The Spoils of War (COMPLETED)

Get To Know One Another

With much reluctance Jasmine found herself following Alaric back to the castle. He had a way with words that made it practically impossible to go against him.

Alaric on the other hand was ecstatic, already forgetting that it was a set up from Alistar that allowed him to meet her again. He knew she ran the first time so this time he held her hand tightly. If anyone saw him their jaws would probably drop and roll across the ground in shock. Their crown prince was not only holding the hand of a maiden, but he seemed as if it was the highlight of his day to do so.

"So tell me, where are you from?" Alaric caught the flinch that Jasmine tried to hide at his words. Regret immediately poured into his chest making it tighten. Of course, after the war, many people lost their homes, their family, and friends. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I am sorry if I asked something difficult... I just find myself wanting to know all about you."

Jasmine could tell by his eyes that his words were sincere. As if an invisible hand was guiding her she opened her mouth. "My family and home are gone but I found a new one within the place I now work. The time after the war until I found them was the darkest time of my life..." Her words trailed off as she remembered the small closet that was considered her room. The beatings and moldy food that was an every day for her.

Alaric knew that his words had set off a bomb in her mind making her relive all of her past pain. "How about we talk about something else!" He tried to make his words come out chipper than either of them felt and she was grateful for the change. "How about I tell you a little about myself too since you just shared a little. Let's see, as you know I am the crown prince and the guy you followed here is a good friend of mine, though if I called him anything it would be a slippery rascal." He started to contemplate what he would tell her next. He thought about the time before the war and words left his lips without any thought. "All of us crown princes used to mainly be at odds. Sure we attended public events and waved to the masses with smiles on our faces, but behind closed doors, we were cold to one another. My friend Felix and..." Words got stuck in his throat as he imagined the last time he saw Morgianna breathing. "and Morgianna, his sister were kind of like the glue that brought us together. All of the other Crown Princes were told at a young age that one of them would grow up to be her husband and they would rule side by side. She was a great friend, and she would have teased you until you couldn't stand it." He wanted to slap himself for bringing up another girl in front of Jasmine but by now whatever would happen would happen.

Jasmine heard the words he didn't say. He had lost someone precious to him too, even if it hadn't been family. "What was she like?"  Her name sounded familiar but she couldn't place from where.

Her words hit him like a shockwave. The earnest look in her eyes as she genuinely wanted to know. "Honestly, and I hope you don't think less of me for saying it, she was probably the best person I knew. She made me feel inferior sometimes like nothing I did would ever beat her. She was overpowered, like her magic could have whipped all of us around without her even trying. Then her heart... It was too big for this world and that is why the one to end the war, was her. Not me or any of the crown princes for that matter. She stood in front of us and at the moment where it seemed we would all die, she gave her life in our stead." Pain twinged his heart, but a movement out of the corner of his eyes stilled his body.

He had seen her in passing a couple of times but it never felt like enough time. Morgianna had a frown on her small face as she shook her head. "Didn't your parents warn you not to brag about other girls to your future wife."

The word wife made his eyes go wide. He looked at Jasmine who was giving him a confused look as he stopped so abruptly.  He was about to reassure her that everything was fine when Morgianna popped into existence right beside him causing Jasmine to scream.

"Hey, I'm not that scary. Don't listen to anything this toad says." Morgianna hitched a thumb towards Alaric causing him to frown. "Listen I died, but by doing so I was able to be with my other half. I still get to pop in when I am not working, and no I won't tell you about my job. Alaric here has a plenty big heart and the love I felt for him and all the princes was that of Family. They were like six more unruly brothers. Look you both deserve to be happy, I have seen my share of death and life and I feel like you two could balance each other out. Of course, I cannot force you two to do anything, but can you just try to get to know each other. And you" Morgianna pointed her finger an inch from Alaric's nose, "you shouldn't bring up any girls in front of her, even dead ones that are like a sister to you until you can make sure she doesn't misunderstand." With those words, she winked out of existence as if she had never been there. Leaving behind two confused and blushing people.

Jasmine looked at the ashamed look on Alaric's face and burst into laughter. "Well, I think I can see what kind of person she was or is it is? I don't know I am so confused."

Alaric scratched his neck his face still flaming from the verbal lashing he had just gotten. "I didn't think she would just pop out like that before I could even finish my story. I know this may seem like a lot but would you like to stay for dinner? I had a really good time talking to you and I could have a guest room made for you so that you don't have to travel to an Inn."

Jasmine wanted to decline, but seeing as how Alistar had run off and he was the one supposed to set her up at an Inn she had only two choices. Accept his offer or take her chances of sleeping on the street since she had no money on her person. "That would be greatly appreciated." She bowed her head to show thanks, missing the relieved look that flashed across his face.