Arranged Allegiances - 1x1 (Don't delete!)

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna allowed herself a small laugh as she saw the smile vanish rather suddenly from Ean's face. He seemed quite ghostly as he realized what she was insinuating, and she felt pleased to see that she had outwitted him. Serves him right. Ean was the one who had started the game anyway, by putting her on the spot and asking if she was enjoying his company. He had only asked for her to retaliate. As the queen seemed quite bemused, she gave her an angelic smile, enjoying the look on Ean's face as he stared at the queen. Of course the woman was surprised that it was going so well. I hope that father can tell I am only acting. Please; did he really think that she would ever fall in love with this arrogant man? The mystified look on Ean's face disappeared too quickly, and soon he was smiling that signature smile of his, and she was as well. Would it always be like this - acting, and pretending to enjoy each other's company? If it was decided that they were to wed, perhaps suicide could even be the better option. But let's hope it doesn't come to that. Taking her life because of this buffoon wasn't her ideal.

As the prince suggested that they go and take a walk, Giovanna bit her lip, tempted to tell him that she had not in fact finished eating. But then she realized that it could be a perfect opportunity to actually hear what Ean would say without his mother present. Would he be even worse, without the false smile? She silently took a deliberately slow sip of her water, eyes trained on him, as if challenging him. Then she finally put the glass down, and nodded. "What a wonderful idea," she said, her voice a pitch higher than it usually was as she tried to hide the distrust in her voice.

Without waiting for him to pull out her chair, she stood up, and curtsied to the Queen and her father. She wasn't going to allow Ean take her arm this time, however. If he dared, she would shake it off as soon as they were out of view.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean stood, following suit. He hurriedly made a bow in the direction of his mother and the King, the smile still on his face, although it was only half-hearted and didn't reach his eyes whatsoever. His eyes were hard and slightly narrowed as he approached the Princess. He had noted the tone to her voice when she'd spoken, and he didn't like it one bit.

When his back was to the Queen and King, his smile vanished and his expression was dark as he looked at Giovanna. He took her arm, a little more roughly than he normally would, and looped it in his. He began to walk towards the door alongside her, doing his best to remain calm. The moment they had exited through the doors and they'd been closed behind them, he let her arm fall. Without a word, he turned right sharply and began to walk down yet another long hallway that was filled with many windows on either side. He spoke not a word to the Princess as he walked, and his mind was buzzing.

Now would be the time to drop the act that they were both performing so well in front of their parents, to see where each of them stood with one another. He had assumed, arrogantly of course, that it would be easy to deal with this marriage situation. However, with what she had just said in her head, Ean had been completely thrown off.

Pushing open the large wooden doors, the slightly warm air hit Ean directly in the face. He walked out, his shoes hitting the gravel first, and then grass. There, he waited for the Princess, his back still to her. His jaw was set, and his expression was still cold.

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna flinched slightly as he roughly took her arm, and her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly as she turned her back to the king and queen, following Ean as he half-dragged her from the room. As soon as the door had closed behind them, she pulled her arm away from him, seeing how instantly he had disentangled himself from her. For some unknown reason, she felt almost hurt that he seemed so disgusted to touch her. However, when she caught sight of the dark, brooding expression on his face, the hurt evaporated, to be replaced by a flick of annoyance. She noted how quickly he walked away from her, and she suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as she followed him at a more leisurely pace. With any luck, he would leave her behind and she could go about to explore the castle on her own. After all, she was sure that that was what both of them would prefer.

But then he stopped right as he opened the door to the outdoors, and Giovanna inwardly sighed as she saw that he was indeed waiting for her. She loved the sensation of the slightly warm breeze against her face, and she closed her eyes for a split second, enjoying it. Then, all too soon, she realized that she would need to break the silence; to speak to him without the aura of pretend. Now she would see how he really was. Silently she stepped forward so that she was next to him, and glanced over at him, waiting for him to say the first words.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean watched as she boldly stood next to him, peering up at him. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and his lip curled slightly. He refused to face her completely, and simply spoke while still looking straight ahead. "Well, now. The little Princess of Anima, all dressed up. You're a pretty little thing, aren't you." Finally, he turned and faced her. His eyes were narrowed into slits, and you could only just see his black pupils between them. It was obvious he was mocking her, although his words were true, this time. Ean knew he'd never admit to that, though.

"I honeslty do not understand why on earth anyone could be dumb enough to say what you just said in there, about speeding along the marriage. Your poor parents must be ashamed of how unintelligent their offspring is. I would also very much hope you have no siblings, so as to not plague the world with more foolishness." Ean spat the words out harshly, his tone icy. "And I pray Anima is ready for destruction and to be torn down, with a future Queen such as yourself." He paused for a moment, knowing his words were quite unecessarily harsh, but not caring, either.

"However, I will let you know this now, so as to make sure you don't make the same idiotic mistake twice; I will not be marrying you. Ever. I highly doubt you want to marry me either, although I have no clue why anyone wouldn't want to marry me." Ean smirked before continuing. "But I want to make sure this is quite clear, Miss Nightingale; if you ever say you want to 'speed up' this marriage, or anything of the sort, again, you will regret it. I have absolutely no inclination as to why you would say something like that, because you know very well that our parents could make that happen with a snap of their fingers." Ean realized, then, that he had been leaning into her, his anger getting the better of him. He took a small step back, waiting for her reaction.

( Sorry for taking a while. </3 I was eating. )

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna listened to him in silence. When he turned to face her, she was taken slightly aback by the look of pure hatred in his dark eyes. She didn't try to speak, seeing that he hadn't yet finished with her. Besides, judging by how worked up he was, she didn't expect that anything she could say would have any effect on him. Instead she just stood her ground, glaring back at him evenly as he narrowed his eyes, leaning in slightly. His words had little effect on her; did he think that she would burst down crying because he mockingly insulted her appearance? I don't think so, she thought darkly, her narrowed eyes never leaving his.

But when he rattled on, bringing up the subject of her family, her guard dropped instantly. Her eyes flashed with pain, and her narrowed eyes widened. The scowl that was previously on her face disappeared, and her blue eyes reflected obvious hurt. As he leaned in towards her, continuing on with his mean words, she quickly looked down, uncaring of what he may taunt her about for it. She couldn't help it; the reminder of her brother having died so recently, and the taunting about how her parents were ashamed were practically fueling tears that were threatening to spill. How dare he bring that up? Was he not aware of what had happened only a week ago with her brother, or was he just a heartless man with no morals? She bit her tongue sharply, tasting the sharp tangy drops of blood that sprung up. Giovanna refused to cry in front of him; it would only make her seem weak. But no matter how hard she clenched her teeth together, tears begun to pool in her eyes, and she squeezed them shut, desperately trying to stop.

As he brought up his arrogant tone again, remarking that it was probably just her luck that she had been paired up with him, she forced herself to swallow her tears, and looked up into his fathomless eyes again. She didn't care that a single tear had escaped, and that it was slowly streaking down her cheek. Neither would he, and she wasn't about to tell him what had hurt her. Her eyes reflected anger, and deep sorrow. All of those emotions she had been biting back since she got there.

"Of course I don't want to marry you, you filthy bastard." Her tone was full of such emotion, and she seemed to almost be trembling - either with anger or sorrow. "You are the most despicable person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Maybe in your own eyes you see yourself as a mighty leader, but I can assure you that when you do take the throne of Mortifer, all of your people will see you for what you really are: a selfish, bitter person." Her eyes were like daggers as she glared at him, and she felt thankful that her tears had stopped. In an afterthought, she added; "I had always heard that your people were horrid, but you have fulfilled my expectations beyond my wildest dreams."

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

As he had been speaking, Ean watched in only slight surprise as the Princess' eyes filled immidiately with such pain when he brought up her family. The hurt and pain that flashed across her face was shocking, if he was being truthful. He was only insulting her, after all. Yes, it was mean, but nothing to get truly upset and offended over. He watched as she dropped her head, refusing to meet his gaze. Was it cowardice, or...something else? Perhaps he'd struck a nerve, somewhere. Well, good, he thought, despite the small feeling in the back of his head that made him feel bad about her reaction, and what he'd said. She was foolish to say something like that in the first place... But, is she actually crying? He frowned slightly, trying to gauge her expression, but her face was hidden.

Suddenly, she looked up, and Ean was taken aback. She was crying. He knew he'd been harsh, and it hasn't been entirely necessary, some of the things he'd said, but something he had said must have hurt her in a way he hadn't exactly intended. Or had he? He watched the tear slide down her lightly colored cheek and his mouth opened a bit in surprise. He could see tears pooling in her deep blue eyes, too, and was yet again shocked at how he felt at this; almost guilty. He hadn't intended to make her cry. He wasn't good with that type of thing.

As she spoke, his eyes grew more and more wide, his mouth still opened. What she said shocked him. So, the people of Anima thought of their citizens as horrid? Well, he wasn't exactly surprised at that. They could be rather rude at times. But Ean knew he would rather be rude and arrogant rather than cheerful and foolish. Her words were harsh, but he'd heard far worse. Well, maybe. He watched as she stood before him, speaking as many hateful words as she could manage, and almost shaking.

When she had finished, he took a small step closer to her, his eyes narrowed once more, and his guilt vanishing. "You may call me selfish and bitter, but you know not one thing about me. I will be a mighty leader, unlike you. Although, come to think of it, I don't know how anyone couldn't be a good leader, if you're ruling over Anima. Your people are content with the most pitiful of things, any fool could be considered a good leader to them. And good, I'm glad you don't want to marry me. That will make this whole thing a lot easier. As long as you don't mess it up, that is." He added the last as an afterthought, as if he wasn't sure whether or not she would be able to accomplish this.

Ean smirked at her, then, and reached up and put a finger under her chin, a mocking gesture that could have been considered romantic and adoring under normal circumstances. He knew it would ignite a fire of anger within her. "It's a shame, really. All that beauty, and you had to be from Anima. If you'd been born in my city, things might just have been different. But just maybe; I don't know if I would have been able to get past your foolishness, or your sour attitude."

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna felt slight triumph as she saw that her words were at least having some effect on him. He seemed rather taken aback, and she wondered for a moment if he had expected her to just say silent. He probably thinks I'm a coward. Or worse yet, that I'm a woman, so I shouldn't dare speak back to him. But his wide eyes only lasted a few moments, and soon he was back to that arrogant expression, and was again insulting her. She was once again feeling angry, and she hoped that he wouldn't again mention her family. Any other insults she could take without them effecting her. She hoped desperately that he hadn't figured out her weakness, and that he wouldn't use it against her. Jibes about her kingdom she could take within a stride, and she raised her head slightly, an uncaring look on her face. He was only bitter; bitter that he had grown up in such a fowl city, and that he was to live there his whole life. But bitterness was all he had ever known, so she didn't find it surprising that he seemed surprisingly proud of his nationality.

As he took a step closer to her, she stood her ground, forcing herself not to break eye-contact with him. She knew nothing about him? Well, that was true. But the same could be said about herself. He obviously didn't know that she hadn't always been the one expecting to take over the kingdom. She half-wished that she could tell him this, but instead she just stayed silent, allowing him to finish.

But when he reached over and put a finger underneath her chin, Giovanna roughly pulled away, her eyes like daggers as she stared at him. So he was suggesting with his words that the things he valued in a woman was beauty, obedience, and their nationality. What shallow notions, she thought angrily. "Perhaps," she said quietly. "But where I'm from, love is unconditional, and beauty has nothing to do with how we feel." She turned away, as if not wanting to look at him any longer. "Nor does our rank. We value individuals by their actions, and their souls. It must be different in Mortifer." She glanced at him from over her shoulder, her eyes unforgiving. "You suggest that so many women are in love with you? Well they must only value status, because that's all I see that you have going for yourself."

Without another word, she walked off, her steps approaching the cliff that led downwards to the beach. She knew that he would have to follow; if his mother found out that he had not obeyed orders to stay with her, she would be angry. Oh, please just go back up to the castle, she willed desperately, not turning around to see if he was indeed following. All she wanted to do now was be rid of him, and no matter how angry the rulers would get, she was determined to do so.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean had the urge to grab Giovanna's wrist and shake her when she pulled away from his touch, but he knew that that wasn't the proper thing to do. No man should ever hurt a woman...no matter how much she irritated him, as the Princess was doing to him. What she said got him thinking for a few moments. If he really thought about it, what she said was true for some of the citizens of Mortifer; many would rather marry for beauty and rank rather than love. However, not all were like that. Surprisingly, he didn't think his parents had done that. They'd married because they'd truly loved one another. Hadn't they?

He'd always dreamt of marrying someone for love, but he knew that that probably wouldn't happen. He'd have to marry for power, or beauty. Or, as his parents were trying to do now, marry him off to create peace. Well, he was not going to have that.

As she stalked off towards the beach, Ean made a face and sighed. He thoroughly would have enjoyed going back into the castle and going to his room and not coming out for a long, long time. But that wouldn't do; his mother would be very angry at the fact that he hadn't stayed with the Princess. So, hating every part of what he was doing, he began to follow her. Slowly, though, taking as much time as he possibly could. Why did she have to be so irritating?

When he had caught up to her, he grabbed her arm, but lightly, only as a gesture to halt her. He let go quickly and hurried up so he was blocking her path. "I don't know what I said that upset you so, but you need to just get past it. I don't care what you think or say about me, but I want you to know this; I will not have you insulting the people of my city and where I am from. No, not everyone marries simply for rank or for beauty, I am sure of that. As sure as I am that a few people in Anima probably do that; it is in human nature to want power or beauty in the person you want to marry. However, not everyone does that. As you say,people in Anima marry for love and love only. Well, people in Mortifer do the same. Yes, many don't, but quite a few do." He spoke these words calmly and smoothly.

With that, he reached into his pants pocket and produced the ring he'd looked at earlier. "You see this? This is the ring my father gave to my mother when he asked for her hand in marriage." Frowning, he turned it between his fingers idly. "If anything could prove to you that true love exists in my city, this should. They, I truly believe, married for love, and not for anything more than that. You may not believe a word I tell you, and I might not believe a word you will ever utter, but I will not have you saying such things about my city." Towards the end his eyes narrowed once more. "I will never let my people be talked about as such. Especially by someone who knows nothing of them." He pocketed the ring and frowned down at her.

Ean realized, then, with a slight pang, that he was a hypocrite. He had just done what he was criticizing the Princess for. He swallowed, hoping she wouldn't realize that.

[Cloudsong]

Giovanna looked down, surprised, as he grasped her arm - much gentler than before - and she didn't pull away. Silently she bit her lip, watching as he halted in front of her, blocking her path. He brought out a ring from his pocket, and told her of his parents. Perhaps they had married for love; she wasn't going to deny that, since she didn't know anything about them. As she listened to him speak of her city, she realized with a jolt that they did share one common interest; both were fiercely protective of their city. Maybe... if we both let go of our pride, we could be friends. The thought came to her as she saw how fondly he spoke of his parents. But then he frowned, and she realized that this would be impossible; a friendship could not be one-sided, and he had already said that she was stupid and foolish.

But instead of replying with a fierce retort, or protesting against his words, she just nodded. "Fine," she said clearly, tilting her head slightly as she watched him, as if interested in what he was doing. "I don't pretend to know anything at all about your city." She had never been there; all she had against them she had based on the few people she had met from there. Her face betrayed determination though, as she said; "But I in turn ask you to do the same. You know not about how my people are; you call them foolish and stupid, and that is not the case." She raised herself slightly, and blinked. "Take your own advice."

The ocean ahead seemed almost to be calling her, and so uncaring of what Ean would say, she leaned down and quietly unbuckled her high-heeled shoes. Once they were off, and her slim feet were visible, she left them there in the sand, walking off again towards the shoreline. The queen would probably have a fit if she saw how she was walking barefoot, but she didn't really suspect that Ean would tell her. Even if he did, perhaps it would be best; she might call off the wedding. The sand in between her toes felt lovely, and she smiled slightly as the ground became cooler and damp; the beach.

Giovanna had never before been to the beach. The only time she had ever gone swimming was when she was five, and her brother had taken her to the river by the castle. Even then, she had barely dared to enter the cool water. As she looked around at the magical landscape, her eyes lit up for the first time since she had gotten there. It was so beautiful. Maybe it wasn't so bad, being here. Even if Ean was there, and he was forced to follow her. Maybe this won't be so bad. As a gentle wave washed up onto her feet, she smiled, still stepping forward. The hem of her dress became slightly wet with the salty water, but she didn't seem to notice - or care.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean couldn't help but appreciate the fact that she was at least attempting to be civil towards him now; or,at least, she hadn't shouted this time. He realized he probably had deserved it the last time, considering all of the things he had said about her and her city, her family and her actions. He still wished he knew what exactly he had said that had made her cry and become so overpoweringly upset all of a sudden, but for now he pushed it to the back of his mind, and would come back to that later.

He knew he couldn't help being arrogant, as she had said, though. That was just who he was. And, besides the point, why did it matter what she thought of him? After all, they would not be getting married, they both detested the idea so much that Ean knew that they would not rest, or at least it was true for him, until the marriage was called off. So why on earth should he care what she thought of him?
He didn't...right?

"Yes, well, I admit I was in the wrong there. But really now, telling your father and my mother to speed along this marriage- the marriage, I might add, that neither of us wants in the first place. That was a terrible move on your part, you must admit." He scowled slightly, but then took a breath and it vanished. He would admit himself that it had been wrong to critisize her city, and he would take her word for what it was like. He had met a fair number of people from Anima, and they had all seemed rather similar, but seeing as she felt so vehemently about it, he would hold his tongue; something he had already grown accostomed to since leaving that morning for the journey.

He watched as she took of her shoes, and couldn't help but have his eyes widen at this. That was so unlady-like! If his mother or sisters were here, they would be frowning upon her behavior, especially as she stepped into the water, getting the bottom hem of her dress wet. He continued to say nothing, however. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pants and stood in the sand awkwardly, watching her. "What on earth are you doing, Princess? You don't seem to care that you are getting soaking wet..." he couldn't help but ask the question; after all, he'd been around girls all his life, but had never seen one act like this before.