forum Tired-but-passionate

Started September 12, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

Theo raised his head, straightening his posture. “The journey was uneventful, but tiring,” they nodded. “I am most grateful for your hospitality.”
They took a silent breath. A feast. Is that when his betrothed would show his face? He couldn’t help but wonder. But more importantly, Theo began unconsciously preparing themself. They had never liked being in the center of attention, and even this, with the Vallasarian royals’ eyes all on him, was draining and nerve-wracking. And then, a whole feast? Theo hoped he could indeed rest and prepare as much as he could.
There is nothing for them to worry about, the king said. Nothing except the matter of his betrothed’s absence. But he will not make mention of that, not now. They had a feeling it would be a bad idea, and besides, he wanted to pretend that they weren’t getting married while they still could.
Theo looked over to the butler and nodded their head to him. He turned to the king and queen and bowed once more. “Thank you again, Your Majesty. I look forward to tonight.” They moved over to Abram and looked expectantly at him, though avoided eye contact due to nervousness.

Abram smiled politely at the prince before beckoning for him to follow. They had finished preparing Prince Theo's rooms the day before. It was cleaned and scrubbed and stocked with anything the prince might need. Of course, after he was married to Prince Ever, he would have access to the royal treasury to decorate his room as he pleased. As is custom, the two princes would remain in separate rooms, even after marriage. Though their rooms were connected and each of them could traverse as they pleased. There was a lock on both sides of the door for either of them to utilize.
He opened the door to the prince's new lodgings wordlessly, letting the prince step into the room, Abram remained in the doorway. The room was gender neutral so Prince Theo didn't feel as though they were forcing one thing or another on him. The curtains were pulled back on the floor to ceiling windows, letting the sunlight illuminate the room. A four poster bed was centered against a wall. There was a bench at the end of the bed. A desk positioned on the opposite side of the room. A wardrobe. The necessities in luxury.
"If you need anything, just send for me, Your Highness. I'll let you rest unless you require anything of me?"

He followed Abram, his mind quickly slipping into a state that was… less than conscious, less aware. They imagined themself in a different world, one where he was still on the ship, on their way to Vallasaria. Only this time, the rain never stayed in Lautraka; it followed them, shaking the sea and darkening the clouds. Thunder boomed and lightning cracked the sky. A huge wave rose up, towering over the ship. It swallowed Theo and everyone else, and then darkness followed.
When he returned to the present, the butler was already opening the door to their new room. The prince walked inside, quite unused to this style of interior design. While they did expect it to be luxurious, certainly not in this way. It was unfamiliar and felt cold, almost. Certainly, Theo could get used to sleeping here, but it felt… unwelcoming.
He turned to Abram. “Oh, could you…” he hesitated a moment. “Could you maybe set a dog bed or something similar in here?”

( I swear I've been trying to respond X( Every time I open I blank. It's so bad.)

A dog bed? A most peculiar request especially when they did not see a dog with him. Abram prayed that the prince did not mean to sleep on such a dog bed but he could not refuse the prince's request. He was here for all of his needs, even ones strange such as this one.
Bowing at the waist, he nodded his head. "Of course, Your Highness. I will be back shortly with a dog bed for you. If you have need of anything else while I am gone, feel free to ask any of the staff. They will find me or they will get whatever it is you need. Is there anything else you might require while I am gone?"

So the prince can come. Prince Theo Ilyani of Lautraka. The prince that he was betrothed to marry. To unite their kingdoms and crush their enemies. This marriage would fix everything. Or so his father believed. Ever was not so naive to think that this would solve all of their problems. That this war would be won swiftly and cleanly now that they had aid. Venia was ruthless and brutal and it would take more than wishful thinking for this war to be won.
He wondered how his sister was faring. Neither of them had been pleased about their betrothals but his sister had taken it better than he. Love, they had been promised. Promised to marry for love and marry someone of their choosing. How it had been a lie. It had all been a lie. He should have known better. He did know better. But he had foolishly believed it. He had this argument many times with his father, with his sister even. We are pawns in a bigger game. If you truly did not believe they would not give your hand away to someone of their choosing than you are a fool, Ever, her words still echoed in his mind. If she was standing beside him he would have thrown a book at her head. But she was not and it was too late anyways. He was to be married soon to someone he did not love, someone he did not know. Fate was a cruel thing.

Abram returned sometime later to Prince Theo's room with a dog bed in hand. "I hope this is to your liking, Your Highness."