Kingdoms and crowns - oxo - romance

"oh uh, it's fine…I just…you are the only person who really cares." He said slowly. He figured he had a lot to learn about Tarilon customs and such, if he wanted to not offend anyone or make them uncomfortable.

Fiel relaxed his shoulders. "Well, that'll change when you meet my family," he said kindly. "They are the most caring people I know. I hope we can do you plenty of good."
As he spoke, he noticed that the sun had sunk much lower in the sky while they were sitting in the garden. "I hate to move to a different subject, by the way, but I don't suppose you could help me find some supper? I'm afraid I still haven't recovered from the flight here…."

"oh yes, I am sure the cook has something great for dinner…I tend to eat all of my meals in the kitchen or my room, depends on if I want to be around people" Lukas stood up and stretched his arms. He then looked a Fiel and smiled, "I really can't wait to meet your family" He said messing with the charm that hung around his neck.

"I hope you get along," Fiel replied cheerfully. "Sometimes my brothers and sisters can be a bit overwhelming all together, but they mean well. And my mother always has time for us, although I don't know how she manages it." He paused, remembering. "As for my father….that's a bit of a long story, but no tragedy. It just may not make much sense to outsiders."
His sharp eyes noticed Lukas's necklace and he idly tried to see what the charm was.

"I can't wait!" Lukas smiled excited letting go of the charm so it fell against the collar of his shirt. "come on, let's go get food" he smiled and grabbed Fiel's arm, pulling him along gently.

Fiel followed Lukas back to the kitchen, trying to pretend he wasn't starving at the moment. The cake earlier had been great, but it was hardly a full meal. "By the way, I'm not sure if anyone's told me where exactly I will be staying while I'm here. Would you perhaps be able to show me where the guest quarters are, after this?"

"sure, they are across the castle from my room," He shook his head, "Sorry that is irrelevant" Lukas sat down at the table where two bowls of vegetable soup sat.

Fiel shrugged at the response, sitting down and eying the soup curiously. He hadn't had vegetable soup more than a few time in his life. But when he tried it, he found it was delicious, and nicely filling. "Sorry to bring it up, but do you think your parents will keep me very busy while I'm here? If I have much free time, I'd love to see more of your kingdom and get to know the place a bit better."

"well I don't know, I don't get to be a part of anything that is important, but I know that tomorrow there should be more…women..coming to meet me" He sighed in frustration, "the worst part, they will keep coming until I pick one." He said taking a bite of the soup.

Fiel frowned. "I'm sorry, that sounds really unpleasant." He hoped this wouldn't happen to him too, now that his kingdom had opened its borders. His older brothers sometimes talked about girls, but he'd never understood what the fuss was about. "Maybe….you'll eventually meet one who's really nice?" he ventured cautiously.

Lukas scoffed, "I don't wa- think I will" he caught himself, He set his spoon down and looked at the table. "I have meet plenty of nice girls, but they don't…care" He shrugged.

"I see….. I'm sorry you have to deal with that." Fiel finished his soup and laced his fingers together. "Why do they want you engaged so badly? Won't it be a while before you have to take the throne?"

"They don't want me to take the throne…they would rather a child over me" He muttered, laying his head on the table.

"That's disgusting," Fiel commented bluntly. "Out of curiosity, if you were to never become king, and you didn't have an heir, is there anyone else in direct line for the crown?"

(Heads up, if you come online and I'm not here, I work all day today with no internet. I might catch you for part of my lunch break though, hopefully ^^)

"Not exactly, but my uncle would be next, although he is only a year younger than my father, if not him then no one" Lukas shrugged.

Fiel opened his mouth, then hesitated. He really needed to be more careful. If he got tangled up in another kingdom's family affairs and tried to intervene, their newborn alliance could fall apart before it was even official. He could even bring down the wrath of these royals on the heads of his own family if he said the wrong thing. No matter how sorry he felt for Lukas, he had to put his duties as a prince first.
So, instead of telling Lukas to defy his parents somehow, he tried a different approach. "….Do you think your parents would object if I told them my sisters were interested in you and wanted to meet you, as suitors? Obviously they don't—not in that way—but your parents don't have to know. If they buy it, I could take you back home and you could at least get a nice break from your life here without seeming improper. What do you think?"

"I think that would work" Lukas' face brightened, "I mean with my father being so set on me finding a suitor, and you know, the fact that it could be true if you know, it wasn't not true, he should believe it"

Fiel grinned. "All right. I will speak to him about it first thing tomorrow. In the meantime, if you don't mind, I would really like to get some sleep next. It's not every day I fly across the sea."

"right," Lukas nodded standing up. "I will take you to your room then" He smiled.

"Thank-you." Fiel stood as well and followed him. "And thank-you for helping me find some food too. You've been very hospitable to me and I very much appreciate it."

Lukas smiled, "well I try to be a good person, or host, not sure, " He stopped in front of a door, "this is the room you will be staying in".

"All right." Fiel opened the door and stepped inside, taking in the room with a sweep of his gaze. "Will it be a problem if I open the window while I'm here? I'm used to sleeping out in the open during the summer."

"no it should be fine, do whatever you need to feel comfortable" Lukas smiled.

Fiel looked relieved and immediately went to the window, undoing the clasp. As the early evening air flowed in, he revealed his wings and tail with a roll of his shoulders, giving them a weary stretch. The room wasn't quite large enough to spread his wings fully, but it would do. He tucked them neatly against his shoulders and turned back to Lukas with a smile. "I think that's all I will need for the night. It was good to see a bit of your home this afternoon, Lukas. I hope tomorrow I will get to see more."

Lukas stared at Fiel's wings for a moment before he nodded and smiled, "I will see you tomorrow then" he said turning and walking to his room. Once there, he laid down on his bed with a sigh, happy for the first time in a while.

Fiel spent a little while writing in his small journal before going to bed, but he was so tired that he soon couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. It took him a little while to get used to his new bed, which wasn't exactly build for someone with large wings. But in the end he drifted off, and slept very peacefully in the quiet, breezy room.

Lukas, who had had a sort of long day, feel asleep eventually, only to be woken up by falling off the bed. He laid in the floor for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, wondering how he had ended up falling out of bed.

Fiel woke early despite his weariness and realized his wings were painfully stiff after his journey the day before. He should have taken some time to cool them off right away, he knew, but it had slipped his mind. Getting dressed, he stepped onto the sill of his large window and took a look around. He ad a clear shot away from the castle, and he was high enough that he could do a gliding takeoff without hitting the ground. The wind was favorable too, and very refreshing. It would be nice to take a small fight and clear his mind before beginning the day's duties.
As he leaped from the window, his wings caught him and he angled himself to catch the currents of warm air rising off the castle's stone walls. he wouldn't go far, just circle the towers a bit and come back. That would be enough to get the blood flowing through his muscles again.
As he went, the rising sun flashed across the castle's windows blindingly. Fiel wondered if anyone was behind them, watching him, and quickly looked away. He rather hoped not. He didn't want to be accused of spying on anyone.

Lukas sighed and got up, straightening up his bed before he took his time getting dressed. Once he was ready for the day he quietly opened his door and looked around. Nothing. He opened his door and stepped out, closing it behind him. He walked silently out to the garden and sighed once he got there, he picked a rose and smiled at it. He walked over to one of the flat stones that was etched with words. He sat down in front of it, placing the flower on it, and started talking. Not loud, just barely over a mumble. It was something he made a habit of doing each morning.