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“Saphir, have you ever loved someone before? I’m sorry if that’s an intrusive question," the young Brodian prince asks as he casts his rod into the lake. The fresh autumn breeze ripples evenly across the lake, and is only interrupted by the countering waves produced by Alcryst’s line.
“I did, once,” Saphir replies as she continues to focus on her line. His navy blue hair reminds her of her first and only love. His mother.
“What were they like?” Alcryst asks, trying to make conversation. Here with only the peaceful sounds of nature surrounding them, it was easy to get caught up in deeper conversations.
“She was beautiful. Eyes like the deep blue of the ocean, same as her hair.” Saphir gazes longingly at the lake. “We used to fish together often, like this. We’d hold hands and talk, laugh until the sun went down. We never noticed it getting dark, either.”
“Did something happen to her?” Alcryst asks, gently lifting the fishing rod in his hand to urge the float to bob.
“Hah. No, she’s alive and well. But anything we had, it wasn’t meant to last. She was the daughter of a noble, after all. Had brighter horizons ahead of her.” Saphir sighs with a solemn smile. “In any case, all I wanted was to see her happy. And I’d say I got that. She, well, she was very happy for a long time.”
After some silence filled by the noises of the nature around them, Saphir continues.
“I actually decided to become a guard for her. You might have heard I was one of Brodia’s strongest knights, during that one war with Elusia– you know the one. But I also wanted to be able to protect her, all the time. To know that she was okay.”
“I understand that. I want to protect those I love too, more than anything. I can’t let anything happen to my big brother, Citrinne, or Lapis.” Alcryst ponders her words for a few moments longer. “But, Saphir, I, um, I promise this isn’t meant to sound interrogating, but aren’t you a member of the Royal Guard?”
Saphir pauses for a moment and closes her eyes, debating whether she should tell Alcryst the truth. “I am. You’ve probably figured out that I’m talking about your mother.”
“I never knew," Alcryst replies quietly. It’s odd to hear for him, and for once he doesn’t have many words to offer.
“It’s in the past now. Seriously, it was so long ago, we were probably around your age. And King Morion was a lovely husband to her. He truly made her happy. And for that, I cherished and protected your father as a loved one as well. Being part of the Royal Guard was to make sure your mother and her whole family– including you and Prince Diamant– would always be safe.”
“That’s… really amazing, Saphir. You really are one of the best soldiers we could ask for. Not just because you’re strong of body, but you’re also strong of heart,” Alcryst offers, knowing that Saphir must be highly familiar with their country’s motto. “And I’m not just saying that as your Prince, or anything. I can only imagine how painful it would be to have to let go of a loved one and resign yourself to just being content seeing their happiness. I would probably be so jealous, in your position.”
Saphir’s eyes widen at the young prince’s words, for they reminded her so much of what his mother might have said to her. “Well, thank you for saying that, Prince Alcryst. You’ve got a pretty strong heart yourself.”
“M-me? Not at all, Saphir. I’m really not an example of strength. I mean, you know my brother Diamant. I could hardly deserve such praise.”
“Hah, always so humble, Prince Alcryst. Though, it’s probably just that that makes it so easy to tell you these things. I certainly couldn’t talk to Prince Diamant like this.” Saphir laughs.
“I promise I won’t tell a soul.” Alcryst turns away from his rod for a moment to give her a confident gaze.
“Like I said, it’s in the past. Though I appreciate that, Prince Alcryst. Now tell me, what’s got you so curious about my first love, anyway?”
Alcryst blushes from embarrassment upon hearing her words, and turns back to his rod. “Me? W-well, it really isn’t anything compared to your story, but, now that you’ve opened up to me…”
And as the young prince starts to confide in her about the object of his affections, Saphir finds herself feeling relieved. That she’d made the right choice to protect her queen, all those years ago, even if she’d never loved again. After all, a strong heart had to protect Brodia, and Saphir now knew Alcryst would hold that torch.