One thought plagued Esme as they began the trek along the halls of the palace towards the courtyards. Her father had sworn to her that for his own safety and for the sanctity of the treaty he had signed, he would not interfere in what she was doing. And now he had sent an envoy…
Worry walked with her, and she knotted her hands anxiously, praying that her father had not done something foolish or rash in his impatience…
The sun did not greet them as they stepped outside the castle walls. Instead, it hid behind grey clouds, an omen of rain to come. A cool, gentle breeze blew through, tossing the red and white flags into a light dance. They had timed it perfectly as the envoy cleared the gate and came to a halt in the courtyard. Brennan interlocked his fingers before him, his eyes searching each face hoping to find some sliver of their intentions. When his eyes fell on the man mounted in the center of the small escort, Brennan's eyes narrowed.
"Princess Lorraine," he stated as he slid from the horse. Kairos was a tall man, less muscular than Brennan, but Brennan had met men before that were deceptively deadly. With the proper knowledge of magic, even the smallest of people could prove to be the deadliest. The man wore a broad smile stopping at the foot of the steps to look up at prince and princess, "Thank you, your Highness, for allowing me to visit. King Davontry wishes to know how his daughter is acclimating to her new role."
"Kairos??" The word escaped in a near whisper, as Esme stepped forward, a brow lifting, "By the gods…"
"You remember me," Kairos teased, "I had hoped that two and half months in Etheren and adjusting to your new responsibilities as future queen had not cause you to forget me," he took a few steps up the and offered a bow to Esmera and Brennan.
"Of course I wouldn't forget you…" Esme said with a smile, "But I had not expected Father to send you… Shall we…" looking to Brennan, she nodded to the path that led away from the guards standing near.
"Yes," Brennan extended an arm toward the path, "Join us, Kairos," he flashed a quick smile and placed a hand on Esme's back, "How do the two of you know each other?"
"Princess Lorraine and I are age-old friends, your Highness," Kairos returned, "Isn't that right?" he smiled to Esme.
"Hm… You're modest." Esme noted, "We grew up together. But it has been too long. You've gotten busy."
Kairos hummed with a nod, "Being an emissary of your father's has kept me quite busy, especially as of late," his lips pressed together a moment as he continued, "When I had heard you were to marry the prince of Etheren, I was both elated and fearful," he looked over at Brennan, "I had heard stories…"
"I'm sure you have," he locked his hands behind his back as they walked, "War tends to warp truths and create monsters where there are none."
"Hm," Kairos studied Esme as if to expect her expressions to say otherwise of the prince.
Esme nodded, "Brennan has been… refreshingly different than I expected. Really. He's quite kind…"
Kairos let out a breath of relief, "That's good to hear. Your father will be pleased to know his daughter is being well cared for."
"I promised to care for her. King Davontry need not worry about that. I keep my word," Brennan returned, offering his arm to Esme with a smile, "It is vitally important to me, beyond just the treaty, that she remain in good health and want for nothing. She will be the queen of Etheren one day...and a mother."
"Right," Kairos replied, "All of Calesh will celebrate when that day finally comes," a smile spread across his lips before fading.
Looking to Brennan, Esme blinked, the surprise at his words registering, if only briefly, before she settled her hand on his arm, "You two… you speak as if the day ends and begins with me. I am hardly anything so important. What is important is the bond we are able to build together… our kingdoms."
"Your very important," Kairos spoke up first, "Your well-being ensures peace between our two kingdoms, and if anything were to happen to you…I.."
"Nothing will," Brennan interrupted and placed his free hand over hers, "I personally guarantee it."
"Good," Kairos returned, his eyes locking with Brennan's in a silent threat, "There is no stone King Davontry would leave unturned should something horrible befall his daughter."
Brennan's jaw clenched before he forced a smile, "As would be expected from any father."
Her eyes shifted to Kairos, and she shook her head, "Please, Kai… tell Daddy I'm in good hands. I know I haven't been able to write as often as I'd like, but he needn't worry… and you shouldn't, either." Her gaze turned up to Brennan and her smile warmed, "No cause for it."
"Esme," Kairos blurted, "You know we all worry about you all the time. Nothing is the same with you gone."
"Esme?" Brennan replied, alerts sounding in his mind. Esme had to be short for Esmera, "Who's Esme?"
Kairos blinked and smiled nervously, "A term of endearment in Calesh."
"Is that true?" Brennan looked to Esmera.
Pausing, Esme lowered her gaze, "Kai…" A sigh escaped, and turning her eyes back to Brennan, she shook her head, "He knows, Kairos. Who I am. I told him, the night of our wedding. I… I could not lie to him."
Kairos froze, the smile he wore gone, "You told him?" shock in his voice.
"Everything," Brennan stated, pulling his hand from Esmera's and dropping his arm. There was no point in pretending now.
"And you're still…" he swallowed hard, confusion on his face, "alive?"
"I told you… He's been far kinder than we expected." Shaking her head, she knotted her hands together, feeling an odd sense of loss as he pulled his arm free, "He's not his father, Kairos. And Daddy needs to know that. But that's all I can tell you. I made… I made a promise that I wouldn't… That I won't say any more."
"I see," Kairos spoke, crossing his arms over his chest, "Have you forgotten your people?"
Visibly, Esme recoiled at the suggestion, and a wounded expression crossed her face as she shook her head, "You know that I haven't… But there's only so much I can do, Kairos. And maybe… maybe it isn't shut a terrible idea, trying to give peace a chance before we decide it won't work."
Kairos scoffed, "His father won't allow peace. The fool can't see passed his own ambitions long enough for peace to really take hold," he gestured toward Brennan and continued, "He filled your head with..with those lies, didn't he?"
"Watch your tongue," Brennan stepped forward, "You are not in Calesh. I will not allow you to talk like that, King's envoy or not."
Reaching out, Esme took hold of Brennan's hand, "You both must understand… there are wounds on both sides. But we cannot hope to win with lies and spying, Kai… and Edwin will not be king forever. Please… be patient. And let me try this the right way."
Kairos' eyes locked with Brennan's. The prince could see the man thinking, Esmera's words stirring in his mind, "You think you can secure peace, Esme? You really believe that this prince is a better man than his father? That he won't be the same, oppressive monster?"
"With all my heart, yes." It was said without a semblance of apprehension, as Esme looked to Kairos with a soft frown, "Do you think I'd be foolish enough to reveal who I am, if he was anything like his father? Come now, Kai… I know you've more sense than that. See reason."
Esmera's sudden answer caused Brennan to look toward her. He hadn't expected such a sure answer from the woman he was, in essence, keeping prisoner. How could she call him good as his prisoner? He noted her words, contemplating them in his heart.
An audible sigh sounded from Kairos as he lowered his arms, "I trust you, Esme. If you think that Prince Brennan will change things, then I will give you time," he nodded with tight lips, "I will tell your father you have not forgotten, but you must give him something soon."
Looking to Brennan, she frowned softly, "We shall see. In the meantime, Kai… be careful, please. And try not to stay away so long next time, hm?" Releasing Brennan's hand, she stepped forward to give the other man a hug, "I have missed you…"
Brennan would never admit it, but he couldn't hold back the jealousy that took root in his heart as he watched Esmera embrace Kairos. He could have had that had he married a princess that did not come to harm his people. Clearing his throat, Brennan spoke, "I will have my men escort you to the border to ensure your safe passage through Etheren," he wanted nothing more than to tell the man not to return, but for Esmera's benefit, "Visit at any time."
As she stepped back and once again reached to take Brennan by the hand, Esme nodded to Kairos, "...Please, do come back, Kai."
"I will," Kairos smiled, he turned to Brennan, "You take care of her," he spoke.
"I will," Brennan replied, "have a safe trip back to Calesh."
Brennan, Esmera, And Kairos returned to the courtyard where Kairos mounted his horse. With one more bow and smile, he bid Esmera goodbye before riding off.. As Kairos disappeared through the gate, something gnawed at Brennan, an unease and distrust of Kairos. Despite Esmera's willingness to trust her childhood friend, Brennan did not, and would not, instead wondering if the man had some alternate reason as for his visit.
"I don't trust him," he muttered so that only the two of them heard.
Blinking, pulling her hand back to her side, Esme frowned softly, in quiet disapproval, "...Based on what grounds, exactly?"
"Something's off about him," Brennan's eyes were still fixed on the distance.
Her eyes narrowed, as she stepped back, "...Let me guess. He's from Calesh?"
Shaking his head, "I trusted you didn't I?" he turned to face her, "I don't know what it is about him."
"I've known him my entire life, Brennan. He can be a bit zealous, and he's a man who stands by what he believes, but he's loyal, to my father and to me. He would never do anything that would harm me. If you trust nothing else, trust that." A sigh escaped, and she looked back towards the palace, "The only way we will ever make any of this work is if we learn to set aside our presumptions and try to find a way to trust each other."
Tilting his head, Brennan shook it and then looked around at the soldiers and servants going about their business, "You're right. If you trust him," he paused and swallowed down his pride, "Then I shall try to trust him as well."
The sound of marching steps stole his attention away from the conversation. A young soldier stopped a few steps away and saluted the prince, "The prisoner is ready for you, your Highness."
"Thank you," he dismissed the soldier, "It looks as though your next appointment is ready."
Smiling dryly, Esme nodded, "One thing I'll give you… I never had this much to do back in Calesh." Gesturing to the path, she shrugged, "After you…"