"I drew my blade on a man who's actions caused me to get this marking on my neck. I drew my blade on a man who forced me to lose all respect in front of my family. I drew my blade on a man who saw to it that I didn't have a home anymore, having to live off the forest until I was able to reach this kingdom and hide for the same family who now wants me dead. Forgive me, your majesty, if I haven't forgiven him." He sneered. "As for someone like me, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth so I don't give respect to anyone who isn't deserving of it."
Waves of guilt reeled around in Ryn’s head. His stomach churned right along with them. He felt insanely sick, attentive to the man as he spoke.
Had he done that?
He was simply just trying to survive…
He didn’t know just how much pain he had caused, trying his best to live his own life.
Still, all he could do was stand there, dumbfounded. What could he do? Say ‘sorry?’ What was that going to fix?
(Oh my god I'm sorry! Rio is such an asshole! Just tell me if something I respond with is a but too much and I'll edit it. I need practise writing mean characters but he is a bit much)
(honestly I'm loving how mean he is XD)
Arien looked from Ryn to the man, lips pursed. He saw how torn up Ryn was by this information. He let out a long breath.
"I understand you must be furious with this man. I cannot condemn you for how you feel. Still, there must be some way protection could be offered to you."
(Oml it’s totally fine, Ryn can handle it lol. You’re all good!)
(I honestly feel so bad for Ryn, he is such a soft boi and Rio is crushing him)
"If you're offering me protection, I don't need it. I've been hidden in plain sight for almost 5 years and this is the first time anyone has noticed me. Heck, I wasn't even recruited for the war because no one noticed me." He let out a laugh. "Its a good thing though, if i was on the battlefield, I doubt anyone would survive."
Ryn nodded. He could confirm that statement completely. Rio had always worried him, and Ryn got out of trouble so many times by just sheer luck, not skill. If it was solely based on skill… well, let’s just say Ryn would have been killed twenty times over.
He still pressed himself against the wall, hands cradled near his chest and shoulders slightly curled. Almost like a puppy who had been threatened, or just told off.
"What's to say you won't be noticed again? You might be more careful ager this situation, but what about in another five years? What if the next time you get caught, it's by the people who actually want you dead? You won't be able to hide forever." Arien glanced at Ryn, and it hurt a bit to see him curled up in himself like this. He looked back at Rio at his least statement, lips pursed a little.
"If that's so, why don't you come with me? You could be a great advisor on this war."
Rio bite his lip, deep in thought. "Advisor eh? For someone like me, that isn't the type of position they just hand out. But living in the palace means an extra layer of safety and I would be able to train with ease." Rio thought out loud. He mulled over the pros and cons and looked up at the king. "Ok, but I need to grab some thing from the palace. While I assume that I will be given clothes and other necessities, there I still something's I would prefer to take with me."
"Fine then. Just know you're not just going to get the title of advisor. You'd be considered a concubine, just like Ryn, until a position opens. Then again, all of my advisers are idiots, so a spot should open up soon." Arien looked away from the man, turning back to Ryn.
"No one is going to be able to lay a finger on you," Arien said softly.
Rio chuckled at his description of his advisors before stretching. "I'll be going to my house to grab my things, I'll catch up with you later." He responded
"I'm to assume you know the way to the palace?" Arien said. He glanced at the man.
"And I'll need your name to give to the guards to let you in."
"Just tell them Rio. Or tell them a scary looking man with purple hair and what seems to.be a curse will be arriving soon. To be honest, I think I'll be able to get there before you." He grinned, picking up his cloak which the king didn't bother accepting.
"Fine then. I'm sure they'll still accept someone in that they haven't been told to." Arien watched Rio pick up the cloak, staying by Ryn's side. He motioned to the guard.
"Go with him," he instructed. "Make sure he can get in."
Ryn stayed uncannily quiet, still holding his own hand tightly. He watched as Rio stalked off, and although the threat was gone, it did naught to ease his spirits. Not only was he already in the same city as a man who wanted him dead, but he would be living within the same premises.
Ryn took deep breaths, closing his eyes for a moment before he opened them again, desperately yearning for a sense of confidence. If he was going to fit in with the two of them, he needed to prove it.
He looked up to Arien and offered a minuscule smile— and although it was slightly crooked, the effort was there.
Arien watched Ryn with concern in his eyes. Even after he was given the smile, he was still worried Ryn wasn't doing well.
"Are you ready to go to the palace?" He finally asked. He gently stepped towards Ryn, reaching out to gently place his hand on Ryn's.
The boy flinched, but clearly calmed as the man rested his hand on his own. He took another sigh, his breathing calming and his sweet smile becoming slowly more genuine.
“Yes, I am,” he said, infinitely thankful that his voice was stronger than before. “And, I apologize about Rio. I… I actually assume I should be apologizing to him, no?”
Ryn took a moment and looked back to where the other man walked off, dropping his head and letting out a breath.
“I assure you I can explain my actions, your highness,” the boy continued, meeting Arien’s eyes once more. “While what he said, I have no proof of denying, but I do know my side of the story, and I apologize greatly for it. Had I known this was the outcome, I would have acted much differently.”
Arien held his hand on Ryn's, flinching a little himself when Ryn did.
"I do not know everything that happened," Arien said softly. "I'm not going to make any judgements against anyone until I hear the full story, from both sides." Arien still had concern on his face, but he slowly returned the smile for Ryn's sake.
"Come, we'll discuss it after you've settled in." Arien left his hand were it was, gently leading Ryn away from the alley and towards the castle.
“Y-Yes, your majesty,” Ryn replied, following closely behind.
There wasn’t a proper word for what he was feeling. Or perhaps there was, and Ryn just couldn’t find it. It was a mix of disbelief and euphoria, but at the same time, he was worried beyond question. He kept possibly a little too close to Arien, just trying to latch on to anything vaguely.. familiar? He didn’t know.
Arien glanced at Ryn a moment. He wanted the other to know that no matter what happened, he wasn't going to be punished for what happened, but… He stayed quiet for now. He saw how close Ryn was staying to him, and carefully placed one hand on Ryn's shoulder, staying close to Ryn himself.
"You can call me Arien, if you wish," Arien said gently.
“Yes, your majesty,” Ryn mumbled absently, not necessarily registering what the man was saying, just trying to agree. Once the words turned in his head, he quickly backtracked to, “I mean, Arien. Sorry.”
He was too aware of the man’s hand on his shoulder, not sure wether to feel like a prisoner being lead to an execution, or a.. well, or a concubine being lead to a castle. Of course, he was more fond of the latter, but still worried nonetheless.
Arien have Ryn a reassuring smile, keeping close.
"It's okay," he said softly. He and Ryn eventually made it to the gates of the palace. The guards stepped aside when they saw Arien, and the king led Run into the courtyard.
"You're okay," he said, realizing how nervous Ryn seemed.
The boy let out a small laugh, at least seeming in better nature than before. He rubbed at the back of his head, ruffled white hair falling into his eyes.
“Thank you so much for this offer, again, your— Arien,” he said, catching himself at his fault. “I’m still trying to distinguish it from a dream.”
It was all truth. He was desperately gripping at reality, trying to figure out if this whole thing was a hoax. It all seemed much too good to be true, especially to someone such as Ryn.
Arien smiled a little at the explanation.
"You're welcome," Arien said with a smile. "And I'm sorry to admit, but it's just going to get better from here." He chuckled a little, looking around.
"It seems we beat Rio here. That is good, at least."
By that time, Rio had gone home, grabbed a bag and stuffed it with his Falcons items. He allowed it to perch on his arm while he gathered all other items such as his weapons and a few special items.
