Raven was visibly frustrated, perhaps even upset. Eliezer could understand that much, but not what he had said or done to induce such feelings in her. She had displayed a rather wide spectrum of emotions during their time together on this day, and he still found himself trying to pinpoint what exactly he could do to keep her happy, and what did the opposite of that. He wondered what she was attempting to get at with the first couple of questions she had asked him, but he decided that he had nothing to lose by answering honestly.

"As I have said, my lady, care is something I have been taught. I have learned that it is only right to do so, that it is one of the gestures that makes one a good person. Perhaps it is a necessity that I do earn their favor, but that only proves how important the people of a kingdom are to any ruling family. As for the invitation, I can honestly tell you that my brother and I were never informed of your yearly event, though, I wonder why that is so."

At her mention of the King and Queen, Eliezer's first instinct was to jump to their defense. They were his parents, and the rulers of Dainia, after all. However, he caught himself in time, realizing that for her to speak of them in such a way, there must be at least something to be concerned about. What did she say his father had done? And for what purpose? He might just be able to find out more, in due time.

"I know nothing of my parents' true thoughts or intentions, only their actions. It would seem that the inability to effectively convey our thoughts and feelings runs in my family, save my brother, I believe. I had never thought much of their absence as Mathazar and I were growing up. I did not find it unusual, for it was all I had ever known. I also have no knowledge on the claims about my father's deeds, I apologize for my ignorance regarding the issue."

Raven then brought up his 'other side' once again. She spoke of the Eliezer who was heir to the throne of Dainia, and then of the one who was here with her at this time and place. Were the two not one and the same? He struggled to comprehend the meaning of her words, the difficulty he found in making sense of them apparent from the long pause before his next response. He hoped that he had finally understood what she had been trying to say. The first 'Eliezer' had to do with his duties, the second, his desires. A hint of exasperation could be noticed seeping through his usual phlegmatic facade when he eventually found words for the subject.  

"All this time, I have believed that I was adequate as a person, yet you seem to insist otherwise. You imply that I am somehow... incomplete, because I do not express my desires, and that upsets you. Why that is so, I still do not understand. Do my desires even matter? Why do they mean so much to you? What would be the use of wanting what I could never have? I do not think about what I want, for I am afraid of finding it unobtainable after discovering what it is. That is not happiness. I am... afraid... of ending up... more unhappy..." 

He trailed off at the moment of sudden realization. He was currently sharing things about himself that he had never known about. Was it what she wanted to hear? Was it too much? He decided to stop himself there, and finish off with something else he had wanted to say.

"I can assure you one thing, my lady, that everything I have said to you today - about what I think of you, and how grateful I am that you have brought me here, is absolutely true."

He then took a glance at the sunset after their conversation, and ended off by thanking her for keeping his needs in mind when she mentioned him having to return to the palace. When she showed him the passageway that lead into the palace, he assumed that it had been Mathazar who had shown it to her first when he had invited her to the ball. If anyone at the palace knew of a secret path in or out, it would be his brother. He had not expected her to kiss him goodbye, and found himself stuttering slightly as he gave a reply after he was caught off guard by the gesture.

"I... had a lovely time with you today, and I truly mean that. A very good night to you, my lady, until we meet again," he said to her with a quick bow, before heading back to the palace.
[hr]
"Mathazar, have Father and Mother called for us yet?"

[i]Eliezer?![/i] The younger spun around at the hushed voice, stunned to see his brother back at the palace peering in through his doorway. How could this happen? It should have been a simple job for Raven to finish. He did not let Eliezer see that he was shocked, however, and instead put on a show of concern. He got up from his seat and approached the elder.

"Not yet, but it is wonderful that you are back safe," Mathazar responded, before raising an eyebrow at his twin. "I see that you are troubled. Did the lady not meet your expectations?"

Eliezer let out a sigh. "It is not so much what I had expected as what I did not. You see, despite us only having met for the second time, it is as if she knows me better than I know myself, perhaps even better than you do."

Mathazar let out a chuckle and shook his head. "That is absurd, Eliezer. Nobody can know you better than I."

"You know not what took place, Mathazar. Today was, so intriguing, yet worrying at the same time. I have never felt such a way before," the elder attempted to explain.

The younger nodded with a smile, and took his brother by the shoulders. "You have to see her again, brother. Have your questions answered, lest you continue to be restless for goodness knows how long."

"You are right," Eliezer agreed. "Thank you once again, for everything."
[hr]
At the break of dawn on the following day, a royal messenger would arrive at the village looking for Miss Raven Omrea. She would be handed a letter bearing the royal seal. Upon opening the envelope, she would read the following message:

[i]My dearest Lady Raven Omrea,

I must say that I have had very much to think about after our meeting the day before. Your questions most certainly shed light on issues that I would have never considered on my own. However, your reactions and feelings towards my so-called 'situation' continue to perplex me. What was it that you truly desired out of me? Were you hurt because I was not happy in your eyes? You asked me if the King and Queen loved each other. Perhaps it was love that you were showing me. Regretfully, I realize that I am rather unfamiliar with the concept, but I wish to learn more.

By writing to you, I believe that for the first time, I am fulfilling the 'duty to my heart', as you have put it. Until you spoke of it, I was not aware that there was even such a thing for me. I have admitted my fear to you, something else that I had been unaware of. Could it be then, that I should not explore this on my own? If it were to be with anyone, I would like for it to be with you, my lady. I am extending an invitation to you to the palace, where I sincerely hope we could converse once again. I eagerly await your response.

Best regards,
Eliezer of Dainia
[/i]