Lycus could feel the tension as soon as the pair entered those castle walls. Voices of the commonfolk would begin yelling towards the two, causing Lycus to feel as though he was not one to ever be around the Princess - most calls were directed towards her, anyway. He played a minor part in such a big story, so why would he ever get any attention? Not that he wanted any. It was never in his will to become a famous knight who had served the Princess and the King and Queen. All he wanted was to prove that he was worth more than just his undeniable loyalty. He thought to himself that maybe he had at this point in time. Returning a 'lost' Princess back home. It was honorable, really, but how many people would actually realize such a thing? Could you even pinpoint the true idea? The true intention of Lycus Sander - you couldn't. The man was hard to read as is.

Lycus looked towards the Queen who would incline her head as a 'thank you', in which he nodded as a 'you're welcome'. It baffled him. In a way, he would've wanted something like this. Living with royalty, getting what you pleased when asked, and holding such intimidating and worthy power above most others. It seemed like a dream. But deep down, Lycus was never built for such a life. It seemed so out of touch - out of reach. A dream within a reality that was already taking him towards his destiny of death. That was everyone's though, wasn't it? Nobody was to make it out of this life alive. Death was a destiny, be it minor or major.

Lycus looked towards the King and Queen, hearing their order. He nodded. "I will," he responded, soon going inside of the stables as well, leading his steed by the reigns. Lycus looked towards Eilki. He could tell that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with this, and as they had discussed before, Lycus would gladly help her leave. He knew the kingdom like the back of his hand. He knew each exit and entrance. He knew the guards' routines and schedules. He was about to help a girl reach her destiny, which was much greater than his own.

Seeing that the servants and stablehands were avoiding the annoyed and angered Princess, it seemed as though Lycus was the only one who could handle her. Maybe that was a fact and that he was unique enough to do such a thing or maybe it was just because it was his job to escort her around like a dog on a leash. But Lycus had a duty, and that duty meant doing as he was told. He serves the kingdom, no question about it, therefore he would never be the one to betray them just because he doesn't like what he is ordered to do. That's what he signed up for, and to be honest, it seemed better than him living on the streets.

"Come now," Lycus instructed her. There wasn't a sign of demand or hurry in his voice, but rather it was soft and kind and understanding. That's what she needed; someone to understand her.

It was not long before she heard someone else enter the stables. She didn't even have to look up to see who it was. Knowing her parents and what they wanted. It was without a doubt Lycus, a knight loyal to the throne. She didn't hate him or blame him for it. But, she did wish that things were different. For a few minutes, she ignores Lycus, continuing to brush her steed. Though her movements were more gentle and fluid. He was right, she should just go along with whatever her parents said. With any luck, if she truly did get married to Brandon, things would get better as a queen.

Perhaps Brandon would be too busy running the kingdom, and she would be expected to not help. Perhaps she could get a... Oh, what was it called? A concubine? Someone that she could actually love and cherish. A relationship that was worth it all. Could she do that? Could she make herself marry an older, terrible, prince just for a chance to possibly find love as a married queen? Or could she just throw it all away, and run away and find someone to genuinely love. To fall in love with and marry.

Her parents could surely find another heir. It wasn't like there weren't people wishing for the opportunity. Eilki finally sighs, stopping as she ducks down to toss the grooming stuff into the bag, zipping it up before returning it to where it belonged. "Give me a moment." She mutters to Lycus as she unties Kit, leading him over to his stall where she leads him inside. Closing the door behind him, she unhalters him, before exiting the stall. Closing and locking it, before hanging the halter up on a peg.

She turns back towards Lycus,"Alright. I'm ready." She nods at him, and then starts off, mentally preparing herself along the way as she heads for the throne room. Only pausing to wait for Lycus. It didn't take long, and by the time they entered the throne room, she had made up her mind. In the main thrones sat the king and queen. While in guest thrones off to the side, sat Brandon and his father. Kalamandat seems to perk up,"Ah, my dear, I am glad you could join us. May I introduce, your fiancee, Prince Brandon." Eilki steps forward until she was standing before the thrones.

"I am sorry, father."

Kalamandat frowns,"What for?" Eilki hesitates, did she dare do this? She knew of royals denouncing their children. But could a child denounce their parents? Their whole life? Their heritage. She was aware of the many other guards in the room, they would no doubt spread the gossip to the rest of the kingdom. And Brandon and his father would spread it to their kingdom. Without a doubt, the news would travel fast. Kalamandat becomes impatient,"What. What are you sorry for, child." Eilki takes a deep breath, meeting her father's gaze squarely.

"I denounce my family, and my throne. I denounce my heritage, and I denounce the crown. I will not be your pawn father, and I will not be your heir. I was never born to be your heir. Find a new one. Because, I am no longer a royal child of this family."

Lycus could see that Eilki was not excited. How could he blame her? All he had done was bring her back to the place where she didn't want to be. How could he? But it was his duty, and if he wanted a place to at least live, he figured that following orders was the least he could do. He sniffled slightly, seeing that she was aware of his presence though simply ignoring him. What a teenager thing, he thought to himself. Not that he could exactly say that he was any different. He'd throw a tantrum if someone told him what he could and couldn't do.

Lycus heard her mutter and nodded, and as the time passed, he had already stalled his own horse. He looked towards the Princess, and any others who may have peeked inside to get a look. He sighed softly. "You're doing the right thing," he assured her. His voice was gentle and soft, one like a father soothing his crying toddler. He gave a gentle smile as well, one that was warm and kind. Lycus never really was there for anyone else, but for some reason, he felt obligation towards the Princess.

Lycus followed closely behind the Princess as she entered the chambers, holding his head up high as he held his helmet against his hip. He looked around for a moment, the familiarity of the building allowing his body to relax. He would know if something were wrong. He would know if something were to go down - that's how well he knew the place. It wasn't hard to decide whether or not the kingdom was in danger, either. The alarms would sound, the bells would toll, and there would be a clamor of voices echoing throughout the halls to either reach a safety point, or go outside and fight for what is theirs.

Upon entering the room, Lycus shut the door behind him and stood in front of it, nodding his head towards his superiors and the others in the room as a greeting. He huffed softly, holding his helmet against his hip still and resting his other hand on the handle of his sword. He looked towards the Princess, giving her the slightest sympathetic look before hearing the words "I'm sorry".

Lycus furrowed his eyebrows, and although it was technically none of his business, he was still confused. What was it she could possibly be sorry for? But, he would of course be gaining his answer any moment now.

She was denouncing everything.

Lycus could see the room shift. He could feel it below his feet. The eyes of Prince Brandon's family widened. So did Lycus' - this was unexpected. Although he had encouraged that she did what she thought was right, his advice had seemingly went in one ear and completely out of the other one. To him, this would cause war. To him, this was wrong. Though of course, he had no say in such a thing.

What was there to do now?

The king was on his feet at once. Gone was the perfect image of the king. It was almost as if he forgot they had an audience. "Are you insane? You cannot denounce the throne! You have no choice! It is a part of your blood!" He storms forward,"You will stay princess. You will marry Prince Brandon. And you will become queen." Eilki stood calm in the face of her father's fury. "I will do no such thing, father. I can and I will denounce the throne. And it never was part of my blood. That was my brother. Do not mistake me for him." She did not mean that as an insult.


She wished she could be just like him.

"You have other family. Family perfect to rule your kingdom when you step down or die. But it will never be me. It was never my destiny to rule." Kalamandat's mouth was practically foaming,"No. You are no child of mine." The words hurt, it was expected, but it still hurt. Eilki smiles,"Good. You know the law, father. Only a child of the king can rule. And you just denounced me." Kalamandat seemed to just be getting madder. But his daughter just trapped him in a corner. In front of a crowd, he had said she was no daughter of his. And the laws of the kingdom did state, only a child of the king could rule. Unless otherwise appointed by both the king and queen.

Eilki continues,"I am sure you can find someone else to take my place, and even marry Brandon and continue the treaty. But it is not me. I am leaving. I taking my wolf--" Who was sleeping with Kit in the stables. "And my steed. And I am leaving. I'll change my name if I have to. I am no child of yours." With those words, she turns and heads for the doors, beckoning Lycus to follow. Oh, her parents would hate her forever now because of that, but she didn't care. It was time for a change.

Once outside of the doors, she remains calm until she is far enough away from the throne room. "Oh my god. I can't believe I just did that." It wasn't stated in a way that said she regretted it. In fact, she sounded relived and happy. "Ha. See if he can control me now." She glances out the window. She would strike out soon. Hopefully she would encounter that dragon tamer again. She never caught his name. Perhaps if she was lucky, he'd allow her to join him. Teach her how to tame a dragon and she'd finally be allowed to do the one thing she'd always waned to do, but had never been allowed to do. Freedom was nice.