Riesling clutched his hand, leading him through the dark halls. At this time of night, this deep in the castle, the only source of light was the flickering of the torches they ran past.
"Wait," Cassimir called, grip loosening on the other's hand.
Riesling didn't hear, too focused on watching for anyone who may see them.
"Ries, slow down," Cassimir tried again, to no avail, until he frustratedly let go of Riesling's hand, slowing to a halt. He turned and looked up at the wall, holding his cloak around him.
Riesling finally stumbled to a stop, nearly slipping on the smooth floor, and whirled around to face him. "Cass. When I said we have to go, I really meant that we have to go," he hissed lowly, eyes on their surroundings.
Cassimir didn't budge.
"What are you even looking—?" Riesling cut himself off when he turned and saw the wall, then took a half step back. Ah, right. These lower corridors were where the royal family kept their portraits.
Cassimir gazed up at a painting of his father, with his hand on his mother's shoulder, and an infant held between them. Him. It was custom, of course, for a painting to be done after the birth of an heir.
"I cannot even say goodbye to them," Cassimir uttered softly, lifting a hand to rest his palm on the frame of the portrait, as he used to do when he was small.
Watching him for a long moment, Riesling glanced up at the portrait, a heavy sigh leaving his lungs. "I've always hated that portrait."
Cassimir blinked. "You what?"
"Well, they got your eyes wrong, see?" Riesling pointed up, and sure enough, the infant's eyes were a bright, dazzling blue. "Yours are lavender."
Cassimir stared up at the infant, then covered his mouth to muffle his quiet laughter. "In all my years, I have never noticed that. Maybe it was the lighting, Ries."
"Mm. You'd think, being the royal painter and all, they would have gotten the lighting right. Especially on the most important part of the painting," Riesling chuckled back, the tension in his shoulders fading.
"Right, I'll make sure to bring that up the next time I have a portrait done." Cassimir shook his head, grinning, and took Riesling's hand again. "Come on, then. The others are waiting for us."
Riesling gave his hand a squeeze, gave a small nod, then turned and ran.