For my love...(OPEN)

[alexanderthegreat]

((lol k, it's long. I'm sorry. XD; Grab a coke and read. Made to be a self-rp, though you can jump in if you really want. It has some important information on Santo-Luce and stuff that even if you don't think is important now, it WILL be. Again, sorry it's long!!))

"Your Highness, we searched all over the town for you, what if something happened?!"

Alexander shook his head at the servants and their worried comments as he marched past them all in the castle. He was followed rather closely by one of his generals, Brahl, who seemed to appreciate only too much the idea of lecturing Alexander loudly in front of the others.

"Sire, you are to never leave this castle without proper protection. Santo-Luce can't afford to lose another royal so soon after Bradley's death," General Brahl wasn't afraid to talk to level with a royal, regardless of his 'place' in the kingdom, "where would we be able to find someone so fitting to take the throne, anyhow?"

Again, Alexander shook his head before giving a swift swat at Brahl.

"Go," he demanded, "you are not my parent, you do not reprimand me." Alexander's voice was unusually stern, and Holmes, his royal advisor saw nothing but stress in the young man's eyes as he continued his march to his chamber.

Brahl mumbled angrily under his breath but backed off, the other servants hesitantly hovering around him, afraid to follow their king any further. As Alexander stormed past, Holmes stared at the others and was the only one to turn back around and follow Alexander. He approached the chamber door moments after it had shut loudly and knocked softly on it.

He heard no reply. He knocked again. After another moment of silence Holmes finally thrust in the master key from his pocket into the door and let himself inside.

"Get out," Alexander commanded before the door was even open a quarter of the way. Holmes merely shook his head and slipped in, shutting the door behind him.

"I'm not here to lecture you. I'm here to ask you how your night out was," Holmes' voice was very soft and almost comforting. It was odd, but probably because Alexander was used to arguing with him so much about everything and getting in constant hell for everything from the short, middle-aged man. Alexander stood staring out of his window at the sea far away, almost as though searching for something out on the beach. He sighed, relaxing his shoulders and the rest of his body as he did so.

"I had a wonderful night, Holmes," he answered, the softness in his voice matching his advisor's, "I went out the beach, to a nice dinner, went dancing, and came home. It truly was the greatest night of my life."

Holmes listened attentively and was silent for a few moments before a small smile came across his lips. He had a wonderful night full of activity, yet something troubled him...this warranted a talk. He crossed the room as Alexander finished his story and took a seat by the small table in the middle of the room.

"What is her name?" was all he asked, quite knowingly. Silence was the only answer, even as Alexander turned his head toward Holmes and stared at him. Holmes' smile widened and he reached his hand out, patting the other chair beside him. As much as he wanted to argue it, Alexander had no choice but to smile back at Holmes and obligingly took the seat beside him, staring at the table as he recalled his night out with the sweet, red-headed lady.

"Harumi Amaterasu," Alexander finally responded, his face brightening up and his stomach tickling as he continued, "her father was a soldier once in the Santo-Luce army but retired, and she lives on the beach--that's where I met her. She's got the face of an angel, and dances way better than that disturbing princess that Father wanted me to marry when I was fifteen."

Holmes chuckled, remembering that incident only too well. He looked at Alexander, whose smile had only just fallen again as he focused hard on the table now.

"What happened?" he asked Alexander, who first responded by biting his lip and clenching his fists.

"I...I gave her Father's broach. I invited her--and her father--to come to the castle. I wanted to meet him and get to spend more time with her, get to know her better...and she refused. She told me she couldn't and then told me it would be better if I just stayed away from her," Alexander cringed as he spoke, his bitterness that showed when he first entered the castle that evening arising in him again, "I couldn't convince her otherwise, so I took her home. But she seemed...sad. She and I had gotten along so well and then she told me she couldn't be with me, but then she seemed upset. I feel so terrible for it, though I have no clue what to do. I don't even know why it's like this."

Holmes' smile also disappeared as Alexander's story ended and he sat back, thinking hard on the subject. Together, they both sat in a long measure of silence before Holmes spoke up once again.

"Sire, I don't suppose...you know these are times of tension and an impending war. This young lady, does she support Lord Damnedblood's goals?"

Alexander looked at him, quite confused. Why would that have mattered? Holmes gave him a hard stare and awaited his response.

"...I did tell her about the Sumata. She wasn't too happy with the idea..."

Holmes nodded his head and sat back in his chair.

"Hmmm. I believe therein lies your problem, sire," Holmes answered calmly, "if she does not believe in Damnedblood, whom of which you side with, then I would think it disturbs her to accept the love of a man who does."

And this was something he didn't want to hear. Again with Trucido and the constant negative remarks about him. It appeared the more people Alexander talked to the less good Trucido seemed to become. Alexander sighed.

"But then what has to be done? I can't dump Trucido and the Sumata for the girl. I tried to talk with Trucido once, and the moment he got the feeling I was backing away he...he changed. The air about him was a dark and threatening one," Alexander shuddered, "if I leave the Sumata, Santo-Luce cannot defend itself against him and Harumi will be part of the citizens in danger. But if I stay, I cannot have her either way."

"It appears you are caught in a very troubling dilemma, one of which no matter what you do you are forced to give Trucido Damnedblood something: either your support, or your blood," Holmes said gravely, "but it is something I'm sure you can pull through. This isn't the first time Santo-Luce has had to face a situation like this, I assure you."

Alexander nodded his head slowly as he said, "It appears that way, and I have to find a way to fix that. If things keep going the way they are, Santo-Luce cannot support him but I can't have the Sumata tear us apart, either. I just hope in the meantime I can convince her...I have to show her I'm not...I'm not a murderer, Holmes. I'm not."

He felt Holmes' warm hand on his back and when he looked, the older man smiled at him just as any close friend would have.

"That I know you are not. Foolish at times, yes, but very much like your father you have a heart full of compassion. But now you need to prove you do not have too soft of a heart that you can be pushed around easily."

"Thanks," Alexander smiled and Holmes got to his feet. He headed for the door saying, "We'll talk in the morn, Sire. Get some sleep." Alexander remained at the table even after the door shut behind him and stared out that window yet, towards the beach.

He finally pulled out a piece of paper and his pen and began scratching down a letter.


"My dear lady Harumi,

I fear you picked up a negative image of me. I apologize and wish I could explain myself, but alas, I can't. The best I can say is I'm not a horrible murderer as one would think, but I know it is nigh impossible to prove.

It is only right for me to do what is in the best interest of Santo-Luce, even if you do not agree with it. I'm sorry. I do it only to protect my people, but I promise it will be for the best. I'll lead Santo-Luce to safety, and I hope that when I do you will come by my side.

Some people may not like what I do, but I do hereby promise you that I will make everything right for everyone or may the gods strike me down for being a foolish liar to you, your father, and my kingdom as a whole.

Sincerely,
Alexander Frexton
King of Santo-Luce"

He re-read it. And after he finished re-reading, he read it again. It seemed to be missing something yet, though he said what he had to say.

After another moment, he brought the pen back out and scribbled down shortly after the note:

"My eyes beheld a sky one night,
It seems so long ago,
A perfectly painted portrait,
Be-speckled with blue and gold.

As I sit and ponder more,
It strikes me that you were there,
And it was truly your simple beauty,
That gave the stars their perfect glare."


Satisfied with the letter now, he arose from his chair and immediately summoned Foxy, who purred happily with the prospect of completing a job for her master. She nuzzled his hand and he pet her gently, sealing the letter carefully and holding it out to her.

"You can still smell that sweet lady on me, right? Her name is Harumi, she lives on the beach. You need to take this to her--it's important that no one else sees it, that's why you're doing it instead of a regular messenger," Alexander said to her. Of course, he had tried to word his letter carefully in case it somehow did happen to be intercepted, but in either case Foxy was still a better bet. She couldn't read, afterall.

She purred happily, grabbing the note in her jaw and immediately jumped out of the window. Alexander chuckled while watching her, the little ball of light running off into the darkness. At long last he sighed and glanced around the room, sleep finally itching at him and he decided to retire for the night.

"I have to make this right..." he said before he turned the lights out that night.

[alexanderthegreat]

The first thing Alexander did when he awoke the next morning was check in the mirror only to find very unattractive bags under his eyes. He sighed and moved to dress himself for the day.

Today the servants were feeling like they were able to approach him, he was not snapping nor did he apparently give off the air that he was stressed and irritable in any way this morning. Sitting down to breakfast, it wasn't long before he heard a small creak of a door and the familiar shuffling footsteps of his older advisor. Alexander prepared to be given the "you didn't go to sleep early like you should have" lecture from the man but when Alexander looked, he saw that Holmes, too, appeared to have been lacking in sleep as red faintly lined his eyes.

"You were up to something last night yourself, weren't you?" Alexander smiled and Holmes gave a shrug, "I sent off a letter. What kept you up?"

Holmes took a seat directly across from Alexander and answered, "I did a little research on the Amaterasu family."

Alexander's eyebrows rose in interest. Holmes' smile remained on his face for only a short moment before he licked his dry lips and gave Alexander another shrug.

"Sire, it's hard for me to say it but...searching through our army's records, there are only five Amaterasu families I could find. Not a single one has had a daughter, or at least one by the name of Harumi."

Alexander stared at Holmes, almost searching for some sign that he was joking. She wouldn't have lied to him, would she? That sweet young woman? She hadn't come across as a liar...

"Interesting," the young king slowly answered, "...you're surely not joking, Holmes?"

Holmes shook his head.

"I kid you not, sir. I'll keep searching, but that is all our records find at the moment."

They sat in silence for a long moment before Alexander motioned for Holmes to eat up with him. This would be another mystery they'd have to solve later...

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Look under the name Fri, But I doubt it that he would list that, but Check it anyways" A voice said from the corner. Trucido walked out, and said "Or, I could say it. But It has been slow lately, so go have fun Holmes, and it is spelled F-R-I." He sat in a chair and started to eat ice cream.

[alexanderthegreat]

Holmes made no motion to move from his seat, though Alexander beat him to the question they were both begging to ask.

"Why 'Fri'?" Alexander put his fork down and stared at Trucido, "do you know a Harumi Amaterasu, Trucido?"

Fri? Where did such a last name come from? Furthermore, how would Trucido know the family?

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Yes, I do, and I know her father, and used to know her mother. I picking up some items for my darling Lilith when I saw Harumi walking on the beach. I recognized her and so I know who her father. And I saw your fox following her." He said as he ate more Ice cream. "I will not ruin the surprise."

[alexanderthegreat]

Holmes' gaze quickly turned to Alexander as Alexander's face paled. He balled his fists, trying to keep his composure. He couldn't falter under Trucido, even if there was a chance he may have seen that letter...did he? He couldn't have. Foxy wouldn't have let him.

"Surprise? There is no surprise, I have no clue what you're talking about, milord," Alexander responded, half trying to play stupid, the other half trying to see if he could get some hints about the letter's contents.

"Fri, you say?" Holmes suddenly cut in, trying to redirect the conversation, "does this father of hers have a first name? I can begin a search on him, too. I hear from my king that he is a retired soldier of the Santo-Luce army. Must be an older man if he retired already from the army, though."

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Fine, I will ruin the surprise. " Trucido said "His name is Mark Angelus Fri, I believe that he served 20 years ago. His wife name was Masumi and she died 16 years ago. So, why did you send your fox out after her?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Holmes took in the information, nodding at Trucido.

"Mark Angelus Fri, you say? Call me crazy but that name actually sounds familiar...even more so when paired up with Masumi. Masumi Fri was one of our greatest generals," Holmes answered quietly, furrowing his brow as he dug through his memories. Alexander looked from both him and Trucido.

"I let Foxy out for a bit; she is looking for something for me," Alexander lied before jumping into the conversation about the Fri family, "Trucido, how do you know these people?"

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Well, then, that was lucky. Because Mark Angelus Fri is part of those rebels, the ones following my sister." He said "But I have no idea what what side his daughter will be on. Mark and I knew each other, and we were friends, but he betrayed me."

[alexanderthegreat]

"Friends?!"

Alexander's eyes widened. Was Harumi really just as clueless about her father's business as he had been with his own father's? Did she know any of this? This Mark and Trucido had been friends before Mark apparently betrayed Trucido...

"What happened?" Alexander asked, and bit his lip after adding, "he almost reminds me of Angelus..."

He wasn't sure he liked where this was going. Holmes also seemed to have himself a bit of a revelation, his eyes widened and he gave a hard stare to Alexander and then back at Trucido. However, he said nothing. The older man simply poured himself a cup of tea and shook his head.

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Well, He and I were like family. But he did not like my ideas and let me get Damned. So Him and I have been enemies." He said "Anything else?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Holmes looked at Alexander before sitting back in his chair, taking a long sip of tea. For once, he felt that the young king had himself handled.

"Yes, actually," Alexander started as he raised an eyebrow, "these ideas--you mean the recreating the worlds thing? What the Sumata believe in? How do you mean, him 'letting you get damned'? Trucido, how exactly did you know this man? Who was he, how did you get to know him, how could you trust him with enough of your life that apparently you were 'damned' later for it? How badly did you two separate that you became enemies like you are?"

Alexander then clenched his fists again. "And why would his daughter apparently have a different last name than him? Why?"

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"I can not speak for the Sumata, but I believe that believe that the world, nah the Universe, need new rulers, and that they are the best choice." He said as he stood, " I knew him since he was a small child. He has a special gift that the gods wanted an close eye on him, So we picked him up and placed him in Heaven. He was under my care, and my only student that survived my training. I thought that he could see the gods illusion, and help me before the Gods damned me. But alas, he love the Water moon, and let me fall. I knew then that he could not fall out of their illusion, so he became my enemy. He has tried to kill me, and I have tried to kill him." He walked behind Alex, and placed his hand on his shoulder. "He must of think that he could hide her from me. It fail but good attempt. Now, I have a few questions for you, and please don't lie. Have you been hanging around Angelus? and Do you like Harumi?"

[alexanderthegreat]

As Trucido made his way around the table, Alexander also stood. What, was this Mark guy an angel, then? In either case, Alexander had long made up his mind before he even knew his name or what exactly he was that he had to meet him, somehow. If he had any hope in hell of winning her, he had to...

"I've spoken with Angelus," Alexander answered promptly and with an unwavering confidence, "he still claims you are a traitor and a foul man and even openly criticized me for still siding with you."

He was lying, of course...or, rather, exaggerating. He avoided answering on his feelings for Harumi, however. Somehow if this Mark guy was trying to hide her from Trucido for whatever reason, it probably wouldn't do good for Alexander to tell Trucido that he'd fallen for her...

[Trucido Damnedblood]

"Ah, good. I hope you did not go by yourself. He is dangerous, and I would be sad if you were to get hurt." He said as he walked in front of him. "Now, Are you too tired to go out and hit the streets?"