Ryn’s heart skipped a little at the man’s words.
How could this possibly get better? Ryn thought to himself, his mind a mess of questions. He was already going to be staying with someone who was… nice to look at, and despite also being alongside someone who wanted to wring his neck, it seemed like an extremely positive ordeal already.
“It seems so,” he mumbled softly, eyes wandering around the courtyard.
Arien started to lead Ryn into the palace.
"Well, that just leaves more time for us to talk alone, then. But first- how do you feel about getting some new clothes?" He smiled a bit, bringing Ryn into the front hall. It was massive, of course, and lavishly decorated.
The guard that had been sent with Rio looked him up and down.
"Are you ready to go to the palace now?" He asked, growing impatient. "Anything else you need will be provided there."
Rio let his Falcons fly off before taking a few back roads and narrow streets, reaching the palace dance minutes after the king and Ryn. "I'm Rio, the king is expecting me." He spoke. Rio could sense that the man was uncertain. Considering g he had two swords strapped to his waist, a few knives on his arms, and possibly a few more weapons hidden here and there.
"He's telling the truth," the guard who had accompanied him said. The other nodded, letting Rio into the courtyard. The king and other concubine were already inside, of course.
“New clothes would probably be best,” Ryn replied timidly. He looked down, clearly aware that what he was wearing was anything but professional.
It was ragged and torn clothing— a thread-bare shirt that may have been considered slightly too revealing, and dusted pants that looked no more comfortable than burlap.
Arien nodded. He left his arm around Ryn, leading him up there stairs in the hall. He brought him to a room that seemed to be made of fabrics. They hung from the walls and ceiling, creating an airy feeling to the entire room. There was a woman there, who looked up when the two came in.
"So, this is the new concubine," she said. She walked over, offering Run a leather braclet. It had pearls inlaid in the middle of it.
"I'm Henrietta."
Rio walked into the large building and paused a moment to take in everything that was around him. He gathered himself and whistled for his falcon who flew down and landed in his arm. He started walking through the palace and managed to find the king, waving a hand.
Arien looked up when he saw Rio wave at him.
"I'll be right back," he said gently to Run. "Don't worry, Henrietta will take good care of you." He stepped away now, moving over to Rio.
"I see you finally made it. I thought you said you were going to get here before us?" Arien smiled a little, mostly teasing.
“I—Er— Hello,” Ryn mumbled, allowing her to put the leather on his wrist. He wasn’t exactly sure what it was for, but he didn’t mind much. He carefully brushed the hair from his eyes, his heart jumping slightly when he heard the whistle from Rio. He tried his best to keep looking outwardly calm, without much success.
"Turns out Dawn here," he raised his hand with the falcon. "Wanted to go fishing and refused to come. You have a beautiful home." He smiled for the first time since meeting him.
Hentrietta looked up when Ryn jumped.
"Here, let's go get you some clothes," she said. She led him further into the room.
"The bracelet is a sign of your position. You are the King's now, after all."
"Ah, I see. Thank you, I inherited it from my father." Arien was a little breath taken by Rio's smile.
"And your bird is quiet beautiful."
Ryn followed, doing as he was told. Again, he never thought of himself to be so subservient, because he had been breaking laws for… god knows how long. But, he figured this place wasn’t to be trifled with.
Ah, ownership, he thought when Henrietta explained the wristband. He glanced down from the bracelet, then back to the woman, awaiting her next instruction.
"Thank you, he has an ego so I apologise if he starts following you." He rubbed his head, hearing him start screeching. "Go on then you silly bird."
Henrietta opened a trunk, rummaging through it. She pulled it a loose shirt, made of fine golden white silk, and was seemed to be tight pants off a more earthy gold.
"Try these on. You can do it behind that screen." She handed the clothes over, motioning to where Ryn could change.
"Well, I don't mind at all to have such a graceful creature follow me." Arien chuckled a little.
"Ryn should be getting done soon with his fittings. You can come in when he's done, you at least need to get the bracelet."
"What bracelet? Why are you giving me a bracelet?" He asked, crossing his arms now that the falcon had flown off.
Ryn did as he was told, taking the clothes and disappearing behind the screen. He reappeared moments later, the white silken shirt complimenting both his skin and hair. He certainly looked better than he had before, the gold in his eyes reflecting the various colors of the room as well. He shyly rugged at the shirt, smiling over to Henrietta.
“It fits,” he said softly. “Thank you so much.”
"You're welcome," Henrietta said. She smiled a bit to herself when she saw how well her choices looked on Ryn, nodding.
"Now hurry along- I'm sure the king is waiting for you." Henrietta shooed Run away, that smile still on her face.
"It's just a symbol of your status in the palace," Arien explained. "It's means you'll basically allowed anywhere in the palace without anyone challenging you."
Ryn shuffled back into the main room, still adjusting his new clothing and trying his best to stand upright. He gave a small nod to Arien, but kept further back when he saw Rio. He figured it would be better to keep his distance for the time being.
Neither the shirt nor the pants Ryn word left much to the imagination. The pants because of how closely they fit, and the sheet because of the deep neckline, revealing his chest. Arien looked over, smiling a little.
"You look great," he said softly. He saw how Ryn was keeping his distance from Rio, and didn't try to make him come over.
“Thank you,” Ryn said, hoping his harder voice would bring some new consideration to Rio. He figured trying his best to be confident would at least earn him minimal respect.
In truth, Ryn was actually internally screaming. The clothes were both too tight and too loose, but it’s not like he could complain. He was in no place to do that.
Carefully, he stepped over, briskly taking up post by Arien’s side. He held his arms lax in front of him, trying to inadvertently cover up as much of himself as he could.
Arien looked over again when Ryn stepped to his side. Honestly, the entire outfit screamed concubine. Sex toy.
Arien leaned towards Ryn, assessing his he was holding himself. He couldn't help it; it was how one had to be in court.
"Are you alright with it?" He finally asked, concern on his face.
Even though Ryn didn’t even believe it was his own opinion to be fine, he replied, “Yes. It’s alright.”
He was Arien’s. Wouldn’t it be the king’s choice what to put him in? The bracelet said it all.
Just to further convince Arien, Ryn stood up straighter, holding his arms behind his back. He was being promised so much… he figured he would not give Arien a problem to worry about.
Arien looked at Ryn, the concern still showing on his face.
"If you're truly fine with the outfit, then… Don't be afraid to ask for things. I don't want you to be uncomfortable here. Don't forget this is just so you have a better place to stay." Arien could already see it happening. He could see Ryn giving up what he wanted just because Arien was the king. He didn't want that.
“I’m alright with it, don’t worry. It’s much better than what I had before. I’m just thankful for it all,” Ryn responded, although as he kept speaking, his voice seemed to grow softer. He still wasn’t going to ask about anything. No, not until he was more comfortable here. Perhaps when he grew closer to Arien, he wouldn’t care. But… that was assuming he got close to the king. He didn’t necessarily find that happening, considering all he felt like now was a toy.
Arien turned fully to Run now, letting Rio deal with getting to the fitting room on his own.
"Ryn," he said gently. He reached out, lightly taking Ryn's hand in his own. "This is your home now, too. And I don't want you to feel like you should have to do anything just because of me. If you don't like the clothes, we can get you different ones. I swear, it's not a big deal. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Ryn."