Chapter Text
Long ago, in a shed where Cardan used to stay, he would pretend to be hiding and that someone was looking for him.
Though those are memories that Cardan does not like to recall, much less talk about.
He’s not sure why he’s thinking about this at the moment, sitting on his throne and drinking wine with a little blue girl at his side.
Cardan scanned the revel for his wife, and spotted her talking to some people who were probably quite important in politics. She wouldn’t waste her time with small talk, Cardan liked that about her. There he goes, thinking about his wife again.
Then Cardan scanned across the room once more, to see the young Oak conversing and playing with some other faerie children. Cardan wished to push Wren towards them, so that maybe she could make some friends.
Though, Cardan at the same time did not have the heart to do that. Perhaps he found companionship in Wren, perhaps he wished to give her a childhood he could not have. Cardan didn’t know what his true intent behind keeping Wren at his side was, and he did not wish to think about it.
“Wren, why don’t you go play with the others?” Cardan asked, with no persuasion in his voice. It was simply a question.
Wren glanced up at him, with those adorable mossy green eyes. They seemed pained, Cardan wondered if that was how he looked as a child.
“I don’t want to, it’s scary.” She admitted, a soft pink gathering on her cheeks. It made her skin a paler shade of blue.
“I suppose you shall just stay here with me then.”
The girls’ eyes widened, Cardan supposed it was admiration. After all, who wouldn’t love him? You’d beg to differ? Well it matters not to Cardan, so long as your begging.
Wren glanced away from Cardan, perhaps looking at her hands. Smoothing out the folds of her dress. It was strange seeing her so neat and tidy, it just wasn’t her style. Though, Cardan supposed a foreign child’s style should not matter to him.
Something about the way Wren carried herself, small and hunched over. As if she wanted to curl into herself and disappear made Cardan want to wrap her in his arms. He’s quite sure his wonderful wife would disapprove, so he refrained.
“Can I, uhm, ask you a question?” Wrens voice was soft, and Cardan barely caught her words over the sounds of the revel.
“As much as I like you acting as if I were so important, if you ask to ask me a question, are you not already asking one?” Cardan smiled when confusion bloomed across Wren’s features. He liked to be the smart one sometimes.
“Uh, why don’t you, go out and talk to your subjects?”
Cardan blinked, sighing as he ran a hand through his hair.
“I shall answer your questions if you would please refill my wine?” Cardan handed the girl his glass, as she ran off into the revel.
Why didn’t Cardan mingle with the others? Well, he knew the answer even if he would never say it out loud.
Then he heard Wren carrying a large cup in her hands, passing it into the hands of Cardan. He took a long sip, sighing and then closing his eyes.
“It’s a similar reason to yours.”
“You’re afraid? Of them? But you’re the high king.”
“I never said I was afraid.”
Wren looked aghast, not knowing what to make of his words.
He’s not going to tell you, either of course. Though I’m sure you’re smart enough to piece the answer together, for Cardan’s riddles are not nearly as complicated as Jude’s.