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Prince Sydney chuckled. "Does it surprise you that there were more than little Charles and Sophia? Your family greatly outnumbers ours in royal children still."
He watched as Kiran's expression darkened. The once sunny face was cloudy and his words were difficult to extract. He thought over this for a moment, hesitant on what Kiran's response would be. "Yes, but you can raise one with me." |
Kiran gave a little nod, looking distantly towards the window. He was having a very strange and dark thought. One he wasn't sure he would actually ever want to go through with. And yet because of Sydney, there it was stuck in his brain. This prince who had literally hopped into his lap had changed his life so drastically in such a short amount of time, and yet Kiran wasn't scared of the idea of living as Sydney's Queen. His heart tugged at the painful idea that one day this dream all might come crashing down around them.
"What if.. the mystics who can fix your curse.. could make me pregnant?" |
Sydney gazed at his prince quietly, unsure of what to respond with. Such an idea had not even crossed his mind. He wondered if Kiran's inability to produce him a heir would trouble their relationship. As if the transformation into a frog every hour wasn't bad enough.
He gently took his hand and kissed the top of it. "Is that what you desire? I would do what I can in my power to grant your wishes." |
"I am not sure..."
Kiran almost whispered softly, looking off towards the locked window on the wall. He was still very young, just only having become of marrying age. When he looked back towards Sydney, he gave him a soft smile and reached a hand up to touch the vase of flowers that the little children had brought him. "So far your family is accepting me.. but every king and queen wants their heir to be able to provide another heir.. their family blood line to move on. And, I know you could have a child with someone else, and I could help raise it... but.. but.." He shook his head a little, his golden hair fluttering a little at the curled in ends that framed his face. Then Kiran looked up at met Sydney's eyes, a resolute expression of one Royal making a decision. "I only know I do not want to share you, even that part of you. If you must have an heir.. I.. I want it to be with me." |
"What...if the procedure were permanent?" Sydney asked. He had heard of tales of curses told by older women to misbehaving children. Little boys being turned into girls and vice versa when they were naughty. He had believed them to be nothing more than threats before, but after his own incident with Damien and the frog transformation...It was no joke!
His expression was serious, concerned. He had expected Kiran to feel some jealousy toward a woman who would get the opportunity to bear his children. He just never thought of him wanting to do something about it himself! |
Kiran's golden brows furrowed together and he gave a little shake of his head, his princely shoulders falling in a very un-noble fashion as if defeated by the prospect.
"I don't want to be a lady forever. I'm a man. I like being a man. I just.. even with that risk I.. I want to see a child that is mine and Sydney's, not some other tramps!" He put on such a pout, definitely jealous about the idea of any other lady touching Sydney. Then he shook his head again, wishing he could move around the room to vent or storm off or something. But he was stuck in the bed, so he just gave a little kick into the air. "I know! It's a far off thing to worry about, I mean, no one expects you to have an heir right away.. right? We have time to figure it out." |
Sydney nodded, his bangs brushing his cheeks. It had been so long since he had received a proper haircut. His hand ran through his dark hair, pushing the strands from blocking his eyes.
"We'll find out what magic there is to grant your wish." His lips brushed over Kiran's brow. He spoke little about the heir. His mother would be thrilled to have a future heir to the throne to mold into the future king after Sydney. His father would want the security of their lineage. And all he cared about was the here and now. His Kiran. |
Kiran smiled and relaxed under the touch. He reached up and touched Sydney's neck gently holding it, wanting the prince to stay down close to him. From here he could look up into those deep eyes beneath the thick frock of hair.
"If it's not possible.. I.. I still want to be with you. Even if for the sake of the kingdom.. I'll do what's best for you." All he could think about was Sydney. He wanted to be everything for his prince, because he was his as well. Kiran grinned a little and let Sydney loose. "What are you excited most about seeing when you finally return home?" |
"Your expression when you see my kingdom," Sydney said with a light laugh. He hoped Kiran would receive the music, the performances, the fashion, and the valiant displays of strength the knights exhibited in tournaments well. He would keep silent about all of the activity that flourished in Dylan for now. It would be a surprise. His kingdom enjoyed hosting events in such a grand scale, so surely he hadn't seen anything like them!
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Kiran's cheeks flushed softly at the idea that the thing Sydney wanted to see most wasn't anything back home, but what he already had with him. And yes, that really got Kiran's curiosity gears grinding. Sydney had seen his home kingdom now, very beautiful but also very small. What would one of the top kingdoms in their world look like in front of his own eyes?
"Y-you already know I've never been beyond that river out there... anything beyond that will probably astound me. And then you'll look at me funny and wonder why I am so silly for being excited over a tree I have never seen, or a passing squirrel that is new to me." Kiran giggled a little, half teasing but also half telling truth. He'd probably be excited all the way from here up to the kingdom gates.. at least he was pretty sure he would be. "Speaking of, I really think I can travel soon. Do you think we should test it or something?" |
"I'm sure slow progress would be fine. If it is too rough on you, we can rest till you are well again. I'm certain you haven't slept much outside either...Ah, and the children would love your company on the long ride. They love stories. You can tell them more about Thelema.
"If travel is what you'd like, I'll alert the captain to prepare everyone to leave." Sydney's arms didn't move from cradling Kiran. |
"I'd rather hear them tell me about Dylan."
Kiran smiled brightly, his face already looking so flush with anticipation at seeing his new home. Just what did the city of Dylan look like? And Sydney's castle? It was sure to be larger than Thelema's, and Sydney's own personal quarters... Kiran blushed just a little, still smliing big. "I want to get well quicker for selfish reasons then, I wish to see the prince of Dylan's home.. and his bedroom." Kiran's fingers did a playfully little walk across Sydney's chest as he said as such, just a little suggestively touching his prince. |
A slight quiver in response.
"I hope it'll all be to your liking, then." He caught his hand and kissed the top of it. "Give me a few moments to get them moving then. I'll be back at your side till we leave." With that said, he departed the room, alerting the captain of the guards of the change of plans. No longer would they be loitering around the inn for a week. They would be moving forward to the heart of the Kingdom of Dylan, straight to the castle where the royal family resided. But a slow pace, he cautioned. He did not dare injure Prince Kiran or stress the prince and princess of Dylan by making them weary from the long journey. Food would need to be rationed well. Supplies needed to be replenished. And the guards had to be aware of the dangers that loomed in the forests ahead. |
Kiran smiled more up at Sydney and gave him a nod before laying back in the bed again. He wasn't worrying about the dangers ahead of them anymore. He was already thinking about the trips end and safely being in Dylan. He bit his lower lip at the idea of a lot of admirer's. They might hinder all his ideas of having Sydney show him the sights, but he wouldn't let anyone get to him. Sydney was already his, and they couldn't change that.
Kiran smiled to himself, currently safe locked up in his guarded room, unaware of how dangerous going back out on the road could be for all the prince's and princesses on this journey. |
Charles was full of complaints. Once again he was being locked up in the carriage. If he thrust his upper body outside of the carriage window too far, he would be stuffed back for the sake of his safety. Sophia sat as quietly and still as she could last, which wasn't long. The royal children enjoyed being entertained.
So their sights lay upon the golden prince before them. Sydney rode next to the carriage, gazing in occasionally to smile at the people whom he loved so much. |
Kiran had been taken out to the carriage and settled in, trying not to blush as he had to be carried. He thought this was going too over the top, he could walk just fine carefully. And yet they were trying as hard as possible to take care of him, so he thought it would be rude to complain.
When he was finally settled in the carriage and had the two children staring at him and were moving slowly, Kiran had to gulp slowly before trying to give them a smile. Even when he was nervous, his smile came out delicate and cute. The only thing his brain was able to focus on was the fact he had to travel the entire trip with them thinking he was a girl. "So..I suppose you are glad you are getting your big brother back.." |
"Oh yes," Sophia exclaimed, clapping her hands. Sydney was a very fond topic. "He's so handsome and brave and smart and sweet---"
"I'm brave," Charles interjected. "He fights dragons and monsters and chases away evil spirits!" she continued without losing a beat despite her younger brother's interruption. "I scare them away too!" Charles pushed with a satisfied smirk. The image he had of himself was much braver than he. "I'm not scared when he's around!" "I'm never scared," Charles said with a firm nod. Outside Sydney chuckled quietly to not disturb their conversation. |
"He.. he fights dragons?"
Kiran blinked his long lashes a little startled at them both, wondering how much of this was just embellished stories from the idolizing siblings, and how much was real. He found himself smiling at them and giggling a little, hiding it behind one of his hands before he caught himself and quickly tried to stop the feminine act. "Prince Charles seems like you have the makings to be a very very brave prince for a princess of your own one day. And you Princess Sophia, you make sure to find a prince as noble as your big-- two brothers, all right?" Kiran glanced sideways and caught Sydney looking in at him, and gave him a little wink. |
"Big dragons!" Sophia said, extending her arms as wide as she could.
"I fight ones that are TWO TIMES BIGGER!" Charles said enthusiastically. He had hopped out of his seat and puffed up his tiny chest, trying to make his arms far wider than his sister's. Sophia giggled behind her hands at Kiran's words. "But I already have my noble prince - Sydney!" She could not imagine a day that Sydney would not be there to protect them. |
Kiran was glad he was already propped up to be leaning completely back against the seat, otherwise he might have teetered backwards at Charles sudden enthusiasm. And he had to thank the kingdom of Dylan silently for sending such a wonderously large coach, otherwise he might have had Charles in his lap in the next moment, and that certainly wouldn't be good for his ribs.
"Well, I'm glad to be going to a kingdom that has so many protector's against dragon attacks." Kiran thought about that, then shot Sydney a slightly panicked look out the window while Sophia and Charles yammered on. It was as if he were silently asking if that were true, if dragon's really did attack the kingdom! No such large creature had ever naturally inhabited the area around Thelema, it was one more reason their small world had stayed intact for so long. Sophia's enthusiasm brought Kiran's attention back around. "Eh-heh.. I meant a furture husband one day." |
"I'll just marry Sydney," the girl responded, her cheeks turning bright red as she giggled. The other daughters of the court, ranging from all sorts of ages, giggled over her eldest brother. They fantasized about him thanks to his handsome appearance, strength, and vast kingdom. Loving him only seemed so natural. Everyone else was doing it.
Beyond bringing up that it was fine for princes to marry...princes...Sydney realized he needed to speak to his sister about growing past the idolatry she still had... "I'll never get married," Charles said, crossing his arms. "I'll take over our castle and take over other kingdoms!" He had often played conquering games with the other sons of the court, not allowing anyone to win, no matter what. He was a prince of Dylan. They were just sons of lords! |
"Eh... eh??"
Kiran found himself dealing with yet two new problems. How many more would be added to the list before they even reached Dylan? But these were as bad as the embarrassing one about them thinking him a lady. Kiran's beautiful sapphire eyes softened towards Sophia and as he smiled he almost sparkled in a charming way. "When I was around your age, I had a beautiful older brother too. I idolized him and wanted to be just like him. I thought we would never part sides.. but now I have, in agreeing to come to your wonderful kingdom. And yet I do not feel further from my brother. He will always be a prince in part of my heart, as I am sure Sydney will be in yours." Then Kiran's smile turned into a playful gleam, and he turned that offered palm over and into a finger, jabbing it suddenly at the air in Charles direction. "Ah! I bet you have never heard the secret rule about being a King. To become one doesn't mean you just take over the castle.. you HAVE to take a wife." Kiran nodded emphatically. Okay, so it wasn't exactly a rule as much as an expectation that was always carried out. But it was fun teasing Charles a little. Plus it made the long trip a little funner. |
Sophia appeared satisfied by Kiran's statement. After all, it was some wisdom shared between princesses, was it not?
Charles, on the other hand, was mortified. His little mouth was open in an O and his hands were still lifted in his "I'm conquering everything" pose. This secret rule was indeed a secret from him! He looked aghast at the idea of...marrying a girl! He had spent a great deal of time avoiding the daughters of lords at banquets and celebrations. They had matured faster than he. Some loomed over him, intimidating him as much as the monsters he imagined in the dark of the night, but he would not admit it. He didn't want a wife! |
Kiran enjoyed Sophia's smile and giggled a little at that look on Charles face. The boy was so good at being pampered, it probably would do him some good to be teased. But then, he didn't want to make the boy start crying, and as Charles still looked shocked, Kiran was growing worried that he might just do that. Charles was still at the age where he thought girls were icky, wasn't he?
Trying to think quick, Kiran thought up something to say, Kiran waved for Charles to come closer, peeking back and forth at the windows as if to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "I'll tell you and even secreter secret, but you can't let anybody know, okay? Wives are extremely important to an all powerful conquering king, so the best kings have one. It is the Queen's job to tell the King bedtime stories at night to help him fall asleep after a long day of battling with big giant ogres and scaly dragons!" |
Charles considered this.
Women were especially good at taking care of him, he noted. He was quite fond of the pampering the Queen Mother gave him. Now if he had his own queen, wouldn't that mean she had to give him ALL of her attention to just him? Not scattering it amongst the others in her care? It did not occur to him that the queen could possibly be too busy for him as she looked over their children. He was far too self consumed to recognize that! And which king didn't have a queen? Successful king, he thought. Every king he learned about or seen had one. Only the failures didn't have one, he assumed. "Oh...of course." Not wanting to look silly, despite already accomplishing that, he puffed himself up to be big once more. He inflated his cheeks and declared, "I knew that." |
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