[ Two, yes; he was created for the one down-thread, but the one up-thread is the one he sees more often. If one were to ask him, the King would say he is lucky, because he never expected either of them, yet they exist, and he surely did not expect to see them, but here they are.

He does his best not to frown when he's pushed away, but, yes, it still does hurt. Rejection, especially from someone he loves, is by no means anything the King is very keen on receiving. Still, he tells himself that meeting this queen went much better than he ever dreamed it would, and that is enough for now. ]

And? You say that like you're all interchangeable. Like you are expendable because of them. It doesn't work that way. You aren't kidneys or fingers or legs. I don't have them. You're not things to collect and I don't care for one less because another exists.

[ He sighs softly, again, trying not to frown. He's not smiling anymore, but he doesn't want to look weak or chance causing the other man to feel guilty because of his feelings. ]

If you want to me to leave you alone, you just have to say so. You don't have to bargain with me to stay out of your hair by reminding me of what I already know, and didn't forget.