"I am not, especially not with you… You shameless fool."
"I can't argue with you about being shameless; it's truly entertaining to hear your reactions. I apologize for summoning you so early, but don't you love the smell of morning dew? The earthy scent is so delightful, I get excited just smelling it!" Cahir said, his tone disarming, with a wolfish grin.
Cahir leaned against the table, a sly grin spreading across his ashen face. The light reflected off his expensive white suit, and the glimmer in his deep blue eyes had an almost inhuman quality; his eyes nearly resembled those of a bat. A striking white bolero hat, with a wide brim that cast a playful shadow over his face, added an air of mystery to his appearance.
He wore white gloves adorned with ornate designs. The white clothing he chose made his crimson red hair stand out dramatically, yet he seemed completely oblivious to it.
He wore silver studs and ankh earrings in both ears to complement his outfit. His lips looked plump and hydrated, and they had a supple, deep, berry red tone to them.
The sculpted peaks of his cupid's bow were sharp and defined, just like his thin almond eyes, and lent a cold symmetry to his face. He possessed an otherworldly beauty that seemed to defy all logic.
Kieran had admired that beauty for several years; it felt unfair, and he had used it for bad purposes. He knew he possessed "pretty privilege," and he was the most wicked person Kieran had ever known.
He used other people, and he was well taught in manipulation. Cahir squeezed people for their biggest, darkest secrets.
He revelled in the thought that those around him were merely pieces on a chessboard, and he was the one pulling the strings of their every move.
Although it didn't personally affect Kieran, it impacted others, which Kieran didn't appreciate. The silence simmered in the air for a long moment before Kieran sighed.
"No. I do not care for stupid things like the smell of morning dew. I care about getting enough sleep, but you have prevented me from doing so. If you intend to keep gazing at me like that, I will take my leave." Kieran said stoically and flatly, breaking the silence that hung in the air.
"Oh yes, pardon me for keeping you waiting. I just wanted to see more of your feistiness. It is quite a sight if-"
"Get to the point, or I am really going to leave. You know, Vesper is only a few paces away. I can call him at any moment." Kieran cut him off, not wanting to waste any time on Cahir's superfluous behaviour.
"Oh, you are so right. The fact that we could get caught by Vesper, who is not far away, is so exciting!" He whispered closely to Kieran. Kieran scowled at him.
"Anyway, have you read today's newspapers? I want to hear your thoughts on it. It involves your family, after all, and I assumed you would be the first to notice something like that." Cahir said that with all his serious bones, he only had a few because he never seemed to know when to be serious.
He took a sip of tea as he waited for Kieran's response.
"I have not, and I know you are aware of why I haven't. What in it involves me?" Kieran asked, his tone was still flat.
"The king of Starkland has announced his engagement to a woman who will be the new queen," Cahir said casually, staring at Kieran to see his reaction.
"What did he say?" Kieran asked, surprised. He quickly recollected his demeanour, not wanting to alarm Vesper at the moment.
"You heard me. And worst of all, that woman is Nezera Moonstone. I heard she was a dark fairy, just like your father." Cahir explained.
"Nezera Moonstone!? That senile old man has finally lost it. He must be making fun of my mother's death. Everyone knows the Elves and dark fairies never got along, until he married my mother. Now that she is dead, he thinks he can do this!?" Kieran was clearly getting irritated, though he tried to keep his voice low; he was beginning to get noisy. His elf ears pointed straight up, and his face started to redden.
Kieran understood the twisted motivations that drove the king's actions; the man hungered for dominion, craving control like a moth to flame. Every decision he made seemed calculated to reinforce his power, to ensure he remained the most formidable being in the realm.
This insatiable thirst for supremacy was toxic, poisoning the very fabric of the world around him; if the king's reign of tyranny continued unchecked, the consequences would be dire and irreversible.
Kieran resolved to confront him. He was acutely aware that his brothers would align themselves with the king, bowing before his oppressive rule, but their loyalty meant nothing to him.
He would never stoop to join forces with those treacherous souls; Kieran was determined to fight for a better future, even if it meant standing alone. He's been alone from his very first breath until now.
"Now, now, calm down, my dear," Cahir was trying to hide his amusement. He would gladly part with 300 gold just for the chance to witness Kieran's reaction once more. The thrill of that moment was worth every coin.
"I am not your dear, you filthy man! How can I calm down in this situation? I know my mother was horrible as well, but I care for my people.
She was stupid enough to marry my filthy father and let him become a king! How selfish of her, blinded by her own wickedness and the sweet nothing's he told her.
They are both the same, but the elves do not deserve this disrespect." Kieran was rambling, his chest felt tight, and he was angry.
Cahir just listened, trying to hide the smile plastered across his face. He knew Kieran already didn't like him, nor his own father, but he hadn't anticipated this kind of reaction.
There was a long moment of absolute silence, and Vesper had not even come to check up on Kieran, and that pissed him off.
He glanced back at where Vesper stood, and Vesper gave him an apologetic look. Kieran sighed, stared down at the mosaic on the table, and scoffed. He angrily took a sip of the tea that Cahir had brewed and sighed. All the while, Cahir just stared at him. Very intently.
"You are still upset, Kieran," Cahir remarked, pointing out the obvious. He reached out to brush a strand of Kieran's platinum white hair out of his face when he slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me with your disgusting hands," Kieran barked, glaring at Cahir.
"Feisty, aren't you?" Chair said with a sheepish smile. "You have every right to be startled by the news."
"Who are you to tell me my rights? You are not suitable for that at all. If I had the choice, I would not involve myself with you.
"It is tragic that I have never had that choice and that you have forcefully nagged me for as long as my memory goes!" Kieran was getting vexed again, merely by a few words from Cahir.
"Oh, ouch. Was that meant to wound my feelings? If I recall correctly, it is not my fault that our fathers are so obsessed over each other." Cahir replied indifferently; he still had that annoying smile on his face.
"Do you even know the severity of my father gaining more power? Everyone has seen what he has done up until now. You wouldn't understand because you're probably the same." Kieran muttered that last part quietly.
Cahir's hearing abilities were beyond excellent, so he still heard it. He knew he was indeed a wicked man, and he also knew how bad the king of Starkland was, but that didn't mean he wanted to be compared to him.
That offended him on many levels.
"I am not the same as that man. I'll excuse it because of our marriage, but do not compare me to him again." His lips were smiling as he said it, but his eyes were not.
His voice didn't sound threatening, nor did it sound hurt, but this was one of the rare times Cahir was serious.
"I will do what I want, I don't care how you feel. Idiots like you don't deserve to be cared for." Kieran bit back; he meant every single word.
"Whatever you say, anyway, how about we take a stroll? The courtyard is truly a beauty, like you." Cahir suggested. He thought it was a good way to stop negative thoughts and feelings.
After all, it always worked on girls; why wouldn't it work on Kieran?
"A stroll? Who do you think I am, some emotionally unstable child?" Kieran said defensively.
He was not a child; he was responsible enough to calm himself down. Cahir knew nothing.
"Well, if you ask me-"
"It was a rhetorical question. Why would you even think to answer? Do you lack common sense?" Kieran Interrupted.
"You have quite the foul mouth. I like it." Cahir whispered and half smiled. When Kieran shot him a glare, he shrugged innocently with that annoying smile on his face.
"How many times do I need to repeat myself to get through your thick skull?" Kieran said mostly to himself and jumped to his feet, gently pushing the chair back in.
"What are you waiting for? You said we should go on a walk since I'm so immature and can't even control my own temper, because I'm the worst burden anyone could ever have!" Kieran yelled, looking annoyed.
"I didn't say all of that, but you are free to believe whatever you like!" Cahir yelled back, hurrying beside Kieran as they walked through the courtyard.
The manor's courtyard featured stone pathways and an abundance of greenery. The courtyard was adorned with an array of exquisite, rare trees, their vibrant foliage creating a lush canopy overhead.
A rich, intoxicating floral fragrance lingered in the air, enveloping the space in a serene embrace. Flanking the elegant stone pathways, ornate harp benches invited visitors to rest, each featuring a plush cushion that promised comfort and relaxation.
A large garden was at the centre of the courtyard with various types of plants.
At the very centre of that garden was a fountain professionally sculpted into a statue of a beautiful woman covered with a thin, long fabric and several kinds of flowers. She had long curly hair, and her facial harmony and facial features were made in heaven.
At the fountain's base, elegant spouts danced and sprayed water into the vibrant garden, while others cascaded gracefully back into the shimmering depths of the fountain.
"Don't these flowers make you smile? They make me smile!" Cahir glanced over at Kieran with a large grin.
"I don't care about flowers, idiot." Kieran shot back, his face unreadable.
The flowers' mood seemed to change, as if they had heard what Kieran had said.
Cahir shrugged it off. He breathed in the floral scent, observed the flowers and appreciated their beauty as they walked by.
Kieran didn't think someone like Cahir deserved the privilege of appreciating these plants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After about half an hour, they came to a halt under a large Royal Poinciana tree. The flowers had a vibrant scarlet hue and large, ruffled, fern-like petals.
The trunk was thick and robust and had grown into an interesting, sprawling shape. The fragrance of the flowers was subtle, but Kieran's heightened sense of smell made it clearer for him.
Cahir threw himself on the vibrant green grass like an idiot, and Kieran scoffed. He let out a deep sigh and rolled over on his side to face Kieran, who was sitting.
Kieran wasn't paying any attention to him and stared off into the distance, but Cahir was looking directly at Kieran.
His bright burgundy eyes were beautiful and complemented by the scarlet colour of the tree. His white eyebrows and long lashes were pretty, his skin was shiny, smooth and pale, and every pore and fuzz on his face was perfectly shaped.
His nose was perfectly angled and had a soft look to it. His lips were soft, plump, pink and hydrated, the colour adding a nice touch to his face. His long elf ears were well defined and pointed up. He was the epitome of beauty.
Cahir always imagined what it was like to touch them, but he was never allowed to. Kieran would murder him for even having that thought.
"Are you going to keep staring at me, fool?" Kieran looked confused and irritated at the same time. He crossed his arms and moved further away from Cahir.
"I must've zoned out. Am I not allowed to look at you? It's not a crime, is it?" Cahir asked.
"It's a crime if the look is from you. Your whole existence is a crime in my eyes, and I don't like you at all!" Kieran roared, annoyed.
"You're so full of bark and your 'bites' aren't painful, my dear." Cahir smiled and scooted closer to Kieran.
If he moved again, Cahir would just scoot closer. It was a useless attempt at escape.
Kieran grumbled and nearly jumped when he pushed himself so far away that he bumped Vesper's leg. He hadn't noticed that Vesper was shadowing behind them for the entire walk.
He assumed he was still at the spot from before.
"M-my prince...?" Vesper spoke; he was also startled that Kieran had bumped into him.