Earlier that morning, in the privacy of the dungeon cells, Glolieh asked Drokn of one thing. One simple thing. And that was to stay quiet and abide by Glolieh’s plans. Naturally, Drokn made a fuss, unwilling to listen to an elf’s demands. However, Glolieh mentioned her methods will be the easiest to help with their goals, especially for the sake of the elf. Glolieh knew best how to approach the queen, and the demon’s interference could cause an issue, especially considering both parties did not take kindly to the other.

“So, I will use the favor you owe me. Please be cooperative just this once. For Eial’s sake.”

Reminded of the guard’s words, Drokn’s anger eased in front of the queen. For Eial’s sake, he reminded himself, but for the sake of his own pleasure and mental release, cursed the queen several times in his mind.

Thankfully, there was no magic that could read minds.

”However,” the queen continued, her demanding figure lengthening her posture, “there is still the matter of King Drokn’s former trespassing of our territory. He had not only broken territorial law, but had hurt our people. Glolieh, you were a victim, as well.”

”I cannot say his actions are forgivable, however, I can ascertain that he has changed and will not cause an issue in the present.”

”Let’s say that you are true in your observation. Regardless, there are still repressions for breaking the law back then, no matter his present state of being or how much he has changed.”

“Uhm.” This time, it was Eial’s sweet voice that drifted between them, causing the queen and Glolieh to turn his way. “Pardon my interruption. It’s just that the last time Drokn had come into the territory without permission was also not his fault. He was teleported to me that time, as well. That time, by m- by Queen V-Vrona, herself.” Eial already had an awkwardness by calling her by her name, but with the added title, the elf felt a little bashful. If not for the circumstances and the heavy air, he might have even giggled.

“So you mean to say he had trespassed into elven territory without intention twice?”

Eial nodded, adding, “The first time, mother wanted us to meet, and this time, Drokn came to find me.” Pausing for a moment, his cheeks tinted a rosy hue as he feigned a light cough and corrected, “The first time, Queen Vrona wanted us to meet. In the end, both times are my fault. Because I was in the elven territory. Because I am an elf.”

Quickly, Drokn looked to Eial, one of his brows strained. Why was he faulting himself for something unrelated?

Analyzing the elf with her crystal gaze, and frozen still as an ice sculpture, herself, her pink lips bit icily, “Even in this case, King Drokn had still chosen to hurt the elven guards. If he had found himself in elven territory without knowledge, his first act would have been to see us himself to explain the situation.”

“That may be true, but– !” Eial found himself becoming too comfortable in his speech and swiftly lowered his head that he had unintentionally lifted to face the queen. His eyes wandering the floor with his humble posture, Eial continued, “But, Drokn had suddenly been teleported to these lands. That must have been very scary for him. He probably felt he had to defend himself in this unfamiliar place.”

Hearing this, Drokn wanted to open his mouth in bewilderment and scoff. Instead, he made do with just his eyes growing wide to not make his perplexity obvious. Him? Scared? Drokn wanted to shout that he wasn’t scared. He would never be scared of the likes of elves. And to be thought of such by the queen he was growing to hate further by the second? He couldn’t have it. He was about to open his mouth to defend his pride when-

“Back then it was clear he didn’t want to be here,” Eial’s soft voice spoke, his volume lighter, his head subconsciously bowing lower. “And he didn’t want to meet me.”

Any words on the tip of Drokn’s tongue vanished and instead was replaced with a dryness. Or rather, an emptiness. And that emptiness bled first into his mind and then dripped a waterwall of tar into his chest. That tar had taken all his words and engulfed his body as he couldn’t help but just stand. Stand and stare.

It was true. He couldn’t counter it in his thoughts because it was true. He hadn’t wanted to meet him. And that reality was now forcing Eial to bow his head and relive that truth through his own lips just to defend the demon.

And what was he doing? What was he planning to do? Defend his pride? While Eial spoke words that bled and even this guard who had nothing to benefit from them chose to speak on behalf of him? All because of what? Because of what he had done.

It was true. It was true. Drokn hadn’t wanted to come to the elven territory. He hadn’t wanted to meet the elf. And it was also true that it was the consequence of blindingly despising Eial from the start that led him here. The consequence of fighting the elven guards instead of seeking an option for peace. He frankly hadn’t wanted to deal with the elves. He had no respect for them. So he chose violence, became imprisoned, and was rescued by the elf who didn’t know any better and now had to share the burden of his own actions.

Drokn had felt something muddle in his chest, clogging his lungs with cement. It was a very rare sensation he had learned to feel only after meeting the elf. He had felt it when the elf had taken his heartless words to heart, when the elf had been scared to be kissed by him. When, in the emptiness of his bedroom under the dim lit moonlight, he had thought of all of the possibilities as to why Eial could have disappeared.

Guilt.

Regret.

Clenching his jaw, he glared with contempt at the mirror he saw within EIal’s hunched form. The mirror that reflected himself and all his inadequacies. He'd had it with Eial defending him, rescuing him. Hurting the elf’s own self for the sake of him.

He'd had it.

He'd had it!

He–

“FUCK!”

Everyone’s heads turned.