Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Brannis Ulgo, still technically a member of parliament and a war hero, arrived at Castle Panteer expecting to be turned away from seeing Princess Jameela. He knew how he felt about what had happened and he wouldn't blame her for never speaking to him again. But the others had reminded him that he was still all the things he was before. Still a champion for veterans and for peace, even though he hadn't been able to stop his crazy uncle. So, clad in his fine clothing because it reminded him of why he'd gotten into parliament in the first place -- for the veterans, and the people like Calias who'd never made it to being veterans -- he waited where he'd been directed by the side-eyeing house staff.

The staff bring him before he Queen, the twins especially were under security till the end while the security threat was assessed. The Queen was having a discussion with members of her house and dismissed them to receive the member of parliament.

She said, “We were impressed by your speech, Lord Ulgo. We know you came to speak with our daughter but they are indisposed until certain security matters are settled. How can we assist you this day?”

"My queen," Bran says, bowing long and low. "My apologies to have disturbed you. And... my thanks, for receiving me at all. It is..." He takes a heavy breath. "It is more accommodation than I feel is deserved." He hangs his head, looking very defeated for being on the right side of yesterday's events.

"We understand the precarious situation your house lingers in, but we have faith that Duchess Ulgo will do what she must to return your name to one to be proud of in time," she said calmly. "We can show mercy for those that stood with Alderaan despite their affiliation or name, but we shall be watching to see that such a show of faith was genuine and not simply lack of opportunity."

"What do you feel you deserve, Lord Ulgo?"

The man nods respectfully as the queen speaks, awed by her patience and wisdom. When she questions him, his polite facade falls away, and she can see where his thoughts have gone in the last 24 hours.

"I..." Bran hangs his head. "I don't believe I deserve anything, your highness. I had sworn to our veterans, to--" he hesitates, "to the memory of my brother who died to free Alderaan, that I would do everything I could to prevent anything like yesterday." His voice wavers. "I failed all of them," he says softly. "I have seen things get worse instead of better in the last few months, so what..." He exhales heavily. "What good am I to Alderaan?"

“You made an impossible promise, Lord Ulgo, one that you alone could not possibly forestall. You cannot control other people’s actions,” she said calmly. “If you wish to carry that burden that is a choice you make for yourself, but we cannot hold you responsible for actions you had no role in.”

“Or is this an admission that Bouris Ulgo included you in his plot?”

"No, my queen. Bouris told me nothing. I had thought yesterday an impossibility." He sighs. "So perhaps a fool, at worse. But never a traitor to Alderaan. My brother..." He looks down, face strained, but he maintains his composure. "My brother will never be ashamed of me the way I am ashamed of Bouris," he says with barely contained anger.

"We all create images of people as we wish them to be, not as they are. We commiserate with you, Lord Ulgo but we do not hold you responsible. Take the time you need to sort out your feelings, this is a trying time for all of Alderaan," she said, or perhaps commanded, it was hard to tell.

"Well said, your Highness." Bran bows his head again.

"I wonder, your Highness," he speaks up, after a moment's hesitation. "If you would so honor this simple servant of Alderaan by giving a message to Princess Jameela? As you say, I have feelings I must sort out, but my feelings for her are unchanged. And I..." He blushes to say something so silly to a queen. "I really want to teach her to make those cookies she loved," he says proudly, pushing past the embarrassment.

"We are sure she would enjoy that, Lord Ulgo," she said. "We will be sure she is aware of your intentions."

"Thank you, my queen," he says, bowing deeply. "I'm sure it's... too late for some things," he says, a little bitterness creeping into his voice. Then he straightens, steady military bearing in place. "But please know that I am at your and the princess's service, for anything with which I might help."

"We are pleased by your words, and we look forward to seeing what House Ulgo becomes in the days to come," she said kindly.

OOC: Brannis, Jameela liked that.