He let Ryland go on.  While he didn’t typically enjoy being told no, he did admire the prince’s logical argument while under stress.  He might have been a spoiled palace brat, but he had his strengths.<br/><br/>“But I’m not attracted to them,” he reasoned in return.  “Besides, I plan on having the subject added into current negotiations.  It won’t only be the bet; there will be more formality to it than that.  It is a pity that you’re so against the idea, though, especially when you most likely won’t be given a choice.  For your family, your kingdom to have the kind of protection I would offer, you don’t think that they would seek to secure one of their own at my side?”<br/><br/>He let that sink in for a moment, then nodded as he tossed the notes in his hand back down on the tray.  Kethaias was wondering if he should’ve waited to mention his true plans until the end.  Was he even that cruel, though?  No, best to let the young prince know what was going on before he felt he was set up.<br/><br/>“And for the record, I<i>do</i>smile,” he added.  “You just haven’t managed to make it happen, yet.  Perhaps with the added incentive…?”  A raised eyebrow.  “Not that I want to lose.  I just want to see what you can come up with.  Whoever sits at my side can’t be some passive, addle brained fool, no matter how beautiful.”<br/><br/>He turned to face Ryland fully, slow steps in the prince’s direction eating up the distance between them bit by bit.<br/><br/>“You see, I chose you for more than one reason, Ryland.  You are a very handsome figure, there is no denying that, but I don’t need only a face for the public or a body for my bed,” he explained with a gentleness most never had the chance to experience.  It wasn’t his intention to traumatize the man or punish him for some imaginary crime.<br/><br/>“You have a fire in you that many eligible princes lack.  It might have something to do with the large family you have, so there is less weight on your shoulders, therefore you enjoy more freedom than many of your peers.  You’re bold, a bit arrogant, and you have a creative mind.  And now I have to add to that list the gift of reason under pressure, given your very logical argument while being so outraged at the thought of marrying me.”<br/><br/>By then he was standing again at the bird, Keth reaching out to run a finger along the device.  There were more qualities that he’d seen that he could’ve pointed out that he had more recently learned, like that Ryland was a good teacher, more patient than Kethaias would’ve previously given him credit for.  He was graceful and poised when the correct moment arose, but not some stuffy politician that would bore Keth to tears.<br/><br/>“No, none of the others will do,” he stated firmly, meeting Ryland’s gaze.  “It has to be you.”  He paused, trying to think of a way to somewhat ease the transition.<br/><br/>“Would you prefer to forget the bet, then?  I would still add the condition of marriage to the negotiations, but perhaps removing the bet from the whole thing would make it more...<i>decent</i>for you.  It would definitely make it easier to get me to smile if I knew I could without losing.”