The Captive Prince (o/o) closed

(Of course!)

After a long few days of traveling, the gates of Nord Widona we’re finally in sight. The climate was definitely chillier than in Usige, and a little drier, but the snow would come in later seasons. Levi lifted his nose to the wind and inhaled a deep breath of air into his lungs. It was finally feeling like he was home. But as they made their way closer, he felt a bit in anxiety welling in his gut. Would they recognize him? Would they even believe him?

Fortunately for the moment, a general crowd was filing their way into the city gates, and it didn’t seem the guards were stopping people one by one. As long as Levi and Fiori didn’t look too suspicious, the two of them should be able to slip into the crowd without being stopped by a watchful guard.

Levi stopped his horse before they got too close to the gates. He turned his head around to Fiori with a little bit of concern. “Why not?” He tilted his head curiously, studying his friend’s demeanor carefully.

Levi scanned over his appearance. “Oh…right,” he huffed, running a hand through his hair briefly. “Um, I think I know another way. It’s more secluded.” The way was to the castle, a trail he took often when he was riding horseback by himself. It wasn’t completely private, but there would be much less people.

“No,” Levi shook his head, “Not exactly. It’s deep in the heart of the city actually, surrounded by trees and at least a square mile of landscape. It’s very private. And the way we’re going, not many people will see us.” He looked over his shoulder again at Fiori, trying to put in the most reassuring expression he could. His pace had picked up speed, most likely out of excitement for returning home.

Reassured, himself, by the smile Fiori returned, Levi looked back forward to their path. “A couple hours at most, I think. Nothing compared to how long it took to get to this point,” he lightly humored. “And… I would suggest laying low. I don’t think you would be very welcome by most of the citizens, but if they understood the story I’m sure I could allow my immediate family to let you stay in our home.”

“Oh, you certainly won’t be imposing.” Levi tugged on the reins to have Ozymandius turn. They were getting closer to more familiar territory, and with that his spirits gradually lifted. “I do hope you like dogs because we have… several. I don’t even know the exact number.”

Levi looked around the scene, and then up at the stone castle. His expression lifted at the sight of it. Home. He hesitated, silently wondering if now was the time to tell him he was the prince…“Oh, no, we haven’t passed it yet. I live in the palace.” Although he was completely serious, he wasn’t aware that his tone might have sounded like he was being facetious.

“Hah, well…” Levi nervously laughed along. “The fact of the matter is I’m not joking. That is my house.” He supposed there was no danger telling Fiori now. He looked behind himself once again. “You know the prince that was assassinated recently?”

“Ah-yeah…you are” Levi nodded, but it was laced with a somber tone. “He was never assassinated—I was never assassinated.” He studied Fiori’s expression for a reaction. Had he already known before this? Levi worried about it for so long, and now he was trying to make it clear.

“Yes,” Levi looked down, and then forward again. The palace was drawing closer. “Yes, I am. I’m sorry I couldn’t have told you sooner. I would have if I knew I could.” Surely his brother was the prince regent now, and he would have to challenge him soon.

“Indeed we are,” he echoed in reply. “I’m not sure who will be here, if any of the people I know closely. Surely my brother. Hopefully Mordecai. Mordecai and Marya are the two who will believe my story no matter what my brother has put into their heads.”

“That’s true,” Levi considered this, looking off to the side. His youngest brother was so young, but hopefully not so manipulatable. If all went well, he would hope the whole kingdom was on his side. If the rest of the kingdom found out, of course. “When I take the throne again he’ll certainly be punished. Even more so for murder or an accomplice of it. He would have had someone killed to look like I was assassinated. He cannot just…continue as it was before.”

“The information is the same, yes, at least for now. Surely I’ll learn some more of his antics when I get comfortable inside,” Levi replied, straightening his back. “And yes, I do have some sort of punishment in mind, and I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.” He reluctantly slowed his pace to ride better alongside Fiori so that it was easier to have a conversation. “I want him to have some sort of idea of what he put me through. So I’m going to put him into servitude. Obviously it won’t be exact, but unless I send him away it won’t be perfect.” He looked to the side now, towards Fiori. “I’m thinking of putting him into servitude under your management.”

Levi watched Fiori while he thought, returning the hum with a nod. He knew his family, the court and the nobles wouldn't like the idea of anyone being owned by someone else either. There were labor camps for the prisoners, yes, but it wasn't like those prisoners were owned by anyone in the physical world. "I would appreciate it," Levi replied softer. "But I would never force it upon you. Did you have personal servants at Usige? Not slaves, but servants?" The word slave would throw off the people in his kingdom, and it certainly had thrown off Levi. Labels held weight.

Levi stared down at the ground, his lips pursed tautly while he thought about FIori's words. "This is true, I suppose. Maybe I am just resentful for what he did. He betrayed me, his family, and for that he is no brother of mine. He deserves to be punished severely. I just can't imagine him simply sitting in a jail cell. I don't think he would ever learn from that."