Corym sighed softly and faced her calmly. “You don't have to be. There are others who could understand if you let them.” he pointed out. “I only know some because I am also a ruler, even though all I have is this one kingdom. I can understand.” he said matching her gaze.
Cleopatra held in a scoff. “There is no one who would be willing to understand my burdens and my desires,” she countered. A ringed finger pointed accusingly in the direction of the dining hall. “None of them. They all hate me, Corym. Even those in my own court. You may understand what being a ruler is like, but you will never understand me.”
Corym did his best not to roll his eyes and sigh at her attitude, though he wouldn't be surprised if Cleopatra could tell how he felt at the moment. “And whose fault is that? You've made your desires clear with your war parties and taking the crown of other kingdoms for yourself.” he pointed out. “Quiet honestly, I think they have a reason for hating you. Many of them, like Drâcoś, are only part of your court because you took over theirs.” He wasn't being cruel with his words. He was just trying to show her the consequences and understanding the others had of her.
“If you want someone to understand you, then you have to try to understand them.” he added. “It doesn't work any other way.”
Cleopatra's eyes narrowed slightly. She understood the truth his words carried, but that didn't mean she had to like them. It had been Charmion's idea to incorporate the courtiers of other kingdoms into her court. To maintain good standing with the people of the kingdoms and show them that Cleopatra wasn't trying to completely wipe them out. Well, maybe she'd change her mind after today. She would select her own courtiers when she returned to Allikos.
At Corym's statement, however, she cringed. "I've never been good at that," she admitted. "Would…" She hesitated a moment before continuing. "Would you be willing to help me?"
Corym didn't flinch as Cleopatra glared at him. That was an expression he had seen on her face more times than he could count. But hearing her ask for his help… That made his eyebrows almost disappear into his hairline. “I… If you are serious about this, then I would be willing to try.” he agreed with a single slow nod.
“Though… I do feel I understand a little better now than I did earlier.” he admitted softly. “We should start heading back to rejoin the others.” he said, clearing his throat slightly. “And… If you don't mind, I think it would be better if you take the seat beside me when we got back to the banquet.” he said somewhere between offering and advising.
Cleopatra made a noise halfway between a scoff and a laugh. "I am," she agreed. "No need to look so surprised, though I suppose I don't really have much experience asking for help. Ah, did I do it right?"
She was caught by surprise herself at his admission, and her mind worked quickly to figure out his meaning. He understood her better now than he did earlier… before she was accosted in the dining hall. So something had happened between that moment and now. Something she'd done right.
"I don't mind," Cleopatra replied, accepting his offer simply. Though she tilted her head after a moment. "Your reasoning?"
Corym shook his head and tried to regain his composure. “It's not that. You asked fine, I just do not remember hearing you ever ask for help before. Much less from me.” he pointed out gently.
He smiled faintly as he walked over to join her and guide her back to the celebration. “Primarily, your protection,” he answered simply. “I know that you are more than capable in a fight, but you are still my guest. I don't want anyone else to think they can get away with attacking anyone.”
"To be fair, I did say I don't have much experience asking for help," Cleopatra quipped lightly. "You're maybe the second person. But don't let that go to your head. I know how you Sarratinians are with your egos." The dig had no real malice behind it, her tone made that clear. If anything, it was more of a dig at Cleopatra herself and her own ego.
She allowed Corym to guide her with a hand on her back, though she stifled a gasp as his fingers brushed over where her tattoo was. She was especially sensitive there. And she didn't need Corym to know that. Her head jerked in his direction as he spoke, especially the first part of his answer. When he continued with the second part, she relaxed a bit more. Damn right she was more than capable. But she supposed it wouldn't hurt to sit beside Corym for dinner. "Very well," she replied, lifting her chin confidently as they prepared to reenter the dining hall.
However, right before they could, she stopped short. A sudden vulnerability appeared on her face as she looked at him. "The bruises," she murmured quietly. "Can you see them?"
Corym smirked faintly at her joking and shook his head. “You hardly have room to talk, Allikoian.” he teased lightly back, just to show he was not offended.
He nodded slightly in acknowledgment as she agreed to his suggestion and continued on, until he noticed that she had stopped. He gave a questioning hum before turning back to look. “Let me see. Tilt your head up a little.” he said, half expecting to see at least some bruising from the attack.
Cleopatra rolled her eyes and nudged Corym with her elbow. "Hush it," she shot back, her eyes glittering with mischief.
Her expression became solemn, and she did as he instructed. The sides of her neck that had been the reddest before were bruising already. Thankfully, the way her hair fell around her face, it would be able to hide most of it. But there was a large red mark right on the front of her neck where her choker was. It had yet to bruise, but it was still very visible.
Corym huffed at the nudge but didn't say anything more as he focused on her neck. “The front of your neck is still red near your necklace but you may want to keep your hair down if you don't want anyone to see the bruises on the sides.” he informed her. “But it will heal. I wouldn't worry.” he assured.
Cleopatra lowered her chin and swallowed heavily. She took a moment to run her fingers through her hair and position it so it might cover more of her neck. Half of it was still up in a golden clip, but she took it out and let the entirety of her golden honey waves down to aid in covering her blossoming injuries. "Better?" she asked, looking back over at him.
Corym raised a brow at how much she was trying to hide her injury. For all her bravado, she was only a human and she had been attacked. It only made sense that she would have a mark from it. “If you want to hide it then yes. It is harder to see now.” he confirmed.
Cleopatra nodded shortly, then noted his raised brow. "What?" she asked immediately. Her emotions were first worried, then confused, then she strayed into an accusing tone. "You think I should parade back in and let everyone see my weakness?"
“What weakness?” Corym asked, his expression unchanging. “That you were just attacked? That you can be hurt as much as anyone? That doesn't seem like a weakness to me.” he pointed out. “Whether you let others see it or not is up to you, of course, but no one will expect the mark to be completely gone so soon.”
Cleopatra opened her lips to argue with him, but she closed them just as quickly and blinked. She shook her head. "I let down my guard," she murmured quietly. "I let myself be attacked, openly too. No one respects a ruler who is weak." She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with determination and a plea for him to understand. "I can't let them see me as weak, Corym. I need to be stronger than the kings who preceded me. I must be more. I must be remembered."
Corym sighed and shook his head, or partially understanding. “I doubt they will see you that way. You are here for a festival, everyone has their guard down. And Lord Drâcoś was hardly ever a liked man by many. Besides, you still have to decide what you want to do with him. That will speak more of you than his actions.” he explained.
“Though… I have to ask, why do you feel such a need to be remembered?” he said, not really expecting an answer.
Cleopatra turned his words over in her mind. There was, again, truth to them. But her fingers curled into fists as she remembered that she was still responsible for Drâcoś's fate. It would not be a good one, she was absolutely certain of that.
He's trying to understand, Cleopatra reminded herself. "Because my father was a douchesack who didn't deserve his crown," she answered shortly. "And if history is determined to remember him, then it sure as hell will remember me."
Corym blinked at the words, a bit caught off guard by the fact that she actually answered and the way she replied as well. “I… see.” he nodded, not completely understanding her reasoning but her view was clear. “I won't ask why you think of him that way, it's none of my business. But I think history will already remember you.” he said calmly, glancing down at the three jewels around her neck. “You’ve done something that not many can claim. Though I am not sure how history will view your accomplishments.”
"I care not for how I am viewed," Cleopatra replied, purposefully not looking at Corym. "I am determined to be remembered. I will forge my own legacy and stand in no one's shadow. I will not be forgotten."
A glint of fear and uncertainty flashed through her eyes, so quickly it would be easy to miss if one wasn't intently studying her expression. "I will not be forgotten," she repeated, quieter and more to herself.
Corym looked back at her face as she spoke, raising a brow and just barely catching the brief expression. “That is something, I’m afraid, I can not relate to.” he admitted. “I do not care if I am remembered for generations. I am content with being a good king for my people. Though that is also a challenge.” he sighed, thinking of his father and how good of a king he had been.
Cleopatra looked over at him at his admission. "That, my dear Corym, is why very few are able to understand me," she murmured quietly, a sort-of smile on her lips. My goals have only been figments in the past. But I intend to see them through to completion." She took a steeling breath before adding, "No matter what the cost."
“Perhaps.” he nodded, not arguing her point. Though Corym would likely never say it out loud but he could almost appreciate her dedication, even if he couldn't say he agreed with her goals.
“We should get back to the others.” he reminded as he held out his hand to her. Leaving it up to her to take it as a gesture to follow or to accept it and walk with him.
Cleopatra glanced at him, studying him with her intense hazel stare before softening a moment and reaching out to take his hand. "I suppose you're right," she agreed. A small smirk danced across her lips. "You'd better not get used to me saying that."
Corym tried to not react to her taking his hand beyond a polite hold. “I will cherish the words while they last.” he teased, smirking right back as he lead the way back to the banquet hall. Though, considering the fact that he could count on one hand the number of times he had heard Cleopatra say that to anyone, he certainly wouldn't forget this.