𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

19

As they strolled down the corridor leading towards the kitchen, they engaged in playful and spirited conversation, accompanied by laughter.

"Seems your father acts like any other king huh?"

"Indeed... I suppose you're right! My father is no different from any other king in the world... they never see their faults but think of the people they rule as nothing more then subjects to control or push around however they like... my father is a tyrant." Eren finished his sentence with a slight scowl reflecting his feelings about his father.

Upon entering the kitchen, you attentively attended to Eren's needs, pouring him a refreshing cup of tea while listening to his words. Your attentive and considerate demeanor made Eren feel welcomed and comfortable in your presence.

"My father has never really cared for me or my people... he has only had his own desires in mind... he wants me to do whatever he says and if I disobey he will make me pay." Eren said with a grimace on his face. "He is a controlling bastard." He continued to rant to you about how terrible his father was as he sat at a chair close to the table and sipped his tea. You immediately closed the doors to the balcony and kitchen and rubbed Eren's back reassuringly.

"My lord you must calm down your hands are shaking." Eren took a deep breath; his grip on the cup stopped shaking now as he was relaxing for the moment.

"Yes... I apologize I am just a bit stressed.He makes me so aggravated... just talking about him makes me so angry it's like a thorn in my side."

"I see that the saying blood is thicker then water does not apply to your family."

"Not at all... we were never that close... he was cold and distant as I grew up, always focused on his own goals and dreams, he never acknowledged my hard work... not even now when I have reached a position of power... he refuses to see my worth." Eren said as he placed the cup back down on the table." He has always treated me as merely a pawn in his game." Eren ended his sentence with a small sigh. He hated the feeling of being treated like nothing.

"As much as I wish I could help my lord, I can not."

"You already help me enough, Venus... just your presence comforts me." Eren said with a small smile, giving you a gentle and kind look." You are the only one who has treated me well in years and I genuinely appreciate all the kindness you have shown me. I just wish I could show you more appreciation in return..." Eren said with a slight sigh as he finished his sentence; he looked down at the table." Perhaps one day, I will be able to show you the happiness you deserve."

"Oh don't be like that... I am quite happy."

"How can you be content? Without power? What possibly could you be thrilled about in this life?"

"Well, I have Ms. Hilgred, who adopted me as her own. I have friends around me and the hobbies I told you about. Happiness doesn't need money my lord. Always remember that."

"I suppose I have learned from my father far too much... he has always put greed and power over anything else... as if money and status are the only thing that matter in life. Perhaps, I should be more humble. Possibly like you?" Eren said with a kind smile.

"Try to be more like me?! My lord I am not sure if should be flattered? Please the one thing I wish from you is to stay being yourself. Do not nitpick and try to be like other people."

"Yes Venus but I wish to be happy and at ease with my life," He continued." My father has always been cold and distant from me... he has never really shown me any kindness as I was growing up... I have only been taught to hate people and to push others away from my life and to always work no matter the cost... is this the way I should be?" Eren asked, feeling as if he was having a significant crisis. "Should I live my life like my father without happiness or care for others?"

"I can't have a say in that matter, but I will say this. Be you."

"But who am I?" Your heart ached at his words. The sadness in his eyes was hard to bare. He was lost, and you knew it.

"My lord... your you. Be the person you WANT to be, not anyone else. If not what your father says, then what would be the type of person your mother would want you to be?"

"My mother..." Eren remained silent momentarily as he remembered the kindness and loved his mother gave him as he was younger. "She would want me to be the best I can be. She was wonderful."

"She certainly was an amazing woman." You added in with a smile.

"No doubt about that. She may be gone, but her love forever will be with me. Such a kind heart she was... I want to be a man my mother would be proud of." You smiled and took his cup to refill it.

"I remember when I was much younger, gosh I had to be no older then seven when I worked alongside Ms. Hilgred. I remember she would always give me these honey sticks the maids would make every-time id run a little errand for your mother!" You laughed  and wiped your eyes from the tears that began to form. "Even so! One time I had run an errand and you and your brother began to throw eggs at me from a high window. Oh god... your mother was so mad she chased the two of you with shoe." Eren laughed slightly at your story as he remembered his younger antics.

"That does sound like something we would do at that age..." Eren remembered the playful days when he and his brother spent most of their time together laughing, smiling, and causing shenanigans. "My brother and I were quite the rascals back in the day huh?"

"Mischievous? Yes. You would always play the most meanest pranks on me and pick on me." She sighed with a laugh. "Which is why I was so shocked when we finally got to speak all those weeks ago that you hadn't remembered me, perhaps I must have changed quite a bit since we were kids huh?" Eren's eyes widened.

"God, now I remember that smile." He began to laugh some more. "My. . . we've grown, haven't we? I suppose change is good, I am simply thankful we can talk to one another now, of course in good faith!"

"Time truly does seem to fly..." She placed his cup of tea on the table before him and sighed as she stared into the hearth's fire. "No matter her passing, I am sure your mother is more than proud."

"I hope you are right, Venus... I truly hope you are." A tear had formed in his eye as he began to think about his mother. "Thank you for saying that... it means a lot."

"You are most welcome, though I hope that tea found you well."

"It was amazing." Eren looked into your eyes and smiled. "May we have more days like this."

"Knock on wood that we shall." With a soft chuckle escaping her lips, she turned her gaze towards the window. The sun had finally dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the cityscape. She couldn't help but let out a sigh at the end of another beautiful day. "It's gotten quite late, hasn't it?"

"I suppose it has. . . does this mean our evening togethor must be cut short?" You nodded with a smile.

"I have much to do in the kitchen before I get back to my quarters my lord. So I guess this is good night."

Good night then Venus..." Eren said with a smile. "Do get rest, I would hate for my maid to be all sluggish tommorrow." Following a light-hearted exchange, Eren departed from the kitchen, returning to his chambers. Settling by the window, he immersed himself in the serene ambiance. His gaze fixated on the tranquil sky above. The gentle breeze caressed his face, and the warm hues of the orange sunset offered a sense of solace. Eren lost himself in the moment, taking in the peaceful surroundings while pondering on his experiences and the memories of his beloved mother.

"I miss her truly. . ."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun