Chapter 57: Titles and Labels
Nobody could even process that information, as the beasts and human alike looked on in total and complete shock. All except for Stahl that is, who only placed a reassuring hand on Aster’s shoulders, waiting for Aster to speak.
A long moment passed before he found the words through his jumbled thoughts.
"That... THAT CAN’T BE! I’M NO KING! I-I am just a soldier... I am nothing so important! This... This could ruin EVERYTHING. There is a mistake! Your father... He would have killed me for certain..."
He was struggling to accept this news. To accept that he was more than just some human runt picked up by the panther’s kindness. He only wished to lay low and live his life of service peacefully.
This would draw attention if it got out, the bad kind. Prince Tyfin waded closer to the human, looking down at Aster with a look of sadness.
"He very much wanted to... He knew what you were and what the title and blood of a king can represent, as well as the power it can hold. My father pushed harder than anyone to convince me you weren’t worth such a risk...
"That you would only divide our people... That is also why he forbids me, your father, or anyone else from interfering in your dishonorable match against Straga... He wanted that dragon to make you quit... There is no question, Aster... My father is the one who arranged your match with the dragon."
The prince hated the king for using such a tactic and turned his head in disgust as he spoke. He shifted back to the human when he finished, forcing a small smile in his effort to make this easier for the human to accept, reaching his own hand to the Aster’s other shoulder as he softly reassured his troubled knight.
"You are more than your blood, Aster, and more than whatever titles and labels people may confer on you. This changes nothing for me, and I’m almost certain it changes nothing for any of the others presently here... So don’t let it change you if you don’t want it to. You’re still the same kind, caring boy you’ve always been. You are still our ally. You are still my friend."