Rhy shakes his head, a desperate edge to it. No. Not at any cost-- but he hadn't known the cost. He hadn't realized. He'd been naive and stupid; above all else, that is what he's ashamed of, how he should have known better and fell for it anyway.

But Kylo pushes on, and the protestations stick in Rhy's throat. It's probably meant as a kindness, but Kylo doesn't understand.

"Another wouldn't have been the crown prince of Arnes proving himself utterly unsuited for the title," he snaps. In his lap, his fists are curled so tight, he can feel the bite of his own fingernails. He is shaking. It just all tumbles out.

"It's not a question of punishment, but of atonement. There was nothing I could do for the fallen. But taking my responsibilities more seriously--"

He swallows the rest, shaking his head.

"It matters not, at this point. Not here."

Perhaps he was never meant to be king; being here is better than being dead, but for those left behind, the result is the same. He can't imagine the pain he's causing his parents. Alucard. It hurts too much to think about.