To Claim A Kingdom

7

The town square was surrounded by curious citizens, all compact eagerly to watch the first trial.
They affectively fenced in the couples and elder Ploris.

The Doctor couldn't help but find Blair's fiancé a bit... odd.
His face was a clammy, artificially color, and his eyes stared off in the distance completely vacant.
Blair herself clung to his arm protectively as they both stood waiting for the revel.

Elder Ploris climbed atop his podium and banged his staff down on the mosaic ground.

Silence.

"Citizens of Yaphet! I have requested your attendance of the trials so that you may witness the fare winning of your empire.
Princess Oswin C. Oswald, and Princess Blair T. Oswald will compete in the modified Yaphet trials alongside their betrothed.
Who wins, will rule for life."

The Doctor heard Oswin take a shaky breath of anticipation beside him in a last attempt to settle the nervousness in her gut.

"The first challenge!
The groom will confess the truths in his own heart to his bride.
The most sincere, honest confession will take the first round."

Clara exhaled nervously and mouthed "sorry" to the time lord at her side, cheeks burning red from embarrassment.

With no acknowledgement, he thought of last night.
The feeling of guilt.
Longing to be the man she would miss. One of approval.

He took Oswin's hand in confidence and gingery placed it to the center of his chest.

A confession to Oswin.
True it would be...
But completely secret to the one it truly belonged to.
Who it belonged to was sick in bed, back in the TARDIS.

Oswin took a short intake of breath at the feeling of four distinct heart beats pounding steadily beneath her fingers.

A confession of the heart.

He had two.

The Doctor looked to Ploris for the ok to begin. He gave him a queer nod.

"The impossible... My impossible girl. From the very first day I met you, you were a wonder... a beautifully impossible puzzle. I love the way you keep me straight... and the way you light up at the universe around you. I love your soft, serving heart. Without which I would still be in the black hole of my endless loneliness."
The crowd let out a breathy awww at the sweetness of his words.
"I have let you down so many times. Over and over...and Rassilon only knows how lucky I am to have your forgiveness..."

The Doctor's brutal honesty had the Princess breathless. Her lips parted subconsciously in awe at his act... that didn't seem like an act at all.

"I just hope... I strive... I desperately beg that I can one day be a man that can bring you comfort, and one that is worthy of your love.... And friendship."
He let out a finalizing sigh and awkward nod ending his confession.

Tears were welled up in Oswin's eyes. along with a thick bile lodged her throat.
The crowd erupted in a joy for the couple, some even had tears washing over their raw cheeks.

"Doctor... t-that was beautiful." Oswin whispered to the obviously uncomfortable time lord.
Shrugged away her heartedly praise, he blushed at the positive attention of the people.

"Yes yes... just winning." He grumbled, ignoring the massive weight that was no longer pressing down on his chest.

Blair cleared her throat loud, and agitated enough for Ploris to hear.

Banging his staff again on the ground, the crowed grew silent in anticipation for the second groom's testimony.

Blair had an arm snaked around the young man's waist, and her head on his chest.
He was unresponsive, standing stiff as a board beneath her affection.

"Princess Blair T. Oswald.
You are the reason for my existence.
You are the love of my life.
You are the most beautiful girl in the empire, and I love you."

The crowed held their breaths, eagerly awaiting the rest of his speech, but it never came.
It was short, cliché, and sounded almost.....scripted.

Blair swooned and sighed over the emotionless confession of her fiancé, while the crowed clapped hesitantly, exchanging confused glances.

Clara let out a very quiet squeal to herself in victory, looking to elder Ploris for the results.

The square quieted as Ploris raised his hands in authority.
"In my many years, I have witnessed love amongst many citizens of this glorious empire.
All I can say is that Oswin's groom's beautiful honesty, and potent love is what has won them the first trial!" He announced in a booming voice.

The empire exploded in a frenzy on whoops and hollers.
Oswin's quiet squeal grew not so quiet.

Off to the side away from the celebration, Blair was seething. Digging her nails furiously in the skin of her reaction less groom.

One more trial of the day.

Victory would not evade her a second time.