Eliezer attempted to keep his composure during the emergency meeting with his family, though, Mathazar immediately noticed his brother's agitation, as well as Hildebrand's concern. There still was not much that Eliezer could hide from him, and the younger twin was positive that the both of them knew much more than he was comfortable with. When it was over, he then passed Robynne along the hallway, and whispered to her as he did so.
"Watch the knight."
After Hildebrand had escorted Eliezer back to his quarters, he began searching the chamber carefully while providing the prince with an explanation. "The exchange I had with Miss Read the day before took place within the palace walls, which meant that this 'Shadow' had somehow managed to enter without being seen. I am simply doing my best to ensure that there is nobody else is in this room before I leave you be to rest, as I believe you would prefer. It has been an intense morning, after all."
"Not this time, Sir Hildebrand. Do remain here for awhile longer," came the response.
The knight turned to the Eliezer in surprise. "Do you truly no longer feel safe, Your Highness?"
"It is not that, Sir Hildebrand," said the prince, taking a seat and gesturing to another. "I believe I require... a listener."
Hildebrand hesitated at first, unsure if he was suited for the task, but decided that he had no right to refuse if Eliezer had chosen him to be a confidant. "If there is anything I can do to aid you, Your Highness, you can be certain that I shall."
Eliezer nodded. "Seeing as how you were on the topic of Miss Read, perhaps you would like to share more about what happened between the two of you that caused as much suspicion as it did."
"She does speak to many of the young male staff in such a manner, not in the presence of the royal family, of course, but we have never minded it. However, the part about her being in love with your brother has been unheard of until now. If this is true, then she would have a motive to work for him as the Red Robin."
"This 'love' is quite a troublesome emotion, is it not?" Eliezer shook his head with a sigh. "It causes one to think irrationally. How else could Lady Omrea, or rather, Princess Raven of Lunar despise me for putting Dainia before 'us'?"
"I... I'm sorry about her, Your Highness."
Eliezer was visibly getting increasingly worked up as he continued to speak. "It is clear that Allister is not pleased with it either. All I wish is to do right by my people, but I have not been at peace ever since this all began. My brother was the one who hired her because he wants me dead. She was the one who fell in love with me, and now it is my decisions that have left her heartbroken because I am only now aware of the circumstances? How am I to blame for any of this?"
Hildebrand stared at the prince in shock as the latter went on his angry rant. It was one thing to be around an individual who had a tendency to display their anger, but the knight had never seen the usually mild-mannered crown prince in such a state before. It was apparent that the pressure was getting to Eliezer, and the last thing Hildebrand wanted was for him to completely snap.
"You are not, Your Highness," Hildebrand assured him. "I believe that all your life, you have never been made to feel that you have failed anyone. The truth is, no matter how much you try to please everyone, how much of a 'doll' you try to be, someone is bound to be unsatisfied with your efforts at some point, and this is beyond your control. You cannot make Princess Raven and Mister Cornell agree with the choices you have made, just as the princess could not stop you from making such choices."
"I did not have a choice, Sir Hildebrand..."
"You had a choice, and you made it, Your Highness. It was either her or the kingdom, but it was your decision, and no one has the right to tell you if you were right or wrong."
"I know very well that my decision was the right one, but... why do I still hurt?" The prince asked, his voice wavering slightly.
"Because you still love her."
"It matters not anymore. Dainia and my family would never accept us. She also now loathes me because of what I have said."
"It matters to you, Your Highness. She was wrong about one thing - you will never be a 'doll' again. You never be the same, for your time with her has changed you."
"So I shall continue to hurt, because of what she has done to me? How... how do I stop it? How do I stop hurting?"
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but this is the point where I can no longer continue to advise you on what to do, for I am unsure of the right answers myself."