[ No, he couldn't burden Hulkenberg with an extra concern, not when his condition might be an unintentional slight to her in particular. She'd confided to him once that there were times when she still awoke in a cold sweat, heart racing, over the memory of her failure to protect the prince in his youth. Over the memory of her failure to protect him. All he could do was try to smile, to reassure her that the prince was still alive and well, for he was standing before her, was he not? In that moment, he could even persuade himself that it had been that very same prince who'd been crowned upon that stage.
Will shakes his head, even as it continues to rest against Strohl's shoulder. ]
Only Heismay. I... couldn't keep it from him, not with how good his hearing is.
[ He can speak freely only because they are not here as ruler and liege. For the time being, there is no King and there is no General, only Will and Strohl. There is no King and there is no General, and perhaps that's why Will finds he can lean into Strohl's touch without any qualms. ]
I didn't want to take on the name Hythlodaeus VI after my coronation. I wanted my name to mark the start of a new era, but... it didn't feel right to me either. Not when that name should have gone to him.
[ Still, relief wells within him upon hearing Strohl assert that he's always been Will even after he'd become one with the prince's physical form. But Strohl had sworn as much, hadn't he? After Louis had corrupted his form, Strohl promised he would not fall victim to any doubts about Will's identity.
Even now, where Will falters, Strohl keeps that promise. ]
My memories -- they weren't real at all. I was just a vessel, even if I did carry his hopes and dreams. ...when I realized nothing I knew about myself was true, I thought -- maybe Louis was right. Maybe I did trick everyone around me into thinking I was someone who didn't exist.
[ He sighs, a weary smile resting on his face. ]
But... you're right. Our journey was real. The person you came to know is real.
[ There's a small exhale now, a quiet laugh escaping from Will. ]
Thank you, Strohl. We came here to give you ideas for seeing Halia renewed, but here I am leaning on you instead.
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Date: 2024-12-05 04:29 am (UTC)Will shakes his head, even as it continues to rest against Strohl's shoulder. ]
Only Heismay. I... couldn't keep it from him, not with how good his hearing is.
[ He can speak freely only because they are not here as ruler and liege. For the time being, there is no King and there is no General, only Will and Strohl. There is no King and there is no General, and perhaps that's why Will finds he can lean into Strohl's touch without any qualms. ]
I didn't want to take on the name Hythlodaeus VI after my coronation. I wanted my name to mark the start of a new era, but... it didn't feel right to me either. Not when that name should have gone to him.
[ Still, relief wells within him upon hearing Strohl assert that he's always been Will even after he'd become one with the prince's physical form. But Strohl had sworn as much, hadn't he? After Louis had corrupted his form, Strohl promised he would not fall victim to any doubts about Will's identity.
Even now, where Will falters, Strohl keeps that promise. ]
My memories -- they weren't real at all. I was just a vessel, even if I did carry his hopes and dreams. ...when I realized nothing I knew about myself was true, I thought -- maybe Louis was right. Maybe I did trick everyone around me into thinking I was someone who didn't exist.
[ He sighs, a weary smile resting on his face. ]
But... you're right. Our journey was real. The person you came to know is real.
[ There's a small exhale now, a quiet laugh escaping from Will. ]
Thank you, Strohl. We came here to give you ideas for seeing Halia renewed, but here I am leaning on you instead.