Upon seeing the two leave the pavilion and Raven beckoning for him, Hildebrand immediately left his post and walked up beside Eliezer. He glanced at the prince, silently questioning if this was because the topic that they had discussed with Allister a couple of days back had already come up. The other clearly read his expression, and responded to the nonverbal inquiry with a regretful and weary nod. Once the three were hidden, Eliezer attempted to mentally prepare himself for what he would hear, though, he would soon find out that it would make no difference in how he would take the news.

So, what his butler had said, about Raven's initial intention, and about his brother, was all true. He did not know what he was expecting. He had to consider the high possibility that this was so, but he had been hoping to goodness that somehow, it was not. Mathazar, the one person whom all his life, he had thought that he could trust, wanted him dead. How was he going to face his brother? How long would he have to keep pretending that he knew nothing? As for his relationship with Raven, it would simply be wrong to continue what they had, but he could not forget all she had done for him, and what she had put on the line to be with him. His mind raced as he tried to deal with the internal conflict he was currently experiencing while his knight and his lady interacted, but he was snapped out of his thoughts when the situation escalated and he found Raven on the ground.

Hildebrand turned to Eliezer, prompting the prince for some instruction. "Your Highness?"

"Stand down, Sir Hildebrand," came the response.

Hildebrand nodded and sheath his sword. "Shall I take the assassin into custody?"

Eliezer shook his head, much to the astonishment of his knight. "I do not recommend letting her go, Your Highness. You can never be too sure of-"

"She spared my life and went to great lengths to protect me, Sir Hildebrand," Eliezer cut him off. "It is only right that I return the favor."

The prince turned to his sobbing lady on the ground, but continued to address his knight. "She said that our relationship is her only reason to live. This should not be so. I am grateful that she loves me, but she should not need me. She has much more to live for apart from what we have together. Unfortunately, this is not so for myself. I live for one thing and that is Dainia. Upon inheriting the throne of this kingdom, I shall be shouldering the responsibility of making decisions for my people, and if the decision that I make today ends with my death, then it would mean that I am not fit to rule Dainia."

He stepped closer to Raven and knelt in front of her, offering her his hand. Though seemingly calm, he internally fought to keep himself together, for he had never experienced such mixed emotions before. Hurt, betrayal, gratitude, pity... love. He did not know which he would have acted on previously, but now, he was determined to confidently make his own decision, one he would make with his own heart.

"You spoke of my brother's intention to have me assassinated, my lady. If this is true, then aid me in exposing him, and my trust shall be yours once again."