94. Duty
TITLE: Duty
AUTHOR: charan_amaya
FANDOM: Original
PAIRING/CHARACTER/GENERAL SERIES: Prince Rayden and Princess Leanne. Mentions of Sir Guy, Prince Ludwig.
GENRE: General
PROMPT: Number 94. Duty.
RATING: PG-13
WORD COUNT:
SUMMARY: An unhappy older brother comes into the picture, who knows what will happen?
WARNINGS: Hints of strange things if you read between the lines.
NOTES: I also did this one all on my own and I think I utterly failed.
DISCLAIMER: I own Leanne, some of the things in here, but the rest of the content is owned by of_elysia, aka Rayden's maker. I don't own him. I WISH..
Ludwig marched up to the throne on which his father sat. An angered expression was plastered upon his delicate doll-like features. Shining blue orbs as if carved from a London Blue topaz had a knife of silver to shove into the man’s heart. Even if it was his flesh and blood before him; this man had done something so horrible it deserved death/
“Father! How could you send Leanne to that Black Prince of Ravenshire Court?! He is nothing more than a woman-hating depressed lout that does not deserve someone as precious as her! My sister should not be toted around like a prize to every prince that is available! He has no land and nothing of interest to us!”
King Fredrik, an old man with a full head of silvery-gray hair. He was wise, old, but not half the genius of his children. Yet he had age behind him to call upon. A frown crossed his features, and finally he spoke. His words had to be delicate lest his dearest elder child decided to behead him in a fit of rage.
“Ludwig, your words are foolish. Prince Rayden’s land is in the prime location to fully cut off our enemies if we are to war. To surround, and then conquer that large nation has been our goal since your mother’s death in the war. With a marriage from Leanne to Rayden, we will have all the allies we need to crush them completely. I know you do not approve, but for the good of this land and many others; we must make sacrifices.”
“My sister is not a sacrifice for you to throw in the fire at any time you may so desire!” His shouting became snarls of rage. It could be seen by the guards that surrounded the king, that dear Ludwig was about to go on another murderous rampage. The king wasn’t going to survive this one.
“Ludwig, if you wish to go oversee the negotiations for the marriage and…. Well, or just an alliance. You have my full permission and blessings. I would hope that you could convince the Lord Rayden to join our side.” The words were calm, collected. Perhaps, the young prince would see the logic behind this. Besides, he’d like to get rid of his son for awhile. If both children were gone, he’d be able to mingle with the young women of the court.
The realization dinged within Ludwig’s mind for a moment, his father was a well-known womanizer. It didn’t matter; when he got back he’d chew the old man out for being loose with the court women. Leanne was taking first priority over everything else. He had to make sure his young, pure, and innocent sister was safe from the hands of the stupid man.
“Fine, then, I’ll leave tonight.” With that, he left. The old father sat there with a grin on his lips, he was free of both children for awhile, then! Good for him, there was a new cook in the kitchens that was begging for him to go do something-something with, ah, it was good to be King. The ladies were all just waiting for him to have fun with! What a wonderful life.
It was the later eve when a bag was strapped to the back of his horse, it saddled and ready for him. The Prince wore more elegant clothing than he should for a week ride, but, he was going to make sure he could out show that damn evil creature that was his sister’s to-be-husband, but not if he could help it.
He rode as fast as he could, as long as he could without killing himself in exhaustion, or his steed. It was the morning of the seventh day (perhaps more towards noon than he cared to admit); when he could see what he believed was Ravenshinre Court. It looked like this was the place, according to his map. Yet, not too far from the break in the woods was a couple picnicking. Ah, they looked like peasants, or something above that. They’d be helpful in identifying if this was indeed the place he sought.
Dismounting the white stallion, he casually strolled towards the two. The woman, he noticed, was wearing a little sun dress, while the accompanist was within a loose white shirt, with black pants and rugged browned boots. It was odd, but they definitely looked a little too nice to be normal commoners, but he still approached, judging and taking in the appearance of both of them.
The man was… a little paler than to be expected, yet tanned. His hair was black, and too neat to be some common worker with his sweetheart. The same was with the woman, she was lovely, of course, but he was put off by the muscles. Hn, this was more suspicious by the moment, no?
He moved in front of them, standing tall and proud, even if he wasn’t meaning to. A slight bow was given, he lingered his brilliant blue hues over the male’s face in particular. What horrific scars over the man’s face, he had to note. There was a story, and… a slight widen at those cold, black eyes. Yet, he hid his eye movements. A smile on his face, he had to appear polite.
“Good people, I wish to know if Lord Rayden is a resident of that that castle over yonder.” He attempted his best, but the man’s eyes started to unnerve him, it must be a noble couple he had encountered. Ludwig wasn’t pleased; he would be on his way soon, though.
“Why?” There was a question from one of them; it didn’t matter to him of whom it was.
“Ah, why? There’s a princess in that castle that needs saving, that’s all. I’m just here to save her from the Black Prince.”