Caius entered the castle, slowly closing the doors.

"Caius, is it?" Vana's question made Caius nearly drop the herbs he had been gathering.

"Yes, my Lady."

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"My literal job is to do favors for people, I cannot turn you down." Caius answered as uninterestedly as he could, hoping she would just back off and find someone else to do her mindless task.

"That's very funny, Caius. But, you see, Rhys has something of mine, and I'd like it back."

"Let me guess, the vial?"

"Yes. And his recreation of it, which I know he's been working so diligently on."

"Nice try. You're persistent, I'll give you that." Caius laughed, attempting to sidestep Vana.

"Let's make a deal then." Vana crossed her arms. "You get me the vial, or I'll hang your sister's head in your chambers like a goddamn chandelier." 

"Empty threats. You're stepping up your game, Vana." Caius's laugh grew stronger.

"Was what happened to your brother an empty threat?" Vana's smile turned Caius's stomach in on itself. Refusing to let her see his reaction, he marched straight past her, thankfully with the herbs in hand.

"You're sulking." Caius wiped his sweaty brow, dumping the handful of herbs on the table, right next to Vana's vial and Rhys's recreation.

"I'm not sulking." Rhys took his face out of his hands. His face was red and blotchy, with tear trails decorating the landscape right under the dark circles under his eyes.

"You're crying. Why?"

"I can't say." Rhys dismissed his brother, staring blankly behind Caius.

"Well you're as emotionally vulnerable as always. Did you even get any sleep?"

"Not a wink." Rhys wiped his face, practically falling asleep standing up.

"Well, maybe you should. I'll help you." Caius ducked under his brother's arm and led him up the stairs, into the bedroom. "Get some rest, Rhys. We've got a ball to attend, and a sister's honor to defend."

As Rhys fell asleep, Caius had a large mental debate with himself. He could easily just ignore Vana, but every time he would blink, all he saw was Zephrine without her head. Somehow, Vana didn't seem to be the kind to make empty threats.

"I'm going to go check on the king." Making up his mind, he told Rhys, who was already fast asleep.

And Caius, without even thinking, swiped both vials on his way out.