Raptra

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

Eliezer had thought that he was in the clear when she started to speak about engraving and joke about her siblings. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and her suspicion was made clear when she eventually asked him if something was wrong. So, despite his best efforts, she could still sense that all was not right. He was at a lost as to how to respond to such an inquiry, knowing that what he said next would probably result in heavy consequences, depending on what he would choose to say. He wanted to avoid the topic, to simply continue acting as if he did not know what she was talking about, to make an excuse that he was just weary from the matters he had to settle upon returning to the palace. Surely that was an explanation that she would not question?

No, what bothered him was the fact that she still attempted to hide her initial reason for wanting to be close to him, and if he were to hide what he knew from her, he would be no better of a person than she was. That was not to say that she was not a good person. He was grateful for all she had done for him, and it was likely true that she had really developed feelings for him. However, he still could not let go of the fact that she had managed to deceive him into believing that it had always been the case. With a deep sigh, he pushed the things on the table between them aside and looked her in the eye, wanting to give her the chance to tell him the truth.

"My lady, for what reason were you actually at the ball on the night that we met? What motive did you have for obtaining my attention?"

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

Something funny, where I come from it's not a practice to unwrap gifts on the spot unless the giver says it's okay. I should have considered the setting of the story, but it's fine, I came up with an excuse for Eliezer lol.

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

Preoccupied by his own concerns, Eliezer was initially unaware of Raven's true emotional state, taking her smile as an indication that everything was alright with her. He gazed out at the calming scenery from the pavilion as he sat in silence with his lady for a moment, though, just as he was about to turn to her to say something, his butler had appeared with refreshments, as he had done the previous time Eliezer had met Raven here. This time, the prince knew that it was Allister's intention to watch over them, and was hardly surprised like he was before. Frankly, Eliezer could have also used a break from having to interact with his butler, in spite of being grateful for all he had done for him.

The prince thanked Allister, and then listened in confusion at the exchange between his butler and his lady. In truth, he had been rather unsure of what to do with the wrapped parcel. The practice of unwrapping a concealed item in the presence of its giver was one that was new to him, and it was only now that he had learned that not doing so was considered offensive. His lady was clearly upset as she made the assumption that he did not appreciate her gift, though, it should not have hurt her to such a degree, should it? Eliezer had a feeling that there was a deeper issue other than the one about the gift, but he would proceed to settle things one at a time.

"Forgive me if I have upset you, my lady. It is not that I do not wish to see what you have given me. I was merely unsure if you were comfortable with me unwrapping it in front of you. How can I dislike it if I do not even know what it is?"

He put a comforting hand over hers, hoping that she would not take his failure to observe the practice as an indication of anything worse. It would seem that she was reading it all too far, though honestly, he had a habit of doing the same. Now having been informed that it was what he should be doing, he nodded to her and then started to peel the wrapping off the parcel. The lettering engraved onto the quill pen peaked his interest slightly, and he raised an eyebrow as he lifted it from the set for a closer look. A light smile graced his lips when he realized that it spelled out his name, and he gently ran his thumb over it before turning to Raven.

"It is lovely, my lady."

Sum up your week in roleplaying in just 3 words

Away too long.

Ban the Person above you

Banned because you again?

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

Eliezer exchanged a quick glance with his knight as his lady approached, knowing that this was the first time that Hildebrand would be meeting the frequently-mentioned 'Moon Raven' in person. He instinctively returned her hug and muttered a rather awkward "Thank you," when she handed him the wrapped parcel. He proceeded to examine it as she commented on it, mainly because he was unsure of what to say next. When she mentioned that she had personalized it for him, he realized that he had probably not given her much to work with, considering that other than being the crown prince of Dainia, there did not seem to be much else to him as a person. Then again, it would appear that she could somehow point out aspects of him that he was not aware of himself.

"My lady, this is my trusted knight, Sir Hildebrand Ward," he began, introducing his knight to Raven.

Hildebrand then bowed to his prince's lady. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Omrea."

Eliezer nodded to the knight, signalling for him and the other guards to step away. As they complied, the prince turned back to Raven, internally struggling to see the woman he did not want to leave at the orphanage a few days back. All his life, he had no issue with convincing himself that he was no more, and wanted no more than what he was told he should be or have. Why then, was telling himself that he wanted to be with Raven currently so difficult? Was it because that deep down, after knowing the truth, he knew that this was not right? That was the one thing he had just only come to realize - he had to be persuaded into believing that his act was the truth, meaning that all this time, he never was putting on an act. Nothing could change the fact that she had initially desired to assassinate him, and it was wrong to love her. Regardless, he would attempt to pretend all was well, at least for today.

"Shall we have a seat, my lady?" He suggested, gesturing to the familiar pavilion.

Word association Game!

Cap

Ban the Person above you

Banned for including a GIF.

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

On the day that Eliezer was to meet with his lady once again, Mathazar watched from his window as his brother left through the palace gates with his trusted knight and a couple of other guards on horseback. The younger prince's maid 'lover' conveniently came up behind him to observe this as well, before commenting.

"That young knight is going to be a problem, Your Highness."

Mathazar nodded. "Indeed. It would be best if we watch him carefully."

"Would it not be simpler to just get rid of him?" Robynne suggested.

"It would be too much of a risk at this time, my lady. There is already too much suspicion."

The maid smirked. "I would not recommend waiting too long to take some action. At this rate, he might very well replace you as your brother's confidant."

The prince scoffed. "I am Prince Eliezer's twin and a member of the royal family. I am not about to be threatened by some novice who has earned my brother's favor merely by chance."

Internally, however, Mathazar was rather apprehensive about the knight being a possible obstacle to him and a threat to his and Robynne's covers.

---

The midday light shone brightly on the glistening lake and the landscape surrounding it, the sight as beautiful as it always was. The warmth of the Sun's rays, coupled with the gentle breeze left one uplifted and rejuvenated, ready to take in the lovely view. A light smile formed on Hildebrand's face as he glanced around the place they had ridden up to.

"This place is beautiful, Your Highness. It is no wonder why you would choose to meet with your lady here. I supposed that you do not come here very often."

Eliezer shook his head. "I had stopped for a long time, until I met Lady Omrea. Back when Prince Mathazar and I were boys, we used to request to be brought out here rather often. This is a good place to make memories with the ones most important to you."

Deep down, the prince was saddened when he made that last statement, remembering that what he had recently been told about the two most important people in his life was causing him to distrust them. He had decided to take a chance at happiness, but all he had learned was that it was anything but simple. At this point, he had to question if it was all truly worth it.

To echo his mood on the inside, his knight then decided to ask a serious question. "Mister Cornell has made a bold claim about your brother, Your Highness. What if it shall turn out to be true?"

"You know how it feels to lose a brother, Sir Hildebrand. How about you tell me? Tell me how much it would hurt if it were true."

Hildebrand was slightly stunned, finding the reply to be rather antagonistic. "Your Highness, I... Forgive me if I have angered you."

"You have done no such thing, Sir Hildebrand," Eliezer assured him. "My frustration is with the situation itself. I have to be prepared for the truth, whatever it may be, though I am uncertain of how I shall achieve this. I also apologize if I have hurt you by referring to Sir Aldebrand."

"It is quite alright, Your Highness."

The Job af the Assassin and Life of the Prince

Ah I see, that's fine then :)