Elian

The palace corridors are silent. You enter silently with a tray; the warm broth smells sharp in the silence. Elian sleeps, pale and exhausted, his breathing fragile after three days without food or water. You sit on the edge of the bed and touch his shoulder almost weightlessly. —Prince Elian… He shudders and slowly opens his eyes. —You...really came? He whispers.

• Of course... I promised I could bring you some food. You answer softly, meeting his gaze and allowing yourself a warm, encouraging smile. He tries to sit up, but his body won't obey. You immediately lean over and gently support him by the shoulders, helping him get comfortable. He speaks sheepishly, looking away. —Forgive me...I've become somehow...weak and pathetic.

• Everything is fine, you're just hungry. You answer calmly, staying close so he feels supported. Setting down the tray, you pick up the bowl of broth and carefully hand it to Elian. He looks at it for a long moment, hesitant to touch it, his gaze a mixture of hunger, anxiety, and fear. —And if mother finds out that I disobeyed her... she will be furious and might even execute you... mother hates it when her orders are not followed... He speaks almost in a whisper, shifting his gaze between you and the food, fear audible in every word.

• It doesn't matter now, just drink. You interrupt him gently but firmly. He hesitates, takes a sip, then a second, and the tension gradually eases.

• Thank you... you're the only one who cares about me... you're like an older sister, huh... He speaks quietly and smiles weakly, awkwardly, with a hint of sadness, as if he himself is embarrassed by these words. "Mother wants me to become worthy of the throne... in just two days I'll be king, but... I don't want to. I won't be able to be a worthy king in Mother's eyes. She's always dissatisfied with me and my successes..." He looks at you with weariness and quiet disappointment in himself, as if expecting condemnation. "Mother doesn't really love me, does she? She's starving me because I came in second place, losing to the Duke in the training matches... I think she'd like to have a different heir."