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

[Cloudsong]

The queen of Mortifer had a grave look on her face, matching that of the King's. She watched with a distant look in her eyes as the King picked up his fallen daughter, not seeming to be fazed at all by the amount of blood flowing freely from her wound. He did not seem to care that his own clothes were becoming drenched by the thick red liquid. It did surprise her that he seemed to be showing so little emotion, but knew that the man had practically lost his ability to express his feelings. As he departed, taking Giovanna with him, she looks over at ean, who seemed to be very shaken.

It was natural for him to seem shocked - perhaps this might have been his first witness of such a mortal wound. But what made her almost narrow her eyes was that he seemed emotionally touched, as if losing Giovanna would be more about losing her than losing a person. Almost as if he felt something of love for her- something he had next to sworn not to feel, what he neve would feel. A part of the woman wanted to persue the topic, but seeing the grief etched on her son's face, somehow she couldn't bring herself to ask. Instead, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"There's nothing we can do, Ean," she said gently. "Her father is taking her back to Anima, where they will try to save her..." The woman's voice trailed off. Even though she was attempting to make it seem like there was hope, she kne that her son was no fool; he could see the truth. "She gave her life for you, Ean. Just do her justice and never speak illy of her again." She didn't really think he would, but somehow she hoped her words would comfort him. "We may as well go home; there is no longer anything here for us." By saying this, she knew that everything was finalized; even if the princess recovered, the deal was off.

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean stared after the King as he carried his daughter away, seeming uncaring about the fact that his clothes were getting bloodier and bloodier by the second. The sound of the door clicking shut seemed to almost finalize what his mother was saying, what everyone seemed to be saying.

Standing up, realizing with numb shock that he had some of Giovanna's blood on him, but not caring, Ean turned his wide eyes to his mother. "So, what, that's it then?" he spat, seemingly all of a sudden angered, rather than shaken and shocked. His eyes were bright, and had an odd glint to them. Not like the crazy, insane glint they had just seen in Evan's eyes; no, it was something quite different. It was almost desperate, in a way. "You don't even care if she survives, or if she doesn't, do you?" he muttered. As soon as he said it, he knew what his mother would be thinking: Why did he seem to care so much? Ean knew very well the attitude he had kept up this entire time, during this entire ordeal, and that he was very much going against it now. And yet, he was utterly shocked that no one seemed to care that the Princess of Anima could be dead within a few hours, or even minutes, for all they knew.

Stepping away, Ean was unsure what to do. Run after them, and beg them to stay here and treat her? Stay here, and accept the fact that it was over and done? Leave with his mother within a few hours, and go back home, never to know of the outcome? Ask them all to think about things before they made such a rash decision?

Clenching his fists at his sides, he made sure to avoid his mother's gaze. He was backed into a corner now, with no way out. The truth as sinking in, slowly but surely. Giovanna would probably die; he had seem wounds less than that, and men die of them. It had been a blow to kill, that much was obvious. And to think, it could have been him. Should have been him. But she had jumped in front of him, saving him his life. It would probably be her final act, and it had been to save him. The awful truth was sinking in deeper and deeper, and Ean closed his eyes, a muscle jumping in his jaw. All was lost, he knew it now.

[Cloudsong]

The queen watched her son very closely, seeing the look of terror that wx obvious on his features. He seemed distraught - terrified, even, that Giovanna may die. Why, though? He had made it very clear that he cared not for her, what had changed? Silently she lower her gaze, pretending not to notice as he backed into a corner, seeming to be very lost. "Go and get your things, Ean. Don't make this harder than it has to be... The princess will be better off in her city, she her own doctors can treat her."

She approached him, reaching out for his hand. Before she reached it however, she drew away, as if expecting him to jerk away. Her son seemed so far away, and she seemed to understand why. "You love her, don't you Ean?". Her voice was barely a whisper, and she didn't wait for his answer. This was becoming more complicated, and she felt almost as if taking him away would relieve him of hurt in the future. "Get your things. We're leaving at once."

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

Ean stared at his mother now, an almost disgusted look in her eyes. She didn't care at all, he could tell. She simply wanted to go back home, back to his dying father, back to their normal routine, back to their normal home, back to his rude friends, and of course, away from all this chaos. It disgusted him.

When she asked him if he loved Giovanna, he started. He looked away, not bothering himself to answer her. What an obsurd question! Of course he did not love her, how could he? Had he not made it obvious enough that he did not? He was just..concerned. Yes, concerned. That was all. Right?
His thoughts were running wild, now, but Ean continued to tell himself that his mother was being foolish. It was not his fault he actually had some small feelings. He knew, of course, that this entire ordeal had changed him. It ha changed him drastically, and in many more ways than just one. He was still unsure, however, if that was a good thing or not.

When she spoke to him, sternly and forcefully now, telling them they were to depart immidiately, Ean's eyes flashed back to her, his expression dangerous. "I'm not a child, mother," he snapped, and he did not make any indication of moving.

[Cloudsong]

The woman put her fingers to her head, as if trying to indicate a headache. "I grow tired of this game, Ean. You will go and get your stuff now, or the servants will." She narrowed her eyes, as if to be irritated. "And do not back talk me, or you know what will come of that." Her words implied that his title could possibly be taken away. "Nothing good can come of this, Ean. I will be waiting for you in the carriage downstairs." Without another word, she left the room, not even waiting for a response.

(Let us time skip to a few months~ you shall see what my decision was about Giovanna's life/death then xD just make ean either be in Mortifer or anima visiting, and let's make him find out her fate )

[FoldєdPapєrHєarts]

(( All righty. :3 ))

Ean was scowling, the side of his hand gently resting against his forehead, blocking the sunlight from hitting his eyes. Why did it have to be so incredibly sunny in Anima, all of the time? He was already missing the near constant shade of Mortifer, and was wishing he had stayed behind for this little trip.

It wasn't as if he needed to be here, after all. Ean, along with a few servants and soldiers, were here to trade. That was all. Unfortunately, some things that one could only find in Anima were quite important to his city and his family, so it was necessary to trade. After all, many people of Anima craved items from Mortifer as well, so the cities were even there.

Ean noted the awkward and curious stared directed at him; quick, sideways glances, skewed looks out of the corner of eyes. He knew he wood out like a very sore thumb amongst all of the blue eyes and lightly colored hair here; even his clothes stood out. Be he could not care less; he just wanted to get this journey over with, and go back home. He hated being here with a passion.

[Cloudsong]

The rising sun cast a glow over the city that was not only sunshine; it seemed as though the golden light had been gone for months, while in reality it had only been a few weeks of rain.  The people of Anima all agreed when they said that the clouds were expressing their sorrows for their lost princess - they were crying, like most of the people did after they discovered the great loss.  

She had been brought back to the city at a lightning speed after her injury, and the horses that had been whipped and pushed on so hard had been retired after the grueling, extra intense journey.  They had been determined - the coachmen, to return their princess before it was too late, to see if there was possibly a chance for her to recover.  Their intentions were mirrored by everyone that attended to her from there on out.  It had been one of the first times that the king had ever expressed his sorrow; he went about his duties with a permanent frown etched on his face, his features obviously expressing the trouble he was going through.  Not only the loss of one child, it was beginning to look like he would loose them both.  The kingdom was in chaos, wondering who would lead them in the likely case that she would not survive.  It seemed very unlikely, that the princess, with all of her illnesses already, would survive the intense wound.

Plans had been made.  The king himself was expecting to have to marry himself, to ensure that someone would be there to rule after he became too old. But the deals were not set in stone, something he was much criticized for.  Even though he was putting on a tough act, everyone knew that he was hoping for the Impossible - that Giovanna would recover.

It had seemed, for a long time, to be an impossible dream.  The doctors had even pronounced her to be dead after an infection had plagued her.  Everyone was Shocked into silence as rumor spread throughout the city, everyone hoping that the voice if the words had been mistaken.  And then, the rains began.  The water poured like buckets from the usually bright blue sky, castings dark gloom over the city.  Many said it to be a omen sent from God, one that would certainly have their princess dead before the next moonset.

But then one day, when the doctors came in to check on her, they noticed a recovery; she was conscious for r first time in weeks.  When they checked her for fever, they discovered that she had none.  Everyone was very gladdened,  and for the first time in weeks, they all bore a feeling that felt strange to them; hope.  

It was a long, slow recovery, though.  It took her many weeks even then to be able to stand, and they some doctors even expected her to never be able to walk again.  She defied them however, by proving them wrong.  Everyone was amazed, seeing how extraordinarily her condition had evolved.  

The sun coming out for the first time was the first time the princess left the castle.  Even though she was obligated to be accompanied a guard, she didn't mind in the slightest.  It was wonderful to be able to get out, and feel the warm glow on her skin.  Her wound now completely healed, but still her condition fragile, she walked silently next to the guard, a bright smile upon her face.  The people of the city greeted her with bows, and bright, encouraging words of welcome.

"Princess!  The Gods be thanked that you have returned," an old man shouted, a warm smile on his face.  

"Hail our future Queen, her proven strength an omen for the cities bright future under her realm." 

Giovanna  was glad to oblige to their words.  She approached them one by one, thanking them for having faith in her recovery.  She obliged as mothers held out their children, giving them each a hug, kissing some of them on the head.  The light in her bright blue eyes never burned out, and she seemed to be not bothered in the slightest by the never ending swarm of well-wishers that surrounded her endlessly.  In fact, their warm words seemed to strengthen her.

A young woman with a broken arm in a sling approached her, tears of happiness in her eyes.  Giovanna went to her, and before she could reply, the princess had swept her into a hug.  She released her, to see that the woman was smiling brightly, despite her pain.  "My wishes for your recovery," Giovanna said, referring to her injury.  With a last smile, she moved on, accepting the flower a young girl presented to her.  Instead of keeping the blossom however, she leaned down and put it in the girls hair, seeing the glow that came from the girls mother as she patted her hair.  

"Princess, are you not tired?  Perhaps we should return to the castle."  Her guard spoke with the best intentions, and Giovanna knew that he was only speaking with the best intentions at heart.  But she shook her head.

"My people were there for me, I wish to greet anyone that wills to.". Although she was tired, Giovanna would not admit to that; after being inside for so long, all she wanted was to stay out int the bright marketplace.  

And she broke off as she caught sight of the dark-haired man that stood a few feet away, his back turned to her. Even though they were not facing her, she knew in a heartbeat who it was, even without seeing his face.  He was its more men from Mortifer, and the dirty looks her people were giving them confirmed that they were from the enemy city.  Her smile was perhaps brighter than it had been in days as she approached him, seeing the bored look on his face.  His dark eyes had not changed in the slightest, and she realized for the first time how much he had missed him.

"Ean Esbell," she greeted, her voice almost in awe.  "I never would have expected to find you here."  her voice was warm, and obviously she was pleased to see him.  She wasn't aware however, that word of herr recovery perhaps had not reached his city.  Perhaps he didn't even know that she had lived on from the wound.