So she knew I was here . . . Interesting indeed. Most of the time I'm undetectable however she caught me. I stepped out into the moonlight walking up to where she was precariously sitting, "I saw enough. When did you realize I was there?"
Ezran turned looking somewhat surprised, "When I was about to leave I noticed a figure. I didn't know it was you - I thought perhaps a guard or something. Why would a Crown Prince bother spying on our conversation?"
I couldn't stop myself from taking in this moment - The way she sat so calmly at the edge of a dangerous fall, that despicable dress hugging each curve, her long caramel hair flowing in the wind drawing attention to her damnably attractive features. Even the moonlight was to her advantage allowing those fiery honey green eyes to shine so desirably. No wonder De Silva mentioned being bewitched . . . This woman was indeed intoxicating.
I swallowed, my mouth was dry for some odd reason. I needed to be careful around this vixen - She was captivating without being aware.
"It's wise to keep an eye on those who may seek to cause disruptions between my allies." I finally answered making sure to keep my voice apathetic.
She pursed those deep red lips, "Are you implying Lord De Silva or myself?"
I averted my gaze looking out at the city, "Either of you I suppose."
She gave a dry chuckle, noticeably scooting a little farther away from me, "Well I guess you suppose correctly . . . I might've just ruined your alliance with the Loveta Kingdom."
Smirking I placed my hands on the balustrade still not looking her way, "Don't concern yourself - De Silva is smart enough not to cross me. He's not Loveta's King yet."
Ezran scoffed while mumbling, "Doesn't seem to stop YOU."
I turned to give her an icy gaze, "Is there something you wish to discuss Champion?"
She looked off, biting that lip again. Why does she do that? Is it a ploy to have men under her trap?
After a few moments of silence she turned back my way with steel resolution in her eyes, "Why haven't you addressed the casualties in Grimmheim? Why have this banquet tonight?"
That was a sudden change of subject - Was she really that concerned? Very well, "Are you bringing this to my attention due to a need to relieve your senseless self-guilt? What would you have me do Champion? Banish you - Have you executed? Which of these would suffice to rid you of your own shame?"
Ezran's eyes widened at my brusque reply, "Why would I choose? You're the supposed all-knowing 'Leader' - Come up with something sufficient and let's have it."
I didn't expect her to say that - I could almost smile at her reply instead I gave a sigh while looking out over the city, "You deserve none of these. Your actions in the Grimmheim battle were justified - Casualties happen. If you still desire to be reprimanded then live with the knowledge that your actions might have been the means of some wasted lives."
She fully turned around on the balustrade looking straight at me, "I don't want that! I'm not you - I'm not a mindless demon who could care less about the people who've been killed under his command! I - I don't know if what I did was right, but I don't like to be toyed with. I don't want to live with guilt . . ."
Was she so desperate that she had the nerve to provoke me, effectively relieving her conscience? Why would she weaken herself so needlessly?
I faced her, ice lacing my words, "Know this woman - I've lived with every action and resulting reaction from the ripe age of sixteen. I've no delusions about the man I've become. The only person who can absolve your guilt is you - Don't waste your petty grievances on me. You killed a man, violently and mercilessly in front of his entire kingdom effectively causing their army to fight with even more vigor. Was this justified? Let's consider this then - What would have happened if you didn't kill their leader for slaughtering Lendale, hmm?"
Anger reflected in those pools of honey-green but I noticed a slight hesitation there. I saw it all - She refused to absolve herself cause in her mind she would be no better than me, a heartless killer.
Barely above a whisper she finally spoke, "I don't know what would've happened. My anger outweighed the chance of that possibility."
This woman - She was determined to make me help her and I didn't like it.
Inhaling deeply my tone grew softer, "If you hadn't done what you did, the result could very well have been worse. Think about it . . . Our army would've seen the Grimmheim leader murdering our messenger without any sort of retaliation other than a declaration of war. True, their warriors might have fought less vigorously however they would've fought with pride and blatant smugness. Our own soldiers would be morally weakened; The battle might have waged for months even a year until a victor reigned. Your actions, while impulsive and rash, caused both sides to fight to their fullest. Our soldiers received clarity, purpose and a right for vengeance - Which is tactically beneficial in a slaughter. We lost a lot of men, yet we could've lost a lot more if the war was drawn out."
My words poured down in a torrent as she looked up with a glimmer of hope, "So I didn't royally screw up?"
I shook my head, looking away once more to hide a smile, "Ignorant woman - Do you wish for praise?"
"I don't get it - So tonight was really about congratulating me? I thought . . ."
"You thought I was a heartless demon who planned this banquet to lure you in a false sense of security until placing you in chains for the amount of casualties you acquired. Does that sound about right?" I raised an eyebrow giving her a bored look.
She looked away guiltily, "Perhaps. How in the world do you know this stuff? You don't have some special ability to mind read, do you?"
I scoffed at her ridiculous statement, "I've made it a habit to study others as much as possible. As a tactician it is imperative to try and calculate what others are thinking - That is the only way to ensure victory."
She cocked her head to the side, "And pray tell, what exactly would you be victorious of tonight?"
"Tonight?" I gave a sly smile as I turned to walk away, "Perhaps my victory is knowing that you can't fully despise me this evening since I did throw a banquet in your honor."
While walking away I heard her melodious laugh, "Yeah right! Don't you know that I'll always hate you?"
Not caring to glance back I simply replied, "I know. Goodnight."
I left the balcony understanding full well the weight of her words. She'd still hate me, but perhaps that anger and hatred would slowly fade away . . . Yet that possibility seemed far fetched. One thing I do know is I planned this evening to prove to her I wasn't just the cold-hearted killer of her past. I wanted her and everyone else to have a pleasant evening, even if it did involve her being harassed by a devilish charmer.
I knew for a fact she wouldn't enjoy tomorrow nearly as much.