The Queen and her Court.

[Raff_sapphire6]

When you're uncertain or worried, I'll be there for you...

Lucas was greeted by Shannon the maid. He nodded to her and sighed. "Of course no one knows where she is. Today is her coronation. Somehow I'm not surprised." Lucas sat on the armrest of a chair, thinking about where Everlin was. He nodded towards Vanille when she entered, knowing she is shy he rarely speaks to her. He also waved towards Calista acknowledging her presence. The one person Lucas had failed to greet was Noah.

The man was cold. Lucas knew everyone found Noah cold but no one seemed to hate him like Lucas. Lucas was probably less blind to Noah simply because he was a Prince. Lucas's own brother had tried to kill him and his Father only a few years ago. Lucas hadn't seen it in time and ended up killing his only sibling and younger brother. It had been a hard time for Lucas and although everyone knew he refused to speak of it.

He approached Noah and smiled. "Noah, pleasure as always. You must be so...glad your sister is finally having her coronation today. She will now officially be Queen, such a shame about the marriage thing though." He had interrupted the conversation between Noah and Shannon. The poor maid should't have to deal with Noah. "I myself look forward to it. As you well know one day I too will be King of a Kingdom, maybe not this one but my own for sure. No one else can lay claim to my throne, considering my brother is dead. It's quite odd isn't it how you magically appeared the same year my brother tried to overthrow my father. Of course it was just a coincidence." Said Lucas laughing at his joke.

His eyes had turned cold. And the main reason Lucas hated Noah was because he had a very strong feeling Noah had been involved in his brother's death. Of course when Lucas had done an investigation he couldn't find a single ounce of proof. If Noah had been involved which by now all but consumed Lucas and he believed it to be the truth, Noah had covered his tracks. "Have fun at the coronation. I look forward to seeing you there." Said Lucas with a cold smile and then he left heading towards Everlin's private bedchamber.

{OOC: }

You must believe in yourself, follow your path without fear.

 

[Raff_sapphire6]

When you're uncertain or worried, I'll be there for you...

Lucas heard the snide comment made by Noah;but choose to ignore it. What had he done, he had revealed he knew Noah's intentions! Why hadn't Lucas controlled himself. He and Noah were playing a dangerous game, and it was clear only one of them would survive it. After all what was the saying, "When seeking revenge dig two graves." Said Lucas quietly. Lucas's hands had formed fists and all he wanted to do was smash something. Lucas closed his eyes and breathed, he felt his heartbeat slow down, his fists relaxed, and his shoulders slouched.

He then sat down on a chair in the other room. Something needed to be done about Noah. But what? No one thought Noah was a threat, everyone believed him to be an angel, Everlin would never believe him, and outright attacking Noah or using assassin's would most likely come back to Lucas and he would be banished from the kingdom. Killing Lucas would upset his people, and Dalfin would not hesitate to go to war over their Crown Prince. But there had to be something. Lucas didn't have any say in Parliament in the Kingdom of White. He was a foreign ambassador, and therefore unable to interfere officially with Parliament.

Lucas was lost in his thoughts when Shannon brought him in some tea. "Thank you." Lucas took the tea from Shannon and sipped it. He could ask Shannon how she felt about Noah; but there was no point. Shannon had as much power as him, absolutely none. He needed counsel. But how could he possibly explain that Noah had convinced Lucas's younger brother, Gerard, to kill King Shalin and Lucas. No one would believe Lucas. Lucas set down his tea cup on the saucer and starred into the dark murky liquid. Lucas suddenly had a flashback.

He and his father were playing chess in King Shalin's private study, the guard bell rings, and people are running through the halls, screaming, "FIRE! FIRE!" Guards pour in and King Shalin and Lucas are told to go through a secret passage that leads out into the garden. Lucas speaks, "Where's Gerard and mother? Are they safe?" "Gerard and the Queen are being searched for, once they are found they will be taken out of the castle. But the fire is spreading quickly, it started in the East Wing and is heading West." Says on of the Guards. "We have to get you two out!" They must evacuate. King Shalin directs himself and Lucas through the passage. Lucas refuses, "What about Gerard and Mom. I'm not going without them!" Lucas runs off and King Shalin screams, "Wait, son. Come back!"

The guards speak up, "We'll get him Your Majesty. But you must go. We have to get you to safety." With a heavy heart King Shalin escapes through the secret passage. Lucas is running through the rooms, Gerard's room is in the East Wing. He has to find Gerard. People are running through the hallways, it is pure choas. Eric hears the fire first, roaring like an angry billowing dragon. He then sees the smoke, he covers his mouth with his sleeve, and runs through the smoke. He finds a servant lying on the ground, smoking filling her lungs. Lucas helps her up and tells her to run. She staggeringly runs off. Lucas goes farther and farther into the pitch black smoked hallways. The smoke becomes black now and the heat had made him sweat through his clothes.

Lucas finally reaches Gerard's room only to find the doors are being licked with flames. His eyes are already tearing from the smoke; but he fears the worst. He is suddenly grabbed by the arm, a guard. "Your Highness, come on the flames are nearly upon us. We have to get out!" Lucas nods and the two head out of the castle. Lucas and the guard finally get away from the smoke and they are breathing in fresh oxygen with relief. The guard and him head to the secret passage, it is the quickest way out and the only place not filled with smoke and fire yet. They make to the passage and head down it with speed.

Lucas and the guard make it to the end and when they emerge in the Garden coughing and panting swords are drawn on them. The guard and Lucas lift up their hands to see Gerard holding a sword over King Shalin's head.The Queen is there standing in the back with two guards holding her with swords drawn. "Gerard what are you doing?" Asks Lucas, "Isn't it obvious dear brother? I'm taking my rightful place on the throne." Gerard smiles wickedly then. "I don't understand. Why Gerard?" Asks Lucas confused and shocked.

"Oh, don't play coy with me. Because I am the King's youngest son, Prince Eric's brother! No one remembers me and no one cares! Why! Because I'm not going to be King because I'm not as handsome or brave as you. Because I'm not as smart as you! That's why!" Said Gerard, his eyes only held resentment and hate and he was shouting to be heard. "I...I never knew...." "That's right, you never knew because all you cared about brother was yourself! When was the last time you asked me how I was doing or what problems I was having. IT'S Always about you! Well not any more!" Gerard was cackling now.

The Queen and King Shalin were crying now. "Let mom go Gerard." Said Lucas. "Get them all on their knees! Now!" Said Gerard. "You were always mommy and daddy's favorite Lucas. So, I think instead of letting them go. I'm going to kill them first and make you watch. How about that!" Said Gerard with an evil grin. Lucas was forced onto his knees as were King Shalin and the Queen. King Shalin spoke now, "Please Gerard, she's your mother." Gerard smacked King Shalin across the face, "Shut up old man. You will speak when spoken to!" Gerard then went over to the Queen. Lucas watched in horror as the Queen looked up at him and then Gerard. "I love you both so much." Gerard huffed, "Shut up you lying whore! Don't make this any harder then this is!" The guards held her head down then, and Gerard lifted his blade high above his head. The sword glinted against the sun and then he brought it straight down upon the Queen's head.

The Queen's head rolled off onto the grass as blood gushed from her neck. Her eyes still open and a smile upon her face, a single tear steamed down her left eye. King Shalin reacted now, he struggled against his captives. He tried to fight and Gerard whacked him across the head. King Shalin stopped moving then, unconscious from the blow. Lucas was motionless still starring at the now headless Queen, his mother. Gerard approached Lucas now, "How's it feel. The b***h is dead. Such a shame though, if only she hadn't given birth to me, she would still be alive." Gerard smiled at that, and wiped his sword clean against his cloak.

"I was going to kill you last Lucas, but I'm tired of seeing your ugly face. Hold him down." Lucas snapped out of it then, he looked around to see ten guards in total. Four were holding him and King Shalin down. Two were now removing the Queen's body away. Two more were holding down the guard that had come with Lucas. And the last two had their swords out and were near the King. Including Gerard that made eleven enemies, and only two other comrades. The King was unconscious, so make it one. His weapon had been confiscated and so had the other guards, the swords were lying on the grass just a few feet ahead. But Lucas still had a dagger in his boot.

He could reach it if he tried; but he needed the perfect timing. The guards held his head down and Gerard lifted his sword. Now, thought Lucas. He wrenched the two guards arms that were holding him down. With his right hand grabbed the dagger out from his boot, he then reflected Gerard's blade as it came down. He kicked the guard on his left side while blocking Gerard's blade. He spun around releasing Gerard and his sword, Lucas drove his dagger into the guard on the right. He then ran to where the swords were and chucked one to his alley. He picked up the his sword and deflected Gerard's blade as it came down upon him yet again. "You won't win Lucas. Just give up." "You killed her! You monster!"

Lucas threw his weight against his sword and Gerard was forced to step back and unlock blades with Lucas. Lucas then whirled over to where his father was while his alley kept Gerard busy. The alley had already killed the two guards that were holding him down. The two guards that had been dragging the Queen's body away were gone and that only left four more guards. Lucas was attacked head on, he blocked, parried, and slit one's neck. He was attacked from the left the next time, he blocked, counter attacked, and slashed across the mid-section. Lucas then threw his dagger square into the approaching guard's heart. Lastly he thrust straight out with his sword and jammed his sword into the last guard's gut. Lucas turned around to see Gerard slash Lucas's alley's throat. The guard fell to the ground dead.

Lucas looked around, it was only him and Gerard left. "You don't have to do this Gerard. Give up your sword and I'll make sure Father doesn't kill you." "As if brother, I'd rather die!" Gerard came at Lucas head on. Lucas dropped his sword, he dodged Gerard's attack and grabbed Gerard by the sword arm. He wrenched Gerard's arm, making Gerard drop the sword. Lucas then kneed Gerard in the gut. Lucas grabbed Gerard's sword from the ground and jammed into Gerard's heart. Gerad's eyes were the last thing Lucas saw, he saw the light go out. He saw the sadness in his brother's face, he felt the guilt sink down into his heart. Lucas blinked, he was starring at dark brown tea. He blinked rapidly to stop the tears from coming. He took another sip and looked out the window. Sometimes Lucas felt very alone.

{OOC: Sorry it's so long, I just wanted to let everyone know the back story sweatdrop .}

You must believe in yourself, follow your path without fear.

 

[Raff_sapphire6]

When you're uncertain or worried, I'll be there for you...

Lucas was shocked at first and then the pain caught up to him as he was slapped. "Ow, that hurt." He said rubbing his cheek. For a Queen she had quite the backstroke. "And for your information I remember you once spent five hours getting ready for Lancelot. All I heard about for weeks was how handsome he was, how great he was, this and that. You acted like such a girl then." Said Lucas pointedly reminding Everlin. Of course Lucas remembered because half the Girl's at court had gone crazy over the man. He was quite glad the man had died, too bad he had to save a kingdom while dying though.

Everyone still worshiped the snob. Lucas was acting exactly like he was five. He tended to get that way when he was finally relaxing and having a good time. "Where's Barbosa? I've never heard of that city. Oh wait, is that the one famous for it's wine." Lucas was now thinking very hard about the cities he did know and wine. He fancied a rich earthy blend. He wasn't a fan of sweet so he preferred the more robust tasting wines. Lucas was awful at directions, so much so that he never ever went anywhere in the city without someone. Lucas had once been lost for three days all because he had tried to find the rare books store.

It was the same situation at home for him. Lucas looked back at the young man and then at Everlin. "He's a suitor. Quite handsome isn't he. He's suave, clearly charming, you should definitely marry him. Of course, then that means I will actually have to find a bride...." And then Lucas stopped talking, he always joked about Everlin's suitors now. it was his way of showing he didn't care; but secretly he cared very much.

"The treaty! The treaty!" Lucas looked at Everlin. "The treaty between our two kingdoms they have to be renewed. I have to send them to my father. Please tell me you signed it? If you did I have to dash back to Parliament and sign it, and then send it with a messenger, post haste!" Lucas ran out of the door came running back in out of breath. He held up his pointer finger, while his hands rested on his knees. "Before I forget...a gift, for you becoming Queen. Don't be nervous okay, you'll be a great Queen." Said Lucas, he handed her the yellow rose brooch, kissed her on the cheek, and ran out the door. He needed to sign that treaty.

He stopped at the door and smiled at the young man. "Name's Lucas, pleasure to meet you. Sorry I'm being so abrupt. I always forget such important things in the castle. We should hang out later, suitor to suitor. Or just as friends. Seriously, though I don't have many guys friends in this city. It'd be nice to have a friend I could actually spar with. Bye." Said Lucas, he wasn't at all upset about Axel's remark to him. In fact he found the guy was very laid back and seemed cool. Lucas wished he looked half as cool as Axel. Then, maybe Everlin would notice him. Lucas ran off then. Lucas was a tad jealous of Axel's smooth words and cool attitude. But he would never be mean to the man, years of being a Prince and attending court had taught him how to act polite at all times and never let your enemies know your true intentions. Not that he considered Axel an enemy; but Axel was clearly a threat to him.

How could Lucas have forgotten something so important. He normally never forgot such things. Well truth be told Lucas forgot a lot when he was around Everlin. He always became so flustered and nervous he would forget many things. Lucas hoped Everlin hadn't gotten upset he kissed her. He just hadn't wanted to be rude and comfort her. But of course he knew if she was upset he would feel the wrath of her fan. She never held back with that thing, it was like a whip.

It had been two weeks since he had last been smacked, but still he never forgot such things as her having a weapon on her at all times; a lethal weapon. He normally never dodged either, he could. But most of the time he deserved it. Besides she wasn't the only girl who smacked him when she was angry. His mother had done the same thing, Lucas was still running down the halls and avoiding the guards and servants. But a smile appeared on his face, perhaps today would be a good day. So he had relived an awful memory, at least he had given his gift to Everlin.

Just not the way he had expected though. Lucas internally sighed at the thought. He needed to learn to be more smooth like that new suitor. He was always so...flustered with Everlin. She must find him so awkward and weird. And why was he so self conscious with her! Lucas swore silently to himself, he was such a girl when it came to Everlin.

{OOC: I always write so much! sweatdrop }

You must believe in yourself, follow your path without fear.