Nikolai & Caterina
Perhaps it was because of the time difference of Anduin and Aciras that Niko found himself awake while the sky was still dark and most of the people were, no doubt, still in their beds. When he opened his eyes, he was momentarily disoriented, expecting to be back home. He glanced around, the unfamiliar room bringing to mind the events that had transpired the day before.
Aciras, he thought to himself as he stared at the ceiling, contemplating whether to get up or just pass the time lying there.
After a few more seconds, he threw off the blankets and stood up. The day was as good as any to go watch the sunrise. He went through his usual morning routine and threw on casual clothes. He didn't expect to be mingling with other royalties at this early hour in the morning so casual clothes seemed to be the best to wear.
Silently, he slipped out of the castle.
"Time difference made you wake up earlier than was necessary?" he caught a glimpse of his designated bodyguard as he stepped out into the courtyard.
Anthony chuckled. "Yes, Prince Niko. That and the inkling that you would slip out of your room to see the sunrise," he replied as he stepped out of the shadows. "I believe the man servant Prince Casimir gifted you would be disappointed to have missed you this morning. He had stayed outside your door the whole night. I think he was hoping you have a request for him," he shook his head amusedly. "While I believe his presence is not necessary, I admire his steadfastness."
Niko nodded.
"Yes. He is steadfast, is he not?" he chuckled.
"I should at least reward him for that.""I suggest you assign him a task. I believe that is as good as any reward, seeing as how he almost yearns to be at your every beck and call," Anthony said.
Niko chuckled and nodded.
"I agree," he said and then promptly fell silent. Anthony, used to Niko's ways, fell back a few feet and let the crown prince of Anduin enjoy the silence.
Niko walked casually, the wide expanse of land and the silence both relaxing him. He watched the sun rise in the horizon as he walked and stopped near a lake. Looking out to it, he saw a
gazebo a short distance away. With a small smile on his face, he made his way towards it.
Caterina had left to her room early the day before; She was starting to feel suffocated with all the royalties around her. She had also been content with the day's turn out. She had managed to get herself associated with almost everyone. She also met Prince Nikolai once again, she wouldn't deny it was comforting to see a familiar face around even if it was someone she wasn't particularly fond of.
She couldn't sleep as comfortably or as much as she had intended to. Being in a new setting made her anxious. Before dawn with a while, she had decided it was enough waste of time, and perhaps it would be better to get herself started for the day. She had freshened up, brushed her hair, and decided on her clothing: a simple gray, off-shoulder, sleeved, body hugging blouse with black skinny jeans, and lacy black flats. She left her hair loose, tucking back the left side behind her ear.
Stepping out of her room, Caterina found Zoron who mumbled his good morning and gave her a short bow before letting his princess walk ahead of him. "Have you not slept well, Princess?" He asked curiously, making a small conversation as they headed outside the castle, in soft steps. Caterina silently nodded and ran a hand through her hair-- She didn't adjust to any new places easily, but she knew she was staying for three months in Aciras; If she wanted to maintain her health and mental fitness, she needed to find a way to sleep comfortably for a decent amount of hours.
"
Maybe it's just the jet lag," she reasoned after a minute of silence, but she and Zoron both knew it wasn't just that. Stepping out of the castle, Caterina breathed in deeply, appreciating the fresh air adorned by the mist of dawn. Zoron smiled fondly at the young royalty, knowing that perhaps a walk would take her mind off things.
Caterina aimlessly walked through the vast land when her eyes fell on a gazbo right on the lake. Caterina looked back at Zoron with a slight smile. Zoron knew that Caterina from then on intended to make the gazbo her spot, or so he guessed.
Caterina made her way to the gazbo with Zoron falling a few steps behind. She was smiling slightly as she walked in when she noticed Nikolai and his guard standing there as well. Caterina hesitated before clearing her throat enough to catch their attention.
"
I suppose the time difference got us both up so early." Caterina noted as she walked to where Nikolai stood with confidence and intention.
"
Good morning," she greeted to both Nikolai and his guard.
Niko had been staring out into the waters of the lake deep in thought when Caterina arrived. He looked up at her just as Anthony stepped away to give the two royals some privacy.
"Good morning," Niko greeted back and gave her a small smile.
"I did not think anyone else would be up at this early hour. I suppose the time difference affected you just as it did me."Caterina smiled slightly with a nod. "
It is quite nervewrecking with so many royalties around." She admitted as she rubbed the side of her arms. Although she seemed quite comfortable and confident the night before, she admitted then that it was making her a little nervous.
"I would not have thought that you were nervous had you not told me," he said.
"An understandable reaction, however," he looked up to the horizon, at the first rays of the sun as it peeked through the clouds.
Caterina glanced at him and shrugged silently. "
We cannot tell anyone then." She suggested as she too turned to watch the rays of the sun as they peeked through the clouds.
Both watched the sunrise in silence.
"I have given it some thought and have come to a realization that our kingdoms will never be able to move on forward as friends if we refuse to put our differences aside. You and your people see us as traitors for allying ourselves with Vale instead of Svearike, no?" Niko said as he watched the sky turn a lighter shade of blue.
Caterina had been silently enjoying the scene with no thoughts in her head but the appreciation of the nature around her. She turned to Nikolai slightly as he spoke of their differences. Caterina couldn't help but crack a small smile at his attempt to possibly befriend her; She definitely appreciated it. "
Obviously so, but we are supposed to put it aside after the treaty afterall." She agreed as she turned back to watch the dynamically changing sky.
Both royals watched the sunrise in silence, a vow of friendship passing silently between them.
The sun was already shining brightly in the sky when Caterina and Niko finally walked back into the castle.
