Chapter 67: 67: Genuine Or?
Eden hesitated as he let out a soft smile "Can I say it’s because I liked you?"
He started Elvis. Elvis didn’t seem like he was going to take that for an answer.
Eden smiled "You could have died" he said "And if you died or got critically hurt, who could have protected me then"
Elvis hesitated "Was that the reason? Because you didn’t want your shield to get hurt because you’d be dead too?"
Eden smiled again as he stared into his eyes this time "Do you want to hear the real reason?" Elvis did nothing but he said nevertheless "It was because you looked pathetic"
"...." Elvis stared.
"You couldn’t even stand up for yourself even when you’re being wronged. You just looked like a poor fool taking whatever trash was thrown at them. That was the opposite of the you I liked. So I couldn’t stand that"
Elvis just stared without saying anything. It was hard to tell what was running through his head.
Eden sighed "So I knew I had to fight for you even though you didn’t want to fight for yourself because you felt like you don’t deserve to be fought for. At least let someone fight for you" He smiled.
Elvis still stared at him. His cold eyes slowly melt into Eden’s face. He stared in confusion, curiosity and uncertainty.
But Eden knew what those eyes read. He knew what he was feeling at the moment, because it was part of what told him that he was advancing in his task of breaking through Elvis.
It was the first time someone had ever stepped forward for Elvis like that. He had grown up learning to fend for himself while bowing down to authorities above himself.
Growing up, even his mother couldn’t give him the ultimate protection and defense he needed. So most of the time he’d feel like he didn’t deserve any protection.
He would take the fall for anything and let it slide. He never believed he should be stood up for. Even though he came off as strong and all, he was just that sad.
To Eden, Elvis’s character was one who was pretending to be strong. But within was just a kid who needed a hug. This, was truly something Eden hated that wasn’t explored well in the novel.
Although in the book it was noted that Helen was the first to stand up for Elvis. Even though it wasn’t in a grand way, but in her own little way. Standing up for him against Queen Lea and the King. Even though she got punished for it.
That gesture of hers was what made Elvis fall deeply for her and swore never to let her go. And to protect her always. It was part of what gave him the courage to rebel against the Royal family.
But with the looks of things now, things changed. Eden had become the first who stood up for him on a more grand scale.
So it was no surprise that Elvis had those questions for him. And had those eyes on him as well.
Eden could tell that even though it wasn’t part of his plan to win him over by standing up for him, it had actually helped.
He had saved him out of genuine pity. But now it was paying off with Elvis’s view of him getting complicated.
"So next time" Eden continued "Don’t ever feel like you don’t deserve to fight back and that you should bow down to them. Always fight back"
Eden added "But if you can’t fight back, don’t worry. I’ll be there to fight for you as well"
Elvis stared at him for what seemed like thirty-seconds before he shocked his head "How noisy" he mumbled, looking away.
Eden stared at his face, smiling.
Elvis said "Next time don’t do such silly things again. I don’t need any of your help. And don’t even think of destroying my home again. I won’t thank you for that"
"Whatever" Eden said, massaging his forehead. "You’re just being ungrateful"
While they sat there quietly, a knock came on the door.
"Come in" Elvis permitted as Mr George walked in.
"Your brother is outside, waiting" He informed.
Elvis didn’t plan on letting him in, so Eden had decided to go meet him.
Eden walked on to meet Prince Lysander pacing back and forth anxiously. He stopped as soon as he saw Eden.
"How’s brother?"
"He’s fine" Eden said "So don’t worry about him too much. He’s just stressed"
"Oh. Do I get him the Royal Physician or something?" He inquired.
"No need for that at all" Eden assured him "He’ll be fine"
Prince Lysander slowly calmed himself down with a nod "That’s good then. That’s good"
He hesitated for a while as silence filled their midst.
"You’re so kind.." Lysander suddenly said.
"Huh?" Eden was confused, now staring at his face.
"I... I’m sorry" He said "For treating you like that at the banquet. I’m such a bad friend.. I..." He was still looking for the right words to express himself.
But Elvis smiled.
Lysander continued nevertheless "I was the one who invited you so I should have protected you instead and all but I... I was being a terrible person"
"It’s not your fault. So don’t worry"
"It is" Lysander said "And I’ll surely make it up to you"
Eden smiled. He couldn’t believe he was winning Lysander back to his side so easily.
"I won’t listen to whatever my mother or anyone says about it. I’ll form my own opinion of you" He assured.
"Is that so? But I’m still the wizard of EL" Eden said.
"That’s by name. But you’re different from the story told. You’re nice"
"Nice? How do you know? You don’t know much about me" Eden reminded.
"You saved my brother. So that makes you a good person" He explained.
Naive. Eden thought.
"So what new image of me are you going to have in mind?"
Eden was smiling at Lysander now. A smile that left Prince Lysander numb for a second.