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Arien's eyes watched Ryn, and there was a hint of fear and sadness there. He didn't think Ryn deserved to die. He'd obviously been through so much to get here…
"I see," he says softly. "And now? If Rio demanded your life, would… Would you give it to him?" This was the truly important question. It would decide just how things would work from now on.
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Ryn fell silent, looking down again and resting his head in one of his hands.
“That’s something I’m still mulling over,” he replied. “Things just changed so quickly. I don’t necessarily know what’s happening. It’s been about five years since I last encountered Rio, face to face at least. But everything is changing so.. fast. I don’t— I don’t know. Even so… I feel like I owe him something.”
Rio thanked her and was about to enter the room when he heard voices in the room.right next to him. He was about to enter but heard his name mentioned and paused to listen.
Half the things that had been spoken were things he didn't even know while a few were useless things about his life. He stayed there, beside the door listening to any other mention of his name.
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Arien raised one hand up to his chin, thinking. So, that's how it was going to be, then. He honestly didn't feel like he could trust Rio and Run alone together.
"I see," he said softly. He was quiet a moment. "There is something I need to ask of you. How do you feel of sleeping in this room?"
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In this room? This enormous, carefully decorated one?
Ryn had to keep his jaw from falling to the floor.
“I’d be honored to stay here,” he said, trying to keep his composure. Although, it didn’t seem to surprise him as much as it could have. Arien has already surprised him enough. The man was much too kind, for anyone Ryn had ever met.
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Arien gave a gentle smile.
"These are my rooms," he explained. "And I think it would be best if you stayed with me for the time being. I'm glad you're so willing to stay here. And, don't worry, we won't have to share a bed." Arien smiled softly again.
"I want to make sure you enjoy staying here, Ryn."
A guard was making their way through the halls, spotting Rio eavesdropping on the king.
"What do you think your doing?" They asked.
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Ryn simply nodded, taking another gaze around the room. It was all starting to dawn on him, what was actually happening. It wasn’t a dream, and he had to convince himself of that.
“I’m not sure how I should properly thank you, Arien,” he said sincerely, looking back to the man. “I feel as if my words don’t ring with the amount of gratitude I actually feel. You are a saint, my king. I know it’s not my place to say, for I don’t shine with the same divinity, but may the gods bless your heart. Your people are lucky to have you, as am I.”
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Arien felt the heat ride in his cheeks, a faint blush appearing. He'd heard similar words from other people, for sure, but… There was just something different when Ryn said them. They sounded genuine, but that wasn't just it.
"I… I am glad to hear you say these things," Arien said softly. "And it's my greatest desire to bring this country out of our war. And I'm lucky to have you, Ryn. I'm glad you managed to avoid being drafted."
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“I, as well,” he said, voice much lighter than before. He smiled, looking aside to the fire. “I’ve never been a fighter. Especially for the other empire.”
He untwined his hands, resting them on his knees instead after adjusting his shirt once more.
“I would have been useless on the battlefield. I’ve never been a tactician, or a strategist. I rely on my own instincts greatly… which means I’m not the best rule follower when it comes to warfare.”
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Arien leaned back in his seat, nodding.
"It sounds as if you've never been the best rule follower, with your instincts," he said, giving a soft smile to show his teasing.
"Unfortunately, I'm sure there have been many a man who was like you who was shipped off," he said. He looked at the fire, a bit more somber now. This war weighed heavily on his heart. He actually reached up to take off his mask, revealing the heavy dark circles under his eyes. He'd spent many a night trying to strategize, to end this war.
"I'd much rather bring all of them home."
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Ryn nodded. “I understand that. And I pray for them all.”
He paused for a moment, letting the silence sleep between them. Although he kept his eyes trained on the man, able to see his green flecked eyes clearer. He had to attentively pry himself back to the conversation at hand, suddenly too aware of his staring.
“It must be hard for you, extremely so,” he mumbled. “They’re your people. I’m so sorry. Although, I’m sure they trust in you to make it right. Perhaps I can help. Or Rio. Rio seems to be the better option here. Of what he speaks is the truth, maybe he has a good opinion on it.”
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"It is, it's very hard," Arien admitted. "And I would be grateful for both of you to help. You'd be better then the men that call themselves my advisers. They're the ones who started this war, when I was still young and naive. Willing to do anything they told me." Arien pursed his lips a little as he remembered. He'd just been crowned king after his father had died. He'd known they'd been itching for war for years, but… They may it sound so appealing. Arien wished he could take it all back.
Arien looked from the fire to Ryn, giving him as small smile.
"It seems all of us have made decisions we regret."
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“It does seem that way, doesn’t it,” he replied tiredly, letting out another sigh. “But we can right it. At least you have a chance of making it up to all of those people. And… well, you have a whole kingdom on your side. You have people who are willing to help. Surely that can attest, but I digress.”
Ryn wasn’t sure what he could say to comfort Arien. He had never been good at seeing the positive. He actually had never been good at seeing a perspective at all. He was always occupied with what was coming next, living by the bare minimum.
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Arien nodded a little.
"And I'm glad I'm able to count you as someone on my side. It means more than you might think." He gave another small smile. Arien didn't think he wanted comfort from Ryn. Just… Someone to talk to, really. Someone to sit by the fire with, and just talk as equals. He and his father had done this, when he was still alive. He gave a soft smile at the memory, mixing in with the new ones being made with Ryn now.
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“Absolutely,” Ryn said, returning the tired smile. “If you ever need someone on your side, I’ll be sure to stand there. You’ve already done so much… it will be the least I can do.”
He couldn’t help but feel his face flush with color. It was nice to hear, just someone appreciating his presence. It hadn’t happened before, at least, not that Ryn could remember.
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Arien couldn't help but smile a bit more at the blush on Ryn's cheeks.
"Thank you, for that. I'm glad you're willing to do that for me." Arien sat there a moment. He really did appreciate having Ryn here. Rio too, actually. If he proved to be a good strategist like he claimed.
"You look tired," Arien finally pointed out. "Perhaps we should retire for the day? Quite a lot has happened."
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“Yes. To that, I won’t protest,” he responded, nodding.
Ryn resisted the urge to thank the man again, yearning to revert back to the broken record he felt like.
His golden eyes stayed down, locked on his bracelet and the hand that was fiddling with it. Hs fingers glided over the embedded pearls, and he stifled a smile, reminding himself that he was safe— for the time being.
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Arien stood, offering his hand to Run with a gentle smile.
"I'll probably stay up for a bit longer," Arien admitted, "but I'm more than happy to show you to your own bed." Arien glanced down at the bracelet, his opinion divided on it. It was a symbol of ownership, yes, but… It was better than the collars used in years past. He'd had these made specifically to replace them.
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Ryn took the man’s hand, flicking his yellow eyes back up. He was shorter, much so, but tried his best to stand proud.
“Yes, sir,” he said softly. “I’ll follow you.”
His last statement was an oath in more ways than just that one. It was then Ryn had decided. This would be his place, and he’d make sure to keep it. Out of the kindness of his person, Arien had offered everything Ryn lacked, for no reason clear to Ryn himself. He’d try to make up for that, in any way he could.
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Arien helped Ryn stand. He listened quietly, realizing how much those last words really meant.
"Thank you," he said gently. He still held on to Ryn's hand, leading him away from the fireplace. There was a very large breed in the center of the far wall, presumably Arien's. Instead, he led Ryn to a slightly smaller but still elegant bed to the side.
"This is yours," Arien said. "And if you need anything, I most likely won't leave room for the rest of the night, and I'll eventually be in my own bed."
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“Alright,” Ryn replied, nodding as he was lead along. “Thank you, Arien.”
He reluctantly let go of the man’s hand, running a few fingers over the covers of the bed. He hadn’t slept in one for so long… he fantasized of what it would feel like. Warm, soft, gentle… much like Arien’s hand had been.
He shook the thought aside, blinking at the engraved and elegant bed frame.
Slowly, he sat on the side of it, then turned to fully lie. It was something of dreams to him.
Still, he propped up a few pillows, sitting up instead and curling in his knees. He looked to Arien as he sat criss-crossed, hands curled in his lap.
“I’m not sure about falling asleep,” he said truthfully. “I might take just a moment. It will be a little while until this all… becomes real to me.”
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Arien let Ryn's hand slip from his, watching Ryn take everything in.
"I understand," Arien said, smiling gently. "You have as much time as you need to process all of this. Would you like me to stay? Or would you like a moment alone?"
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“I don’t mind whichever,” he said mindlessly. He let his eyes wander the room once more, surveying it more closely. It was truly beautiful, and filled Ryn with a sense of eumoirousness. He would try his best to get used to it.
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Arien thought a moment, then sat down next to Ryn on the bed. He watched Ryn a little as he looked over the room, smiling a little. The room was decorated with reds and golds, a large table in the center covered with maps and war charts. There was the fireplace and the seats, and a bed different than Ryn's or Arien's.
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Ryn was slightly surprised by the man’s actions, figuring a king must have something better to do than accompany a “concubine.” Although, not that he minded.
He kept his hand fiddling with the fray of the bracelet, the pearls cold against his warmer skin. He didn’t mind the accessory at all, figuring it put a better label on him than the ragged clothes he previously wore.
(Sorry y'all, I went grocery-ing)
Rio flinched and stood up straight, looking at the guard with an uninterested gaze. "I was exploring the palace and decided to take a small break before going into my room." He spoke in an even tone. His years in the guild had taught him how to lie perfectly before he learned how to wield a sword.
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Arien sat next to Ryn, simply allowing himself to relax. He smiled gently, leaning against the headboard a little. He was content to sit here in silence with Ryn. Honestly, Ryn was some of the best company Arien had kept in years. And… It was nice to have his mind off the war for a bit.
"Well, I would suggest heading to your room. It's night, so the king could call you in at any time for your… Services." The guard snickered a little, then started to walk away. "Or, you could just head in now and save your master the trouble, oh concubine."
If there was one thing Rio didn't like, it was being ridiculed. He growled lowly before briskly walking up to the guard, grabbing his shoulder, and flipping him over his shoulder and onto the ground. "I may a concubine, but I am and will stay beside the king until I choose not to. Watch who you're speaking to unless you would rather loose an arm or leg." He growled at him and jumped over him before walking into his room.
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The guard was more than a bit scared when Rio jumped him, nodding quickly. He got up and scrambled away. Rio's room was a simple one, obviously not designed for complete comfort. He was just a concubine, after all. And Run had already managed to snag a bed in the king's room.
Rio flopped onto a bed and groaned. At least the bed was far more comfortable than the one he had a home, this one had a feather stuffed mattress while his mattress was soft grass and hay covered with a thick sheet. Extremely warm, didn't smell good, and he had many animals in his house. Rio felt that he should explore the room before sleeping so he looked around to see if there was a wardrobe with a change of clothes.
(Gtg shower)
