Thicket of Secrets never thought to question why

Ranger had long since come to the conclusion that she had deserved everything she had gotten. Being thrown from her rightful throne had stung, but the knowledge that her brother had been disgraced simply for who had been born as had made her pain even worse. But she wasn't going to say any of that to his back. He spat words at her, then spat at her feet, and turned to leave. She sighed softly, hanging her head and closing her eyes. It wasn't easy feeling humiliated and ridiculed, but she had no choice but to take it. Quest had every right to hate her, to feel so much anger toward his own sister that he would physically harm her. <b>"I did deserve it,"</b> she said softly, though loud enough for him to hear, even now a few steps away from her.

Her eyes flashed up to him, his words about hoping she'd live a lonely life cutting into her like a knife. Her dearest hope these days was to be able to live with Ruiko permanently, as a couple, but the thought of loneliness had always drifted into her thoughts. What if he didn't like her like that? What if his affection was just for her strength (which was obvious and needed in times of danger), and not her love? The pain written across her face was <span class='word'>hyaline</span>. it was so crystal clear that his words had cut her more deeply than any physical wound, and her lower limp quivered as a whimper escaped her lips. This was not going to be easy, going back to Ruiko now. But she would; she had promised him that she would answer his request within a few days' time.

She'd have to face him, no matter the pain in her heart.