FALDREY

Returning from the Young Mistress's room, Faldrey had a resting vague expression on. He felt empty inside. He had gotten accustomed to the perpetual mocking and teasing from his Mistress, nothing moved him now. He just lived the life of Byron, waking up and going through with the same routine every day, with the little tinge of maltreatment from his Mistress spicing up some days.

Faldrey had gotten used to seeing the scarfed face of the Young Tal Dane everyday in the terrace of the Green House, and that was the only sight that made him feel anything; the presence of the Young Tal Dane, and the Tal Dane himself.

He couldn't quite place his hands on what he felt, he tried not to jump into any sorts of conclusions. But deep down he wished the Young Tal Dane would talk to him, at least for one day. He needed to understand just why he spoke with so much concern when he was presented to the royal family.

Faldrey had spent over a month going about the castle but not for once had his path crossed with the Young Tal Dane, not for once had he gotten the opportunity to pose his question. But he kept hoping to Zaal, the only otherworldly force that hadn't completely forsaken him when all others did. The reason he still believed in hoping.

The pain in his shoulders still lingered, reminding him of his very first day with the Young Mistress. Reminding him of her abnormal level of lust and carnality. He'd tried healing himself but he felt drained of Stoichi. Ever since the red haired Mage cast the spell on him he couldn't as much as tip over a small cup of water.

On getting to the kitchen he saw a gleeful Aphrodite skipping towards him, Faldrey wondered what might have gotten her so high-spirited.

"How was it?" She asked when she approached him, stopping him from walking any further into the kitchen grounds.

"Ordinary," he shrugged, "no insults or anything this time. I just kept it and she ordered me to fade out of her sight, as usual."

"Classic," Aphrodite shook her head while clapping. "Well I've good news for you." Pulling him out of the large hallway and onto the soft grass that surrounded the work chambers.

The wind was quite becalmed, so their long hair wasn't being blown all over the place.

"The Young Tal Dane asked that you meet him in the Green House, he'll be waiting at the terrace." She informed him all at once.

Faldrey swallowed hard. There wasn't much making his heartbeat race these day so the phenomenon felt new. He stood, gaping at Aphrodite.

"Do you know why? Maybe he told you why he sent for me?" He finally found his words.

"No," Aphrodite lied, avoiding his gaze. "But he was calm, and I could even see his smile from behind that mask he's always wearing. I don't think you're in any type of trouble." Faldrey remained mute, staring at Aphrodite with now glassy eyes.

He couldn't believe he was about to cry. It's been over a month since he felt sadness, the kind of sadness that made him want to shed tears at least. He just felt like a lonely boy in a foreign land and that was fine by Byron, Zaal had answered his prayers to survive the raid. Now he was just a walking replenishment for the Mage.

He always cringed when he thought about the dark practice the Mage would have to carry out to drain a Dakyre's lifeforce for himself.

"Hey, don't you dare do that." Aphrodite took his hand in hers, squeezing it compassionately. But it was already too late. A tear successfully escaped his right eye, slowly trailing down his face. "Stop, please don't do that."

Faldrey sobbed, looking away from the fair maiden in front of him.

"Look at me, look into my green eyes, Byron." She placed a hand on his face, compelling him to look at her. "You'll be fine."

You'll be fine.

Aphrodite had a way of reminding him of his mother. She was an earth Dakyre who had a very strong connection with the earth, she could feel the sufferings an animal had gone through just by touching or standing in its footprint. Thereby taking a very slight peak into their past and seeing only the dominant memories of said animal.

He wiped the tear away from his face and pulled the shorter girl in an embrace, soaking in her compassion and genuine love for him.

Faldrey looked at the bright side of the situation, this wasn't all that bad. In fact, it wasn't bad at all. He'd finally gotten the chance to ask his question and understand his feelings for the Young Tal Dane more.

EREN & FALDREY

On getting to the Green House, he entered through the back entrance meant for servants so they don't have to walk in front of the royal table, obstructing their view of the beautiful garden.

The young Tal Dane was seated on the hanging egg chair, attentively looking right out at the servant's quarters at the far right distance of the vast Green House. He hadn't noticed or heard the light footsteps of Faldrey when he stepped into the terrace.

Faldrey cleared his throat calmly to get his attention. The young Tal Dane quickly shot up from the chair, causing it to oscillate farther than it should, snapping his head in the direction the sound came from. He was looking right at the bright, radiant face of the boy.

There was a very long comfortable period of silence as they just stared at each other with gleaming eyes, unspoken words of strong affection somehow going to and fro between them.

Faldrey couldn't comprehend the thrill of warmth that came over him, engulfing him in a blissful cocoon of redolent flames. The heat seemed to sear right under his skin, getting to his bones, but instead of hurting, it was soothing. Just like the healing hands of a water Stoichi Dakyre.

They spent over five minutes staring at each other, the succession of strong emotions speaking volumes; happiness, ecstacy, compassion then one which Faldrey hoped was false.

"You sent for me." Faldrey struggled to keep a straight face and enunciate, but the glaring blush in his cheeks gave him away. There was no denying or ignoring what had just transpired between them.

"Yes, I did." Eren replied, his words came out as a heavy, husky whisper. His face flushed as well.

"I'm here now." Faldrey stated the obvious.

"Yes, you are," Eren replied, almost hypnotised by the beauty of the boy standing before him.

He'd finally gotten to see the boy's face up close, and that just seemed to make his craving to hold his face in his hands even stronger. Resisting the urge to take those one too many steps towards him and pulling him in an embrace, Eren blinked repeatedly, attempting to snap out of the trance he was speedily falling into.

"You're my sister's new maid servant, I mean I know, you've been here for quite a while, I've not been watching you or anything I've just been seeing you all over the place. I'm not trying to imply that you're a nuisance," he scoffed, "you're the exact opposite of that I-" he stopped himself before he could embarrass himself any further.

The boy just stood there, his gaze fixed on his as he rambled.

"Sorry let me start over-" Eren started but was interrupted.

"Please don't ever apologise to me Young Tal Dane, it's an act of sacrilege against your person and title." Faldrey corrected, realising he'd just cut the Tal Dane short, he swiftly apologised. "I'm deeply sorry for interrupting you, Your Fieriness." Faldrey used the title he was taught by the head maid to address the Young Tal Dane and the Tal Dane himself.

He was brushed up thoroughly should he ever be summoned by the Tal Dane. He had quite a lot to learn which he did, he was forced to. Aphrodite was forced to as well. Dakyres from other tribes went through this training during their first few weeks of working in the castle.

Eren stared at the long haired boy in front of him. The way he spoke, the way he held on to a forced straight face, he found it more than just adorable. He found it was bewitching. The boy in front of him wasn't the frail half dead boy that was presented to them anymore, he'd ample flesh to cover his bones, his face did not look like a skull anymore, it was plump and dazzling.

"Okay first off," he chuckled, "call me by my name, Eren. Aphrodite calls me that, and don't mind what they tell you. Calling the Young Tal Dane by his name is not punishable by death or public scourging." He explained. "Secondly I was about to start over before you interrupted me I-"

"I apologised for that," Faldrey stated.

"I did not say I was offended and you just interrupted me again. Don't even try to apologise again," Eren chuckled holding his index finger in the air, cutting off Faldrey who opened his mouth to voice another apology. "Stop apologising, enough apologies please." Eren broke into a fit of laughter, holding his stomach.

Faldrey loved the sound of his laughter. It did not sound like the awful cackle of his Mistress, the Young Tal Dane's sister. The sound came from him and reached Faldrey's ears like sweet melodies. He had to fight back the smile that was itching to form on his face.

Eren finally subsided his laughter, looking right at the boy he could swear he saw a smile form on his lips. But it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.

"Excuse my unpleasant belly laughter," he said with the last tone of laughter, "you know you can smile around me right? I'm alone here no Flame Breathers, and I promise to not go crying to my father if you disrespect me." The laughter had completely left his voice, but he in no way sounded serious. His voice was as cheerful as ever.

Faldrey was never afraid of Eren, he was afraid of the way he made him feel. This only assured him that, truly, the Young Tal Dane wasn't like the rest of his family, or like the rest of the inconsiderate, wicked fire Dakyres of the Red Stoichi Tribe. He was joyful, and playful and had a caring spirit which seemed to rub off on people around him. Faldrey observed for himself that the Young Tal Dane asked to take him in as his personal servant only out of genuine concern.

Finally, he released the chuckle he'd been trying to suppress. Placing a hand over his mouth, he joined Eren to laugh.

(Play the song.)

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