There wasnāt any conflict from the beginning, and before it all started, too.
To be frightened about his life is fine, Richard thinks. He would be too, if he had been born under those conditions. Just like he was, him but not quite, and the more he looks at this man - a perfectĀ copy, like looking at a mirror given life -, the more he realizes thereās a strange feeling lingering deep in his chest. Something he may have felt once, maybe twice. Mixed with anger, the king might not remember it well, and this might be the first time he feels it by itself.
So rare, so new, so thereĀ - at every glance at his counterpart (Ā so visibly nervous, not to the public but to him, because he knows himself well ), because Richard the LionheartĀ couldnāt help but find it ironic, that this version of his has obtained the life he has wanted deep in secret and he doesnāt even realize it.
Because this Richard - Richard Plantagenet, a name he so rarely uses - hasnāt lived half of what Richard the LionheartĀ has. Because he has been under pressure, yes, has surprisingly had the same amount of siblings, yes, has even had quiteĀ the unique family, yes, but leading a company surely isnāt the same as reigning over a country back in the 12th century. He would never understand how freeing his own life is, and how jealous his kingly self didnāt want to admit being.
āSo?ā, heĀ starts, the copy who isnāt fidgeting in secret, looking out at the strangely empty street. Itās quiet, and calm, but only here, for the pair knows this peace is only an illusion.Ā āNow that one of us is free from responsibilities, what are you doing to do? I guess itās weird such a question is coming from me, but even though we think the same, itās not like I had all those opportunities. I canāt help but be curious, truly.ā
Itās like being reincarnated, he thought, but itās something he has done in the past years away from Snowfield, away from his not-Master. And itās still not the same.
āHmmm, I wonder? Guess itās like starting from scratch. Not something youāre used to either, I bet.āĀ His copy smirks, and heās right. King Richard has never been given such luxury. Would never be.Ā āFinding a job is probably going to be the first thing in my mind. Which sounds ironic, considering my background, but otherwise I wouldnāt be able to truly enjoy all the cool things I havenāt seen. ... Well, that, and Iāll likely still have to support Robinās endeavors, so itās not like I have a choice, right?ā
Itās like speaking with a younger, less knightly version of himself. He finds it ironic, too, almost too perfectly aligned, and hardly a coincidence, that they have ended up loving the same person, too. Almost as though itās meant to be.
āI take it youāre not worried he wonāt make it, then?ā
The young heir smiles, and it breaks when he attempts to speak, reminding the old king that thereās a virus in his body making him act up. Richard - both - is good at remaining calm, but he has never been invincible.Ā
āYou donāt have to be,āĀ he completes over his copy, words delivered with the certainty of a man who has seen the future, who would know it first hand. But itās hardly that. Itās trust that motivates his words.Ā āIf yours if anything like mine, he wouldnāt leave you like that. He has made it painstakinglyĀ clear to me, so Iād rather assume it applies to you as well.ā
āBesides, this is a life we Servants wouldnāt even be allowed to have. Not an opportunity weād miss, hm?āĀ Low, then, and if the other Richard hasnāt heard it, then perhaps it would be for the better.Ā
āVery well,āĀ up, and phone out of his pocket. Spirale GO, is the app that he should use, right? Despite the weirdness of it, thereās a strange comfort in knowing a version of him would have a chance to a normal life. Modern, and freeing, and without anyone to tell him what he should and shouldnāt do. Envy, jealousy. Not feelings Servants like him should bear. And even then, thereās no regrets. Towards his life, towards his existence as a shadow of his former self.
Because otherwise Richard wouldnāt have what he does now. Something he had never thought heād come to obtain.
āTruth be told, itās quite a shame youāve never met half the people I have. I mean, no SirĀ William to knock you out of your horse and embarrass you in front of a crowd? Iām rather impressed I have not grown to become a spoiled kid like my younger brother.āĀ A jest, of course, and that his human self smiles at his words is reassuring.Ā āWhen youāre in the other side, make sure you try to make more friends. Not that I had many myself, but they have always been helpful. Even now. And make sure you take good care of him. One version of us makes enough mistakes.
Live on, Richard Plantagenet. Your life is an unique one.ā
A single, quick yet gentle tap of his phone against his copyās shoulder, and into gold dust he turns. Not back to the Throne of Heroes, but towards days that could only be a dream now.