Growing up, like the others who were rescued, they underwent extensive training and education to 'correct' what was taught to them.
As a result, most of them were isolated from the outside world for a few years, and only after seeing that they were deemed qualified for normal human interactions were they slowly permitted to leave, albeit with monitoring still in place.
"I declined knowing this but," Rylan thought of someone, and he subconsciously smiled. "A person I deeply respected persuaded me."
He looked up and saw the curiosity in the crown prince's face. However, he chose not to divulge who it was, not daring to mention who it was.
In his heart, that was his savior and the reason he took this path, vowing to be loyal to the royal family until he died.
Minutes passed, and unknowingly, the two of them were already in their fourth bottle. Rylan also realized that he found it hard to maintain his professional demeanor when he was with the prince.
He had long noticed that the crown prince was not treating him as the typical bodyguard... more like, perhaps, a friend?
Rylan's cheeks were now flushed, not different from the crown prince. He was also starting to get lightheaded, perhaps the reason he did not mind his behavior as much as he always did in front of someone he swore to protect.
"Can I ask you, Your Highness?" Rylan stared straight through the Crown Prince's eyes, which were now gleaming. For some reason, despite the visible blush in his cheeks indicating he was also getting drunk, his eyes remained sharp and became even more intimidating.
Especially as the alpha narrowed his eyes slightly and focused his piercing gaze on him. Rylan could not help but swallow hard, his Adam's apple moving at the action. He felt like being watched by a very terrifying predator, which was not far from the truth.
"What is it?" Savier, the crown prince's voice was now hoarse, making it deeper than usual.
Rylan held his breath for a second, hesitating whether to actually continue. However, as those gazes practically motioned him to continue, he had to do it.
Fortunately, the effect of the alcohol was also now influencing him.
"Why do you treat me kindly, Your Highness?" Finally, Rylan let out the words he wanted to ask. This had been lingering in his mind, and he just could not speak out loud, much less directly ask Savier.
The Crown Prince's brow furrowed, making Rylan's heart skip a beat.
"What do you mean?"
Rylan swallowed again and explained. "Like now, letting me eat with you."
The furrow in his brows did not dissipate, but instead deepened at this. He somehow looked even more confused.
"Is there something wrong with doing that?"
Rylan blinked; his instinctive answer was to say yes, but looking at that gaze made him pause. He saw through the genuine confusion in those eyes.
As though noticing the hesitation in Rylan's expression, the crown prince eased his expression, but his confusion did not leave his face.
"Sir Rylan," His voice low but gentle, even his gaze softened slightly. "I've also been meaning to ask you this. Are you... Perhaps, mistaking me for a tyrant?"
Rylan blinked, first slowly, then rapidly, processing what he just heard. He tilted his head, and this time the one who furrowed his brows.
Seeing him like this, the alpha in front of him chuckled and leaned his back on the seat. Again, Savier did not wait for him to respond and immediately continued.
"I always get curious why Sir Rylan seems very fixated on a certain image of me. So, I wonder if, there are rumors of me being a tyrant... like, abusing those serving me..."
At this, Rylan's eyes widened in shock, and he seemed to forget the discipline carved in his bones like never interrupting his master's words.
"No, Your Highness. I don't think you're a tyrant, and no such rumors like that."
His state, which appeared panicking, only amused the crown prince, his laughter louder this time.
"Then, why do you always think I have to treat you badly? Don't deny it, Sir Rylan. You're always surprised when I want to treat you kindly, even curious about it."
The defensive words in his mouth were also caught, making him speechless. Rylan bit his lips and suddenly reflected on it. After a while, he did realize that it was indeed the case.
Rylan fell silent, lost in thought. Was he still fixated on the teaching when he was a child? No, he was aware that even to this day, he still carried some of it.
"I..." Rylan wanted to say something, maybe justify himself, but he found his words leaving him. Certainly, he was even almost tongue-tied right now.
"This is not the era where a royalty holds everyone's life in their... our hands." The Crown Prince's words carried weight, and it became apparent at this moment. And Rylan could not help but be drawn into it. "Sir Rylan, I won't do something to you even if you made a mistake, and you don't need to heavily apologize each time. It isn't like I'll order you to be punished harshly just because you pissed me off."
The Crown Prince's lips were slightly hooked as he said this, amusement written in his face.
"So, Sir Rylan, don't be too uptight. I really hope we get along." he briefly paused, then continued slowly, as if pronouncing each word clearly. "Maybe, asking to be friends will be too much right now, but... please be comfortable with me from now on. Alright, Sir Rylan?"
His smile widened, almost blinding Rylan, so he averted his gaze at the end. Fortunately, or he might have noticed Savier's lips twitching, looking so stiff.
Fuck! Fuck! Savier, what are you saying? Have you gone mad? No, it's definitely the alcohol! He's getting brave because of it!
As he intended, blame it all on alcohol!
Savier was already screaming like that in his mind, so nervous that he just blurted whatever was on his mind. If not, he might have stumbled in his pause, and that would be like a death sentence for him.
His heart was pounding so hard that he was afraid Sir Rylan was hearing it when their private room was too silent. But then, his heart suddenly beat faster, but now for a different reason.
Sir Rylan lifted his head again and met his eyes, but this time, there was now a small and gentle smile on his face. His face had a crimson hue, flushed and looking so desirable... cough, Savier meant cute. Innocent thoughts... innocent thoughts!
He then nodded, completely at ease. There was no awkwardness or tension between them. Sir Rylan then poured Savier's shot glass and his glass before raising his glass.
"I won't promise anything, but I'll try. Let's cheer, Your Highness?" His tone was slightly awkward, obviously not used to it, but the way his eyes gleamed in anticipation left Savier's breath hitched.
An indescribable emotion was slowly waking up inside him, and he had no time to suppress it. At this moment, he was only lost in those eyes.
Savier swallowed and took his glass and click glasses, forcing a smile. Seeing this, Sir Rylan's smile widened, reaching his eyes. He looked even more handsome than ever.
Suddenly, Savier's throat once again dried up, and he had to drink the shot in his hand. When he did, his throat bobbed in difficulty as he shut his eyes.
Veins showed in his hand holding the shot glass, and so in the hand under the table, suppressing the emotion rising from the temporary grave he had made.
This is bad. Really... really bad.