Alternate Realities

Song Prompt: Ambition

Anonymous: My Shot & The Story of Tonight - RQ (these are two separate songs btw, both from the Hamilton soundtrack)  

Answer:

I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
Hey yo, I'm just like my country
I'm young, scrappy and hungry
And I'm not throwing away my shot

"Just listen, please?" She pulled him, but he continued to walk. A rough jerk and he at least spun to walk backwards.

"No, you listen, for once, there's something better for me. I know that's like the role-reversal of the century, but for once in our lives, I could do something really important." He glanced over his shoulder to examine the distance between them and others.

"Ptoly, this isn't right. It's splitting the country," Evangeline's hand didn't release his arm even though he'd finally stopped to let her talk.

"It isn't wrong! What has House Calore really done for us lately? I mean, treating you like a vase they can pass between brothers? Disgraceful!"

"And that's why I want out of this game."

"You won't marry him. I promise you."

"How can you promise me that and at the same time not do anything to prevent it?" Evangeline made and unmade two of her buttons into razor blades to keep herself calm.

"I have a plan," Ptolemus smoothed the sleeves of her dress with a wave of his hand.

"What is it?" She rippled them back into divots.

"You won't like it." Ptolemus scrunched his face like he was about to tell her the pudding would be banana, inconsequential and without true understanding of the stakes. She almost threw the razors into him.

Instead, she tried a little charm and feigned interest, "How can I help you if you don't tell me?"

He pretended to mull over but then couldn't help himself and included her. "What if your fiance didn't make it through the end of next week? Dead on the battlefield, murdered in his sleep? Some way, some how, just gone."

"He doesn't deserve it," Evangeline bit her lip.

Ptolemus killing Cal wouldn't have surprised her no matter the circumstances. Her brother's hatred had simmered for years behind a deceptive facade. As long as they stood to gain, Ptolemus had played the faithful servant and friend. Well, minus their clash in the Bowl of Bones. But really, everyone was confused about loyalties at that point.

"I'm afraid it's the best, most direct, solution."

She nibbled on the outer edge of her thumb nail and then nodded. "I get that. I can see that. What else?"

"That's the tricky part. How attached are you to our father's head?"

Evangeline shook. "No. No. You wouldn't."

"For you, I would do anything. For us, I will do everything. We will rule Norta as it should be ruled. We will create the greatest dynasty ever seen on this continent. Father is too short sighted to come out on top. If we don't, all we'll ever rule is the Rift Valley."

"You're talking about murdering our father. That's what he did. He killed his own father. Only he's actually crazy. You're just... just..."

"Eve, I'm open to other ideas. Otherwise, I'll be walking you down the isle to that fucked up, red-sympathizer. Or, if we only go half, father will send you off to the next most viable house. You want to end up married to a third-rate noble?"

"I have to think about this. I can't agree to it without consideration."

Ptolemus smiled, lopsided and sad, "Eve, I wasn't asking your permission. I was just keeping you informed," He touched his palm to her cheek. He called out, cheering to Cal as he stepped into the banquet hall.

Hey
Something you will never see again
No matter what she tells you
Let's have another round tonight
Raise a glass to the four of us

Cal's grip on Ptolemus's forearm was strong and sure. His smile easy and unguarded. Since his decision to leave the GUard and press for the throne, he'd been anything but carefree. But among his friends, the opulence of the palace, the familiar and smiling faces, he had relaxed back into himself. Evangeline saw the boy she'd once claimed as her own.

Of course, at the time, he was just another game that she would win. She always won. She never settled for second best and the Prince of Norta was the top prize. The summers leading up to Queenstrial she'd observed him. She looked for the weaknesses and sought to fill them in a way that would make her selection guaranteed. And at that, she'd succeeded. She saw all those things in the hall.

Cal's back was straight and his posture that of one used to presenting himself, but ordinary like any other soldier. So she'd been ostentatious and almost vulgar in her ornamentation. His eyes crinkled at the edges when he greeted others, genuine affection passing between him and many others. So she guarded herself and put up the walls. When she became queen, she'd be sure to be the gate keeper, to suppress the easy access the other houses enjoyed. He made easy conversation. She became off-putting, ending engagements almost before they began. He danced with anyone that asked. She horded his time. He wanted no one, so she sought only to possess him.

She'd exhausted that part of herself that thirsted for success. The trophies of months apart from Elaine and battles where she nearly died just didn't satisfy like she thought a crown might. Cal greeted friends from House Arven, picking up their four year-old daughter and setting her easily onto his hip. Cal had always been too kind to be king. She looked at Ptolemus, who playfully tugged on the girl's dress and smiled brightly, falsely at his supposed friend. Between the two, if Ptoley weren't her brother, she knew which one should survive.

Cal placed the little girl down, the receiving line at an end. He clanged his glass even though it was much too early for speeches. The room turned in place to watch him.

"Greetings, guests, friends, family. I appreciate seeing each and everyone of you tonight. We're here to gather your support, count your heads, and count you among our blessings. By the colors we all wear, Norta will be strong once again." A small cheer whistled out. Cal patted them down with this hand. "Yes, yes, it's hard to wait. But between now and then, grave consequences will fall on us, and our friends that have chosen the other side. Some of us are gathered here for what may be the last time. That's the business of war. So let's not waste time thinking of the end, but of the now. Enjoy the night, the food, and each other. Hold it dear in memory to quench your thirst in times of troubles."

Evangeline held her glass up, heard the cheers, and felt burning tears line her lids. Ptolemus was wrapped by Cal's strong arm, pulling him in from the side. The gesture made her sick.