He chuckled lightly, "I am glad that you feel the same." He held her close to him as she spoke softly, he loved to listen to her voice. It soothed his soul and every part of him.
"of course we can, my lady. We can stay here like this for as long as you like." He spoke softly, making sure not to be too loud when speaking.
She gave his little hand a sqeeze, she felt for him much more then he probably knew. She could almost feel his pain, she definitely hear it in his voice and how his voice shook when he spoke.
"It's okay to be scared Ali…its okay to be afriad of something. I just need you to know that you are going to be okay, and I promise you I wouldn't let anything happen to you. You are my little brother, and nothing will change that." She kissed his land. "and don't worry about dealing with it, I get scared of the small things too. We all get scared sometimes. It's just natural."
Albion kept his eyes closed, drawing in a couple of shallow, wavering breaths. He was tapping one foot on the ground anxiously, and he was still visibly paler than he usually was. "I… do not have the luxury of being afraid…" He whispered after a few seconds of hesitation. "Fear can only slow me down… it's a horrible feeling. Horrible emotion. It will only hold me back. What with father thrusting all his issues upon me so he doesn't have to resolve them himself, I can't… I can't let silly stuff like this scare me." He whimpered quietly when he was touched, cringing away. He was clearly in pain.
Carlysle looked in anxiety as the Prince's reactions to the laceration worsened "Well, I know it isn't fractured because there are no unnatural bumps on your chest, and no sharp splints either" he began to unwrap the bandages "Although you might have internal bleeding… I'll be as careful as I can" he looked at the prince's wincing face, he was in near excruciating pain. Way too much for a young adolescent like him should be experiencing. "Before I start… you're absolutely sure you don't want the King and Queen to know about this? They'll still know you escaped because the guards would tell them… It might be safer to tell them…" Carlysle looked at the Prince with worry. As a servant of the royal family, it was practically his job to worry like this, and with the added effect of his crush on the prince, the concern was extreme.
"I'm fine. D-Don't tell the king and queen. It's better if they don't know." Albion held tightly to Jasper's hand, his breathing harsh and wavering. "Just… just do what you have to do, okay…? Please…" He whispered, his heart racing in his chest. As much as he was trying to hide it, he was clearly upset and afraid. He got little bumps and bruises fairly often due to his carelessness, but it was unusual for him to get hurt this badly. He was just hoping that Carlyle would get on with it and fix him up quickly so it could just be a bad memory.
Carlysle nodded solemnly "Alright. I'll do as you wish" he took a bandaged and placed it on top of the wound, the took another and crossed it. This was the first layer, to prevent pain from the pressure of wrapping "Ok, this next part will apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding… It might hurt a bit." he began wrapping a long piece of gauze around the Prince's torso, making sure the be careful. After about three wraps top to bottom, he had finished. While wrapping, he had felt Albion's heart racing " There, better. You're okay." He tried reassuring him, though his voice shook a little. "You'll have to clean it and treat it later on, so if you need anything like that…" he looked down " I'm usually working in the dining hall or the doctor's quarters… you should probably come personally, since I'm… not allowed to be here right now"
Albion kept his eyes closed, his lip quivering a bit as he struggled to keep quiet. The wound hurt badly, and he could hardly distinguish its throbbing from the pounding of his heart. He had to admit that it felt a little bit better after being wrapped, but it wasn't like he didn't know it was there. His body was still aching, and it only made him more nervous to think about how he would handle the pain. As the heir, he was expected to attend events and such, which happened pretty frequently. He pushed that from his mind for the time being. "Okay…" He replied weakly after a few seconds, his voice breathless and quiet. "I… um… I'll do that… thank you…"
Jasper watched the two exchange talk and as the servant bandaged up albion. Thankfull for Carslye, and for him approaching them when he did, or else they would have had to go to the doctor and it could have drawn a bunch of attention and possibly gotten there parents involved.
They didn't need that.
She clenched her fist behind her back, she was so done with the way that there family had operated.
She was going to find time to do it.
Hopefully no one figured out what the "It" was.
She nodded when the servant finished, and as Albion finished speaking.
"yes well, I will make sure to get you if needed and if Albion cannot. Thank you for doing this. And not telling our parents."
"Ah yes" he whispered again, as the room began to fill with raucous "Napoleon has been backed into a corner! This is our chance to attack and send that" he paused " Hellhound back where he belongs" with such a strong sentiment in his voice, he got a loud cheer and applause from the crowd " We might finally be able to win this lengthy war and have an era of peace. But it is always darkest before dawn, so I say, before then, we must give them all out brutality!" another roar from the crowd. "As king, I am ordering a conscription so all men in the British Isles will be able to know the glory of war!" The crowd roared less now, but the king was oblivious to the lesser reaction. He smiled looking at his wife, whispering a small blessing to her. " Now I order this council adjourned." Walking back to his throne, he chuckled, whispering to his wife again "I will be needing another drink after this"
Rowena had to do a double take. What did he say? He didn’t say what she thought she said, right? A conscription to all men? All?
Stiffly, a nervous smile broke out at his blessing. She could take what minimal credit she was given, but quickly the smile dropped and she felt something between like rage and incredulousness boiling her blood.
“Your Majesty?” Her voice was shaky and raspy, barely containing her need to shout at him. “Did you say a conscription for all men? Who will reap the wheat that makes our bread? Who will sharpen and mold the materials that make our weapons? Who will govern our towns in this time of war? Surely you don’t mean that literally.”
.png)
(I don’t think imma join…sorry in just not feeling it)
He chuckled lightly, "I am glad that you feel the same." He held her close to him as she spoke softly, he loved to listen to her voice. It soothed his soul and every part of him.
"of course we can, my lady. We can stay here like this for as long as you like." He spoke softly, making sure not to be too loud when speaking.
She smiled, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of his heartbeat. He was like a rock; sturdy, something she could lean on. And yet, at the same time, he was in the middle of the violent river that was his family and his status. If they weren’t careful, she would drown in the river, or he would be broken down and beat against by strong, relentless waters. She tried not to squeeze his hand too tightly, instead tracing the crevices in his fingers, the tendons drawn taut beneath pale, smooth skin.
“So soft,” she whispered. “Yet so strong at the same time.” Humming for a moment, unsure of what else to say, she then asked, “What have you been up to?”
(I don’t think imma join…sorry in just not feeling it)
(Your good)
Jasper watched the two exchange talk and as the servant bandaged up albion. Thankfull for Carslye, and for him approaching them when he did, or else they would have had to go to the doctor and it could have drawn a bunch of attention and possibly gotten there parents involved.
They didn't need that.
She clenched her fist behind her back, she was so done with the way that there family had operated.
She was going to find time to do it.
Hopefully no one figured out what the "It" was.
She nodded when the servant finished, and as Albion finished speaking.
"yes well, I will make sure to get you if needed and if Albion cannot. Thank you for doing this. And not telling our parents."
Carlysle nodded at Albion and bowed graciously "It was my pleasure." He was very formal in speech. He wouldn't say it to their faces, but the both of them were sort of intimidating. "I will continue to do the best I can to serve you royals." he smiled a little, an informal acknowledgement of his appreciation. He then ran off back to the castle.
As he went, he came to face a banner with the royal Windsor emblem on it. He looked around to make sure noone was there and he lifted it up, revealing a secret tunnel within the walls and crevices of the mansion. He had memorized the paths throughout the years, so he knew which turns to make. He was headed for the Doctor's quarters to return the gauze. Once he snuck out from under the stone slabs lining the walls of the quarters, he sneakily placed the gauze on the doctor's table and now began to head to the Prince's room, where he was supposed to still be cleaning at the moment.
Albion opened his eyes when Carlysle had gone, trying to get his breathing more regular. Normal… I have to act normal… they can't know that I got hurt again. He pulled his shirt back on, but noticed that it still had blood on it. No good… He glanced up at Jasper, not entirely sure what to do. Obviously, if he nonchalantly walked into the palace with a blood soaked shirt, he would raise some suspicion. He hesitated before starting to make his way back towards the garden. He'd taken off his overcoat near the exit when he left originally since it was warm outside, and he figured he could use it to hide the stain. He put the coat back on and sighed softly in relief when it covered the blood. "Um… I should probably head back in." He said quietly. "We've got one of those meeting dinner things later, right?"
Rowena had to do a double take. What did he say? He didn’t say what she thought she said, right? A conscription to all men? All?
Stiffly, a nervous smile broke out at his blessing. She could take what minimal credit she was given, but quickly the smile dropped and she felt something between like rage and incredulousness boiling her blood.
“Your Majesty?” Her voice was shaky and raspy, barely containing her need to shout at him. “Did you say a conscription for all men? Who will reap the wheat that makes our bread? Who will sharpen and mold the materials that make our weapons? Who will govern our towns in this time of war? Surely you don’t mean that literally.”
Edric chuckled " Of course not, if I send out every man, our kingdom would collapse, but I have to inflict a little bit of fear in them if I want to keep them in line. But of course, I won't tell them that, I will simply hope they are smart enough to figure it out themselves" he shrugged light-heartedly, not knowing the irony in his words "Then, when I announce that the conscription is only of a certain number, I will seem like a more merciful ruler" he said smugly, seeming proud of himself. He truly believed this was a good plan. Turning away from her he looked at the head butler, who stood at the entrance of the hall "Fetch me a chalice of wine will you? My wisdom is reason to celebrate!"
Albion opened his eyes when Carlysle had gone, trying to get his breathing more regular. Normal… I have to act normal… they can't know that I got hurt again. He pulled his shirt back on, but noticed that it still had blood on it. No good… He glanced up at Jasper, not entirely sure what to do. Obviously, if he nonchalantly walked into the palace with a blood soaked shirt, he would raise some suspicion. He hesitated before starting to make his way back towards the garden. He'd taken off his overcoat near the exit when he left originally since it was warm outside, and he figured he could use it to hide the stain. He put the coat back on and sighed softly in relief when it covered the blood. "Um… I should probably head back in." He said quietly. "We've got one of those meeting dinner things later, right?"
"I think so…I'm not sure exactly, but I'm sure if you wanted to just not go I could come up with a valid excuse as to why you aren't there, have a servant bring you some food, or I could." she offered, honestly hoping he would take up her offer, she hated seeing him in pain and it would only hurt more as he walked around, if he could be resting in his chambers then they wouldn't have to explain anything to anyone.
"You really should at least rest before then, and get changed." she spoked, feeling as if she were just stating the obvious.
"Mmmm… I have to go to it or they're going to be suspicious." Albion huffed a bit, struggling with the buttons on his coat for a few seconds before he managed to get them on property. "If you insist, I'll change and rest for a while until whatever the event is happens. I don't know. I never pay attention to what these things actually are." He winced as the coat tightened around the wound. After he'd recovered a bit, he headed back into the palace. "I'm sure it will be fine."
she sighed, "yeah I guess your right, they would probably send someone to check on you and report back to them if you didn't go.."
she moved to help him get on his coat, wincing when he winced, hating that he was in pain. "i do insist." she moved to follow after him entering. "i know, and I'm sure your right, but just in case, rest wouldn't hurt."
"Fine. I suppose I'll do that, then." Albion made his way through the halls with Jasper, trying to avoid the guards as much as he could. He was sure that some of them had seen him, but since Jasper was with him, they didn't interact. He spotted one of them hurrying off out of the corner of his eyes, presumably to inform people that he had been found. Eventually, he managed to make it to his room and collapsed on the bed with a soft groan. "Mmmm… m'gonna stay here for a while…" He mumbled.
Carlysle was about to crawl out from under the bed when he heard a thump from above. The prince is in here he thought. This was going to be awkward if he crawled out now… but he did anyways. Getting up from the floor he found himself directly facing the prince who was on the bed.
Jasper moved to select some clothes she thought would be comfortable for him, before moving to lay them on a chair near his bed, when she turned to look she saw the servant from earlier, "what..? where did you come from?"
Albion looked up when Carlysle came out from under the bed, looking very confused. "Hmm…?" He rolled over onto his back and sat up, turning his attention to the servant. "What are you doing in here?" He asked. He didn't seem upset or angry, honestly. Just confused more than anything.
He chuckled lightly, "I am glad that you feel the same." He held her close to him as she spoke softly, he loved to listen to her voice. It soothed his soul and every part of him.
"of course we can, my lady. We can stay here like this for as long as you like." He spoke softly, making sure not to be too loud when speaking.She smiled, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of his heartbeat. He was like a rock; sturdy, something she could lean on. And yet, at the same time, he was in the middle of the violent river that was his family and his status. If they weren’t careful, she would drown in the river, or he would be broken down and beat against by strong, relentless waters. She tried not to squeeze his hand too tightly, instead tracing the crevices in his fingers, the tendons drawn taut beneath pale, smooth skin.
“So soft,” she whispered. “Yet so strong at the same time.” Humming for a moment, unsure of what else to say, she then asked, “What have you been up to?”
He smiled down at her as she traced the lines in his palms, chuckling softly. "Well, thank you for the hand compliment." he spoke softly, moving to set his head on the crook of her neck. "me? oh you know, noble duties and the sort, nothing of much interest, trust me." he just kept smiling softly at her.
Albion looked up when Carlysle came out from under the bed, looking very confused. "Hmm…?" He rolled over onto his back and sat up, turning his attention to the servant. "What are you doing in here?" He asked. He didn't seem upset or angry, honestly. Just confused more than anything.
"Ummm… this was my post before I left to the courtyard…" he paused " I came from there." He didn't elaborate as to how. He didn't really know how he could possibly explain it to the royals that he had found a secret passageway built into the castle. "I apologize, I didn't expect… either of you to be in here"
"Mm… don't worry about it. I don't particularly care at this point." Albion rolled back over to bury his face in his pillow, clearly exhausted. "I dunno when the… event thing is. I'm sure that they'll send someone for me when it's time for me to attend it."
"I was told you would be preparing for it soon, which was why I was assigned your room. I really didn't expect either of you to be here." he slumped his shoulders " I finished everything early though. Either you don't keep many possessions or you're much tidier than yout fa-" he froze clutching his mouth in fear " I apologize your highness, I spoke out of turn, I shouldn't have said that" he stumbled over his words, apologizing quickly. "Please forgive me" he said, breathing sharply, looking down at the foot of the bed rather than at either sibling.
"Hah?" Albion glanced up again. "I don't know. I suppose it's a bit of both. I don't bother leaving things lying around since I'm not in here all that much. Don't worry about making fun of my father. I hate him." He replied simply, resting his arms behind his head and humming softly to himself. "It doesn't surprise me that his room is a mess. He's an incompetent, frivolous, pathetic fool. But I suppose I'm not supposed to talk about that."
Carlysle lifted his face, though he still looked down at the ground with his eyes, Albion in his peripheral vision " I don't think the king is a fool, just a little… lost much of the time" his voice was still shaky from the fear, but he didn't seem afraid anymore " But I suppose I haven't gotten to know him as much as you have, considering you're his son. And his heir." Carlysle stated this matter-of-factly, no offense meant behind his words, but he was definitely entirely ignorant of the King's relationships with his children. He also kind of projected what he wanted in a father onto the king, given his father is a lousy man, who basically forced his whole family into servitude.
She watched as the two interacted and talked, seeing how the servant quivered in fear before Albion spoke, and how they were slowly shaking away the fear.
"honestly we could do away without him as king and this whole kingdom would be none the wiser, and we would have gained something from it." She muttered, Albion would definitely hear it though. She sighed, moving to straighten out the clothes she had set out for Albion.
"I picked out some comfortable dinner event clothes for you when you need to change."
Albion snickered a bit at his sister's comment about their father. "Honestly yeah, that's pretty true." He yawned and closed his eyes again, keeping his arms behind his head as he relaxed. "Our father is pretty lousy. At least mother knows what she's doing. Thank the heavens for that; god only knows what would become of the kingdom without her." He glanced up when Jasper spoke again. "Alright. I'll change into those when the time comes."