forum Kingdoms of metallic scarlet ((one-on-one//private// 18+))

Started November 04, 2023 by @ElderGod-Carrots

tune

Ariella did not like how far Dominic was digging. Asking her these questions, no one ever asked her these questions. Her brother had never bothered, her sisters couldn't care less, all the suitors had only asked questions a frog could answer. Emory had offered to teach her once and she had quickly shut him down, reminding him of what they were. He had dug too deep and she had shot up a wall between them. It had been but the beginning of the end of their relationship. She couldn't risk falling in love, especially not with a commoner. Not because she believed him unworthy but of what would become of him should her family find out about him. And love, well love made things complicated. Her life was complicated enough as it was. She didn't want to add anymore to it.

Must she be taught? Teaching her would only put her in his vicinity further and that was what she was trying to do. She was trying to wedge a wall between them and freeze her heart back over. But how could she do that? She wouldn't abandon him to his nightmares. Not when she could ease the terrors. She wasn't cruel. Well, she was, but he had begun to thaw her heart and she wouldn't leave him to that demise. But sleeping in his bed put her around him enough as it was. And they were sleeping most of the time. But Dominic teaching her to ride would mean they were conscious and actively speaking to one another. Or at least acknowledging each other. And what would she wear? She didn't own trousers. She didn't think she had ever worn a pair of trousers in her life. It had always been gowns. She loved her gowns. But she didn't think she could ride very well in a gown. At least not straddling a horse.

She didn't dare mention any of this. She didn't need him or anyone else thinking less of her. It was almost like she could feel all of their stares on her, feeling them judge her. She hated it. Ariella was so distracted with her own head that she didn't even realize they had stopped. It wasn't until Ansel was half dragging her off of Buttercup that she snapped back to the present with a small jolt. "Easy," Ansel murmured. "Don't take my head off, just helping you down."

She gave him a wisp of a smile and murmured a small thank you. She nodded her head at the stable hands that had come to collect and handle their horses. She gave Buttercup one last pet before stepping away from the stables. "We'll go the gallery first. After that, I would like to see what they have at the market." She turned to Dominic. "You don't have to follow us. If you have business to attend to, I won't delay you." She was praying he would say he had to go and then just leave,. She didn't think she could handle any more embarrassment today.

Ariella was stubborn, but Dominic was just as bullheaded and stubborn as she was. And when it came down to war and skills, there was nothing he was better at. The prince's knowledge of the matter was far greater than the average soldier. He had trained his whole life, spending his days training and learning as if he would have been fighting in a war at any moment. It seemed that his training was going to come in handy quicker than he had ever thought it would be. Dominic had honed his skills in torture for years, a speciality of his that he had become known for, and trained in the grounds as if war would be coming to Verillia, rather than the other way around. Now, he could use all that training for something good. Not only would he be able to aid the training of the Araniel soldiers, he would be able to help Ariella, too.

She needed to know how to defend herself just as much as anyone else. The princess, he doubted, would be content in staying behind in the castle while her friends and brother fought on the front lines. Even though Dominic knew that she would never pick up a sword and be on the battlefield - Gods, her mother would have a fit if she did, Dominic could tell that much - she needed to know how to get out of the line of fire at the bare minimum. Carriages only drew attention, which would be no good in battle. There was also a chance that, if the war completely took over and destroyed more than they expected, they would be broken down for resources, so that was a no-go. But horseback? East, accessible and quick. Being able to ride was the bare fuckin minimum. He would teach her. He would teach them all if he needed to.

It didn't help that the prince wanted to uncover more about the princess. There was a curiosity, a string drawing him to her that Dominic hadn't experienced with anyone else. It was a connection that he hadn't expected, one that half of him didn't want and the other half that he craved. A nuisance didn't even begin to cover how he felt about the situation. After being alone for so long, suddenly being drawn to a person was frightening. Terrified didn't even begin to cover it. Dominic wanted to stay away, he wanted to go back to being alone, unfeeling, unphased by people and their actions towards him, but Ariella? Oh, she was different. Different in a way he hadn't expected and in a way that he was drawn to more so than ever. Even if she was a real bitch half the time when he hadn't done anything wrong.

The prince looked out from the stables across the road, scanning the town as his eyes moved to find a tower of black smoke in the distance. A blacksmith. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Dominic turned to face the princess, "I'll meet you at the market," He said, taking a few steps backwards as his eyes stayed on the princess, "Have fun at the gallery, Your Highness." Dominic gave Ariella a small bow, both half mocking and a genuine sign of respect now that they were in public, before he turned on his heel. Whether someone followed him or not, he didn't care. Well, at least not as much as he might have had he been back in Verillia. But he was more than able to defend himself. Out of all the men there, he was one of, if not the most trained. What would a guard do for him, anyway?

Ariella watched Dominic as he made his exit, her jaw ticking as he bowed to her. Her eyes followed him as he left the stables and she didn't move her gaze until he was out of sight. There was something about him that irritated her more than anyone else has before. He knew the right buttons to press what exactly made her tick, and it made her blood boil. She didn't like how much he was coming to know her in such a short amount of time. Life was so much easier when she didn't let her heart get involved, so why was she letting it get involved now?

Ariella made her way to the gallery, walking slower than she might perhaps on any other outing to the city. It wasn't a far walk but she wanted to take her time and take everything in. Soon enough, the palace would likely be on lockdown. There had yet been word of Verillia mobilizing their troops. They had lost the element of surprise what with their crown prince residing in the very kingdom they meant to invade. But time was not on their side adn they would be moving soon. she only prayed that they were able to get through her brother's birthday without an incident. Everand deserved at least that much, even if he now knew about Ariella's nightly routine. It bothered her more than it likely should have that he knew. But he was also her brother as going to hold this over her head for who knows how long.

"Well if it isn't my favorite princess," the charming voice brough a smile to her face as she entered the gallery. She grasped his hands and returned the kisses on his cheeks that he placed on hers. Anyone else and her own guards might have taken his head off, but Nikol was well beloved by the royals and the people. And just might be one of her favorite people. He was certainly Everand's favorite person. Which was exactly why she was here. "It's been too long since you have visited me, my dear. Too busy for me now? I suppose you would, if rumors are to be true about a handsome crown prince staying in the palace. " Her improved mood sour almost immediately and he let out a loud laugh. "I suppose the rumors are true then."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Careful Nikol. I can still have you thrown in the dungeon's if I'd like." They both knew she was bluffing. She adored Nikol. He was a beautiful man in his late thirties. There were crinkles around his eyes from squinting over his canvases. His hands were permanently stained in all shades of colors. No matter how hard he washed them, they were never quite come out. Everand loved Nikol perhaps more than she. Ever had an artist's heart and he loved the arts. Had he not been born a royal he would have likely been an artist himself. But unfortunately, duty called and he would have to stick to being a loyal patron. "How is my commission coming along? Everand's birthday will be upon us shortly and I can't show up empty handed."

Nikol tsked. "You can't rush art, darling. It will be done before his birthday, that I can assure you. And before you ask, no, you cannot look at it. Not until it is complete." She rolled her eyes. He had always been stingy about anyone seeing his uncompleted work. "I will send it to the palace as soon as it is ready, mark my words. When have I ever not delivered?" Nikol always delievered. And exceptionally as well. His art was coveted across kingdoms and for a reason as well. "Come, sit. Let's talk. Tell me everything." And she did.

A couple hours had passed before she finally emerged from the gallery. Her cheeks were a little flushed from laughing or perhaps it was the alcohol he had filled in her glass. Not enough to intoxicate her by any means, her guards wouldn't allow that, but just enough to take the edge off and give her a little buzz.

Dominic would give it to the royal family, their kingdom was beautiful.

Araniel was so different to the seaside home that the crown prince loved so dearly. Colours of purple and gold instead of the blues and silvers he knew so well. As much as the place only brought memories of pain- well, the palace brought memories of pain and fear, Verillia itself was a wonder he would never get over, and he didn’t think he ever wanted to. With as much of his damaged heart as he could muster, he loved the hot, sweaty oceanside kingdom that he had called home for his whole life.

Walking through the town, and for once without supervision was freeing and exhilarating. Not having someone shadow his every move. The guards, it seemed, had stuck with their beloved princess. For good reason, he knew. Dominic didn’t need protecting when he could take on the men that surrounded her blindfolded. What was the point? Either way, Dominic clasped his hands behind his back and wandered through the town. He kept his head down as best he could. No one seemed to pick up on who he was, at least if they did he didn’t see or they scurried out his way, but that could simply be because of his tall stature and demeanour. It didn’t matter, he took in the smells and sights with something that could have been a smile on his lips.

Finally, he made it to the blacksmith, and the sounds of metal on metal and hissing fires filled his senses. Good. Exactly where he wanted to be. A man around his height spotted him, although he had a belly clearly procured by good food and ale and a beard that was king and grey and honestly impressive. He removed the goggles around his eyes and walked over, cleaning his hands with a rag, “Afternoon Sir!” He said, cheery and holding his hand out to shake, “Adric, keeper of the forge.”

Dominic shook his hand, “Dominic, a pleasure.”

Adric’s eyebrows raised, “As in, Crown Prince Dominic?” and when the prince nodded the older man gave a bow.

“There’s no need for that,” Dominic said, urging him up, “I’d rather not have attention directed this way.”

Adric nodded, “Of course, Your Highness, how can I help?”

Their conversation lasted for who knew how long, Dominic explaining in brief how he needed and new sword and why, along with some other daggers after losing his own back in Verillia in his escape. Adric listened, noted what he needed and wanted and the crown prince found himself smiling and enjoying the conversation greatly. After being in the palace for so long around totals and nobles and ladies in waiting and soldiers it was good to talk to someone else, and Adric and he got along better than he expected.

Dominic was almost reluctant to leave, but promised to be back to collect his commissioned goods soon enough, as well as to chat with the forge keeper once more.

He left the forge more than a little excited and happy, and found his way to the markets easily enough. It was bustling with people, but Dominic weaved through the crowd with ease as his eyes scanned both the stalls and the crowd for any sign of the princess and her guards. Difficult to spot Ariella when she was so short, but Dominic saw the bright flamed hair of Ansel easily enough and headed to meet them.

It was approaching noon in Greoak and business couldn't be bussier. As the day began to peak, more and more people flooded the streets, shopping at stalls and shops, stopping for lunch on their breaks. There was laughter as children ran through the streets, without a care in the world and unbeknownst to the dangers ahead of them.

Ariella was basking in the glow of the city, wearing proper covering of course. She was feeding off the energy and letting it improve her mood. She could feel her spirit lifting, even more so as she traversed through the different stalls. Ansel was shifting on his feet, clearly feeling anxious about being so in the open. But she had never had a problem in the city. They loved her, loved her family. At least in the capital, that was. She couldn't be sure how other people felt in her kingdom but there had been little talks of unrest. Low crime rates, no signs of rebellion. All was well in the land until Verillia's army showed up on their doorstep. But today wasn't about thinking of the future. It was about forgetting the war ahead of them.

She spent a few gold here and there, purchasing a few things that weren't entirely necessary. But it was good for moral to spend the royal coin, redistributing it back to the commoners. A few people came up to speak to her, to touch her hands. Ansel turned most of them away but she was able to convince him to let a few approach her. Mostly children. Children were rather harmless and she enjoyed them well enough. But not enough to want her own. She was happy enough to be an aunt to her rowdy nieces and nephews.

She had approached the middle of the square where there was bustling music and bolstering laughter. There in the square were musicians playing their instruments and people dancing in a circle that had been cleared. Those watching formed the circle, smiling and clapping and singing along. Ansel had tried to pull her away from the crowd of people but she couldn't be swayed. One last day, she had argued, one last day. And he had let her go. The guards circled around her, creating a barrier between her and her people. An annoyance she chose not to fight him on. She wouldn't win that argument just as she hadn't been able to win the fight about her guards. She just wanted to have one more day of normalcy.

A child stopped before her circle of guards. He couldn't have been older than ten. Ariella rolled her eyes as they closed rank around her. "It's alright. Let him through." And they did but not before thoroughly searching him. She wanted to roll her eyes. If anyone here wanted her dead, there were so many easier ways than sending in a child to do their bidding. She highly doubted he was here to kill her.

He looked nervous, shifting on his feet. He wouldn't make eye contact with her as he held up his hand. "W-would you like t-to dance, Your Highness?" Ariella grinned down at him. She loved to dance and who was she to refuse an offer.

She took his hand. "I would love to." She glared at Ansel to deny her this. His jaw was clenched but he didn't stop her. They let her pass through her ring of guards and into the circle where she let the child guide her into the dance.

Dominic weaved through the crowd as well as he could, hard to do when he was bigger than most of the civilians that were present in the square and it was more like barging through in some cases. Either way, the prince made it to the group of guards that were standing to one side of the square moments after Ariella was led into a dance by the child who had taken ahold of her hand. Dominic took up his position next to Ansel, arms crossed as he watched the princess from where he now stood. Funny, really, because he looked like one of her guards himself. Had he been wearing a uniform he would have blended right in, even if he towered over the men that were around him. There was no need for a guard himself when he stood a foot above them nearly and had been trained harder and longer than them, too.

He didn't speak, opting to stay quiet as the music drifted through the square and filled the space with laughter, chatting and the sound of shoes hitting the cobbled streets. Vendors were busy with their sales to those that opted out of the dancing, much like the prince, though the circle slowly gained traction as more and more joined those who had already begun their spinning and swaying. It almost looked fun, but Dominic had never been a dancer, and he doubted he ever would be.

The prince had been trained in the art of battle, not of dance. He knew how to be a prince, yes, how to hold himself correctly, speak correctly, be the feared prince that everyone came to know him as, but dance? He had two left feet. For some reason or another, his mind couldn't grasp the concept of the steps and the movements. Hand him a sword and tell him to manoeuvre correctly and he could do so in a heartbeat, without even thinking, but no mater how many instructions he was given, how many times he tried, he simply could not dance. Maybe he had never had a teacher good enough to straight out his bent legs and turned in toes, but that was irrelevant. There was nothing else he could do, he had tried, and it had ended with him flat on his face nearly every time.

But the way Ariella moved, with such grace and a certain delight, he almost wanted to learn.

That was, until, Dominic's gaze drifted to the crowd forming. Most, it seemed, were enjoying the show that was being given to them, or were distracted by other's around them, conversations or their own children tugging on their hands demanding attention. Yet there was a group of men sneaking around the back, making their way closer and closer to the guards, to where he was standing, spreading out and gaining momentum as others joined them. The prince tensed, Dominic's hand moving closer to the sword at his side when he noticed. Without looking too greatly, he watched. Watched as they spoke in hushed whispers, watched as they watched him, watched Ariella. Tense didn't begin to cover how he was feeling. Finally, he tilted his head slightly towards Ansel, "We need to go."

Was Ariella putting herself in a potentially dangerous situation? Yes she was. But would anything actually happen? No. Nothing had ever happened in all her years of visiting the city. And really, what was the harm with dancing with a young child? If anything, the people only loved it more, seeing their princess dancing among commoners as if she was one of them. It made her feel less cut off from them. Made her feel accessible to them. If the kingdom feared their leaders then they weren't fit to rule.

Dancing came natural to Ariella. It was as easy as breathing. She had been in lessons all her life, learning the proper dances of court and whatnot. She could tell a story with a sweep around the room. She could hold an entire room's attention. She could seduce, flirt, and convey a variety of other emotions with the way she could move. And while this dancing was nothing she was used to, it all still applied. She followed the child as he led her through the dance moves. As their arms were linked and they twirled around the courtyard, switching from partner to partner. She couldn't remember the last time she danced with such freewill. She didn't have to think, she just had to feel. She let the music guide her as she flitted about. She couldn't remember the last time she had smiled so much.

Ansel greeted Dominic with a nod of his head. He would have much preferred to have more guards with them, if not for Ariella then the fact that there was not one but two royals in the city. Even if the prince was more than capable of taking care of himself, it was the principle. They should have provided guards for protection. It would have looked bad if anything had happened to him and the Aranian guard had left him to fend for himself. Now more than ever they needed the support of the people. They couldn't afford to lose their faith now. Not when they were about to start drafting all abled men. Who would fight for a country that wouldn't even protect its guests? No one that he knew of. But the prince was standing beside him- more like towering beside him- unharmed and seemingly unbothered. There wasn't any blood on him so that must have been a good sign. But nothing was to be taken for granted.

Good things never lasted and he felt guilty that this would be Ariella's last outing for a long time. Her parents would never let her leave the palace again with the crowd that was forming. He saw the men gathering, cloaked and hiding in the shadows as they crept around. They were good but not good enough. Ansel was trained for this. Trained to watch the shadows and analyze any and all threats. And this was a threat and they were coming straight for the princess. He supposed the prince too but the princess was his charge and his priority. He nodded to Dominic subtly, catching the attention of one of his guards and signaling to him that it was time to haul ass. "We need to get her out without causing a commotion. Got any ideas?" He murmured. They needed to get out with minimal bloodshed. Ansel wasn't in the mood with civilians becoming collateral damage.

It wouldn't look if there was a massive commotion from the guards, nor would Ariella be much inclined to have her dance interrupted by them barging into the circle and dragging her away. She was already pissed off at having to have more than her usual guards there, it seemed, more than she would have liked, and Dominic hadn't done her any favours pushing her on their ride in. He hoped that she had calmed down a little more now that they had had time apart and it wouldn't be the end of the world for them to be together once more on their route out of the city. Hopefully, nothing terrible would happen, but his gut wasn't favouring him and the situation. He doubted that they would make a safe escape, or at least, be able to get out without trouble barging at them like the impending doom of war.

His sword was heavy at his side, looming and waiting and practically begging to be used. He hadn't had a good fight, a proper fight, for weeks. It was edging him on, calling and whispering. Show them, it seemed to say, Show them who you are. Why he was feared, why he was the warrior no one wanted to go up against in battle. But, they were civilians of Araniel. He couldn't fight them. He shouldn't, was the better term. Because if they were threatening the princess then realistically, if it was for her defence, then surely it would be allowed. But they were simple people looking for a fight, to draw fear in the crowd now that war was coming. He had no doubt that it was known in the city. Word travelled fast when people gossiped.

Dominic took a breath, watching as Ariella moved gracefully from partner to partner in the circle as the group cheered on from the outskirts. The men that were circling grew in number, watching like hawks, moths to a flame, waiting for the time to either attack or cause havoc. What did they want? Dominic could leave that to Ansel to figure out. He had no idea what they wanted. What could they want? Unless they were Verillian soldiers but they were none that he recognised, and Dominic knew them all. And his father wouldn't be stupid enough to send new soldiers out this far, certainly not.

"Leave it to me." At least the soldier was aware, too. He would have hoped so, but the number of incompetent men that the prince had come across in his life were growing by the day, he couldn't be too careful. Then again, he was on Ariella's guard for a reason, that was a good sign.

Dominic waited until there was a change in the partners, took a breath, and cut off the man who was about to become Ariella's dancing partner until it was him with his arm around her waist and the other in her hand, looking down at her as he let her guide them through the dance, "Ari," He cleared his throat, leaning down to speak into her ear, "I'm sorry, but we need to leave."

Ansel gave Dominic a sharp nod before peeling off. Getting the princess out was his first and foremost priority. He would leave it up to the city guard to round up and capture the perpetrators and bring them to the palace for questioning. He needed to create an opening for the prince and princess to break out of the crowd and away from the cloaked men creeping on them. As willing as he was to get his hands dirty with the blood of his princess's enemies, now wasn't the time. Not with Ariella so out in the open and so vulnerable. He wouldn't risk her.

Ariella was oblivious to the growing conflict around her. All she could hear was the beat of the music. All she could feel were her partner's hands on her as they twirled her around. All she could see was a whirlwind of colors as she spun around the square. She was happy. Truly happy for the first time in a long time. Or at least since the impending doom of her kingdom and her mother's constant nagging for her to find a husband and leave the palace to live happily ever after and pop out a bunch of babies. Or at least the baby part. Her mother didn't particularly care about who the suitor was, what with the morons and sadists that have come asking for her hand. And by the grace of god she managed to slip out of their hands each and every time.

Everything was fine. She was happy. Until she landed in her next partner and the current bane of her existence. Prince Dominic. She didn't dare pull away, not with their audience. But it didn't stop her from tensing against him and her smile faltering. He was not the person she wanted to see nor dance with at this current moment. Although dance might have been subjective, as he was just copying her movement. So there was something he was bad at. At least there was that. She was starting to think he was good at everything. It was exceptionally annoying.

"Leave? We just got here," she hissed through her teeth, speaking only loud enough for him to hear. She didn't need anyone overhearing their conversation. She raised his arm as she spun, her skirts flaring out and whipping around them before returning back to his annoyingly warm arms. "You don't understand. They won't let me come back here." She would never get the chance again. Because once this war was over, there was a good chance she would be shipped away as someone's wife and her life would be over.

If Dominic had had a choice, he certainly would not have wanted to be in the position he had placed himself in. But, realistically, what other way was there to get the princess out of danger without causing too much of a scene? Stopping the band and the music would only cause disruption with the rest of the town folk, barging into the dance and dragging her away would gain anyone a sharp slap to the side of the cheek no matter how lady-like she tried to be in public, and, well, at least this way Ariella was able to finish her dance. It might not have been the way she would have liked to finish her fun, but they didn't have a choice. Ariella was primed and knew exactly how to handle the socialites and the crowds and her people. Dominic? Well, Dominic knew danger and battle. It was what he was good at. And danger, today, consisted of the large amount of civilians looking to cause havoc in the town square now that the princess was in public.

Seeing the look on her face, Dominic's heart faltered a tad. He didn't want to pull her away, he certainly didn't want to face her wrath again, not after he had pissed her off on the ride into Greoak, but there was no other option. At least, not another option that would result in them leaving safely. The price highly doubted Galen would be happy if his youngest daughter returned to the palace after an outing dishevelled, roughed up, and potentially injured because they had allowed her to dance for longer than was necessary. And he also figured that the king wouldn't approve if there were deaths of his own people where unnecessary. Dominic might not have been the gentleman of a prince like Everand, or any other prince, for that matter, but he would not let harm come to the princess he was now dancing with, even if it killed him in the process. Ariella deserved better, was owed better. Maybe it was repayment for what she had done to soothe his night terrors, too.

"I know. Do you think I would interrupt if it wasn't serious?" Because he hated dancing. He hated crowds like these. The attention. Dominic didn't like having more than one set of eyes on him at a time, let alone hundreds from the crowds of people around him. Drawing attention to himself was the last thing he needed when he was trying to lie low and stay out of the sight of any prying, spying eyes that h is father may have sent after him. Anyone who would try and bring him back to Verillia against his own free will. It was just as dangerous for him as it was for Ariella, only a different kind of danger. A different kind of fear that came with the eyes peering into the back of his skull.

Dominic tried to convey that to her, that he was sorry for interrupting and cutting her time short, he didn't know how well he was able to do so, but as they twirled in the circle and Ariella led him through the moves the prince's eyes were darting and scanning those around them. More of them. How many? At least ten by now, circling like vultures waiting for their prey to falter, waiting for the prime time to strike. Dominic held Ariella a tad closer to his body at the sight, a move that could have been taken as possessive, but with their current situation, was one of protection.

Ariella tightened her grip on his hand. Her jaw tightened as her eyes flickered around. Ansel wasn't where she had left him last and the other guards were moving around. Something was happening. It appeared as though the fates were once again punishing her. For what, she didn't know. Being born, perhaps. She wouldn't be surprised. She felt like she had been punished her whole life just for being born a woman and that wasn't stopping now.

She flickered her eyes up to him. "What is it? What's going on? And don't you even dare think about keeping me in the dark, Dom. Tell me." She would get the answers she wanted out of him one way or another. Just how he went about it would depend on her anger levels. If she had to fight it out of him, their relationship might go from rocky to worse. Again. Their relationship was constantly all over the place. They were high then they were low. They were on good terms then fighting the very next day. She wasn't really in the mood to fight more but she would never back down from a challenge from him.

The song was starting to come to an end, reaching the finale. Their movements sped up as she guided Dominic around the square. She still hadn't quite moved on that he was an unsure dancer. That this was something he wasn't good at. It delighted her more than it should have. But she was more than good enough to make up for the both of them. She could flit around the dance floor with ease, or in this case, town square. All her partner had to do was follow her lead and pretend he was guiding her. No one would question a thing. But that was counting on Dominic to appear relaxed and in control. Which he didn't really.

Ariella moved in a series of twirls as the song came to a conclusion, landing right back in Dominic's arms as the music stopped. Forcing a smile on her face and gripping his hand, she left the middle of the square as another song struck up, waving off the people and claiming her father would be expecting her back home soon. It killed her to have to go but the look Ansel had given her had hinted this was a dire situation and that it was time to go.

How did he answer her question? Dominic didn't know what was going on exactly, apart from the fact that there were men circling them, waiting, probably ready to go for them both by the looks of things. He didn't know if they would be stupid enough to lunge at him, too, or whether they would simply be going for the princess. She was certainly the easier target, considering her size, especially compared to him. If they knew who he was then it would be a very bad idea to go for him, but that wouldn't stop an idiot. And if these people were serious enough to attempt an attack at the two royals in broad daylight the idiot didn't even begin to describe how stupid they were, especially with the guards that were present, too. There was only so much that they could do before getting stopped in their tracks, but… if they gained enough traction… even Dominic was worrying a tad more than he might have been if it had just been himself in the square.

Worry for Ariella… not something he was used to. Worrying for anyone but himself was not something he was used to, not as of late. After Fiona had died well, Dominic hadn't had anyone to worry about. There had been no one else in his life of importance after that. No one else he had let come close to the level of care that he had felt for the woman who had practically become his mother after his real one had passed, and even then, she had died, too. What was the point in caring and worrying when all he did was bring pain and death?

And it was happening again. He had brought death to Araniel earlier than they might have intended it to be. War was coming, yes, but there might not have been a building tension in the square, in the people, if he hadn't shown up. It was because of him that Ariella's time in the town was being cut short. The least he could do to apologise was try and protect her as best he could from the inevitable attack. There wasn't much else he could do. Once again, it was his fault that there was pain in her life. It was obvious there was pain and torment already, the tensions with her mother showed that enough, but physical harm? If anything was to happen to her then it was because of him, and Dominic didn't know if he could live with that if she was hurt in his presence.

The dance concluded, and Dominic opened his mouth to speak and attempt to explain as they walked off before there was a roar from the other side of the square, "Verillian scum! Get the fuck out and leave us!" Something was thrown in their direction and the prince shielded Ariella's body with his own to avoid her being hit, whatever it was- stones, maybe - hitting his back instead, hard enough to make him wince, "You royals can't do anything right!"

Ariella watched him with narrowed eyes, watching as he contemplating telling her. Perhaps he was trying to figure out just what was going on. But he was Dominic and if he was here dragging her away from the square, from her dance, then he must have known what was happening. Otherwise, he would not have joined her in the circle. His moves were stiff and unsure. He was following her lead when it should have been the other way around. And while she had more than enough to skill to make up for the both of them, there was only so much of his own fault that she could conceal. Someone was bound to notice this…whatever was going on between them. Perhaps rumors would begin to fly now that the prince and princess have danced with each other in front of the whole city. Oh how her mother was going to be so pleased. Perhaps she should have fought him harder on joining her this afternoon. Made him stay away, as if that was possible.

A shout from the crowd had her head whipping around, trying to find the source of the shout, the insult. But Dominic was already blocking her with his body, shielding her from the onslaught. A moment later she heard the sounds of an impact as something was thrown at the prince. Her eyes widened in concern and terror as he winced in pain. Her hands landed on his chest, fingers curling into his shirt.

They needed to get out of there. She needed to get him out of there.

She looked around frantically, trying to find an escape, to find her guards but it was utter chaos. The townsfolk were scattering amongst the chaos, screams and shouts blended together until she couldn't make out anything they were saying. Her ears were ringing as panic seized her. Her breath was caught in her throat as the words repeated in her head, get out get out get out get out. She had never done very well in a crowd like this. Where she was bumped and shoved and it felt like there was no way out. Just an endless sea of bodies.

Oh god, she was going to die here.

The prince had gone through a lot worse than being stoned, or were they bricks? They were large enough to cause his body to ache and certainly heavy enough to cause him to bruise, he could feel them forming already as his back was hit over and over, but that didn't phase him. He wasn't thinking about what injuries he may have as a result of the attack, all he was thinking about was Ariella. He couldn't, he would not let anything come to harm the princess. He could see the fear in her eyes, and felt it in the way she grabbed at his shirt as he took the damage on their behalf. Nothing mattered but getting her out of there, and he would get her out of there unharmed even if he gained a few more bruises and pains to go along with it.

It was in that moment, as Dominic looked down at Ariella, that he realised she had never had to deal with that sort of treatment from her people before. That she had never experienced the fear of physical pain or assault that came from those around her. Emotional, yes, probably from her mother if Dominic could read people as well as he thought he could, but physical? This was the first time, it showed in the fear in her eyes as they went wide and her body crashed into his own, and Dominic wrapped a strong arm around her body to add to the shield he was creating for the princess. Oh how nice it would have been if he had had a life like that. A life where he need not worry about how his body may be broken that day, or if he could even sleep in his own bed for the evening.

Those thoughts were quickly pushed away as more insults were thrown at them, along with heavier objects that crashed into the base of his neck and caused Dominic to hiss. Get out. They had to get out. There were no thoughts but needing to get Ariella to safety. He grabbed her hand, holding on as tight as he could before pushing her in front of him to avoid anything colliding with the princess. One step at a time, waving through the crowd. Dominic didn't know where her guards had gone to, he hoped it was to wrestle with those who had attacked them and hold them back while they escaped through the crowd. It was chaos, but through it all, Dominic didn't let go of her hand. He refused. No matter how many people tried to push through them in order to make a quick escape, the prince didn't let go. His grip didn't falter, not even as he heard someone barking to another about which way they had gone off to.

Step by step until they were out of the crowd, until they were far enough out of range for anything to hit them, and he took the lead. Just as Ariella was able to lead him in a dance, he could lead in battle. Their shoes echoed on the cobbled streets until they came to a halt. Panting, Dominic assessed their surroundings. He could hear them getting closer again, gaining on them. They needed to hide.

A side street. Well, alleyway? Barely even that. It would be a tight fit for the two of them but it was better than nothing, "In here." Dominic dragged Ariella down until they were hidden in the shadow of the building, chest to chest, flush against one another with one of the prince's hands wrapped around her waist, the other resting above her head as he looked down at her.

It felt as if the walls were closing in on her as chaos ensued. There were people pushing and scream from all corners and there was no escape. No way out. Every touch, every screech had her curling further into herself, further into the presence behind her. The prince was her only means of safety and the only thing of stability at this moment. But how could he get them out? Look at the crowd. They were swarming. It was an endless sea of bodies. There was no chance for escape, no hope. This was how she died, stampeded by a hoard of terrified commoners.

She did not register it as she found herself moving through the crowd. As Dominic pushed at her back, guiding her through and out of the swarm. All she could see were images flashing across her eyes. The bodies seemed to multiply and faces were unrecognizable to her. It was by sheer instinct and a need for survival that her legs maneuvered through the crowd. Her body was making up for what her body could not do. A boot landed on her gown, tearing it as she was ripped away from him and urged on through the crowd. Her hair once crafted beautiful was a mess and her hat had fallen and gotten lost beneath the shoes of others.

Her mind could not process the chaos that was happening around them. The only thing that she could think of was that she was going to die. She was going to die a horrible death and not one she had ever imagined for herself. She had never though about what death might look like for her. She had believed she had years to live and yet it might be all over in a flash. No more chances of happy endings. No discovering the world. No chance of finding her own love, her own chosen partner, and enjoying all the life had to offer for them. All her dreams and hopes were coming to a screeching halt as her imminent death was approaching and approaching fast. She only prayed that it would be as painless as possible.

It took her a moment for her mind to catch up to her, to her surroundings. One moment she was in a stampeding crowd and the next she found herself pressed against a wall with Dominic braced over her. She couldn't tell how she had gotten here or how she was even still alive. Her breaths were raged and her hands trembled as they were clutching Dom's shirt. Her fists were so tight her knuckles had turned white and she would leave marks on her palm in the shape of fingernails. Her trained eyes shifted from his chest to look up at his face, his eyes. It was only then she realized just how close he was to her.

"How…where.. we go out?" Her words were almost incoherent and she struggled to make a sentence. Her voice was shaking and unsure. For the first time since Dominic had met her she was so out of place. So insecure, so vulnerable. She didn't know what to do.

Had Ariella been with anyone else, any other prince, Dominic was sure that she wouldn't have made it out. The crowd had been far too large, massive, swarmed and had been a nightmare for them to manoeuvre through. He was sure it was only because he knew what he was doing that they had managed to escape. The princess had been - she was petrified. It was as clear as day on Ariella's face, even in the shadow of the building, that she was terrified. Dominic knew that look all too well, had seen it on his own face more times than he could count on both hands.

Pure fear. Real and coursing through her veins as her mind fought to catch up with the reality of the situation. Fight or flight, and fear was the denominator in both situations. But, they were out, they had made it out and she would be okay. Apart from her mind, the princess was unharmed, and that had been his goal. No harm would ever come to her. The thought of it burned his heart more than he had ever expected it to. To see her in pain? Hurt and terrified? It would have been worse than the current situation. Dominic could deal with her being scared, he could handle that. Had she been hurt by the men out there, none of them would have lived to see the sunset. At least he didn't have to worry about that. All he could do was pray that Ansel and the guards had caught the fuckers who had caused the riot to begin with.

None of it mattered, though. Not when Ariella was clutching at his chest and looking up at him with those damned entrancing eyes that held nothing but pure fear. There was a shout in the street, but soon there was a clattering to the ground and muffled noises as whoever it was fell to the ground. Others followed, by the sounds of it. At least they knew where the guards were. Dominic shifted his focus back to the princess in his arms. The one wrapped around her middle made lazy strokes down her side in a soothing motion, while the hand that was above her head moved slowly down until it rested on her cheek. This was the closest that they had ever been, maybe ever would be by the way Ariella seemed to react to anything. But she was frozen in shock and all he could do was be there for her and remind her that she was safe now.

"We got out," Dominic said, his words far softer than they had ever been before as his thumb rubbed at the skin it found beneath his calloused fingertip, "You're safe. You are safe." He didn't know if his words would register with her, but he could try, it was the most he could do for her. It was all he could do. Dominic brought their foreheads together, making sure his body was still shielding the alleyway as best he could in case someone found them. His back was aching. Now they had stopped moving he could practically feel the bruises forming. Later. He could find some salve or something later. Ariella was his priority now.

Ariella's skin was dumb. She could barely feel the hand stroking her side. Her mind was not fully present and she was not processing anything he was doing to her. Had she been of sound mind, had they been anywhere else under any other circumstance, she wasn't sure what she would have done being pressed so close to him. she would have either grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him hard, or she would have pushed him away, glaring and cursing at him for thinking he could get so close to her. As if they didn't sleep in the same every night and woke up in each others arms almost every morning.

Her breaths were coming out in quicky, short successions as panic still gripped her, squeezed her. Out, they were out. They got out. She was no longer swarmed by a mass of people, panicked and running. She was no longer being shoved and trampled. She was standing in an alley, leaning against a wall and holding onto to Dominic, the only reason she was standing. The hem of her gown was dirtied and ripped. She was a mess. She looked as much a mess as she felt.

Her body was shaking and she didn't even know. All she could do was stare at him. Even as their foreheads were pressed together, even as their breaths mixed as one, all she could do was stare at him. Her nails were likely going to cause a mark on his chest with how tight her grip was. Safe, he said, she was safe. But then why were they hiding in an alleyway. She tried to part her lips to ask the question but the words died on her lips before she could say it. She didn't quite trust her voice. She worried that if she spoke again, the tears would start and she would not be able to hold them back once they started. And she would not cry in front of Dominic. And she certainly wouldn't cry in some back alleyway where anyone could stumble across him.

She released a shaky sigh, her eyes finally fluttering shut and squeezing them tight. Her grip slowly loosened on his shirt and her body sagged against him. She just wanted to leave. She wanted to go home and crawl into her bed and never come back out. "Can we go?" She finally asked.

The feel of her nails against the skin on his chest didn't matter to Dominic. None of it mattered to him; not the pain from where he had been assaulted on their way out of the crowd or the slow-growing stinging that came with the princess's nails against his chest. They would heal. He would heal. He always did. The physical pain wasn't what he was worried about, and for once, it wasn't his own mental state that he was concerned for, too. It was Ariella's. She may have been a stubborn prick at times but no one deserved to be berated and attacked in the way they had been. She had done nothing wrong.

It was Dominic that the crowd were angry at. Well, his father. News of war had clearly spread quickly but that was to be expected when gossip was so easily created and exposed, especially when there were ladies in the court that couldn't seem to keep their mouths shut. Nothing was ever secretive for long, not in a royal court. And the word had spread over the kingdom to the point of riots. It was because of him, now, that Ariella wouldn't be allowed back out into the city. It was because of him that her time in the square had been cut short. Maybe he shouldn't have come, but then again, chances were they still would have attacked even if he hadn't been present. They were angry at them all, staying away wouldn't have made any difference. The only change would have been Ariella's safety. Dominic didn't trust that she would have made it out unscathed physically if he hadn't been there.

When she spoke, Dominic's heart softened. It was so clear how scared she was, and he couldn't do anything else to help her. It wasn't fair. She deserved better. Better than him. It would be smart to stay away, to keep his distance from then on out. The prince, however, didn't think he would be able to do so. Maybe once he knew she was okay. Or recovering from the ordeal, then he would keep his distance. Then and only then, when she was okay, would he stay away. He didn't want to, but Ariella had made it clear she didn't want anything to do with him, so it was for the best, really, that he put some space between them.

"We can go." He replied, not offering any more words of comfort as he pulled away from her. The prince moved first, moving so he could peer out the alleyway to confirm there was no one there ready and waiting to attack. There wasn't, and when he was positive that no one was coming around the corner, he gently guided Ariella out of the alley by the waist, keeping her close just in case anything happened.

Ariella didn't want him to pull away. Not even as they were safe and alone in this alley. He was the only comfort she had. The only comfort she wanted to seek. So as he pulled away from her, she pushed off the wall she was leaned against, her legs wobbling as she did so. Her fingers tightened once more against the material of his shirt and she fell forward into his chest. She wasn't ready to let go him yet. Not when he was the only thing stable for her now. When all of her guards were gone and there was no one left but then. But even if her guards had been there, who would she have looked for in the crowd? Who would she have gone to? She couldn't answer that and that's what scared her most.

Her body was still shaking, unbeknownst to her. Whether from terror or the adrenaline coursing through her body, she didn't know. It could have been either, it could have been both. All she knew was that she wasn't letting go of Dominic. As he pulled her from the alleyway, she clutched onto him as tight as she was able to while moving through the cobblestone path. Her eyes were darting back and forth, looking from of the assailants to peering up at Dominic.

The streets had cleared mostly of people, all of them returning to their homes to escape the wrath of the perpetrators and the hunt of the city guard. Her own guard was out there somewhere, looking for her most likely. It wouldn't be long before they were found by guards. Dominic wasn't hard to miss. They would spot him first and find her after. Everything would be fine. She would be back at the palace soon and in the safety of her room. But the thought of being in her room alone didn't make her feel very safe. And that scared her even more. She didn't trust her heart. It ha hurt her too many times.

They hadn't even made it to the end of the block before being spotted by the city guard. "Your Highness," they called out, coming to a stop before them. "Are you alright?" The concern was first for the princess, who had yet to release the prince; then for the prince who had sheltered their princess.

"She's clearly not alright you fools," Dominic couldn't stop the harshness in his words towards the idiotic guards standing before him, "Alert Her Highness' royal guard, notify them we're heading back to the stables and returning to the palace." The prince didn't let go, nor did he want to. Dominic kept his arm tightly wrapped around Ariella, making sure that she was secure against his body in case anything else were to happen. He didn't want to part with her, didn't want her to be anywhere else than at his side when they returned back to the palace. If there was another attack he needed to be ready for it, and his other hand rested at the hilt of his sword as the city guard looked at him and processed his words.

His glare didn't let up even as they moved past the guard. How could they have let this happen in the first place? The whole point of a city guard was to defend not only the people of the kingdom but to defend the royals, too, when out in public. Had they not seen the growing group of perpetrators at the edge of the crowd? Had they not sensed the growing chaos in the wind as he had? Or were they that incompetent at their jobs that they were unable to do anything but drink in the taverns on their nights off? If that were the case than Dominic was growing more and more concerned for the war. How were they ever going to win against an army of the best soldiers on the continent if they couldn't even stop a group of men from throwing stones at the princess and himself?

It didn't matter. Well, it did, but not right then and there. What was the most important for him was to get Ariella to safety, get her back to the palace. Dominic gently led her away, staying close, not letting go until she made a move to do so. As best as he could, he wanted to offer comfort. She had done so for the nights they had spent together, and now it was his turn to return the favour. It was the least he could do for her. Ariella didn't deserve the treatment that they had experienced. He couldn't say the same for himself, but he knew that the princess was the least deserving of all. If Ansel found them, if they were arrested… oh, he could repay the favour for what they had done. Maybe that would change their attitude and prevent them from doing it again.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they made it to the stables, to their horses, and were one step closer to returning to the palace, "Would you like to ride alone?" Because even though he didn't want to part with her, it was Ariella's choice as to whether he stayed with her on the ride back. Really, if he had a choice, they would ride on Tywyll, together, where he could hold her the whole ride. But, he wasn't going to force her.

Perhaps they had grown comfortable in their little bubble, where there was rarely anything to do other than break up a tavern brawl or two. Or perhaps it had been an off day and they were distracted. Or perhaps they had done everything to prepare for such an event and yet the perpetrators still managed to slip past and cause mayhem. They would never know. And the guards before them didn't have the answer. They only nodded before bowing their head. Three guards split off from the party, splitting in directions in an attempt to find the princess's guard. Two stayed behind with clear intentions to escort the two royals to the stables and perhaps back to the palace.

With swords in hand, one took the lead and the other the back. Ariella's open side was a vulnerability but with the prince's grip on her, no harm would come to her. The guards' protection was needed in front and behind more then the sides. And who would dare attack a prince with murder in his eyes. Who looked as if he wanted to bathe in the blood of their enemies. There was no where safer for Ariella at that point in time than in his arms.

As they entered the stables, Ariella seemed to become more aware of their surroundings. It was if she had been somewhere else as they had walked along the cobblestone path to the outskirts of town. But now that she was somewhere familiar, her horse Buttercup snickering at the sight of her. As if she was happy to see the princess. She reached out a hand to brush it along her mare's muzzle. A comforting touch but it wasn't quite the same. And she wasn't quite welcomed to the idea of riding alone. Her palms were too sweaty to be able to grip the reigns even if she tried. And the fear that gripped her would just as likely cause her to slip off her horse than keep her planted on Buttercup.

"I will ride with you," her voice sounded steadier than before. A false confidence. And the fact she was asking to ride with him was the only tell anyone needed to know that she was terrified to ride by herself, let along be by herself. Buttercup would likely be brought back with her guards. Attempting to tie her on a lead would only slow them down. And Ariella had no desire to delay their arrival at the palace any longer.

"Would you like an escort to the palace?" One of the guards spoke, taking a step forward, gaze down with respect.