Romance RP

Alex sighed and replied, "She won't be a problem, not as long as I remain by Lycoris' side.  I think we're rushing this just because certain events happened."

Eleanor nodded and tearfully added, "Please reconsider.  I-I can't lose my daughter this quickly."

***************

Ryan watched Duke Collins' reaction, as it would reveal whether Duke Collins had leaked the information.  However, there was no doubt in his mind that the duke was the only person who could have done so.

The shapeshifter sighed and although she was somewhat moved especially by Eleanor's plea, she was determined not to be shaken. She replied, trying to be as gentle as possible,

"I'm afraid I can't. Please understand. This is the best solution."

She paused then continued quietly, "Maybe a miracle can happen and you don't get to lose her. I don't know."

****************

Duke Collins' expression changed and became colder. But he kept his composure and asked,

"What proof do you have of this? Or are you trying to make me responsible as an excuse to lock me up?"

Lisianthus replied angrily, "Don't mess around. No one else in the castle could have dared to leak such information but you, duke. And no one would want to harm me in this way but you."

Duke Collins scoffed, and sarcastically replied, "Hah! You're such a funny queen, aren't you? You're so confused and wondering who could have leaked out such information but you've forgotten, my queen, that three of your most important prisoners 'leaked out' of your castle very recently. And you're quite surprised that such a small piece of news could make its way out?"

Eleanor's eyes became alert as the shapeshifter mentioned a miracle and she replied,

"What do you mean, dear?  Can Lycoris be saved somehow and yet still help the devils' world?"

****************

Ryan said, "So you're claiming that you're innocent?  Is that what you're saying?  Sia's accusations aren't certainly unfounded."

The shapeshifter turned to Eleanor and replied,

"Don't raise your hopes too high, my lady. I am just saying but it's a weak probability. If someone loves Lycoris strongly enough to initiate that miracle, then yes, Lycoris can be saved but as I said, it's a weak probability."

She glanced at Alex and thought of Ryan, wondering if any of them could hold the answer to their troubles.

***************

Duke Collins looked coldly at Ryan and replied, "Do you have a proof? Because otherwise, you can't lock me up because I seem suspicious to you. That's not how it works around here, human."

Alex blushed deeply as the shapeshifter gazed at him, understanding her look.  He wondered if he could hold the key to saving Lycoris, as his feelings for her had become stronger from the time they began to spend together again.

Eleanor replied, "I-I see.  Still, it's so hard to lose my daughter like this.  I know the right thing should be done but to see her gone from this world when she deserves to live."

**************

Ryan raised an eyebrow and replied, "If you're claiming innocence, then who could have leaked the information?  Sia was careful not to let too many people know about the escapes."

Lady Penelope sighed sadly and said, "We wish there was another way to save the devils' world...really, we do."

The shapeshifter didn't say anything but she nodded, indicating that she felt the same way. Lycoris was silent as well but she held on to Eleanor, wanting to get as much of her warmth as she could before she would be gone.

***********

Duke Collins rolled his eyes and replied,

"There are hundreds of soldiers and maids who work around here and the escapes wouldn't be secret from them. A soldier tells another and the other tells another and so it goes on. Having one maid know is enough to spread the gossips between the rest of them. Why does it have to be me then?"

Eleanor continued to hug Lycoris and sighing sadly, she replied, "I guess we can't make you change your mind although I truly wish you would."

***************

Ryan replied, "Do we really need to answer the obvious?"

He looked skeptically at Duke Collins.

The shapeshifter replied, "I'm sorry, my lady. We knew this was coming eventually. It will just happen a little earlier than we expected."

Lycoris quietly said, "I-I should contact Ryan and let him know soon, and-and maybe Nerine too. I'd like to say goodbye to her."

***************

Duke Collins smirked to Ryan and said, "I don't care. Unless you have an undeniable proof of this, there's nothing you can do about it."

Alex nodded and replied, "We understand.  Would you like some privacy to do so, Lycoris?"

**************

However, Ryan got an idea and using his telepathy, he communicated to Lisianthus and said,

Beautiful, I think Duke Collins is lying so perhaps if we ask Duchess Irene to come and perform a truth spell on him, that could get him to confess.

Lycoris nodded and replied, "I'd appreciate that, Alex. If you can take me to the kitchen or to the room, I can communicate with them there."

***********

Lisianthus got Ryan's message and agreed this would be a perfect solution, but it would be difficult to do so right then as Irene had most likely left to the academy. So she replied,

We'll do so but we have to wait until later or tomorrow. Irene isn't at the castle at the moment.


She frowned at Duke Collins and said, "I'll find a proof soon enough, duke. Don't you worry about it. I am sure you're the one behind this."

Alex nodded and replied, "Ok.  Then I'll take you upstairs to our room.  Would you like to do so now?"

Edward added, "You can take your time, Lycoris.  We'll wait for you."

**************

Ryan added, "And you will get caught, sooner or later.  It's only a matter of time."

Lycoris nodded and replied, "Thanks, dad. I'll finish and come back as soon as I can."

She said to Alex, "Yes, let's go now."

She waited for him to help her and lead the way to their room.

*************

Duke Collins smirked and said, "Whatever. We'll see about that. What a waste of time."

He bowed and then went out of the room, inwardly feeling relieved that he successfully got out of i it.

Alex nodded and after he got up, he helped Lycoris to her feet.  Gently holding her arm, he escorted her upstairs to their room.  There, he helped Lycoris to take a seat on a sofa and asked,

"Lycoris, are you sure that you want to sacrifice your powers tonight?  You can change your mind, you know.  I think the shapeshifter is being paranoid more than anything else."

**************

After Duke Collins left, Ryan turned to Lisianthus and replied, "In a way, it's a good thing that Duke Collins thinks that he got away with it.  When Duchess Irene performs the truth spell on him, he'll be locked away afterwards.  He won't get away with hurting you ever again, beautiful."

Lycoris looked sad and suddenly there was a look of fear over her face, as the thought of death became quite close. But she tried to remain composed and quietly said,

"I-I am sure. I am worried about my other self more than anything. Sooner or later I'll lose control. She-she is strong and your presence may be helping but I don't trust myself. It's best to get this done with quickly."

****************

Lisianthus took a deep breath and replied,

"Let's hope it's really is him and no one else. It will be a relief to get him out of the way for a while although..."

She looked a little hesitant and said, "Duke Collins is well-liked by the people."

Alex sighed and replied, "Ok, if you're so determined.  In that case, who are you going to contact first?"

*************

Ryan replied, "Yes, that's true.  But he has no excuse for leaking such sensitive information, especially as he knew that it would have been better to keep it quiet."

He paused and added, "Man, that guy just irritates me so.  How did he ever become duke of his duchy in the first place?"

Lycoris was silent for a moment but she quietly said, 

"I'll contact Nerine first although I'm a little afraid to do so. I-I mean, I am afraid of her reaction. She may get angry at me for talking to her, right?"

***************

Lisianthus sighed and replied, "He inherited it from his mother. She was a strong and popular duchess, but she was killed during the war. She was a soldier who felt in the battlefield. She died like a hero but her son didn't turn out to be very much like her."

Alex looked thoughtful and replied, "Perhaps.  Do you want me to listen in your conversation and help out if needed?"

**************

Ryan nodded and replied, "I see.  I'm guessing that his mother was kind and definitely more humble than that duke."

Lycoris nodded and replied,

"I guess it might help. If-if it's ok with you, maybe you can talk with her first and prepare her for what I want to tell her? Then I can talk to her with you listening in."

***************

Lisianthus nodded and replied, "She was."

She paused then said, "I don't know if imprisoning him will be a good thing though. It will only make the people angrier and I don't need that at the moment."

Alex nodded and replied, "Sure, I can do that.  I did tell my darling that I would contact her today so I'll do so now."

Closing his eyes, he focused his telepathy and reaching out to Nerine, he said,

Darling, it's me.  Are you there?


*****************

Ryan replied, "You have a point but he shouldn't be allowed to get away with this kind of thing, either.  Do you have an alternative to imprisoning him?"

Nerine was sitting quietly in her room when she heard Alex's message. Happily, she replied,

Hey, Alex. Yes, I am here. How are you?


**************

Lisianthus looked thoughtful then replied, "Maybe I can get him out of here. That would be good enough for me at this point really. Let him go back to his duchy and stay away from here."

Alex smiled to himself and replied,

I'm good.  We're feeling better here today after a good night's rest.  How about you, darling?  How are things at the castle?


*****************

Ryan nodded and replied, "That could work.  Once we get a confession out of him, you could order him to return to his duchy and to stay away from the castle as punishment.  He won't be able to cause any more damage here."

(Getting sleepy here so I'll get off for the night now and go to sleep.  I'll check back tomorrow and post again.  Nite, nite, Love.  ^^)

(Nite, nite, phoenix. ^^)

Nerine replied,

They're quite tense especially that the shapeshifter's escape was found out. Lisianthus is quite uneasy and Avi is very depressed. But I'm ok. I am by myself most of the time so it's ok. How is the shapeshifter doing and how is everyone else?


***************

Lisianthus nodded and replied, "That's right. He'll be out of the way anyhow and that's what matters."

She ran her fingers through her hair, glad that this was somewhat resolved although the trouble itself with the people knowing and the damage was done.

Alex replied,

The shapeshifter is doing better.  Lady Penelope stayed by her side the whole night.  Everyone else here is doing fine as well.


He paused and added,

The shapeshifter thinks that Lycoris should sacrifice her powers today because of everything that has happened.


****************

Ryan could sense Lisianthus' uneasiness and hugging her, he said,

"I'm sorry that this is all happening, beautiful.  You have enough to deal with as it is and that stupid duke causing more trouble isn't helping."

Nerine was surprised to hear this and after a moment of silence, she replied,

Today? So is it decided? Lycoris will give up her powers today?

************

Lisianthus sighed and returning Ryan's hug, she quietly said,

"I am trying as hard as I can to be strong, Ryan. But nothing wants to go right. Everything is messing up."

(Ahh I still have some studies to take care of and all so I'll log off now and log back in a little later. Sorry about that but I'll try to finish up and come back as soon as I can. ^^)

(Ahh no problem.  I'll keep checking back periodically until I go to sleep for the night.  XD)

Alex replied,

Yeah, the shapeshifter thought it was for the best because of the danger of Lycoris' other self coming out and there was no success in getting more of that elixir.  And Lycoris has agreed so she wants to talk to you before she goes through with it.


***************

Ryan gently rubbed Lisianthus' back and replied, "I'm so sorry, beautiful.  I'm so sorry.  I promise that I'm going to be with you to get through all of this, ok?"