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Arresting Runaan was his responsibility , was it not? He ought to do it. To make justice for his father's murder. No matter how that affected anyone. Or well, two anyone, who also happened to be the two people closest to him.
Callum and Rayla hadn’t considered his feelings when freeing Runaan, so why should he consider theirs? Even if he did, Ezran couldn't do much about it. If it wasn’t him, then surely Opeli would’ve ordered the same thing or maybe even something worse.
Since then and all the way to the Banther Lodge, Rayla had tried to convince him to let Runaan free, saying she would be responsible for him and keep an eye out. Ezran knew she would, but that wasn’t about Runaan being under constant supervision to prevent the assassin from fulfilling his duty.
It was about holding him accountable for his actions and letting him wander around his house which belonged to his father, didn’t feel right.
Perhaps he was being the meanest person to Rayla right now, but letting her spend all the time with Runaan and watching him act so normal, even laughing with her, wasn’t a punishment.
Hell, he had also tried to kill her, and Callum, why weren’t they mad at that? Why was he, the younger of them, the only one who could see Runaan for what he was? An assassin.
Ezran was having a hard time believing that man could even pretend to be a good parent for Rayla.
But it was even harder to avoid her and her sad eyes every time they ran into each other.
“Ezran? Are you awake?” His brother knocked.
Bait grunted from his spot at the edge of the bed while Ezran analyzed his options. He could pretend to be asleep or he could talk to his brother.
It was an easy, yet difficult decision, so he would do both.
“Come in,” he yawned as he sneaked into the bedsheets.
The door swung open, letting the light of torches outside in along with Callum.
“Gettin’ ready to sleep?”
Ezran nodded.
Callum half smiled “Can I sit?” He leaned his head to the free side of the bed.
With a deep breath, he nodded again.
“Where’s Rayla?” The king knew his brother and sister-in-law and their tendency to go against very specific orders given by authorities, so he wanted to know this wasn’t some kind of distraction for Rayla to set Runaan free.
“Downstairs,” answered Callum simply .
He raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.
“With Runaan.”
“She knows he can’t get any visitor past midnight and until sunrise,” he said, voice steady and firm.
Callum exhaled “Ez, don’t you think you’re getting this a bit too far? We don’t even have a dungeon here or anywhere for that matter. Runaan is stuck in the game room, and Rayla hasn’t seen him for two years, let her have this, please.”
That stung him a little before his own angry voice whispered in his mind.
Neither have I seen my dad in two years and I’ll never see him again.
“No, don’t you think you’re taking this a bit too lightly?” He answered instead “He killed our father, Callum, he’s responsible for all the deaths that night.”
“I know, I’m not asking you to forgive him. I’m asking you not to put all that grief on Rayla’s shoulders.”
Ezran gritted his teeth and shook his head. Of all people, Rayla had always been the most understanding towards him, and he had reciprocated, so how did she expect he would react to the assassin of his father coming back from the dead?
“Rayla isn’t responsible for his crimes, I know, but her love for him won’t make me spare him. I’m not gonna order him executed if that’s what you’re worried about," he clarified “But I’m not gonna let him wander free through Katolis.”
“Then let us take him to the Silvegrove!” Exclaimed Callum sounding too enthusiastic.
Ezran’s brow furrowed “Us?”
“Umm, Rayla and I?”
The king chuckled “Katolis is in ashes, Callum! And you want to go cause a good impression on Rayla’s dad who killed our dad?” He exploded, his hand hitting the bedsheets hard “Absolutely not. She can go I'll send guards who will make sure she and Runaan get to the border, but you need to stay here because in case you’ve forgotten you’re the prince of this kingdom.”
He felt Callum’s anger raised like it always did when anything had to do with Rayla.
“Your responsibility is here, in your kingdom. If you want Rayla and Runaan to go, it’s okay, I’ll let them, but you’re not going with her.” Ezran sighed “I’m sorry, Callum, but I’m tired of being the only one taking responsibility for our family’s kingdom. I’m sure Rayla will understand.”
Callum’s hands were fists, his knuckles white, yet he didn’t yell or say anything as he stood up and went to the door.
“You always talk about choosing love over hatred, Ezran,” he said before heading out “But the moment I did exactly that you went mad and chose hatred. Maybe you aren’t as good as you think you are.”
Ezran choked a sob as the door closed and Bait grunted again, walking to cuddle at his side.
Hot tears framed his cheeks, and his room became blurry and too small to breathe.
Callum was wrong. He was a good person. Runaan wasn’t. It was as clear as water.
He was doing this because it was his duty. Runaan killed Hardow just because he could. It was Ezran’s duty to make him pay for that mistake.
Rayla needed to understand. Callum should understand. They would understand someday.