Torn

Chapter Eighteen: Dinner Chat.

After cleaning up, the couple left the room to head to dinner. Cyrus of course kept his head down as they moved about. The Prince had no intentions on looking at the walls the rest of the time they were there. At least, not directly.

Garth stood quietly in the dining hall. As the two of them entered, the ravened haired male smiled before lightly brushing his hair back in its ragged mess, "Uncle Victor, and, Prince Cyrus. I hope the two of you have worked up quite an appetite. The cooks have prepared some excellent dishes. Soups, fresh venison, bread, and even some ale." Garth smiled light before he took a seat, "Please do come sit."

Victor lightly tilted his head. This was, strange. Did Garth have a sudden change of heart? Why wasn't he being as rude as before? Victor hoped that he had thought about what he said. The King nodded lightly before pulling out a seat for Cyrus to the left of him. Garth, sat on the opposite side. The red headed male didn't want Cyrus anymore uncomfortable then he had to be, "This looks great, Garth. I hope you're feeling better about things?"

Garth had began making his plate. He shook his head lightly as Victor asked him questions, "If we must get along, then we must, but no, I'm not." Garth smiled lightly, "Now, you two get your stomachs full." The male was quite blunt. He lightly rolled his shoulders before leaning back and beginning to eat. Garth was honest about things. Quite. In his mind, there was no sense in hiding his opinion. His power had made him that way.

Cyrus had never seen so much food. At least, not in some time. The young sprite moved about before sitting next to Victor. He kept his hands in his lap as he looked about. It all looked so good. Garth had already started eating as the two continued talking. The Prince knew he wasn't welcome here, but it hurt more to have it hidden. Cyrus merely nodded at Garth's comment, "A-and I will be out of here as quickly as possible." The blonde's eyes lit up softly. Cyrus was shy, but he had a attitude when he wanted one. The young male looked at Victor, "Would you like me to make your plate?" Cyrus wasn't going to let Garth bother him. At least, try to prevent him from bothering him as much as possible. He intended on being polite, but he wouldn't always take the punishment of staying silent.

Garth rolled his eyes. He continued to eat as he listened to Cyrus. The male's cheeks darkened as the young male snapped right back at him with the remark. The Lord grinned and merely shook his head, "Eat. Before I change my mind."

"Enough! The both of you." King Victor looked at the two of them. The male shook his head lightly before taking a deep breath. He was trying to keep them at peace with one another long enough for him to get his things done so they could leave. After the two of them calmed down, Victor smiled and turned his attention to Cyrus, "I'll make my plate, but thank you for asking. You eat."

Cyrus didn't ask twice. He started making himself a plate of all the food. Truly he was left in awe with such a large variety. He made him a plate and began to eat. Victor did the same. The Prince didn't want Victor upset with him. Cyrus felt lost at this point, but he kept his thoughts hushed. For now.

They all ate quietly for some time. The King had finally got his point across with Garth, and that was all that was needed for now. Victor and Garth enjoyed ale as they spoke to one another. Victor was trying to keep Garth's mind off his love, but more so, they were colleagues and family. The two had quite a bit to discuss.

"When we speak with Lord Tyron, I expect you know what you have to say? He's quite particular about crop." The male leaned back in his seat as he drank his glass of ale, "If we can't talk him into at least half his crop this year will mean no ale. I think it's safe to say he could never say no to you." Garth chuckled heavily before bashing his hand into the table, "To be a king is to be a rich man is it not?"

Victor chuckled softly. The male ran his fingers through his hair before shrugging lightly. The king's ember eyes lit up as Garth spoke, "It is about having control of your people. Give them enough fear to know not to try and overrule you, but enough respect to get them to work. You understand that, Garth? That's what you have to realize. The riches mean nothing without our people." Victor knew how to be a king, but he had lost sight of what he was. The male was trying to regain that for Cyrus. He wanted him happy. That's all that mattered to him at this point. Victor sighed softly before leaning back in his seat, "You'll understand when you take my place, Garth, but that won't be for a long time."

Cyrus listened to the two talk. He could tell that they were close by the way they bickered back and forth. Though it wouldn't surprise him if they had fought before. The blonde felt that Garth had a resentment for Cyrus not just because he was to be a queen, but what if he said was true. Could Cyrus give Victor a child? What would the male's elders have to say?

The blonde leaned forward in his seat before letting out a deep sigh as he took his own glass of the strong ale and began to drink. Truly he was scared for the both of them.

'What am I going to do?'