"I can't say I expected High Prince Zettar being unable to resonate with a Core Crystal," Quaestor Amalthus remarked, barely veiling his condescension.

"Surely the Core of an Aegis would be different, no?" Addam replied evenly, deciding it best to simply ignore any sort of provocation from the quaestor. When he was summoned to Auresco, helping his uncle High Prince Zettar into the infirmary wasn't something that he expected to have to do.

"I'm only glad that it didn't kill him. I know some people from Mor Ardain that had been killed because they couldn't resonate with a Blade." He didn't need to tell him that Prince Zettar had tried bonding with a crystal before, but to no avail. Addam was not fond of his uncle and he knew the feeling was mutual, but he wasn't going to go out of his way to embarrass or mock him in front of others. He was surprised that His Majesty allowed Zettar to attempt awakening the Core to begin with, but that was neither here nor there. Addam certainly wasn't in any place to question the king.

"Perhaps you should try resonating with the Aegis, Prince," Amalthus remarked as he was looking out of the window.

Addam shifted in his chair to look at him, and laughed heartily. "Me?" He said humorously. "I can't say that I've ever had any aspirations to be a Driver, Quaestor."

Amalthus returned his gaze. "Never?" He repeated.

"Other than those flights of fancy that children like to have anyway. My granddad's stories about the Paragon of Torna are exciting enough for me. I think I'll pass."

Amalthus' eyes narrowed. "Prince Addam," he started pointedly, "this other Aegis could represent hope for people across Alrest. There's barely any left of it because there is no way for us to fight back. Surely dismissing the idea simply because you don't want to is irresponsible on your part. You could at least try."

"I've met some Blades, including Minoth, and their Drivers are incredibly important to them all," Addam replied. "It isn't fair to the Aegis if it ends up with a Driver that didn't want to be one to begin with."

"Aegises are Blades of a different color. So to speak," Amalthus said. "They don't rely on their Drivers in the same way that other Blades do. I'm sure once Mythra is taken care of, the other Aegis would be happy to leave and wander around by itself. They are independent. As is Minoth," he added sharply.

"Even so," Addam conceded.

He watched as Amalthus unwrapped the amethyst Core Crystal from a piece of cloth. The very same one that put Zettar in the infirmary. "At least look at it, will you? Some people have the aptitude to bond with a Core Crystal and it's so strong, even the Blade while sleeping can sense it. If you do ever change your mind, knowing may put your mind at ease when you try."

"I doubt that I will, but—"

Amalthus ignored him, practically thrusting the crystal into Addam's hands.

Addam frowned when he felt a strange humming. Like a living being curiously feeling out for something. It reminded him of a child seeing something for the first time and reaching out for it. No doubt in the Core's case, it was searching for a Driver. Because it wanted to live, like any other sort of creature.

"Was the other Aegis' crystal like this?" Addam asked. The core felt dangerously close to putting him into some sort of hypnotic daze. If all Blades' Core Crystals were like this, he could understand better as to why it was easy for people to awaken Blades by accident. If he hadn't known better, he could have ended up bonding with the Aegis anyways.

"If you mean the shape and color, yes," Amalthus answered. "Aegis cores and their colors are unique. Mythra's was green."

Addam shook his head. "No. I meant… Do they all feel so alive? I know that they say that Blades are merely sleeping inside their Core Crystals but…"

"Yes. That would be the case for all Core Crystals. It was the same for Mythra and Minoth. I've no reason to believe others are different." Amalthus paused. "But this does bode well for your aptitude. You are very likely able to become an Aegis Driver. If you do change your mind."

The notion made Addam shake his head and draw away from the crystal. Somehow, the visceral knowledge that bonding with a Blade was indeed a Blade's "birth" made bonding with it even more intimidating than it already was. "I…haven't," he said, "but it is a little unfair that Blades are alive just as much as the next person but they—" he stopped when he heard footsteps coming in their direction. With a remarkably familiar gait. Addam immediately returned the Aegis Core Crystal back to Amalthus.

He turned to the person, bowing reverently. "Your Majesty," he greeted.

The Tornan King acknowledged him with a shallow nod of his head. "Prince Addam," he said, "can I trust that Prince Zettar is recovering swiftly?"

Addam nodded once, curtly. "You are. He'll be fine."

"I'm glad to hear it. His wife and children would be deeply saddened if my brother ended up dying because he foolishly attempted awakening an Aegis when he could not even awaken a normal Blade."

Amalthus turned. "Neither of you told me that His Highness attempted—and failed to awaken a Blade before," he said coolly. "You should have said so so that none of us ended up wasting our time."

His Majesty crossed his arms and shook his head. "Apologies, Quaestor. Trust me when I say that Prince Zettar would have wasted much more time if we did not allow him to try."

"I would have asked for Prince Addam to attempt to bond with the Aegis to begin with had I known Prince Zettar did not even have the aptitude," Amalthus continued. His tone of voice was short and he made it clear that his patience was waning. "Surely His Highness would not have been able to put up much of a fight if the Aegis was already awakened."

His Majesty frowned. "Addam has the aptitude to become a Driver?" He asked.

"It is very likely."

"…I see." He turned to Addam. "Are you planning on becoming the Aegis' Driver?"

Addam shook his head. "No, no, not at all," he said, "I don't believe becoming a Blade's Driver, much less the Aegis', would be a good idea."

"I disagree," Amalthus interjected. "The people love you. And you certainly have a way with them. If it were you, people would trust you without question, even with the Aegis. And you're in a perfect position to be able to combine your already-existing power with that of the Architect's Blade."

"He isn't wrong, Addam. Out of anyone in my court, I would trust you with the Aegis the most." His Majesty's agreement with Amalthus made Addam feel as though he was struck by lightning.

He didn't know what he was meant to say to that but felt he needed to—quickly. The king could force him into awakening the Aegis. What did he need to say in order to convince him that making him a Driver would be a poor decision?

"I don't think that the Driver of the Aegis should be someone unwilling," was all Addam was able to come up with. "You honor me deeply with your words however, my lord."

He was not pressed further but displeasure was visible on Amalthus' face.

"Well just in case you change your mind," Amalthus said, "here is the Aegis' Core Crystal. And if you don't change your mind, I trust that you will find an excellent Driver for the Architect's Blade."

Addam glanced at His Majesty for any sort of contribution, but all that happened was that he merely nodded, meaning that he expected him to accept the Quaestor's generous offer.

"Thank you," Addam said, taking the Core Crystal meticulously wrapped in that piece of cloth. At the very least he had enough experience in politics to make himself look and sound completely pleasant, despite his bitter feelings.

Amalthus bowed curtly, then left the infirmary as quickly as he could.

"Tell Minoth I said hello," Addam called after him, disgruntled.

His Majesty shook his head. "I can see the true reason why he came to Auresco now. He simply wanted to rid himself of the responsibility of the Aegis. You seem to be the unlucky one who was given the honor."

Addam blanched, looking down at the cloth in his hand. "Yes, I'd noticed," he replied dryly.

"But regardless, you must guard that Core Crystal with your life. I can't imagine the disaster should it be stolen and fall into the wrong hands," His Majesty said pointedly. He was blatantly referencing the family's loss of the Paragon of Torna.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

The king opened his mouth to say something, but sighed instead. "As your father, Addam, I would never force you to become the Driver of an Aegis, but as your king I am tempted to. I can say without hesitation that I have complete faith in your abilities even if you do not. If there was any sort of truth in Quaestor Amalthus' words, it was that our people love you. No one would object to you becoming the Aegis' Driver."

"You honor me, Your Majesty," Addam said woodenly.

"You will not change your mind?"

"I'm afraid not."

His Majesty's face was blank. "That is unfortunate," he said. The fact that there was next to no emotion in either his expression or tone said more than any sort of chastising could. He continued, "Addam, Queen Eris is going to be setting out to Fonsa Myma in a few days. Prince Zettar was planning on accompanying her, but all things considered, he is not able to do so anymore. It would be much appreciated if you could do so in your uncle's place."

Addam blanched. "If Your Majesty insists on it, but—"

"Thank you for your cooperation, Prince Addam. Perhaps you'll be able to find a suitable Driver for the Aegis while you are there. You're dismissed."

Addam swallowed his response, then bowered reverently. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said. "It would be my honor to escort Queen Eris."

He left the room without another word. He wasn't so dense to think he could argue with the king. Was he being sent away from Torna because he'd irked the king that horribly? He'd never been sent away from Torna before as a punishment, but perhaps this was a worse offense than anything else he'd ever done. Escorting a woman that hated him so vehemently was a cruel punishment indeed.