[open] it's me who's been making the bed

[Everclear]

Had he known that his vague mention of violence had sparked sore memories for her, he would have apologized profusely.

Conflict has never quite suited him either and he too does his best to avoid the notion of it. In times long past, he had almost blatantly sought out such disputes, minor or major. He had even joined a band of other young stallions that fancied themselves as mercenaries.

Nothing had come of that venture.

During various assignments while he’d lived in the Valley, he had at least taken turns observing and critiquing the sparring matches of others. He had learned enough from them that, when his time finally came, he had emerged as the victor in his fight with Prague during that distasteful raid upon his kingdom.

From these various situations he had learned well enough: fighting was not his preference.

He hopes that he has at least conveyed that much in his pledge to the queen.

Her admission of her lack of experience only makes him smile kindly. “It comes with time,” he assures her passively. He had not been certain that he deserved the crown either, and he’d faced trials aplenty, but he’d felt somewhat capable of handling it. Then again, he’d had a fair bit of practice during his time in the upper echelons of the Valley.

“That is certainly one constant in the world – the unpredictability of it.” He nods. “But that’s what makes life so exciting. Just think: today you may feel uncertain, but in time you may be looked upon as a great leader, one whom others aspire to be like.” An airy, almost wishful sort of tone tinges his voice as he gazes back across the kingdom’s gentle hills and abundance of flora. “And you’ll look back and wonder why you ever doubted yourself.” Another assuring smile, another nod as if affirming the belief in his own mind. “I may barely know you, but you seem very self-aware. That is quite a noble trait indeed and a key to being a successful leader.”

E V E R C L E A R

@ Viszla