The Prince and the Poppet

Cornell had just taken Regina aside and explained everything to her. Who he was, the circumstances of his life, and what they had learned about her in recent days. The princess was silent the entire time, listening intently. And then, his tell had reached its end.

"So you claim... that I am an artificial duplicate of yourself created by that madman." she said, a sort of intense, distant look on her face. Cornell nodded. "As fantastical as it all must sound... yes." "I see. This explains many things." she murmured. Cornell was a bit confused by her reaction. "You believe me? If so, you are taking this awfully well." The princess moved to the edge of the rampart they were on and gazed out at the mountains of Nolgranda.

"I've always felt... something was off. I remember my younger days in detail. I remember mother and father being hard on me, insisting on my training... whether by singing or the sword. I remember at times feeling alien to my body, fancying myself a boy than a girl. And then when I was to be sent to school... it all changed. I felt more 'proper', less inclined to object than before. I even entered a relationship with Eugene with no complaints." Cornell made a face, but let Regina continue. "I still felt... alien to myself, but in a different way. But I could never figure out why. I suppose the explanation is plausible, given his skill at chimera research. And it would fit with what he tried to do to me during that battle."

Cornell spoke at this point. "He seemed as if he expected to exert control over you. Did you break his spell by sheer force of will? I have to say I'm impressed."

"The will of the dragon." she replied. Cornell understood. The fiercest dragons tended to be proud and unconquerable creatures. Nolgrandan royalty were often instructed to emulate them. To embrace one's desires and skills, to cultivate pride and arrogance in oneself. To conjure a confidence that could inspire and lead a nation. That was part of him growing up, as well. It wasn't something he had agreed with, but the lessons had still stuck with him in some small way. Surveil must have thought Regina would be pliable, as one of his creations, but her heritage was still indomitable.

She continued speaking, "And when I first saw you, on our arrival in Dulcet... I knew then something was wrong as well. I kept my feelings to myself, but your being there, the spitting image of myself in a mirror... and then the questions your friends asked me about my past. They were searching for specific answers - that much was clear. I wondered briefly if they were spies, but no spy would be that brazen. Forces beyond my understanding were at work, and it bothered me... No, I believe what you say to be true. But whatever the circumstances of my birth, I still consider myself Regina, Princess of Nolgranda, and I hold this nation close to my heart. I believe those feelings are genuine, at least." "On that, you and I surely agree." he replied. "And I am Cornell... once I had a claim to the crown, but I threw it aside to pursue my own ambitions. And now I find myself in possession of the very rune that founded the empire."

"Worried about your destiny?" she asked, looking out over the mountains again. "Perhaps thinking that for their complicity in the evil perpetrated so far, they should be imprisoned, and if so - who should take up the reins. Do you deserve it?" Cornell looked at her in surprise. "I... yes, that's precisely what has plagued my mind." "Then we are of like hearts after all, despite the sorceror's intervention."

Cornell frowned. "So then... what's it to be? Who should rule in their stead? The wielder of the True Rune of the Heavens... or the rightful princess?" Regina was quiet for a moment. "We could both rule." she said, finally. "I'm sure you know well enough from your history lessons of siblings ruling the diarchy." "...Are you sure you would not rather rule alongside Eugene?" he asked, somewhat unsure. She shook her head. "He's not king material, unfortunately. I love him dearly, but he has a lot of maturing to do. I would take him as prince-consort at most. That leaves the other throne open for you and yours."

Cornell frowned and looked to the river flowing down toward Rivale. "My girlfriend... she... that was her that Surveil killed." he said, quietly. Regina looked somewhat guilty. "...I'm sorry. Lekha, wasn't it? She and the others fought alongside me against that demon Surveil seems to have bound... she seemed.... like she was a good person."

"She was. She was the very spirit of our party. Maybe even the entire movement. She'll be greatly missed by all of us, not just me. But..." he holds a hand to his chest. "I have to stay strong. I feel like collapsing, like crying... giving up like Soma seemed to... I really loved her... and it's difficult imagining a world without her. But if I don't put on a brave face, then our movement could very well stop here. No matter how much I hurt inside, I have to keep pushing everyone forward..."

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown." they both said at once. Regina forced out a smile. "Then let me join you. I will push alongside you and we will put an end to this. And then we will take our place on our parents' thrones to push Nolgranda towards a better era." "...I wish we could simply talk them out of this..." "...You can try, but we both know they are too stubborn. The will of the dragon is not infallible." "...I still do not know if the people would accept me as a King. The truth is hard to bear and fiction maybe greater still." "...We will tell them a truth. You are my brother. Cornelius Reginald Nolgranda. My elder brother, long lost and estranged from the family. If I declare it as such, then the people will accept it." "Perhaps..." Cornell glanced back at the courtyard, looking troubled. "I spent so much of my life running, but now I have to turn and face it head on... Let me think on it." Regina simply nodded, and the two began their walk back to the courtyard where the others waited.