::PluNgedINtoDaRknESs\\_ {OPEN}

[{{Roxï-kun-+]

"If I should tumble[/i][/font]

If I should fall..."

Reno fought the urge to raise an eyebrow, deciding she had done that much too often today due to the sheep earlier. Who couldn't help but do that when having to deal with such people? After all, they didn't even seem to be able to think for themselves, used to people telling them what to do. Worse then sheep, the Princess decided. No, the Royal Court was more similar to a gathering of worms in the topsoil after it rained, defenseless against anyone whom might step on them accidentally. There was no way that Levi could work with such people. He would sit there and listen to each one. Hours, perhaps even days, would be required to even reach one point in the meeting.

As he turned to stare she reflected his gaze back at him and felt like she should stick her tongue out at him or something equally childish. That and roll her eyes in answer to his last question. "There are many things, Father, that are more amusing then being in this Palace. Though the long list does include things like being beaten and chased, I still do not enjoy it." Reno said evenly, continuing to meet the King's stare. She wouldn't let him win, even in such a small show of power. But then he closed his eyes for a few moments before opening them, Reno meeting him in the eye but no longer in a stare.

The Princess gave him a look as he continued to speak, saying things she mostly already knew. She was not her siblings and knew how the world really worked. It wasn't just cushy Palaces and nobles coming to visit because they sincerely want to see you. No, even the Palace was filled with hidden things, things hidden from her younger siblings until further notice. The thread of careful walking and lies from guests and the royal family themselves, like how they were human or that almost all the nobles didn't want her father dead. It was all, in the end, lies.

"I know my life is worth something. I won't throw it away. I knew that I could outrun them. Besides, the gang's members now look much worse then I do. I held back from killing them, though some are very close to it. There were only around seven members." the short haired female said, growing tired of this. She didn't know what he meant of her soul, though it was probably something that couldn't actually happen. Or, perhaps, it was a metaphor. Either way, she didn't take the time to say she didn't understand.

She bit her tongue as her Father told her to stay inside until she got another weapon. "There's no other way but to go out to get another weapon Father. What am I to do, steal one from the Armory?" Reno argued evenly, though she knew he probably wouldn't listen. But how else was she to get something to defend herself with?

Unless...No. She pushed the thoughts from her mind, staring down her Father. There wasn't anything like that and she wouldn't allow it. Never. She wouldn't be married off. The Princess didn't know where the thoughts had come from but bile had almost rose into her throat. Reno swallowed. She focused on the present and straightened her stance. "I cannot promise anything. I have to get a new weapon of my choosing. I have my own money and everything. Nothing will happen to me."

"...Would anyone hear me
---screaming behind these Castle Walls?"

[Leaf]

we make war so that
we may live in peace

Drako saw the logic in Akia's words, but chose to disregard them. He wasn't about to spend his time arguing with his daughter. At least she didn't take her enemies head on without thinking. Of course, her words could be just, words, but with the ability to talk back so quickly, Drako was sure that he did not have to worry about her quick judgement. Well, not that much, anyway. Seven members? Well, since they were assumably maimed, they didn't pose a danger anymore. At least not a danger for quite a while. However, just to be sure, they were probably going to be eradicated anyways. Thugs and other dangerous figures were just a mess and they contibuted scarcely anything to society. Especially if they cheated on taxes. In fact, part of the Daikan military was set aside to be tax collectors for this very purpose. He was sure that the other countries did not have to worry about such things as much.

And yet, as much as he envied the status the other nations were in, he wasn't about to risk peace to conquer it. After all, he had participated in the War before and had signed the Peace Treaty with his own hands. It would be demoralizing to break it first. Although if Drako were desparate, he would've picked out something and twisted it into a provocation for war somehow. His military would have to be much stronger and his subordinates much wiser before he even considered the idea, however.

While Drako does want Akia to acquire a weapon before she left the castle, he wasn't too sure about where she could get one. Not that he really cared, either. After all, it might as well keep her in for a little while. With the Armory under heavy security, the King would be rather impressed if she could really steal something useful. "How you acquire and arm yourself is up to you, but I suggest that you consider that after we are done here." The monarch stated firmly. Chances were that she was going to proceed out of the castle for a new blade or weapon of choice. However, Drako did not want her mentioning that openly in front of him. However odd she was, she had to know that announcing something such as going against orders openly was not the smartest thing to do. It made her goal too plain (although Drako could speculate it anyways) and it made enemies.

Akia then stated that she would be fine and her statement confirmed that she was going to leave the castle for her weapon. Drako sighed and acknowledged her choice to disregard whatever he had said before. She probably knew it anyways. "Well, refrain from causing trouble when you're in public. Otherwise, I will have to restrain your freedom." He then put his hand to his chin and seemed to consider something for a while. If Akia did prove to be too much trouble to handle, then the quickest solution would be to quarantine her. Banishing or exiling her would seem unmoral to the public, but keeping her in the country could also be a shame to the state. If he could marry her to an official stationed in another country or in the outskirts of the kingdom, then the situation would be ideal. After all, keeping a princess in the palace who did nothing but cause trouble would make the whole royal family seem odd. And while Drako could currently intimidate the public into being submissive, he couldn't have too much of a say after Levi suceeded him. Well, he was going to keep the possibility in his head for the moment. If Akia ever stepped way out of line, then he was going to marry her off. For now, he would have to start planting the idea slowly and subtlely into possible suitors.