Thick Lies the Forest Growth

Posted on Sun Dec 29th, 2024 @ 12:14am by Amalie Cochrane & Crown Prince Paolo Orsini

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: China House
Timeline: Date 2372-01-05 at 1530
8945 words - 17.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Months had passed; the universe moved forward, and he was still just as angry as he had been when he saw the hatred in his older brother’s eyes. He could still feel the pressure on his throat, like the ghost of the dead man’s hands choking him…killing him. It was all he could do not to scream.

The wooden sword made contact with his cheek, making a terrible sound and leaving an immediate welt. His hand shot up to his face, but he didn’t whimper even as the young man who had issued the strike gasped.

“Your Imperial Highness, I’m so sorry.” The man said, his eyes as wide as dinner plates. His stringy blonde hair was matted with sweat, leaving him looking disheveled and desperate with his current expression.

“It’s nothing.” Paolo said, lowering his hand from the red mark. He stood shirtless, the previous pale boyishness of his body replaced by something shaped, more defined, and more manly. Paolo had changed on the outside as much as he had on the inside, and a sudden growth spurt had made all of his old clothing ill-fitting. They’d bought more for him, of course, but he barely wore anything other than his workout gear or his pajamas.

China House was an excellent training ground for his mind and his body, giving him the space and isolation he needed to train and heal. And since his dear regents didn’t seem to desire his counsel, he had simply retired from the political scene. He’d even stopped reading his government boxes. The only thing he’d learned had been from his tutors or from other visitors.

“Get your sword back up. That was a lucky shot.” He said, narrowing his eyes at the blonde man. “Again!”

The Crown Prince raised his own practice sword again, the newly defined muscles in his shoulder showing his readiness. He wasn’t angry, but determination was written all over him.

The young man hesitated slightly at the order and his eyes darted to the guards standing nearby watching over the Crown Prince carefully. They hadn’t moved; they never did during training sessions, but the fear was naturally still there. With a small nod, he lifted his sword again and shifted his stance to a wider one in anticipation of Paolo’s attack.

Paolo got into a defensive stance between the trees, his eyes narrowing and focused. His practice blade was held low and stealthy, a clear sign of some very distinctive training. He had been learning the art of battle and reading the histories of great warriors, and the angry beating of his heart honed him slowly into a man much harder than the boy he was expected to be.

When the young man supposing him lunged forward with his sword, Paolo swatted it away as if it were planned, denying the strike to his already bruised body. The young man spun and swung again. That blow, too, Paolo turned aside with his own blade. He delivered a kick then to the young man’s stomach, sending him dealing back on the defensive.

Paolo stood taller, the huge green trees that surrounded them like guardians watching the exchange of blows.

“Good, Your Highness. Control the battlefield. Let him come at you and wear him down, then strike when he is weak.” Came the grumbling voice of a tall man with a sloped forehead and a long salt and pepper beard. He turned to the other young man and gestured. “Come at him again.”

The blonde man steadied himself and did as he had been bid to do again. He came at Paolo quickly at first, but feinted his first attack low and then came in high.

Oftentimes, Paolo was out training in these woods half the day, and he had been taught by one of the best. He didn’t fall for the trick, and instead dodged the swing by moving quickly to one side.

Anticipating Paolo’s dodge, his opponent quickly pivoted around and instead of taking the more natural and anticipated swing low again, he struck high a second time and hit Paolo squarely across his upper back, but the hit was obviously significantly softened judging by the young man’s physique. One had to be careful training with the future of the Empire, though thankfully Paolo had proven so far to not be a sore loser.

Paolo’s jaw set. He had found an elusive competitive spirit in battle, and he had really started to hate being outmaneuvered. He took a step back and reset.

“Don’t let small losses distract you from the victory.” The bearded man said from the sidelines. “The Men you trained with are older and stronger than you, and they’ve watched you fight many times before. You can’t easily surprise such a man. Learn to.”

Paolo waited again, pursing his lips and waiting for the next attack. When the young man finally came on, he met his sword with his own and stepped into the strike. He was closer than the young man anticipated, and his next move gave even more of a surprise. He kneed the young man in the stomach again, and grabbed his sword arm with his free hand. Extending it, he hit the man’s arm with his sword in a move that would have cut off the appendage had the sword been real.

“Well done, Highness.” The young man was able to get out despite having the wind knocked out of him. He waited for Paolo to release him without struggle and rolled his free shoulder while doing so. Glancing up, he saw one of the palace servants approach and speak to Paolo’s trainer, but he paid it little mind.

“The Crown Prince has a visitor when his lesson is concluded.” The servant spoke quietly, not pressing the matter but seeming to simply deliver the message so time did not go over as it so often did.

The tall man nodded, then turned back to the clearing.

“That will be all for today. Your Highness, you have a visitor to attend to and you need time to recover.” He said.

Paolo nodded, approaching the servant with a slightly lazy step. He’d had a growth spurt, and was as tall as the servant now. He’d also refused several hair cuts, and his dark hair was longer and more unkempt than a princes obviously should be.

“Okay, let’s go then.” He said in an uneven, almost annoyed tone as he fell into step with the servant, still shirtless. They walked for the next ten minutes until they reached China House, the sprawling mansion estate that he had selected as his getaway.

“Shall I inform your guest you will need a few moments more to clean up from your training?” The servant asked and glanced over at Paolo, though didn’t dare let it linger for fear it may have come off as judgmental.

Paolo looked down at himself. He was shirtless, bruised, and dirty. Raising his eyebrows, he looked at the servant again.

“I probably shouldn’t greet them in this.” He said, giving only that as a reply. Then he turned away and went to his suite. When he emerged some time later, he was clean and wearing her black pants with a red tie and a matching black vest. His hair was still ascue, but he either didn’t notice or didn’t care. He stood tall and confident as he walked into the audience room, looking disinterestedly to see who had bothered to visit him.

Sitting quietly in one of the chairs waiting for him was Paolo’s intended and when he entered she stood and curtsied to him. She was styled in a pretty pale pink dress, but despite the girlish presentation, it was quite obvious that just as Paolo was becoming more man than boy, she was becoming more woman than girl. That sweet innocence she had exuded when they had first met had been tamed or perhaps extinguished completely over the past few months in her training to become Empress.

“Hello, Your Highness.” She greeted in a voice that didn’t quite sound like what he would have expected.

Paolo’s eyes grew wide when he saw her standing before him, not only because he hadn’t been expecting her in the slightest, but also because of the way she had developed. Her child-like sweetness was now secondary to her beauty, and he looked at her with an interest he hadn’t necessarily shown before. He’d always liked her, of course, and was eager to marry. But now he found himself eager for certain specific parts of marriage.

“Amalie..” he said, taking several strides forward and stopping in the middle of the room. His eyes searched her face in admiration. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I hope I’m not imposing?” She asked, taking a single step toward him but not closing the distance more. Her pretty eyes moved over him, but besides the small and courteous smile she wore, it was hard to tell her feelings at a glance. They had barely seen each other more than in passing over the past few months, and Paolo was usually so focused on what he was doing - or so grossly disinterested - that she actually wasn’t sure if he really noticed her. They’d spoken once briefly after the incident with Giuseppe, but hadn’t really since.

“No..” he said, his eyes drifting down from her face and then resettling there when he’d taken notice of what he was doing. “No, people visit all the time. Well..some people. You’re most welcome.”

He stayed where he was, suddenly a bit awkward, as if he didn’t know if he should close the distance between them or not.

“Are you well? It feels as if we haven’t spoken in months.”

“Oh yes.” Amalie replied and shifted on her feet while she brought a hand up to nervously brush some of her hair back behind her ear. “I spend most of my time being tutored and the rare time I get away I go back to my family. You look…” She paused and eyed him again. “Taller.”

“You do too.” He said, lifting his head and showing the beginnings of genuine confidence learned in fighting and, in some ways, in his older brother’s hateful eyes. “And very beautiful too.”

“Thank you, that’s kind.” Amalie replied, blushing just a bit and giving a more innocent smile this time. “I just… wanted to come talk to you. See how you’ve been and what you have been doing while you are here.”

“I’ve been training…reading.” He answered, taking yet another step toward her. “My Governor and tutors join me here too.”

“Training?” She probed, her eyes drawn to his body under his clothes for a moment. She wasn’t blind, he hadn’t just grown tall. “Training for what?”

“To be a man.” He said simply at first, as if it was explanation enough. “I’ve been learning to fight from a master trainer. He has me running, lifting weights, and training with sword and hand-to-hand combat”

“Oh.” She blinked and brushed her hair back again, her smile fading with a slightly awkward shift of her body. “Okay. Are you… enjoying that?”

He nodded, his eyes moving down her body again and taking longer to return to her eyes again. There was something unusually brazen about the look, and he didn’t seem ashamed.

“I have a newfound love for constructive violence. I’m improving every day.” He answered. “We should take a walk.”

“Alright.” She agreed, giving no indication of her feelings on wanting to do so or not. She closed the distance between them finally, joining him so he could take the lead.

As they made their way out of the main entrance and her chaperone, one of his mother’s ladies, started to follow him, he offered Amelie his arm.

“Tell me about yourself.” He said, seeming genuinely interested, his eyes on her instead of the steps they were approaching. “What have you been up to lately in your training? You seem different.”

“I’ve been learning to be a good consort.” Amalie replied, briefly glancing toward the steps then returning her attention to Paolo. “Most recently I’ve been learning how to run a household like the imperial household and that when done right, there really shouldn’t be any evidence of it at all.”

“That’s also a sign of good government.” Paolo said, taking them down the steps and showing concern with making sure she didn’t fall. Still, as they started toward the tree line, his eyes were glued on her. “Is that all?”

“I’ve been learning the history of your family and making sure I know the names and faces of the Secretariat and the prominent noble families as well as anyone else the Emperor would usually work closely with.” She offered up and looked out onto the grounds. They were quite beautiful and while she expected it given it was an Imperial residence, it wasn’t like anything she had seen before in her short, sheltered life.

“No. None of that explains what’s so different about you.” He said, as if she had been trying to answer that had been weighing on his mind. They walked past the first trees and started into the green forest along a path.

“Well, it has been a big adjustment for me. It wasn’t so long ago I was going to school and learning about various subjects and having my friends and family around me.” Amalie pointed out softly. “I guess that’s what is so different, but I’ve accepted it.”

“But are you happy?” Paolo asked, almost tripping over a branch in the path as he watched her. “Such a big change would really shock some people.”

“It’s challenging.” Amalie replied diplomatically, stumbling with him when he did since they were linked arm in arm, but she didn’t even seem to react to it. “I know it probably all sounds quite silly to a man. I’m sorry.”

“What?” He asked, furrowing his brow at her. “Not at all. I really want to know about your experience. You aren’t silly to me.”

“You just have more to worry about than trivial things like that is all, Your Highness, I understand that.” She glanced at him and gave him a smile. “I’ll be perfectly happy.”

“But I just said I wanted to know.” He said, his tone kind but less gentle than before. He knew this behavior well. It was how his sisters behaved before they became convinced they were victims. “Are the tutors teaching you to treat me this way?”

Amalie frowned then and looked away, her eyes moving back and forth almost like she were trying to read the pages of a book in search of an answer. His response confused her as it was not what she had been told to anticipate, and she was trying to identify where she had misstepped. “I’m just… trying to be respectful of you as a man and what is important to you. It is what I learned…”

Paolo’s jaw set. It made him angry they taught noble women to pretend to be this way. It was good to be unselfish and to treat men like men, but it was the ‘not burdening them with problems’ aspect that made him so mad.

“And what if you’re important to me?” He asked, looking at her, his eyes soft. “You can tell me how you feel without being a burden. I take care of you and you take care of me, yes?”

Behind the pair, their chaperone cleared her throat loudly.

Amalie started to answer, but when the older woman cleared her throat, she glanced back with a dismayed look on her face. She couldn’t help that Paolo wasn’t responding like the hypothetical man should have in the scenarios she had been learning. “I-I’ll always take care of you, of course.”

She squeezed his arm a bit tighter and looked away from the woman following him, her eyes lowered to the ground. “It’s been difficult.”

Paolo frowned deeply, feeing the warmth of her body against his. He felt an ache that only young love could cause, and he paused their travel very suddenly. Turning, he looked at the chaperone.

“I won’t be siring any children with your charge out here in the woods.” He said, keeping his voice even. “You may go back to the house.”

Amalie blushed deeply at his comment and she was thankful her eyes were already down.

The woman paused in following them and pursed her lips. She was aware of Paolo’s position of course, but she had a duty as well charged to her by the Empress. “It would be extremely inappropriate for you two to be left alone, Highness, your mother would not hear of it.”

“Then don’t tell her.” He said, gesturing to her in a reasonable and moderate tone. “She isn’t here, and I wish to speak to my intended alone.”

“I really must insist I stay, Highness.” The woman persisted, patient in her own way but clearly displeased he was trying to get rid of her. “It is not for your benefit, it is for your intended’s. It would be highly improper for a girl of her age to be alone with a boy or man and it would sully her reputation. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

“You aren’t here to protect her reputation. You’re here to control her.” He said, tensing noticeably. “Go back to the house now, or I’ll have you taken back by force.”

“Control her? What ever could you mean? I am here as her escort to make sure nothing untoward is said or done, that’s all.” The woman protested.

“I don’t want to cause trouble, Highness.” Amalie spoke to him softly and in a tone that indicated that while he might be able to order this without repercussions to himself, they may very well come back on her.

“You aren’t. I am.” He said to her, his tone resolute. He scowled at the woman, convinced she had to go. “And if anyone ever hears that we were alone, we’ll know who told.”

He looked at the woman with eyes growing steely and much harder than they normally were. It was a threat as potent as ever Paolo did issue. Subtle and deniable, but certainly a threat.

The woman scowled outright now and looked at Amalie. “It will be on your head then, girl, when they start whispering about your virtue. I am not the only one who watches over the two of you.”

With that, the woman turned and stomped off, leaving them alone and Amalie standing with Paolo looking very conflicted.

“Don’t let her frighten you. Fear is her only tool.” He said, looking to Amalie. “If you’d like, I can call from one of my valets to accompany us.”

It was easy for Paolo to say such a thing of course, but the problem was the woman hadn’t necessarily been completely wrong.

“I… don’t know that it would matter if it is just another man if it wasn’t one related to me.” She admitted softly and unsure.

“Then I’ll have seven maids sent out.” He said, watching her carefully, waiting for her response. “Really anyone but that woman.”

Finally, he earned a slight giggle out of Amalie with his comment, the sound sweet and innocent as he had been familiar with before. “She can be a bit… overbearing yes. I’m sure she means well.”

Paolo smiled brightly at her smile, having gotten exactly what he was after. He allowed the moment to rest there for a moment before he responded to what she said.

“You can tell what someone means by what they do. I used to think otherwise, but I’ve learned to judge the tree by its fruit.”

He opened his Sonus and shot a quick message to his protection platoon commander.

“They’ll get us some women to escort us at a distance. That way we’ll avoid scandal and have some actual privacy to talk.”

Amalie nodded and considered what he had said about what someone meant by what they did. “Do you think a tree can change its fruit?”

“Of course I do.” He said with a positive nod. “But do they? Rarely, I think. How about you?”

“I think it would be very sad if they couldn’t.” She replied thoughtfully and slid her arms around herself as they waited in place for the maids to arrive. “And I think it would be sad to think they couldn’t too.”

“Maybe.” He said, letting a bit of silence pass between them. “But we can all change. Whether an individual has the will to is a different question, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I suppose it would be.” Amalie agreed thoughtfully and looked around. “The China palace is quite beautiful. Is it your favorite residence?”

“It’s China House, actually.” He corrected gently just as he saw a gaggle of female staff starting into the forest. “And no, it’s not my favorite. It’s really just the most private. The forest makes it remote in a way our other properties just aren’t. The Serenity Palace on the moon has always been my favorite. Amazingly beautiful with an excellent view of Terra.”

“I’m sorry. I still get them a bit confused which is a palace, house, and estate. Why aren’t they all called one thing?” Amalie asked him curiously.

“Well House and estate tend to be synonymous with a mansion and its surrounding land. China House and Hawaii House, for example, are private getaways where royal children come to sulk or to be alone. They’re considered private by their very nature. Palaces were built for the Emperor, on the other hand. The difference isn’t formal though.

“I see. Maybe you will be able to show me Serenity Palace when your studies allow? I’d like to see your favorite place.” She smiled at him, brushing her hair behind her ear and glancing out toward the women making their way over.

Two maids in matching formal clothes approached them and curtsied. They were both young and full of energy, but said nothing as was their training. Paolo turned his attention from his fiancéekmentarily in order to address them.

“Follow no less than twenty meters as we walk. We wish to speak without being heard. Be sure you keep us in your sight.”

Assured they understood, he offered his arm to Amalie again.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.” He said.

With a smile, she slid her arm back in his and when he started to walk again, she fell in easily with him. “That’s very sweet of you. You’ll have to let me know when you have time.”

“Have you done any traveling since you moved to Rome?” He asked, cherishing the feeling of her warmth. “Even just the city? Or have they kept you huddled up in the Imperial Palace?”

“I was at the Pyramid for about a month even after everything happened to learn how life works there and also how the regency period functions. After that I went to the Palace. I’m not allowed to travel without specific permission and when I do it is mostly just to go and see my family.” Amalie explained. “I’ve tried making some friends but it is hard.”


“I know what you mean.” He stated. Paolo grew up much the same way, but there had been events and occasions galore to give him the chance to mingle. And once he made friends, play dates and visits with them were on the table. “Since the attempt on my father’s life, royal occasions are all but gone. My mother hasn’t been throwing any parties, and I bet that leaves you alone in the bubble. I’m sorry.”

“Well, it is understandable she isn’t throwing parties or anything like that, and I know I shouldn’t complain, but it has been really lonely when I don’t have anyone my age around and it’s just my tutors all the time unless it’s my family.” Amalie squeezed his arm gently. “I’m sure your mother is missing that sense of normalcy.”

“I think so too. Though, I wish she would just throw herself into her work again. She does her boxes, I know, but where are the social gatherings?” He asked, rhetorically. “You should be learning to act as a hostess anyway. Maybe I should have a word with her…”

“She probably just doesn’t really feel up to doing it.” Amalie noted after a beat. “She misses the normalcy but what’s normal about the past few months at all?”

“It’s a new normal.” Paolo said, a certain subtle edge in his voice. “Things aren’t going back to the way they were and it’s better that we all adjust to that reality right now rather than later.”

He looked into her pretty blue eyes and sort of softened then.

“My mother is tougher than this. And she knows what her duty is to the Court..to you. I’ll see if I can help her. I know it hasn’t helped that I’ve been gone.”

Amalie frowned mildly at his cynical take, but she seemed to understand that he was affected by what happened to him and rightfully so… though she supposed she had hoped he wouldn’t change too much because of it. Surely the Empire didn’t need another warrior? She licked her lips and glanced away. “I know she does miss you quite a lot. I think your sister does too… in her own way.”

“It’s just that I’ve been very busy. That’s all.” Paolo said, offering an excuse which wasn’t asked for. “And it’s nice out here..normal, somehow.” He smiled and chuckled. “Perhaps you should move in with me.”

The skeptical look that had appeared when he had given his excuse disappeared in favor of a blush on her pale cheeks at his mention of moving in together. “Eventually… but if you did come back to court we would see each other much more often, you know, and I’m sure your mother would be happier with you nearby.”

It wasn’t as if physical distance was the issue, of course, with the technology available to them, but it was clear Paolo was shunning his family connections while he focused himself internally. The distance was more metaphorical, but no less detrimental.

“Mmm.” He said in place of actual words. His not responding seemed intentional, though he certainly wasn’t projecting it. “I suppose that’s probably true. Maybe I should start with a visit and see how it goes.”

“I think that would be wonderful.” Amalie encouraged with a bright, warm smile and a squeeze of his arm. “Everyone would be so happy to see you, I’m sure of it. Do you have any idea when you would want to do that? I’m sure your mother would want a chance to prepare something special for you. Maybe I could help her.”

“Special, as in…food?” Paolo said, suddenly remembering the last time his mother cooked for them. It was terrible, and a shadow of the taste still remained in his memory as the idea was mentioned. “I hope you have some experience with that then.”

“Cooking you mean? I do… though I suppose I assumed such things would be made by chefs? It has been since I’ve been at the palace? What I would cook would be nothing like you’re used to I’m sure.” She noted with a mild frown.

“Sorry, Mamma likes to cook on certain special occasions and it’s…honestly, it’s a nightmare.” He said, and smiled at her. “I just thought that’s what you meant. I’m still shell-shocked after the last time.”

“Oh. Well, I suppose probably with her upbringing, learning to cook wasn’t really a priority.” Amalie tried to offer some sort of sensible explanation for the state of Cosima’s lack of cooking skill. “I could try making you something if you want? It won’t be anything fancy… we didn’t do fancy things if it was just us, and when it wasn’t we hired someone to do the cooking.”

“Well, I like the idea of you cooking, but that really isn’t what it’s all about, Amalie.” He said with a grin, glancing back at their distant chaperones.

“Oh… then what is it about?” Amalie asked, looking at Paolo with sweet, innocent blue eyes and a wondering expression.

“Well, I Don’t want you to feel so lonely. And I’d love to spend more time with you. I suppose I’m just a bit…hesitant to leave this place.” He answered quite honestly as he turned his gaze to the tall, luscious trees. “The young men here have become my friends, and I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a Terran man. I feel like I’m in the middle of something important and I don’t want to ruin it.”

Amalie listened to what he was saying, but as he finished, she couldn’t hide the frown or the lowering of her eyes. Her shoulders dropped just slightly, but she nevertheless squeezed his arm. “It’s alright. I understand. You should stay if that’s what you feel you need to do.”

Paolo looked at her and his resolve flickered at the sight of her sadness. He was silent for only a few seconds, before he seemed to make a decision.

“You need me, mother needs me…and Giana is still in need of support after what happened with Sacha. I’ll start splitting my time.” He said, and drew a bit closer to her, his eyes drifting to her beautiful, delicate lips. “You don’t need to feel alone. And forget that garbage they're teaching you about keeping your problems to yourself.”

Amalie was bolstered by his decision, but reservation seemed to remain. “I will… try… but they are really quite adamant about that…”

“Then listen and learn. But when it’s just you and me..” he smiled then, handsome in a less awkward way than before. “You can tell me anything.”

Her eyes moved over his maturing face, and she found herself searching for the somewhat awkward boy she had met months ago; unable to find him, she wondered what these recent events would turn him into. Would he become the typical Terran man? He’d been the scholar and politician before, but perhaps he would simply become a warrior.

“Alright.” She agreed with a small smile.

Paolo immediately saw the doubt in her eyes. He was a logical young man, but still very empathic and he noticed how others felt. He showed her a smile, reassuring and kind.

“I’ll show you Rome when I get back, okay? Maybe one of my favorite spots.”

“I’d really like that.” It was obvious she truly meant it, and her smile grew. “Is there anything you’d like to know about what’s been going on at the palace?”

“Since Court has moved back there, I can’t imagine what life is like without constant activity.” He remarked with a raised brow. “I suppose the only thing that comes to mind is I wonder how my sister is holding up. Giana, I mean.”

Amalie noted how he asked about his sister. While she didn’t know the ins and outs, she was aware that Giana and Paolo had a complicated relationship and she often found herself wondering if her own future children would be the same way. “She… has been having a very hard time over the past few months. I think if it wasn’t obvious before, it is very obvious now that she really did love Sacha a lot. She hadn’t really been engaging in any activities at court, and any time she had to, she just looked miserable and really not herself at all. She’s been a bit better this past week though, so maybe she’s starting to come out of it?”

“My government papers barely mention her. It sounds like Lady Mendez and Lord Price have been running the Lords and the Senate. Almost all directives from Internal Security come from the director himself. I imagined she wasn’t doing much of anything.” Paolo said, his brow furrowing as he thought about his sister. What comfort could he provide her at a time like this?

“She’s been working very closely with Lord Price. He’s been a near constant fixture at court for the past couple of months with only the occasional return trip to Mars. He never stays there long though.” Amalie nodded slightly. “So I don’t think she’s been completely hands off… she just hasn’t been in the public eye? But I can’t say for sure, it isn’t my place to know that kind of thing.”

“One day you’ll be Empress, Amalie.” Paolo said with a wistful expression. “Perhaps sooner than either of us expect. Do you suppose it will be your place then?”

“Isn’t that for you to decide?” She asked, and looked at him curiously.

“Yes, but I want to know what you think.” Paolo said easily, taking a step toward her even as they slowly walked. “Should an Empress know what happens in the Empire?”

“I think she should, yes. Historically it has been more beneficial when both Emperor and Empress are informed and work together.” She pointed out quietly.

“I think so too.” Paolo commented, looking at her with gentle eyes, full of boyish love and something else. “But it has happened far too rarely, also. My family has done a relatively good job with it. Still, I can’t help but hope it’s possible for an Imperial family to…like each other?”

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible.” Amalie squeezed his arm gently and stepped closer to him to avoid a few loose stones in her path. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible even now for your family. I know things are… strained… but it is very rare that something can’t be repaired with time and effort, don’t you think?”

“And a plan, also.” Paolo added. “But you’re probably an expert on my family at this point. If you and I are going to build a happy family, and I believe we both would like to, what do you think needs to change?”

“Oh I’m not really an expert at all. I just… I know what I’ve observed, but I don’t know that those observations are right.” She looked at him and tilted her head slightly. “What would you like to see change with your family?”

“Dodging the question and pretending to have no opinion, are we?” He asked with a smile. “I remember when my sisters learned that lesson. But we’ve been over that already. Please, Amalie, tell me what you think.”

“No, no. Really, not this time.” She denied it and paused their walk so she could reach out to take both of his hands in her own. “I wasn’t trying to dodge the question, but this is your family Paolo, your relationships, and I’d really just like to know what you would like to see change because it is important to me that you are happy.”

“Well, I think that children need their parents, and having us raised by tutors and governors in different cities was a mistake.” He responded. “My sisters were taught moronic lessons that actually required them to lie to the people who were meant to love and protect them on a regular basis. The Terran Family shouldn’t be split up, and that goes double for the Imperial Family.”

“I agree. I wouldn’t want to send our children away. It is the responsibility of parents to make time for their family after all.” She squeezed his hands again. “But… what about now? What would you want to fix with your family right now?”

Paolo chewed on the question a bit before answering, clearly finding it more difficult to answer than the first one. After all, his family was more of a mess long in-progress and couldn’t turn on a dime.

“For my father to live. Giuseppe is dead, thank the gods. We need my father to live.”

“Okay.” Amalie nodded and gave his hands another encouraging squeeze. “He’s getting the best care, we know that. Is there something else that we could tackle together?”

“I really don’t know.” He said, casting his eyes down for a second. “I can’t think of anything that would actually help.”

“Well… do you like your current family dynamic?” She asked, confident of the answer but wanting to hear him say it. She looked around and found a bench nearby. “Maybe we should go sit down?”

“Well, no, or course not. But..” he said, looking to the bench she was indicating. In silence, he led the way over to it and sat down with her. Their chaperones stopped quite a way back, within eyeshot. “You know how noble families are from experience. We don’t function without leadership. We have structure and roles to play. The thing that’s driving me crazy right now is the disorder of the present situation. My mother leads with her feelings, as does my sister. And my place is less clear than ever. Going between them and trying to make each of them feel better…I know it sounds terrible, but it all seems like a huge distraction with an Empire hanging in the balance. The war, internal security, and many other domestic concerns get buried under…drama.”

Amalie listened to Paolo quietly and attentively, a slight frown settling on her face but she seemed less than inclined to leap to conclusions. “Paolo, the way you say that makes it sound like you think the attack on your father and his current condition as well as what happened to Sacha are just… petty and uninteresting concerns that shouldn’t be affecting your mother and sister the way that they have been.”

“Of course they should.” Paolo said, looking at her with a furrowed brow. “But the crown is heavy, and the one who wears it can’t afford to let their fear…their grief affect what they do. They weren’t groomed to rule; neither of them. And it shows. I know Sacha’s death and my fathers…situation are hurtful to them. They hurt me as well. But ruling an empire isn’t a small thing either. We need my father. And since we can’t have him, we need me.”


“Well, they are still doing what they are supposed to be doing, the government is still functioning, the people are still mostly happy.” Amalie pointed out and looked away. This hadn’t been what she had hoped for as far as an answer, but it was the answer she was receiving. “So what do you want to do about it then?”

“I don’t know.” He said, shaking his head. He noticed that she explained the situation away. She was a girl who lived most of her life in Montana. She hadn’t read the boxes; she hadn’t seen the casualty reports. She didn’t understand what was at stake. In his mind, this constituted the present problem. “What my father wrote, he wrote. But I can’t help but think that, if I could hear his advice, he would be telling me to act.”

Amalie looked at him again, and he could see her mind working through her beautiful eyes. It seemed she had something to say, but instead of saying it, she looked away and simply nodded. “Well, if that’s what you feel you have to do, then you should do that.”

“Should I?” He asked, but put his head in his hands instead of looking at her. “But I’m not sure I’m ready to force the issue. Does that..does that make me weak?”

Every woman in Amalie’s life - really, women in the lives of most other young women - taught them that sometimes the fight simply wasn’t worth it. Maybe here it was; maybe it would be different. She looked at him earnestly then and leaned in a bit closer. There was a strange kind of tension that took over the moment as if there was more being decided in this moment than met the eye. “Do you really want to know what I think?”

He moved his face from his hands and turned to look at her. He seemed confused and saddened by the question, but quickly wiped the expression from his face. Hadn’t he been clear about that already.

“Yes, I do.” He said. “Of course I do.”

Amalie nodded, and then seemed to consider how best to say what she wanted to say. “I think, maybe, you are focused on the wrong kind of leadership. I don’t know if you know this, but my mother started her own business years ago; my father is a lord, but he also runs successful businesses himself. Now, it would have been very easy for him to simply take over and run that for her, but she didn’t want that so he didn’t. Instead, he supported her decision to go forward on her own - he didn’t begrudge her of that choice and remained there for her. Because of that, she felt comfortable seeking guidance from him and listening to him, he empowered her by believing in her, and through his support, he was able to still lead her on the proper paths. What good would forcing this issue bring? Forcing… anything… just breeds resentment.”

She paused then, and her brows lifted slightly. “Do you know the reason your box still remains full is because Giana demanded it and your mother agreed? Several departments and members of the secretariat thought that you should not be bothered with matters of state while you were here. I don’t think you’d find them nearly as resistant to your help and guidance as you think you might.”

Paolo listened and, though he initially found himself quite irritated by what she was saying, he found more and more ways it might have been worth considering. He knew the running of Montana and the running of the Terran Empire were impossible to compare, but he also had been trained in the importance of principles and he understood what she was trying to say.

“You’re right about that. They would welcome my help, I know.” He said, nodding. “But then again that’s the confusion for me. My father never taught me how to rule with my family. He taught me the lessons of one autocrat to a future one. And I’ve read many stories about brothers killing brothers and fathers killing sons, especially when power was shared. I guess I’m a bit…philosophically conflicted.”

He then sat up a bit more.

“Who said I shouldn’t be bothered with boxes?”

“I don’t know who it was, I’m sorry. This was something Giana complained about at a dinner we were having and your mother agreed it was foolish, but also made her stop talking so I don’t know any names.” Amalie frowned. “I could see where you’d be conflicted, that’s understandable, but… well, I’m sure your father taught you with the mind that when it was time for you to rule, you would be at the age of majority and not looking at a regency… I would think that might… change things a bit?”

“Totally.” Paolo said, though his mind was still on the secretary who wanted to cut him out.

Amalie could tell he was a bit distracted, but pressed on gently. “Well, with that in mind, some adjustments would surely need to be made to the approach?”

“Yes, but not my regency. If it was mine rather than my father’s, things would be clearer. But right now, I’m still just the heir. The only rights I have are to succeed to the throne upon the Emperor’s ascension. Beyond that, any guidance they take from me is just a gesture. Still, I showed I could work the system with Axanar. I can work it still. Just…like a politician more than a Crown Prince.”

“Is that… bad?” She asked, obviously uncertain as she searched his face. He seemed to take a very dim view of his sister and mother - perhaps he was more part of the problems with his family than he realized.

“Not necessarily. But it is frowned upon to move the levers of power from the shadows. There’s something…unTerran about it. Something sneaky and dishonorable, if one follows the old ways.” He answered. “It doesn’t matter.”

He knew he should be patient and obedient. But every time he considered it, he could feel Giuseppe’s hands right around his throat and a cold voice which told him that obedient boys can’t hold this throne easily. Amalie really couldn't understand the pressure on him, the weight of the future on his mind, and that sense that perhaps being good and smart would not be enough. She thought it was about his mother, his sister, and him. He didn’t know how to tell her it was about crowns, and legacy, and dead soldiers. The history of the Empire told him, silently, that it was the strong who ruled. His own father, despite all his genius and his promotion of the arts, was a butcher.

“Do you think a good man can rule the Empire?” He asked suddenly, not having considered whether he should ask the question aloud or not.

“I think so, but what defines a good man?” She asked and looked at him curiously.

“A man who tells the truth wisely. A man who stops evil instead of spreading it.” Paolo answered. “A man who is slow to anger and forgiving.”

“Then yes, I do.” She nodded, affirming her position. “Do you think a good man can rule the Empire?”

“I used to.” Paolo said. “When I was surrounded by guards with everything provided for me and everyone around me loving me…I used to.” He looked at her then and frowned. “But then I looked evil right in the eyes as it tried to kill me. And all I could do was hope, pray, and wonder. Now I think a strong man can rule the Empire. And I’m not sure what it looks like to be good and strong at the same time.”

She thought about that for a moment and then suddenly became a bit timid. Looking down to her hands she began to click her thumbnails together. “Do… do you not think your father is strong and good?”

“I think my father hasn't decided which one he wants to be either.” Paolo said with a frown, admitting something he’d never said aloud before. “So maybe he’s both. And maybe he’s neither.”

“Would you be happy if you were a man like your father?” She asked and looked up at him again. She was surprised but elated he had actually answered her question; she hadn’t even been sure it was appropriate for her to ask.

Paolo thought about that for quite a while, not blowing the question of not seeming offended that she had asked it.

“No. I love my father and I have an incredible amount of respect for him. But I don’t want the family he’s built. And I want to learn how to secure my throne without spilling Terran blood. I’m just not sure if I believe it can be done.”

“That I don’t know. Has anyone ever accomplished that?” She asked and frowned. While she was receiving an education in Imperial History now with focus, she certainly didn’t know everything there was to know.

“Not until my family. But since we took over, my grandfather, my great grandfather, my great great grandfather. They all knew peace.” He answered. “But times are changing, and my father wanted more than just one home system. And for that, we require a brute.”

“Do you think we need more than one home system?” She asked, placing a hand on his knee as they sat there.

He looked at her and nodded slowly, his face a frown.

“Yes. We were incredibly vulnerable. And now? It’s too late to put the genie back in the bottle. People believe in the dreams of the Empire again, and nothing but tragedy will stamp out that dream again.”

She nodded and took a moment to think. “Well… does the Emperor have to be the brute, or can he just control the brutes?”

“Well, I'm not sure there’s much of a difference between killing a man and ordering a man killed, Amalie.” Paolo said. “I mean, I think they are morally the same, aren’t they?”

“I don’t know.” She admitted. “But aren’t there times when killing is just or necessary?”

“There are. But necessary is the key word. Some would say that political expediency is a low enough threshold.”

“Well… the ‘some’ don’t really matter, do they? It would be your judgment call.” Amalie pointed out, though she didn’t sound completely confident.

“Yes, that’s true.” Paolo said with a nod. He’d been taught that as well, and even though he had only been Crown Prince for a little while, he knew that his father had been grooming him for something great ever since he was old enough to show his nature.

“Thanks for talking to me. I appreciate your perspective on things. But maybe we should get back before your chaperone dies of a heart attack, hmm?” He offered her a smile, genuine and warm. “That is, unless you’re planning on staying here at China House for a while?”

There was a pause, and for just a brief second Amalie wondered if that might be such a bad thing to happen, but she seemed to realize that was terrible and demurred. “I should probably get back, but I would like to come visit you here more often…” she hesitated and looked at him, “if your mother asks, should I tell her you’re planning to visit the palace?”

“Yes, but…I’ll show up unannounced.” He said with a wince. “It will make things easier. And you can visit me here whenever you want. I may be out sparring, but I’ll spend time with you when I come back in.”

She nodded and moved to stand with him, but paused and squeezed his arm. “Paolo… would you teach our daughters to rule?”

Paolo’s hand found her arm where she held him and he considered the question.

“I would teach all of our children everything I know about ruling.” He said. “It can only make us stronger.”

“Would you be upset with me if we only had girls?” She asked, frowning.

“Science tells us that would clearly be my fault.” He said with a grin. “But I would love my daughters. Our Empire has been ruled by women many times. Mostly one woman and her clones, but..details..”

Amalie smiled then, seeming quite pleased with both of his answers. “Well, I hope we have plenty of both.” She hesitated, and then quickly leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Paolo.”

When her lips made contact with his cheek, he blushed immediately, smiled, and immediately placed his free hand rather conspicuously in front of his pants. Then he moved it again to his side, figuring that only made everything more obvious.

“Oh, I…well.” He said, and then blinked quickly. Finding some nerve, he turned to her again. “It’s the truth. Let’s go.”

Amalie nodded and took his arm, her eyes never leaving his. She was either too innocent to notice or simply respectful enough that she didn’t look down when he moved his hand around. Soon enough they were back with their chaperones, some of who looked mildly annoyed though others wore small smiles that seemed to be more understanding of young affections. She stepped away from Paolo and curtsied to him, then looked into his eyes with another smile. “Thank you for seeing me.”

“Thank you for coming, my Lady.” Paolo answered, returning the smile with a stare. His eyes moved over her as they never had before today, and his smile grew. “I’ll see you soon.”

END