"Rhin! Oh, they're almost here. I have to go meet Emma and her mother. They'll be-" Before her beloved ran off, she gently grabbed his arm.
"Dearest Rassie," Rhinder heard him cringe as she spoke the nickname,
"we really must stop meeting like this. But, aye, off you go." he nodded swiftly, and she caught his gaze one last time.
"Midnight in two days' time. Make sure Emma doesn't follow you. If you don't show up, I'll assume you dead and run off to join pirates!" He laughed as he himself ran off, the wind gently tousling his hair.
He reached the secret glade where his horse still grazed. It had only been half an hour this time, but Lucas could still feel the tingling from their secretive kisses. Far too little time for such a gorgeous maiden, he always told her. Mounting his golden battlesteed, he set off at a gallop towards home. The carriage was surely not too far off. Luras knew he would make it in time, he always did, but he needed at least a few minutes to make himself not only presentable, but unsuspicious. He could only use the hunting excuse so many times.
He entered the courtyard swinging off of his horse. He'd done it so many times as a boy it was no longer dangerous at all. Handing the soft, yet worn, black leather reins to the stableboy, he strode into the castle in a manner that befit a king. His aura a few feet in front of him, he walked unchallenged down the wide hallways decked with tapestries and banners. The carpets muffled his footsteps, the same footsteps that, minutes ago, had been commuting an act unthinkable for a king. However, Luras loved the unthinkable.
He closed the door to his chambers, locking it and throwing off his muddy tunic. He changed quickly into a more regal outfit, clean of course... Unlike the ripped and stained shirt now lying on the floor. Frowning, Luras gathered them and placed them in their respective areas- trash, laundering, and closet. He was about to go greet the girls when a breeze from his open window sent a piece of parchment fluttering to the floor. He picked it up, reading his own messy scrawl. An unfinished letter to Emmaline. He gingerly set it on top of the reports, sighing. Both of the girls he loved were amazing, in their respective ways. Rhin understood the ways of an unruly prince, living the struggle right in his kingdom, and Emmaline had such grace and poise.
Shrugging off the thought, he darted downstairs and out into the courtyard. As usual, he was the last there, taking his place up front with the Queen and King. His siblings stood behind, and he thought Lucille might have shot Lucas an annoyed look. Luras felt the most unfit for the throne, between he and his brother. While he wanted to have fun and romp in the woods, Lucas seemed more suited for the strategy and cunning of a warlike king.
He saw the carriage rounding the bend. Immediately, his posture straightened, his face widened in a fake kingly smile, and his mask of regality descended of the wild prince of moments before. Emmaline and the Royal Consort were sure to be here, and maybe some other noble. While writing letters had kept them together in the dark months, nothing compared Luras to the experience of courting the now Queen. It was daunting, and one wrong move could send him into the pits of hell from his disappointed parents.
”King Cyprian, Queen Anne, Prince Luras, Price Lucas, Princess Lucille it is a pleasure to be back at your Court, my family and I would like to thank you for yours and your families hospitality. May I introduce my sister, Princess Madeline... And my Mother, Alessandra, Queen Regent of Sevaviel, who you have already been acquainted with.” Luras bowed, his regal smile hurting his cheeks. He remembered that her father had died, leaving her the sole ruler of their kingdom. She did look nice in black, though... A thought Luras prodded himself mentally for. He could never stand the horrible introductions. He always did get terribly distracted.
"A pleasure, Princess Madeline. Wonderful to see you all again, though I could never imagine the grief you must feel at the Kings passing. My deepest condolences to the family and grieving country of Sevaviel. " These condolences always felt so fake. He knew that whatever silver-tongued method you used, no word could effectively heal the wound inside.
Leading the Brasilles into the grand castle after all of the chatter had died, he led the whole parade to the company room, as he called it. Seating himself on his favorite white chair, he waited for everyone to become comfortable. Putting in an order for tea, cookies, and biscuits, Luras tried to keep his poise. Today, he felt especially restless. Was it because of Rhin? He did wish they didn't have to keep their relationship quiet. So much went into o making sure no one found out. After three years, they seemed to know all of the tips and tricks. But now Emmaline was back, and Luras got to walk on broken eggshells around her mother.
This was going to be torturous.