Eliezer let his hand fall to his side when she did not take it, and just listened to what she had to say. It was surreal to hear such words being spoken about the brother whom he grew up with - his adviser, his support, the one person who understood him when nobody else did. He was aware that while Mathazar had always been there to listen to whatever was troubling him, he had, in turn, never shared any of his own issues with Eliezer. Eliezer had all the while believed that it was because his brother had it all together, and it had been something he had always admired about Mathazar. However, it was now clear that the real reason for this was that he had never trusted Eliezer. Eliezer could not even recall a time when his brother had expressed to him his desire to inherit the throne. All their lives... did he really mean nothing to his brother? When the time would come for all to be revealed, Eliezer wanted answers.

"All this time... I had believed that if anything should happen to me, Dainia would be left in good hands," he bitterly commented. "I could not have been more wrong."

"This is all the more reason for you to protect yourself, Your Highness," Hildebrand added. "And for me to guard you with my life, for Dainia. I am sorry that we had to discover this about your brother."

"If this is true, then my brother never existed, only a figment of one created by a stranger who shares my blood. There will be peace for you and your family, Sir Hildebrand, as well as for those of our soldiers who were killed in that convoy, I assure you."

Hildebrand nodded. "Much appreciated, Your Highness."

Eliezer looked Raven in the eyes, reaching up to brush some stray strands of hair from her face before wiping her tears with the cuff of his sleeve. Inside, he was lost, confused, and devastated, but he forced a light smile, wanting to comfort his lady. He stood, holding his hand out to her once again, and hoped that she would take it this time.

"Very well, we shall look out for the Red Robin. Do inform us if you or your companions spot her, but do not engage her until we have sufficient evidence."