perhaps the darkling does not look to the king, or perhaps he does, though grey gaze does not turn, instead opting to trace his silhouette drawn on the opposite wall by the flickering flame of waning candles. captivity does not agree with him, yet still, the darkness of the room sways and curls at his presence. and isn’t that why they keep him? for the power ravka can utilize, and the knowledge the king cannot afford to lose. with eternity at hand, this chasm of forever, the darkling knows to count his losses and bide his time. he has stood by a line of useless kings, now he presides over their bones. what is one more? and after all, there are worse afflictions than haunting the dark crevices of nikolai’s study. he can endure. from where he's perched atop the grand desk, mindlessly eyeing the scattered papers, attention catches at the words with a half-amused huff, and eyes drag down to the lantsov boy’s frame where it occupies the chair before him.
❝ and what is it you see, moi tsar? a monster? a demon, perhaps? ❞ the darkling’s words are hushed, tone steady and impassive, yet it reverberates against the confines of these four walls with a dragged out contempt. thousands of titles had been tacked to his name; but sneers and curses have long ceased to have a sway over him. let them be ungrateful, he thinks, their words will hold no weight in a tomb. ❝ —— or are you only looking in the mirror? ❞