I'm her favorite.
Her words stuck to him as he hid a skip in his step, following after her every footstep with a chest that swelled with pride. His mother, the Queen, chose him among her many followers. He wished, he hoped but he was never sure. Even as her only son, he was unseen and unheard of, a well-kept secret swept under the rug... but no more.
He patted his chest to stop his heart from exploding with excitement, rays of light dancing through his hair and caressing his face. He spared a moment to turn around and look up at the vast sky through the windows of the castle with eyes that twinkled with wonder and a dash of mischief. I'm really... here. He smiled then caught up to the woman he called his mother.
He didn't get to see much of the medical ward as Eike was found. "My Primary Tormentor, Eike. He's very devious and loves his job and causing pain to others. I pretty much raised him myself since his parents died when he was 5, so he's not so much older than you." He recalled his mother's description, the boy of light purple hair and bags under his eyes. "I don't know if you're ready to see what's down in the dungeons yet, so I want to warn you." Cynfael grunted quietly. Ivelda's warnings only stirring up imagination and curiosity. Just his luck that Eike had left the dungeons he was so eager to see...
"Cyn, dearie, why don't you look after Eike's charge real quick in another spare room? This won't take long." He nodded, sealing the door behind them and tracing his finger down the gap. Cynfael turned around and cast his eyes downwards more for this charge, a little girl around his age. With long brown hair, soft rosy cheeks, and big eyes that only got bigger as they set their sights on him. There was also a rat perched on her shoulder she didn't seem to notice. Odd little thing. She was like a doll dressed for a funeral. In the quiet, small room... he could only hear his heart beating away as he rested his hand on the dagger attached to his side. A girl... I've never-
"... Tsuneo?" His eyes flashed in recognition of the name, catching the whisper swiftly. "How did you get out of your book?" He sighed and rubbed the back of his head, the truth much more complicated. "Iām...." Should he lie and play along? He didn't expect anyone else to pick up on his inspiration so quickly. "You must be well read... for a child." The latter slid off his tongue strangely, knowing he was still a child himself. His hand lowered to place a finger on his lips to gesture not to tell a soul.
"Out here... beyond the pages. Iām Cynfael." He bent down on one knee before her, the way a knight would. He looked up at her closely, those brown orbs drawing him in before releasing a smile and lifting her off the ground and into the air. A girl! Cynfael had finally made contact with one, a pretty one. His smile turned into laughter he was unable to contain any longer. It was like he'd discovered the rarest thing in the world! Well... for a pubescent alone in a tower anyway. Then his eyes wandered to her arm, bandaged in an unusual way. Mother did say Eike likes to hurt people. "Would you..." He swallowed, then mustered the courage. "Would you like to be my servant instead?"