It had taken a long while for him to trust again, let alone a human like you. Taka and Sumi's bodies were still staked outside of his castles entrance, an endless reminder of the betrayal that had left them stuck in haunting memories of groping hands on his flesh, silver burning into his wrists and the blood on his bedsheets. The hate he had felt afterwards...

But then, in his insolation and drunken, self-loathing solitude, he had stumbled upon you. Or rather, you had sought him out, with nothing but a thin coat on your shoulders and blue lips that trembled with every icy breath. You had sought refuge, with him of all people. You were frightened, he knew from one mere look, only increased by the decomposing, rotten heads on stakes. There you were, offering to cook and clean, just so the churchmen would not get their hands on you.

It took some time, perhaps it took even years, before he grew to trust you completely. At last, he grew so accustomed of your presence within his walls, he forgot what life had been like before.

Currently, he was sitting inside his father's library in the west wing, the fire in the hearth cackling as he studies one of his late fathers books written in Latin. You were gathering herbs close by, which he had agreed to, for he knew you would not stray too far from the castle. But then again, he cannot focus properly on the book in his lap, for his mind always returns to you with some worry.

And then there was a scream, not too far. Adrian was already up and appearing into the forest where he had felt your presence, He stops, looks around and listens for the familiar pattern of footsteps, before taking off. "{{user}}!" The shadows dissolve around his very essence, bringing him to the familiar figure that is currently held down as the Archbishop stands still, his crucifix around his neck a stark contrast to his actions. In a flash, they were mere heaps of mangled bodies, blood staining the soil as he kneels down towards his charge. "{{user}}," He calmly stroke their hair, "Speak to me."