[center][h1][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5157586][color=MediumAquamarine]Arin von Astastel[/color][/url][/h1][/center]
Rynn shook her head. "No. No one in the castle would dare." She straightened, crossing her arms over her chest and taking a step back into her room. "I've known them all my life. Some of them only most of it, but long enough."

Arin was tired. Very tired. He traveled and worked for what felt like an entire day, without a wink of sleep. Then there was this headache, though self-induced, it didn’t help. Little things grated him. In Arin’s current state, Rynn words were like flint striking steel over tinder. It caused a spark and without the energy to dampen it, a small fire of frustration kindled within Arin. 

The elf’s eyes narrowed, “[color=MediumAquamarine]I said evidence, [i]princess[/i]. As in tangible, concrete, proof. Not feelings. I will not go so far as to say that feelings are not important, but they are undoubtedly subjective. I want proof that there is no possible way that someone of the royal bloodline or people close the crown would not commit a crime against the monarch. You should know very well that I based my suspicions on facts, a chest fool of them. I even have the decency to entertain the possibility that I may be wrong because I know that I can be.[/color]” He pointed his finger at the woman in front of him. “[color=MediumAquamarine]But what about you? Just a ‘no, you are wrong because I am right’. End of story? ‘I am not obligated to prove to you anything because I am the princess and you are an outsider? My word is law here?’ Are you so naïve to think that no one close to you will ever cause you harm?[/color]”

A flash of a time long passed, crossed Arin’s mind. Memories of his family, the elementary family. Reminders of how your own flesh and blood could tear your heart out. When was the last time his mother laughed from the bottom of her heart? He can’t even remember what his father’s smile looked like.

“[color=MediumAquamarine]I am sorry that you are not able to cope with the harsh reality that we live in a world where the closest ones to you, hurt you the most because you, quote-unquote, know them. That family and friends are just as likely, sometimes even more likely, to steal, rape, beat, or murder you as some random person on the street, but that is the world we are in. If you cannot handle that, I recommend you return to your ivory tower. At least there, you can live in sweet ignorant bliss. Untainted by people like me who dare [b][i]suggest[/i][/b] the [i][b]possibility[/b][/i] that someone you know used you and your family to get what they want.[/color]”

Arin knew he was going on a tangent at this point. The only thing he wanted to say was that if it was impossible for any family member ---present or absent in the castle---, servent, or guard to steal the dagger from the castle, then she needed to give a reasonable explanation that went beyond “because I know them.” Knowing someone never guaranteed they would never commit a crime. Besides, how well can a person truly “know” another person, when people don’t always understand themselves? 

Arin took a single deep breath to calm himself. He reminded himself that he was on business. It would be more than unwise to let his emotions get the better of him.

He summarized the points he wanted to make, “[color=MediumAquamarine]We need evidence to support our claims. Feelings are not proof. Believing that you know someone does not mean you know everything about them. You are not omniscient, nor am I. My hypothesis is based on what I found in the vault and what your people told me. Within an hour, I might add. Your denial of my hypothesis, as far as I can tell, is based on emotions. A reflex from feeling offended. If you want to prove me wrong, base your arguments on evidence.[/color]” He couldn't resist the opportunity to add, “[color=MediumAquamarine]I welcome it with open arms for I am interested in finding out the truth, no matter how brutal it may be, and not be fixated on maintaining my worldview. Unlike some people,[/color]” He didn’t say who, but his pointed look said more than enough, “[color=MediumAquamarine]I am not afraid or ashamed of being wrong.[/color]” At least, not about these thefts. 

“[color=MediumAquamarine]So, pray tell, why is it impossible when the evidence so far suggests someone you know was involved in [b][i]some[/i][/b] capacity? Are you withholding information that could change the entire course of this investigation?[/color]” He didn’t think she was, especially after the conversation they had in the castle’s study. He had cast a detect lie spell in addition to the speech encryption spell. She spoke truthfully. However, it was possible that he wasn’t asking the right questions. 

He heard someone across the hallway leave their room, but he didn’t take the chance to look at who it was, not wanting to give Rynn an excuse to avoid answering him because of some distraction. Considering how close the sound was, he was sure it was Elra anyways. 

If Rynn wasn’t going to answer, he wanted her to know that it was because she didn’t have any to give. No proof to support her claims. That “knowing someone” was just simply not enough.