No matter how many times he saw the glaring green eyes, he still stared at them as if hypnotized.
His sister law was menacing even without his meddeling, composed as if nothing could touch her.
With a husband like his brother it was a much needed quality.
Her auburn hair swayed against the cup, chin length, as she drank the liquid in it.
His agenda started as soon as it was empty.
"Your pawn has been making things difficult for me, he believes I treat you badly and is desperate to get rid of me."
"You shouldn't speak like that about your subordinate, Zephyrus."
Frowning visibly, he ignored the way she said his name.
"Subordinate?"
Leaning forward when her startling eyes turned muddled, he spoke with certainty.
"How can I treat him otherwise, when he answer to you?
When I answer to you?"
Muddled eyes glazed over at the suggestion before returning to normal.
His mirror of a second rapidly over.
But her stance changed, miniscule but her head rose and shoulders broadened.
After a while you started looking for the signs, seeing them for what they were.
"I didn't take you for the type to interrogate me, Zephyrus."
He hadn't done anything that caused his name to leave her mouth like that. Having thoroughly examined the entirety of the materials containing with the subtance, he had realised the side effects.
"I wouldn't dare...sister in law."
A glint, squashed but there.
"Aeyla, how many times must I say it."
"As many times as needed, sister in law.
That's something that will never change even when the world burns."
Straightening his fit, he left, smirking as he reached the door.
Frowning as he closed it.
In silent, as had been the norm for the past weeks, he walked to his office.
Where a plate waited, full with the best of the world, which he promptly ignored.
''Your majesty, the cooks have voiced their worry.''
''I'm not in need of their food today nor their worry.''
''You are never hungry after your visit, may I ask why?''
''You may not.
Give the plate to those in need for it.
Now leave.''
Where the quard in the past immediately listened, he now questioned and disobeyed him.
''Your majesty, I insist.''
Insist?
Opening the shelf, he easily grabbed his knife, throwing it directly at his quard's head.
As per his abilities he avoided it, hairs falling in slow motion as he stared wide eyed.
Was it the first time he reacted this strongly?
He should do it more, the reaction was fun.
''O..U..T''
He didn't even bow as the other just twirled and left to stand in front of the door.
Sighing in frustration, he closed the door himself.
With a bit more intensity than usual, even going so far as throwing a cup to the wall.
Later joined with all the other unnecessary stuff placed on the cart.
Before sitting down with a smile, he had fun with the throwing now paperwork awaited him.
Lots of it.
-----
"Your majesty.
It is late, shall I escort you to the bedroom?"
Arioz voiced his words just loud enough for them to enter the office.
But where usually his words where returned with an answer, now only silence awaited.
Opening the door, as silent as could be, he anticipated his majesty's angered gaze at the disturbance.
The other had been more angsty as of late.
What met him however was the slow rising of his back as his majesty slumbered surrounded with piles of paperwork.
Curiosity taking the better of him, he closed the distance between him and the sleeping royal.
He looked.... peaceful.
As if it was his first moment of rest in weeks, a rest that forced itself upon him in the safety of the four walls he spent the most time in.
Silently, he unclasped his cloak, dragging it over the majesty he served, under the shining light of the moon he looked young.
Younger than he made himself out to be with his icy expressions.
Arioz sometimes forgot that the other was barely 27, in the midst of his twenties and burdened with the blood of his brother tainting his hand.
Although that was not what he thought at first but looking at the plate still untouched on the cart, he realised he was mistaken as he stood in the middle of broken shards.
''Maids.''
The answer was immediate.
''You called.''
''Make sure the office is spottless as morning arrives.''
''Yes.
But...his majesty..?''
The maids looked pointedly, less afraid as they took in the sleeping royal, some even staring too intently.
Too young to realise just how off limits his majesty was for them.
As if only now seeing the looks his majesty had inherited from his parents aswell.
Carefully and ever so silently he picked the royal up, a breath of relief taking over the sudden anxiety deep inside him.
No matter the changes he noted, he didn't doubt the fact that his head would hang if his majesty awakened at this precise moment.
''As per my duty, I will escort his highness to his quarters.
Give the leftovers to whoever needs it most.''
With that he left, confident in his stride as he was well aware the royal hadn't even touched the plate ,much less looked at it.
Like every other day he visited the Queen.