He drifted off for what seemed like mere moments before Rijek stirred him.  He was miserable, though satisfied, and wanted nothing more than to forget meeting with the royal family and just sleep the rest of the morning away.<br/><br/>“Tell them I won’t be down,” he insisted, his tone pathetic.<br/><br/>“I would, but you wouldn’t forgive me if I allowed it,” Rijek commented.  He was gentle as he pulled the covers back.  “There are no other activities planned for the day, so you can always return and collapse back into bed after the morning session and stay there until you’re needed, again.”<br/><br/>Kethaias relented, but only because he knew his man was right.  It took more effort than he’d like to admit, but he did draw himself up out of bed.  A quick bath later, he was feeling a little less like falling over, and far too sober but grumpy to be dealing with more politics.  The king dressed in his usual and, looking remarkably presentable for someone who’d been up drinking and having sex all night, who’d hardly slept, made his way down to breakfast.<br/><br/>The food… well, he did have water, a few pieces of fruit, and some bread.  The thought alone of rich, heavy foods turned his stomach.  He was thankful that Ryland never seemed to be at these things, and considering he probably had a late night of his own and no real need to show, Kethaias was confident he’d enjoy the first part of his day with no such trouble.<br/><br/>It didn’t take long for his smug thinking to bite him in the ass, though.  Ryland<i>did</i>show.  Keth couldn’t eat a bite after that, though he still sipped at the water to chase the dryness in his mouth away.  As soon as he could leave the table without seeming rude, he did so, and took a position in the corner of the room out of the way.  No one seemed inclined to strike up conversation, and he was fine with that.  They would probably find him a harder man to bargain with that morning, so they wouldn’t enjoy negotiations very much, either.<br/><br/>He was staring off at nothing in particular, thinking that returning to bed after all of this was probably a wise choice.  His arms were folded and he didn’t seem all that approachable.  Ryland, however, didn’t seem concerned with any of that and just seemed to suddenly appear before him.  Keth cursed under his breath, though not in any language the prince would’ve known, and readjusted to lean against the other wall, as if turning that much would make a difference.<br/><br/>As Ryland spoke, his acidic thoughts began to turn, though.  An apology, explanations, and words to soothe.  It wasn’t a bad start.  What really caught his attention was when the prince flashed the silk scarf hiding under his thick collar.  He did wait until the little speech was complete, but then he moved, dropping his arms and reaching out sneak his fingers under Ryland’s collar to feel the silken texture of the present.  It was hidden, though.  Ryland wasn’t displaying it, proudly or otherwise.<br/><br/>That didn’t help Kethaias believe the sudden change of heart.  It very well could’ve just been another game to play with him.  Keth almost pointed that out, but then decided that he shouldn’t be so quick to strike.  After all, if the prince was being sincere, then he would take the opportunity to earn a bit of favour there.  If he was only teasing…?  Well, then at least the king’s interests would already be made clear for when he decided to start talking marriage with the Gharreld… whenever the man was able to attend.  (Keth already figured that asking the king himself was a bad idea.  A father and his last born were not as easily parted as a baby brother from the eldest.)<br/><br/>He reached for Ryland’s hand then, bringing it up between them.  He waited a moment before leaning down to meet the back of that hand with his lips.  He could be suave, when need be.<br/><br/>“Very well,” he commented, his voice low, mostly in an attempt to cover the roughness of it.  “As you wish.”