A Footstep Away, An Ocean Apart
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or company…
Note: It took me 20 minutes to copy the whole dialogue down, I didn't know they could talk that long. Please review.
"Seth, do you have a moment? Could you help me practice a bit right now?"
"…Princess Eirika. Before I do there is something I must say to you."
"Yes what is it?"
"Please forgive my rudeness…Princess, I am merely your subject. Recently, you have been too close to me. It is not becoming of a noble of Renais to fraternize in this way with her subjects."
"Oh, but I…it's just that your wound hasn't yet… I was merely…"
"It's true the wound I received the day our castle fell has not yet healed…perhaps it'll afflict me to the end of my life. But it would be a mistake to assume you owe me a dept for this injury. This thought should not rest beneath the crown you must soon wear."
"But still. You suffered for me."
"Lady Eirika. You are a noble of Renais. The nobility should not favor one subject over another. How can they maintain their fealty if you treat one so differently?"
"…"
"You may have to forego such attachments just to defend your country. There will be times when victory demands a sacrifice. If you cannot send your men to die, then you are not fit to rule."
"…I understand, Seth…you are correct. I had forgotten my place, I had forgotten my duty. Please forgive me."
"…"
"That night we fled from Grado's soldiers…you held me tight, keeping me safe from enemy blades… Perhaps, I did feel something more for you then. But…it was improper for a queen of Remais. With my father dead I suppose that is my station. If I don't keep this in mind then I will never be able to rebuild our kingdom."
"I thank you for your understanding milady. Now if you will excuse me…"
Pause
"Princess Eirika. If you would allow me to say one more thing."
"Seth?"
"…that night…When I held you in my arms as we rode…it was the first time since I was knighted that I forgot my duty. I thought of you not as my queen, but rather as someone I wanted to protect from all harm. I wanted to leave everything behind…to take you far away to someplace we could be together…"
"Seth…"
"Pleas forgive me. I swear to you that I will never again forget my duty in that way. Now, please excuse me. When I next see you, it will be as a knight of Renais…and I will lay down my life to protect my queen."
"Seth…"
Tears sprung from Eirika's eyes as she recollected that fateful chat. The endless darkness of a new moon sky was visible from her large patio doors. She, herself, had just been woken from an outside noise. Only to find that it was a squirrel. But being unable to fall back asleep, she found herself remembering that dreadful conversation. It had been so long ago, in one of the countless battles they had fought for the sake of Magvel. Yet Eirika still remembered it clear as if it happened yesterday.
She sat down on her blue canopy bed, burrowing into the covers for comfort. 'I must be strong for I am now a leader of my people. I should be grateful he reminded me of my duty. My days should not be shadowed by remorse and regret. We are safe after all.' This was what she repeated to constantly. Praying that with the constant repetition her mind would clear and that she would begin to believe it. It never worked.
Through all the hardships and battles, Magvel had been saved. And Remais was finally beginning to rebuild itself. Slowly but surely the lands were coming together again. Eirika had not wanted any part as a Queen but her brother, Ephraim, had argued that she could not dump everything on him. So they settled it in a duel. Heedless to say, Eirika won. Ephraim was coronated as king but everyone knew that three people made the important decisions. Her, Ephraim and Seth. Eirika kept her title as princess due to much protest of her people, no matter how much she wished against it.
As she finally drifted off to sleep, she bitterly thought one last thing. 'If it weren't for my station I would be happy'
'On the streets of broken dreams and shattered thoughts…'