(no subject)

[eiattu_pride]

Rial's working, stretched out on the couch and staring at a datapad. Totally not actually comprending anything.

He wonders briefly where Plourr is, and whether or not he can convince her that they should have another holiday.

Comments

[fighting_mad]

"Good."



"You know," she says, at length. "I can't be the princess forever."

[eiattu_pride]

"Well, that won't be for a while."

He's very determined to not think about it.

[fighting_mad]

"I mean, eventually, there has to be someone officially on the throne, rather than being the heir to it."

[eiattu_pride]

"Yeah..."

He's got his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

[fighting_mad]

"And when the time comes, it would be pretty spaced for the empress's husband to be only a count, don't you think?" She's starting to smile a little into his shoulder.

[eiattu_pride]

"Um. No?"

Ahhhhhh.

[fighting_mad]

"Shut up, I'm asking if you'll take the throne with me."

[eiattu_pride]

"Okay?"

[fighting_mad]

Her smile fades.




"That's not exactly a resounding response."

[eiattu_pride]

"Oh, kriff, Plourr, of course I'll do it."

He tilts her chin up, and looks her in the eyes.

"It's just a lot to think about."

[fighting_mad]

"Why?" she asks defiantly. "It's not like we would have duties any different than what we do now. It's just a title." That's what she keeps trying to convince herself of, anyway.

[eiattu_pride]

"Yeah, I know. It's just - oh, forget it."

He tugs her down again.

[fighting_mad]

She raises herself back up on her elbows. "It's just what?"

[eiattu_pride]

"Nothing."

Count Zen, calm and refined, looks back at her.

[fighting_mad]

And Princess Cranky, worried and a little upset, looks back at him.

"If you have reservations, I'd rather hear them than have them go unsaid, Rial."

[eiattu_pride]

"I'm nervous, okay?"

He growls low in his throat and tilts his back, away from her.

"I don't like the responsibility that comes with a title."

[fighting_mad]

"But it's the same responsibility you have now," she says, stung by the moving away from her. "Probably even less, because I'll be here to share it."

[eiattu_pride]

"But people don't think like that."

He sighs.

"Count is a lot different from emperor. And besides - Emperor Rial Pernon? It sounds funny."

[fighting_mad]

"Who cares what they think? And it doesn't," she says stubbornly. "It sounds dignified."

[eiattu_pride]

Rial rolls his eyes.

"No, it sounds like some stupid would-be dictator with bad hygiene."

Sobering a bit, "But I'll do it. I love you and I married you and I'll do it and probably even enjoy it."

[fighting_mad]

Plourr tries not to laugh. But a muffled snort escapes her, anyway.

She smiles very softly down at him. "Thank you."

[eiattu_pride]

"You're welcome, my princess."

And he smiles at her.

[fighting_mad]

"I need to teach you how to take cues, I think."

[eiattu_pride]

Rial laughs, and leans up and kisses her softly.

"You do?"

[fighting_mad]

"I was going to say that was a perfectly good excuse to kiss me."