It takes him a minute to parse what Wilhelm says next -- about his brother, the way he uses past tense, the realization that Wilhelm wasn't raised to be crown prince at all, and then a moment later the explanation that it doesn't even matter, or so he seems to say.
The words stick in Rhy's throat. How even a figurehead can inspire. How people need hope. How that's the whole point of a prince. Already, he knows that anything he says will be struck down -- and, worse, that here it's all merely words. Devoid of context. The same way prince means only his past here, and nothing more.
He withdraws. Leaves the conversation where it lies, and grabs his cup again to drink until it's gone.
no subject
It takes him a minute to parse what Wilhelm says next -- about his brother, the way he uses past tense, the realization that Wilhelm wasn't raised to be crown prince at all, and then a moment later the explanation that it doesn't even matter, or so he seems to say.
The words stick in Rhy's throat. How even a figurehead can inspire. How people need hope. How that's the whole point of a prince. Already, he knows that anything he says will be struck down -- and, worse, that here it's all merely words. Devoid of context. The same way prince means only his past here, and nothing more.
He withdraws. Leaves the conversation where it lies, and grabs his cup again to drink until it's gone.
"I'm sorry," he says suddenly, pained.
"About your brother."