At the prince's words, Hylas sighed. It was all talk of hope, and patience, and willingness. But his mind argued that he had none of those, when it came to the idea of finding 'the right person,' so all he could do was dismiss it, like every other time he'd considered putting down the knife for good. "That just isn't the case, I'm afraid," Hylas said with a tired smile, wondering for a moment what it might be like to be as hopeful as Cas was. He saw the best in things, even in him; an assassin with a harrowing reputation he still couldn't piece together. "You could find that 'someone' in anyone if you tried hard enough. But some people just really aren't worth fighting yourself and your morals for, you see. Sometimes ignorance becomes a fault of its own."
(hii :) i'm not going to be too active for the next lil while cause I'm going on a trip. so, seeya in a few:)
"Fear is something that can be overcome, if you desire something." Cas understood, though, he felt the same. He knew he should take his own advice but it wasn't that simple, especially when you had a kingdom to run. Falling in love with the wrong person, when the fate of a kingdom rested on it was daunting, another reason he hadn't pursued love as much as he wanted, "You shouldn't have to try hard to make a connection with someone. You shouldn't have to fight for a person that doesn't want the same as you. It should happen naturally."
(Okay, I hope you have fun! See you soon)
Hylas shook his head, knowing the prince's words held truth but still telling himself he was the exception. "Overcoming this assumed fear you speak of will not give me what I want," He replied, holding a quiet frustration in a downfacing gaze. "–What I think I want." What did he want? His whole life had been a painful attempt to keep his head above water— and within that struggle was the bitter fact of how lonesome his future be as a result of it. 'Connection' was a myth of poets and hopeless romantics. And though Hylas would never wholly admit to sharing such a dreamlike dispair, his heart knew the truth of how far gone he was; starry-eyed and so silently aching for another. "That's all well and true, Your Highness. But it's different for me," Hylas said, shrugging almost dismissively, "I know you can't understand, but that's how it is. I'll never…have a person in that way. So save your breath for more important things."
Cas sighed through his nose. He knew there was no point in arguing, not when Hylas seemed to have made up his mind permanently. Even though every part of him wanted to protest, he knew that he was fighting against a brick wall on this, "I think I remember asking you to call me Cas, not Your Highness, Master Assassin," He said, changing the subject to something other then love and finding a partner, "Formalities are pointless, as I feel I have told you before." Before he was kidnapped but that wasn't the point. Right now he wasn't a prince, there was no need to keep up the titles.
Hylas silently cursed himself for using that title in public, raising his shoulders in a gentle shrug as they walked towards the bakery. "That was before; when you thought I was a duke," He said, glancing up at him with a cautious look as he adjusted his tone into something a little quieter. They had to be careful with saying such things, even with the streets being as quiet as they were. "Things have changed now, haven't they?" Hylas prompted, wondering if other royals would hold the same disregard if they were in the same position as the prince, "I'm not who you thought I was. So, it'd be sensible to think your view of me changed as well." He softly shook his head, letting out a tired sigh, "But if that's what you want, then…fine."
"Sure, my view of you has changed. However right now we're being civil, and also out in public where I thought we were trying to keep my identity secret, no?" The prince tilted his head and raised a brow, glancing up at the other with slight curiosity and maybe a little bit of that princely authority, "Besides, I'd rather not be reminded too much of what I'm going to lose until the time comes." Reminded of the people, the title that belonged to the man who was supposed to help and govern those people. But he was sending this letter for the good of the people. He was doing this so the kingdom could have a future. So that hopefully after he was gone, it would continue without him. He shook those thoughts away, deeming them unnecessary for the time being.
Hylas nodded, briefly meeting the prince's gaze as he glanced around them. People kept to themselves, for the most part, but he knew how deceiving that image could be. There was always someone listening; a beggar or even a playing child, waiting for something or someone to slip up. "Of course," He sighed, keeping himself from frowning as he remembered the bitter task that awaited him. Living with his guilt was one thing, but walking with it and hearing it speak was another. "Then let's not speak of it anymore," Hylas suggested, hoping they could ignore— or pretend to ignore the looming sense of dread that hung over them. At least this way, they wouldn't risk giving themselves away, and Hylas might convince himself to push away his doubt.
Cas nodded, falling silent. How long would this trip me? Making conversation with a man he barely even knew in the last few days of his life wasn't how he thought he would spend the aftermath of his birthday. However those thoughts were shoved aside when the delicate, hand crafted pastries appeared in the glass of the display window. The sweet, sugary smell mixed with the savoury of the breads. It was like heaven. And a reminder of how hungry he actually was. The place almost seemed to radiate warmth, beckoning the two of them in.
Hylas sighed at the sight of the the golden delicacies waiting for them behind the glass. They were somewhat simillar to the traditional breads and pastires of his home kingdom, and still equally as tempting. He walked through the doorway, stepping into the warm space of the humble bakery and letting his gaze wander over the expanse of baked goods. They were all so…different. And though he knew that they would be better suited to something filling and easy to carry, he couldn't help his hunger prompting him to stare at the cakes, rolls, and biscuits unique to Eirus and waiting before him. "What should we, um…What should we get?" Hylas asked, half-turning to face Cas though his attention was elsewhere.
He bit his lip. As much as he craved those sweets, the delectable jams and sugary syrups he knew filled many of them, he knew that they needed something more practical, something that would fill them for much of the day until they needed to eat again, "How much money do we have?" That would determine really what they would eat. If they could afford something savory and filling and something sweet? Maybe they could spend the little extra on something nice. It might brighten both their spirits since Cas noted that Hylas was also eyeing up the cakes in the display counter in front of them.
Hylas nodded as he dug through his pockets for some coins. There were more in his bag, but he was always apprehensive when it came to spending money, and wanted to make sure they had something to spend when they were passing through his town. "Two, three…four," He mumbled, counting them as he held them in his palm, "Five." Surely, that would be more than enough for them to buy something good and wholesome. "That's enough, right?" He asked, supposing they cost the same as the breads of his home kingdom. A young girl; the baker's daughter came in with a smile and a basket, warmly greeting them as she shelved a few loaves of sweet bread.
Cas nodded, "Yeah. That should be enough for two decently filling pastries and… and maybe something sweet to share between the two of us." The prices were all reasonable. And it seemed like this place was popular so they could afford to lower their prices just a little then what they would have been back in the big city. The longer they stayed in front of those delectable, sweet foods the hungrier he became. The prince nodded to a couple of pastries that seemed to be filled with some sort of vegetable, herbal filling that smelled amazing, "How about those?" He asked.
Hylas glanced at the pastries, almost sighing at the sight of such sweet-smelling delicacies. "Yes, those'll do," He said, feeling his stomach growl encouragingly, "Yes, yes, two of those and perhaps…" The baker's daughter took down two of the filled pastries and placed them onto the counter as Hylas looked over the other little cakes and breads. All he could think about was how he used to stare at them as a child, wide-eyed and standing on his toes as he peered into the bakery window. "One of these?" He prompted, pushing the memory aside as he pointed at an arrangement of golden pastries, cream-filled and dusted with sugar.
His mouth nearly watered at the sight of them, at the smooth cream and the sugar on top, "I think one of those would be prefect." It brought him back to cooking with his brothers and mother when he was younger, spending time together and making a mess in the kitchens after all the staff had retired for the night and they didn't have to keep up the pretense that they were regal and put together. Those were the better times, the less stressed times. Before things got serious and he couldn't cook with his family again.
The baker's daughter gathered their pastries and set them on the counter for them, accepting Hylas' coins with a smile. He quietly thanked her, and as much as he wanted to stay in the warm and scentful space of the bakery, he knew it was best if they didn't stay in one place for too long and took their leave as soon as possible. They had to keep moving; even stopping for breakfast here was a risk, though they were lucky to be in such a small town where they might seem as forgettable as the other travellers that passed through. "Right," Hylas said, picking up their pastries and nodding at the door, "All set for breakfast, let's go."
Leaving the warmth of the bakery made Cas want to pout and protest but now was not the time to throw a tantrum. They had to keep moving. Had to make it out of this town and close to the boarder before the end of the day, get away from all of the people who might be watching, listening, tracking them. Word would pass through this town that the prince was missing, they would catch on sooner or later, "Yeah, let's get moving. We can eat on the way." He heading to the door, opening it for the both of them and shutting it afterwards.
Hylas nodded, stepping out of the bakery with their pastries and back onto the street. The town seemed a little more awake with the sun a little higher in the sky and muffled sounds of children playing somewhere distant. It wouldv'e been a pleasant day if he wasn't worrying about how vulnerable they were now that they were back out in the open, slowly making their way through this traveller's town in hopes of reaching the border by nightfall. "Over there," Hylas said after a moment, quietly spotting the green crowns of the forest trees a few miles past the bell tower and pointing at it, "Past the fields; that's the edge of the forest."
"We better make it there quick then," He replied, "The longer we're in the open the more trouble it will end up causing us." He knew that better then a lot of people. Exposure in situation where you didn't want anyone to notice you was literally the exact opposite of what should happen. Sadly a lot of people didn't know that, leading to more then unfortunate circumstances. It seemed like most people didn't bother to glance their way, too preoccupied with what they were doing to care about the two of them.
"Don't worry, we will," Hylas told him, silently handing him one of the pastries as they walked through the town. In actual fact, he was the one that was worried, the almost feverish thoughts of paranoia bringing up quiet suspicions. It was a feeling that Hylas had grown to recognize and easily ignore, but now that royalty was by his side, he could hardly resist the urge to look over his shoulder whenever they passed someone, though the townfolk showed no apparent interest in the two. "We're nearing the outskirts of Eirus, now," Hylas said, nodding to himself as he thought back to the journey here, "And the woods before the border there are fairly safe. Not many animals."
"Good." As they grew closer to the edge of the town, the less dense the houses and stores became. There were less people around, probably because they were already out and about or they were still sleeping. The cobblestone street slowly turned to dust and dirt being kicked up under their feet. It was quieter out here. No talking. Only a couple birds chirping and singing their morning song and the gentle crunch of the twigs and dried leaves under their feet. It was relaxing, peaceful, unlike the bustle and buzzing energy of the castle the other night.
Hylas could feel his uneasiness start to fade away as they slowly made their way out of the town, marvelling at the green expanse of field and country with a softened expression. He took a bite of his still-warm breakfast, letting out a long and quiet sigh as he savoured the first taste of the herbed vegtable and buttery pastry. It was a small but sustaining relief for him to be away from all those people, leaving behind the low hum of liveliness for a place of gentle sounds and warm wind. As he took in the sunny view of the countryside, he couldn't help but think of their talk of travelling last night. "So…am I right in assuming you don't travel like this often?" Hylas asked with a hint of hesitancy, glancing up at Cas and hoping he wouldn't say the wrong thing, "I mean…to the countryside."
Cas blinked, having been too wrapped up in the scenery and the food to register the question at first. Once he did, he let out a quiet chuckle and a shrug, "No, I don't. Never get the chance to chance… wander slowly. Every time I travel it's 'have to arrive at a certain time' and 'you cannot be late' and 'you have to keep up your appearance, no talking to commoners.'" He sighed, shaking his head softly to himself, "Honestly I think this is the first time I've left the kingdom in well… months." With the preperations for his birthday, preparing to become king, taking care of the kingdom there wasn't time for anything like this. For the rolling green hills filled with melodic bird song.
"Months?" Hylas prompted with a gentle raise of his eyebrows, forgetting the tensive air between them. He could hardly imagine staying in one place for over a week, but for months? That was far longer then he could ever hope to stop travelling; 'working' to afford that type of rest. But having something to stay for— a cause, a person, was something he wanted, almost desperately. "I don't think I could go a week without coming back to the fields," He said with a wistful look over the hills, "It's the only place I feel safe." Travelling for Hylas, too, was very strict, and at times he was so overcome with worries and paranoia that he would dissociate; forgetting all the moments leading up to the killing as he stood blade-in-hand before a still figure on the ground. "But were you happy like that? Staying in Eirus for all that time?"
