All his life, King Hyacinth has been the enemy, and not just because Elusia has pushed back Father's attempts to widen Brodia's borders for so long. His history teachers have told him of the Kingdom's slow shift to Fell Dragon worship, to the point where many have openly wished for his awakening. If turning their backs on the Divine Dragon herself after she entrusted them with an Emblem Ring isn't wicked, then what is?

He's been living in Elusia for three months as Crown Princess Ivy's betrothed. A position better suited to Diamant, just like everything else important in this world, but King Hyacinth specifically requested Alcryst. To keep Father in line. Princess Ivy, smart and well-attuned to Elusia's crafty ways, explained her father had carefully omitted certain details of the agreement until the last minute so Father wouldn't be able to refuse.

He was allowed to bring Lapis and Citrinne with him, and they've adjusted quite well to their surroundings. Citrinne's confidence has bloomed as she finds herself surrounded by so many mages, while Lapis has found a surprising new friend in Goldmary, retainer to Princess Ivy's younger sister.

Alcryst has tried to get comfortable, because sitting alone in his room being homesick isn't going to change anything. Princess Hortensia finally seems to accept him, and her other retainer Rosado constantly tells him how cute he is and says he'd be glad to take him for a ride on his wyvern anytime he asks.

Princess Ivy's retainers seem to like him. Kagetsu does, anyway, though his energy is a bit intimidating. Zelkov finds him "acceptable", but he doesn't seem to favor anyone's company most of the time. Princess Ivy assures him he's less scary than his unique speech patterns let on, though.

He's barely spoken to Queen Azalea, and according to Princess Ivy it's better that way. Alcryst's own mother is firm but kind, never missed a chance to tell him or Diamant how much she loves them, and every letter of hers begins with my sweet boy. Queen Azalea is beautiful but incredibly cold, opportunistic; she treats Princess Hortensia well, but only because of a promise she made the girl's mother.

And then, there's the King himself. The enemy, the man who tricked Father into signing away his son to keep him and his armies in line. He's often quite busy, but once a week he's sought Alcryst out for a game of chess, a history lesson, or a simple talk.

Alcryst never knows what to say.

He's in the library, as usual. The books bring him comfort, and today he was surprised to find a series of boys' adventure books on the shelves, so he's buried himself in one about two siblings exploring an old cave.

"You really love to read, don't you?" Alcryst squeaks, nearly dropping the book. King Hyacinth stands beside him, smiling. Alcryst still doesn't know what to make of those smiles.

"I'm sorry if I'm spending too much time here."

"Don't apologize." The King gestures towards the book's worn paper cover. "That was one of my favorites when I was Hortensia's age." Alcryst blinks.

"Really?" One of the less-biased things he's always known about Elusia is that they prize knowledge, that their shelves are packed with history and magic and botany and other informational tomes. That even their works of fiction are meant to enlighten and educate, that "fun" isn't a priority where reading is concerned.

King Hyacinth chuckles, going over to a set of armchairs and motioning for Alcryst to sit down.

"I know you must not be able to picture it, but when I was a child, I couldn't get enough of these simple little adventure tales," he says as Alcryst carefully settles himself into the plush armchair. "As a Prince, I spent most of my time indoors studying politics and history. I envied children who could go off and explore the forests, the caves, the seaside without barely a care in the world." He sighs. "Had I known I would be taking the throne instead of my brother, I'd have snuck out for at least one adventure."

Alcryst swallows, placing a well-worn bookmark between the pages as he sets the book down. He knows about the succession drama, how King Hyacinth's brother was supposed to inherit but didn't, and how one of the royal retainers left shortly after the older Prince did.

In Brodia, the firstborn child inherits the throne and that's final.

"I'm sorry. That you never had that chance," he says.

"So am I. But I can't say I'm entirely unhappy," the King says. "I have two wonderful daughters, and Elusia is prospering more and more now that..." He trails off. "Ah, I suppose I shouldn't say it. Not to you."

"It's okay." Alcryst sighs. "I...understand you don't have the warmest feelings towards Brodia. Or my father."

"Perhaps not." King Hyacinth places a hand on Alcryst's shoulder. "But as of right now, he continues to uphold his end of the pact, so I should give him some credit."

In the beginning, Father's letters would say Alcryst could come back home anytime he wanted, pact be damned. Then Diamant told him that no matter what Father said, he wouldn't dream of endangering Brodia by being an overprotective father. He just misses you, and he's not the only one.

"I do understand that you're more than a little homesick, however," King Hyacinth continues. "And...as a father, I imagine King Morion feels the space left by your absence. Were it one of my daughters, I'd feel exactly the same way."

"It's not that I don't appreciate your hospitality," Alcryst says. "You've all been far more cordial to me than I deserve, even if I weren't a Prince of Brodia. Especially Princess Ivy." He blanches. "She didn't go out of her way to ask you to reach out to me, did she? Because if she did, and I've been such a spineless-"

"She did not. But my daughter is very fond of you." King Hyacinth's sincere gaze locks with Alcryst's. "She wants you to feel at home in Elusia, and as a future member of our family. I'm simply taking a page from her book."

Family.

His own family is far away, back in Brodia. Every day he wishes he could hear Diamant's hearty laugh, feel Father ruffling his hair, see his mother's smile. He knows Citrinne misses them and her own family just as much. Lapis worries that the money she sends her family is arriving on time.

But Princess Ivy promised from day one that she'd make sure he felt safe here, and while the others haven't been quite as warm (save for Rosado and Kagetsu), they've slowly become more and more accepting of a Brodian Prince under their roof.

And right now, King Hyacinth, a man he was taught to fear his whole life, is treating him so warmly. Him, the son of a man he still holds resentment towards.

Diamant is superior to Alcryst in very way. He'd have fit in perfectly with Elusia's royal household from the beginning. But you're the one there, not me, his letters said, and while I miss you every day, in Elusia, you can finally be more than just the second Prince of Brodia. Be the kind, charming, and talented person you truly are, and let them see it. Let them appreciate you.

King Hyacinth is still smiling at him, and after a moment, Alcryst smiles back.

"Thank you. I promise, I'll never give you a reason to regret this."

They spend the rest of the afternoon reading together, from the books King Hyacinth so loved as a child and the ones that still bring Alcryst comfort even as he moves further away from his own childhood.

It's not the same as reading with Father, but for the first time he feels comfortable around his future father-in-law.