Theo swallows.
He knows perfectly well what the answer to Aldric's question is.
He doesn't know.
Theo doesn't know since when he has been inside this illusion.
And that realization is far more terrifying than seeing the Dungeon King's physical form.
Aldric is still smiling lovingly. He blinks slowly, deliberately. His long lashes move beautifully, framing his slightly almond-shaped dark brown eyes. Even the way his gaze rests on Theo is exactly how Theo wants to remembers him.
Too perfect.
That alone is another clue that this is nothing but an illusion.
Aldric did love him. Theo never doubted that. But Aldric never looked at him like this. Aldric was a stoic man. Not cold like Arthur, not rigid like Linus, but disciplined to his core. Controlled. Every emotion locked behind layers of restraint.
Everything about Aldric was straight and orderly. He followed the rules he set as if his life depended on them.
