“Thank you, Your Highness,” Rivalen said when Roxanne agreed to keep his ‘true intentions’ a secret, though her following words caused his ever-present smile to waver. “I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see the next time a wizard attacks, now won’t you? Although, I do hope neither of us will have to encounter such a dangerous situation as that, My Lady. I’d prefer not to engage a sorcerer in battle if I can avoid it, as their kind is known to be violent and ruthless in nature. If I can live my days in the castle only fighting dust bunnies and dirty stockings, I can truly say that I will be content.” But he knew that wasn’t going to be an option. Morold was already pulling the strings to arrange a mock-battle that would keep Cedric occupied, and it was only a matter of time before Rivalen found an opportunity to clear out the presiding royal family. So, as tempting as it was, the life of a pampered servant boy was not for him.

Though… thinking about it now, Rivalen had to wonder how he could falsify a convincing weakness during his staged fight. It had to be something real enough that Cedric would believe he was a capable ‘witch-slayer,’ but subtle enough that it would leave the king wondering just how he did it. Meeting such specific requirements would be tricky. He would have to look through his spell books later and see if there was anything he could use.

Distracted by thoughts of the upcoming battle, Roxanne’s next words caught Rivalen completely off-guard. His eyes widened in surprise when she suggested that he bring his father to the castle for medical treatment. He never expected her to make such an offer—it was why he had chosen the lie in the first place! Morold couldn’t come to the palace. His face was known by many of the king’s guards after all of the battles he had waged against them, and he would be recognized immediately, blowing Rivalen’s cover in turn. He fidgeted anxiously, his eyes shifting away from the princess’s face as he examined a suddenly interesting tapestry on the wall, “Err, thank you for your generosity, My Lady. I appreciate it; I really do, but my father… he’s an ornery man. He refuses to leave his home for fear of dying on strange soil.” Rivalen forced himself to meet Roxanne’s gaze again, faltered for a moment, and then went on, “He is stubbornly content in Oldpine, where he is being cared for… by a close friend of his, one whom he has known since his own adolescent years.” He bit his lip, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plausible excuse. “Even if His Highness gives the order directly, my father will not leave his home. So, I am truly grateful for your offer, My Lady, but I must respect my father’s wishes. I’m afraid I have to decline.”

At the princess’s question, Rivalen managed to give a halfhearted smile, as if the effort was straining, “Of course I worry about him. He’s the only family I have left, even if he is a stubborn old man.” He paused, slightly surprised by the truthfulness of his own words. Even though Morold was not ill, he was reckless, and that recklessness had often led him into many close calls with the knights in Oldpine before. Rivalen remembered the long nights during his childhood where he would lie awake, wondering if his father would return home from his attacks on the kingdom. He was often concerned about Morold’s safety, and he was even more so now that the man was living on his own with no one to talk him out of any foolhardy ideas.

“I’ve actually written to him already,” Rivalen said, his smile now coming a bit more naturally as he recalled the brief conversation he had had with his father. Morold had been mostly critical of his actions, as he always was, but he had also praised him for getting a high-ranking position in the castle. He was never one to offer praise lightly, so the subtle compliment meant quite a bit to Rivalen. “It was the first thing I did when I found my room. Honestly, I think my father didn’t expect me to get the position, since… well… since I lack certain [i]feminine[/i] qualities, but he will be pleased to hear that His Majesty thought highly enough of my humble talents to give me the job in spite of that.” He sat up a bit straighter on his stool, proud with the knowledge that Morold was indeed impressed with his progress so far.

Rivalen fell silent again when Roxanne began questioning him about his interests. He stifled a frustrated sigh. Again, he was faced with a subject about which he could not be fully honest. In reality, he often spent his time practicing spells from his books—proper pronunciation was a cruel mistress—or studying recipes for interesting potions. Magic was sewn deeply into every part of his life to the point where he could not separate himself from it. Did he even have any [i]normal[/i] hobbies? Truly, he couldn’t say for sure.

“Um… yes, literature is quite alright by me, My Lady,” Rivalen said, looking at the princess concernedly when she began to cough. After a moment, however, she seemed fine again, so he continued, “Since I’ve lived in a small village throughout my entire life, I haven’t had access to many books, so I wouldn’t mind learning a little more about the kingdom I come from.” He paused, thinking again. “Since I’ve been busy assisting my father, I haven’t found time to develop many of my own interests. I suppose I never minded working in the field, but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it, either. However, I do know that I would like to spend some more time exploring the castle. I’ve only seen a small fraction of the hallways and rooms, yet I feel as though I’ve seen more riches than I ever imagined could exist—and those are only the decorations!” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’m sure I’ll find other ways to occupy myself when I’m not serving you, My Lady, but for now wandering the castle is the pastime that piques my interest the most.”