Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

Beauty and the Beast

This thing is like a wolf

This thing is a wolf

Thus, it is a thing to be banished.

When Ranni arrived at Godwyn's door, she hesitated, her knuckles floating inches over the wood. She soon gained her composure and courage and made a gentle knock on the door. Kenneth answered and—after the initial surprise—beamed a smile.

"Welcome, dear Princess Ranni. It is quite the pleasure, truly," said Kenneth, kissing her cheek. He stood aside to allow Ranni entry.

"It's a pleasure to see thee as well," replied Ranni as she looked around.

Godwyn's chambers were spotless despite the evidence that they were lived in. He had never been interested in keeping things clean, much less organized, so seeing everything sorted and properly placed made the chambers feel almost alien.

"Is Godwyn here?"

"Of course! He'll be about in a moment," said Kenneth. "And how have things been?"

"As well as could be expected," said Ranni. "And thyself?" 

"I do have a few worries. There was a lot of indirect criticism toward your sister. Surprisingly, the obvious close relationship between her and Radahn is the least of anyone's worries. Demigods are far from mortal, after all. However, there are some concerns about Miquella using this as an opportunity to continue to spread his influence. I'm hoping this criticism does not reach your sister. She's starting to gain a reputation of being a formidable swordsman." 

"They will not. And if they do, I will take the brunt of this criticism and see it never reaches her ears," said Ranni.

"I'm sure you will."

"Ranni? You came?"

Godwyn stood at the doorway between the threshold and the sitting area of his chambers. He had shaved his beard and brushed back his hair into a tight ponytail. He stared at Ranni with a smile, which, for some reason, made Ranni both smile and feel shy enough to have to break eye contact.

"Well, I'll take my leave then. I'm sure the two of you have much to talk about," said Kenneth.

Ranni almost wished Kenneth had stayed. She stood in front of the man she was the most accountable to. He had every reason to be angry—to hate her even—and yet he chose to smile.

He broke eye contact and then rubbed the back of his head, "I, um... didn't think you would come," said Godwyn.

"Here I am," said Ranni.

"Yes, of course. Um... I understand if there are certain things you won't want to talk about," said Godwyn.

"They're fine, Godwyn."

Godwyn again smiled and closed his eyes. He sighed, releasing all his fear and worry about what happened. He basked in a moment of joy, which the last thirteen years wouldn't afford him.

"Are you hungry? I could have the servants bring you something," said Godwyn.

"Perhaps something to drink," she said.

Godwyn nodded and went into the other room to fetch a bottle of wine. He was soon interrupted by a knock on the door, and Godwyn asked Ranni to wait a moment while he addressed whoever was there. It was one of his knights delivering the evening report, as was customary to any well-dressed and organized military unit.

Ranni looked around in this place, which now felt so strange and uncomfortable, but in the hope that she might find some part of the man she once loved. A shirt drooped over a chair or a hairbrush in some inexplicable place, but she saw none of that. Not even so much as a loose thread of hair on anything.