Raen traipsed down the Royal Halls in a reverie. Everything had gone all according to his perfect machinations. Even now that remained true. All of the Royal Palace's subjects obeyed his every command. Even the 'Heir Apparent' bent his knee like a subservient dog. All he could possibly wish for on Heaven and Earth was all his and more. And yet... he felt nothing. Where was it? The catharsis? That same satisfaction he had felt with each lock of his perfect plan?
That grand release of euphoria, perfect and eternal? Raen muttered under his breath, sighing with the same practiced grace that was now due more to habit than intention.
There was one thing that had irked him though... Du. His royal powers worked on all and without exception. But Du alone reacted differently, as if it had no effect at all. It frustrated him in a way that he had not felt in a long time...
Raen bit his lower lip as he turned the next corner of the halls, and just as he did, the object of his vexation presented itself- Du. Before he could be spotted, Raen sheathed himself in a thin veneer of darkness, clinging to the shadows along the walls as he remained unnoticed, cold in his approach. He recalled each and every one of their interactions to the surface of his memory, grasping it with the tip of his mind as images surfaced of Du's each and every gesture, plainly different from all those he sought perfect control over.
Before he knew it, a thrill began to run through his bones, chills along the length of his spine. Ah... this feeling.
Raen drew himself close to Du until he was right behind them, resisting the urge to pounce on them outright. Instead, he wreathed himself in his characteristic violet glow with a steady breath, before wrapping a hand around to grasp their chin- lifting it towards him.
"Du... You insolent rat. Don't think I haven't paid heed to how you meet my every royal command..."
Raen bore into their eyes, drinking in the close sight of them dark and deep.
