Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nobiliteased) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
nobiliteased) wrote in sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
and if there's love in this life, there's no obstacle
[Everyone knows the story about soulmates. They say that when two people who are destined to be together meet, they exchange words that are marked on one another. Those words when spoken by your soulmate will cause the marks to tingle and you'll know. The stories have never explained how one would know, but it's the sort of fairy tale that everyone in Fódlan buys into. In fact, it's practically a requirement to spend a great deal of time talking about your soulmate and daydreaming about what they look like, act like, sound like.
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. Fódlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. Fódlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
no subject
Entirely so. We'll have to think of something else...
[But then Lorenz rises to her poor attempt at flirting, and Edelgard's smile is definitely pleased. Maybe it's due to the compliments, maybe it's due to the fact that she's speaking without any sort of filter on her words, but for once she's not the dignified princess she's been meant to be for so long.
It's nice, really, and Edelgard more than allows their fingers to lace together and leans forward into the table a bit.]
Perhaps I do find fault in how you're seeking to fluster me. [Not that Edelgard's ever gotten flustered. Ever. In her life. Totally. She doesn't actually sound mad, though.] I'm afraid I'll just have to kiss you if you keep that up.
[...that was about as smooth as face of a cliff, Edelgard, but you sure did try it.]
no subject
[It's very light teasing, however, and Lorenz leans forward easily. He props his elbow on the table (which is rather undignified, but he figures he'll be forgiven for that) and then his chin on his hand. They're so, so close now—]
I can't say I'd be opposed, if that's my punishment.
[And sure, Edelgard's attempts at flirting are... well, kind of bad, but that's something they can work on! For now, he leans in further, heart pounding in his ears as he waits for her to close the rest of the gap for that kiss they both want.]
no subject
I'll just have to take your breath away, then.
[Edelgard starts to lean in further, more than prepared to close the distance between them and partake in this. It's frivolity. It's utter frivolity, and yet as Edelgard's heart hammers in her chest, she wants nothing more than to kiss this man she's become all too enamored with.
And in a perfect world, they could do just that.
Unfortunately for them, however, the world is not perfect and Hubert von Vestra exists. There's a sudden pounding on the door that startles Edelgard just moments before they can finally seal the deal. Edelgard looks over to the door, eyes narrowing.]
...One moment, please.
[Of course, Edelgard isn't thinking this is Hubert at first--if anything she thinks this is Ferdinand, because he's got all of the grace of a farm pig tumbling down the stairs, but when she opens the door, there's Hubert in all of his scowling glory.]
Hubert? What is it?
["There are some matters that are in need of your urgent attention, Lady Edelgard."
...Of course there are. Likely private matters too, which means she absolutely has to leave. Edelgard heaves a sigh out, before shooting Lorenz an apologetic look--]
My apologies, Lorenz. We'll have to make this up again some other time.
[...Meanwhile, Hubert is absolutely giving Lorenz a Look while Edelgard's back is turned. He's watching you, purple man.]
no subject
And then there's a loud knock on the door and Lorenz flinches backwards, like he's been caught doing something he's not supposed to do. Which is... probably true, he's fairly sure Seteth would have some sort of lecture for just how improper it is for a young man to be kissing a young woman in her room—
Lorenz nods when Edelgard gets up to answer the door, mostly because he doesn't trust his own voice right now.
It isn't Seteth at the door (of course), it's Hubert. Which is probably worse, all things considered. It's not really surprising, he supposes, since Edelgard and Hubert are incredibly close and they're clearly working together on changing the very future of Fódlan. So it's disappointing, certainly, but Lorenz doesn't think anything of it.
At least until Edelgard turns back towards him and Hubert fixes him with a Look.
Lorenz prides himself on being a perfectly reasonable and rational individual. He isn't the sort to rise to taunts and he has put up with an incredible amount of teasing during his stay here at Garreg Mach. But there's something about that expression that very nearly makes him want to snap his composure over his knee and give Hubert a piece of his mind. Would that be unbecoming? Absolutely. Would that be dangerous? Absolutely. The thought lingers in the back of his mind even as he forces himself to respond to Edelgard's words.]
Of course, Edelgard. I understand you're incredibly busy.
[He moves to stand, offering her a smile - this certainly isn't her fault - and making his way toward the door. Once he's sure Edelgard can't see his expression anymore, he narrows his eyes at Hubert, but manages to keep his expression from getting anywhere near as furious as he actually feels.
He's not entirely sure how Hubert knew exactly what they were about to do, but that makes it clear that Hubert does not approve. Very well, then. He won't back down so easily.]