Private The Crown and Her Voice

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
ROYAL STABLES

The air outside the Royal Stables smelled of sun-warmed hay and polished leather. It was one of those golden Naboo afternoons that begged to be spent outdoors, the kind where the light breeze carried laughter and birdsong over the meadows.

Sibylla had let herself indulge in a touch of rebellion, accepting Aurelian Veruna 's offer for an afternoon Guarlara ride. It had been years since she'd last ridden anything larger than a Gualama, and though she was raised in the noble tradition of horsemanship, the towering Guarlara were another matter entirely. The Monarch's herd shimmered in the sun beyond the stables, their sleek hides glinting like living ink.

Dressed for practicality rather than politics, she wore a white blouse of light fabric, fitted tan riding pants, and well-worn Shaak leather boots. Her hair was tied back in a thick braid to keep it from whipping into her face once they reached the open fields.

Now, if only the man of the hour would appear.

She panned her gaze over the busy stable yard until one of the stable hands noticed her. The tall redhead approached with an easy smile, recognizing her at once.

"May I be of assistance, m'lady?"

Sibylla returned the smile, her tone pleasant but precise despite the sparks of gold flashing in her hazel eyes.

"I'm looking for His Majesty. I've a few updates to provide him."

That, at least, wasn't a lie. Corde's latest report still lingered fresh in her mind, the one detailing Aurelian's apparent involvement in a certain Hapan wedding between a pirate warlord and a self-proclaimed queen -- in Black Sun territory. While there was still an active six-hundred-thousand-credit assassination bounty on his head.

Truly, the man's recklessness knew no bounds.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Royal Stables
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

The royal stables, vaulted and quiet, smelled of oiled tack and fresh hay. Sunlight filtered through the slatted roof, casting warm, dappled bars across the floor. Aurelian stood beside a towering Guarlara, the creature's sleek, obsidian hide rippling with each slow breath. He rolled up the sleeves of his linen shirt, cream and subtly embroidered with gold thread at the collar. Its fine edges seemed a bit out of place for the stable's dust, but he'd left his jeweled cape behind today for practicality. Riding gloves hung from his belt, alongside a coiled whip and a single polished riding crop that gleamed like ivory.

He hummed softly as he worked, fastening the last strap on Sheev's saddle with methodical precision. Padmé waited nearby, pawing the ground with restrained impatience. These powerful, temperamental beasts had been his companions since his adolescent escapades across the Naboo countryside. They tolerated only a handful of riders.

A stable hand entered quietly and inclined his head. "Your Majesty, Lady Sibylla has arrived."

Aurelian didn't look up at first, tightening the cinch strap. His voice carried with lazy amusement. "Of course she has. Punctual as ever. Tell her to come in before Sheev decides he's the only royalty here." The young man smiled faintly and stepped aside, gesturing toward the open stable door.

When Sibylla stepped into the light-struck corridor, Aurelian finally looked up. The moment his eyes met hers, something in his posture shifted. His trademark half-smile came easily enough, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

He took her in from head to toe, his gaze flicking from the braid over her shoulder to the clean lines of her riding attire, and then back to her face. He noticed the set of her jaw, the quiet focus behind her composure. Her calm seemed too deliberate.

"Careful, Sibylla," he drawled, resting a hand against Sheev's neck as if to steady the Guarlara, or perhaps himself. "You look as though you've come to deliver judgment. Is this about our ride, or something else entirely? Should I be worried?"

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
ROYAL STABLES
Aurelian Veruna

Sibylla's boots clicked softly over the stone floor, the sound swallowed by the warm breath of the stables and the rustle of hay. The stable hand's polite bow had barely faded before Aurelian's gaze caught hers, and it was far too perceptive for her liking.

Blast him.

That look alone made her spine straighten and her patience thin. He had a way of seeing right through her composure, and the worst part was that he knew it.

The Guarlara at his side was magnificent, an obsidian colossus rippling with restrained power. For a moment, Sibylla forgot her irritation, caught in the sheer beauty of the creature. Then she caught sight of the second mount, Padme, pawing the ground impatiently as if sharing her own mood. That coaxed a quiet exhale through Sibylla's nose, half in amusement and half exasperation that drew a reluctant smile to her lips.

The sight softened her irritation only slightly. But when her attention returned to Aurelian, her lips pursed once more. The gold in her eyes flickered as she stepped closer, ensuring they were alone before speaking.

Sibylla had never been one for guessing games. She preferred clarity over cleverness. There was no hesitation in her tone, only the steady rise of temper laced with disbelief.

"The wedding of Hasuras Na-Gerra and Queen Mother Aurellia of House Revali," she began, each name cutting like a measured blade. "In Black Sun territory. While you have an active six hundred thousand credit assassination bounty on your head."

Then her voice fell an octave, low and incredulous in her growing anger and worry. "What were you thinking, Aurelian?! You could have been killed!”

Especially in the wake of the High Chancellor's kidnapping.

For a heartbeat, the air hung still between them, taut as a bowstring. The Guarlara huffed beside him, breaking the silence with a rumbling breath. Sibylla's fingers flexed at her side, every inch of her posture attempting to maintain her bearing but barely.

"I swear to the Shiraya, Aurelian," she murmured low, golden eyes flashing as she took another step forward, tipping her head back to meet his amber gaze, "if you weren't holding onto that creature, I might strangle you myself."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Royal Stables
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian's brow arched slowly as Sibylla's words struck, sharp and precise. He didn't interrupt, didn't even flinch. He only listened, a faint smirk ghosting across his lips, more reflex than mockery. When she finished, the silence stretched, broken only by the deep, steady breathing of the Guarlara.

He moved then. Two measured steps closed the distance, the dust on the stable floor shifting beneath his boots. He looked down at her, his eyes bright with that familiar, infuriating blend of amusement and calculation.

"Well," he said at last, voice low and calm. "I'm doing rather well. Having a wonderful day, in fact." The corner of his mouth tilted upward. "And you, Sibylla?"

Before she could answer, he reached out and took her hand. Gently, yet without asking, he guided it to rest against the warm, sleek flank of Padmé. The Guarlara shifted beneath her touch, a low rumbling sound rising from its chest. "This is Padmé," he said quietly. "Your ride for the afternoon." His thumb brushed briefly against Sibylla's knuckles before he withdrew his hand. "I had her and Sheev brought here when I was crowned. I raised her from a foal. She's proud, headstrong, and doesn't take to strangers easily."

"But if she lets you touch her first, it means she's decided you're worth trusting." Padmé's massive head turned slightly, dark eyes glinting with intelligence, nostrils flaring as if in agreement. Aurelian's smile softened, just for a moment. "She doesn't tolerate recklessness," he added, his tone edged with quiet irony. "You two should get along famously."

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
ROYAL STABLES

Sibylla had been ready, more than ready, to point out that even the Sith Princess who had nearly killed him last time had also attended that same blasted wedding. But whatever sharp retort she had prepared vanished the moment she felt her hand gently taken and placed against the warm flank of the enormous Guarlara.

"I…" Whatever words she had died on her lips as her eyes went wide. Her mind emptied, overtaken by the sensation beneath her palm -- the heat of living muscle, the slow and steady rise and fall of breath, the quiet strength of the creature before her.

Sibylla's mouth comically opened, then closed again. She blinked several times, unable to look away, her expression shifting into something softer, caught between awe and admiration.

"Padme?"

It took her a moment to process the name.

"You named her Padme? As in Padme Amidala?" she asked, more bewildered than incredulous, still studying the Guarlara rather than the man beside her. Blast him. He had completely stolen the wind from her sails, her frustration dissolving into reluctant fascination.

She tried to remember everything he had just told her about Padme in conjunction with every other creature she'd ridden before. She was an experienced rider who knew how the Gualama chose their riders carefully, how trust had to be earned. Guarlara, being much larger, would be no different, and they would be able to sense her emotional state better than anyone else. A flicker of nerves mixed with anticipation raced through her, but she told herself to focus on Padme, not on Aurelian or the remnants of her temper.

"Hello there, Padme," she began gently, her tone turning warm and genuine. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You really are beautiful."

Her hand moved slowly across the sleek hide, reading the subtle shifts of muscle beneath her touch, searching for any sign of discomfort.

"So, you don't tolerate recklessness, hmm?" she murmured, her voice taking on a quiet, teasing lilt. "Then tell me your secret for tolerating your master when he's being reckless, hmm?"

The wry note in her tone made it clear her anger had ebbed, exactly as Aurelian had intended.

"Not fair, you know...I was -- am, still worried for you," she added, glancing briefly in his direction before softening further. "But I am glad you're doing rather well."

A sigh slipped past her lips as she gave Padme's flank one last gentle pat.

"She's beautiful," she said sincerely, then turned her gaze to the other Guarlara. "They both are."

A dark elegant brow arched faintly. "Sheev? Really?"

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Royal Stables
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian's mouth curved into a knowing grin at her remark. "Worried for me, were you?" he murmured, stepping closer until their hands still rested together against Padmé's flank. His palm pressed lightly over hers, fingers warm and sure. Padmé gave a soft huff, tossing her head as if amused by the exchange.

Aurelian chuckled low in his throat. "I think she likes you," he said, gaze cutting sidelong toward Sibylla. "Must be the way you spoke to me. Firm and disapproving, yet far too gentle to truly mean it."

He released her hand at last, reaching for the reins and looping them neatly into her grasp. "There," he said, his voice slipping into something faintly instructive but still edged with charm. "Let's see if you two get along."

With easy confidence, he guided her toward the mounting steps. His hand rested briefly at the small of her back, steadying her, yet unmistakably deliberate. Padmé stood still beneath Sibylla's approach, calm under Aurelian's quiet command. Once she was securely in the saddle, he stepped back, a flicker of pride ghosting across his expression before turning toward his own mount.

He swung up onto Sheev in one fluid motion, the Guarlara rumbling low as if greeting its rider. He looked over at Sibylla then, sunlight catching in her braid as she sat astride Padmé. Poised, steady, entirely in her element, she seemed a natural, graceful atop such a noble beast. He felt the faintest tug of something he refused to name.

"Sheev is a common enough name," he said lightly, his grin flashing again. "Don't overthink it."

With a deft tug of the reins, his Guarlara began to move, powerful strides carrying them toward the open countryside bathed in gold. Aurelian glanced back once over his shoulder, that dangerous smile returning.

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
Countryside

Aurelian Veruna was a test of patience personally designed by the gods. Insufferable and incorrigible, yes, but far too charming for his own good.

The thought accompanied her as she followed him out of the stables, the warmth of the sun spilling across them as they headed out towards the open countryside, in the direction of the meadow trails. Worried? Of course. Overthink? When didn't she? Too gentle to truly mean it? Perhaps it was time for another spar to test just how gentle she was. The thoughts abounded even as Sibylla felt Padme move beneath her with such a natural grace that made even her irritation difficult to maintain.

Sibylla had to hand it to Aurelian, the difference in gait and strength she felt on top of Padme compared to a Gualama was leagues different. While it took a few moments, Sibylla instinctively adjusted her posture as she rode, feeling herself falling into rhythm, her back straight and her hands light upon the reins.

"Well, Padme," she murmured under her breath, "we mustn't let Aurelian and Sheev think they've cornered the market on grandeur."

The Guarlara snorted as if in agreement, and Sibylla's lips curved despite herself. Of course, that was precisely when Aurelian turned to glance over his shoulder, wind catching in those dark curls, and that self-satisfied, maddening grin spread across his face. The sight of it, along with the deliberate ease in his posture, sparked an additional flicker of rebellion.

So, she urged Padme forward until they were side by side.

"You wear that grin as though you've already won some sort of unspoken contest, Aurelian," she said airily, the faintest glint of amusement in her eyes. "Tell me, do you always declare victory before the competition begins?"

The breeze caught the hem of her blouse as they rode, her braid swaying in time with Padme's movement. Then, glancing at him sidelong, Sibylla added wrly, "Though I will grant that your gift for provocation seems to have survived both politics and pirate weddings intact. How fortunate for me."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian watched with open amusement as Sibylla urged Padmé up alongside him. Sunlight glinted off her braid and the breeze tugged at her blouse. When she spoke, her tone laced with teasing challenge, his smile deepened, lazy, knowing, and entirely unrepentant.

"A competition?" he echoed lightly. "I was under the impression we were merely enjoying a pleasant afternoon ride."

His gaze lingered on her a moment longer than politeness allowed. Shiraya, she looked the part: poised, radiant, and utterly regal astride the Guarlara. The creature moved as though it knew she belonged there. Every line of her posture spoke of control and quiet grace, and for a heartbeat, Aurelian almost forgot his game entirely.

"You look like a natural," he said finally, his tone softer, genuine despite himself. "Padmé seems to agree. I suspect she likes you better than she's ever liked me."

He didn't mention the wedding, nor did he acknowledge her jab about politics or pirates. Instead, his grin returned, sharp and bright as a blade drawn in sunlight. "Though, six hundred thousand?" he mused, feigning affront. "Insulting, really. You'd think I was worth at least double that."

Before she could muster a reply, his heels pressed lightly into Sheev's flanks. The Guarlara lunged forward with explosive power, tearing across the golden meadow in a thunder of hooves and wind. Aurelian's laughter carried back over his shoulder, low and reckless.

"If it's competition you want," he called, his voice fading as the distance grew, "you'll have to catch me first!"

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
Countryside

It was, to her reluctant amusement, a rather pleasant afternoon ride.

Padme's stride matched Sheev's with effortless rhythm as they moved through the rolling green fields of Theed's outskirts. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of spring grass and warm soil. In the distance, a herd of bulbous Shaak grazed lazily under the sun while their shepherds called to one another in idle tones. It was so beautifully mundane that for a moment, Sibylla almost forgot why she had been cross with him to begin with.

Almost.

Honestly, his compliment should not have affected her as much as it did, yet she found herself wearing the faintest smile of pride as she adjusted to Padme's powerful gait. The Guarlara was unlike any creature she had ever ridden, majestic, massive, and spirited. She could certainly see why only Monarchs and Royal Crusaders were permitted to ride them.

And yet, here she was.

Rebellious for breaking royal tradition, yes, but the feeling of freedom made her heart quicken. The rush of wind, the rhythm of hoofbeats, the sheer thrill of doing something she absolutely was not supposed to, it all wove together into something intoxicating.

What was anyone going to do? Tell the King?

No, worse. Should anyone dare report her, Aurelian would probably smirk, tilt his head thoughtfully, and pretend to weigh what punishment might fit her terrible audacity. Just as he had when he claimed that the bounty on his head should really be worth double.

Her lips pursed at the thought, the gall of him.

Sibylla had barely begun forming the cutting remark that would have put him properly in his place when Aurelian suddenly bolted forward with a shout of laughter. She blinked, realizing far too late that the Aurelian Veruna had no intention of continuing their conversation.

"Oh, you little," she muttered under her breath, unable to finish before the sound of his laughter carried over the wind, rich and bright and completely unrepentant.

The sight of him, dark curls whipping, linen shirt glowing gold in the sun, was infuriating. Infuriating, and entirely too compelling.

Hazel eyes narrowed but the impish grin that followed was utterly defiant.

"Well, Padme," she murmured, leaning forward, her tone alive with challenge, "we cannot let him think charm outrides sense. That would set a dangerous precedent."

Padme snorted as if in agreement, and Sibylla urged her onward. The Guarlara responded instantly, launching into a full gallop that thundered through the open fields. Wind tore through her braid and filled her lungs with exhilaration. The world became a blur of green and gold, her laughter spilling free as the thrill surged through her veins.

They flew down the trail, the countryside unfolding like a painting in motion, Shaak farmers pausing mid call to watch the royal pair race by, the rhythm of hooves startling flocks of grazing birds into the air. A Gungan fisherman, crouched by the riverbank, looked up just in time for the shockwave of their passing to send his wide straw hat tumbling into the water.

"Apologies!" Sibylla called over her shoulder, her voice half laughter and half breathless delight, before she turned her focus forward again. The wind stung her cheeks and sent color to her face as she leaned low over Padme's neck, closing the distance between them and the man ahead.

"You may hold the Crown, Aurelian!" she shouted when she drew close enough for him to hear, her tone bright with teasing triumph, "but I will have the glory!"

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian turned in the saddle just in time to see Sibylla call out an apology to a bewildered Gungan fisherman whose hat now floated downriver. His laughter erupted, bright and genuine. The sound carried over the fields, chasing the echo of her own.

This was what truly mattered. Watching her laugh, seeing the stiffness of court life melt away for even a moment, meant more than he'd ever admit. Helping her escape her own thoughts, letting her taste the freedom he lived for, was worth every bit of mischief it took.

He eased back on Sheev's reins, pretending to strain as though the Guarlara were giving its all. In truth, he simply wanted her to catch up. The stallion's longer stride made it easy to stay ahead no matter her skill, but winning wasn't the goal. Her smile was.

When she finally drew even, cheeks flushed, her hair loose from the wind, he glanced over and gave her a slow, deliberate wink. "Careful, Sibylla," he called over the rush of air. "You're starting to make this look effortless."

She surged forward, Padmé's hooves pounding the earth in a blur of motion. Aurelian laughed again, urging Sheev on just enough to keep the chase alive. Up ahead, the meadow sloped toward a glittering lake, its surface rippling like glass under the late sun.

They reached it almost together. He reined back the slightest bit, letting her cross the invisible finish first. Padmé slowed, tossing her head proudly as she reached the water's edge, lowering her muzzle to drink. Sheev followed, snorting and pawing at the shallows.

Aurelian swung one leg over the saddle, resting a forearm across it as he looked toward her. His grin softened, his voice low but warm. "You're a natural, Sibylla," he said. "You should join me out here more often. I might even let you win again."

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

N A B O O
Countryside
Aurelian Veruna

Sibylla's laughter still danced in the air when Padme's hooves splashed through the shallows, scattering droplets that glittered like glass in the late afternoon light. Her chest rose and fell with exhilaration; her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright, her hair loosened from its braid by the wind to feather along and tickle her temples and cheeks.

It had been far too long since she had felt this alive.

Of course, there was no ignoring that familiar, maddening warmth laced through Aurelian's voice with his ongoing quips. Delicate brows rose as the mock indignation came easily. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, still laughing softly as she turned back to Padme as she continued to drink, her muscles still trembling with the rush of the race as Sibylla began to rub affectionately between the creature's withers.

"Well done, Padme," Sibylla assured the Guarlara with a grin. "Do not let him fool you with his teasing. A win is a win, and I fully intend to remind him of it whenever necessary."

Padme gave a low, content rumble in reply, tail flicking as if she understood perfectly, and Sibylla's smile deepened, her heart still pounding pleasantly.

"Honestly, you're insufferable," she said over her shoulder towards Aurelian.

"And yet," Hazel eyes swept the meadow to watch the way the golden light spilled across the lake's edge, the sound of distant birds wheeling overhead, her tone softening with genuine admiration and enjoyment, "you may be right about one thing. I cannot remember the last time I rode purely for the pleasure of it."

However, she caught Aurelian's gaze again and allowed a spark of humor to return as her eyes narrowed down at him, her head canting just so to the right as she quipped with amused challenge.

"But tell me, if I start joining you on these scandalously unregulated rides, who will carry the Crown while the King and his Voice go gallivanting through the countryside?"

She sighed, shaking her head with theatrical resignation.

" And what then, when the Royal Council lodges a formal complaint that I have broken a law of decorum? Shall I be thrown into the top Veruna Tower as penance? I imagine you would find that terribly amusing."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian watched her bask in the glow of victory, the flush of the race still coloring her cheeks. He had done it; pulled her out of her worry, steered the conversation away from Hapes, and replaced tension with laughter. For now, that was victory enough.

He swung down from Sheev, boots crunching against the soft riverbank as he made his way toward her. "I'm insufferable?" he echoed, feigning offense, a hand pressed dramatically to his chest. "I've been called many things, Sibylla. Charming, yes. Handsome, certainly. But insufferable? Never."

Reaching Padmé's side, he gave the mare a fond pat, his grin softening. "Though, if being insufferable earns me a sight like this, I'll take it as a compliment. A little mischief is a small price to pay for your smile."

His gaze flicked briefly to hers before returning to the Guarlara. "Besides, the Royal Court will manage an hour without its King and his Voice. If they can't, then perhaps they deserve the chaos we leave behind."

Her mention of punishment, however, sparked a familiar glint in his eyes; that dangerous, playful light that meant trouble was near. He leaned casually against Padmé's shoulder, his voice lowering into mock contemplation.

"A formal reprimand, perhaps? Forced to spend an evening reading through the council's meeting notes... that would be true cruelty."

His tone dropped further, teasing. "Or maybe confinement to the palace gardens, under my supervision, of course. For… moral correction."

He tilted his head, eyes bright with laughter. "Or, worst of all, public penance at court; where you'd have to admit you enjoyed yourself. I imagine that would scandalize half the nobility."

Aurelian's grin curved slow and wicked. "On second thought, that last one might absolutely be worth the trouble."

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

N A B O O
COUNTRY SIDE
Aurelian Veruna

Sibylla's skeptical laughter floated with a light melodic charm, the sort that hinted more affection than annoyance. For all her teasing, she was enjoying this, Aurelian's grin, his ridiculous flair for dramatics, and the sheer ease that existed between them in that moment, despite the fact that the tint of color that bloomed across her cheeks had nothing to do with the wind. Sibylla blinked, half-perplexed, half-disarmed, before catching his maddening amber gaze and smirk again.

"Why are you so determined to see me smile?" Sibylla asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and bewildered laughter. It was easier to jest than to admit how his warmth affected her. "Surely there are easier ways to amuse yourself than risking scandal... or my wrath."

Of course, the rake only grinned up at her, his hair a wild mess of dark curls from the wind. Her fingers twitched instinctively, torn between the urge to fix it and the temptation to ruffle it worse. Biting back a grin, she just barely managed to resist both.

When Aurelian started on his musings about possible punishments; council meeting notes, confinement and moral correction, admitting she enjoyed herself publicly, all of which prompted another becoming flush that Sibylla hid behind a mock scoff and laugh, followed quickly by her attempt at flicking her finger toward his forehead in a playful swat.

"Oh, please. With our luck, this will already be in the Swan of Solleu's Society Papers before dusk, that would be punishment enough. No doubt they'll call it some scandalous tete-a-tete, 'Sibylla Abrantes, the new Voice of Naboo, leveraging that influence without scrutiny, caught taking unseemly liberties with the King's personal Guarlara.'"

Her nose wrinkled at the thought, though laughter followed soon after.

"They'll have an absolute field day with that headline. I can see the caricatures already."

Still grinning, she began to dismount, determined to prove she could manage on her own. Except she hadn't quite accounted for how tall Padme was. One leg swung over perfectly fine, but the other caught somewhere between saddle and ground.

"Oh no," she gasped.

The rest of her sentence vanished into a startled squeak as she slipped -- so much for her regal poise.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

"How terrible of me," Aurelian drawled, his eyes gleaming as he looked up at her from the bank. "Making you smile, truly a heinous crime. They'll have to lock me up and throw away the key." His grin deepened, lazy and unrepentant, daring her to contradict him. "Still, I suppose I'd do it again, given the results."

His gaze lingered, a sharp, golden warmth that refused to fade. He was determined to keep that light in her eyes, no matter how much she tried to hide behind her composure.

Sibylla began to speak of The Swan of Solleu and their inevitable scandal. Aurelian barked a laugh, shaking his head. "The Swan can write whatever poetry she likes about us," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "Let her fill her pages with sunlit escapades and whispered impropriety. We'll know the truth."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice, a teasing note in its edges. "You bowed out of that race, Sibylla, because you love seeing me wear the crown. It makes you blush. Influence or scrutiny? Not a chance."

Aurelian grinned at his own joke, laughter spilling freely. He was so caught up in his amusement that he almost missed her precarious dismount. When her boot caught and she slipped, he reacted instinctively, moving in one swift stride.

His arms came around her, pulling her against him before she hit the ground. For a moment, everything stilled. The air between them felt charged and close. Her breath brushed his collar; his hand lingered at her waist, fingers splayed lightly against the silk of her blouse.

"Graceful," he murmured, his voice low, roughened by laughter and something more. He reached up, moving a loose strand of hair from her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin before he stepped back just enough to breathe.

"We'll have to work on your mounting and dismounting," he said, a wicked spark returning to his smile. "Professionally, of course."

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

N A B O O
COUNTRY SIDE
Aurelian Veruna

Sibylla felt her breath catch in her throat as the shock of the movement collided with the sudden sensation of strong arms halting her fall in their steadying hold. All at once, her heart leapt wildly not just in alarm, but in something far more disarming. All his jokes about making her smile, the Swan, his crown and how it made her blush immediately faded in the wake of it all, focused on the sensation of the fan of Aurelian's warm breath against her temple, and the quiet sound of it made the world seem to narrow down to that single space between them.

When he brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, his thumb barely grazing her skin, it was enough to send another rush of heat across her face. Sibylla's eyes widened, caught between embarrassment and the sudden, electric tension that seemed to hum through the air.

Then he spoke, in that maddeningly smooth tone of his, teasing her about professional instruction in mounting and dismounting, and the meaning twisted instantly through her mind, taking her right back to the sparring ring when he was above her and that infuriating comment about how she had only stepped away from the Crown because she liked seeing him wear it.

And to make it worse, her blush deepened so fiercely she could feel it burn all the way to the tips of her ears.

"Aurelian Veruna!" she cried, her mortified indignation breaking free as she swatted at his arm with the sharp, precise smack that only a woman with two incorrigible aggravating brothers could deliver. The sound cracked through the quiet air as she huffed indignantly, which was only more comedic because her hair was a mess, her eyes flashing gold, and her face flushed in one utter, beautiful disaster of a lack of composure.

Padme flicked an ear, and Sheev let out a soft huff, as though both Guarlara were quietly entertained by their riders' antics.

"Oh, do not look so pleased with yourself!" she added, smacking his bicep again, though this time the corners of her lips betrayed her with a grin.

"That was entirely inappropriate and you know it!"

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian reeled back from the smack, clutching his arm in exaggerated pain. His wide grin, though, completely ruined the act. "Shiraya's mercy, Sibylla Abrantes!" he chuckled. "You hit like you're trying out for the Royal Kings Guard."

He didn't need a mirror to see it: her flushed cheeks, her voice sharp with flustered indignation. It was just like that time in the sparring ring when he'd disarmed her using only his words, not his skill.

And just like then, she was trying hard to hide how rattled she was. Aurelian, however, had a knack for noticing such things with her.

"Completely inappropriate?" he echoed, his grin tilting as he feigned innocence. "I made it very clear my comments were entirely professional. Sibylla, what could you possibly be so flustered about?"

He turned his back before she could hit him again, gazing out at the lake.

With an easy shrug, he began stripping off his shirt, tugging it over his head and tossing it carelessly onto the grass. His boots came next, then his socks. Soon, he stood at the water's edge in just his trousers, sunlight painting his shoulders gold.

"Since we're already on the brink of scandal," he called over his shoulder, "we might as well make it memorable."

Before she could properly object, he stepped into the lake. The cool water rose around his calves, then his knees.

With that maddening grin, he bent slightly, scooping a handful of water and flicking it her way. The splash caught both Sheev and Padmé as it scattered. The Guarlara huffed and stamped at the water, while Aurelian's laughter echoed across the surface.

"Oh, apologies," he said, still laughing. "Was that too inappropriate?"

With that, he turned and dove, slipping smoothly into the water. He vanished beneath the surface, then reappeared a few feet out, hair slicked back, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Come on then, Your Excellency!" he called, floating lazily on his back. "Surely the Royal Voice of Naboo isn't afraid of a little water?"

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

N A B O O
Countryside

Entirely professional? More like entirely unprofessionally professional!

Really, she should have expected this by now.

If Aurelian Veruna could find a way to turn a moment into a full-blown theatrical display, he would. Give him a centimeter and he would take a kilometer, all with the self-satisfied charm of a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

And Shiraya help her, he did it so splendidly that she couldn't even bring herself to scold him properly. Somehow, he had managed to twist the entire exchange until it seemed as though she were the one misreading the meaning and infuriatingly, he may not have been wrong. So Sibylla stood there, comically staring at him like a fool for several long moments as the scene unfolded before her, opening and closing her mouth in growing incredulity.

Was he.. no.. he wasn't -- He was!!

A strangled huff escaped her as she gestured helplessly in his direction, only for another wave of flustered heat to rise up her neck and color her cheeks. At least he kept his pants on!

And blast her for still looking!

It was the flick of water that broke her daze. A playful splash that hit her shoulder and dotted her blouse in cold droplets. She gasped, darting to the right to avoid another, only to bump directly into Padme, who gave her a very unimpressed look before returning to nibbling at the river grass.

"Aurelian!" she hissed, utterly scandalized. "Are you serious right now?"

Oh, Shiraya, he was! The man was actually swimming. In broad daylight. In full view of anyone who might so much as walk by.

Hazel eyes went wide as she glanced around the meadow, looking for any sign of witnesses, which only made her look guiltier.

"You have absolutely no shame," she muttered under her breath, half to herself, half to him.

When Sibylla dared another look, he was slicking back his wet hair with one hand, sunlight gleaming off his shoulders and that wicked mischivious little boy grin plastered across his face. Sibylla made a strangled noise in the back of her throat, half laugh, half protest.

"I am not afraid of water!" she shot back, indignant and flushed. "Just because I was raised at Dee'ja Peak does not mean I don't know how to swim! I swim very well, thank you!"

That smug expression of his only deepened, and she could already hear the quip forming on his tongue before he even opened his mouth.

"But unlike you," she added sharply, hands flying up in exasperation, "I cannot simply... strip down and go gallivanting into the river like some... some half-dressed Mon Cal opera performer!"

Her voice broke into laughter midway through, the ridiculousness of the situation finally catching up with her. One hand came up to her forehead, brushing back the loose strands of hair that clung there.

"This is absurd," she said through a laugh, shaking her head. "Completely and utterly absurd. You are absurd."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Countryside
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

Aurelian let the lake cradle him. The sun soaked into his skin as he drifted lazily on his back, eyes half-closed and content. Ripples fanned out with each movement, the water perfectly cool against the day's heat.

"Are you serious?" Her voice cut sharp and incredulous across the water.

"Entirely," he replied, light and drowsy with amusement.

"You have no shame."

"None at all."

The water lapped at his ears. Her next words were muffled by the current, but he caught the defensive rise in her tone; something about not being afraid of water. Aurelian smiled, eyes still shut.

"Seems like you are," he called lazily back. His grin tugged wider when he heard her sputtering retort.

Then came the line that finally made him sit up. He pushed his hair back, water sheeting down his shoulders. "I can't strip down and go gallivanting into the river like some half-dressed performer," she'd said.

"Why not?" he asked, spreading his hands as if the question were perfectly reasonable. "It's a beautiful day. The water's fine. I'll even look away, if it protects your honor or whatever modesty you're worried about."

He gave her that crooked, teasing smile; the one that always looked slightly insincere. The idea that she might be scandalized was laughable to him. The whole point was to live, wasn't it? To laugh, to pull the world off its rails for a moment, just to feel something real.

"No," he said after a pause, tipping his head in mock consideration. "What's truly absurd is you just standing there, gawking at me."

He leaned back again, arms drifting out, eyes slipping shut as the sun hit the water. "Didn't take you for a woman who likes to watch," he added, his voice warm and wicked. "But to each their own."

With that same infuriating composure, Aurelian let himself drift farther out. He faced the sky, acting as if he was granting her the privacy she needed.

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

C I T Y O F T H E E D
N A B O O
Countryside

"G-gawking? Gawking!?" Sibylla sputtered, the words tripping over each other. What escaped her next was neither laugh nor sigh but some indignant hybrid of both, as if disbelief and exasperation had joined hands simply to torment her.

"As if there is anything to gawk at!" she fired back, fists planting at her hips as her lips pursed and her golden eyes narrowed toward the water, where the blasted man floated without a care in the galaxy. Never mind that she had been staring. There was a perfectly reasonable explanation for that. Truly. In any event, this was all his fault, and he knew it. He always knew exactly how to twist a word or turn a look to leave her flustered.

This time, the heat rising in her cheeks wasn't only from his teasing, but from pure, bubbling vexation, the same sort she felt whenever Cassian Abrantes provoked her until she chased Cassian halfway across the estate with a riding crop after one of his 'clever' remarks.

Don't do it, Sibylla. The voice of reason in her head nagged like an overbearing governess. A lady maintains her composure, no matter the situation.

She inhaled slowly, willing herself to be the composed, diplomatic Voice of Naboo.

And then uttered under her breath, "The little blasted Di'kut."

Padme snorted, clearly amused. Sibylla turned to give the Guarlara a look of betrayal.

"Oh, don't you start taking his side," she said, but the Guarlara merely flicked an ear and gave her a knowing nudge. Those large, intelligent eyes all but said, Well? Are you going to let him get away with that?

Sibylla followed Padme's gaze toward Aurelian, still floating lazily as though the world existed solely for his amusement. The sight made something spark in her chest that was equal parts irritation and girlish mischief.

"You're right, Padme," she murmured. "Someone needs to drop him a peg or two."

That expression over her heartshaped face hardened into one of determined resolve as she peeled off her riding gloves with deliberate precision. Her boots, socks, and belt followed, discarded neatly on the riverbank.

Without another word, she stepped into the lake. The cool water curled around her knees, then her waist, coaxing a quiet shiver from her. It wasn't as cold as the mountain fed lakes back at Dee'ja Peak, but it was crisp enough to focus her mind on the task ahead.

Sibyllla drew a quiet breath slipped beneath the surface. The world went quiet, the murmur of the current soft in her ears as she swam underwater until she spotted his lazy blurred silhouette above her. A spark of wicked delight bloomed in her chest.

Perfect.

With the stealth born of years spent surviving her brothers' tricks, Sibylla kicked off from the lakebed, rising fast as her hands poised to seize her quarry. In one smooth motion, she reached for him, fully intent on yanking Aurelian Veruna straight down into the water where, in her very proper professional opinon, he belonged.