4/3/2025, 7:49 PM
I think you'd be a good Prince, Takala murmured. Quiet, as though this was a private thought mused aloud by accident, and Francis felt something in his chest flip at the sentiment. She didn't know how he'd failed them, his people, his family. But the sentiment was sincere and it slipped past his defenses to prod at the sensitive center of the Prince.
He smiled softly, dipping his crown in silent acknowledgement of the compliment, before Takala continued. He stiffened once more, a muscle in his jaw flexing as he ground his fangs together. It was an effort, to keep the worst of the bitter ire from his voice. It wasn't directed at the lavender she-wolf by his side, but it was anger bore for her sake. If he were honest, she likely wasn't wrong. There was a reason he was the way he was, there were reasons he had argued so often with his sisters, trying to fit them into the boxes that would allow them to survive the perils of court.
If they dared, it would make them the savages, not you, my lady.Francis rumbled, although he didn't deny that the courts might react to her more direct, brash way of being with disgust. He rather found it refreshing, but not everyone would where he came from.
The sheep took up most of his focus as Takala crouched beside him, and Francis did not expect at first for her to sound so uncertain when she spoke of her skills, and their strategy for capturing their quarry. The Prince's amber eyes shifted, fell to meet her pale blue ones.
They aren't particularly clever, but they can be quick. If you can keep up with it, herd it toward me, I will be able to dispatch it quickly.He gave a firm nod, reminiscent every so briefly of a commander giving orders to his men before a boyish grin swept across his features.
On your signal, then, Miss.