"Dawn it is, then," Prince Adonis replies, his voice resolute. "Your men and mine will strike together. I promise you, Mizore, we shall avenge your honor and restore peace to the kingdoms." As he speaks these words, a sense of determination washes over him. He may not have known Princess Mizore long, but already he feels a strong connection with her - one that goes deeper than loyalty or duty.
we go get some rest
"Yes," the prince agrees, "some rest would be wise." He takes a step back, still holding onto his bleeding hands. "Until morning then, Princess Mizore." With that said, he turns and walks away to find somewhere private where he can tend to his wounds. Even as he does so, he can't help but feel a newfound excitement for the battle ahead - not just because it means victory over their common enemy, but also because it means spending more time with her.
"Yes, you are," Prince Adonis replies softly, cupping her chin in his hand and lifting her face up so that she has no choice but to meet his gaze. "You're stronger than anyone I've ever met, Princess Analese. You've been through so much pain and yet you still stand tall. And your people love you for it." He smiles reassuringly, hoping that some of the warmth in his eyes reaches her. "
"I miss the days when my father and I would play in the garden and run through the town.." I softly say.
"My mother died when I was young too," Prince Adonis says quietly, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone in a soothing caress. "But I know what it's like to have a parent who truly cares about you, even if they're gone now. Your father must have loved you very much." He looks into her eyes, seeing the sadness there and wanting to comfort her. "I can feel how much pain you're carrying inside you," he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's breaking my heart to see you suffer like this, Princess.
He glances back at her, sensing something is off. "Is there something else you need from me, Princess Analese?" he asks cautiously. His heart beats a little faster as he wonders if she's changed her mind about him already.
I cross my arms and turn away. "No.." I say with a pout.
He stands there for a moment longer, his eyes lingering on my face as he waits for an answer. When I don't say anything, he shakes his head slowly.*
"I understand, princess.. but that's not how I am. You are beautiful, kind, smart and capable. I won't disappoint you in any way.." He says softly as he clasps both hands behind his head, looking down at my face.
"I will treat you right, I promise you that."
The old king's words only served to deepen Prince Adonis's sympathy for the princess. He could see how much pain and regret filled the frail man's eyes as he spoke of his daughter. "Your Majesty, I understand that you love your daughter deeply," he began, "but it is time for her to move on. To embrace the future and become the queen she was meant to be."
Prince Adonis paused, gathering his thoughts. "
"she can't.. I became ill around the time she began to lose her happiness... She eats alone.. she has no one to walk and play in the gardens with her.. no one to tell her that white can be beautiful if she will only let it.." my father said with sadness.
The words struck a chord within Prince Adonis. He could see now how much the old king's illness had taken from his daughter, and he realized that perhaps there was more at stake here than simply ending the war against the kingdom of Diamonds. There was a chance to save both Analese and her father from their own personal hells.
"Your Majesty," Prince Adonis said, reaching out to place a hand on the old king's shoulder, "if I can help your daughter find happiness again...