Ryan's shoulders slumped as he let out a heavy sigh, his gaze lingering on the imposing pile of documents that seemed to mock him from his desk.
"Seems like these reports never end," he remarked with a touch of exhaustion in his voice. Dario offered a sympathetic smile,"I can imagine. What sort of paperwork even is it?"
He leaned back in his chair, briefly taking a break from the monotony. "Mostly financial statements and budget proposals. There are numerous projects in progress, and it's crucial to ensure the funds are allocated efficiently."
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Ryan spent the entire day tirelessly fulfilling his responsibilities as the King. Among them was attending the Duke's visit and presiding over the council meeting.
"Your Highness, I must express my concern. Ever since the loss of that knight, it seems as though you have been neglecting your duties as the Emperor. Should such a situation occur again, where you crumble-" The Duke's words were cut short as Ryan forcefully slammed his hand against the table. "I have heard enough. You are crossing the line, Duke," Ryan's eyes said it all, 'shut up or it's your head'. "This meeting is over, now scram.'' With that, Ryan rose from his seat and exited the room, with Dario following closely behind, his expression reflecting confusion amidst the council members.
Dario caught up with Ryan just outside the council chamber, his steps hurried to match the King's determined stride. "Sir, may I speak freely?" he asked. Ryan glanced at Dario as he continued walking, his expression softening slightly. "Go on."
"Your Highness, with all due respect" Dario finally spoke, cautiously choosing his words, "I don't fully understand what happened there, but was that the best way to handle the situation? The Duke may have been out of line, but publicly rebuking him-"
"Dario." Ryan's jaw tightened as he turned to face Dario, his expression stern. Dario understood that it wasn't the right time nor place for this sort of conversation, so he dropped it.
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During lunch, Dario sat on the table in the kitchen, enjoying his meal while engaging in a conversation with the maids. Meredith, one of the maids, asked him, "So, how did your first council meeting go?" Dario took a bite of his sandwich before responding, "It was brief. The Duke mentioned something about a knight's death, and, well-" The maids collectively hissed. "What?" Dario inquired, curious about their reaction. One of the maids, Emily, interjected, "You don't know?" Meredith stepped in, "Shh, he's recently arrived from the east. Of course, he wouldn't be aware." Dario grew more intrigued and insisted, "Don't know what? Please, tell me."
Meredith let out a sigh and began, "That knight the Duke mentioned was His Highness' childhood friend." She paused for a moment before adding, "Well, they were practically brothers at one point. He died during the attack. His friend's death... it deeply affected His Highness." The realization hit Dario hard, understanding why His Highness had appeared so distraught when they had first met. He was grieving. And he was such an idiot to try and lecture him.
Silent contemplation filled the rest of Dario's lunch as he sat on the table, finishing his sandwich. He listened attentively to the maids' conversation while his mind wandered to Ryan. Concerned, he wondered, "Will he be alright?"
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Dario's perspective shifted as night settled in, engulfing the surroundings with its inky embrace. His Highness, weary from the day's affairs, retired to his chamber to rest. However, Dario's duty as the royal knight never ends, unwavering in its commitment to protect his monarch. Silently, Dario positioned himself before the sturdy oak door, truely a devoted sentinel. 'I wonder if His Highness got mad if he knew I was standing here,' another thought crossed his mind—had the King's attitude softened toward him, or was his mind playing tricks on him?
Dario's POV
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shattering glass and thunderous bangs piercing through the air. Reacting quickly, I drew my sword and stormed into the room, ready to face the enemy. To my surprise, there was no one and I found His Highness standing in the center of the room surrounded by big shards of glass, his back turned towards me and I was hit by the strong smell of booze.
Approaching cautiously, I called out to him, "Your Highness?" Slowly, he turned his head to meet my gaze, and at that moment, my heart shattered. Tears flowed relentlessly from his emotionless eyes, tracing a path down his face. Blood stained his hands dripping down to the ground, with fragments of glass still piercing them. Lowering my sword, I walked towards him, careful not to overlook any broken glass that could harm him further.
I noticed bottles of alcohol scattered on the coffee table, and I tried to understand what was happening. As I got closer, he remained still, as if unaware of my presence. I gently placed my hand on his shoulder, and he seemed to recognize me for a moment before collapsing. My heart panged in my chest as I managed to catch him before he hit the unforgiving, glass-littered floor. He fell into a deep sleep, exhausted.
With great care, I lifted him in my arms and carried him to his bed, gently laying him down into the silky sheets. Panic filled me, but I knew I couldn't let anyone see him like this and I was in need of removing the glass from his hands. Determined, I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed tweezers, rubbing alcohol, and bandages from the medicine cabinet. Returning to his room, I closed the door behind me, ensuring that no one would walk in. It was late, and only a few drops remained awake.
With trembling hands, I began to treat his wounds, diligently removing each piece of glass from his palms. The room was silent, except for the soft sound of glass on the metal plate and his shallow breaths, creating a peaceful melody.