When I first met him, his confidence scared me.

He isn't exactly a gentle person. I thought that maybe he hated me. Despite being stern, unlike Elias, Cyrus is attentive to how others feel.

 

It's rare to find him when he isn't busy. I don't know where he runs off to, but he's gone most of the time. As the heir to the Realm, he has many responsibilities. Everyone says he's got a lot on his plate after the passing of Father. He might try to

hide it, but it's obvious he's overwhelmed. The few moments he has to himself are spent alone. Aren will sometimes visit,

but he usually quietly studies while Cyrus works. He mentioned that Cyrus drinks a lot, but it's best not to boss him around about it.

 

Most of the time, I find him reading in his apothecary or experimenting. I'm glad when I can catch him. Though he's not great with small talk, he enjoys my company. "I help him learn," he says. He's gotten used to me talking to him; he's even started to crack sharp jokes.

 

It's no secret that he doesn't get along with Elias. I still don't know much about why, only that Elias criticizes how Cyrus handles the Realm. Cyrus is not fond of criticism.

 

I've been helping him prepare the Realm for an assessment the Council will be making. It's a matter of survival. He's thorough with things, though I can see cracks. I help patch them, and he keeps me around.

 

But recently, he's been avoiding me: he's distant.

 

He's hiding something. Something even Elias doesn't know.