Tharin's eyes widen as he recognizes her, though he seems too stunned to even move or speak. But, his actions come through as something else to the guards, who slap him one more time.
"What are you gawking at, you imbecile." the guard spits.
"Quiet." Antiochus orders, silencing the guard, "Alright, now, what is this boy's name, and why have you thought he is a massive criminal?"
"Sir, this man is Tharin Rishidic. He is wanted throughout the region for pouching in restriced areas and stealing game already caught by others." the guard says, before becoming more serious, "Also, he's wanted for suspicion of murder...of a child.
Icicene's eyes widen in alarm, as well as Antiochus'.
Tharin whips his head up.
"I did no such thing!" Tharin yells, before being a slap in the face silences him again.
"Do not speak!" the guard yells again.
"OUT!" Icicene commands, pointing at the guard who has been Tharin's warden til now, making Naomi and Alonsa jump a bit.
The guard blinks in surprise.
"B-But Princess-" the guard stutters.
"I said OUT!" Icicene yells again.
Without another word, the guard left, leaving Tharin surprised and speechless by what Icicene had just done. Even Antiochus and Laodice are taken back by his daughter's actions.
"Icicene.." Antiochus whispers, causing Icicene to calm a bit as Laodice rubs her back, a trick that she apparently used when Icicene was younger.
"Continue, please." Laodice says to Alexios.
He nods.
"This crime took place about three years ago, and he has been running ever since then, seeing as how he became an orphan at the age of 10 when his mother died, as people from his old village told us." Alexios continues from where the last guard had left, "This is the first time in the last 8th months that he's even been seen."
"Alright then, so, is there any proof that this boy is indeed a murderer?" Antiochus asks.
"Well, there's the fact that he was at the scene fleeing the home when the body was found, and Villagers identified that the dagger used did belong to him, and considering that there was no one in the house besides him and the child, it seemed almost elementary." another guard answers.
Antiochus nods.
"I admit, it does sound realistic. But, for some reason, in my opinion, it seems too convienent." Antiochus confesses, before turning to Laodice, "What do you think?"
"I think that it is indeed convienent. And besides, how old is this boy?" Laodice asks.
"16 years, Your Higness." Alexios answers.
"That would mean he comitted the crime when he was just 13! I cannot believe it!" Laodice confesses.
"I do agree, but they do have alright evidence." Antiochus agrees, "I guess we have no choice but to-"
"Father, wait." Icicene interupts.
"Icicene? What is it?" Antiochus asks, surprised by his daughter's actions once more.
"Let him go free." Icicene asks.
Tharin's eyes widen as Antiochus and Laodice gasp.
"Icicene, why do you think he should go free?" Laodice asks.
Icicene looks over at Tharin, who's eyes are wider then before. She sighs.
"Because...I gave him permission to hunt in the orchards." Icicene lies.
Laodice gasps.
"What? When?" Antochus asks.
"Remember when we stopped at that pub for food in the village?" Icicene asks.
Antiochus and Laodice nod.
"Yes." Laodice says.
"Well, while there, I met this boy and we started talking about hunting. Then, I told him that he could hunt in the orchards, as long as he made sure not to catch anything over, um, the weight of an Albertros." Icicene continues, before turning towards Tharin, "Correct, Tharin?"
Tharin just stares at her for a moment, before nodding.
"T-That's right, Your Highness." Tharin agrees, bowing.
Antiochus and Laodice stare at Tharin for a moment, before looking at each other, and nodding.
"It is your decision, Icicene." Laodice says.
"Princess, please do not let this rouge's appearance fool you. He is a criminal-!" Alexios says as Icicene walks down the steps to stand in front of Tharin.
"-You hold your tounge!" Icicene snaps, surprising everyone, even Naomi.
"Whoa." Naomi comments.
"She's sounds like Calankaiana, doesn't she." Alonsa says.
"Like her young sister." Naomi agrees, grinning.
Icicene makes a motion at the guards, causing them to step back from Tharin. She walks closer, lifting his head.
He seems to be blushing, not believing what she just did for him.
"I do not see this man as a rouge, just a lost and confused boy with no place to call home." Icicene says, as she turns back to face her parents, "I say he goes free."
Antiochus nods.
"As you request, Icicene." Antiochus says, before gestering at the guards, "Untie him."
"No, let me." Icicene says.
"No, Princess, you don't have to.." Tharin starts.
"Just stay silent Tharin." Icicene instructs.
Tharin does as told.
After a few moments of awkward, she leans over to able herself to whisper in his ear.
"I am sorry, this is mostly my fault." Icicene whispers.
He chuckles.
"Are you kidding? The fact that I was even in the orchards is my fault. Do not go blamming yourself on me." Tharin says, reminding Naomi of something Heru had said, "But tell me, why did you not tell me you are the Princess?"
Icicene falls silent as she finishes the first knot.
"I thought...that if you I told you, you might try to gain riches from me." Icicene admits.
"Do I really look like that kind of guy? I didn't even want the prize you and I shot at, but you gave it to me." Tharin says.
"True."
"I am not a murderer." Tharin whispers, his voice stronger.
Icicene grins.
"I believe you." Icicene says as she undoes the last knot, freeing Tharin.
"Alright then, you may leave." Antiochus says, pointing at the opening door.
"Actually, I wish that he be at least attended to for his injuries and clothes, if that is alright." Icicene says.
"Fine, take him to the empty living chambers." Antiochus orders.
The guards nod as they begin to lead him out, Tharin following close behind.
"I'll follow shortly to check up on you." Icicene calls after them.
As the doors close, Tharin turns and smiles, causing blush to rise to Icicene's cheeks.
She quickly trots back to her throne, sitting gracefully.
"I apologize, Demetrius, you may continue." Antiochus says as Demetrius walks back in front of them.
"That is alright, Your Majesty. And might I say, that I aplaud what you did, Princess." Demetrius compliments.
Icicene grins.
"Thank you." Icicene replies, feeling a bit more comfortable then she did when she first met him, "Continue."
"Of course. As I was saying, I would be honored if you, the beautiful and lovely Princess Icicene, would do the honor of joining me tonight at my table during the feast this evening." Demetrius asks.
Naomi sighs a sigh of relief.
"I thought he was about to pop the big question." Naomi sighs.
"Not yet, unlike Chuma, this man is actually quite a good man." Alonsa says.
"But Tharin is better." Naomi comments.
"Indeed." Alonsa agrees.
"I do believe that that arrangement is doable, Icicene?" Antiochus says, tunring towards Icicene.
She nods.
"Of course, Father." Icicene agrees, a little hidden sarcasim in her voice.
"Alright, we will see you later tonight. Icicene, you may go." Laodice says as she nods towards Icicene.
Icicene grins as she rises.
"Thank you Mother, " she says before she curtsies in front of Demetrius, "I shall see you later tonight."
He bows.
"Until then, Princess." Demetrius answers.
She grins as she walks away, hoping that none of them notice the quickness of her steps.
As the door closes behind her, she picks up her skirts, and begins running towards the guest chambers, where Tharin is being attended.
"You're in a hurry." Naomi comments as she appears beside Icicene.
Icicene chuckles.
"Don't blame me, I want to make sure he's alright." Icicene responds.
"You seem more interested in him then that Demetrius guy." Naomi comments.
Icicene trips up for a moment as Naomi's words register in her mind, though she catches herself before she falls.
"I um.." Icicene starts as she begins to blush, "I think he's a nice man, nothing more."
As she still runs, Naomi chuckles.
...Sure that's what you think...for now...
"What are you gawking at, you imbecile." the guard spits.
"Quiet." Antiochus orders, silencing the guard, "Alright, now, what is this boy's name, and why have you thought he is a massive criminal?"
"Sir, this man is Tharin Rishidic. He is wanted throughout the region for pouching in restriced areas and stealing game already caught by others." the guard says, before becoming more serious, "Also, he's wanted for suspicion of murder...of a child.
Icicene's eyes widen in alarm, as well as Antiochus'.
Tharin whips his head up.
"I did no such thing!" Tharin yells, before being a slap in the face silences him again.
"Do not speak!" the guard yells again.
"OUT!" Icicene commands, pointing at the guard who has been Tharin's warden til now, making Naomi and Alonsa jump a bit.
The guard blinks in surprise.
"B-But Princess-" the guard stutters.
"I said OUT!" Icicene yells again.
Without another word, the guard left, leaving Tharin surprised and speechless by what Icicene had just done. Even Antiochus and Laodice are taken back by his daughter's actions.
"Icicene.." Antiochus whispers, causing Icicene to calm a bit as Laodice rubs her back, a trick that she apparently used when Icicene was younger.
"Continue, please." Laodice says to Alexios.
He nods.
"This crime took place about three years ago, and he has been running ever since then, seeing as how he became an orphan at the age of 10 when his mother died, as people from his old village told us." Alexios continues from where the last guard had left, "This is the first time in the last 8th months that he's even been seen."
"Alright then, so, is there any proof that this boy is indeed a murderer?" Antiochus asks.
"Well, there's the fact that he was at the scene fleeing the home when the body was found, and Villagers identified that the dagger used did belong to him, and considering that there was no one in the house besides him and the child, it seemed almost elementary." another guard answers.
Antiochus nods.
"I admit, it does sound realistic. But, for some reason, in my opinion, it seems too convienent." Antiochus confesses, before turning to Laodice, "What do you think?"
"I think that it is indeed convienent. And besides, how old is this boy?" Laodice asks.
"16 years, Your Higness." Alexios answers.
"That would mean he comitted the crime when he was just 13! I cannot believe it!" Laodice confesses.
"I do agree, but they do have alright evidence." Antiochus agrees, "I guess we have no choice but to-"
"Father, wait." Icicene interupts.
"Icicene? What is it?" Antiochus asks, surprised by his daughter's actions once more.
"Let him go free." Icicene asks.
Tharin's eyes widen as Antiochus and Laodice gasp.
"Icicene, why do you think he should go free?" Laodice asks.
Icicene looks over at Tharin, who's eyes are wider then before. She sighs.
"Because...I gave him permission to hunt in the orchards." Icicene lies.
Laodice gasps.
"What? When?" Antochus asks.
"Remember when we stopped at that pub for food in the village?" Icicene asks.
Antiochus and Laodice nod.
"Yes." Laodice says.
"Well, while there, I met this boy and we started talking about hunting. Then, I told him that he could hunt in the orchards, as long as he made sure not to catch anything over, um, the weight of an Albertros." Icicene continues, before turning towards Tharin, "Correct, Tharin?"
Tharin just stares at her for a moment, before nodding.
"T-That's right, Your Highness." Tharin agrees, bowing.
Antiochus and Laodice stare at Tharin for a moment, before looking at each other, and nodding.
"It is your decision, Icicene." Laodice says.
"Princess, please do not let this rouge's appearance fool you. He is a criminal-!" Alexios says as Icicene walks down the steps to stand in front of Tharin.
"-You hold your tounge!" Icicene snaps, surprising everyone, even Naomi.
"Whoa." Naomi comments.
"She's sounds like Calankaiana, doesn't she." Alonsa says.
"Like her young sister." Naomi agrees, grinning.
Icicene makes a motion at the guards, causing them to step back from Tharin. She walks closer, lifting his head.
He seems to be blushing, not believing what she just did for him.
"I do not see this man as a rouge, just a lost and confused boy with no place to call home." Icicene says, as she turns back to face her parents, "I say he goes free."
Antiochus nods.
"As you request, Icicene." Antiochus says, before gestering at the guards, "Untie him."
"No, let me." Icicene says.
"No, Princess, you don't have to.." Tharin starts.
"Just stay silent Tharin." Icicene instructs.
Tharin does as told.
After a few moments of awkward, she leans over to able herself to whisper in his ear.
"I am sorry, this is mostly my fault." Icicene whispers.
He chuckles.
"Are you kidding? The fact that I was even in the orchards is my fault. Do not go blamming yourself on me." Tharin says, reminding Naomi of something Heru had said, "But tell me, why did you not tell me you are the Princess?"
Icicene falls silent as she finishes the first knot.
"I thought...that if you I told you, you might try to gain riches from me." Icicene admits.
"Do I really look like that kind of guy? I didn't even want the prize you and I shot at, but you gave it to me." Tharin says.
"True."
"I am not a murderer." Tharin whispers, his voice stronger.
Icicene grins.
"I believe you." Icicene says as she undoes the last knot, freeing Tharin.
"Alright then, you may leave." Antiochus says, pointing at the opening door.
"Actually, I wish that he be at least attended to for his injuries and clothes, if that is alright." Icicene says.
"Fine, take him to the empty living chambers." Antiochus orders.
The guards nod as they begin to lead him out, Tharin following close behind.
"I'll follow shortly to check up on you." Icicene calls after them.
As the doors close, Tharin turns and smiles, causing blush to rise to Icicene's cheeks.
She quickly trots back to her throne, sitting gracefully.
"I apologize, Demetrius, you may continue." Antiochus says as Demetrius walks back in front of them.
"That is alright, Your Majesty. And might I say, that I aplaud what you did, Princess." Demetrius compliments.
Icicene grins.
"Thank you." Icicene replies, feeling a bit more comfortable then she did when she first met him, "Continue."
"Of course. As I was saying, I would be honored if you, the beautiful and lovely Princess Icicene, would do the honor of joining me tonight at my table during the feast this evening." Demetrius asks.
Naomi sighs a sigh of relief.
"I thought he was about to pop the big question." Naomi sighs.
"Not yet, unlike Chuma, this man is actually quite a good man." Alonsa says.
"But Tharin is better." Naomi comments.
"Indeed." Alonsa agrees.
"I do believe that that arrangement is doable, Icicene?" Antiochus says, tunring towards Icicene.
She nods.
"Of course, Father." Icicene agrees, a little hidden sarcasim in her voice.
"Alright, we will see you later tonight. Icicene, you may go." Laodice says as she nods towards Icicene.
Icicene grins as she rises.
"Thank you Mother, " she says before she curtsies in front of Demetrius, "I shall see you later tonight."
He bows.
"Until then, Princess." Demetrius answers.
She grins as she walks away, hoping that none of them notice the quickness of her steps.
As the door closes behind her, she picks up her skirts, and begins running towards the guest chambers, where Tharin is being attended.
"You're in a hurry." Naomi comments as she appears beside Icicene.
Icicene chuckles.
"Don't blame me, I want to make sure he's alright." Icicene responds.
"You seem more interested in him then that Demetrius guy." Naomi comments.
Icicene trips up for a moment as Naomi's words register in her mind, though she catches herself before she falls.
"I um.." Icicene starts as she begins to blush, "I think he's a nice man, nothing more."
As she still runs, Naomi chuckles.
...Sure that's what you think...for now...
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