The Tales of Chivalrous Love [Zhou]

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"Aw, it's okay. At the very least, we have each other, dear. There's always next time." she responded with a smile. Although, he was quite downcast at being unable to pay for the mask. On the up side, they did have a bit of fun at the festival. The old lady that ran the mask stall was very nice and offered to give the mask for free if he had the money to pay for the mask to give to her. She figured that she would have to bring more money than just a measly ten dollars. There was always a next time, though as the masks will be there next year. She enjoyed the fireworks display too as she had never seen such a fantastic sight before. By then, she would've already made plans to carry out the revolution when she returned home to the imperial family. Perhaps, she would have to remove her grandfather from power as he was the one who was responsible for her exile in the first place.

[Zhou]

Unusually, Zhou did not seem at all disappointed by the fact that they would not be purchasing the masks today, or perhaps at all this year, his attention was more towards Isolde and how she said that the two of them had each other. Speaking to the old woman at the stand, he maintained his smile, once more shifting to Japanese. "Unfortunately, neither of us have the money to pay for them...but thank you for the offer." The old lady was prompt in her reply, speaking to him in a voice not dissimilar to his own, very calm. "That's quite fine young man. The masks will still be here for the remainder of the festival..." Knowing that Isolde could not understand the two of them, Zhou smiled quietly, before gripping Isolde's hand in his own, nodding back to the woman whilst walking away with her, closing his eyes as he spoke. "You're quite right about that, m'lady...you and I will always have each other, that is a promise." Opening his eyes and looking at her as he began to lead her towards the opening of the fairgrounds, he stopped for a moment, gripping her other hand in his, staring  into her eyes and speaking. "Isolde...has something been on your mind? Almost all day long you've...well, in contrast to usual, it seems like you've been thinking of something else." Tucked beneath his arm was the bronze statue of the lion, which he held close.

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"Well, I was just wondering how my grandfather would react if I proposed a revolution to depose him. It would seem that salvation is near..." she responded. She didn't expect that Zhou would be worried for her. It was almost like he could sense her hesitation for a moment. She didn't feel so hesitant anymore as she had finally relayed to him what was troubling her. Perhaps, she would have to tell anything that was bothering her at this point, but that statement would have to do. Although, she had some rather unsavory memories of the past, she had always kept a calm and cool composure in order to hide it. Sad pasts were always something that she didn't like, but there was always something sad about a person's past no matter how many happy memories they might've had. Besides, her parents are probably living happily in heaven right now and looking down on her to make sure that she was okay.

[Zhou]

For but a moment, Zhou raised an eyebrow as if to question what the young princess was saying to him, a declaration that there would be a revolution upon her arrival? Of all the statements that he had heard from the young woman whom held him as her beloved knight, that one was perhaps the most out of place, considering the otherwise quite dignified nature of the princess. With what appeared to be his initial shock seemingly pushed to the side, Zhou began to speak, his voice calm, if a bit curious in tone. "A revolution? Why that's...a most interesting proposition, m'lady." Throughout the entirety of their venture it had felt as if another thing entirely was upon the mind of his empress, her rather distant demeanor during some of their activities soon made sense, as he spoke once more. "I will never proclaim myself to be talented at deciphering the emotions of others...but Isolde, it seems as if all evening something has been gnawing at you, more so than the thought of a revolution, as interesting as the concept is. M'lady...forgive me for my rash assumption...ever since I brought up your parents, you seemed to grow disinterested. I always speak of my parents, and...I so insensitively brought your family up, knowing well how that subject is something best left behind closed doors...I am sorry." His assumption that the thoughts of her family were troubling her, his assumption that her ideas of revolution were born of those sorrows, the young knight looked at her with eyes full of concern, absolute worry, as he finally uttered out one last detail.

"Isolde...I know it is no consolation...but I'm here for you."

[Zhou]

T'was not difficult to see the plight of the young princess, given her demeanor beforehand, at least for Zhou, whom smiled warmly, knowingly, as he felt the lips of his empress upon his cheek. Moving in close to her, he ran a hand through her hair whilst leaning in to speak to her, "Try to remember that I will be here for you, no matter what, Isolde. Now...if I'm not mistaken, we were about to take our leave...but..." For a moment he appeared to hesitate, before moving his hands down to grasp hers,  looking her in the eyes as he then spoke out, his voice somewhat more soft than usual, which was strange given his already gentle tone. "M'lady...I do not wish to leave your side tonight...allow me to stay with you for the night." The hesitation in his voice was indeed warranted, for it seemed as if he was worried about the response of the young princess...it was Valentine's Day, and he did not wish to leave her until daybreak, it appeared. Gripping her hands carefully in his, his fingers interlocked with hers, the boy stood there at the exit of the fair, awaiting her response.

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"Very well, my dear. I'll allow you to stay by my side." she responded with a gentle smile. Although they would have to leave soon, he didn't want to leave her side. But then, she was worried that he'll be facing the wrath of his parents if they had found out that he was staying out late. Nonetheless, she knew he didn't seem to care about his parents anymore. She was glad that he had consoled her when she needed it most. She had enough pain to bear after the death of her parents ten years ago, so she could always look to the future. She was concerned about his rather hesitant demeanor while saying those words, though. It was as if he didn't want to let her go, to suffer from not being able to be with her. She sensed that something must be troubling him too as he had the desire to stay with her until daybreak. She asked, "May I ask what is troubling you, dear?"