[h2]Philazoea (Zoe)[/h2]

[quote=@Terrans]
...

"... I.... I never....I hadn't seen my work up close before that. They were just doing their job." A ragged breath as his eyes began to water. 

He tried not to cry. Especially in front of a girl. Especially if that girl was Zoe. But it was like ripping off a band aid. 

"But I made it personal. Killed a whole section because they killed one friend. Left a brother and sister dying on a mountain because I couldn't figure out what to do...." A sob as he buried his head in his hands.  
[/quote]

Wordlessly, Zoe leaned over, resting her head against Aden's shoulder.  It was the sort of gesture that might have raised a few eyebrows in public, but here, alone nobody was to know.  She didn't try to say anything or offer any words of consolation about something she didn't really understand, just sat there... and probably would have stayed for longer were it not for a knock on the door that saw her leap to her feet in alarm.

A moment later someone opened the door from the outside - A Mittelandische soldier in a blue uniform that was far too crisp and clean for someone who had been rotated from the front, "His Highness, Prince Maximilian of the Western Marches," the man announced, and a moment later a particularly tall man with an unruly mop of blonde hair and a thick moustache over his upper lip strode into the room.

He was over six foot, handsome and slim.  He wore a similar blue uniform though with a stiff, high red and gold collar with three large silver stars on either side.  Over the top of this he wore a  slightly battered long brown leather coat.  He looked like a soldier and one who took his job seriously.

Zoe looked up at him apprehensively.  He looked at her for a long moment, stepping forward to pick her up in a quite unregal bear hug which his guard studiously ignored, "Cousin!" he boomed in fluent Inburian, "I knew if any one of the Emperor's children would make a successful break for it it would be you."

"Put me down!" Zoe protested, though it was mixed with relieved laughter.  She had, it seemed, genuinely feared he wouldn't recognise her.  

But he did put her down, leaving her pouting and rubbing her ribs, "Our cousin is remarkably gifted and getting out of things," Max added, addressing Aden directly, "Just about anything; dinner parties, Royal engagements, second storey windows."

"Ahhh..." Zoe seemed a bit flustered, Max's informality had taken her off guard.  She glanced across at Aden, realising he had been taken into a family moment, a level of informality that was unusual for outsiders to see, "Ahh, Max," she said, deciding to continue in the same tone, addressing the Prince by his first name, "May I present my dear friend Aden Robertson, who was one of the ones who protected me on my trip here."

"Another Ardellian?" he remarked in surprise, "Unless that name's Brendahlandische... though I'm willing to be Ardellian."  There was a brief pause before he added, more seriously, "Well cousin, I am glad you made it here, truly.  You are welcome to stay in Mitteland as long as you want, though no doubt your Parliament will want you at the Grendell."

"[u][b]MY[/b][/u] parliament?" Zoe raised an eyebrow, a look of alarm crossing her face.

"Well... yes," Max chuckled, "Oh don't tell me you haven't figured it out!  You're the Princess-Regent."

Zoe gave an exaggerated groan, dropping back on the sofa, "Me?" she groaned again, staring up at the ceiling, "Out of interest though... does that mean that that airship out there belongs to me?"

"To the Inburian crown," Max countered, "Which happens to be yours, at least temporarily.  You really didn't pay much attention to your tutors did you?"

She nodded, deciding not to answer the question and insted glancing across at Aden, a slight smirk forming, "Well that's good to know."