[ There were complexities in this nightmare that she couldn't foresee a favorable outcome to, strange elements mixing together and creating another disaster. He was right, of course he was right. Ardyn had played his hand and for all she knew, it was an incredible bluff to force her into a certain move. But, this wasn't a game of chess. She couldn't plan three moves in advance because Ardyn was so unpredictable. But the idea of this being a chess-like move reminds her of one thing-- ]
I am not a pawn. Not for the King and not for Niflheim. [ There's an edge to her voice, betraying her lack of confidence in her words. She's been a pawn since she was a child and she'd placed herself in that position in the name of protection of her people. She was a doll to be paraded around and touted as a prized possession of the Empire.
And right now, this pawn wasn't thinking straight. ]
I cannot ask him or any of those he trusts to put themselves into further harm. [ Her gaze softens as she finally looks at Nyx, a strange flutter starting in the pit of her stomach she quickly ignores. There'd been rumors of hero worship when someone saves your life, but she refused to fall into that trap. ] You've already done so much. If I stay at the safety of your side much longer, I fear what fate might befall you or another in my stead. You've already done so much for me, I cannot ask you to risk more. [ She gives him a tired expression, a hand lightly reaching out to rest on his forearm. ] Do you truly believe the King's plan will work?
[ Because if it didn't, she'd pay a heavy price of carrying the burden of the losses and the ensuing punishment for her defiance... Though those who might die in the process would be a loss she'd never forgive herself for. With a sigh, she breaks the contact to turn her back to him for a moment, weighing her options. She'd already come this far, the least she could do is give the King her trust and have faith in her hope of a good outcome.
And by default, some of that trust goes into Nyx with the hope that he'll be honest with her - a thought that forces her to face him again and wait. ]
HELLO
I am not a pawn. Not for the King and not for Niflheim. [ There's an edge to her voice, betraying her lack of confidence in her words. She's been a pawn since she was a child and she'd placed herself in that position in the name of protection of her people. She was a doll to be paraded around and touted as a prized possession of the Empire.
And right now, this pawn wasn't thinking straight. ]
I cannot ask him or any of those he trusts to put themselves into further harm. [ Her gaze softens as she finally looks at Nyx, a strange flutter starting in the pit of her stomach she quickly ignores. There'd been rumors of hero worship when someone saves your life, but she refused to fall into that trap. ] You've already done so much. If I stay at the safety of your side much longer, I fear what fate might befall you or another in my stead. You've already done so much for me, I cannot ask you to risk more. [ She gives him a tired expression, a hand lightly reaching out to rest on his forearm. ] Do you truly believe the King's plan will work?
[ Because if it didn't, she'd pay a heavy price of carrying the burden of the losses and the ensuing punishment for her defiance... Though those who might die in the process would be a loss she'd never forgive herself for. With a sigh, she breaks the contact to turn her back to him for a moment, weighing her options. She'd already come this far, the least she could do is give the King her trust and have faith in her hope of a good outcome.
And by default, some of that trust goes into Nyx with the hope that he'll be honest with her - a thought that forces her to face him again and wait. ]