Chapter Text
“He chose Henry.”
Hanush sits next to Radzig in the grand hall, enjoying a fine cup of red, discussing the matter of the big Tourney. It promises to be much bigger than the regular tournaments that Hanush hosts for the locals. This one, in fact, had been organised by Lord Hans, and involveds nobles from other families and across Bohemia. Invites had been sent out, and guests had slowly filtered into Rattay until most of the grounds outside of the upper castle had been filled with richly adorned tents for the lords and their champions.
The town is noisy, filled with people. It would do wonders for trade and relations, presumably, but it came at a cost of peace and quiet in the neighbourhood. Conversations filter in through the open door of the hall, along with the banging of metal and wood as carpenters set up the stands and seating.
Radzig sighs, huffing, as he leans an arm over the back of his chair.
“Of course he did,” he doesn’t sound too disappointed–mostly amused. Radzig of course had fully intended to enter the tournament, and would have named Henry as his champion, had Sir Hans not beaten him to it.
It wasn't that Radzig didn't have other men to pick from, but he'd thought maybe it would have been a good opportunity to spend more time with the boy. It was only natural for Henry to fight for Hans, though, since Hans had spent time training him–or so he claimed. Though neither Hanush nor Radzig had seen Henry practicing with any man other than Bernard these past few months. Save for the rare occassion, where it seemed less like training and more like messing about. Bernard had reported to him once or twice that he feared Henry might unlearn everything he'd been taught if he kept up such behaviour.
Regardless, Radzig can't help but be slightly miffed about the missed opportunity. Henry might not know the truth about the two of them, might not know how desperately Radzig wants to step in and be a father to him, but should that stop them enjoying each other's company? Radzig doesn't think so. And he thinks it would have been a good time to tell him, as well--a time where nothing would get in the way to distract them. A time where Henry could maybe, just maybe, allow himself to come to terms with the truth slowly.
There will be other times--that is what Radzig keeps telling himself, every time he backs down from admitting that closely guarded secret he's kept for twenty years. But he is, more than anyone, aware of just how short life can be, and he'd rather not take the secret to the grave.
Hanush guffaws and claps Radzig on the shoulder more roughly than Radzig would have liked.
“Don't be so disappointed! At least this way it won't be your responsibility when he loses terribly.”
Radzig rolls his eyes at the man and stands up from where he's seated–only to put both hands on the table and lean towards Hanush with a challenging gaze.
“It will be you that never hears the end of it if Henry beats your man, though, you realise?”
“Pah," Hanush disregards with a wave of his hand. "I'll have my best man out there, too, and he won't make it easy on him!"