#ive decided Oleuphine is her kingdoms name

[favoritefadedfantasies]

💔 (For Elysia. Give the new lass some more history)

“His name was Alexandre.” She said with a sigh, idly stroking Rembrandt’s head as she did so. The snowy-haired woman looked up, meeting the inquirer’s gaze. “We met in the Academy, as most couples in Oleuphine do. He was from a proud warrior line, just like me. It seemed perfect from the start - which is perhaps why I know now, in hindsight, it was doomed.” Elysia shook her head, a strange mix of emotions on her features. Sadness and resignation were the most noticeable however.

“For four years we were perfect. Destined to be one of the next great lines in Oleuphine - well, only if the king allowed me to marry him.” She said with a chuckle. “I’m not sure what you know of my people, but traditionally the queen is chosen from best female warriors. It is not necessarily a love match. I was far and away the most skilled, and many assumed that meant I was destined to rule by King Maxime’s side. While he and I were great friends, we both knew I would never be queen. Alexandre, on the other hand, I believe, had some doubts.” 

Elysia ran a hand through her hair, shaking her head slightly. To be quite honest, she hadn’t thought of Alexandre in years - the ending was simply too painful to dwell on in the long run. And worse than the ending was the fear that it hadn’t ended, that one day she’d have to face that ghost once more. 

“As graduation drew closer, Alexandre seemed increasingly critical of our kingdom’s traditions. I don’t know if it was fear of losing me or simply his independent spirit, but his words grew almost treasonous.” Already she could feel the cold of their last day together creeping into her bones again. Elysia paused.

“Before I go on you must understand - while our traditions may seem cold to some, Oleuphine survives because of them. We are able to defend our citizens because of the strict adherence to protocol. The strongest go with the strongest, and you know from the start what is expected of you. Alexandre was strong, and I was never going to be queen - there was another role for me, that of Maxime’s champion. He would marry another and I would serve as his emissary, his scout, his assassin - whatever he needed. But never his wife. I was free to choose my own mate.”“No matter how many times I told Alexandre we did have a future, he never seemed to believe me. In the years that have passed, I wonder if my rank was an excuse he used to justify his choices. I suppose these days it doesn’t matter, it did end after all.” The platinum-haired woman took a long sip from the drink in front of her, glancing down at Rembrandt as the leopard rubbed against her leg. 

“A few days before graduation he told me to meet him on the edge of our city after dark, saying there was something important we needed to talk about.” Her voice grew softer as she seemed to be staring straight into the past. “When I arrived he had a bag packed, and he told me he was going to leave. He didn’t agree with Oleuphine’s expectations and traditions, and he wanted no part in it. He begged me to accompany him -” Her words stopped suddenly, the pain of the memory evident on her pretty face, even now. She had a wisdom beyond her age in her eyes, and she waited a long moment before she spoke again.

“I chose my duty to my country, to my king. Maxime needed a champion, and those innocent citizens need people to protect them. To leave them without my support, without my protection - it was an unthinkably selfish act, at least back then it felt like it was.” It was only then that the slight glistening of tears appeared on the edges of her crystalline eyes. 

“I was furious with Alexandre, at the choice he was trying to force me to make. How dare he pit my love for him against my love for my people? The audacity of even asking me to choose guaranteed I was not going to choose him.” Her voice was indignant, her words fast before they slowed down, the next few were a nearly ashamed whisper. “I didn’t even kiss him goodbye.” There was regret in her tone. She was quiet for a long time, taking a moment to wipe the small hints of tears away.

“I wonder what would happen now, if I saw him again. What would I say? What would I do? Would he even be the man I’d loved? Was he right all along? I just don’t know.” Elysia closed her eyes, letting out a slow breath to steady herself before she turned her attention to Rembrandt. She simply couldn’t look her companion in the eye at the moment. Vulnerability like that wasn’t commonplace for her, and she was a bit surprised she’d answered the question at all. 

“I’m sorry, that got a bit out of hand… I appreciate you listening.” A small, nearly forced smile after a moment. “It’s your turn, I think, to tell a story.”{ @cultaexfeles }