Leonardo turned his head back to her to listen. "The peace between our people, and even us is possible Leonardo, it is." Was it? Was it truly? The peace they were aiming for seemed to be nothing but the time between wars. They would have 'peace' for a few years, maybe, a decade, but then they would be fighting once more. Was that truly peace? And what of them? He supposed living so far apart of each other would help them stay civilized, but should they have to be in each others company for long periods of time, could she keep her mind clear? Why? What made her say this to him? Why did she wish to make a connection?
"You claim to not know why I am saying these things to you, things that any other person wouldn't say if their life held in the balance? I say these things because you and I are the same. We are both children raised not as children, but raised because of body and mind. I have more natural magical ability than anyone seen in a long time, if I were a student at a college, I could challenge the arch-mage and win. I was raised around teachers, always another lesson, always another spell to learn. My mother tried her best to mother me, but my father, gods rest him, would always want me to become better. I spend my childhood surrounded by books and old men. The few times I interacted with others was in a controlled setting, and I would always try and run." The same? It was an odd. Raised for body and mind? Yes, he understood her meaning. They were not allowed to play and frolic as other children. Every day was another lesson, another sparring session to turn the delicate silk princess into a warrior. The closest he had ever come to truly playing was when he sat with his mother and talked. Games were unfit for a prince, or so his caretakers would say.
She tried to run though. That difference between them. Leonardo had never tried to escape his life, he would day-dream as he watched the maids children running and playing in the kitchens or as he watched people living their lives when he peeked outside the windows, but he had never tried to run away. Being a Prince was who he was, and it was all he was. Even as a child that lesson had stuck with him, 'You are a Prince before you are Leonardo'. An average life was never going to be his, but it did not help the envy he felt towards the common people. The people who did not have to worry about anything besides the ones they cared about. He envied them as he envied the common soldiers.
Traits highly valued in a female. Leonardo felt the corner of his lip lift at the mention of that. Despite her assurance that she said it without ill intent; it still stung. It always did. The constant reminder of what he was. A, as she put it: lithe, graceful, and keen on words. He was going to respond, but she kept going.
"We are the same; children raised for their father's guilt or praise. And that is why a do not wish to kill you. Because together, I know that we may lead the world into a peace, and no longer be held in our father's grasps. And if we are the same, then I know you are strong enough to break from him, and join on the side of peace."
"I," Leonardo began as he moved forward to lean on the edge of the balcony, "Was never raised by my father." He tore his gaze away from her to cast them over the town, "Nor have I ever been in his grasp. Maybe, a long time ago, I craved to be given attention. To be treated as a son instead of being handed off to nurse-maids and mentors as something barely worth mentioning, I joined the war because of my people. Not because of my father." Silk Princess. Yes, that was the reason.
"The most time I have ever spent with my father is when he is condemning my actions." He mused, "I see his attempts now at trying to reconcile, but I have no desire to do that. Why should he be able to remove the black stain on his, otherwise, impeccable history? Perhaps he fears people will look at him and believe that it was his influence that created the dreaded Red Prince." He said pausing, "But yes, I was also raised as you were. To be who we were born to be. I never tried to run though. Maybe I lacked courage, but I believe its because life any other way was alien."
Leonardo inter-wove his fingers, "I understand your desire for peace, but it will end eventually." He said, his hair starting to slip lose from its tie in the bottom and float in the wind, "The peace our world knows is merely a time between wars. Eventually, we will fight again." Assuming this cease-fire worked, of course. "Is this okay? The endless loop of fighting, bloodshed, and then a short intermission?" He asked, almost to himself.
Turning his gold-tinted eyes back to her, he bowed his head slightly, "I am sorry, it seems I have gotten a little off topic." He returned his gaze to the city, "Red Prince." He said, "You know what they call me in my own land? Silk Princess."
He tugged at the hem of his red silk robes, "Fitting isn't it?" He didn't wait for a response, "Red Prince. Silk Princess. It doesn't matter. I am a Prince." Standing and stepping away from the balcony's edge, he turned to her, "I am sorry, Malinha Nedilo, but rather it be Red or Silk, I will always be the Prince of Metargo, and I must always put the greater good of my people above all else. Above my own feelings and desires, above even peace, and so I cannot join you in anything for there may come a day when war with your nation is the only way to guarantee the survival of my own, and I cannot allow anything to interfere with my duty."
Yes, it was why he tried to create barriers as he was doing now to Malinha. It was why he did not move to speak to Oriana and, instead, allowed the elf to move in. Leonardo was no fool, he knew what the elf intended, but there was nothing he could offer anyone not Malinha and not Oriana. The luxury of being a prince was a great illusion to hide the chains.