Chapter Text
After everyone had been checked for any remnants of the curse, the castle was busy for quite a while. The castle staff that had been turned into mindless workers were back, and more grateful than ever to the royal siblings. Though Falin made sure to point out that it was actually Marcille that had broken the curse.
Next came the castle itself. With all the curses broken, that meant even the eternal winter had been dispelled, bringing in the warmth of summer. Unfortunately that meant that the ice and water that had gotten in the castle walls was beginning to melt and tilt the walls. But luckily the orcs and villagers finally had their memories back, they had rushed over to check on the royal court and celebrate their return while also offering their services.
After that a few changes happened. One being Chilchuck's retirement. Technically, he said he would step down from being the half-foot representative to the advisor of the half-foot rep. Which meant he wanted the authority, without having the work. So he could spend more time with his daughters. He wanted to leave to see them as soon as the castle had been in a decent repair, but to their surprise, on the day of his send off, three half-foot women had come charging up the steps and tackled the rogue in a big hug.
Apparently after Marcille broke the curse they had all remembered their father, who they had thought walked out on them. It filled them with guilt and they immediately made preparations to go to the castle and reunite with Chilchuck. If you asked him he would swear he didn't, but Marcille noticed a few tears silently leave his eyes from under the dog pile of his daughters.
They would be staying a few days to help where they could with the castle before returning to Kahka Brud as a family. Falin and Laios were already making plans to convince the four to move to Melini, so they could visit whenever they wanted.
Finally… there was the ordeal with Falin's body.
“Screwdriver?” Meijack called holding out her open hand, not looking away from the trap before her. With no response she snapped and called again, “Screwdriver?”
“Oh, sorry.” Marcille said, handing the tool to the shorter girl.
“Quit spacing out.” She mumbled around the pick she had between her lips. She fumbled with the mechanism for a second before it clicked. Meijack nodded firmly then moved to the next part.
“I'm sorry, I'm just.. worried.” Marcille mumbled. She looked down to the girl standing on a stool to look into the hole in the wall. Meijack was one of Chilchuck's girls. And you couldn't deny the resemblance. She looked like a more tired Chilchuck with longer hair and a somehow even worse temper. According to her, her sisters had dragged her with them to find their dad. (But Flertom told her she was most insistent on leaving immediately.)
“Don't care. Wire?” Meijack asked, holding out her hand.
“It's just, Falin's got her family back,” she passed a line of thick wire to the waiting hand, “but her new body… It's a bit to take in.”
Meijack couldn't help but scoff at that. “A bit” was an understatement. Flertom nearly fainted seeing the princess and their assassin friend Izutsumi.
“Falin loves how she looks. She's always been cute, nothing could change that.” Marcille continued, infuriating the halfling, “But what about her people? Would they accept her too? What if they demand her exile??” She was chewing her thumb in anxiety.
“Who cares? Scissors.” Meijack demanded, with an empty hand.
“I know having a free spirit is one of Falin's best traits,” She handed over the sharp instrument, “But if you're royalty there's a few things you have to worry about! Like appearance, etiquette, and relations. But if they won't give her the chance it's all for nothing!”
“I have to clear the exhaust.” Meijack mumbled.
“I don't want to stifle her enthusiasm for her new body but she should get a fair warning about how others would see her! Right?” She asked, looking to the younger woman for assurance.
“Left.” Meijack responded, turning a valve while ducking to the left as a burst of fire flew past her fraying braids.
“I should talk to her about it.” Marcille said determinedly.
“Not until this is done!” Meijack chided, snagging Marcille by the skirt before she could rush off.
“Oh! Right, yep.” Marcille said getting back to her spot by the tools.
“Man I wish I wasn't a half-foot sometimes.” She grumbled. “Heard every bit of that. But listen, Princess Falin is a full grown tall-man just like anyone else her age.” She pulled a wire tight and wrapped it around a peg near a gear. “She can handle a bit of crap from a few stuck up noblemen.”
“But what about the townsfolk? Will they treat her unfairly?” Marcille whimpered.
Meijack cursed internally. If Marcille wasn't a blonde she could've easily written off her whining and gone back to work. Why did she have to have a soft spot for blondes?! She heavily dropped her hand on her face and groaned in exasperation.
“Alright, think about it this way.” She held out her hand “Pliers,” she requested. Marcille handed over the tool so she could continue. “If you saw a five foot ten chimera woman on the street, would you try picking a fight with her?”
“Huh? No, why would I do that?” Marcille asked.
“I dunno, she cut in line at the bakery you like or something? Focus. Would you?” Meijack asked, going back to setting the right amount of pressure on the wire between her pliers.
“Um… No. She'd kick my butt.” Marcille responded. Meijack pointed her screwdriver at her.
“Exactly. Unless they're a bigger idiot than a walking mushroom,” she cinched the wire between the gears, making a soft click. “She'll be fine. Besides, being royalty she probably has more experience than anyone when it comes to dealing with idiots.” She dropped her tools into the rag on the floor and shut the fake paneling.
“How soon is ‘soon’..?” Falin asked, lifting her head from the letter that was just handed to her.
Before her was a Shinobi, a spy from the East. Or better put, a female warrior. She recognized this girl as one of Shuro’s body guards. She had beautiful makeup that decorated her cute features to make herself beautiful, with long straight, black hair. She was on the floor kneeling, her head lowered in a bow.
She had just handed Falin and Laios a letter from her master. It said how he remembered everything a few days ago and would be coming to get an explanation “soon.”
“A few days right?” Laios asked.
“No your majesties.” She responded, “If he keeps his pace he will be here by tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?!” Falin and Laios said in unison. The shinobi nodded.
“Oh. Alright. Guess we'll talk then. Thanks.” Laios said with a nod, dismissing the girl. She then, like magic, disappeared from sight. Pretty cool.
“Do… Do you think he'll want to resume the marriage..?” Falin asked, unintentionally letting worry infect her voice.
“No idea.” Laios responded, dismissing the question. “Anyway, I want to get back to my questions!”
Falin pushed the thought of marriage out of her mind for now, turning to her brother with a smile.
“Okay, what's next?” She asked patiently.
“Let's see,” Laios wondered, going over his mental list of questions as he placed books randomly on a shelf, “Any cravings? Like, do you feel the need to eat raw red meat?”
“In my dragon form I did. But as my human self? I don't think so, it does look tasty but I want to cook it first.” Falin answered.
“Interesting. I wonder if you'd be able to digest raw meat without issue like red dragon's do.” He said, climbing up a ladder to reach the higher shelves.
As he filled the top shelf he thought back to Kabru's words.
“We don't think Falin realizes yet. We've tried nudging her in the right direction. Maybe you can make a subtle push for her to realize it too? Don't just flat out ask her, it might scare her out of it.”
Laios never really excelled in subtlety. As Kabru often reminded him. How subtle would he need to be for this?
“How about instincts?” He asked vaguely.
“Oh! I started hoarding soft pelts!” Falin answered, gathering a few rocks of rubble.
“A hoard?! That's awesome!” He gushed. He quickly shook himself out of it. He had to stay focused. If he couldn't get her to recognize her mate it could lead to aggression.
“Uh, how about gathering instincts?” He tried again.
“Gathering instincts?” She parroted, not fully understanding the question.
“Like, do you ever go outside and start looking for something? But you don't know what it is until you find it?” He explained, shimmying down the ladder.
“Oh! Yes I do!” She smiled wide. “Let's see, there was the amethyst stone I found, the time I found some smooth stones, and the super shiny carapace of a treasure insect!”
If she was collecting offerings it must've gone to her mate, Marcille. If she saved them he was sure she was a good person, he didn't have to worry about that. But he was curious how she responded to those offerings.
“And how did Marcille react when you gave them to her?” He asked with a smile.
“Oh! She loved them! She said the amethyst and stones could be used to break our curses, but the treasure insect-!” Falin paused and looked to her brother, “How did you know I gave them to Marci?”
“Well, you gave her those offerings right?” He said, not sure where to go with what he was saying.
“What does ‘offerings’ mean?” She asked.
“Well,” Laios started. How was he supposed to explain this without giving it away? Would this be rude? Too personal? He was awful at this! Where the hell was Kabru when you needed him??
“Laios?” Falin called, stepping closer. Laios recognized the step pattern as the way a dragon would corner its prey. She wasn't going to let him out of this one.
“It's uh,” He crossed his arms and looked around. Still wondering how he could put this. But then his eyes landed on Falin. She wasn't angry, or confused, or mad, or anything else some other stranger would be, she was just curious. Then he remembered, this was his sister he was talking about. He didn't have to worry about all of these finicky emotions and pleasantries. Falin would never think of him negatively. Even when they were kids.
“An ‘offering’ is what dragons would gather when finding a potential mate. They find shiny objects or food or hoard additions to give to their mate. I think you see Marcille as a potential mate.” He explained, sighing as a weight was finally removed from his shoulders. Falin stared wide eyed. She blinked once, twice, then opened her mouth.
“Do you think she'll accept?” She asked. Laios smiled wide, excited to talk about dragons with his dearest sister.
Marcille wasn't sure what to do now. The castle had just finished their work for the day, the orcs were taking their turns in the baths, she had just come out from her bath with the other women. Helping Izutsumi with her fur had been a very fun experience.
Falin had told her to help with the intricacies of the castle, like fixing runes or tuning a few traps. But at the end of the day, what else should she do? She thought back to her experience with her mother as a court magician when she was a child. Usually personal attendants would wait on their master's hand and foot. Helping them shower, getting ready for the day, or whatever they pleased.
But in that case, hasn't she been doing that all along? She wished she had more to do to keep busy. She didn't want to disappoint the people who were keeping her safe in their kingdom.
“Marci?” She heard someone call from the door. She turned to the voice and smiled at the familiar feathered woman.
“Hey Falin! How did reorganizing the offices go?”
“It went fine but…” she softly shut the door behind her, “why are you in my bedroom? Is your room still being made?”
“Well, no,” Marcille admitted, “But as your attendant, I thought you'd need help getting ready for bed!”
“So you were waiting for me in your sleeping gown?” Falin asked, a playful grin on her features. Marcille felt her face heat at the poke. Now that she thought about it, it would be strange to have your PA waiting in your room in a sleeping gown made of thin material.
She had just been expecting it to be like when they were younger. Talking through the night and enjoying each other's companies. Falin would show her plant illustrations and the insects that would hide within them and Marcille would show her whatever she was reading at the time. She was expecting a sleepover she realized in embarrassment.
“I'm so sorry!” Marcille shouted, rushing to put on a robe before Falin stopped her gently.
“It's okay, I wanted a sleepover!” Falin said. “Just give me a minute to change, okay?”
“Sh-Should I call Izutsumi? We could make it a party with Namari and Rin too.” Marcille offered, standing next to Falin's bed as she changed behind a changing screen. She tried not to notice how if she moved forward she could see Falin's shadow from the moonlight. But that didn't mean she didn't move to get the better angle.
“Actually, could it just be us?” Falin called. “It's been a while since either was just us with how busy the castle has been.”
Tell her about it. Really. Since the curses were broken and memories were restored it's been a slog of work to do. Falin was dragged here and there for different approvals and plans. Not nearly as many as Laios, but it left Marcille feeling useless. Not being able to contribute. She tried where she could and did as Falin asked, but she wanted to do more.
“Just us then!” Marcille said, a bit more cheery than she meant to.
“Also,” Falin said quietly. She sounded nervous. She stepped out from behind the screen, holding something in her hand and fidgeting slightly. She had changed into a loose beige shirt with white shorts. Far too plain for a princess, but so amazingly Falin all throughout.
“I uh… I wanted to give you this.” She shyly held out her hand. Unlike when she gave Marcille those stones and that… treasure insect shell, (she still paled at the memory) Falin was nervous about this.
Marcille held out her hands and stared as Falin dropped something in her hands. It looked like a ribbon at first, but when she lifted it she saw it unraveled into a choker with lightweight thin silver metal that hung off from it. The middle decor actually had the kingdom's insignia stamped into it. The ribbon itself was a beautiful blue that matched her favorite cloak.
“We um, wanted to thank you for helping us. And um, breaking our curses. Kabru told us that jewelry would be perfect, and Laios left it up to me to choose, so I just picked my best fabric and gave it to Chilchuck and Namari. They gave me that back.” Falin rambled nervously, not sure what to make of Marcille's blank stare. “I even made sure they got it perfect before I gave it to you.”
Marcille laid it flat on her hand to get a better look. The middle decoration was the insignia, the dangle metal beside it were star and moon shaped with a bird on the left and a dragon head on the right. It was so intricately detailed for such thin metal and up close Marcille could see flecks of silver thread within the blue fabric. Falin had chosen it for her. Falin chose the decorations. Falin made sure it was perfect before presenting it to her. Falin did this for her.
“Marci..?” Falin called.
“I love it.” She responded, almost a whisper in comparison to her rapidly pounding heart.
“You.. You do?” Falin asked with a big smile.
“I do! It's beautiful Falin! Thank you.” Marcille smiled widely. She loved the way Falin's feathers puffed with pride from her accepting the gift.
“Can I put it on?” She asked, looking at the sparkling metal.
“I'd love to see you wear it! But…” Falin's eyes darted to the window then back to Marcille before sighing, “it's pretty late, you can wear it tomorrow! Since we'll be having a visitor. You can show it off then!”
“A visitor? Are they a noble?” Marcille asked, “Oh! Wait, don't tell me. Is it the Marquess who looked over the orcs' territory?” She guessed as she laid the new choker on Falin's desk. She'd make sure to wear it tomorrow!
“No, it's Shuro.” Falin said, hopping into her bed.
“Shuro?” Marcille asked. She knew that name. But from where?
“He was…” Falin started, now remembering what was to happen tomorrow. “Or, maybe he still is, my fiance.”
Marcille felt her muscles freeze. She had forgotten. She forgot Falin was engaged. She forgot the ball they were cursed at was her engagement celebration. She forgot it was the man who loved her that pointed a sword to her neck . He was coming back? He had the gall to show his face to her again?
“Oh… really?” Marcille asked, not turning to face Falin. She could feel her teeth grind from clenching them. She didn't want to sound mad, Falin did still like him. Didn't she?
“Yeah. We think he's coming here to ask about the curses. And maybe, resume our engagement.” Falin explained, playing with the hem of her shirt.
Marcille took a deep breath. It didn't matter how she felt. This was Falin's decision. She had the right to choose who she spent her life with.
But what if she didn't have all the options laid out for her?? She could have anyone! Not only is she a princess, for Pete's sake, she's beautiful! Inside and out! Laios as king could easily null the engagement if Falin so much as said the word! She didn't deserve a guy who would point a sword at her when she needed real help! She deserves someone better! More sophisticated! Kinder!
She didn't know how to say this. So she simply asked,
“Is that… what you want?”
Falin hummed in thought and hugged her leg.
“I don't know.” She mumbled against her knee.
“You don't?” Marcille asked, turning to look at the feathered tall-man.
“Well, on one hand, it's my duty as princess to become engaged to strengthen the kingdom, right? But on the other hand, if Shuro didn't want to continue with the engagement, I would be really happy.” Falin explained. “If only there was a way of doing both.”
“If it makes you unhappy then-!” Marcille started, her voice a few octaves too high to be unbiased. So she stopped herself and tried collecting her thoughts.
“Falin, you've always done what people have asked of you. But now,” She took a few steps closer to her, “Don't you think it's time to choose something that you want?”
Falin opened her mouth, as if to say something, but quickly shut it. Marcille waited patiently, wondering what she would say next.
“Well, what other options do I have? Who else would want to marry me? Or love me for that matter.” Falin muttered, a bitter smile on her face and she stared at the bedsheets.
“Are you kidding me?! If you put it in the papers that you were looking for a suitor you'd get a line a mile long of applicants!” Marcille shouted, grabbing Falin's hands in her own and making Falin look at her. “If they saw even a fraction of what I do in you they'd know you're a saint Falin!” Falin stared in awe as Marcille spoke, not sure when or if she should interrupt.
“And loving you? That would be impossible not to! You're kind and sweet, and you always try to be involved with your friends! Even if nobody loved you I would! In fact, I could love you way better than that jerk ever could!” She shouted. The second it left her lips her face went beet red. What did she just say? She didn't mean it like that! She just meant- She wasn't trying to- Why couldn't she get air in her lungs??
“You could love me better than Shuro could?” Falin asked, her eyes wide and unwavering.
“I- um.” Marcille stuttered out.
How did she get in this situation? She didn't mean it that was did she? Well yes Falin was beautiful. She was always cute. She was sweet and kind, and she would do anything to save the ones she loved. Even to the point of letting herself get cursed, putting her life in the hands of a friend she hadn't seen in a decade, just to wake her brother up and get her friends their lives back.
It made sense to admire those qualities. It was admiration! Of course! It's not like she loves Falin. She admired her qualities! Like friends do! She liked her friends' habits. Admired her courage. Appreciated her considerate nature. Loved her smile. Loved her curious nature. Loved her unending fountain of goodwill to help anyone around her. Loved her determination. Loved how she was willing to put everything into her hands because she truly trusted Marcille to save everyone. Loved-
She loved Falin.
She shakily lifted her head to meet the princess’ gaze. Those golden eyes were still locked on her. The neutral stare felt like scalding water. Burning in the emotions she couldn't read.
“Then I won't.” Falin said.
“Huh?” Marcille asked, she could feel her ears drop, worried in what was next.
“You said, even if no one else loves me, that you would. Did you mean that?” Falin asked, slowly pressing her hand into Marcille's, threading their fingers together.
“I…” Marcille said, breath hitching as she watched their hands.
“You didn't mean it?” Falin asked.
“No! I did! I-” there was no coming back from it now, she swallowed thickly, and tenderly squeezed Falin's hand, “I meant it.”
“Then I won't marry him.” Falin smiled.
“But… is that a good idea?” Marcille asked, ignoring how fast her heart was beating in her chest.
“Maybe not.” Falin admitted with a giggle, “But you said I should choose what I want right?” Falin adjusted herself so that she was on her knees on the bed, to be at Marcille's eye level.
“Marcille, I want you.” She said, eyes filled with so much warmth Marcille wondered how it didn't overflow. Falin wanted her. She loved Falin and Falin loved her back. Is that what she was hearing?
“You… you want me?” Marcille mirrored. Her brain was far too overwhelmed with information. From her realization to Falin confirming it. She couldn't believe it.
“Is that okay?” Falin asked, subtly pulling Marcille closer.
“I don't know.” She responded quietly. Falin stood up, so she could face her more earnestly.
“Why?” Falin asked. An innocent word, but filled with so many little emotions.
“You're a princess.” Marcille said, not able to pull her eyes away from Falin's.
“Only in name.” She responded, slowly encircling Marcille's waist with her arm.
“You have a duty to your kingdom.” She mumbled.
“But I'm choosing what I want.” Falin retorted, slowly leaning closer until there was no distance between them.
“I'm just some random magician.” Marcille swallowed thickly.
“You're my savior.” Falin let her other hand slide down until it found Marcille's again to thread their fingers.
“That's not true. You saved me from the Canaries.” She whimpered, feeling Falin's lip brush against her own.
“It is true. You saved me from loneliness,” she placed a gentle kiss against Marcille's cheek, “you saved my friends,” another kiss at the corner of her eye, “you saved my brother from his curse,” again she placed a kiss on Marcille's nose. “You're my savior.”
She hovered her lips above Marcille's now, eyes darkened with something Marcille couldn't place. Want? Love? Determination? Or desperation? She couldn't tell.
“You're my everything.” She whispered. Marcille couldn't take it anymore. Her heart felt ready to burst. Falin was waiting for her to make the next move, accept what she was offering.
She screwed her eyes shut and all but leapt forward, mashing their lips together. It hurt a little from the force, but Falin met her with an almost equal desperate force. Marcille threw both of her arms around Falin's neck to keep her close, Falin responded in kind by holding her by the waist.
They held their kiss for what felt like an hour, before air forced them to separate. Marcille panted, she was sure she was flushed to the tips of her ears, but after that electric feeling, she felt herself craving for more.
Falin looked the same, eyes wide with shock, shining brightly with satisfaction, but the way she eyed Marcille's lips told her she also wanted another. Her natural blush had completely stretched across her cheeks, to her ears, and down to her feathered neck. She looked beautiful.
Marcille was barely able to take one last breath before Falin pulled her back in again.
—-------------------------
“Prince Shuro,” Kabru said in mild surprise before he bowed and eyed the man before him. He remembered Shuro as a tall, if a bit thin, eastern tall-man. Impeccably well kept and usually neutral in his gaze.
The man he saw before him was not that. He was thin, his cheeks sullen and covered in a coarse stubble. His eyes were weighed down with weariness. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Going by the look on his face, the meeting he had just had with the Touden siblings had gone less than favorable for him.
“How was your meeting?” He asked, hoping to pry some information from him.
“I got the answers I wanted. Where are my attendants?” He asked simply.
“Ah, they're in the kitchen my lord. It seems Maizuru wanted to be personally involved with making your lunch.” He explained. He decided to leave out the part where Izutsumi had ambushed Inutade and they were both running around the ballroom in a strange game of tag; where Inutade chased Izutsumi to give her a hug and the cat girl ran like her life depended on it.
“You do know where everyone in the castle is correct?” He asked.
“I don't know where everyone is, I just know where to find them.” He said vaguely with a polite smile.
“Then you know where I can find this ‘Marcille’ person?” He asked. His eyes were distant. Kabru didn't find it comforting that he couldn't read whatever he might be planning.
“Marcille is under the protection of their majesties, the Touden siblings.” Kabru said firmly.
“I only wish to speak with her.” He said simply. Kabru narrowed his eyes. He couldn't disobey royalty, but he couldn't be sure what he'd do to her. They couldn't lose someone so powerful for the kingdom.
“She spends these hours of the day in the library.” He said. Shuro nodded and started to make his way in that direction. Kabru went the opposite direction, just in case, he'd tell Princess Falin about this.
Marcille felt herself humming. She couldn't help it. It just felt so surreal. Last night she and Falin had admitted their feelings to each other. It was terrifying in every way, (and partially an accident on her part) but now? She couldn't help but feel like her whole body had been lifted. She felt so grateful to Melini, to Laios, even to that Mad Mage! Which was ludicrous, but she couldn't stop the overflow of gratitude that came from finding Falin again.
“Are you Marcille?” She heard a gruff voice call. She paused from slotting a book back into a shelf and glanced over her shoulder. She could see someone standing near the door, but she didn't recognize them.
“Oh, yes! Just a moment.” She said, pushing the spine of the book to fit perfectly on the shelf. She pushed her ponytail over her shoulder to try and see the person more clearly as she climbed down the ladder she was on.
“Sorry about that, did you need me for anything? Oh! Did the orcs finally find that rune that's been messing with the kitchen water?” She rushed to the wall where she had leaned Ambrosia to the wall.
“My name is Toshiro.” He said facing her. He seemed very thin, almost skeletal under the bulky red armor he had on.
“Oh, nice to meet you Toshiro, I'm Marcille.” She said, holding out her hand peacefully. He stared at her in confusion, which made Marcille awkwardly drop her hand.
“Ah, I see. You must know me by the name Falin calls me. Shuro.” Marcille paled at the name. She did know that name. What did he want with her? Didn't he have a meeting with Falin and Laios today?
Instinctively she covered the choker Falin had given her. She had put it on this morning, she didn't expect for Shuro to find her.
“I'm not here for trouble.” He said, almost in a mumble. She looked him up and down, checking for any signs of deceit before dropping her hand, but not her staff.
“What can I help you with your highness?” She asked quietly.
“I wanted to ask you a few questions. If you don't mind.” He said, walking further into the library.
“Okay, I'll answer to the best of my abilities.” She responded hesitantly. Shuro nodded and stood next to a shelf about fairy tales.
“You used black magic to break their curses?” He started. Marcille flinched at the question. She knew the hidden question that was there. Do you understand the severity in what you did?
“I did. I had no choice if I was going to save them. And I would do it again.” She stared sternly at her staff, not wanting the chance of meeting his judgemental gaze.
“Why?” He asked next.
“Huh?” Marcille asked, confused.
“Why break their curse at all?” His voice seemed to drop in suspicion.
“What do you-?”
“Did you know who they were before agreeing?”
“No, I-”
“Were you hoping for a monetary reward?” He glared in her direction.
“No! I wouldn't-!”
“Then were you already practicing black magic?”
“That's none of your business!” She snipped.
“When it deals with Falin it has everything to do with me.” He huffed out. Now it was Marcille's turn to glare.
“Everything to do with you? Aren't you the one who pointed a sword at her throat?” She shouted.
“Excuse me?” He growled.
“Izutsumi told me herself. You pointed your sword at her the minute she was cursed.” She pointed an accusatory finger at his chest.
“Asebi is here? Wait that-” he grunted, gathering his thoughts together, “What choice did I have?”
“What?” Marcille said, eyes wide under her furrowed brows.
“She had turned into a monster! Their people were in danger.” He shouted back.
“She wasn't a monster! She was confused and cursed! The mad mage had a hold on her!”
“She could've killed someone!”
“Which means she didn't kill anyone!”
“We didn't have the luxury of waiting to find out if she would!” He slammed his fist against the bookshelf beside him, sending the thud through the empty library.
“When a monster wanders into a village you don't wait to see if it's friendly, you kill it before the village suffers.” He gritted out.
“Stop calling her that.” Marcille growled. “She's not a-”
“Monster?” They both heard from the doors. They whipped their heads to the doors and saw Falin standing there, her feathers poking out from her rolled up sleeves. She must've been going to help in the castle garden before coming here.
“Falin-!” Marcille called, only to be interrupted by Falin giving her a pat on the head when she approached.
“Shuro, what purpose do you have talking to Marcille?” Falin asked kindly.
“I wanted to figure out what her true motives were for helping the castle with their curses.” He said, looking at Marcille with thinly veiled contempt.
“That's not necessary.” Her voice felt clipped, like she wanted to halt whatever Shuro was planning on doing immediately. “She saved us. That's all there is to it.” She smiled, standing between the two, keeping Marcille from sight of the tall-man.
“But it's suspicious is it not?” He tried.
“Shuro. Marcille is under our protection. In fact…” Falin said, reaching behind her to take Marcille's hand, “there's somewhere we need to be.”
With that she didn't wait for his response, nearly dragging Marcille out behind her. After a few moments of walking in silence, Marcille felt slightly nervous.
“Falin..? Are you okay?” She asked hesitantly.
“I am. He didn't try to hurt you, did he?” Falin asked, partially looking over her shoulder.
“No, he didn't.” Marcille responded quietly.
“Thank goodness.” Falin sighed, coming to a stop in the hall as the sun shines through the grand windows.
“Falin,” Marcille stepped closer to the princess, “Did any of what he said bother you?” She asked, brushing some of Falin's hair from her face.
“No, not at all.” Falin smiled, nuzzling into Marcille's hand and planting a small kiss on her palm. “It was kind of nice knowing you'd defend me like that.”
“Huh? Of course I would!” She blushed and looked away, “Royalty or not he didn't have to call you that.” She grumbled.
“I'll defend you too. No matter where I am, I'll make sure no one bad mouths you.” She smiled, leaning forward expectantly.
“Falin, we're in the hall.” Marcile whispered in embarrassment.
“Just one? Please?” Falin asked, stepping forward to nudge her nose against Marcille's cheek.
“Okay! Just one!” Marcille squeaked, hoping no one was nearby. Falin smiled from ear to ear and waited patiently for Marcille to give her a quick but firm kiss. Afterwards she started power walking back to her room, hoping to act like nothing happened just now.
Falin felt a sort of pride build up in her chest, her feathers flaring and puffing from her emotions. She innocently put her hands behind her back and followed after Marcille. Fully intent on getting the affection she deserved from the beautiful elf that had chosen her just as much as she had her.