Represent

[lonespark]

CN transphobia, family rejection









"Care to read my latest?" Riva was unpacking the dumplings from a new Camborian restaurant.

"If it's more werebanthers, I think I'll pass."

"Some people are very interested in that! But no, it's not."

Silvis took the papers and glanced at them.

"Rin? That's like, the most common name back home. I have four cousins named Rin."

"And I have an uncle, and a man I almost married."

"Rin and... Harveth? Where did you get that name?"

Riva pointed to the the tome with the cracked binding entitled Ancient Tales and Legends.

Silvis bit a dumpling in half and started reading.


****


"It will be an important day, your first appearance before your subjects as their Crown Princess."

"Prince."  

Mage Apprentice Rin took a deep breath and reminded himself to keep a respectful tone when addressing the queen.

"Your Royal Majesty, with all due respect, you must stop doing that."

Harveth and his mother broke off from glaring at each other to stare at Rin instead.

"How dare you speak to me this way?" the queen demanded.

"How dare you continually disrespect your own son?!?" 

"I will not bend to the fancies of a willful child.  And it is not your place to contradict me.  Do it again and you'll have to continue your studies from the dungeon."

"Now you're contradicting yourself.  Is  he a willful child, or is he a young man taking steps to assume the responsibilities of kingship? You can't have it both ways!" 

At a jerk of the queen's head, one of the guards seized the young mage by the back of his collar like an unruly kitten and dragged him out of the room.  The book he'd been holding tumbled to the floor, and the prince picked it up, clutching it like a talisman as he stepped toward his mother.

"Will you persist in this folly, even if it costs you the crown?"

"Of course.  What sort of ruler could I be, always hiding my true self?  And if it costs me my family and my home, I will seek elsewhere for a place of true welcome."

"Lose your home?  How can you think..."

"How can I not?!?"


****


"Dramatic and heartrending. I hope there's a happy ending." Silvis dropped the parchment back on Riva's desk.

"Oh of course. Justice and joy triumphant... eventually.  And a romance for the ages, too."

"Did you make it all up?"

"It's a gift for a young fan whose family isn't supportive. I can provide a different version of life, using characters whose familiarity is suggestive yet deniable."

"Oh. I hope it's well-received. But... did something like that really happen? To the king?"

"I don't think so. I haven't heard any rumors like that."

 "For his sake I hope not. Although if it had he might care more about helping people like your friend."

Riva shrugged.

"I can't say.  He seems like a decent man, but not one with a good understanding of the all the challenges ordinary people face."


****


"She does seem to be coming around. Maybe? But talking with her hurts. I'd rather be in here with the one person who always liked the real me."

The compliment made Rin's countenance glow. He ducked his head shyly.

"It really seems like the least I could do for you, my prince."

"If I have to leave, I'd like you to come with me, but I know it's a lot to ask. I could be disowned.  Even banished. You'd have to leave your family and your training..."

Rin hushed him and took his hands.

"None of that matters.  My heart's only home is with you."