though poise inspires defiance of manner, slender refinement of skin flinches from his touch; disconcert provocative in its consequences. had he been so reckless as to remove the ambiguity of his origin, and replace their unnerving acquaintance with an assurance of his corruption? was she to recognize his morality’s ‘ dismemberment ’? clandestine filaments of poison course through his veins, yet to be distinguished by her recoil remains an impelling secret. perhaps his hands were intrusive — her cower instinctual — prompted out of compression native to that of an enemy. surely, she would not have reacted the same with noctis — beneficiary of her affection. though the ‘ prince ’ would never have to coerce physical contact.

“ —— i don’t believe it would be in either of our best interests to bring ourselves more attention than necessary . though you and i share a charisma with the people , and they are — dying — to have audience … we must be careful with our handling this ‘ affliction ’ of theirs . your family has been opposing its might for many years , yet it would be foolish to assume you have seen the worst of its cruelty . but who am i to counsel the oracle — i know nothing of these ailments beyond that of my emperor’s politics . ”

falsify leverage, and one alters her conviction. doubt must persuade, emanate from his tongue, and tempt her to reconsider the implication of his hint upon shoulders. a former embrace, they near the plague — several of its victims a meager twelve feet away — so perchance what she had felt was nothing more than trepidation. a fable, of course — as his motives lie with the alluded threat that he is the ‘ cruelty ’ undiscovered; to be feared.

“ we shall have our time together , lady lunafreya . i will attend to the cameras —— so you may focus on your subjects . pay me no mind . ” arrogance stifles the laugh at his lips; his expression satirical by nature. “ be gentle with them . ”