Serendipity: Jovana And The Duke

"Now, I only have one question left," King Edward said as he looked at Falcon. "How could you be so stupid to come to me with your absurd request after a successful operation?" The King's scorching eyes made Falcon flinch, but he didn't lose his determination.

"All my creations are made for the good of this country, Your Majesty, and that girl almost died. She had a pre-existing heart condition, and if I had been even one minute late, this 'successful' operation would have cost her life," Falcon seethed. There was a flicker of surprise in the Duke's eyes for a second, and Jovana noticed it as she thought, 'Caspian didn't know the girl was in actual danger.'

The booming laughter of the King froze the room as he jabbed, "Oh, Ridley, how can a brilliant man like you be so naive and unaware of how the world works? Do you know how many lives are lost every day in keeping this kingdom together? I couldn't care less if that girl could have died! I couldn't care less if her whole family could die, followed by two hundred more people. Results have a cost…. And the duty of a good monarch is to accept it and not act like an idealistic fool. That should also be the duty of a good scientist, especially one financed by a good monarch. It's all for the greater good, Ridley."

Seeing firsthand the true face of the King chilled Jovana's blood. The faces of her father, her mother, and many others lost in the bloodshed of war kept appearing before her eyes. Jovana gritted her teeth and seethed in her mind, 'To hell with that maniac and his greater good!'

Falcon looked upset by the king's words, but he didn't move an inch. "I said what I had to say, Your Majesty. My mind is made up."

The King got up from his chair and walked to Falcon. "I have never seen so much wasted courage, Ridley. It's almost a pity," King Edward said as his eyes shifted to the Duke. "Lord Clifford, what kind of punishment do you think would be appropriate for this degree of rebellion with no remorse?"

Jovana looked at Caspian, her eyes filled with expectation as she thought to herself, 'It's all in your hands, Caspian.'

Caspian looked at Jovana and sighed with exasperation before answering the king. "Recently someone reminded me that not all lives are equal, Your Majesty."

"What do you mean? Explain yourself."

"Is Falcon Ridley annoying and disrespectful? Yes, I can name only a few worse than him. But what good would come out of his death? The world would still be full of annoying people, but the Academy and the army would be without one very important resource. He's naive and idealistic and has no idea how power works. But if Your Majesty spares his life, I'm sure he will remember the lesson." Caspian explained, and the King nodded. As he looked at Falcon, Caspian winked at Jovana.

'I'm so glad I said those things to him. He might be tough, but he's a good man,' Jovana thought to herself as she gave Caspian a toothy grin.

"You have a good star in heaven, Lord Ridley. You can go. But watch out for that silly tongue of yours in the future, or you will lose it," King Edward threatened while Falcon bowed his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

"The hearing is over. Go now," the King commented and was about to leave with the Duke when he stopped at the door and turned to Jovana. "One more thing, Lady Stafford. If I hear that a living soul learned rumors about what happened here—"

As quick as a bolt of lightning, Jovana dropped a curtsy and bowed her head. "Your Majesty, keeping the secrets of the crown is an honor and privilege for me. I won't disappoint you."

"Good girl. Class dismissed." King Edward said as he and the Duke left through the door Jovana used to enter, while Falcon left in silence from a second exit. Jovana followed after him.

As Jovana followed Falcon into the room and closed the door, rage exploded in her chest. "What were you thinking? How could you act so stupid?" Falcon was facing the opposite wall, but Jovana was not going to stop as she continued, "Do you realize how close you were to execution? Are you trying to die? Is that what you want?"

Falcon turned around and responded, "I wasn't thinking. I don't know what to think anymore. The last time I thought, I convinced myself that the King would have been reasonable; that he would have used my inventions for the good of the nation, not to perpetrate some terrible scheme. What a fool."

Jovana moved closer to him and took his hands as she said, "Falcon, it would have been much more foolish to waste your life in regret."

"At least it would have been a morally intact life, true to worthy ideas."

Jovana shook her head and sighed while gently squeezing his hands. "Falcon, the world is full of morally intact but useless people. But it lacks brilliant and brave individuals like you who try to make a difference. Oftentimes, those who fight for better things can't afford to be chaste or idealistic. What good do you think your death would have brought?"

Suddenly, Falcon's lips came forward to meet hers in a kiss. As he kissed her, Jovana pulled away abruptly, not expecting him to act that way with her again. She lowered her head, "I… I can't, Falcon. My heart belongs to someone else."

Falcon stepped back, almost stumbling. He blinked at Jovana, and she felt guilty at seeing the sadness in his eyes. "But… I thought that you and I–" He trailed off when Jovana cut him off.

"It's too late for that. I have always considered you a friend; I'm sorry," Jovana said, and Falcon nodded in silence as he moved away from her and walked towards the door. As Falcon put his hand on the door handle, Jovana grabbed it to stop him. "Am I right when I say that today the King has lost your loyalty forever?"

Falcon looked at Jovana with wide eyes and a silent, open mouth for one long moment before finding his composure and answering. "Jovana, I'm afraid that providing you with an honest answer could immediately reverse my pardon." He moved closer to her and asked, "Why does such a dangerous question haunt your mind?"

Jovana shrugged as she answered, "It seems like a fairly legitimate question after almost being forced to see one of the few people I like in this world walking to the gallows."

Falcon smiled and nodded. "Sometimes it's harsh to be reminded that, despite all the parties and banquets, the reign is at war. Jovana, about this whole situation—can I ask you a few questions?"

"Questions?" Jovana repeated.

Falcon nodded as he looked at Jovana thoughtfully, pacing up and down the room. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but was it really a chance that brought you to that room exactly when my fate was being decided?"