"You Know I Can't."
It's what he said then, it's what he's saying now. It's.. What he'll keep saying.
Radagon's expression is sad, and pained as he tells his beloved daughter Ranni, the same thing he told her mother years ago. Taking her heart with him upon his departure.
Ranni's eyes, that deep and beautiful blue of her mother's, gloss over as she tries to blink the tears away.
Her bottom lip barely trembled, but still yet did it tremble. She'd always cry like this..
Oh how he yearned to embrace her, but he doesn't. Not because he's cold and hates her, his sweet little Ranni.. But. He can't.
There's this hollow feeling, opening in his chest, blooming outward like a flower of nothingness.
"But-... But why can't-.. Why can't thee just.. Leave this all behind?"
Ohh.. Ranni's voice is that painful little quiver, a heartbreaking tone upon Radagon's ears. He shakes his head, shoulders falling limp in some unspoken defeat. What is he not telling her? Why is he not telling her?!
"Ranni-... Thou should just hate me. It's.. Better off that way. What I did was unforgivable- horrid, truly. Thou knows I can't."
Radagon's voice is low, almost a mutter. He has no need to yell, not at Ranni. Never.. At Ranni. Or any children. He's so ashamed of himself, he only glances at Ranni for a moment, before the golden hue falls back to the ground.
"Why-?.. Father.. There's got to be more to this than just picking up and leaving us!.. Please.. I beg of thee.."
She can beg all she want. But Greater Will alone, she must not know.
"I.. Am terribly sorry, Ranni.. But this is fate. Destiny.. No matter how much I regret it anymore."
Ranni knew her father. Radagon was loving, and amazing father. There wasn't a day he didn't love his family. Not a single damn day. Why would he abandon his family? One he loved beyond his being..
There was something else at play. It made Ranni feel ignorant.. Because she cannot understand a single thing. A single tear slides down her cheek.
Radagon can't take it anymore, and quickly embraces Ranni. Pulling her in close, he's strong as he always has felt, but.. There was a certain coldness upon his skin.
Ranni remembered him being much warmer than this. When she was small.. Whenever he hugged her, she was encompassed with his ever loving warmth.
But she wraps her arms around him in return, holding him back. Her head rested against his chest, and he held Ranni so close. One hand rubbing her back, the other holding her head.
"I love thee-.. So much. Dearest daughter Ranni.. Thou will always have place in mine heart.. Never forget what I've done.. I can't."
Ranni quietly sobs into him. Knowing this.. Is the last time she can ever do this. Radagon holds her, all this while. He kisses the top of her head, as he always did.
Ranni was horribly saddened by this, because it's the last she'll ever get. Their life was wonderful, before Radagon left them behind. She will never know the truth.. Will anyone but Radagon know?
They stay like that, a little while longer, until Radagon begins to slip away from Ranni.
"Love endlessly.. My precious child of the Moon. For there is nothing more sacred and precious.. Let thy love be thine succession, above all else."
Before he leaves, he pulls out a small pouch from his belt, before taking her hand, placing it into her palm. His hands clasped around hers, and he held her small and delicate hand between both of his.
Ranni didn't want him to let go. But he had to.
With a solemn expression Radagon turns to leave.
"This is goodbye.. For now, Ranni.."
She clutches the small pouch against her chest, above her beating heart, resisting the urge to cry more, and failing.
"Goodbye.. Father.."
She mutters, holding his gift in her hands, near and dear to her heart. Radagon stops, just before the other hall began, as if he had something to say. But alas.. Any words he had died right then and there, in his throat before they can even reach his mouth.
And so, the red haired Radagon leaves his daughter with similar hair alone, in the deafening silence of Leyndell's great castle hall.
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