French Fantasy 1x1 Anna and Echo

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias closed his eyes for a moment once they had left, relieved that they had gotten through this but tired of having to defend Lucien all of the time. Couldn't they just accept that he would be staying here now? "It's a work day, I'm afraid. I want to overlook every problem and issue and make sure everything is resolved. I don't want there to be any complications with anything. And I need to speak with Delphine..." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We also need to talk, in private. We can do that now if you are willing."

"No. It's between you and her." She didn't look at him as they walked. "It seems to be that you are paying someone to go out with her. Everyone is talking about it, and she is upset. She doesn't need you to do that for her, Gale. She is perfectly capable of finding a man herself in her own time. Now she is humiliated."

[AnnaCat17]

Lucien nodded. "Im free. I was just going to go talk to the people today but speaking most are probably nursing hangovers that probably wont be until this afternoon." He walked over and sat in the chair beside Callias. he gently took his hand and kissed his knuckles, looking at him worriedly "What is on your mind?" He asked in a low voice.

Gale sighed. "She wasn't supposed to find out. I forgot how much the indoor staff gossip." he bit his lip, worried about how this would affect his relationship with Ilaria. "Look, im just worried about her. I really ike you and it is making me realize that one day I'm going to leave and start a new family and I don't want her to be alone when that happens. She doesn't make any attempts to flirt or catch the interest of anyone and if today has taught me anything everyone here thinks she is to serious to be even considered as wife material. She intimidates everyone. I love how strong she is but I am worried about her. I just figured if she went out on a failed date it would make her want to do better since she hates to fail at anything. Ashr agreed to go out with ehr tonight and so when he is... you know... Ashr and not showing any interest in her then maybe she will get the message. Im trying to help her.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias tried to feel reassured that no one would overhear them. He looked down at their linked hands before lifted his gaze to look at him. "I'm not comfortable with having this conversation at all, but I need to be able to plan for the future. I'm going to be forward with it, because I don't know how else to say it, and I don't want this to go around in circles. I have to think about future heirs, and I needed to find a solution in order to reassure myself and the others. I don't want to have children with anyone but you, and I know between us it isn't possible. I want to know if you have ever considered having children and if...you have heard of any way it would be possible...with you and I..." He couldn't hold his gaze and had to look back down at their hands.

"I figured that." She leaned over and softly kissed between his brows. "I think you two need to talk about it, because she's hurt. Maybe she's interested in someone. But I hate to see her upset."

[AnnaCat17]

Lucien pursed his lips, keeping his focus on their hands as he ran his thumb over the back of his hand. He didnt say anything for a long time as he tried to think of a solution to their problem. "I dont know of any way for us to have a child that is truly ours. I will admit that I have always wanted to be a father but I have never put much thought into the mater because I had to accept very early on that I would always be alone." He forced himself to look up at Callias' face as fear crept into him. If he didnt come up with an answer would he leave him? "I dont know how particular you are with the blood line and how it would be accepted but the orphanage is always receiving babies. I know that is probably not an answer you or your people would accept but it is all I have. I cant help that I am not a girl and if that alone is enough to pull us apart then I wont hold it against you. I know that there are certain duties you must fulfill."

Gale shrugged but didnt dismiss her suggestion. "I doubt she is. She doesn't even have friends, let alone someone she is interested in."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias softly kissed his cheek, able to meet his gaze again. "I figured it wouldn't be possible. And adopting wouldn't be a solution or an option." He wrapped his arms around Lucien, gently resting his head on his chest. "I wish things were different. But the only solution I can think of is of Delphine. But then if I have children with her, I should be marrying her. And I don't want that. I want to be with you."

"Well, she won't talk about it with me, so you need to." She glanced over her shoulder at Nadia and the mark on her cheek. "Now, what is the audience with the king for?"

[AnnaCat17]

Lucien squeezed his eyes shut. He didnt want to deal with this. He wanted to run away amd forget about this. He knew that at the end of the day he had no say in what happened but the thought of Callias sleeping with someone else made him sick. "So is this it then?" He asked as he forced his eyes back open and let go of Callias, forcing space between them. "Are we done and you pick Delphine?"

Gale sighed as he looked at Nadia's cheek as well. "Delphine's parents were beating her because the king supposedly broke up with her. It was in the newspaper."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

He shook his head. "No. I need to come up with an option that isn't Delphine. What if...I get someone who is willing to have a child with me and then remain out of its and our life and remain anonymous..." Could he really pay someone to give up their child? It seemed like a better option than giving up on Lucien. Still, he felt sick by his suggestion. "I want to be with you. I need to find a way for this to work."

Ilaria stiffened. "Alright. I'll make sure he finds a solution for it."

[AnnaCat17]

Lucien pushes back from the table. Now he really did feel sick. Hos hands gripped the arm rests of the chair sightly as he sucked in a few shaky breaths. When he at last spoke he could do nothing to hide anger in his voice. "Perhaps it would be best if i took the job in italy. Clearly all i am doing here is causing problems." He stood up, almost knocking over the chair as he did so, and made his way for the door as he fought the urge to throw up.

"Thank you Ilaria." He saod amd softly kissed her cheek. I really appreciate it."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias pressed his hands to his head and didn't reply. He dug his fingers into his hair, squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to block out the sounds of Lucien leaving the room. He needed to talk to Delphine, it seemed, because he had to find a solution, repulsed or not.

Ilaria nodded, blushing slightly. When she asked for the king, she got pointed to the conference room. She frowned, confused, as she saw Lucien rushing out.

[AnnaCat17]

Lucien glanced at her but since he was worried he was going to lose his breakfast he didmt stop to talk and continued on to the rest room.

Gale frowned as he watched Lucien hurry off but poked his head into the conference room. "Your highness? May we have a word? Its about the Duchess Delphine."