Determination

“Young master, I truly implore you reconsider—” “Kaeke, we’ve had this discussion time and time again, and every time, you’ve failed in trying to convince me of anything. I suggest you rest your tongue.”
Croix Sante’s unending gaze is only matched by the large portraits behind them, the tapping of their hand against their cane and their foot against the floor matched by the steady ticking of the grandmaster clock perfectly placed at the head of the room. They tilt their head as the butler in front of them bites his lip, wiping sweat from his brow. “Just up and going to Mythrite, without any sort of preparation or protection, is truly a dangerous idea—”
He’s cut off again, though, as Croix leans forward, putting a single, raised finger against Kaeke’s mouth. They roll their eyes as they shush him, shaking their head. “I’m not ‘just up and going’ anywhere. I don’t appreciate you suddenly playing dumb.” They lean back, sighing as they lift up their cane, inspecting it. It gleams under the low chandelier light, their reflection barely visible in the plated gold.
“And the Lord’s Council’s arrival in Mythrite has done little to stabilize the situation there! Surely, you can just wait a season, and then once things are more safe, it would be far better to take your leave.” Croix lazily looks up from their cane as the butler stands there, wringing his hands as his eyes tear up. “If anything were to happen to you…”
The young heir rolls their eyes as they straighten up, turning to face the two large portraits of their parents; a dark skinned, stern looking man their father, and a gentle woman with golden hair and eyes their mother. “You’re overexerting yourself. If I were to be kidnapped and held for ransom, you know there’s no price my parents wouldn’t pay. And as much as I would like to, Father’s insisted I bring along some servants.” Indeed, that was one of the many, many concessions they’d had to make in order to make their dream a reality. “Whatever happened to me going out into the world and making a name for myself, anyhow?”
Kaeke begins to splutter out some sort of response, but Croix turns from the portraits, beginning to walk down the long hallway. “Everyone’s always been on my case over how I’m wasting my life away, but the one time I decide to do something, suddenly those same people want me to continue to stay home with my dear family…” They don’t care if the butler hears them, their words hurried, quiet. The tapping of their feet and their cane echoes through the empty hallways as they do their best to ignore the pitter-pattering behind them.
When word of Mythrite had reached the Sante home, a fire had ignited in Croix that their family had never seen before. Something about the boomtown fascinated them, but their first pleas to be allowed to visit the settlement were met with a harsh denial. After all, things were far too dangerous there; word of a goblin siege only solidified their parents’ conviction. “Once the Lord’s Council arrives. Once the political situation has stabilized.” To them, those words feel like nothing but excuses; every time one reason resolved itself, another seemed to come up. They know that, were they to examine it rationally, their parents’ words would make sense.
But Croix has never been a fan of such things.
“Young master, it is admirable that you’ve finally taken an interest in continuing the family’s line of business, but there must be another place you could get your start.” Kaeke struggles to keep up with their long strides, wiping sweat from his brow as he rushes in front of them, firmly planting his feet as he meets their golden gaze.
They stop, narrowing their eyes as the man winces. “I don’t care what you think. And you clearly don’t care what I think, either; you’re not going to convince me with this pathetic display.” Their hand trembles as they slowly curl it into a fist. “Mother and Father made names for themselves by doing this very thing, you know. If they’d gone to simple, happy cities, there wouldn’t’ve been rumors to spread, gossip to buy. Your entirely livelihood only exists today because of the risks they took.” They consider raising their fist for a moment, but no; violence certainly won’t make this situation better. Instead, their hand loosens.
“I know it’s dangerous. I know something awful could happen to me. But...isn’t that the most exciting part? Something awful could happen to anyone there, and I could be the one to cause it or prevent it. A place like Mythrite is the perfect way to show my dear Mother and Father that I’m just as capable as they are when it comes to spinning tales.” Croix turns back, glancing at the portraits before they close their eyes. “Despite what they tell me, I know I’m a disappointment for not having married, or having taken any initiative with my life. This is my rectification for that.”
Kaeke, for once, stops with his spluttering, finally catching his breath as he gazes up at them. Croix turns back to meet his blue eyes, and they sigh. “If you’re truly this worried, why don’t you accompany me?”
“Huh?” The man blinks, and looks around. “Haven’t your parents already assigned servants to accompany you?”
Croix waves their hand, shrugging. “They’re used to me throwing a wrench in things. But you’ll have to get ready now, considering I leave tomorrow. But if Mythrite is too dangerous for you, you could simply stay behind.”
“N—no! I would be honored to join you, young master.” Kaeke spins on his heels, nearly stumbling over himself as he rushes away, off to pack his meager belongings so he can do his best to enjoy the perilous journey. Croix watches him turn the corner with a sigh, gazing up at the ceiling. It’ll be annoying, having him join them, but it’s a necessary step for them to reach their dream; for them to finally add some color to their bleak world.