Chapter Text
They were in a glade. Similar to the one they had previously been in. This time, however, there was no tragedy to tarnish the beauty of nature. The sunlight caught on the dew of the leaves, and the soft wind caught in her hair to ruffle it slightly. Her companions marvelled at the sight, her brother moving ahead to sit down on the soft grass.
They were quick to follow, the Lady sprawling about the grass while the silent Ogre moved to stay near the edge of the clearing.
His face was still ashen, the streaks down his cheeks akin to teardrops. The princess had the sudden urge to hold her brother tight, but knew she could not for it would damage his pride. Imagine, the prince of the Ogres being held by his sister because she thought he was sad! She couldn’t fathom the embarrassment he would receive once they rejoined their brethren.
But…!
As she stared at her brother, his crestfallen face, his ashen lips, she felt that she had her heart squeezed. As she considered the other Ogres around her, she felt her fingers twitch. Ah…
Who cares? They were his subordinates anyway.
One moment she was beside the old Ogre, and in a blink she was there next to her brother.
Holding him tight.
Her eyes were squeezed shut as she held the cold metal of his armour, covered in grime and dirt in a firm embrace. Immediately, she felt the gazes of the others turn away. She was thankful for that. The wind continued to blow around them, birds chirping as her brother stilled at her touch. Suddenly, all her thoughts she was holding back came swirling in her mind at full force.
How come it was her brother holding all the guilt to himself? Why was he the one carrying the burden of the destruction that befell their hometown? It wasn’t his fault! The Orcs were the ones who ran into their town, plundering and burning everything they came across! And there were hundreds, if not thousands of them! How could he expect himself to have defended them all against that?! Even the mightiest of warriors wouldn’t have blamed him!
Her breathing hitched as she tried to empathise with the pain that her own brother was feeling. Her dear, sweet brother who used to parade around claiming he would be the strongest warrior there ever was. Who used to lay beside her at night whispering about the exploits of his master during his prime. The princess’ grip tightened around his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. She felt his breath shudder, and his shoulders shake. His head leaned down to lay atop hers.
And after what seemed like forever, when she finally opened her eyes and turned her neck to look up at him…
The deep, fiery crimson that she grew to look for was obscured by tears.