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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 0:07:20 GMT -5
"Pardon me, but that is going to be a little hard after your coronation... and with me around. I agree..", he added when she 'suggested' to go to the garden. He kept quiet, watching her move gracefully in front of him, all the while alert as he had been trained to be and was supposed to be. He hesitated for a while, not sure about it but decided to ask her anyway, "May I ask you something... a bit intrusive? Do you really want to become the next queen of the kingdom, princess?"
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 0:13:04 GMT -5
She hesitated, confused by the question's answers, 'Do i really want to be?' she asked herself. Nothing came to mind, she supposed she couldn't care less. She turned around to look at him, "I've always asked myself that, " she stopped walking, and looked at the ground,"and my answer was always,'How can I rule a whole kingdom, when I cannot even rule myself?'" She looked at him, and then began walkign again.
she stopped infront of the guarded back doors, "Good afternoon Princess Afine'" The guard bowed before her, and opened the door.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 0:27:43 GMT -5
He was really having to struggle to say what he wanted to yet keep it as polite as possible. He decided after a while she wasn't ready to hear about the lack of confidence of the people in her capabilities. It had reached the level where even the army and the elite guards had started talking and thinking this way. Maybe they were right, maybe they weren't. He would wait and see. He believed she could do it if she really wanted to. But in her current unsure state, it would make everything worse.
He finally spoke as they went through the door into the gardens, the door closing behind him, "You are not going to rule the whole kingdom alone. There are a lot of good men and... a lot not so in the Council that would guide you to what they think is right or sometimes, just profitable for them. You decide who is who." He shut up as they entered the gardens. Having never been here and never have heard of it, he was taken aback by the beauty of it. He thought he should let her enjoy her privacy, though now with him.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 0:33:52 GMT -5
Afine' praced over to the rock circle in the middle of the garden, they, shaped as seats were uncomfortable, but a spot to sit none the less. "What if I don't take thrown? What will happen then ? One of the council will take over, I'm assured, why must I take the spot as the 'over-stressed mother of a kingdom'?" She asked obvlivious again, looking towards the flowers as if they were a pair of diamond encrusted stilletos. "I've always wanted to just go and explore the world, rather than be in control of part of it." She dazily grabbed a bluebell from the ground.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 1:01:07 GMT -5
He pursed his lips together. Then you and your family would be killed. , he should have said but again he stopped himself. That was not the reason she should hear just as yet. "You can do that after your coronation, explore the world as you feel like leaving your experienced parents in charge of the kingdom. Your title comes with freedoms, princess Afine, even from...", he paused looking at her, "... the wishes of your parents.
He walked forward and sat couple of feet away from the princess, on one of th stones, quietly, "The world is not just as you read in stories and books, princess Afine. But if you are to rule a part of it, you should see as much of it as possible before doing so."
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 1:12:03 GMT -5
"I don't want the responsibilities, I don't want to have to decide things for more than just myself. I cannot have the weight of other put onto my back, I refuse to do so, what if I mess up terribly? All the lessons I have taken in order to prep me for it, will never amount to the real thing. And what if I do explore while being on the thrown, I still have my reposnsibilities, and parents, hovering over my head. I just wanan be free, unchained, live life to it's fullest, not caged, and making decisions," She sighed, out of breath, and unwilling to speak any longer, "Enough about that." Afine' looked over toward Caleb, then hung her head and picked a carnation.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 1:17:22 GMT -5
She really thought she could do that, without being touched by any consequences. He was about to say something when he heard someone approach them. He got up off the rock in case it was the queen or maybe the king. He crossed his arms behind his back and waited.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 1:22:00 GMT -5
Afine' glaced around the circle of flowers, the movement didn't seem to interest her, she seemed to be interested in the blooming orchids. A small smile crept on her face as she watched it open up. She looked over to Caleb and gave him a curious look, 'Why is he standing in such a way?' she pondered, but then went back to looking over the flowers.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 1:28:56 GMT -5
He bode as the man walking towards them came in view. It was the king... followed by the queen and their guards. He bowed and saluted them before speaking, "Your highness." The king looked at the young man and frowned, "Who are you?" Caleb glanced at the queen to see if she would tell him about him but when he didn't see her try to answer, he straighten up and resumed his initial position, "My name is Caleb Voss. I have been assigned to guard the princess...", he was interrupted by the king who he had guessed by now, was in a foul mood, "You? Aren't you a bit too young? What happened to the last one? Afine?" He looked past Caleb who moved out of their way as they approached their daughter.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 1:35:20 GMT -5
Afine' gave a foul look, "Father, I ran him out mad, don't you remember, he was yelling, 'She's bewitched I tell you, Bewitched!!'," She smirked,"I don't know what he was talking about, I simply asked if he would like some water." The kign gave her a nod of understanding,"My sources tell me he was about to retire, he was an old bat wasn't he? Probably just imaging thing,"He smiled at his daughter, but gave her a stern look, "I expect Caleb here," Raises a brow towards his direction,"Will treat you with honour and respect Affy." He smiled in her direction.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 1:44:52 GMT -5
He raised a brow slightly as she described what had got his predecessor removed. He looked at the king, though not directly at him and gave him a respectful nod.
"Have you prepared for your journey Affy?", the queen asked. "You are going with her aren't you?", she looked at Caleb and asked.
"Yes, your highness. I have been instructed about the journey by the general...", he replied.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 1:49:55 GMT -5
"Good, good,"The king smiled,"Now, you shall be leaving some point today or tomorrow, no more no less." the king told them both, and gave them a curt nod.
"father, mother, must I go? Why can't I take a carriage like you both?" Afine' asked, pleadingly, her voive crisp and innocent. "The journey is to prove worthiness my dear, don't think we're making you trek that for no reason." The father told Afine' knowingly,"Even though you are a princess, taht does not mean you go through life easily."
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 1:57:04 GMT -5
The king and queen soon left them again after which there was an awkward silence for a few moments. Caleb's face broke into a smiled soon enough as he looked back at Afine, "Bewitched huh? So what did you do?". He hoped very much she realized that if she tried some kind of trick on this journey on this trek, she might get into worse situations than she imagined. That also meant he would have to keep a sharp eye on her throughout to save herself, from herself.
"We should get back in... princess Afine...", he spoke after a while as the light began to dim and the insects grew louder.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jun 15, 2008 2:04:10 GMT -5
Afine' sighed, "alright, I guess." She got up, wiped her dress off, and picked up her pile of flowers. Heading towards the castle door, she looked back towards Caleb, a smile on her face. As she walked she listened to the hum of the insects, whispering in her ears. And the frogs croaking in teh background from the pond, not too far away. It was so peaceful outside, she wished to stay out one night, although that wouldn't happen.
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Post by knightc3 on Jun 15, 2008 6:24:02 GMT -5
She had ignored his initial question but he hadn't really expected her to tell him of it. He followed closely and was a bit surprised when she stopped to look at him and smiled. Thats all, and then she started to enter. A simple expression but it threw him off a bit, not knowing what it meant. Had she decided to give him some time or was it just to make him comfortable around her or was it just a gesture that meant she had enjoyed her time outside. He stopped pondering about it and kept following her.
They finally reached her quarters and he entered after her and waited for her to command with his hands crossed in front of him now. He stood quietly and probably would till she was awake. It had been arranged for him to sleep in a room close by on the same level from hers so he could come to her within a matter of minutes. Same was the case with almost all personal guards. Well, at least he would have a good bed to sleep in.
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