A Nightmare's Honor

Broken Ties

{M} Yellow Apprentice POV:

For nearly a week, I had been haunted by M's sharp gaze, the way his eyes had been darkened by anger and distrust. Day and night I could only think of the pain in his voice and expression. It had become hard to focus on normal daily tasks, and I often found myself tuning out the world around me. I have to talk to him! I have to make it up to him!

"Yellow Apprentice."

I flinched, looking up from the paper in front of me. I realized that I should have been filling it out instead of zoning out. The ink on my quill was drying, and there was nothing written on the page. I met the Nightmare King's gaze sheepishly.

"Yes, Nightmare King?"

"I've noticed that you've been unfocused recently. Is something bothering you?"

I froze. Did- did the Nightmare King just ask me if I was alright? I was so astonished by this sudden act of deeper care that I just stared at him. I opened my mouth to answer, but, finding no words to say, I closed it. I noticed that his gaze seemed... soft. There was a warmth to it that I had never seen before- or, at least, had never noticed before now.

"...Is it about the meeting with the leaders we had six days ago?" His voice was soft as he spoke. There was an understanding in his gaze that made me think about the Yellow King before him. Is this what the previous king was like? What the Nightmare King was like when he was the Yellow Apprentice?

I gave a small nod, still at a loss for words. As the Nightmare King's eyes were locked with mine, the concern in his was clouded by deep thought.

"...You have a free day today, Yellow Apprentice. I know you'll want to talk to him. Use this time wisely."

"I- Thank you, Nightmare King. I should be back before tomorrow." I was filled with a deep gratitude toward my king in that moment before I stood up from the desk I was working at.

Adrenaline, as well as dread and excitement, rushed through me as I quickly left the room. I hurriedly found my way to the palace courtyard, which would be more ideal for teleporting than the indoors, and left in a flurry of lightning. This is my chance! I can fix my mistake!

The moment I arrived outside of M's house, which was just outside the main village of the Red Kingdom, I knocked on his door. Surely he'll be here and answer, I reassured myself, my pulse racing. I was nervous and excited all at once.

The door cracked ever-so-slightly open. I saw M on the other side, his gaze narrowing as it met mine.

"What do you want?" he demanded, sounding irritated.

"I-... I wanted to apologize for what happened at the leaders' meeting," I stammered slightly. My voice was somewhat caught in my throat, but I made sure that my words didn't sound forced or insincere.

M's gaze sparked suddenly with anger. "It's too late for that. I thought I could trust you, and you lied to me. I don't care what you have to say."

My heart lurched suddenly as the door was slammed shut in front of me, any hope I had had before, crushed.