Kilian turned the ring between his fingers.
'Why did he send this?'
He was confused and studied it carefully.
The ring was golden and looked like an insignia ring with a carved-out picture that was faded to the point, Kilian couldn't tell what it was supposed to be.
He looked around the room. There was no one else there, and he moved the ring down over one of his fingers, feeling silly for even doing so.
The ring didn't fit at all, it was too big for any of his fingers other than his thumb, and it felt uncomfortable.
'I am sure he did not send this just for me to wear,' he thought to himself.
Even if Rayden had confessed that he liked Kilian, he didn't think the ring he had sent had the same meaning as it did in his previous life.
Kilian got up and put on a robe, hurrying out of his room.
The hall was lit up by dim blue lights from lamps hanging from the ceiling.
Kilian knew it was lit up by magic crystals that were charged with mana from sorcerers.
They would then be able to illuminate an area in light based on the color of the crystal.
The blue light gave off a cold feeling but it was pleasant for the eyes that had gotten used to the dark night.
Kilian opened the door to his grandfather's chambers and stepped in without knocking.
The archduke was still up, sitting at a desk going through paperwork. He gave Kilian a short nod and let go of the papers in his hand, giving his grandson all his attention right away.
Kilian noticed the gesture and smiled.
He almost felt spoiled by this man, who had been more like family to him in a short time than any parent he had lived with before both in his previous and current life.
"Yes?"
Was all the Archduke said, knowing the young man probably had something to say when coming at this hour.
"Rayden".
Kilian was unsure about Rayden's last name and did not know how to continue, but hoped at least the name was known by his grandfather.
"Young Lord Rayden sent me this, and I am unsure what it might mean".
It felt like his stomach was turning, hoping it was not some kind of love token that he was asking about.
He nervously placed the old-looking ring on the desk he stood in front of.
The big man got up at once as soon as he laid eyes on the ring.
"Jasper!"
To Kilian's surprise, the young brown-haired man arrived soon after the call, as if he had been waiting on standby somewhere close.
"What is it, my Lord?"
The man had a tired tone to his voice but seemed confused at the same time.
'It is probably not often he is called in like this', Kilian thought.
"Bring this to the King right away, if you are stopped by the guard, show them this and they should let you through".
The archduke was referring to the ring that he dropped into Jasper's hand, who only glimpsed at it once before he immediately left the room in a hurry without a reply.
Kilian stood back still confused and without knowing what the ring was about.
He looked at his grandfather, who was in the process of getting dressed in his formal commander clothes.
"Grandfat… I mean Lord Valen, what is going on" Kilian thought the mood seemed serious and at times like this thought it would be better to address the man by his title.
The Archduke of the North turned around and looked at Kilian as if he had somehow just appeared.
"Lord Rayden is in trouble, that ring is something that was used back in the day when knights have lost the battle but suspect a traitor is among the higher ranks."
Kilian stood as frozen, trying to comprehend what this meant.
"You are saying they were somehow betrayed and they are losing…"
Kilian's thoughts were filled with the images of the few times he had met Rayden, the man had even confessed, though Kilian had to admit he had no clue why the man suddenly liked him, they had barely met before.
The thought of Rayden may be dying to some unknown creature or random knight seemed absurd to him.
His grandfather continued in a lower voice.
"The messenger magic can not be sent directly to the king, as there is an anti-magic set up around him. The insignia ring is then sent to a trusted ally, who is able to get it delivered to the King directly. No one is allowed to deny entry to the King if they hold that ring."
"What can I do?"
Kilian clenched his hand and watched as his grandfather ignored his words while picking up his longsword, and leaving for the door.
"Nothing, there is nothing you can do right now Kilian. Reinforcement will be sent, but no one will know the state Rayden's party will be in when found."
Kilian kept his mouth shut, and fully knew that even if he was favored, his grandfather also knew what he was capable of, and right now Kilian would just be a burden to bring.
"Bri.. bring him back".
Kilian muttered looking away, resenting himself for being unable to help.
There was a short pause.
"I will".
Kilian somehow felt relieved, in his eyes the huge man leaving the room was the most powerful man in the kingdom.
Even if he had yet to see it for himself, it was a reassuring thought.
"You will be in charge of matters regarding the North here from the Capital, you will be my replacement while I am gone, don't let me down".
The Archduke left the room, leaving Kilian to himself.
Kilian sighed and left for his own bedroom, calling for the little bird to come out of hiding from within his shirt.
"Can… can you let me see him?"
Kilian was still unsure how he saw Rayden back when he was trapped in the cave, but he was hoping his idea would work.
The bird chirped, disappearing, and a golden mist of particles spread out in front of Kilian.
The golden mist took shape of a man sitting up against something.
"Rayden?"
Kilian didn't think the man could actually hear him.
It looked like the golden Rayden was sleeping, but the body moved slightly when Kilian tried to touch it.
He gently placed his hand on Rayden's and the golden shape felt like it had matter just as in the cave.
It was still a strange feeling and not at all like touching a real person, but there was substance to it.
Kilian sat down on the floor in his room.
He was sitting next to the image of Rayden who only managed to barely move.
Rayden tried to move his arm but was struggling, and Kilian reached out in reflex to support the movement, only to realize the golden hand was reaching up to caress his cheek.
'Why…how can I help?'
His brain was racing, wanting to help, but deep down he knew, there was absolutely nothing he could do at this very moment.
Instead, he just leaned into the hand that was carefully touching his cheek, like it was confirming something.
'Is he hurt?'
Kilian looked down over the body in front of him.
The detailed shape of Rayden in his clothing was all in a golden hue, so he could not distinguish any areas that may be wounded or bleeding.
The body in front of him seemed to try to say something to Kilian, but there were no words that he could hear.
Kilian felt useless, his mind had gone blank, even with all the power of the Archduke behind him, he couldn't think of a single thing that could be helpful at this very moment.
Why had he even wanted to be stronger if he couldn't even help when needed?
He felt a gentle touch on his lips, and he looked down startled.
'Is…is he seriously smiling right now?'
Rayden was smiling at him, an almost mischievous smile as he seemed to be satisfied touching Kilian's lips in this situation.
Kilian felt like hitting the man in front of him, for even thinking about touching him like this when he should be thinking about saving himself.
"You still have this much energy, why don't you get up and get out of there?" He angrily retorted at the man.
Kilian was still speaking as if Rayden could hear him, mostly in frustration, but he had to believe it would somehow come across.
The man tried to sit up more but quickly grabbed at his abdomen as if in pain.
The view was horrible, and Kilian had no idea where Rayden even was, or how bad the situation may be.
'I wish he had not sent the ring to me…' He thought.
He felt horrible as soon as the thought had entered his mind. Rayden had trusted him this much, and he had just uselessly been sitting here.
"Fine"
Kilian bent down and pressed his lips to Rayden's golden ones.
The stirring feeling of something pressed back against his still surprised Kilian, but it felt good, and he hoped the feeling would come across
It worked.
The man had become docile and two arms reached up around Kilian's neck, keeping him in the kiss for longer.
"Don't move, just get back safely… Idiot".
Kilian mumbled, breaking the kiss to breathe before closing the gap again following along with the kiss Rayden returned.