Willows: Chapter 1

[gaiages]

Willows - Chapter 1
Fic Table of Contents

Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV
The Princess and the Knight meet for the first time.


CWs: none

Other links: Tumblr | AO3

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"You may rise, ser knight."

Reyna slowly stands up, raising his gaze to the source of the voice. The princess returns his gaze with a warm smile, the very picture of elegance and beauty. She holds the gaze for a moment before continuing. "I am honored to have you as my guard, Ser Reyna. I pray the task does not prove too boring."

She ends with a small curtsey as her father, the King, scoffs. "Eir, you mustn't speak as such. He is the one that should be honored, to be the protector of the future of this kingdom!" He shifts his gaze to Reyna with a severe look. "Do you understand? I am placing my daughter's life in your hands. Do not disappoint me."

"I will not," Reyna replied with a straight face as he offered the King a small bow. When he straightens, he notices Eir giving him an apologetic look.

"Yes, yes, Father, I was merely being polite. Pray do not frighten him so soon." She turns to the King. "If the ceremony is complete, may I retire to my chambers? It is quite late, and I must instruct Ser Reyna about the days ahead."

"That is fine, Eir. Rest well."

"Thank you, Father." Eir offers him a curtsey before turning back to Reyna. "Come, I will show you the way."

***

The two walk through the grand halls, with Eir occasionally stopping to point out important rooms and shortcuts around the castle. Eventually, she chuckles as she looks back at Reyna. "You know, you are allowed to speak."

"Oh…" Reyna clears his throat as he stares ahead. "I… I thank you for showing me around, Your Highness."

Eir laughs again, the sound echoing lightly in the hall. "You needn't force yourself to speak so formally—you are my protector, not my diplomat. We will be spending our days together, and I would much prefer you to be comfortable."

The princess stops in front of a door, then turns to Reyna. "This is my bedchamber. Your quarters are nearby, near the end of the hall. I have made sure you will have everything you need to be well taken care of."

"I thank you." Reyna takes a small bow and takes a step back, turning slightly to his chambers. "Please rest well, Your—"

"Where are you going?"

The bluntness in Eir's voice causes Reyna to stop in his tracks and turn around. "M-my apologies, I thought you were entering your bedchamber—"

"I am. Come, we have more to discuss."

"Ah—I mean—it seems improper—"

Eir opens the door to the bedroom, then looks back to Reyna, a look of annoyance creeping up on her face. "An assassin is not going to care what is and is not proper. I would rather you be improper and I alive."

"Now now, stop causing him trouble—" A voice comes from within the bedchamber, and Reyna rushes into the bedchamber, drawing his sword.

"Princess, get back!" Reyna scans the room, and his eyes quickly fall on an elderly Bangaa as she erupts into laughter.

"He's a feisty one, Eir!" She throws her hands up in an exaggerated fashion. "I can assure you, ser knight, I am no threat. Please spare me!"

"O-Oh, I…" Reyna sheathes his sword and covers his face with a hand, a blush quickly coloring his cheeks. "I didn't—didn't mean to—"

"Now who is giving him trouble, Gemna?" Eir gives Reyna a small smile before closing the door. "Apologies for the fright, Gemna is my handmaiden. She is like a mother to me, so please don't stab her."

"Like a mother? I practically raised you—"

"You'll get used to her." Eir stretches while sighing, her demure air from earlier gone. "Finally, this day is over. It's so tiring being in the throne room." The princess picks at one of her sleeves before gesturing to Gemna. "Could you help me out of this dress? It's so cumbersome…"

The mention of undressing causes Reyna to promptly speak up. "Y-your Majesty, I will take my leave—"

He quickly spins and heads towards the door, but hesitates when he hears the annoyance in Eir's voice. "We haven't finished speaking yet. Just stare at the door or something, and I'll speak to you. I wish for this day to be done as soon as possible."

"As you wish…" Reyna stares at the chamber door, wishing for nothing more than to not be in the room.

"Good. Gemna?" There is the noise of rustling cloth before Eir continues. "These first few days, we will be spending every waking moment together. You need to understand what I do from day to day, so that should something happen, you're not caught off guard."

Eir pauses again, and Reyna hears more rustling as the princess mutters under her breath. "This godsdamned corset…" She clears her throat before continuing. "Do not worry, though, once you are accustomed to everything, you'll have some of your free time back—I am not one to deprive my knights of a life outside these walls."

Reyna catches a hint of a different emotion in Eir's voice—was it bitterness?—but does not dwell on it overlong before responding. "I thank you for your offer, Your Highness, but I am not concerned with anything but your safety."

The princess lets out a frustrated sigh. "Consider it an order, then. I appreciate your concern, but it can be stifling if you don't do anything else with your days. I am safe and secure within these walls regardless of whether you hover over me or not."

"I see…" Reyna ponders over Eir's words during the silence that falls between them before she taps lightly on his shoulder.

"I am done dressing, you may turn around now."

Reyna turns around, and the princess meets his gaze with a soft smile. With her hair tied back and in a simple nightgown, the knight thought she almost looked like a normal woman. Almost. "You needn't stare, you know."

"M-my apologies…" Reyna looks around the room, unsure of where to look, before Eir waves him off with a chuckle.

"It's alright. You're dismissed, I know it has been a long day for you as well. Be up with the sun—tomorrow will begin early."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Reyna bows to the princess, and, relief clear on his face, makes his way out of the bedchamber.

***

Eir stares at the door for a few moments before turning to Gemna. "Did you find anything out about him?"

Gemna shrugs. "Seems there's not much to say about him. Doesn't have much of a history before he joined the knights, so he's probably commonborn."

"Obviously." Eir scoffs. "He knows little and less about conducting himself in court, or with royalty. It's no matter, though—I don't need a knight that uses honeyed words but cannot swing a blade. Highborn men are so useless."

The handmaiden chuckles as she begins to gather up the princess's dress. "Maybe you won't scare this one off so quickly, Princess?"

"We'll see."

"He is quite the looker as well—"

"—Gemna—"

"—if nothing else you'll certainly be entertained by watching him train—"

"—Gemna, gods..." The Bangaa laughs as Eir's cheeks turn red, although the princess quickly regains her composure. "I believe that'll be enough for the day. Do tell me if anything comes up about this knight, though, I don't wish for any... unpleasantries to come up."

"Of course." Gemna makes for the door but stops just short of it. "You're not doing anything else this evening, are you?"

Eir shakes her head. "No. It's best to not for a few days. Reyna seems… the diligent sort."

"Aye, that's a good idea. Sleep well, princess."

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