natalia luzu kimlasca-lanvaldear (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
archered) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sagittariusly2013-04-29 08:33 pm
archered) wrote in sagittariusly2013-04-29 08:33 pm
Entry tags:
for techtonic
When the news of Luke's disappearance hit her, there was a moment when Natalia thought she'd read the words wrong.
She was exploring with a party of Baticul's top engineers and healers the possibility of installing clinics at every port, when the official missive from The Duke was handed to her. It wasn't unusual for her uncle to write to her father, and for her father to direct the letters to her for her perusal, but this one--
"I'm sorry," Natalia said, hastily getting to her feet. "I would have to postpone this meeting to a later date. My advisers will get in touch with you immediately. Good day, gentlemen."
Cool and calm she was in her words, yet there was a churning in her stomach that she couldn't quite hide. The ride back to the castle was, thankfully, a short one, but it wasn't her father she wanted to speak with.
Duke fon Fabre was, unfortunately, not home. Probably out leading an army to scour Auldrant for his son. The duchess was not ready to receive guests, even family like Natalia. And of course, Luke was--
In a rare display of frustration, Natalia pounded her fist on the table in the drawing room, shocking poor Ramdas almost to death. "Isn't there anyone around to answer me?"
She was exploring with a party of Baticul's top engineers and healers the possibility of installing clinics at every port, when the official missive from The Duke was handed to her. It wasn't unusual for her uncle to write to her father, and for her father to direct the letters to her for her perusal, but this one--
"I'm sorry," Natalia said, hastily getting to her feet. "I would have to postpone this meeting to a later date. My advisers will get in touch with you immediately. Good day, gentlemen."
Cool and calm she was in her words, yet there was a churning in her stomach that she couldn't quite hide. The ride back to the castle was, thankfully, a short one, but it wasn't her father she wanted to speak with.
Duke fon Fabre was, unfortunately, not home. Probably out leading an army to scour Auldrant for his son. The duchess was not ready to receive guests, even family like Natalia. And of course, Luke was--
In a rare display of frustration, Natalia pounded her fist on the table in the drawing room, shocking poor Ramdas almost to death. "Isn't there anyone around to answer me?"
no subject
Fortunately, Guy had been ordered to join a small group and search the Malkuth Empire for traces of the wayward noble. It seemed that, even seven years later, the neighboring country remained a prime suspect.
Guy had just left his and Pere's quarters after polishing his blade and was headed to speak with Ramdas about final preparations when he heard a muffled thud coming from the drawing room.
Thinking that one of the maids must have lost her footing, Guy hurried in to find Princess Natalia posed over the table.
Straightening immediately, Guy closed the doors behind him and strode further into the room. ...Poor Natalia. He could already imagine why she had rushed here. This was only the second time her fiancé had vanished, after all.
"My apologies for the wait, Your Highness," Guy said with a bow. "Her Ladyship would have greeted you personally, but I'm afraid she hasn't been well. Is there anything I can do for you?"
no subject
Finally, someone who could be of use to her. Natalia crossed her arms in front of her chest, and strode to stand in front of him. "I've already been informed about Lady Suzanne's... condition." Her poor aunt. What must she be feeling, at this instant?
"But I still don't understand what happened here. The Duke's letter mentioned a... a kidnapping? In his own home? How ridiculous." It spoke something about the laxness of the security force in Baticul and that, she felt, was something unforgivable. The manor, of course, was just right next to the Palace, and it was supposed to be well-guarded, considering the nobles who lived there and their significance to Kimlasca. It just wasn't possible.
"I demand a recount of just what happened to Luke out there."
no subject
"Of course, Your Highness. Might I suggest somewhere more comfortable?" Guy asked, taking what he hoped was a discreet backwards step as he gestured politely towards one of the chairs.
His smile faded a little as he continued, "You may want to sit down for this. It could take a while to explain everything..."
Which he fully intended to do, of course, but considering the nature of the story, he felt it might be best if Natalia made herself at home rather than accepting the information on her feet.
no subject
"You need not coddle me as if I were a child," she told him sharply, with an implied how dare you thrown in for food measure. On any other day she might not be so... well, imposing on him (or at least she'd try, for Luke's sake), but now that she was inwardly panicking... well, he'd just have to bear the brunt of her nobility.
"I can bear it. Just tell me."
no subject
"Calling it a 'kidnapping' might be oversimplifying things a bit... Word is Van's being called away on Order business, so he agreed to spar with Luke in the courtyard for as long as he wanted to make up for it. And you know Luke. He couldn't pass up the chance."
Checking to see how the princess was faring so far, Guy folded his arms slowly and continued, recalling the scene.
"It was maybe ten minutes into their training session that old Pere and I heard singing. The song must have been a fonic arte of some kind, because by that point the guards were asleep at their posts and it was all Pere or I could do to stay awake. That was when the young woman showed up. To be honest, she didn't seem interested in anyone but the Dorian General and immediately went after him. In fact, it seemed very much like they knew each other somehow.
"Anyhow, it was during her attack on Van that Luke jumped in. When Luke's sword clashed with the woman's staff, it started a fonic reaction. They stood there bearing down on one another and then suddenly a bright burst of light engulfed them, like a meteor taking off. When the light faded, both Luke and the woman had vanished."
Guy lowered his head, guilt written plainly on his face. "The spell wore off a moment later. But by then they were gone. I...couldn't even do anything to stop it..."
no subject
"This... young woman could have used that same power on Dorian General Grants if she was indeed after him." Natalia couldn't help the slight distaste she felt at the thought of Luke being with another woman right this moment. It wasn't jealousy, per se... more like annoyance, really. And worry, right at its very heels. If something were to happen to Luke again...
"Surely she wouldn't be above such a tactic, if attacking her target in another's home was what she resorted to. Perhaps this woman possesses a great power, but not the wits to match it."
no subject
Hearing her out, Guy tilted his head in consideration. "Van was in the courtyard, same as the rest of us. I think it's safe to assume he heard the singing as well. Maybe his time with the Oracle Knights has enhanced his resistance to fonic artes? As for the assassin, I honestly couldn't say. Breaking into the manor seems like an unneccessary risk to take just to attack one man."
And maybe Guy was a little too good at explaining things. In hindsight, it would have been best not to bring up the matter of the would-be assassin's gender. It was bad enough that Luke had been spirited away to who-knows-where, but knowing he was with a female no doubt complicated matters for the princess.
"...In any case, Duke Fabre has his knights spread out across the continent and is sending small groups across the border." Guy tried on his most reassuring smile. As much of one as he could manage, at least. "Don't worry, Princess Natalia. We'll do everything we can to bring him back safe and sound."
no subject
To her surprise, it seemed that she was still able to stand properly. No bucking knees, no urge to cry... not yet, anyway. But worry felt like a painful knot in her stomach, and her nails were digging half-moons in her palms. This woman couldn't kill Luke. She just.... couldn't. Not if Natalia had any say in it.
It was this resolve that made her square her shoulders. "But yes, you're right. We'll do everything we can to bring poor Luke back with us safe and sound. I'll tell Father to gather our best soldiers, and I'll take the lead. Guy, will you come with me?"
no subject
"H-huh?" It was more a startled utterance than a question. Did he hear her right? No, of course he heard her correctly. It was just like Natalia to take matters into her own hands.
"I understand how you must feel, but with all due respect, Your Highness, I don't think that would be wise. What if something happened to you? Setting out with an entourage of knights might be seen as an act of hostility. And besides, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you got hurt while rescuing Luke."
"So please, if you would, allow us to handle this." Guy ducked his head respectfully, but he already had a sneaky suspicion nothing he said could change her mind. What lengths was she willing to go to? Would she go even if King Ingobert forbid it?
...Of course she would. And the consequences had him concerned most of all.
no subject
Could Luke's master be...?
Then she quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought. The Dorian General seemed loyal enough to Duke Fabre, and to Luke, for that matter. Surely he wasn't behind this.
...surely he couldn't be responsible.
But then, who was?
"If Luke was indeed taken somewhere under the Emperor's jurisdiction, then I shall personally draft a letter myself to state our intention to step foot onto their lands. It's the least I can do, being Luke's... fiancee." Natalia took a step closer to Guy. "I can't stand around and just wait when all the while I know he's in danger. Surely you understand that, don't you?"
She didn't want to implore to him, but she couldn't help it if it came out that way. But then, this was for Luke, and right now she saw Guy not only as Luke's servant, but his closest friend, too.
Sorry for the delay, busy week.
"What about your father, the King? Do you think he'll allow you to take charge of such a risky venture?" He paused, deciding to confirm his suspicions. "You intend to do this with or without His Majesty's permission, don't you?"
As Natalia drew nearer, Guy felt himself tensing up. Small tremors began traveling up and down his limbs until, not being able to stand it any longer, the servant shrank backwards towards the relative safety of the wall. "O-of course I d-do! Th-that's why I made sure I was present when Van gave his report to Duke Fabre. P-please don't--I mean..."
Guy hesitated, unable to go on. It looked like he was having some difficulty breathing at that moment, if the shaking and the paleness of his face were any indication.
no problem!
And yet no, of course he hadn't. It's insulting, really. She would have given him some scathing remark about it, had she not been trying to get him to take her side on this matter. Thus, Natalia chose instead to step back from him.
"Father will understand," she said with a confidence she truly felt. The King was an indulgent father, and surely even he would understand her stance on this matter. No one knew how stubborn she could be once she's decided on something like her father did.
"Besides, it'll put his mind at ease if I have someone trustworthy guarding me." Here she gave him a sidelong glance. Not that she needed any guard at all, thank you. But still... "And being Luke's servant all these years, you've somewhat earned that distinction."