Rune stood within the shadows of the large den. The room was only lit only by a large fire that burned brightly in the fireplace on the far side of the room which left the far side of the room in utter darkness - which was more than fine by him... if he was hidden in the darkness than the chances of him being completely forgotten about were much higher.
Sadly though, the person Rune wanted to hide from the most was seated across that same room in a gold-plated chair in front of the fireplace. Rune watched Osborne with distaste as he swirled some wine about within a large crystal glass - he did not like the look on Osborne's face. It was somewhere between a scheming grimace and a sneer. Rune had seen that look before though, and he knew he wasn't going to get the chance to remain idle for long.
And just as he expected he heard Osborne call out to him in the usual way. Osborne rarely addressed people directly - he sort of just barked orders and expected the right people to obey... so when Osborne suddenly called out, "Bring it here. I wish to see it once more." Rune not only knew that it was directed at him... but he also knew what Osborne wanted.
Like an emotionless puppet on a string Rune moved from his hiding spot and revealed a large emerald green box from beneath his cloak. He knelt down on one knee and opened the box before his Master.
Osborne grinned and reached out to remove a large diamond necklace. The necklace consisted of multiple strands of diamonds that started as a choker and was designed to drape down the entire neck and ended with a large diamond about the size of an Apricot that was designed to sit above the breast. If Rune had an opinion on it he would consider it a gaudy, heavy thing. But Osborne smiled at it as if it was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on.
The man gently removed the necklace from the box and held it up until the firelight reflected off the diamonds and danced about the room.
"A beautiful collar this will make, won't it." Osborne grimaced. He lowered his arm and stared into the diamonds with a lustful look that would make anyone uncomfortable, "I can already picture it around her beautiful neck."
Her? Oh. Rune glanced away. He knew who Osborne was talking about but he pushed it down and tried to lie to himself that he didn't - he didn't want to think of her. Not now anyway - not before he had to fight. Just thinking of that woman hurt his head and clouded his mind. It infuriated him. One thousand years he had served the Osborne Family and not once could he ever recall a genuine emotion before he met her. But since he had... everything felt 'wrong'. He couldn't place it and couldn't do anything about it if he could. There had been multiple times in this week alone that he wished his Master would stop seeking her or that she would disappear. There were even multiple times where he would wake up from a strange dream and desire to seek her out and destroy her himself so she would be gone and leave his brain once more and everything can go back to the... nothingness. The empty, thoughtless void that had been his existence for so long. It was less frustrating that way. He was a tool, nothing more. He did not need these unnecessary emotions.
However, as if to taunt him Osborne suddenly spoke up, "I was debating giving this to her in front of an audience after I win the tournament - but I can't wait any longer." He placed a hand on his neck with a devilish grin, "The image of I arriving with her on my arm with that collar around her neck just fills me with shivers."
Disgust clouded Rune's mind but he was unable to display it. It festered in his chest where it started to turn into a rage... Luckily, Osborne then turned away and placed the necklace back in the box. He shoved the box into the hands of an awaiting servant and then held his cane out towards Rune, "Come! Let us make haste! I cannot go another second without seeing my beautiful little songbird."
Rune was more than happy to leave. He felt his entire body disperse into energy as he was sucked back into the tip of the cane and returned once more to the thoughtless, suspended void.