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Nerves. She was just a bundle of nerves. The sun kissed hands of Princess Desaray Storheim were wrung tightly, fingers clasping fingers. Her parents weren’t going to like this news. She waited outside their study where they decided to break bread this afternoon. She quietly waited for Tobin to poke his head out and inform her they were through with their meal. He wasn’t going to like this story ever. She inhaled deeply Calm down, Desi. Surley they’ll understand. Right. The chances of Queen Liliana and King Berik of Laertin understanding their eldest daughter who is to marry the Prince of Corinth ran away because she fell in love with a soldier of Dimi were rather nonexistent. She leaned against the wall and bowed her head. A moment felt like hours until at last, the servant Tobin poked his head out the door. His bright green eyes were all tenderness as he looked at her.

"Are you all right, highness?"

She snapped out of her doom filled daydream.

"Hm-? Oh, yes. Yes, I’m alright Tobin. Um, stay inside the study please. You have to hear this too…"

His head cocked with curiosity, but he said nothing as he opened the door and bowed. Her hear ached. The dreams we had she thought. Dashed. Just dashed to nothing.

She curtsied deeply to the king and queen. They were more acquaintances than a family. Bonding was not a value in her family. She cleared her throat an forced herself to look into the eyes of her parents. Her father was a very robust man with a full beard and moustache, rosy cheeks (like Rania), and intense blue eyes. Her mother was slim like her and her sister but with darker features like Desi. Her eyes were soft and dark and her smile was kind. It was quite unusual really. Rania favored her father and inherited his explosive temper. However Desaray inherited her mother’s looks and passiveness, but inherited her father’s more standoffish personality.

"Um…"

Was all she could manage to muster. Then her lips tightened before she spat

"RaniaranawaytomarryasoldierfromDimi!"

Silence. Her father shook her head and bliked.

“Pardon?”

Desi clenched the back of the chair in front of her.

“Last night Rania ran away to marry a soldier she met when we traveled to Dimi last year.”

Her mother’s eyes whitened and her face grew pale. Her father’s jawline hardened and she saw the infamous vein begin to pop out between his eyes.

It was set in stone. For centuries it was set in stone. The eldest of one of the Kingdoms of Eight was to marry another eldest of the Kingdoms of Eight. If a child of one kingdom didn’t marry into another, the curse would destroy both. Long ago ten kingdoms paid enough gold to buy a small country to a powerful sorceress to place a curse on them. It was to make absolutely sure that there would forever be peace among them. So in a set rotation, they made a child from one royal family marry another. One year, When the Prince of Gala was to marry the Prince of Brastil, the feuding families refused and thus son after, Gala was swallowed by the sea and Brastil was invaded and destroyed.

So, the golden flower of Laertin was to marry the Prince of Corinth. All Desi’s life revolved around her beautiful elder sister. She was younger, but she was the responsible one. She took care of Rania. She made sure she learned everything she needed to know about to act, how to rule, how to eat dance, everything. She made it her solemn duty to make sure Rania was prepared and happy. She both envied and felt sorry for her sister. How terrible to not have a life of her own. She vowed to run away as soon as she married. She snuck into the kitchens to learn to cook, helped the maids clean (to their shock), she learned to fence, garden, ride a horse like a man. She was determined to know how to live a commoner’s life. She wanted nothing to do with her wretched royalty or her wretched kingdom. She was in love with a servant and they would run away the very night of Rania’s wedding. No more. She glanced at Tobin and his fixed features, his eyes dull and glassy. She knew what she was going to say next. He knew there was no longer a future for them. He was no longer the goofy whimsical boy who taught her the mandolin and told her stories until the sun rose.
Her father was the first to speak.

“And how would you know this?”

He said slowly. She knew he didn’t quite belive her.

“She left me a note.”

Desi said and handed him the envelope with the broken seal.
“I went to wake her this morning and it was on her bed.”
That was a bold and utter lie, but believable. She read the note over and over after Rania left. She envisioned the quick and clumsy scripture: I am so sorry, but my heart belongs to Ronin. I can’t do this. I love you, Desi.
That was all. The kind handed the note over to his wife. There was a brief pause and then she felt a swift slap againt her cheek that stung like embers. He was on his feet and roaring:

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU EXPECT WE DO YOU STUPID CHILD?!? YOU WERE TO TAKE CARE OF HER!!!!"

Her hand momentarily lingered on her burning cheek before years of rage erupted from her.

“I AM TWENTY YEARS OLD, FATHER!!! AND WHEN WAS IT MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF MY OLDER SISTER. I DID, BUT WE ALL KNEW SHE WAS FLIGHTY AND WE ALL SECRETLY KNEW SHE WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS!! NOW DON’T BE POINTING A FINGER AT ME WHEN THE ONLY PAERENTING YOU’VE EVER DONE WAS YOU’RE YEARLY LECTURES!!!”

Everyone was in a moment of shock. Even the princess. The fire in her eyes and the red in her cheeks quickly disappeared.

"I have a plan."

She said quietly. She went on to explaining the curse in full detail. It was one of the most interesting stories she’d ever heard.

"I suppose the kings of the past were prepared for something like this so they never said it had to be the eldest child. Just one of them."

Her parents nodded. Her father’s nostrils still flared. Her mother was composed.

"So…I can marry the prince."

The next lie pained her the most.

'Really, I can do this. I have no future here. I have no suitors knocking on my door. I have yet to figure out if they are frightened or intimidated."

She faked a smile. Her mother stood eyes tearing up. She took her hands.

“I am proud of you, Deasary. No one is better suited for the title. Somehow I knew you would be queen of Corinth.”

She felt a little guilty, but it was only a little lie. She didn’t have to tell her parents how she heard her sister weeping the night before and told her she’d take her place. Anything for you, dear sister. She thought.

"I’ll send a message and apology at once. I’ll even pay for the wedding. Ever since that girl was born I knew she’d try to ruin us."

And so the moody little shadow of Laertin quietly went to her room and wept even after the messenger arrived early the next morning in Corinth only two weeks away from the long scheduled wedding.

*tear*

((I'd be more than happy to play a prince if you wish. It sounds like an interesting rp))

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"Terrorist jellyfish attack nuclear reactor. Officials calling it the act of a bunch of spineless cowards."

"Swiss police follow blood trail for 12 miles, are shocked to find it leads to a butcher shop."

Woohoo!!!

Prince Gabriel sighed audibly as he sat in his chair, the letter his father waved in front of him sat in his lap. "This is a disaster!" his father exclaimed as he paced the study, his feet tapping on the floor.

"Father, it said that there will still be a wedding," Gabriel sighed as he got up, "and think about your blood pressure please." He grabbed his father's arm and sat him in the chair and watched his face change a succession of colours before settling on a ruddy pink. "It said that the youngest princess has agreed to marry me, so all we have to do is meet this girl and see what happens," he said after a moment, "father, I noticed that Raina never had her heart in it and I resigned myself to that."

"GABRIEL! YOU KNEW!?" his father exploded, slumping back in the chair as fast as he had risen from it.

"No father I didn't, really, but I knew she wouldn't want to marry me anyway, who would?" he asked as he filled a jug with water and passed it to his father who took it thankfully, "I mean I'm a prince, all I want is someone to love me for me, not marry me because they have to."

For years Gabriel had wanted to find love his own way, not be forced into a marriage he knew neither wouldn't want, the life that he was living was no more than a charade, a public one at that. He hated living in the public spotlight, always watched and scorned for what he did. He had learnt all the things a prince needed to know, well were supposed to know and used the every day. But his greatest pleasure was knowing that Raina was happy. He could never have forced himself upon her if she didn't love him, he cared for the young woman, she was supposed to have married him.

Gabriel was glad one of them was persuing happiness, even if it meant causing distress at the same time, "father, I want to meet Raina's younger sister," he said after a moment, "before the wedding."

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"Terrorist jellyfish attack nuclear reactor. Officials calling it the act of a bunch of spineless cowards."

"Swiss police follow blood trail for 12 miles, are shocked to find it leads to a butcher shop."

There was a slight knock on her door two days later. Her father came in handing her a letter from Corinth saying that the prince would like an audience with him before the wedding. She'd only seen him twice when she was young because the courts wanted to make sure there were no distractions when Rania and Gabriel played together. The strongest memory she had was of them laughing because a bee flew into the skirts of Rania's gown and sent her into a fit. She was only ten then and not as quiet and brooding as she was now.

"The servants will be upstairs shortly to pack your things."

Her father said hotly.

"You leave tonight."


That would be all she would hear out of him for months. The servants came including Tobin who couldn't look her in the eye.

"Tobin, I fear it will be a long time before I see the garden again. Do pick a bouquet for me while I take one last stroll.

He just nodded still looking down as they walked down the stairs, along the marble hallways and out the garden door. Then he spoke for the first time. His voice flat and quiet.

"This wasn't supposed to be your place. We had a future."

Desary swallowed and nodded unable to cry anymore.

"I told you Rania always comes first. She is my sister"

And finally Tobin couldn't hold it in

"WHAT HAS SHE EVER DONE FOR YOU?!? I'VE WORKED HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS AND I HAVE SEEN HER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND MANIPULATE YOU MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT!"

Desi's face went pale. She bit her lip looking away from the rage in his eyes"

"And you have gone out of your way to make her happy even though you KNEW how she was. I have watched you RUIN yourself for her and in turn I have ruined myself for you. FIVE YEARS, Desary! I have been in love with you for FIVE YEARS! I only told you three years ago. I'm twenty-four years old. A commoner like me should have long since wedded and had at least one child by now. I waited for you. I promised you I would wait..."


Everything in her wanted to scream "I KNOW! I love you too Toby! Let's just run! Right now!" However she knew she'd have more than a man's broken heart on her conscience if she did that. He spoke again.

"I knew it was dangerous to fall in love with royalty, but I never would have expected you would take things this far..."

"To-"

"I bet you anything she knew you would do it. I bet she had bags packed and a satchel full of gold just waiting..."

Desaray could only muster a hushed

"I'm sorry"

Tobin shook his head.

"No. You're sorry for me. Here are the flowers, highness. I'll finish packing with the others."

He was gone. A shell of man he used to be just two days ago. Desaray shook so violently she had to sit on the weathered stone bench beside her. She wished she saved a few tears for today, but she was sure they'd return with a vengeance fairly soon. She took a moment to suppress all her emotions. She shook the images from that night from her mind. Yes, Rania was prepared, she was even fully dressed under the covers. But Raina was her sister. Surely she wouldn't have played with her emotions because she knew her sister would sacrifice for her. That would be rather cruel. She drew up her sarriers, stood, and prepared herself to leave.


The trip was about a day and a half. She rode nighttime to nighttime and arrived in Cointh the following morning. Her room was quickly set up and she had time to eat a small breakfast, bathe, settle in, and dress for the luncheon with the prince. The gown she was dressed in was her favorite. I was white, gold, and green and looked nice against her dark coloring. She looked in the mirror. She was unfashionably tan due her distaste for the indoors. With her skin, dark hair, and her angular features, she stood out like a sore thumb. At parties people would just stare or ignore her completely favoring the bubbly charm and soft beauty of her sister. She sighed. She robbed the prince of a charming beautiful woman. She did have the upper-hand at intelligence and knowledge of proper rule. Obviously she also had a stronger sense of duty and a level head. She hoped that was enough.

She was ushered into the small, but elaborate dining room and seated herself at the table.

Gabriel sighed as his mother swanned around him, adjusting his clothing, "mother please, I'm only having a luncheon," he said agitatedly as she smoothed his hair, "and I like my hair messy."

Ignoring her protests and the servant's snickering as he strode down the hallway, he looked into the mirror he had passed and sighed audibly. He couldn't recognise his reflection, I'm a shadow of the person I once was, he thought as he walked, his head looking down at the floor.

"Highness!" a voice called as he stopped, turning slightly.

"Yes, what is it?" he asked as his mother's maidservant approached him, carrying a small box.

"Your mother suggests you don't forget this," she said as she pushed the box into his hands, "she said that you'll kick yourself if you forget your gift."

"Thank you," he said as he continued down to the dining room, opening the doors and smiling lightly as he saw Desary sitting at the dining table, wow, she looks even prettier than I remember, he thought as he coughed lightly.

"Hello again Desary, or can I call you Desi?" he asked as he sat at the table, setting the box beside him, "it's been a while."

__________________
"Terrorist jellyfish attack nuclear reactor. Officials calling it the act of a bunch of spineless cowards."

"Swiss police follow blood trail for 12 miles, are shocked to find it leads to a butcher shop."

*She glanced up quickly. His presence snapped her out of her thoughts. She stood quickly and curtsied gracefully. Her mother had said she had mastered the art of the perfect curtsy. She had spent hours learning with and teaching her sister.

My how you have grown she thought as she met his gaze. Then again so had she she supposed.

"I am pleased to see you again, m'lord."

She said. Her manner was all business. That's how she was taught to behave around her fellow nobles. She was rather surprised when he asked if he could call her Desi. That was rather casual of him. However then again they were to be married.

"Why you may call me whatever you wish, sir"

She curtsied again trying to squelch her nervousness.


"I understand if the whole kingdom has a fire underneath me now. I suppose my loyalty to my sister really has no bounds. However, I am just as if not more educated in how to run a kingdom and I am well taught in Corinth's history. I promise you, I will remain faithful to you and this kingdom. I know this isn't what you expected, but I will make things right"


There was a hint of pleading in her gaze. She hoped he would forgive her.

Please forgive me. I couldn't live with myself if Rania was broken hearted.

Gabriel stood up, walking over to her and taking her hand, "there's no need to be so formal, we've known each other a while. Formalities are best saved for public where everyone is watching us," he replied, raising the hand to his mouth and planting a small kiss on it.

"Desi, I know these aren't the circumstances that are desireable, but I know your loyalty to your sister knows no bounds, trust me, I place no blame on you or her," he said after a moment, moving to pick up the box, "I remember when we were younger you looking at this, and supposed it would make a fitting gift should you accept it."

He looked at her face, the sculpted features, the soft hair and eyes and felt a little colour rise in his face as he noticed the pleading look in her gaze, "before we do marry, if you wish it, I'd like to at least court you and maybe earn a little of your love first," he said, his face pink but his gaze resting on her eyes, hoping she'd accept.

__________________
"Terrorist jellyfish attack nuclear reactor. Officials calling it the act of a bunch of spineless cowards."

"Swiss police follow blood trail for 12 miles, are shocked to find it leads to a butcher shop."

She smiled feeling a little bit more relaxed

"Old habits die hard."

She was taken aback at his comment, but it to a giant weight off her shoulders.

"I am very pleased you understand."

Her dark eyes drew their attention on the small box. For the life of her, she couldn't quite place a finger onto what the gift could be. Everything sparked her interest as a child. Her curiosity still knew no limits. Indeed, this trait had mellowed down over time, but it was still prominent.

"I'd be more than happy to accept your gift, m'lor- erm, Gabriel"

She said with a sheepish grin. After he spoke again a little color burned on her cheeks That could take quite sometime. she thought Tobin's broken hearted expression still burned into her head.

"I would like that"

She said. It wasn't a lie. She really wanted to get to know him some first. Outside of the handful of childhood meetings they had. He seemed to be a very nice man and he truly wanted to make this marriage right. She highly respected that. She finally smiled and opened her gift.