This time, even though Rin had already tensed his muscles, and would've probably done a spectacular backflip out of the way or something – because, why not – Tarra got there first.
With an angry roar, a medium-sized silver dragon reared forward from where the horse had been waiting. In less than a second, she had reached Rin, and folded her leathery wings forward to cover his back.
There was a loud – bang! – followed by the sound of something like a firework fizzling out.
There was another loud roar.
Rin, who could now only see a sea of silver scales before him, reached out a hand to gently pat the dragon's heaving torso. 'That's alright, girl…' he muttered. 'I'm not in any danger.'
The dragon didn't move.
'It is alright. Go wait for me.'
Slowly, almost reluctantly, the dragon pulled back. She shook off some charred-black, dust-like residue from her uninjured wings, and started retreating to where she'd been waiting earlier.
Rin, in the meantime, had turned back around to look at his younger brother with an exasperated sigh. Ralen was standing there frozen, his widened eyes still reflecting a hint of fear.
Fair enough, considering he'd just seen an angered dragon jump his way.
And even though Tarra's intention had only been to defend Rin against whatever attack had been thrown, Arin had no doubt she'd have no trouble ripping the pale-haired man to shreds if Rin so wanted.
Rin, obviously, didn't.
After a couple of quick breaths, Ralen suddenly sneered, 'Ha! Disrespectful thing. It'll be brought back to serve as my beast. How far you force my hand shall depend on you.' He started walking towards them in a manner he probably thought was intimidating.
Now that the dragon had gone back to being a horse, the dumbass was getting brave again.
There was something strange about the way the man kept buzzing around Rin like a determined and particularly angry fly; attacking him, preventing him from leaving, approaching him over and over again. To Arin, it almost felt like he was trying to prolong this interaction.
…Or maybe he was just that desperate for his attention?
'You know you cannot take away my bonded familiar,' Rin said after a pause.
'Then break the bond! Father Emperor's beast only has this one offspring that still remains. It should rightfully be mine!'
Rin sighed again. His face remained cold and expressionless, but Arin could tell he had no patience left anymore.
'It will not work.'
'No?' Ralen's stormy eyes glinted cruelly. 'Then I must have that useless thing confiscated by official order, and dragged away to be butchered –'
Thud.
Ralen's words cut off, and he fell to the ground. His hands covered one side of his face, and he looked up at Rin, who had just punched him, in disbelief.
'You – you damned -!' He stopped speaking abruptly, and gingerly moved his jaw to one side. There was a soft, painful click that made Arin wince. That done, Ralen's hateful glare returned to Rin. Before he could start hissing curses again, Rin spoke first.
'The empire has no need for me. You were correct in saying that I am nothing, now,' he said, his voice unemotional. 'But neither does it have any need for a wayward, laughingstock of a prince such as yourself. It is known that the crown princess Sera handles most of the royal duties alone, and is more than capable enough for it.'
The pale-haired man scrambled to his feet, and Rin's eyes flickered down, taking in his trembling fingers and unsteady manner. His jaw clenched.
'There is still time… prince Ralen. Distance yourself from those scoundrels. Relearn, retrain, and start conducting yourself properly again. There are people in this world who are destined to… never be able to live a full life. Be grateful you are not one among their number.'
'You believe I have wronged you. There are things you will never understand because they must forever be kept from you. The reason for that is, indeed, the proclamation I had made that day. And for that, I am sorry. But I have had enough now.'
'I am leaving. If you attempt to stop me – or appear before me again at all – know that you will be swiftly and sternly stopped. I shall, at least, do you the kindness of having the royal guards summoned before I leave, so that they may safely collect your unconscious body. But I hope it will not have to come to that. Goodbye.'
And with that, Rin made as if to turn around again.
'No! Wait! You - you don't understand!' Ralen exclaimed. There was an edge of desperation in his voice. 'They… listen to me! After their years of trying, mother has just given birth! Twins!'
Rin froze. Arin could swear he felt every single muscle in the man's body tense and lock in place. He might as well have been an ice sculpture, for how cold all the blood in his veins suddenly felt. It was the strangest thing, with how fast and hard his heart was thudding in his chest.
'Two new additions to the family. A boy and a girl,' Ralen continued, his voice gradually growing more controlled with each word, now that Rin had halted his exit. 'I do not know why now, after so long. I suspect it is because of father's magic.'
Rin sucked in a deep breath. 'No. No, I would've heard, if –'
'You wouldn't. You couldn't have. Their birth has been kept a strictly guarded secret from every other soul. Even the crown princess knows nothing of it…' Ralen took a tentative step. He was now standing right next to Rin. He lowered his voice and said, 'You already know that mother's anatomy talent extends far beyond her healing magic.'
Rin inhaled deeply a few more times before finally managing to get his breathing under control again. He finally turned to glance at Ralen, who was now standing mere inches away.
Just by sharing his body, Arin could tell that a million thoughts were currently racing through Rin's mind. This was probably the most distracted he'd ever seen him be. The man swallowed. 'How –'
'How did I find out? Was that what you wished to ask of me?' Ralen sighed, then continued mumbling. 'I make it my business to keep watch on the goings-on around the castle. I cannot afford to have too many more things being kept from me.'
'You see, I learned from a very young age that even family cannot be trusted.'
Rin jolted. He looked down just in time to see a black needle or thorn of some kind – so narrow that it was nearly invisible – slide back up Ralen's wrist and into his sleeves.