Monochrome

perpetually tired.
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[a one on one featuring @King Lurk and @Monochrome]
The Story
The once-peaceful kingdom of Albion finds itself in turmoil after the death of its king. With no heir in sight except for the late monarch's beloved daughter, plots begin anew and eyes turn towards claiming the throne, and unfortunately for everyone in the land, it falls in the worst possible hands.

Princess Cyrille has lived a life in whispers, hidden behind a veil that separates her from even her own loyal servants, her father's love for her causing him to hide his own daughter from the eyes of the kingdom. Even her own subjects have debated her existence, while the only world she has ever known... Is her garden and her quarters. Unused to society at large, her life is changed one dangerous night and she is forced to flee the castle she was never able to step foot out of her entire life - until now. Pursued by her father's treacherous relatives, the only thing standing between her and death is the blade and the wit of Ezra Thornwick. A bodyguard of the highest caliber, yet originally a common man, what motivates him to protect the king's only legacy?

A princess that's never known suffering must come to understand what her suffering land truly needs. A bodyguard that's only ever known loyalty as a hired sword must learn what it means to swear his life to she who will one day step up to reclaim her rightful place.
 
It felt more than just a little difficult to breathe. Cyrille wondered if the room was truly spinning, or if it was just her. Gripping the arms of the chair tight, the princess had to hold in the rising feeling of sickness, lavender eyes darting about the room at the silent occupants. It was quite empty at the moment, aside from her bodyguard. Across from her, a man that she knew to be the royal family's doctor watched the minute movements of the girl he had treated since childhood with a wary gaze. Or was it pity that she saw? What did she know about what other people really felt or thought about her, when they more often than not weren't even allowed to talk, much less look upon her? Her mouth tasted like ashes, but after taking a shuddering breath, she finally found her voice.

"What of my father?" Before she even uttered those words, before they even left her lips, she already knew. Still, the young woman clung to any bit of hope that this was just all a horrible misunderstanding...

"Your Highness, your father left this world as of an hour ago." Doctor Gavin watched as the princess's hands clenched spasmodically, her fingers digging into the cushioned surface. "We were unable to stop the poisoning." He winced as soon as he shared that piece of information, unable to take his eyes off of Cyrille. She was such a fragile girl in appearance, and she had worried her parents enough times in the past as a young babe. The winters had been harsh on her health then, that it had even visibly taken a toll on the King and Queen. How could such strong rulers have such a weak child, the murmurs around the castle were. The princess was rarely seen outside of her quarters, and the last time the world ever saw the little royal was during her first birthday, which most thought was already an accomplishment in itself.

Growing up, the King had been most relieved when Cyrille eventually displayed a more vigorous disposition. The girl was sickly until she was around six years of age. Her mother had nearly wept with joy when the child was sick less and less, though there was still a frightfulness in the two parents whenever Cyrille asked to go play outside, or to let her go past the rooms of the quarters she had been living in all her short life. The Queen was more receptive to letting her enjoy her childhood than the King was, letting her cling to her sleeves of her skirt as they strolled around the gardens. The look of happiness on the child's face was enough to convince her.

Unfortunately, the Queen had also perished no more than two years later, and whatever happiness the royal family had flickered out like a candle after that.

Now, Princess Cyrille was truly alone in the world. Gavin could say that he was fond of the young girl, and now young woman, but she was no strong figure like her father once was, much less her mother. There was no knowing what the fate of the throne would be now, if it truly had to go to the hands of the princess. The King's most beloved legacy was hardly known to her people.

The doctor's thoughts took on a darker turn, but he made sure to hide the grimness from his face. "We have reason to believe that you are not safe in here anymore, Princess Cyrille, after what happened to the King." At this very moment, the ones who were loyal to the royal family comprised of himself, and perhaps the king's guards. The nobles that resided as guests were not to be trusted, as they were visiting for the lavish party that had been held in these halls three nights ago. It was the Princess's nineteenth birthday. She was not even allowed to partake alongside her subjects, and she was not there when her father collapsed, crumpling like a withering flower in the middle of what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.

Which brought them to this very moment, where Gavin, and perhaps that odd man who lurked behind the princeess as her shadow, held witness.

"I see." Cyrille spoke after a long moment, the words devoid of inflection. She wondered what was the most appropriate reaction, aside from shaking like a leaf. Her grip on the chair could not be tighter until her fingers left gouges or she tore her nails, but if she let go, her composure would probably follow. Her father's voice echoed in her head in that quiet, yet stern way he always spoke when it came to his child. You are a Blackwood, and even if the world hasn't seen you, you must never give them a reason to see weakness where there is one. Even in front of our trusted servants, you mustn't. Considering how anyone hardly saw her face or actually encountered her, the times she had to call upon that teaching were rare. Raising her chin, she turned her gaze on the window to the left. The heavy curtains were drawn shut, but she caught the uneasy glance Gavin sent it. "Are you suggesting that I leave these grounds, Doctor? My father has never allowed me to step foot outside of these walls."

Gavin pursed his lips, the doctor's whiskers on his top lip drooping with the movement. "Your uncle, Lord Rowan, has taken charge of the castle since his brother collapsed. He has been trying to call you out, but Captain Ulric has not fallen for the bait." He met her gaze as she turned towards him. "The knight captain believes that your uncle intends to take the throne by force, but we dare not imply or accuse him of committing your father's murder." It was harsh, forcing this on a daughter that loved her father dearly. Gavin was one of the few privileged enough to see the King and his daughter as humans instead of the mere royalty everyone else knew them as. "You must make preparations with Ezra, who was chosen for this very purpose, Your Highness."

He finally smiled, weak and almost defeated, at the bodyguard. "We are counting on you, Ezra Thornwick, to protect this girl. As of tonight, Castle Blackwood no longer recognizes a dead king or his daughter as their master. Lord Rowan will be crowned in a week's time, and he will get rid of any challenge to his right to the throne before then."
 
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Ezra stood motionlessly behind the princess who had just turned nineteen only a few days prior. He kept his ears open – not only to the conversation between the doctor and the princess but also to anything that could hint that something was amiss. Footsteps walking down the hall were something he was most cautious of as spies were something he was worried about. Any information that could slip out would be detrimental for them. He had full trust in his colleague’s ability to guard the castle, but with everything that had happened, he knew they were busy.

His eyes slowly shifted towards the princess whose fingers were turning white as they clenched the arms of her chair in an attempt to comfort herself from the news. Yes, the news that the king had fallen ill from poisoning and was being treated. From the face of Gavin – the royal medical practitioner – the result was obvious. It was only a matter of time until the words would come out of his lips, begrudgingly, he thought.

The awaited question had been asked and the response was finally out in the air. It wasn’t unexpected, not in the least, but Ezra did feel his heart constrict. He had not interacted much with the king, but he was a nice man despite the pressure placed upon him once his wife had died. He saw the passion in his eyes when he asked him to protect his daughter with his life and knew that the king had valued his daughter above everything else. The man did not deserve to die like this. However, much like the princess who felt the loss ten times more than him, he kept his composure and simple stood there with his hands behind his back. Doctor Gavin had continued talking, speaking of their suspicions on the king’s brother, Lord Rowan, and how dangerous it is for her to stay within the reaches of her uncle.

The long silence that had enveloped the room threatened to deafen him. His eyes travelled towards his liege – his princess. She just looked ahead of her, towards Gavin but not really looking at him in particular. It was as if she was unfocused, an understandable reaction to hearing your parent die, leaving you as an orphan, whose only blood relatives only had the throne filling their minds instead of concern for the young woman who knew next to nothing about surviving outside the castle walls.

He remembered when he had first arrived and met the young princess. It was like she hadn’t met someone from the outside yet – and as time passed by, he realized that she hadn’t stepped out of the castle and rarely spoke to any of the servants. The queen had already passed away when he was sent to be her bodyguard so he had not seen what she was when she was but a mere child. In fact, he wasn’t aware that there was a princess. He had not heard talk of her back in the kingdom. It was like a secret among the people within the castle. Ezra had been warned not to speak of her to anyone outside of the castle – but it would be obvious that he really could not even if he tried as he never goes out of the castle anymore. Had it been two years since he was assigned to guard the princess? Had it really been so long since he had been out of the castle?

Ezra was snapped out of his thoughts when the princess had finally replied – her tone the same as before, seemingly unaffected by the grave news. Though, both he and, presumably, Gavin knew that the princess was hurting inside. No child, who was cared for so much by their parents, could dismiss such a death so easily. Even they, the loyal servants of house Blackwood, felt great despair from the passing of the good king.

And now the responsibility of protecting the true heir to the throne had doubled – he had to protect her alone and outside of the castle grounds. There were more problems than just looking out for assassins sent by Lord Rowan or some other part of the family. She had to blend into the community, and a pampered princess like her would make his job all the more difficult. Though he did not hold it against her, or her father, or her mother – it was never meant for her to live a life of poverty. They could have never expected such an outcome.

Ezra straightened and nodded at Gavin whose smile is filled with melancholy and regret. Among the servants, he guessed that Gavin would be the one who bore the most guilt – of both the king’s death and the princess’s departure. He was the one who last saw the king alive, and also saw the man draw his last breath; and now, he is witnessing the princess who he had taken care of all this time, leave the castle for her own good. “I shall protect her with my life – just as I had promised to do.” He was unsure of what the future will hold. Living with the princess in his rickety house did not seem like something the princess would want but there was no other choice. However, he shall do his best to protect her and he will see to it that she will survive.

He turned his head to the princess, eyes softening as he saw the state of the princess. “We must make haste with preparations princess. You must discard any fancy clothing you have – perhaps you have something less extravagant? Bring your most important items, but not too much. There is not much time and we have to leave soon, so please collect your belongings quickly and I shall knock on the door twice to signal if it is time to leave.” He really hoped that the princess could collect everything quickly. Every second they spend here is a danger to her own life. He’ll be damned if he let her die so quickly.
 
"Am I," Cyrille uttered with a certain deadened weight in her voice, gaze lowered, "Allowed to see Father one more time before I go?" Most of Gavin and Ezra's discussion floated by as if a dream to the princess's ears, the look on her face intentionally vague as she found herself receding into that mask of courtly calm that she had learned to copy from her father. She sat stiff in the chair for another breath before her fingers released the chair with a gasp, pale eyes blinking rapidly as if she was rousing herself. Slowly, the young woman turned to look upon the bodyguard, though she seemed to be looking through him, not noticing the look of regret and trepidation on Ezra's face. He was going to take her out of the castle, but Cyrille no longer knew what to believe or focus on. Her father was dead, long live the king, and now she was going to leave this place? "I do not care for my belongings. I only want-" To see her father one more time. Could she not have even that paltry comfort? A part of her still refused to believe he was dead, no matter the honesty and grief so stark in Gavin's face...

The good doctor hesitated, shooting a look at the dark-haired bodyguard. Perhaps there was something that could be done. He hated seeing the princess's hollow look just as much as anyone who cared for her would. Yet there really was hardly any safe place for Cyrille in this castle soon. "It is not safe, my princess, as your uncle is currently on his way to mourn at his brother's death bed as we speak." Something venomous crept into Gavin's voice as he spoke, his eyes briefly flaring hot with scorn at the idea of Lord Rowan being remotely sincere in mourning. "They plan to hold a vigil in your father's death room."

Lord Rowan was naught but a name that the princess only heard of in passing mention from her dear father. She did not know what she was supposed to feel, but she was no fool. Gavin and Ulric were trustworthy men who had gained the King's respect and friendship, and if they had reason to suspect that even her own uncle desired her death to gain the throne, she was in danger. Cyrille understood that, but to take even her chance to see her father one last time? "That man does not know what the princess looks like, does he? If I can pass as one of my handmaidens, or as a palace maid... Please." At this point, she was just clamoring for any chance to see her parent once again. She had few memories of her mother who died when she was young, but her father had raised her.

Looking at the princess, Gavin found himself crumbling underneath the surprising strength in her gaze, before she turned to Ezra. That brief moment had brought him back to the days when Queen Iseult still breathed. The deceased Queen had a penetrating stare that seemed able to see right through a man and into his heart, picking apart his entire being and knowing who he truly was, but it was also known for the way it could crumble a man's resolve with just a look. He swallowed back the emotions, and murmured, "You look like your Queen Mother more and more each passing day, that I fear even a fool such as Lord Rowan may know your face. But let us see what we can do. Lord Ulric and the others are likely delaying your uncle as of now. He has always hated that man, you see... So go and see your father." He finished with a gentleness that belied how close he was to this family.

Cyrille surprised even herself when her face broke into a smile, eyes softening and showing more of the sadness she was holding inside. "You will always be more of an uncle to me than that man can ever be, doctor." She wished that she remembered her mother's face more, but she hardly remembered anything of Iseult except for wisps of lilac hair and the scent of the woman's perfume. "I... After I see him one last time, I will do my best to stay alive for Father..." She blinked away the tears at the corners of her eyes and nodded at Ezra. "Let's go see Thea and the others." There were only a few maids who could serve her, and she wanted to do it as quickly as possible. Now all that was left to do was to maneuver the many rooms of the castle, avoiding anyone they did not trust to be on their side.
 
Ezra was quite surprised to hear that she was asking not of more time - but only that if she could see her father. She should know that it was far too dangerous to have her walking around the palace when Lord Rowan was presently walking the same halls. However, he also understood why she wanted to do it. The look on her face as she turned to him said it all. Leaving the castle without seeing her father for one last time - even if he had already passed away - was something that would haunt you forever, he imagined. Just the thought of not seeing him alive by the end of one's birthday is enough to induce nightmares, what more not seeing him at all? He shut his eyes for a moment, his hands gripping each other tightly behind his back. He hoped that her request wasn't as far-fetched as it seems. He hoped that she would at least see her father again before she leaves the castle for who knows how long. He hoped...

He hoped that she would allow herself to release the emotions pent up within. A foolish thought no? Despite everything, they were still royalty. Royals rarely showed their feelings even at the most trying of times. The only feeling he ever saw given directly was a laugh - a smile. He understood that that was just the way things go around here. Though he finds it cruel, it's not like he could do anything about it.

He opened his eyes just in time for Gavin to speak. As expected, Gavin refuses using the reasoning that Lord Rowan was already heading over for the mourning. He pursed his lips into a thin line. From what he heard of this Lord Rowan - as he hadn't met the man personally for the entire time he has been with the princess - he wasn't a very good man and is most likely the mastermind behind the murder of the good king. The mere thought of him going to the wake, holding a vigil for the dead king... it was frustrating. The brother must have been quite a cruel and selfish man, for how could you kill your own brother for power? Then again, power can easily corrupt one's mind. It had probably started to rot Lord Rowan's mind. Years of contempt squeezed into his heart, watching his brother rule over the kingdom that he wanted. Ezra only heard about these kinds of things in fantasy books. Never had he thought it would happen in this kingdom.

The princess found a loophole - the fact that Lord Rowan hasn't seen her yet means he cannot spot her if she should appear as a lowly servant. It was an ingenious plan. He could see Gavin finally breaking down and actually thinking about it. The princess looked back at him and he only raised an eyebrow - as if questioning why she was turning to him. Was she expecting that he would give her the 'go' signal? He had no authority, not yet at least. He was awaiting Gavin's response. Finally, the good doctor agreed to her request, claiming that General Ulric was doing his best to stall - most likely. The thought that the General hated Lord Rowan made him smile. Ah, what chaos it would bring once he becomes king.

The smile she gave the doctor and her announcement that she saw her more as an uncle only made his smile widen, no matter how hard he tried to not react. Once she turned to him, his face grew serious once more. "I know the quickest way there. I've gone to the servant's hall before and that'll assure us that no one else will see you." He then waited for her to stand up before heading over to the door and opening it. He looked left and right. No one was out there. Perfect. He looked back at the princess and gestured for her to follow. His gaze shifted to the doctor before bowing his head in respect. There were no more words to be said between him and the doctor. No words the needed to be said at least.

Once she followed, he would lead her down the hallway. It wasn't her usual way, that was for sure. It was narrower than the main hallways and seems to be more used. The princess might be familiar with the fact that servants used a different hallway to traverse the entire castle so as to not bump into royalty or to disturb them. It was quite a common practice among nobles. After all, most of the nobles hated seeing their servants when they don't want to see them. And he bet that they'd rather not see them scurrying around with a mound of laundry that needed to be done.

It took quite a while but there wasn't a need for alarm. He knocked on the door to the servant's hall before opening it and gesturing for Cyrille to go inside.
 
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