[Mid-Morning]

[Southern Kingdom - Queen's Palace]

Marie: Will you not play with your baby brother, Roman?

(Transfixed by his brother's simple play on the floor, he responded by shaking his head)

Duke Beauregard: Words, Roman. Speak.

Roman: No, mother.

Marie: ...And, why not?

Roman: Because he is a baby and I am not.

(Marie's eyebrows furrowed and she heard her father then say)

Duke Beauregard: Roman already understands his place, Marie. Do not attempt to confuse him.

(While the adults above him debated, he returned his attention toward his brother.)

(Damian played happily alone. With wooden blocks and soldiers and horses. Unobservant of the Crown Prince, his brother standing close)

(It had been the first time he saw his brother since the day after his birth. And now the second born was already a year old)

(Upon noticing Roman staring at him, the babe became still and silent. Then unexpectedly, he toothily giggled.)

(Roman could not help but smile. And soon, he was accepting from his brother's tiny hand one of the wooden blocks.)

(Etched in black, alternating on its sides: a sword, a horse and a crown. The young Crown Prince stared at the images as he turned the block over in his hand. Damian, however, happily returned to his solitary play.)

(Then his grandfather called)

Duke Beauregard: Here, Roman.

Roman: Yes, Grandfather.

(Immediately, he dropped the toy and removed himself from observing his little brother. Approaching his grandfather's side, his mother questioned)

Marie: Are you leaving already?

Duke Beauregard: We are, yes. The archery tourney soon approaches and he requires practice today.

Marie: ...

Duke Beauregard: And it is almost midday, I would prefer he does so before the heat becomes overbearing for him.

Marie: I see..very well

(Bending low, his mother smiled and then kissed him softly upon the cheek)

Marie: My precious one?

Roman: Hm?

Marie: 'till I see you again. I love you

(But the young prince did not give reply. Instead, he bent his head and stared at his feet)

Duke Beauregard: Roman..

(The Duke called, while extending his hand, to which the child obeyed and took hold)

(Hand in hand they made their way toward the doors.)

(Stealing a glance behind him, was the prince, to once again view his mother before leaving)

**

**

- fwip!

[Southern Kingdom - Field archery Training grounds]

-- Excellent shot!

-- On target. Well done M'lady!... Oh!?

(At the sight of the fair haired Duke and his young companion, the servants immediately bent low.)

-- Your Highness, Your Grace..

(He then sternly warned)

Duke Beauregard: Your group is not allowed here.

(With clasped hands the servant sought to take the blame and said)

-- My apologies- we came because- I am at fault. Again, I humbly apologise. Kindly pardon us

Duke Beauregard: The eastern palaces has its own practice area. You are allowed to make use of the archery grounds there. Accommodations have been met for all other guests as well..

(Yet again, adults debated overhead, while the prince observed a little young lady standing meekly some distance before him. Bow clasped in both of her small hands; it was almost as tall as she.)

(Roman heard the servant apologise once more before he began to gently motion for the lady to)

-- Acknowledge the Crown Prince, M'Lady.

(She curtsied and softly said)

-- My prince

(Her eyelids flickered as she glanced at him; little rubies her eyes were.)

-- Kindly pardon the young miss, Your Highness. She is quite shy

(While the servants packed and the young lady waited to depart, Roman questioned)

Roman: Grandfather?

Duke Beauregard: ...Yes?

Roman: Who is she?

Duke Beauregard: She is the Marquess' daughter. Lady Christine Lenoir.

Roman: ...

Duke Beauregard: ...

Roman: ..Why are they leaving?

Duke Beauregard: This training area is restricted to the other competitors.

Roman: ...

Duke Beauregard: ...

Roman: Allow Lady Lenoir to stay

Duke Beauregard: Your Highness?

Roman: Aren't the grounds large enough? They may stay. Tell them to stop packing.

Duke Beauregard: Ah! Certainly

(Signalling for a servant to do just so, the Duke then asked of his grandson)

Duke Beauregard: Any particular reason you wish for them to remain, Your Highness?

(With a tiny shake of his head, the prince responded)

Roman: No. None, grandfather.

[2 years and a few months later]

*

[Mid-morning]

[Southern Kingdom - Field archery Training grounds]

-- Must you go?

- Papa says that I must.

-fwip!

Roman: Then, how long will you attend?

Lady Christine Lenoir: A few years.

Roman: Years?!

Lady Christine Lenoir: Six or seven years of schooling and training and medicine, yes.

Roman: What about your ceremony in a couple years time?

Lady Christine Lenoir: I shall be there.

Roman: ...

Lady Christine Lenoir: Papa promises that I will return home then.

(Roman appeared pleased; for he smiled to himself while he nocked his arrow)

Christine Lenoir: And what of you, my prince?

Roman: ...?

Christine Lenoir: Are you not afraid of your first hunt in a couple years?

Roman: Afraid? When am I ever?

Christine Lenoir: Surely, a little?

Roman: I am not. No. A prince should never be.

-fwip!

(The young lady smiled and replied)

Christine Lenoir: I see

Roman: Perhaps, I should ask of father for you to be my hunting companion

Christine Lenoir: My prince, I?!

Roman: Will you not join me?

Christine Lenoir: I am a lady.

Roman: And what of it?

Christine Lenoir: I- we are not allowed at such events.

Roman: I am aware.

Christine Lenoir: ...

Roman: But father will allow it. I shall make it a request of him.

Christine Lenoir: It is law. His Majesty would do no such thing.

(And now as she took her mark, Christine saw out of the corner of her eye the prince thoughtfully observing her)

(She released her arrow and Roman then said)

Roman: Then, I do not see the reason.

Christine Lenoir: ...?

Roman: All of your archery training.

Christine Lenoir: ...

Roman: If you are not allowed on the hunt, what purpose does it serve?

Christine Lenoir: Papa says that it is proper for a young noble lady to acquire and best the skill, and nothing more.

Roman: You are already the best in your year.

Christine Lenoir: But I wish to be better

Roman: Better? Perhaps. But surely not better than I.

Christine Lenoir: I can be

Roman: You quite often miss your centre mark

Christine Lenoir: ..not often

(The Prince considered her for a moment before proudly stating)

Roman: Then, in the future..

Christine Lenoir: ...

Roman: ..when I am King, I shall make it so.

Christine Lenoir: ...?

Roman: You will be my hunting companion then, yes?

Christine Lenoir: m- My prince I-

-- Your Highness!

(Both turned in response to the call. Roman, however, furrowed his brow and was heard to utter under his breath)

Roman: Cyrus?

(As the man approached, the prince questioned)

Roman: Should you not be with grandfather at the hunt?

(He wore a grave expression and in lowering his head in acknowledgment, he stated simply)

Cyrus: His Majesty calls for you.

(But Roman instead asked directly)

Roman: Father? Is he hurt?

Cyrus: His Majesty is well.

Roman: Why did you both return early? Did something occur?

Cyrus: Your Highness, His Majesty will see you and explain.

Roman: But you are here. Tell me.

Cyrus: ...

Roman: Cyrus?

Cyrus: I..cannot say. I do not know-

Roman: It is most apparent that you do. Why will you not look at me and tell me?!

(His focus shifted briefly from that of the displeased prince to the bemused young lady beside him.)

(Sternly, Cyrus then addressed him)

Cyrus: Roman.

Roman: ...?

Cyrus: Your grandfather is dead.

➵