The Vivalian Land

Lucius
Bella squeezed me as though I was going to disappear forever. I had not realised how much she missed me. She screamed with joy, "you're here, you're here, you're HERE!!!" She let go and stared at me. Her eyes were so beautiful, like a shining star in the midnight sky. Her smile could have cheered up a man in the worst of moods. She was truly exceptional. I was blessed to be in her presence.
"Did you grow taller, did I grow shorter, or has it been too long?" She asked. Bella seemed eager to pry me for information. I wasn't surprised, Bella was a very curious girl. Everything about her was terrific, but maybe I was being biased based on my affection. Still, not too people hated the princess. She was a very enjoyable person who could hold a conversation for hours on end.
"How has everyone been? What's the story you'd tell me? And how is Lola?" She was hurling questions at me like a volley of arrows. I had to clear my throat to deliver the mouthful of answers necessary to respond to all her questions.
"Well Bella, to answer your first set of questions, I think the distance has gotten to us both, and I doubt you or I have grown shorter or taller." I smiled at her politely. My earlier days of acting foolish were almost over. I had to maintain a slight sense of responsibility... even around Bella. I did tend to be more relaxed and casual around Bella, though.
"Everyone is managing in the Kingdom," I addressed her other questions, "your brothers are missing you, but they all seem to be carrying on quite well...given the circumstances. I gave everyone the gifts you sent me: they were overjoyed to still be in your thoughts." I paused for a moment and remembered the beautiful painting she'd given me. "And thank you for that wonderful painting. It looks like the rivers found in Alamania. My grandparents never brought me back to the homeland but the paintings were beautiful-just as this one is!"

I had always wanted to visit Alamania: the tall forests, the immense castles, large cities, the unity of the nation. Alamania was a distant empire located many kilometers west of Vivadel. Officailly recognised as the Holy Empire of the Alamanic Nation, it was ruled by the Emperor (or Keraitor in Alamanic). The Clergy were held in high regard as the Patriarch was the head advisor of the Emperor. Being of nobility, I was taught Latus: the language of the Church, and my name was of Latus origin. The Holy Empire was often involved in many wars of imperialistic conquest. I hoped to return some day. I still kept a flag and banner that my grandfather had given me so I wouldn't forget my heritage. I was a Vividelian now, and I was quite content with that.
"The story can wait till dinner time, and Lola is having a rough time adjusting." I was surprised to see she still remembered Lola. She hadn't liked her very much. In reality, Lola wasn't very found of Bella either: Lola didn't like many females, it was most likely a territorial instinct. She wanted to be the only special girl in my life. "I'll be sure to take her for a walk once she's used to the surroundings... of course the guards will be warned. Scorpions are not generally seen prancing around on a leash." The soldiers would have surely attempted to kill my pet if I brought her out without warning.
"But dare I say it: but you are looking like quite the distinguished young lady," I teased, "How many soldiers had to force you to wear this dress?" I had always enjoyed teasing her about her disdain for being a lady. I couldn't really blame her though, being forced to be something you're not would be very frustrating. "But in all seriousness," I added, "you look very beautiful." I smiled and admired her appearance only for a moment. I did not want to ogle.
"How has your plan been working?" I asked. "I hope you can make this work, Bella. I'm very worried about you. If it came down to it, I'd marry you myself to take you away from this situation."
What did I just say?!? I thought to myself.

Bella
I snorted. "As if my family would ever leave my thoughts. Maybe some day they won't be the top thing in my thoughts, but that day's unlikely to be here at any time. I'm not likely to be willingly married, am I?"
Lucius started talking about the painting, and I smiled, pleased. "I'm glad, but it can't be that good. Those are commissioned, and only the best artists get the commissions."
"Till dinner! Lucius, you're harsh!" I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest. "That's hours and hours and HOURS away!"
"Poor Lola. Tell her to feel better soon, and I promise to remind the guards." I added, dropping my begging manner.
I laughed. Lucius had a refreshing sense of humor. "If you must know, it took an entire company of two hundred to force me into the dress!" I joked, before turning serious. "It actually took only a few. I don't have my regular clothes yet; the laundresses kidnapped them, and all the other dresses were the encrusted with gems and shot with real gold or silver kinds, if that makes any sense to you. Usually it wouldn't, but you've seen some of the more... icky fashions of the court haven't you? Like the latest style which involves utterly impractical trailing sleeves, and brings back the two color weave fabrics. I like the two color weaves, but I hate the sleeves... And I am not beautiful! You're just blinded by your brotherly love. It's what brothers are supposed to do, after all."
I sighed. "The plan seems to be working just fine, Lucius." I froze at his next words, then saw the sense of it. "It would be wonderful. You understand me almost as well as any of my family, and you'll let me be how I want to be. And you're one of Father's favorites. And you have a sensible, diplomatic head. But then the alliance would be broken and we'd be at war again and more of the people would die. Why isn't there a way to solve this mess so everyone could be happy?!?!"
I stamped my foot on the ground, hard.

Lucius
I was pleased to see Bella was keeping her sense of humour alive. I could clearly tell she was still upset, but she was trying to stay positive. Her will was strong; she was continuing her struggle to end the marriage.
"You never know, Bella," I reassured her, "stay strong and I'm sure you'll be able to be willingly married eventually." I shot her a comforting smile. "When this whole Royal Marriage scenario has been dealt with, a man will sweep you off of your feet on your own terms." I had to wonder: Maybe it would be me? If I was to attempt that, I would definitely have to help Bella avoid this wedding while at the same time playing ambassador in the Vivalian Land.
"I actually noticed a few soldiers in the field hospital being treated for light wounds," I teased, "I didn't realise you were against your attire on such a high degree that you'd injure the men who tried to force you into it." There were soldiers at the field hospital, but they most likely injured themselves training.
I listened attentively to Bella as she descried her hatred for Court fashion. I chuckled slightly as she denied her beauty. Her next words cut through me as a blade would. Brotherly love... That term bounded me to remain her friend for as long as we continued to live. It pained me to see that after all these years, I was still just a brother to her. Though I couldn't really complain; she trusted me enough to consider me family. I was thankful to be this close to her despite the fact that I would rather be much closer.
Bella almost seemed to contradict what she said before as she explained how "wonderful" being married to me would be. She was most likely just comparing being my bride to being the Prince's bride. There was a high amount of logic to what she was saying, but the consequences would be dire. Bella was becoming angrier as she explained the backlash of not marrying the Prince. I always hated to see her upset. I hugged her to try to calm her down.
"I'm sure if we work together, we can find a way to solve this so that we're all happy and living in peace."