The talk with her mother was going relatively normal, the highlight of it so far was her mother innocently asking Arkadios if he wanted to try her dessert, only for him to nearly die of disgust and a sweetness overload as the top platter was reserved mainly for her and Isaac, the only two capable of eating that monstrosity. It was even better the second time watching Nyx give him Isaac's tea to wash it down, a redacted amount of sugar cubes added to the point he nearly passed out.
Banging his hand on his chest, Arkadios managed to get back on the chair reaching for his own drink, her mother concerned as the three of them watched in curiosity, savoring his reaction. Yeah, why be a good person when you can enjoy another person's misery? "Are you alright? Did it go down wrong?" Her mother questioned, hands over her mouth in shock that the boy was having an extreme reaction.
Shaking his head, he managed to look up at her with what seemed like twenty years taken off from his life. "I'm alright, Lady Cyrille," he replied, looking normal again as she was disappointed the show ended. Letting out a breath of relief her mother smiled. "I'm glad Theia's friend is alright. Please take care of her for me, won't you?"
She never asked for him to take care of her, thank you very much. "Of course, I'll be guarding her throughout my stay at the Argyris mansion. I'll ensure she's safe." It was her turn to almost choke as she stared at his serious face, how could he just say that? Or rather, how could he just reveal all this to her mother?
She asked his repeatedly why he was there earlier, but now that her mother asked he revealed it all? "Nyx and I will be busy for awhile so I might not be able to visit, Young master Arkadios will be Theia's personal knight while we're away." So this was Isaac's goal, wasn't it? If he weren't there to watch her, someone else would.
Both her and her mother were surprised but calmed down relatively quickly, instead listening to how Isaac would be gone for an unknown amount of time, and that Theia was holding her first tea party. "I would of love to have gone, but unfortunately I can't make it. I'm sorry, darling." Her mother said to her, what a wonderful woman.
Shaking her head, she assured her mother it was completely fine and not necessary, Rosalyn had already volunteered to be her guardian during her tea party, there was no need to worry. Her mother seemed relieved but still a little sad she couldn't attend. "The next time I promise to attend." She smiled.
Good luck with that, your son is probably never letting you leave until the next hunt, he's too much of a worrier to ever let you meet the other noble ladies. She was pretty sure Isaac thought that even a child from a different family was enough to put her in a coma. The people in the Argyris family always thought weirdly of outsiders.
After their tea and dessert, they bid her farewell, Nyx and Isaac going their separate ways from them as she was stuck with Arkadios, unsure what to do with the boy who was quite true to his word, watching her in silence as they walked towards her room.
He followed her the whole way without saying anything, just how awkward did he intend to be. Sitting down on her chair, she looked up at him. "Are you just going to follow me around?" She quirked her brow, unamused.
Confirming it with a nod, she continued questioning. "What about your room or sleeping?" only to deadpan at his response. "I don't need sleep, I'll guard you from outside." Way to not sound like a stalker.
Rubbing her temple, she didn't know what went on in this extra's mind, a boy foreign to her in terms of plot relevancy, magic, and thoughts. If he was going to stick by her she was going to put him to work. She couldn't outrun a giant, nor did he seem to want to hold a conversation, what a troublesome stray they picked up for her.
Doing what she does best, she crossed her legs and rested her face on her palm. "You can sit on the floor, there are no maids inside so don't worry about anyone hearing," she spoke, her free hand pointing to the ground as he obliged, although he looked a bit perplexed by her sudden demand. "since you're going to be here for awhile, let's discuss my older sister. I'll go first."
She knew their common enemy, but she wasn't looking to bond over it. Rather, she just really wanted to annoy her until she exploded and cried like a man child. "Sometimes I want to let Theron maul her. Wouldn't it be great to see Penelope cry?" She asked, his attitude shifting from confused to agreeing, disgust creeping on his face just thinking about her.
"Then, would you like to help me during your stay?" She asked, his hand on his chin as he shut his eyes, thinking about it before agreeing. The two of them were in sync as evil grins formed on both their faces. "Of course, Lady Theia. As your guard during my stay I'd be happy to help and stay by your side." He perfectly understood where she was going with it.
Behind closed doors elsewhere Cyrille coughed, hard. Her maid immediately rushing to her side and helped her into bed, fretting over her mistress in poor health as she thought of her children. Lady Theia knew she was frail and Young master Isaac was no fool, he had to of figured out by now just how much she was trying to keep secret of her illness. Like mother like children. Despite being sick she insisted on writing a letter to someone and pushing herself.
The Duke tapped his fingers on the table, smoking his pipe as he stared at the papers. Two of his sons were gone again after returning recently, and they'd even picked up a stray turtle for the time being. It was only a matter of time before blood of his son would cover his own hands, or his chest pierced by that very son's blade.
Watching the blonde leave separately, Nyx bid Isaac farewell, wishing him luck for the evening. His own magic had only been growing stronger, the third prince's mother would be no problem for him, meanwhile Isaac needed to focus solely on his job, something only he could do between them. It was awfully convenient to have wind magic like his.
In the abandoned part of the castle remained a quiet boy, eyes filled with animosity as his mother came from behind him, hugging him and humming, fingers running through his hair. "Mother's going to make sure you're the next king… be a good boy won't you, my son? Why don't we prepare for your trip to the Argyris estate?" Contrary to her sweet words and gentle tone, her grip on him was excruciating.