Peace for a Price (1x1)

Eleazar stared at her with something close to pity. He didn't really know or want to know what kind of life this woman was used to living, but to have attached so quickly to someone like him? It must have been very lonely, indeed, and now she was here alone and with few to know recourses of her own. It was only natural that she should desperately cling to the one thing that might make her life better, but that sort of desperation rarely led to actual true love. It was fear and hope all in one, that was all. He reached out and placed a hand on her head, tousled hair and all. He was naturally warmer than a human, meaning his hand would feel warm or even hot on her head.

"I cannot give you something that I do not have," he said simply. "I cannot pretend any more than you can, and it is that simple. I have no answer for your pain other than you will have to learn to endure it until it passes. And it will pass in time and you will feel free and released of these torments.

"You are not a product. Your existence here may have begun that way, but you are not ultimately a product any more than a man working for a wage is the product. Your existence here is necessary for my people to eat, yes, but you do exist beyond just that role. I have never assumed otherwise, and I care for you as a person, but that does not mean I can care for you beyond that. Your actions always have value. This one and any other. I recognize that this bird and this feather mean something special to you and your people, and I appreciate that, but to risk your life and limb to a predator for a feather... No. A person's life and health is worth more than any symbol.

He picked up the feather at last and held it up. His voice never wavered in it's calm, almost gentle and yet firm tone. "What would have happened if you had been severely injured fetching this, hmm? If you were merely a product, then you would have put the agreement between our kingdoms in jeopardy. Your parents could have used this as an excuse to say that if I could not protect you, then how could they trust me to uphold my end of the deal to protect them. If I did care for you as you care for me, do you really think knowing you died or were injured trying to fetch me a feather would have made me feel any better as I tended your broken body? No, Princess, it would not have." He dropped his hand, still holding the feather. "I appreciate your thought and effort. You were quite bold and thoughtful. I do not appreciate you putting yourself and the agreement between our kingdoms in jeopardy. That was foolish."

He turned away and walked a couple of steps before stopping, twirling the feather in one hand. "You should get yourself cleaned up. I will let your maids know you need assistance. If you do not wish to go to dinner, I will have it served to you here, or we can go together. Whichever you feel is best for you."
 
Malisia had an odd mix of sensations in her body, warmth, at the oddly tender gesture of his hand on her head and yet, a deep, gut wrenching feeling at the mention of the pain passing, close to that one feels when terribly ill. Of course, he did admit he cared for her, in a different way perhaps than he cared for her.

She wasn't sure how to reply, so she didn't, she just listened. As much as it pained her, and this was defintely not the answer she hoped, it was at least far better than what she'd expected would happen just a few minutes ago.


The princess wasn't quite sure the pain would pass, or that she'd stop feeling this anguish every time she remembered that her love was not reciprocated, but she didn't speak it out loud, once more reminding herelf that, there was truly no point of it now, he stated his thoughts and that was it, she could not change him or his mind, and she understood but.... She felt defeated, very defeated.

At the very least she didn't feel as worthless as she often did, finding the smallest comfort in the fact he recognized her bravery- Even if that bravery led to foolishness and danger.

She pondered, for a good moment before she could even bring herself to look at him again. The knot tied around her throat finally began to release its pressure and allowed her to say her words, although quiet, and weak.


"Going to dinner with rest is alright- Thank you, your highness..."


The princess didn't have much to say after that, she stood up, her legs feeling weak, as if all her energy had been consumed, but she walked, and made her way to the washroom, without looking up from the floor.

As much as she was still hurt, and was not completely in agreement with how things would continue to be, she at least appreciated Eleazar's honesty. It would be worse to live pretending they loved each other, rather than it being one sided, at least that's what she thought at that moment.

As she cleaned herself up she could only remember the many, many... Many terrible attempts at marriage she previously had, the rejection, the hatred, the abuse. She wasn't happy, at all, and yet, there in Cravonid, despite the fact that she'd not achieved what she desired and conquered Eleazar, she wasn't completely miserable, life still kept going, even if it remained monotone at times, and it led to many more weeks of them being distant from each other, that was better than anything she could've asked for back in Valeskiar.

She wept, silentlly, releasing each and every single tear she needed to cry and had kept retained while speaking to Eleazar, until she felt as if she'd not be able to conjure a single drop from her eyes again, at least at that time. By the time she was done, she had finished bathing as well, clean, and with little trace of the scars and bruises on her knees and palms now that she was clean.


Her handmaidens didn't take long to arrive with another dress, modest, warm, comforting. They were surprised when they found out about Malisia's little adventure, sure, they reccomended she'd try and conquer Eleazar, but they never thought she'd go this far, it made them sad of course, but did not show it outwardly, focusing on tending the princess and making sure she looked pretty again.

Once he was ready, she was delivered back to Eleazar's side by her maids, she was a completely different person from the one that arrived at the castle before. Clean, with her hair brushed neatly as well as a new dress, on a similar style that the one Eleazar had found more appealing a while back. There was not a single bit of evidence of her little crying session, she looked, normal, as normal as she could be around the non-human folk of Cravonid at least.
 
Last edited:
Eleazar waited patiently for Malisia to be ready. As he waited, he found a secure place to keep the feather. A long, thin box with a hinged lid. It was not the prettiest box, but it would keep the feather safe and undamaged. That was more important than outward glitz. He hoped he hadn't been too rough on her, but he had needed to be honest and clear so there were no misunderstandings. The sooner she was able to accept his lack of love for her, the sooner she could move on to a new love. She might resist the idea at first, but he truly did not want her to be lonely and miserable. He could not fill that void, but perhaps someone else could.

When Malisia reappeared, it looked as though nothing had happened. He looked her over and nodded approvingly at her choice in dress. Very practical, but still elegant and pretty on her. It looked well with her two-toned skin. He offered her his arm, and they walked down the long, long hall to the dining room. She had to be hungry if she skipped lunch for her escapade.

The dining hall was designed for Oni, but they'd put together a shorter table at the head of the taller Oni table for their visiting short guests. The duke was highly respectful of them as the servants placed platters of meats and vegetables on the table, far more meats than vegetables and only a few breads.
 
Malisia accepted Eleazar's arm, although, her usually tight grip was much more distant this time, barely even making any contact with his arm.

She was silent during the meal, contemplating thoughts in her mind over and over, as if thinking of the different outcomes that could happen in the following days, most of them were rather unpleasant, but she tried not to show it too much in her facial expressions. However, to someone who payed closed attention it wouldn't be difficult to see she was... Shutting up for once, she never stayed quiet, unless she was bothered by something.

She was respectful to the servants, the Duke and the rest of course, keeping a small, but honest smile of gratitude.


The princess tried to busy herself with her food, but she didn't really bring herself to eat too much, her appetite, even without having had lunch, was rather affected by her emotions. Regardless, she tried to keep on a good face, eating a few pieces of meat, during a long portion of time so that it wasn't so obvious that she wasn't really eating to satiate herself rather than just taking small bites of her meal to try and distract herself.

Malisia wasn't sad necesarily, but it was a difficutl way to explain so many emotions happening at a time. However one thing was for certain, as much as Eleazar told her to move on, she simply knew she would not be able to, even if she didn't say it outloud at the time.
 
Halfway through the meal, Lance sailed in and gave Malisia a smiling nod, having no idea what had transpired that day. He took a seat near her as it was the only one open and half bowed to the king. Eleazar was distracted by someone else talking to him and barely noticed.

"You look beautiful in that dress, Princess," Lance greeted Malisia politely. "Have you had time to enjoy the city today? There is not much I think that would attract your attention, but all cities have something of beauty in them, do you not agree?"
 
"Thank you sir Hearthrune-" She was lost in her mind for a second, which caused her to jump a bit as Lance continued the conversation rather than leaving it at a simple compliment.

"I had time to- Do other things, haven't seen most of the city just yet but, I would likely go tomorrow if plans don't change..."


Malisia pondered for a moment, Lance had been the first person she mentioned her plan about the Roc, and it brought her a bit of sadness to think that she would have to tell him about it now, that was if Eleazar didn't tell him first.

"Are you by any chance free after dinner?... We have not spoken properly in a while, I would like to catch up."

She expected he would accept the request of course, not like she had anything to do after dinner, she suspected the king would go, wherever he went to escape her tonight as well, so she didn't bother to confirm this.
 
Lance dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Of course, Princess, if that is your wish. Do you desire for me to show you the city this fine evening? Or is staying in more to your liking? I am at your service."
 
"Going out tonight, that would be a good option." She said, quickly. Discussing such matters outside the castle was not optimal, but it was better than speaking of it within the castle where anyone could hear, specially Eleazar whom she'd learned recently had a rather fine hearing.

"If you are able to, of course, if not any other moment is fine as well- I have already finished my meal; if it is tonight that we go out, then we can leave as soon as you are ready sir Hearhtrune" She corrected herself, making sure she hadn't sounded rude with her cutting answer as she realized she sounded as if she'd given him an order... Even though she was in the position to do so.

She gently bounced her leg up and down, her heel barely touching the floor, she wasn't doing it on purpose, much less conciously, however her nerves were not exactly on her favor tonight.
 
Last edited:
Lance watched her, taking in her body language. He could tell she was agitated, but not why. He could guess why, the reason for the agitation for two people had been fairly consistent throughout this trip, but he did not wish to assume. Perhaps it was another reason.

He finished eating a little more quickly than he normally might and rose with a bow. "I hope you will excuse me, My Lord."

Eleazar turned to look, confused by the quick departure and looked between Lance and Malisia. "Very well," he agreed. "Thank you for joining us."
 
Malisia waited a couple of minutes before leaving, as if waiting for Eleazar to say anything, but since he didn't, she decided to not keep Lance waiting.

"I will- Also retire for the night your Highness..." She slowly stood up from her seat and bowed deeply for the king before she continued. Speaking kindly despite her nervous demeanor. "I hope you're able to rest well tonight."

With a swift turn, she began to walk away. Her pace was slightly quicker than usual as she made her way out of the hall to meet Lance, she didn't really want to stay too long in the castle, it only kept her thinking of what transpired earlier, and she wanted to be away from that as soon as she was able to.

Once she found Hearthrune, she tilted her head lightly to thank him, and waited for him before she made her way out of the castle once more. Truth be told, she wasn't exactly looking at him, just his general direction, distracted, that was the only way to describe the expression running along her body.
 
Lance walked with Malisia in silence, hands behind his back, letting her stew for a bit. He guided her along the brightly lit streets, keeping to the well traveled and safer pathways.

"What is troubling you, Princess?" He finally asked respectfully. "There is no one around now to hear your complaints, if that is what you wish to bring."
 
Malisia was unsure of what to say once the silence was broken, causing her to bite her lip as she usually did when nervous, a bad habit she needed to quit before she caused true damage to the tissue of her mouth.

"They are not- Complains sir Hearthrune... Or, perhaps they are?... I can't really tell."

She kept her hands at her sides, almost defensively.


"I managed to get the feather, but- Lord Eleazar saw me when I came back to the castle..."


She procceded to tell him during the next minutes, in excruciating detail, every twist and turn of the trip, and what happened within the castle once she returned, every word Eleazar or she said, every emotion she experienced at the moment she spoke to him, every single ounce of defeat and pain she experimented during and after that, and before she could even calm down and settle her thoughts, she felt her eyes burning, causing her to pause in a rather pathetic attempt at keeping the newly formed tears in.

Oh how she wished she could stop her body from making them, she despised crying, much more so before others.


After a few deep breaths she managed to contain them, though the stinging sensation never really left.


"He said he cannot give me something he does not have, and I'm- Starting to fear that I should give up on my endeavour... But I can't, even if it hurts me, and tears me apart from the inside, I cannot just let go what I feel, it's unhealthy, and it will continue to haunt me- But it won't pass like he thinks it will... What if it grows?"

She sighed in exhaustion.


"The first few days, it tormented me, I- I hated him. And yet, not even a week of our marriage and I was head over heels, and wanting him to notice me, risking my life didn't work... Must I truly just, surrender to the fact he will not change his mind?... I understand he does not hate me and... He appreciated my gift, and yet his answer was still- Not what I hoped..."
 
Lance said nothing during Malisia's rant. He walked next to her in silence, hands behind his back, listening and processing everything she said. When she finished, he allowed the silence to stretch on as he considered what he was going to say.

"You have done perhaps the most dangerous thing of all, Princess," he said gently, "and it was not going to the roc. It was choosing to love someone. When we love, we leave ourselves open to pain, and all love brings about pain eventually, to some level. You were bold to tell him how you felt, and I believe correct in doing so. How can anyone know what anyone else is thinking or feeling if those thoughts and feelings are not shared?" He paused for a moment. "However, you cannot force anyone to act in a certain way or feel a certain way. You cannot control others. The only thing you can control is yourself. As much as you might long to change his mind, the more you actively try, the more he will resist you. That is how most people would respond.

"On a happier note, it is possible that, if given time, he might change his mind. Not if you make too much effort, no, that will feel as if you are attempting to force him, but if you continue to act as yourself and give him a regular amount of attention, he might, might come around. I will warn you, Princess, it will take time. You have chosen to love a soul that is damaged and wary of more pain and betrayal. As much as you might wish to rush things, you cannot. To do so will only cause more pain to him and to yourself."

He smiled at her. "We are long-lived creatures, Princess. We can be very patient when we need to be, and do you know what the other side of the coin is from patience? Stubbornness. Long-lived creatures are very stubborn. It is your choice whether or not you shall continue to fight that, and I do believe you have a choice. You say your feelings will never change, and perhaps this is true, but change is a part of being alive. I do not doubt that your feelings will change in some way. Lessen, strengthen, or perhaps just shift so that they are less painful. You still have hope. You still have life. You still have a chance. If you conduct yourself wisely."
 
Malisia's lips pursed, longing to answer, and yet she couldn't, she felt as if her whole body was strained. Feelings were scary at times, able to damage even the phsyical body with their existence.

She nodded to Lance's words, and without so much as a whimper or sob, she allowed a few, deeply bitter tears escape her, which she cleaned quickly, not that it mattered, she knew Lance had already seen her tearing up.


The princess hadn't really stopped to think about what Eleazar may have had to go through previous to her arrival, but she knew he didn't have a particularly joyful life either.

In a way, they'd both grown up in a world that saw them as tools for different purposes. From what she'd heard and what he had told her, Eleazar had been a sword, an artifact of war and battles, and was now loved by his people, and highly respected. Malisia had been... A coin, for most part of her life, one that was perhaps not cleaned or straightened prior to a trade, and had been tossed back many, many times. Now she had a greater value than a simple coin, Eleazar had mentioned any life was worth more than a symbol, yet, in a way, her own life was a symbol now.

Loveless marriage or not, she was a peace sign, the slightest, slimmest chance that humanity and Cravonid could coexist peacefully, and grow.

That, in a way brought her some comfort, it may not be what she desired at first, but it was likely what she needed, a purpose, she was reminded, of her future garden, the help she could provide without needing to be in the frontline, that was something at least.


Malisia sighed, letting the last remains of her stress settle down before she could speak again.


"You are... Right, sir Hearthrune..." That was all she was able to mutter for a moment. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this- I never thought, I'd get attached so quickly." She admitted, letting out a soft, pained, but honest laugh, allowing calm to win once again.


"I promise to treat Lord Eleazar right- Even if I cannot change his mind... I still love him deeply, in ways I do not comprehend, I want the best for him, regardless of what happens next..."
 
"Please do not apologize for allowing yourself to feel and to express your emotions," Lance said gently. "At least not here and now when we are in private. You are free to express yourself to me however you need to. And I trust you to look after him, Princess. I have watched you, and while I know you are lost, you are genuine and trying to do what is right. That is all I can ask of anyone."

After a moment of quiet, he commented, "I had thought you would wait until this evening to speak with me about your plans for the roc. I do not wish for you to feel bad, but I must admit that I was disappointed not to be included. I looked forward to telling you about it after dinner and how close we were. Is there, perchance, a reason why you chose to go when the roc was awake rather than asleep?"
 
Malisia thought of how to answer, and decided to be honest.

"Going in the night meant stealing from the Haberepgier- The roc. In Valeskiar, as I mentioned, they are sacred... Being face to face with the roc, and coming out unharmed meant I was given the permission from Pgier herself... Daylight is one her blessings- In tradition of course. I could've waited for longer, but I wanted to return before his highness started to suspect anything from my dissapearance"

She smiled nervously.


"And since I hadn't seen him during the morning, I assumed he was with you somewhere."
 
"What an odd tradition for a country that considers itself so much more advanced than ours," Lance mused. "Not that I mean to be rude, Princess, I beg your pardon, but that is the sort of tradition our people are scoffed at for having. Most curious." He lifted his face to the sky for a moment to locate the moon, still barely visible on the horizon. "I sleep most of the day, Princess, as the sun damages my skin. I presumed you were aware. His Majesty mentioned having some sort of business to attend to here, but I was not personally with him."
 
Malisia observed the horizon to the same direction he did, releasing a peaceful sigh at the sight of the celestial body that loomed so far away. She couldn't rmeember the last time she stopped to admire the night sky, it was worth doing it, she was in a trance for a moment, the breeze and crisp air filling her lungs as she slowly turned to look at Lance once more.

"No offense taken- We weren't a kingdom long ago, long before my father decided to turn the kingdom into a monarchy... We had chieftains, my great grandfather was the wisest of them, the most important and powerful of them all, he held traditions, and passed them down to my grandfather... He begun twisting the traditions in his own favour, and united the people so that we would all be a united under one banner and name. It was a peaceful transition... But it led to the people being taxed for their land, and bring offerings to the leader, hence royalty in Valeskiar having such clear difference... People in Cravonid have beautiul cities, even if small, your culture is very clearly advanced..."


She tapped her foot on the ground for a moment, feeling shame at admitting this.


"We do not have cities, at best we have villages or- Towns that were blessed because of their large production. The only "advanced" part of our kingdom is the castle town, which is full of people pretending to be politicians... Truth be told, they are mere aristocrats from other lands who managed to get a piece of my father's land with a deal or something similar... Feeding from the hard work of the people that are forced to live in poberty..." At this last statement she seemed to grow upset.

"This... Would sound like treason if said anywhere else... But I would not be mad if the day came that Valeskiar was absorbed or conquered by Cravonid. The people are not ready for war, they do not know what it is like to have a good leader, from being nomads to... Essentially slaves. I believe you understand- That I am not fond, of my parents. It is beyond them trying to send me off... Its their injustice..."


She shook her head lightly, deciding to not talk more of this unless Lance mentioned it again.



"Apologies... I should not talk like that of our allies." She said, with, obvious sarcasm in her voice.
 
"I see. And the Duke? He sent with you three bodyguards to aid you?" Lance asked lightly. "That was helpful of him. He had them ready for you?"
 
"Yes..." She said, thinking for a moment. "He spoke that he'd already talked to you previously about my search for the Roc. The guards were very brave- I begged that they'd be reward properly for protecting me. Although Lord Eleazar didn't seem too happy that I had gone with... "Low ranking" soldiers..."

She sighed. "They did their job, efficiently, that is all that matters."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top