caught in his throat for a moment, [color=slategray]”I know it might be a bit forward of me. But, if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who understands, please know that I am always willing.”[/color]

[color=D0B4EC]“Likewise, Your Highness.”[/color] She smiled at him with a tinge of sadness in her gaze. [color=D0B4EC]“And of course, I will always be willing to lend an ear to you too… Whenever you want or need it.”[/color]

Lucian got up and walked over to the door before turning to look back at her again. [color=slategray]”I might just take you up on that,”[/color] He conceded quietly, giving her a slight smile. [color=slategray]”Lady’s first.”[/color] He added after a beat, opening the door for her, and she graciously moved out of the room. [/color]