[ A flicker of something almost hopeful flashes within those blue eyes, seeming almost truly like his age for once. He'd run away from home to escape his family and their expectations, so that had to count, right? ]

Y-Yeah? I... wish I could get that across to my family. I think sometimes that's all they see me as, and how useful i'll be to them as the heir to the family name.

[ He sighs, the sound soft and almost defeated. The memory still left a chill going through him even now. ]

All that matters to them is doing what they expect of me... my brother even threatened to kill the friend I did make...