She leaned into his touch. “Can we just... not talk about it for now?” *** “You don’t have a choice.”
Xavier opened the door, his hair a bit unruly and lacking an eyepatch. The scar ran across his eye, which was an unseeing milky white that looked unsettling. His hands were folded casually as he offered a regal grin. "Good morning, sir." *** She sighed. "Alright then."
He frowned, looking up at him. "Good morning..." * * * He nodded, closing his eyes as he leaned back.
"I know you don't know me, but I've come to ask the hand of your daughter." *** She went to the cot, lying down.
He blinked in surprise, eyeing the man up and down. "Excuse me? Who are you?" * * * He drifted off almost instantly, and Logan came over to him, jumping up in his lap.
"My name is Xavier Lauder," he replied smoothly with a bow. He wore a fine outfit, adorning a nicely fitted cloak and evening top hat, which he smoothly removed with his greeting. He looked high society. "I come from a distant kingdom called Aberdil. You may have heard of it, seeing as your knowledge as a king must be expansive." He relaxed his shoulders, holding his hat. "I've of your youngest daughter being eligible for marriage, and I of course was interested. I also heard tell of the recent accident that happened here. Truly a tragedy to have one's heart shattered. I took it upon myself to look for the missing shard, scavenging the dirty alleyways and black markets for a safe return of your heart." He reached into his coat and pulled out the shard, which he had taken the night before from Ellie. "I am pleased to say I found it, being sold a high prize. I bought it to return to you, your excellency, but all I ask in return is a chance at your lovely daughter." *** (Zoop!)
He studied Xavier for quite some time before speaking to his aide. “Fetch Ellie from her quarters. Tell her I have found her a new suitor.” The aide nodded and hurried away. A few minutes later, Ellie entered the room, her hands folded in front of her and her face drawn and somber. She didn’t wear her regular cloak and trousers, instead wearing a light blue dress that matched her eyes, intricate lacework along her collarbones. Her gaze fell upon Xavier and her frown deepened and she looked utterly bewildered. “What...?” *** About a week later, Burke was in his shop behind his house, hammering a kink out of a long blade.
He smiled charmingly, giving her a sly wink as he bowed to her. "Lovely to meet you, my lady." *** He was alone. There was a slight rustle before Scarlet burst out from behind him. "Raah!"
She still looked baffled, looking up at her father. He gestured, extending a hand. “This is Xavier Lauder. He has returned the final shard of my heart. He retrieved it in an attempt to be your betrothed. I have agreed to his terms.” Her face became impossible to read and her gaze flickered back over to Xavier. “A pleasure to meet you, sire,” she said dully. *** He flinched, turning to look at her suddenly. “God, Scarlet! I coulda stabbed you!”
He stepped forward, taking her hand and giving it a polite kiss. "And a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm fortunate to be of audience." *** She was grinning. "But you didn't."
She looked over at him, her brow furrowing. The King spoke. “Eleanor, show Lord Lauder to one of the spare rooms.” She inclined her head slightly, heading to the door. *** “But I could have. I thought you were a monster.”
