He shrugged, shoulders remaining by his ears for a few seconds before dropping. "I don't know much else besides causing trouble. It's all I've ever done. Cin…She's amazing. She can speak a ton of languages, dominate any debate, create battle strategies off of the top of her head, knows a hell of a lot more than I do about foreign kingdoms and countries, can get others on her side just like that," he snapped his fingers, then sighed. "If you ask me, she's the better choice."
"She'd make an amazing Queen." She agreed, looking up at him. "But I think you'd make a great King, Rhydar." The honesty in her voice surprised her, and she shoved away the dark thoughts threatening to follow.
He turned his gaze onto Lily and didn't look away after a few seconds. He just looked down at her, trying to find something on her face that told him if she were lying to make him feel better. He couldn't find anything, but he shook his head anyway. "I skipped out on tea, remember? And I'm skipping out on a ball as well."
"You're skipping out on a ball to make sure to make sure a woman who was…assaulted, is okay." She pointed out softly, not removing her eyes from his. "And there's nothing wrong with skipping out on tea with women who very likely are simply after the position being married to you brings. Call it protecting the throne if you must."
He sighed, flicking his eyes away before bringing them back to hers. "If you say so." He didn't believe for a second that he was worthy of being called King. He was a royal bandit—nothing more. He sought out fun and entertainment while pushing everyone away with his antics. He wasn't protecting the throne when he avoided those women—he was being selfish and avoiding a situation he didn't want to be in. As for what he was doing for Lily…he had yet to figure out what exactly he was doing.
"I do, Rhydar. You might not see it, but I do." She sighed, shaking her head as she wrapped her arms around herself to keep from fidgeting more. She had no doubt that he'd make an amazing King. He had his things, but so did every ruler, if they were being honest.
He just shrugged and paused at a door, licking his lip ring. "Here you go," he said, looking down at her. He resumed fidgeting with his rings, spinning them around his fingers. "I'm sorry that tonight didn't exactly turn out all that nice for you," he said softly.
"You're not allowed to apologize either." She chided gently, shaking her head. "This wasn't your fault." She gave him a small smile, placing her hand on the door knob. "But you did make it a bit better after. I much prefer catching lightning bugs over standing in the corner of a crowded ballroom."
He offered a small smile in return. "I'm glad I could be of service," he said jokingly, sketching a bow. "But in all seriousness," he said as he straightened, "I am happy that I wasn't a total waste of space and helped you out a bit—even if the lightning bugs did most of the work," he added with a soft laugh.
"Much more than a waste of space." She promised with a small laugh. "I wouldn't have found the lightning bugs without you. Thank you, seriously." She added, her face softening. "The night ended better than I thought it would."
His smile brightened some more as he listened to her. "Well, though it started out a little…shakey…it's been my pleasure to see you smile afterwards," he admitted.
The light blush returned to her cheeks at his comment, and she bit her lip, looking down for a second. That was twice now her smile had been mentioned, as though it was something special. "I-" She seemed unsure how to respond to that, reaching up to fiddle with her hair.
He looked past her at the grand clock at the end of the hallway. "Well…" he started, shifting his weight to his other foot. "This is where we part ways tonight." Though he didn't exactly smile, his eyes crinkled. "Goodnight, Lily."
She blinked, looking back up at him. "Right. Uh, good night, Rhydar. And again, thank you." After a moment, she gave him a full, warm smile, while pushing the door to her room open. "Try to keep some room in your schedule open for me tomorrow, if you can."
He grinned, a part of his mind practically melting at the sight of her warm smile. "I'll always make time for you, milady. You're the best part of my day," he added with a quick wink, starting to turn away. Though his room wasn't too far from hers, he wanted to head out for a bit and get some fresh air—away from the palace.
The redness in her cheeks deepened, and she blinked a few times. Unexpected, but not unwelcome, even if she wished it was, to make things easier. On that note, she slipped back into her room, eyes flickering to the ring as she shut the door quietly. This wasn't going to be easy, for sure.
(Uh, time skip to morning, maybe?)
((Lmao yeah. My start, or yours?))
((Hmm, I could start. I was thinking maybe he invites her to a morning ride with him?))
((Heck yeah. Sounds nifty))
((Sweet))
Rhydar yawned and ran his fingers through his already messy hair. He had foregone his usual jewelry/piercings and only had in his lip ring and brow piercings. He was just feeling too lazy today. He did, however, have some braided leather bands around his wrist—but that was pretty much it. As for clothes, he had gone with his usual loose and casual clothing, with a sleeveless top and normal pants, as well as his riding boots. His snake tattoo on his arm was visible, but he didn't care too much. It was a result of a drunken adventure two years ago, but at least it looked decent.
He glanced at Lily's door as he passed by and paused, tapping his teeth against his lip ring. Having some company during his ride didn't seem like a bad idea, and she had said to leave room in his schedule for her. Before he knew it, he was knocking on her door.
Lily hadn't gotten much sleep last night, between the thoughts consuming her and the nightmares that had been a constant since that day. Meaning, she'd been up for an hour now, curiously taking the opportunity to explore the room that she was staying in. The knock on the door as she was braiding her hair startled her, and she tilted her head as she made her way towards it. She assumed it was Cinthia, as that seemed about on par with the girl's personality.
She pushed open the door with one hand, covering a yawn with the other at the same time that she spoke. "Morning? What can I-Rhydar?"
He opened his mouth, then closed it, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, hi." He dropped his arm. "I was just about to go on a ride this morning, and I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to accompany me? My mother reamed me out last night for being so absent, so I don't know how much free time I'll have available today as I'll likely be getting dragged around from girl to girl, and I figured that this morning was as good a time as any…And now I'm rambling." He sighed and shifted. "Ignore all that." He straightened and offered a lopsided smile. "Would you care to go on a ride with me?"
I think the rambling is cute. She blinked, taking a moment to sort through the information and catch up with her brain. She shook her head, before looking up at him. "I would love to go on a ride with you." She said, her lips quirking up into a small smile. "I have to warn you though, it's been quite some time since I've been riding."
He shook his head in relief, smiling slightly. Oh thank the gods she said yes. "Don't worry, I won't be going faster than a trot," he said. "I'll wait out here if you need some time to get ready." He jerked his head in the direction of the hall.
