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“Prince Leona Kingscholar has sent a letter to your majesty.” Sebastian bowed sideways, an odd habit that Falena had grown accustomed to. Talking to him formally yet acting like he was just another friend he was teasing, it was actually quite endearing.
Well, it normally was. Sebastian was running up his direction headfirst, ready to crash into him with tears in his eyes, and Falena was terrified. His expression was that of snotty heartbreak and the king could swear he saw that green goo make way to him before he did.
“Sebastian…SEBASTIAN STOP!” Falena ducked his head and watched as the hornbill, in Cheka’s words, ate dirt.
He adjusted his crown and patted himself down, making sure everything was in order.
Oh thank sevens! Last time I got a face full of Sebastian, I couldn't wash off his smell for days!
“By the beasts, Sebastian What’s gotten into you this time?!” Over dramatic he may be, but Sebastian always had information for him. Sometimes it was that they ran out of a certain cut of meat, other times it was that a gang war had broken out in the slums, and very rarely it was something very important.
Alas, information was information so Falena couldn't complain how it was delivered. Considering it was Leona that sent a message, it must be something relatively big!
Leona never sent him letters! He either texted Cheka to tell him whatever he wanted, or he just sent a transfer request for whatever he wanted.
Falena was almost sure his brother forgot their lessons on the subject.
Well he was clearly wrong.
Wait. If Sebastian is acting like this, he must know what Leona wrote.. How could he..!
“Did you already read it?!”
Sebastian looked quite pitiful, sitting on the floor with a red face and tearstruck eyes. “Apologies, your Majesty. I was merely curious as to whether it was an emergency. I couldn’t possibly interrupt your important kingly matters if it was something I could solve!”
So he was curious and wanted to help Leona if he wrote asking for something? Sebastian had always pampered his brother. Whenever the young prince came home from school he tried his best to cater to him. If Falena didn’t know any better, he might have thought his aide had a bit of a crush!
Haha.
…
“So what did he write?” Falena raised his brow and tapped his finger against the inside of his palm. To have Sebastian in tears- was Leona hurt? No, news of that would have gotten to him far sooner than a letter his brother likely put off until last minute. But then, was he expelled? That was the more likely option.
He should have known, his brother never put in effort to his studies nowadays. He lost all motivation for everything a few years back. Ah, what to do.. Falena could just pay to have his expulsion reversed. That headmage of theirs was very money motivated. Or maybe he could take this opportunity to send Leona off to RSA. Surely his brother would thrive in an environment like that! And the Spelldrive team was very competent, winning a few matches might bring back some of his brother's fire.
“WAAAHHHHHHHH! YOUR MAJESTY YOU CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN!!” Sebastian jumped into his arms and all of the king's efforts went to waste as the hornbill’s wet face scrubbed against his clothes.
He silently sent a prayer to the servants that would have to wash his clothes and pat his aide on the back. “Now now Seb, calm down. If you don’t speak properly, how can I understand you?”
Let what happen?? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! Can’t let him be expelled? Is Leona asking for me to help him out??
Sniff Sniff
“My apologies.. I was merely struck with a bout of nostalgia as I remembered the olden days.”
“Seb, you’re twenty-three.” Falena sighed and pushed the man away, bringing a hand to his temple. He felt a headache coming in and tried to will it away with a smile.
“If you can’t explain what happened without breaking into tears, give me the letter. I’ll read it myself.”
His aide sniffed and took out a deep green envelope from his sleeve. It was engraved with floral patterns and the wax seal, the one assigned to Leona, was broken open.
How fancy.
He felt his eyebrow twitch and turned the paper around. On the back, there were two names written. Leona Kingscholar and…
Malleus Draconia.
Now things made sense. Sebastian didn’t open the letter because he wanted to help out or whatever, he saw the name of the Draconian heir with Leona and was ‘worried.’
The worry was valid, a letter written by both their Leona and the heir of the Valley had to hold importance. Not only was unlike Leona to co-write anything, but Falena had no idea what Briar Valley would want from him. That place had been closed off to outsiders for ages now. Very rarely were people non-fae allowed inside, and if they were they were either highly recommended professionals brought in to combat the skill shortage (caused by their isolation, may he add), or important guests that the royal family approved of.
Considering this was a dual letter, Falena doubted it had anything to do with anything like that. Perhaps Leona caused some trouble and the fae prince was demanding recompense? If that was the case why write with Leona? Was it a humiliation ritual or something deeper?
He looked towards Sebastian, eyes narrowed in what he perfected to be his royal glare.
Sebastian straightened and bowed, wiping his face and opening the door to Falena’s study before disappearing.
“Please don’t let them..” The king heard his aides pleading murmurs and sat in confusion.
He took in a breath and leaned into his chair. He couldn’t handle a war threat today.
Please, just this once, don’t let it be what I think it is.
He took the paper out of the green envelope, cringing when it turned out to be just as fancy as its container.
It was short, which was to be expected of something sent by Leona. He didn’t know the fae well enough to say the same of him.
The handwriting was neat, all formal and what they were taught. Actually, Falena should probably show this to Cheka. His boy was having trouble learning cursive and Falena was sure that if he just had proper motivation, he’d be able to overcome this hurdle. What better motivation than learning his dear uncle, the one that didn’t attend any parties or give formal greetings, still using formal writing?
Falena started reading.
____________
Oh great king of Sunset Savanna, I’ve written to ask for your humble blessings.
____________
Ah, how nice it was to hear from his brother. Really, he should just be glad Leona deigned to write to him at all! He let out a scoff and skipped over the next few lines that were filled with Leona’s flowery words that surely disguised some sort of insult.
There went his plans of teaching Cheka anything via his uncle.
____________
I’m sick of this and I know you are too so I’m just gonna tell you what I wrote for.
Me and the lizard Malleus are engaged.
I wrote this so you don’t get to scold me for not telling you ahead of time and because my fiancé wouldn’t let us get hitched without your ‘blessings.’ Take this as your invitation to the eventual wedding too, because I'm not doing this again.
Regards,
Leona Kingscholar.
-And Malleus Draconia.
___________
The last line was written as an afterthought, like the writer scribbled it at the last minute. It was messy and the letters were uneven and-
Oh sevens, Leona’s getting married..
Leona was- he was in love? With the heir to Briar Valley. He was dating him, and doing all the things that came with that. Probably kissing and- ugh
He was engaged. His brother was engaged.
Falena didn’t know what to do. Should he take this politically? Think about the potential this marriage had for their country, (because WOW there was a lot), and plan accordingly? Should he invite them over and plan trade routes, would this be the start to Briar Valley’s opening to non-fae individuals?!
But Leona wrote this himself. Formal writing and fancy papers aside, his brother wrote to him to tell him about this. And that last line- the messy writing Falena was sure was practiced out of his brother- it was an inclusion. It was sincere and seeing as how it wasn’t crossed out, something Leona was proud to admit.
And Malleus Draconia.
…
“Okay.”
Falena stood up, carefully pocketing the letter and making his way to the door.
“Sebastian!”
The door slammed open and Falena almost got hit. Seriously again-?!
“Yes your Majesty?” The man’s eyes shone with expectation. Falena would have felt bad but then he caught sight of the dried up snot on his clothes and all that remained was vengeance.
“Go ready my shower. Then send a message to the NRC Headmage for my visit tomorrow.” Before his aide could get too excited, he kept going. “Then pick out my clothes and lay them on my bed. After that, go into town and get a pack of the best dates you can. Then-“
“Uh, your majesty?! Could I perhaps ask for help with those chores?”
“No, I only trust you my friend.” Falena smiled, “after that I expect you to-“
The sounds of frantic running across the palace halls followed all the inhabitants throughout the night.
*****
“How do you think he took it?”
“What do I know? I’m not his keeper.”
“Hmph. I still think I should ask for his blessing in person. This is all very improper, if we cannot stick to the tradition of my culture, I’d like to at least respect yours.”
“Yeah yeah, and which one of us gave who the ring? Really lizard, you got some nerve lecturing me when you’re the reason we have to do anything at all.”
“…You accepted.”
BANG!
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, you’ll get to ask your ‘blessings’ in person realll soon.”
“Hm? What do you mean-“
Knock Knock
“Leona-san, he’s here! Shishi!”
“Who dares interrupt our time together? Kingscholar, you approved of this?”
“You asked for it.”
“WHERE’S MY BROTHER!?”