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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Nov 3, 2023 6:14:57 GMT -5
Alex noted the interaction between Athena and his cousin first with interest, then amusement. Were theyβ¦flirting? He couldnβt help but think that this was good. Not only would it make both his cousin and best friend happy, but perhaps it meant Aurore would be willing to help Athena when she escaped if she needed somewhere to lie low.
βI thought the two of you might get on.β Alex commented with a smile. It was true, he had, and heβd even said so to Athena. He hadnβt anticipated the flirting, but he had suspected that the two women would get along well. In fact, if there was anyone in his family heβd have ever thought Athena might get on well with it would have been Aurore.
Then Dante replied to him about Alexβs father having asked him to watch Aurore, and then his cousin piping up about the king being a nuisance and not needing a keeper. She was right, by all accounts, of course.
βWhenever you are around, I am no longer my fatherβs greatest worry.β Alex replied with dry amusement to Aurore. βIt would appear full-Levinian trumps half-Levinian on the kingβs watch list.β
That being said, he was a little surprised that his father trusted him enough to behave himself that night, though he was not at all surprised that he didnβt trust Aurore.
At Athenaβs comment about doing as the king asked of her for the time being, Alex nodded to show his agreement.
βYou know me,β came the princeβs sarcastic reply, βI live to please my father.β
Despite the sarcasm, he did agree with what Athena had said about keeping the king placated. It was the game they were all playing, and it was vitally important. The very reason this whole thing was happening.
He looked up, though, as the moment was broken by his brother being announced at the door. Caspian immediately approached to greet the group and congratulate his brother and Athena, as was expected, but at that moment Alex wasnβt exactly thrilled to see him. Still, he smiled and greeted his brother cordially enough. The last thing this ball needed was a scene between the two brothers, after all.
When his brother approached, Alex bowed his head to his brother just as Caspian had done to him, as was expected.
βIt would appear they are,β Alex replied to his brotherβs comment on congratulations being in order, managing with great effort to keep most of the sharpness out of his tone which might give away his displeasure at his elder brother for telling their father about him and Athena, βthank you, Caspian.β
Then Caspian went on to greet Aurore, and Alex had to say just a little of his anger with his brother melted away when he saw the genuine smile with which he greeted Alexβs cousin. Given their fatherβs hatred of Levina and what Alexβs mother had done, he had to appreciate his brotherβs treatment of Alexβs Levinian relatives. Those people had cared for Alex with kindness, if for a short time, despite the circumstances and he thought fondly of them. Seeing Caspian treat Aurore with politeness and even some warmth helped Alex forget whatever else was happening between the brothers, just for a moment.
Perhaps when Caspian was king, things with Levina would be different.
βDante has the pleasure of accompanying Her Majesty tonight,β Alex said to his brother, shooting a smile at both Dante and Aurore, βFatherβs suggestion. A refreshing change for Dante, I have no doubt.β
On the surface, he was just making conversation. An innocuous and politely flattering joke about Aurore being better company than Alex. But he was also using it to tell his brother that their father had essentially set a watch on the Queen of Levina that night. Really, they were lucky Aurore was as nice as she was because some rulers could have taken offence at that.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Nov 3, 2023 7:10:00 GMT -5
   Lilith understood Atlasβ request for her not to tell Elena about his injury. He had to be a bit embarrassed, for one thing, but in his line of work things like this couldnβt get out. Any embarrassment to Atlas by extension was an embarrassment to Ernestine, and that simply could not do.
Not that Lilith have a shit about Ernestine.
βNothing brings me more joy than having secrets from Elena,β Lilith assured him, before adding just to completely assuage any worries, βdonβt worry, Iβm no gossip.β
This was true. While for Lilith secrets had their place, she preferred to fight her battles differently when she could. Decisive, efficient, ruthless was her style and she only fought her battles with words when it was most sensible to do so. It felt more⦠honest that way. Not that her lifestyle could be described as honest anyway.
She let the journey to camp go by in silence, for Atlas seemed in quiet thought. Once they arrived there, though, she headed to an empty tent with Atlas in tow. Not their infirmary, for she thought Atlas might prefer a more private place to recover, but it was close by and close enough in fact theyβd even stored some extra supplies for the infirmary in there. Ideal, really.
Once she had him on a bed, she pulled up a stool and carefully examined his injured ankle, brows knitting together as she took it in. It wasnβt terrible, but it had to be painful. Blistered and bleeding.
She made a hum of disapproval as she took in the injury, before warning him not to move and departing for a moment. She soon returned with a waterskin in her hand. As she sat back down, she grabbed a bandage and a clean rag from the extra infirmary supplies stored in the room.
βIβm going to have to clean this and then bandage it,β Lilith explained briskly.
She set to work wetting the rag with some of the water from the waterskin, which it turned out was water sheβd gotten from a pot that had been boiling over the campfire outside. She had to wait for the boiling liquid to cool just a little before she could put it on Atlasβ injured skin, of course, but the water would be hot and sterile. Sheβd have used the supply of alcohol sheβd carried earlier but Atlas had already downed that so this was her best available option.
βSo what were you doing wandering the woods?β the woman questioned with a raised eyebrow, βDidnβt fancy going straight back to Ernestine?β
His charge wasnβt with him, so she had to assume Ress had been safely returned back to Ernestine. But evidently Atlas had either reported back to Ernestine already and returned back to the forest, or heβd not gone back to the Queen at all. Either way she was curious about why heβd been wandering her territory on his own.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Nov 3, 2023 17:17:06 GMT -5
As he recounted how heβd come to find himself in the predicament in which Lilith he discovered him, the woman got to work carefully cleaning out the wound. She made sure to do a thorough and efficient job, which meant she was as gentle as she could manage while still doing the job to a high standard. She wasnβt unnecessarily rough, but she didnβt baby him either. Besides, she was sure heβd seen much worse in his time.
βHm,β Lilith replied as she continued to work on the injury, βI have some people to talk to about incompetence on their perimeter checks.β
That was as close as sheβd get to an apology that Atlas had wound up being left up there for as long as he had.
As Atlas began asking her for more drink, she shook her head.
βSorry, if I had any to hand right now Iβd be using it to disinfect your ankle.β Lilith pointed out, βI might be able to get you some later.β
She knew he wouldnβt forget about it, not when he was in withdrawal like this. Sheβd have to get him some or heβd only try and get it from Elena at her camp anyway and she didnβt want him going anywhere before he was ready on that bad leg of his.
At this point she began wrapping the wound in the bandage, concentrating to get the thing to lie smooth and as flush to the skin as she could get it without it being too tight.
βYouβre welcome to stay here until youβre well enough to travel again. You can send word to Ernestine if she has not heard from you in a while. I can make sure a message is passed to her without her knowing why youβre delayed.β Lilith explained as she worked
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Nov 15, 2023 18:05:27 GMT -5
Adreana Kinnaird
I know I do not have the time, but I cannot stop myself from watching the steady, gentle rise and fall of my sonβs chest as he sleeps soundly before me.
He is not yet disturbed, too deep in his slumber to have registered my entrance into his room or my presence there. The child has no idea what is about to happen, what is to come. I want to keep it like this a moment longer, drink in my son for a few precious seconds. I know once I wake him, I will have set the wheels in motion and from that point there can be no return.
I know that this will in all likelihood be the last night I see my only child.
Moonlight pours in a silvery wash into the room and sets his white-blond hair aglow against the pillow. So pale are the soft, fine locks that they can look almost translucent in light like this. His eyelashes are so fair that often I donβt notice them, but as I look at them now I see how long they are, a fan of blond. He lies on his side, knees drawn up slightly, breathing even and deep.
When I had found out I was with child, I had been overjoyed. My position in Oralee was secure, for I carried the kingβs child. Another heir to all but guarantee that the succession was safe and to silence those who had doubted the wisdom of my marriage to Chadwick.
I had never been happier than during my pregnancy with him. I had left everything I knew back in Levina to marry someone I did not know. A political marriage. I had felt so out of my depth, so alone. Despite how everyone seemed outwardly to welcome the peace between Oralee and Levina, the looks I had received from those working in the palace betrayed that I was not accepted here. The wounds of the war were deep, I saw that in the sideways glances I often got, the rehearsed veil of civility the servants drew over their voices. Carrying my own child, my own blood, was an anchor to me. I had something here that was my own, that loved me unconditionally.
I cannot help but recall his birth. He had arrived so small, with downy blond hair and a squalling that announced his arrival far better than the herald that proclaimed his birth throughout the palace and the kingdom. Chadwick had been beaming with pride at the birth of another heir. Alexiares, we had called him, for it means βhe who wards off warβ. But I had only had mere moments to hold him before he was taken unwillingly from my grip, flurries of activity surrounding the tiny child as he was declared a symbol of the union of Oralee and Levina. The peace between our two countries made manifest.
It seemed an awful lot to put on such tiny shoulders.
My son has borne the pressure well, though. Perhaps he does not truly know what it means yet, but if he does the boy shows no sign of buckling under it. No sign that the scrutiny yet bothers him. It will in time, I know that. But for now he seems blissfully unaware of just how much people expect of him.
He may no longer be an infant, but he is still so young. Still round-cheeked and soft with baby fat. His face as he sleeps looks peaceful, but I can see the little lines of worry between his brows. He is a prince but it is so often forgotten that before all of that he is just a child.
I know that in what I am about to do I also have to forget that. I have to destroy that sense of assurance and security that comes from the naivety of childhood. I must be the first one to show my child the cruel reality of who he is.
I hesitate, but steel myself. I must do this for my country, for one thing. My true country. For the other, I must do it for Alexiares. For his future. He exists between two nations and if his future is to be truly secure I must end once and for all the conflict between Levina and Oralee. This fresh war that has broken out puts us all at risk and if I do not take control now, how might it end for my son?
I must end this war, and I must end it in Levinaβs favour or with neither country as the victor. If my family were to win the war and take power, my son would most likely live out the rest of his life in confinement but would be treated kindly and justly. If Oralee were to win the war, my home country would be destroyed and I would have to stand by. And who knows, then, what might happen to me or my half-Levinian son? I do not feel as confident of mercy here.
I am decided. I approach my son, stretching out a hand to caress his impossibly soft cheek. The little boy stirs with a soft sound of protest at being woken, opening his eyes. Those eyes which grow warmer when they land on me, filled with joy and love upon seeing his mother. Such openness in his expression when he looks at me. But then his expression grows confused, his brows drawing together in worry as he sits up a little.
βMama?β Alex asks uncertainly in a voice heavy with the vestiges of sleep, clearly not sure why he has been woken.
I shush him gently. βCome,β I say softly. It is all I need to say. When I outstretch my hand to him, he takes it in his without hesitation. So trusting is he of his mother. He rises from his bed to stand in front of me.
I begin the task of getting him dressed. It is cold outside, and I cannot leave him in his nightclothes. I dress him methodically and my son is uncomplaining, silent as he watches me secure a small cloak around his shoulders and put his softest leather boots on his feet. They do not have laces so I know they will be the easiest for him to put on or take off without my help.
He does not ask questions, not yet. He watches me help him dress quietly, eyes large and filled with uncertainty. I can see he is not sure of the situation but trusts me wholly, the woman he believes can right any wrong and fix any situation. Normally he can make such a fuss when he is getting dressed but now he is good as gold.
Once we are done I take his hand once again, pressing a finger to my lips to warn him to be quiet before I lead the way out of his bedroom. He seems to understand, having been woken and dressed in the night, that there is some urgency to the situation. He obeys my request for silence.
We pass many guards as I lead him through the hallways, but none give us any trouble. I had already bribed many of them, so as we pass them they do not look at us. Alexβs grip on my hand tightens the longer we spend walking through the palace. I give his hand a gentle squeeze to reassure him and he gives me a slightly shaky smile.
I want already to take this back, to not do it, but I cannot.
It is only once we get outside that Alex seems to become truly nervous. His grip tightens again and he stops walking so I have to do so as well. I turn to see my only child as he stands looking up at me.
βMama, where are we going?β his voice is tremulous now. Whatever bravery had caused him to be so calm and compliant so far has given way to nerves now.
βItβs alright,β I comfort him gently, not answering his question. I do not have time to, anyway. I do not have long and we cannot risk being caught. I must do this now, no matter what it takes.
I start walking again and Alexiares is a little hesitant but does start walking too. His eyes seem to be roving everywhere, lingering on the long shadows cast in the moonlight. In those shadows the branches of the trees seem to stretch and grope at us.
We walk only a short distance to the palace gates, which are opened by more guards I had bribed. Alex takes some coaxing through the gate and stops again completely once he is through it, eyes fixed on something ahead. I follow his gaze to see armour glinting cooly. An imposing, tall armoured man sits upon a horse ahead of us. The Levinian night I was expecting.
I pick Alex up, though he is getting too heavy for this now. The moment the knight reaches out his hands to us I see Alex realise what is happening. He wraps his arms around my neck, buried his head on my shoulder. I cannot make out what he is saying but he sounds so distressed my heart threatens to shatter. My every instinct is to cuddle him, tell him it is alright, and take him back to bed so that this can be a bad dream. But I cannot, I do not.
Alex is crying now, I can feel his tears on my dress as I detach his arms and reach to hand him over to the knight. Alexiares wails, tries desperately to grip my dress but ends up uselessly tearing at it as the knight takes the boy around his waist and pulls him up on the horse.
βIβm sorry, baby.β I say to him, seeing the betrayal of trust in my childβs eyes. The trust he had in the person who was supposed to love him and protect him with her life. βI need you to end this war.β
I give a nod to the guard and lightly pat the horse to send it on its way. I do not linger long to hear my sonβs cries as they retreat, going thin as he evidently realises they will do him no good. But as I retreat back to the palace I cannot help but feel awful for what I have done. I took advantage of his trust in me, for who would a child trust more than their mother? He cried for me, tried to cling to me, and I passed him over to that knight as if I did not hear him pleading.
I comfort myself with the knowledge that he will be safe with my family in Levina. As safe as a hostage can be, at any rate. And Chadwick will listen to their demands, of course he will. He would not leave his son to suffer because of what his mother did.
I know I will probably die for this. But I will have ended this war, saved lives. Protected my son and my country.
Alexiares is a child but he is more than that, must be more than that. He is a moving piece in this game and in doing this I might have changed everything.
Probably not as much as I have probably changed him now.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Nov 19, 2023 15:46:50 GMT -5
Atlas hissed audibly when she said that she didn't have any alcohol on her. That he'd have to wait until later. Just hearing the words pained him and he had to cover his eyes at the thought. He didn't bother glancing in Lilith's direction when she suggested sending a message to Ernestine. Instead her scowled. "The witch doesn't need to know where I am," he grumbled, still hurt that he had to remain in this semi-sober state. "Her assignment was completed, nothing more needs to be done from me." With that he shifted into a much more comfortable position and closed his eyes with a scowl on his face and a headache beginning to form. ~~~ Days had passed of Atlas attempting to get back on his feet. Both figuratively and literally. He hadn't had the usual amount of alcohol in the past few days and was unfortunately closer to being sober than he was to being functional. At this moment, he was attempting to travel the camp to the fire. He'd smelled food a little while ago and decided he didn't want to lay down and not eat anymore. He was sweating intensely, panting and hobbling pathetically towards the food cooking over the fire. "F.ck me this hurts," he growled as he paused to lean against a crate, ankle hovering above the ground as he caught his breath. It'd been a long time since he'd felt this physically weak and useless. |
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Dec 7, 2023 18:15:53 GMT -5
Lilith had just stepped out of her tent, taking a much needed break from the work sheβd been attending to in there. Mainly strategy. Strategies for what on earth to do with her prisoner depending on the instructions she might receive from Ernestine. Strategies for managing her territory. Strategies for her bigger picture plan to one day take back Alexandria if the opportunity ever arose.
She was beginning to hope that the last goal might one day be possible. Sheβd never give up on it. Her sisters would never want her to do that.
The first sight she met with when she stepped outside was Atlas trying to make his way to the fire for some food. He wasnβt having much success with it, but he was on his feet and that was always positive to see. The moment he was on his feet and able to be on his way the better. Lilith didnβt tend to like guests if she could avoid having them.
She approached the man and held out an arm in an offer of her support if he needed her to take some of his weight and help him her to one of the dears around the fire. He could use her arm to take some weight and help him get back on his feet and if he wanted to he could put his arm around her shoulders at that point so she could help him get to his seat.
βCome on, the fire will be good for you and weβll get some food in you.β Lilith said.
He didnβt have to take her offer of help - she hoped he knew after how long heβd known her that Lilith would not be offended by a refusal of such an offer. But it was there if he wanted it.
Once he was settled by the fire she grabbed him a bowl and filled it with the food - it seemed to be some sort of stew but sheβd had nothing to do with the making of it so she couldnβt tell what was in it. Her people had access to all kinds of ingredients, from simple game meat and foods they could gather from the forest around them, to more expensive ingredients from merchants Lilith had under her protection. It could have any number of things in it but it was usually pretty good, as stews went.
She passed that over to Atlas before taking a seat near him.
βI think I might have something thatβll help with that pain.β Lilith said, giving him a rare hint of a smile.
The woman produced a new flask - this one just for Atlas - and held it out to him.
βI canβt remember what I put in it.β Lilith admitted βBut all you need to care about is that itβs strong.β
Lilith knew she probably shouldnβt be offering him this. But heβd get it from Elena at first opportunity anyway, or lay his hands on some as soon as he was healed enough to be on his way. It made no difference. Besides, he needed to focus on healing his leg over anything else at that point. Withdrawal would make him sick too, and Lilith didnβt have it in her to deal with that too.
βHowβs it feeling? Is it getting less painful?β Lilith asked, glancing down at his affected foot. What sheβd just seen told her that while he was on his feet, which was great, he was still in a lot of pain.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Dec 20, 2023 14:01:52 GMT -5
Atlas didn't accept the help that was offered. His stubbornness and pride kicked in, causing him to just brave the pain with gritted teeth. So, he hobbled after her, reaching the campfire moments after se did.
Sitting down was no issue. He ducked his leg under himself and landed on his hip so he could roll to his bottom and sit upright. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned. As painful as it was to do, he was glad to be walking around and not just sitting still waiting to die.
Taking the bowl of stew he sniffed it, causing his stomach to growl loudly and angrily. This bowl of food smelled like it was the best thing he'd ever eat in his life. But that could have just been because he was starving.
Gently pouring some of the stew into his mouth, he almost dropped it and spit out whatever food he had when Lilith pulled out the flash from her person. He wanted to snatch it and inhale the contents as soon as his eyes landed on it. But, he managed to compose himself enough to put the bowl down, take the flask, and then her hand.
He kissed her fingers and knuckles. Kissed the back of her hand and pressed his forehead to it. "May you be blessed with all that you want and all you deserve," he muttered in gratitude before uncorking the flask and taking a nice long, well-deserved swig.
Setting the flask down at his side, he sighed in happy contentment and slowly laid himself down on the ground with his eyes closed. A smile graced his face as he was asked the next question. "It's healing. So, more painful and itchy," he answered with his eyes still closed. Peaking one eye open he glanced at Lilith and his smile turned cocky and flirty.
"Why? Exhausted of my pretty face already?" he asked cheekily.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Dec 21, 2023 6:40:16 GMT -5
Lilith was at first amused by how grateful Atlas was for the drink she offered. She even didnβt draw away her hand when he began to kiss it, despite the burning temptation to do so.
But then he began to flirt with her, and Lilithβs expression grew unreadable for a moment. She tensed slightly.
βNot yet, but if you want that face to stay pretty I suggest you rethink the flirting.β Lilith replied, her calm tone at odds with her words, βI like to give fair warning, especially to people I like. Donβt do that again.β
It would be such a headache to explain to Ernestine, and she didnβt feel like dealing with that.
She had faith heβd listen, anyway. She had some level of trust in Atlas built up over the time sheβd known him, and she knew him well enough. She felt reasonably sure his flirting had harmless intentions. But it didnβt mean it felt any different to her. Just because it was coming from him and she knew it was harmless didnβt mean it felt more tolerable to her. It didnβt mean that the unexpected kiss to her hand hadnβt made her ribs feel like they were being crushed.
But she brushed past the warning gracefully, trusting her point had been made and figuring it wasnβt worth much dwelling on once she was sure heβd understood her.
The womanβs gaze drifted over to the tent which held the young prince. Carlisle - or Carlo, as he apparently liked to be called - was a good kid. Lilith couldnβt pretend he hadnβt grown on her a little. Didnβt mean it would stop her doing anything she might need to do, but she was self-aware enough to acknowledge that fact.
βHeβs a sweet kid.β Lilith finally said, βShame he got caught up in Ernestineβs little schemes.β
She couldnβt hide her feelings on Ernestine, but she didnβt need to with Atlas anyway. They were on the same page about her anyway, even if Lilith didnβt know the ins and outs of Atlasβ experiences with Ernestine or how heβd come to work for her the way he had.
βBut then Iβd wager neither of us would have ever thought weβd end up where we are either.β the woman commented.
She didnβt know about Atlas, but he hated Ernestine so he had to assume he wasnβt with her because he wanted to be. Her? Well to some extent sheβd chosen her path, but it was never where she was supposed to have been. Sheβd been prepared for a very different path in life before it was all ripped away from her.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Dec 24, 2023 7:02:53 GMT -5
FLASHBACK WRITING - NOT NECESSARILY CANON Lilith knew she should stir herself, force herself to move or do something. But no effort on her part could get her to tear her eyes from her trembling hands. Not even the voice in the back of her mind urging her to move.
The flickering glow of an oil lamp cast uncertain shadows across her fingers, illuminating the lurid blood and exposing to the light the silvery knife that she still gripped, still held far too tightly. Her knuckles were turning white, but she could not let herself release her hold on the thing.
She sat on the edge of a bed that was not hers, shedding tears she supposed must be equal parts fear and relief. She had thought a lot about killing him, but she hadnβt planned any of it. Still, Lilith knew he deserved it.
It wasnβt her fault he slept with a knife under his pillow.
But the voice in her head grew more insistent. That voice reminding her that the others would realise something was wrong very soon, and she didnβt have much time. She had killed the leader of their band, and if she didnβt handle this right, he could be only the first death that night.
She could be grateful for three things, at least. The first was that he was gone. The second was that the secret of her true identity had died with him. The third was that, having attained the status of second-in-command and their leaderβs most trusted advisor, nobody would ask questions or think too much of it if she simply played it off as a coup.
There were a million reasons it was an attractive prospect, not least among which was the fact that if it worked, sheβd have more power. She could use her leadership of this band of criminals to build herself influence and wealth, all while having the kind of freedom that a lord in fealty to a ruler could only dream of. That would put her in a position where she could begin to realise her dream of taking Alexandria back.
Another reason was that she couldnβt deny it was a rather satisfying end, that the death of the man who had used his knowledge of her identity against her would be the very thing which would eventually help her regain what she had lost in that old life. He deserved the revenge sheβd taken on him, and she had to say it made her feel good to give him the punishment heβd had coming for so long.
She found herself wondering, not for the first time, what her mother would have told her. She had been lucky enough to grow to adulthood with her motherβs guidance, but that didnβt make her feel like less of a lost child without her. Lilith looked to her still, searched for her in everything. If her mother had been alive, what would she have said?
She could almost feel her motherβs hand touching hers as Lilithβs mind flashed with recollection. A memory of her being a young child, for the first time confessing to her mother her fears as she began to understand the burden she held of the responsibility of ruling one day. Her mother had reached across the table and taken her hand.
βWhy are you afraid, Briseis, hm?β sheβd asked soothingly, running her thumb in circles over the back of her daughterβs hand, βI am not afraid, because I do not doubt you.β
She remembered looking at her mother through eyelashes wet with tears, unable to comprehend how her mother could possibly be so sure, so confident in Lilithβs capabilities when she herself was not.
Her mother would have faith in her now, even when Lilith herself did not. She might not be there to give Lilith the comfort and support she so felt she needed in that moment, but Lilith didnβt feel so afraid of facing all of this anymore.
Lilith had done many terrible things since the fall of Alexandria, and to people far more innocent than this man. She had learned that it took ruthlessness to survive. She had become a different version of herself, but she knew it was still a person her fierce mother would be proud of.
Anything to survive. Even better if it was to people who deserved it.
There was no time to be afraid, for herself or of herself. She had nobody she could tell the truth to that she could trust, not if she wanted to survive. So her vulnerability would have to wait for now. The time to let herself acknowledge or process what had happened would have to wait until she was sure she was truly alone.
Instead when her men burst in, what they saw was Lilith on her feet, knife in hand, and in a voice that sounded far too calm announcing that their leader was dead, and this was a coup.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 6, 2024 14:10:45 GMT -5
FLASHBACK WRITING - NOT NECESSARILY CANON The stars above Briseis were framed by a brush of leaves from the tree canopy bordering her little clearing.
Even without being able to see the whole expanse of the sky stretching above her, she knew these stars well. They were the very same ones that sheβd seen from her home in Alexandria. The same constellations that sheβd looked at since she was a child, though she never could remember the names of them no matter how many times her father had tried to teach her. When she had lost him sheβd hated that she could never learn them from him again. If only sheβd concentrated more and gained the knowledge he was trying to impart.
But maybe her father had enjoyed it more when she made up her own names and stories for them, laughing along with his daughterβs inventive young mind. She supposed it didnβt much matter anymore.
It was comforting that she had at least a familiar sky, even if most everything else from her home had been lost. As far as anyone knew, the Lenore dynasty was gone. Ended beneath the rubble and dust of a destroyed palace.
As far as the world knew, Princess Briseis of Alexandria had breathed her last. Her sisters gone too, the hopes of a kingdom dashed in one fell swoop. In reality the crown princess did indeed have to be put to rest, but only for a time. Only until it was safe and Alexandria could be reclaimed.
In the meantime, Briseis could be no more. Nobody could know she still lived, not yet. Everyone she had ever trusted was gone, so she had to be careful upon whom she bestowed the truth about her identity.
Sheβd need a lot more allies before she could reveal who she was publicly. The powerful elite of the other kingdoms would not take her seriously until she had built up enough followers, enough influence. They certainly wouldnβt be prepared to support the claim of a princess of a destroyed kingdom with nothing to offer them.
Yet despite the strong likelihood that there was nothing left to save, nothing to reclaim, sheβd rather die than not at least try.
She sat back, pulling a worn woollen cloak tighter around her shoulders. She had gotten rid of the rich clothes and most of the jewels she had been wearing upon leaving Alexandria because they were too conspicuous and she needed the money too badly. There was much she was afraid of now that she not only had to ultimately reclaim her kingdom but she also had to survive in the meantime.
What she feared most was killing her old self. She had little idea who she was outside of being the Crown Princess of Alexandria. Taking the crown and being the head of the family one day was all she had been raised for and now she had neither crown nor kingdom nor family. She was princess of a destroyed and empty land. Her future had always been laid out for her, and without it she was anchorless.
But she did know her mother had raised her to be determined and to be able to draw on inner strength. So she knew she had to decide who she was and quickly. Without direction and character she would not survive.
The young womanβs breath drifted from her in snaking clouds and her eyes drifted once more to the stars.
She had no idea if her sisters were alive. She searched in the stars for answers but found nothing. Nothing but more questions and a reminder of how vast the land was on which she and her siblings had been cast adrift. Were they alright? Had they even gotten out of Alexandria safely? Could Maylea and Minke be looking at the very same stars?
Briseis knew she should not dare to hope. Sheβd lost so much already and if she let herself believe that they could yet be alive, that hope could break her. But she knew without question that still she would never give up that hope. She could not do it, no matter how painful it might be.
Sheβd never let them go. She could not let them fade into history the way she had decided to let Princess Briseis of Alexandria become nothing more than a story.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 14, 2024 13:30:50 GMT -5
Lilith rolled her eyes when she saw Atlasβ smile go broader at her threat. It would appear sheβd only amused him and perhaps encouraged him even more to be a nuisance.
However, his response was clearly good-natured. She could tell even before he continued with his joke and then told her he was just teasing. She didnβt trust him completely, she never could trust anyone completely, but she didnβt believe there was any malice in him. He did the work Ernestine gave him with a grim, set determination but not enjoyment.
Atlas then mentioned Elena, and Lilith scoffed at the comment. βOne never gets used to dealing with Elena.β
Elena was not one for predictability. She did like to amuse herself, granted, Atlas was right there. Lilith found her rival an irritation, but not one she could really hate. Not truly. The competition between them was too fun, not that Lilith would ever say so, for that to be the case. It was inconvenient, it distracted her from greater goals, but damn if it wasnβt entertaining. Damn if Elena wasnβt kind of a breath of fresh air sometimes.
βShe is the bane of my existence but at least she is never boring about it.β Lilith conceded βI prefer to be kept on my toes.β
She looked over at Atlas then, a note of curiosity in her expression. She had been thinking about this since Atlas had made his comment about Ernestine being a witch who did not need to know where she was.
βYou are not eager to return to Ernestine, not that I blame you.β Lilith commented. βShe asks too much of you.β
She wanted to scope out exactly what was going on with Ernestine. It seemed the people who served her hated her deeply. Atlas had to be bound to her by some obligation. Or something he needed. She didnβt care to know that; if he didnβt want to share it wasnβt her business. But she did want to understand exactly how deep discontent with the queen went.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 17, 2024 18:56:27 GMT -5
It was much as she expected. Atlasβ discontent with Ernestine ran deep. It didnβt even seem like discontentment with an employer, it was downright hatred. There was something personal in this. Lilith didnβt like dealing with personal, but it was at least a sign of the way Ernestine treated her people. It told her everything she needed to know.
βI donβt know what she has over you,β Lilith said in a way that made it clear she had no intention of prying, βbut Elena and I have ways of making inconvenient ties disappear.β
If Ernestine was blackmailing him or using some other means to control Atlas and keep him in her employ, she and Elena had ways of handling things like that if they needed to. If Atlas wanted them to. They could make sure Ernestine had no puppet strings to control Atlas with anymore.
She simply floated the idea, sitting back a little and looking into the fire.
βElena has no love for royals, you know that. Me neither, for the corrupt tyrants. Do you never wonder what it would be like if Oikoumene could be free of the likes of Ernestine?β
Some probably saw Lilith as just as cruel as some of these royals, that much was true. But doing what one needs to survive was a rather different thing to what these royals were doing to entire kingdoms of people.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 18, 2024 8:34:30 GMT -5
So it was Elena who had sent Atlas to Ernestine. Interesting. She was sure Elena would have done it out of good intentions. It will have served a purpose at the time. Still, it was interesting information.
Then Atlas mentioned a daughter. That gave Lilith pause.
It was the first Atlas had ever mentioned of having had a daughter. It took Lilith by surprise, though she was very practiced now at not showing that in her expression. To show that one could be taken by surprise was to show vulnerability. A humanity she didnβt particularly care to let people see.
It seemed that this daughter may be what Ernestine had over Atlas. Or at least there was a link. Something was going on with Atlasβ child and it was the reason he was so tied to Ernestine. At least that was what Lilith could put together from the clues heβd given her.
βDaughter?β Lilith repeated, but shook her head as if to dismiss the question. It wasnβt that she didnβt want more information on the topic if Atlas wanted to share it, but she didnβt think he was likely to want to and she didnβt want him to think she was prying. If he was going to share it wasnβt going to be because he thought Lilith was trying to get the information out of him. The question had slipped out before she could rein in her curiosity but she didnβt want him to feel obligated to answer.
But he seemed to have understood what she was offering him. An escape from Ernestine, perhaps an answer to the position he found himself in. But she knew he wouldnβt be ready yet. As he said, he cared about Ress. He wouldnβt abandon her without a word.
βTake your time here to heal. When you go back, just think about it. Do what you need to do. You know where to find us.β
Whatever he decided, she wouldnβt hold it against him. If he chose to stay working for Ernestine it changed nothing for her. If he had any loyalty to Ernestine it was running very thin and he clearly hated her and wouldnβt mind seeing her dead. She didnβt see him being a major obstacle to her and Elena if he didnβt join them.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jan 20, 2024 14:01:27 GMT -5
Dante watched the two flirt, a look of confusion falling over his face.
"No, no, trust me, nothing could compare to a vision quite like you, Lady Athena," The queen replied, smoothly, and Dante looked like a fish out of water, confused but not disgusted. Well...maybe a little, but only because it was Athena.
However, Athena commented about doing as the King asked, and he froze slightly, his skin seeming pale for a moment, and an awkward smile on his face. Tapping his fingers together, he averted his gaze from Athena, instead looking at the ground.
Then Caspian came in. Queen Aurore was clapping, albeit a bit sarcastically, but seemed friendly enough to see her cousin-in-status. However, as he greeted her, her teasing smirk softened slightly, "Hey sweetheart," she commented, a bit softly, because even if the two shared no love he was her cousin all the same and she knew how terrible their father was, "How have you been?"
Dante watched as Alex spoke a bit, freezing as the prince mentioned him to his brother. Looking at Caspian, he gave a small bow, and smiled a bit teasingly at Alex, "Well, for starters, she hasn't tried to run away, so yes, it's a refreshing change."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 22, 2024 14:24:47 GMT -5
Alex observed yet more flirting between Aurore and Athena. Now, in any other circumstances he probably wouldβve affectionately teased both his cousin and his best friend for their obvious flirting. But right now it just brought him too much joy for him to even tease them.
He did notice Danteβs strange reaction to Athenaβs comment about doing as the king said. Usually Dante wasnβt too bad at keeping his composure, but he seemed to be feeling guilty about something. Alex didnβt like that.
Still, he rolled his eyes at the boyβs comment about Alex always running away. βI donβt think youβre appreciating the amount of work I put in to keep you on your toes.β Alex joked in response.
Then an understandably very confused Caspian apparently decided to make his graceful exit from the situation. Alex didnβt blame him. If he was his brother heβd be a little freaked out by how weird they were all acting too. He gave his brother a smile as he put a hand on his shoulder and then left.
But Caspian being gone meant Alex saw an opportunity. An opportunity to let his cousin and fiancΓ©e speak in peace (and flirt, of course) and a chance for him to talk to Dante about whatever it was that had him acting so unusual.
βDante, can I speak to you for a moment?β Alex asked the advisor, nodding with his head away from Athena and Aurore. It couldnβt be too long, after all, because it wouldnβt look good for Alex to be away from his fiancΓ©e for too long at this event. Enough time to talk and let the girls be alone.
He communicated that he had no intention of letting Dante worm his way out of this with his expression. This was not a request, it was an order. Dante might have been assigned to watch Aurore but as long as she was in his eye line it would be okay and Dante had to obey an order from the prince.
βWhy are you acting so strange?β Alex questioned quietly once heβd gotten the advisor to a quieter part of the room. βAthena mentioned doing what my father tells us and you got all weird.β
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jan 22, 2024 15:00:45 GMT -5
Aurore had toned it down when Caspian got closer, but she marveled in how red her brother's fiance was. When Caspian commented on it, she smiled at the princess-to-be, "He is right, Lady Athena," she commented, a wicked little grin on her face, "But just as it seems everything is, red is a very dashing color on you, darling!"
She gave a playful wink with it. To Caspian it could be taken as just two girls complimenting each other, two royal friends. But no one else here would buy that, not even Alex's little pet guard dog, who was also starting to grow a slight bit red.
As Caspian walked off, she rose an eyebrow at him, and he looked away. "You are very embarrassing, Miss Aurore," he commented quietly. She never took him for easily embarrassed, but that was entertaining enough. Poor guy was lumped together with royals, and some people were looking at the group, taking in the group and talking among themselves. Probably about how adorable her cousin's fiance was.
Too bad he wouldn't enjoy the catch her got.
As her cousin called his advisor and asked to speak to him, Aurore snorted. "Ohhhh, looks like Dante is in trouble," she sing-songed the works, and turned to her company, "Well, beautiful, mind sharing how you met my dimwit of a cousin?"
Having to withstand the flirting between Athena and Aurore was one of the more embarrassing moments Dante got caught in. He didn't even actively participate in that conversation! But it still was embarrassing to witness!
He was almost thankful for Alex intervening, except Alex wasn't intervening, he was interrogating, and Dante shook his head at first. He had no intention of speaking to Alex about anything. They weren't friends, he had no business trying to get answers out of him.
Still, when Alex walked away, he groaned in annoyance and followed, tapping his foot in annoyance but resolutely not looking at the prince. Not even for a moment.
Originally, he wasn't going to answer, but he simply huffed out a soft breath, "Just...I've never had to hide things from the King before," he said, shrugging, but still not looking at Alex, "and now I am."
There, short and sweet. Saying that, he walked past the prince to begin on his trek back to the princess he was supposed to be watching. All the chatter around them was getting on his nerves. He wasn't one for balls or parties, and having to hang around Alex and Athena when he knew Athena was a criminal was hard enough without the other secrets added in.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jan 22, 2024 18:24:55 GMT -5
Dante said something about not being used to keeping things from the king, which in fairness was probably true. As the person Dante snitched on, Alex knew that keeping secrets from the king was not something Dante ever did. So yes, he could imagine that the advisor had been struggling of late, with all the secrecy and lies.
But he also noticed the way that Dante resolutely avoided eye contact with Alex, which told the prince that the other man was being far from honest.
As Dante walked past them, Alex caught his wrist. Heβd be damned if Dante interrupted Athena and Aurore, and heβd be damned if Dante just walked away from him like that. He might be the punch line of jokes across Oralee but he was still a prince and he was used to a certain level of respect, even if it was faked and he knew it. Not that Dante had ever really gotten that respect memo.
βLeave them alone.β Alex warned. Aurore clearly meant no harm, after all. And if Dante was worried about Athena, well, Dante would never have been able to stop Athena if she meant to harm Aurore anyway. Besides, hurting Aurore here would probably start another war between Oralee and Levina and Athena would know that. If she had any cause to harm Aurore, Alex had to assume sheβd at least give him the heads up that she was going to plunge his kingdom into war and put him in the same precarious position heβd been in twenty years ago.
Alex was acutely aware he was still holding Danteβs wrist, could feel the warmth of his skin and suddenly that felt overwhelming. Alex released him as quickly as heβd grabbed him, but still kept his eyes on the advisor.
βIf what you just said is all there is to this, why could you not look at me the entire time you said it?β Alex pressed.
He was trying to keep them all alive here until they could get Athena out of this place. If there was something going on with Dante he needed to know.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Feb 8, 2024 13:31:04 GMT -5
Aurore looked at the Princess-to-be, her intelligent eyes pretty much dissecting the woman, but whatever she thought about, she ultimately letting go, just snagging some glasses of wine from a passing server. She passed one to her peer, and when Athena offered to leave for a bit, she graciously took her hand and followed. Clasping her hand tightly around the other woman's, rubbing her thumb along the back of Athena's hand.
"Let's go before the Spoil Sport finds me," She commented, gently tugging the other behind her and to one of the balconies. As they passed the doors, she let go of the other, letting her elbows rest on the balcony's railing.
"This whole marriage," she started, voice a little more serious, "It was the King's idea, wasn't it? And he dragged my cousin and you into it?"
Her voice sounded angry, but not at Athena, and her nails dug into the railing under her fingers. The golden tint to her brown eyes (contacts) seemed to burn a bit brighter for the moment, but perhaps that was the anger at the King.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Feb 8, 2024 13:43:32 GMT -5
Dante had pushed past the prince, thrown off when his arm was grabbed. He turned, eyes wide as he looked at the point of contact, half-heartedly pulling for a moment, but ultimately giving up.
It almost transfixed him, silencing his worries for a few moments, oddly. He had no idea why the biggest stressor in his life somehow calmed him so immediately.
It was like the worries flooded back when Alex let him go, and he screwed his face into a glare at the prince as he retracted his wrist back to his chest, rubbing at it. What was he thinking? He tried to disperse the warmth clinging to his skin, the pins and needles under his skin.
"It's difficult," Dante commented, arms crossed, tapping his foot a bit, a show that he had something he was hiding. It wasn't what he'd done either. "I-The King-He-You-" he has trouble finding his words and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and finally looking at Alex.
Finally he made to look up at the prince, holding eye contact this time, voice pitched lower to remain unheard by others around them, "You don't really wish to marry her, do you, your highness?"
The title was said with a teasing challenge, back slightly to their dynamic.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Feb 8, 2024 13:59:42 GMT -5
Minke narrowed her eyes at the woman, she and Reed carried a conversation in a language Minke had perhaps once learned but had forgotten due to disuse. It had been a long time since she could pursue an education, read books and practice languages foreign to her kingdom.
She didn't appreciate this conversation about her, whatever it was. Reed was seeming to get defensive, telling the women off a bit, and the woman was getting on her nerves. She didn't survive hell and escape just to fall into the trap of another person who wished to hurt and control her. She was not a weapon to be used for some mad person's benefit.
She refused to sit when the woman indicated for her to, crossing her arms, but she gave her name regardless, "I go by many," she commented, "My friends," she felt sadness at the words, she hadn't had friends in years, and now she lost them again, "They called me Minke."
It was better then Vici or Victoria, a name more associated with her, or even Alessandria. Minke was safe.
She lifted her head, glaring at the other woman, she was a Princess once and she refused to show weakness, especially to a potential threat, "And what of you? Why do they call you Siren?"
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Feb 8, 2024 14:10:05 GMT -5
In response to Alexβs question, Dante seemed evasive. He fidgeted, acted in all the ways he did when he was anxious or hiding something. The advisor probably thought Alex had never bothered to take note of his little behaviours, but he had. He knew Dante as well as Dante knew him. His original faltering answer confirmed his nerves.
But then he asked Alex about whether he really wanted to marry Athena. The prince hesitated, his eyes briefly flicking in the direction his fiancΓ©e had just gone. His best friend. He knew what he truly felt about the marriage and he knew what Athena truly felt, so this shouldnβt be difficult. But it was. He couldnβt talk about marriage in the way other people could, in terms of feelings.
βOf course I donβt, weβre friends and nothing more.β Alex replied, also lowering his own voice to keep their discussion private. βBut feelings donβt figure into these equations. Not for me.β
That had been the deal ever since he was born. It wasnβt unusual for those of noble blood, so he didnβt feel particularly singled out by it. It was just how things worked. Heβd been taught from being a child that marriage for him would be a transaction, a way to strengthen the familyβs power and gain advantages. Nothing more, and certainly nothing to do with feelings. He was fairly matter of fact about that. What bothered him, what had made him try to rail against the idea of the marriage and what was now motivating him to get his fiancΓ©e out of the palace, was Athena being dragged into it.
He had to assume Dante knew this. That marriage was not supposed to be about love for Alex. That had always been his situation.
βWhy?β the prince asked, brows furrowing. Why did Dante care? He had so far been focused on his dislike of Athena so where was this concern for Alex coming from?
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Feb 8, 2024 15:50:23 GMT -5
Dante narrowed his eyes at Alex's answer, challenging the prince. "You've always disobeyed those rules, Alex," he commented, his posture was poised as it should be, but his gaze was fiery, "Sneaking out, ignoring your father, you've always followed by your rules."
He paused, looking lost for words for a second, before settling on some, "I always thought you'd insist on marrying on your terms, not your father's."
He had said those words, giving Alex a chance to respond. But to the question of why, he sighed.
"Hasn't your father zapped enough from you already?" He asked, voice soft, but resolute, "Surely there's something we can do."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Feb 8, 2024 16:41:56 GMT -5
Alex sighed as Dante pressed him, talking about how Alex often disobeyed his father and heβd always assumed that Alex would marry on his own terms and not his fatherβs.
The advisor was right that his father had taken a lot from him. So much, really. Alex was exhausted by it, by fighting as much as he did, but it didnβt mean he intended to actually give up. This wasnβt about him anymore, after all.
βThatβs more than a question of disobeying my father, Dante, you know that.β Alex pointed out. It was a question of disobeying the entire established system of marriage within noble circles. βBut this is about Athena too. Iβve been trying to think about ways we can get her out of here safely.β
Whatever happened from there, heβd deal with it as it came. Getting Athena out and to safety was his priority and he would deal with whatever came after. He didnβt want this marriage to go ahead, and he certainly didnβt want Athena to be pulled into the whole situation the way she was.
βAre you saying you have some kind of idea yourself?β Alex questioned. He and Athena were both trying to think of a plan but if Dante had ideas then they would welcome them. More ideas never hurt in situations like this one.
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