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#Post#: 386278--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: guest1266
Date: June 13, 2015, 10:44 pm
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It bothered Essie to see the amount of blame he placed on
himself. Reaching out, she rested her hand on his arm in attempt
to try to console him.
"You are a successful king," she said, her eyes never wavering
from his. "What king as young as you with as little experience
as you, could have defeated a queen with years knowledge? Not
only that, but you do your job naturally and make people respect
you even if they hate you."
A smile returned to her lips. "You already are everything you
want to be. You just can't see it. This child wasn't planned,
but you haven't ran from it as my father did. You will figure
out what to do."
Her hand fell back to the cup and she sighed. It was nice just
to sit and converse with him, but she wished it could have been
under better circumstances.
"You haven't lost her yet, Jasper," she murmured, looking down.
"I know she doesn't want the crown, but I know that she wants
you. She will stay."
Essie didn't want to talk about Ayla, but she knew his mind and
he needed encouragement and honesty from a friend.
#Post#: 386303--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: Renegade
Date: June 23, 2015, 7:30 pm
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Her gesture gave birth to a small smile. It was true that Jasper
was the youngest King in 120 years. Once, there had been a 12
year old King, but he was essentially King just in title. The
responsibilities of running the Kingdom had been delegated until
he was 18, and ready to take over. Her words did offer some
comfort, but it was deeper than that, and they both knew it.
Jasper and Essie always wanted to be the ones to change this
Kingdom. Jasper couldn’t do that the way he was now, and they
both knew that. Every decision he made was on the fly. If he
couldn’t properly plan anything, and it happen the way he
planned it, how could he be the one to change an entire Kingdom?
Hell! He couldn’t even choose a wife right! After he BEGGED for
the right to choose his own wife! The thought caused him to
chuckle.
“Whatever happens from here, Essie, I want you to understand
that I need you. I can’t do this alone. We said we were going to
create change. That’s –our- mission. I don’t know what’s going
to happen with Mybville, I saw a proposal yesterday to leave it
to my leadership until a Queen is crowned. But that’s your
Kingdom. You were born to rule it, and this one.”
The conversation took a serious turn when Essie brought up Ayla.
For a second, Jasper cursed her father under his breath, for
creating such beautiful creatures, and putting him in this
situation. “Essie, not once have I ever heard you talk about
what YOU want. When is it your turn to be selfish?” She was
constantly telling him about his wants and desires, and how to
achieve them, and throwing herself on the backburner. That was
how Ayla got the best of her in the first place… He wondered if
she had even realized it.
#Post#: 386305--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: guest1218
Date: June 23, 2015, 8:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Unable to sit any longer, she raised herself out of the bed and
stood adjacent to the window with her arms folded loosely over
her chest. The conversation weighed heavily on her mind as he
explained how a proposal to take kingship over her kingdom had
fallen into his lap without her knowledge. Essie chewed on her
lips, creating small groves in her cheeks on either side of her
lips. Turning her gaze from him to the window, the dimples grew
as she strained her cheeks in contemplation. However, nothing
she did gave a telltale sign as to what exactly she was thinking
so hard on.
Then, he interrupted her thought process. Essie seemed put off
by his question. In silence, she looked back at him. Pain
crossed her eyes before she blinked and looked away again.
"You won't lose me, Jasper," she replied, her voice much more
steady than her wavering expressions. "I was born to play a
part. A part I play perfectly..."
Her voice slowly faded. She smiled faintly and shook her head
before glancing over to him after he had asked when it was her
turn to start being selfish.
He couldn't see it, but his ignorance didn't surprise her any.
Everyday she was there, she was being selfish. Every moment
spent in his castle instead of her own, she was trading her
responsibilities back at her kingdom for a chance to win him
over. It was then she realized how much she truly loved him and
how impeccably foolish she had been.
Jasper was attracted to women who radiated confidence and who
seized up what they desired. She on the other hand, was the kind
to wait in respect for others and their wants. The lack of
pursuit was not due to her inability to be confident, but her
desire to be fought for and pursued. Ayla trumped her in that
particular department, but Essie knew how to bite her time
wisely.
"What I want, we both know. What we need is a queen," Es
replied, raking her fingers through her hair. "There is no way
to be selfish since what I want is you. It will not change."
Yes, sadly, it would never change.
#Post#: 386309--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: Renegade
Date: June 23, 2015, 9:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
It was clear that Essie was deep in thought. What was unclear,
was what was running through her mind. Her silence was
disconcerting. But then, he had just laid some heavy information
on her head. She probably just needed time to process it. So he
didn’t press her. He remained at her bedside as she looked out
the window, sifting through her thoughts.
Essie’s words lead Jasper to believe that she had already
decided on her part in all of this. She had some unspoken plan
for her role that she intended to carry out without sharing with
anyone. This was no more comforting than her earlier But then
she allowed him a single moment of full fledged honesty. Her
words were saddening, and yet, for some reason, Jasper chuckled,
and his head fell down onto Essie’s bed, shoulders bouncing up
and down in silent laughter. When he finally raised he head, he
exhaled silence. No one was communicating! This was their
problem from the very beginning! From their childhood!
heavily. “You’re just as big a fool as I am, you know that?” The
two were so alike, Jasper couldn’t help but laugh at their
tragic foolishness. It wasn’t that he was happy, or enjoyed
Essie’s pain. He simply couldn’t believe the both of them.
#Post#: 386321--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: guest1266
Date: June 24, 2015, 6:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
She watched him buckle unto the bed, hiding his face from her.
His shoulders rose and fell him rhythmic patterns, indicating
that he was laughing.
Jasper was laughing!
Es scowled at him, but she knew it had gone unseen since his
head was down. Her expression became distorted and it looked as
though she were about to cry when really she was trying not to
laugh herself. It was true, they were both fools.
Anger surfaced in her gaze as she turned away from him, hiding
the smile peaking through the irritation. However, her
expression relaxed as she sighed.
"Jasper, there is nothing new for me to say."
Suddenly, she turned from him, facing the window with her arms
still crossed in front of her.
"I have given you everything, Jasper. I need something from
you," she said. "I need my kingdom back."
When she faced him, it was clear the moment of two friends
talking was over. Now, all that remained was a diplomat.
"Pleace, relinquish your hold over the kingdom. Sign a treaty
with me so the people are somewhat satisfied so that they won't
revolt against an unmarried queen. Grant me two years to find
someone to marry, but until then, let go of your hold so I may
have my kingdom and you yours," she insisted.
Essie knew how much he would be giving up and the risks behind
the move. However, she needed to reign, even if that meant
giving him up.
"If Ayla," she spoke her name begrudgingly as she glanced at the
nearby dresser idly. "-should choose to take up the crown, then
I'll cross that bridge when it gets here."
However, it was clear by her clenched jaw, she would not cross
any bridge of the sort, but she may just burn it down and dance
around the ashes.
"Until then, be the king of your kingdom and let me be the queen
of mine."
Up until this point, she had underestimated the sacrifices that
came with the crown. Soft hazel eyes looked up to meet his.
Would she ever be capable of fully giving Jasper up if it meant
she kept her crown?
The question was a hard one to swallow, especially when the
answer was even harder to accept.
#Post#: 386324--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: Renegade
Date: June 24, 2015, 6:54 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Jasper knew Essie; Well! There was little hint of a smile on her
face, but Jasper could tell by looking at her face, that she was
holding back laughter. The truth was evident in their very
situation. Perhaps, one day, they’d be able to look back on all
of it and laugh together for real. But it was highly unlikely
It had been nice just talking to Essie again. A sigh escaped
Jasper’s lips when he realized that was over and done with. He
listened to her request, noting all the problems with it. First
of all, he hadn’t taken rule of her Kingdom at all, simply read
a sketchy proposal about it. Second, if he –did- take command of
Mybville, he couldn’t just hand it over. It didn’t work like
that. He could delegate all major responsibilities, and decision
making power to her, but in title, he would still be ruler. And
most importantly, turning the Kingdom over to her, and allowing
her to marry another would abolish the joining of their nations.
There were other minor kinks that probably could have been
worked out, but ultimately, this plan wouldn’t work.
“That isn’t going to work, Essie.” He didn’t want to explain to
her all the reasons why. “If you want your Kingdom, Marry me…”
There was no “Until then.” Separating to rule separate Kingdoms
was a permanent move. They both knew that… Jasper rose from his
seat and walked out the door. Essie had a lot to think about…
#Post#: 386346--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: Renegade
Date: June 25, 2015, 8:23 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The past few days had been odd for Jasper. Ayla slept in his bed
every night, however, she showed him practically no affection,
instead withdrawing into her own mind, and leaving Jasper to
wonder where her thoughts traveled. Essie may have stopped
avoiding eye contact with Jasper, but otherwise made no further
attempts to communicate with him. It was safe to assume that she
was also lost within the recesses of her own thoughts.
The only thing that was consistent, was work. There was always
work to do, and it kept Jasper’s hands and mind busy, so he
happily accepted it. He had withdrawn his decree that the
Elder’s rebuild the Kingdoms damaged homes with their own hands,
but he stayed on them about ensuring that it get done. Progress
was about 63% so far, expected to be finished within the week.
Those displaced had been placed in the guest quarters of the
palace, which were rarely ever used.
On this particular morning, Jasper had gone to individually
check on each of his guests. Most of them had never seen the
inside of the Palace, and were more than happy to reside there
while their homes were rebuilt. It was an experience they never
would have had under the rule of the Former King. One of them
had proved themselves as a talented seamstress, and was on the
road to taking employment in the Palace.
Once Jasper had finished checking on his guests, he made his way
to his office. He still had a mountain of paperwork to tend to.
He went to open his door, but before he could walk through, he
bumped into an exiting Essie. He looked from her, to Ayla and
sighed. “Don’t the two of you have anywhere to hang out other
than my office?” Obviously, the aura in the room suggested that
they weren’t just “Hanging Out.” Something very intense had just
occurred… Regardless, he shooed both of them from his office,
and sat down at his desk. He had read over, and declined a dozen
ridiculous proposals before Walter made his way into the office.
He had been out of town again, and was just getting back. He
walked over to Jasper’s side, and punched him in his arm.
“Ouch!” The King yelled, punching Walter right back. “You know I
can have you beheaded for that, right?”
But Walter did not appear amused. “You got her pregnant? Just
couldn’t help yourself, huh?” The look on Jasper’s face lost all
hints of playfulness. He glared at the young noble for a moment,
before returning to his paperwork without a word.
“Nothing to say, huh? What’s wrong? Just realizing you’ve ruined
everything? What about everything you had planned for this
Kingdom?” Jasper slammed his fists into the desk, leaving two
visible indentions. “That’s none of your concern!” Walter fell
silent.
Stagnant air filled the room as both men took a moment to
reorient their thoughts. Walter would be the first one to speak
up again. “Are you alright?” For a moment, Jasper gave no
response, but after a few more lines, and a heavy sigh, he
finally managed to speak. “I don’t know.” He said. “I really
don’t know what to do from here.” There were so many things to
consider.
Walter made his way to his chair and sat down, taking this time
to share in Jasper’s troubles. “Do you think it’s possible to be
in love with two people at once?” The King asked, Murky clouds
of dark blue traveled across the surface of his eyes.
“It doesn’t matter.” Walter said calmly. “Even if it’s possible,
you can’t have them both.”He didn’t speak the obvious… “How’s
Essie taking it?”
“She’s actually talking to me more now than she did before we
found out.” Jasper said, staring at some invisible spot on his
desk. “I’m pretty sure that’s a bad thing…” Walter nodded his
head in agreement. “So what are you going to do?” Jasper
shrugged his shoulders. “I’m going to teach my child not to make
the same mistakes I’ve made…” Beyond that, he didn’t have a
clue. “Listen, I have a lot more paperwork to do…” Walter took
the hint. “Alright. Catch you for lunch tomorrow?” He waited for
the nod of Jasper’s head before excusing himself.
#Post#: 386349--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: guest1266
Date: June 25, 2015, 10:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Sitting on the throne steps, Essie looked around and sighed.
Over the past few days, she had tried to think of a way to
bypass the whole Jasper-Ayla thing and try to get him in her
court, but it just didn't feel right.
A guard coughed and she reacted with a surprised jump.
Apparently, she was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she was
oblivious to everything else around her. A drink, that's what
she needed!
"I need a drink, please," she asked, looking pointedly at the
guard. It took him a few moments to realize she had directed the
demand to him.
"Umm, okay, I will fetch a servant," he replied, frowning a bit
in confusion.
Essie halfway nodded when she saw Walter walking down the
hallway through opened doors.
"No, you get it please," she instructed before waving her hand
to catch Walt's attention. "Hey stranger, come sit with me!" She
glanced back at the guard. "Get me two drinks."
He hesitated. It was rare and somewhat unwise to be alone and it
was evident that the guard did not feel comfortable leaving his
post. After giving her a sideways glance, he obliged her and
left the two alone.
Essie tucked her elbows against her stomach on top of her lap
and leaned forward as she sighed and waited on Walt to make his
way to the throne. Her hair hung around her shoulders freely,
framing her face as her eyes peered from under thick lashes.
Nothing in her appearance was different aside from the slight
weight difference due to the stress, but her demeanor reflected
the stress she felt.
#Post#: 386350--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: guest1220
Date: June 25, 2015, 10:44 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Pacing the bedroom floor, Ayla chewed on her nails. Nail biting
had been a nervous childhood habit that she had broken before
her teenage years, yet for some reason, it was what she had
resorted to now to help soothe her. She groaned, realizing that
she was nipping at the nail again and quickly wiped off her hand
on her skirt.
Why was she so nervous anyways?
It was just Jasper, no reason to be nervous. No, she wasn't
nervous. Ayla didn't get nervous, not over men. Then why was she
pacing and biting her nails? She must be!
A knock came at the door and she was so caught off guard and so
wrapped up in her mental argument that she yelled, "I'm NOT
nervous!"
Ayla blinked. Had she really just said that outloud?
"Umm, okay. I'm not either?" replied the masculine voice behind
the oak door.
Shoot, she had said it outloud!
"Just come in," she said and folded her arms, her demeanor
radiating her irritation.
The elder stepped through. His long black beard was tied into a
braid that was neatly tucked against his chest. He carried a
tray with the usual tea. For the past few days, he had come to
visit her to talk about the kingdom and he always brought tea
with. She would never admit it, but she actually liked the
stuff!
"Hello, Ayla," he said, setting the tray on her dresser and then
pouring it into two cups. "How are you feeling."
"Fine," she responded, watching him.
He seemed displeased with this. She frowned and he quickly
cleared his throat. "I have heard gossip that you and Jasper
were having issues. You know how the maids talk. I just assumed
you trusted me enough to speak to me before allowing it get down
the grapevine."
She scoffed. "Since when do I need to trust you with personal
matters?"
He shrugged and handed her a drink. She took it and sipped on
it. It felt warm in her hands and it oddly relaxed her.
"So? Have you decided yet?" he asked for the umpteenth time.
She groaned and sat on the edge of the bed. Since she hadn't
anyone else to talk to here, she decided to betray herself and
talk about something very disturbing; her feelings.
"I want to stay," she admitted, looking down. "I know he
deserves more."
He nodded and leaned against the wall in front of the bed and
sat down his glass. "It isn't that he deserves more, Ayla. But,
we both know that you don't have the training to make you like
Essie is."
She didn't look up until he spoke again.
"Ayla, you are making the right choice. I can assure you of
that."
"Then why doesn't it feel like it?" she asked.
He gave her a subtle smile. "Give it time. I'm sure it will all
fall into place soon enough."
She stood up and shook her head defiantly. "No. I am going to go
to him now and tell him that I refuse to leave him. He may be
better off without me, but I am not willing not to try at
least."
Ayla took a step forward when the elder caught her arm. "No! You
can't do this, Ayla."
Glaring at the man, she raised her hand to remove it for him
when a terrible pain went through her abdomen. She had to bite
her lip to keep from uttering a sound. He caught her before she
collapsed. Something was wrong.
The elder called for the doctor and helped her back into bed.
#Post#: 386354--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tale of Two Kingdoms
DIR By: Renegade
Date: June 26, 2015, 1:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Walter was on his way out of the palace, deep in thought over
his best friend’s situation. He couldn’t help but think that
maybe they were all too young to rule over Kingdoms just yet.
Maybe that was why even after marriage, Rule was set to maintain
with their parents for several years. They were forced into this
situation before they were ready, and the result was the chaos
that ensued. Luckily, they were intelligent and well trained,
and had managed to keep it all behind palace walls, even with
the gossipy servants.
Walter almost didn’t notice Essie waving him over from the
Throne room, being so distracted by his thoughts. But he caught
her out of his peripheral at just the last moment, and entered
the room as she sent the guard away for drinks, which obviously
wasn’t his job. “How are you doing, your highness?” He had
always addressed Jasper and Essie more casually than other
royals. But given the situation, and the fact that he had only
spoken to Essie once in the past several years, he felt a more
formal approach was his best choice.
Elsewhere, a small group of Elders were gathering for a meeting.
“Jasper is falling into his role as King far better than
expected” said a woman with a long braid down her back. “He’s
tending to his duties without being bribed or coerced”
“Yes, but I fear he’s far too liberal in his decisions. What was
he thinking, paying to repair those people’s homes with
government funds, and allowing them to stay in the palace!?” the
eldest of the Advisors rebutted. “We must keep an eye on him.”
“I don’t think there’s any harm in allowing a few peasants to
stay in the palace for a few days. Jasper is just trying to
build his clout with the citizens. He’s a fine politician.” The
braided lady stated.
“What of the elder sister?” Asked a man with salt and pepper
hair.
“Simon should be giving her her “medicine” right about now. It
should be showing it’s effects any day now.”
“Excellent. With any luck, the loss of her child should send her
running from the palace without any further interference from
us..”
“Agreed” Four voices rang out in unison.
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