i would lay down my life

“Your words are kind, and I hope they stand true. It is a problem that I am not a patient woman,” She scoffed quietly, “But that is what my council is for.”

"I trust they will be, in time--I would never risk the affront of lying to you, even through mere theories."  He chuckled, amused by her comment, and then nodded.  "Ah, I recognize much of myself in you.  As you may have noticed, patience is not one of my strengths either.  Similarly, it is why better men than me lead Rozarria."

Well this was unexpected, the young prince had one too many wine bottles tonight and his sobriety level was nonexistent. He exhaled, sitting near the fountains in town, staring off into distant space, a half finished bottle in hand. 

Al-Cid had gotten lost.  Again.  He had been trying his hardest to get to know the layout of the city so that he could find his way around without his aide at his side, and though it had been weeks, he was still failing.  He scratched his head as he looked around, choosing the right path at the fork he was facing, only to find himself to a small, secondary plaza to what he knew was the main one, decorated with a few fountains.

"Give it time.  The war has devastated many lives, leaving states in shambles in its wake; the kingdom of Dalmasca rises from its ashes, much like the legendary phoenixes, yet her wings are still broken.  Slowly, they will heal, guided by your hands, I am certain of it--and I shall personally face any who would try to get in the way of it," he said with a smile, briefly resting his free hand over hers.

"You bring me great joy, my lady."

It had been a few years since Ashe last visited Ambervale, and as she stepped out of the airship, it felt just as she remembered. A cool evening breeze greeted her, and she pulled her shawl around her shoulders as a response. Dalmasca was warmer during this time of the day, but Ambervale’s weather barely changed throughout the year. She didn’t mind it, however- the change was well appreciated, and she was thankful her maid had packed her warmer clothes. 

He moved forward diligently as she stepped away from the airship and towards him, a smile gracing his lips almost on cue as he saw her.  Keeping his gaze locked onto hers, he bent low in a respectful bow, his hand reaching for her to kiss her knuckles lightly, thumb lingering to brush over her skin before forcing himself to let go.

He crossed his arms when she rejected the offer, lightly stroking his beard with his fingers.  He had been expecting her response, as he was aware of her situation; leading a country was inevitably time-consuming, especially with her diligence.  At the mention of Balthier, the look on his face was as if he had just tasted something particularly sour.  “Hmph.  It comes as no surprise to me that he would.”

"Anything you wish for, my lady," he said with a slight bow of his head, though it was obvious that it was the very opposite he wanted.  When she took his hand, he didn't miss the opportunity to leave a gentle kiss upon hers, his gaze never leaving her face.

He crossed his arms when she rejected the offer, lightly stroking his beard with his fingers.  He had been expecting her response, as he was aware of her situation; leading a country was inevitably time-consuming, especially with her diligence.  At the mention of Balthier, the look on his face was as if he had just tasted something particularly sour.  "Hmph.  It comes as no surprise to me that he would."

Surprise crossed Al-Cid's face for a moment, and his expression turned to uncertainty.  In his admiration for her strength of character and the way she had risen to the throne of Dalmasca, he had never once stopped to think of her feelings in the whole matter, and the realization made him abashed to have been so blind.  He gently took her head again, bowing over it in apology.

rozarrias started following you

Just for good measure, he brushed his lips against her knuckles, barely even a touch, before letting go.  “My apologies.  I cannot explain why I felt the urge to justify myself to you, as I’m sure you can imagine how explanations like this is something I have very little care for.”

He smiled, relieved by her words--he had felt the atmosphere grow somewhat tense, but now his worries had been chased away by her smile.  "I apologize, once again.  The incorrigible Al-Cid Margrace!  I swear to you, I will continue to do my best to call you by name," he said, bowing his head humbly.  "Though I cannot guarantee my success--I could not see anyone as fit as you to be called Queen."

Just for good measure, he brushed his lips against her knuckles, barely even a touch, before letting go.  "My apologies.  I cannot explain why I felt the urge to justify myself to you, as I'm sure you can imagine how explanations like this is something I have very little care for."

It wasn’t… discomfort she felt at the feeling of his hand on hers, yet something seemed slightly off. She moved her hand slightly, as if to pull away, but decided against it- after all, hadn’t she been desperate for a familiar face? 

Noticing the movement of her hand under his, he frowned slightly, running his thumb across her knuckles in a light and gentle motion before slipping his hand off.  He did it quietly, without a single word, not wanting to make her uncomfortable by making her explain herself.