#* inquiries.

are any of us real?

Thane knows his expression must have been troubled for her to comfort him. He often refuses to express himself, keeping the same expression to conceal his thoughts. Being around her makes him lax because he doesn’t feel the need to hide anything from them. She isn’t a noble trying to get into his good graces or an assassin eager to plunge their blade into his heart. She’s someone he knows he could confide in. His mind often turns to his reign, wondering if he was genuinely happy in those days. So many things happened that he never had the time to think back on them, but being a heroic spirit grants him that privilege — a chance to think over his decisions properly. From his throne, he did no wrong; he didn’t doubt his choices or his conviction, committing himself to his words. A fickle king attracts fickle followers. Ones that would sully his noble intentions. He props his spear beside him smiling and slipping off his gloves before taking her hand in his. Pressing his lips the back of her hand, he speaks, “Your faith is more than enough for me, and I hope mine is enough for you.” He places another kiss on the back of her hand before smiling. “I’m just thinking back on a few things I did when I was king. I didn’t doubt myself back then, and I still don’t since I acted on my best judgment, but I still wonder what else I could have done.”

Pushing himself into her side happily, he luxuriates in the feeling of being in her arms. He knows he should be working, but he could afford some time off today, and there isn’t any place he wants to be other than by her side. Thane doesn’t mind putting himself behind to pamper himself. It’s his reward for working so hard, although that’s implicit between them. He finished the final touches on the next festival, so now all he needs to do is attend. He’ll bring her along again since he needs the company; otherwise, he’ll brave it alone and end up wearing himself out. Having her there makes it more feasible for him to settle down and enjoy the party like everyone else. All the work he’s been doing kept them going on too many dates with just the two of them. He tries making time for her, but sometimes his plans fell through, and he knows she’s disappointed. Her fingers combing through hair make him purr peacefully, closing his eyes and resolving himself. That wouldn’t happen this time, even if it’s not just the two of them this time.

Thane hopes they can stay like this for a little longer, but taking a walk was a good idea. He knows just the place too, where no one would interrupt them again. In his free time, he started a garden to substitute for the one that used to be alongside the castle, and it turned into a lovely grove. No one went inside without his permission, so he likes to sneak there to be alone. He enjoys sitting under the shady trees eating the fruit that fell into his lap, and there’s even a spring. A lot of trouble for a side project, but he looks at as more than that. His arms close around her intimately while he buries his face in his neck, kissing the underside of her throat with a smile. “The garden should be empty; I haven’t had a chance to show you the flowers I found yet, either. How’s that sound?”

Thane spent his time diligently keeping his work in check, but the slips in his ethic put him behind. He starts with the finances confirming who paid their taxes and providing opportunities to those that hadn’t. Serving the crown was the easiest way to earn a living, but he doesn’t force everyone into military service. They can either spend their time fighting to defend Inodal or find another trade to work in with his advisement. He ensures there’s always a job waiting for them, but he’s left with many vacant positions. Planning the harvest festival comes next since he needs to reward the farmers for another bountiful harvest. He wants them to see their efforts firsthand and know how much they contributed to everyone. Armies couldn’t march on empty stomachs or determination alone. His progress isn’t comparable to a human’s; he’s able to tackle more than one task quickly adapting as he goes. In his focused state, he completed more than half his paperwork easily, and his concentration only lapses at that point. He notices he’s all alone. She wasn’t there hanging off his shoulders, pestering him into chasing her again; she isn’t darting past him after causing mayhem in the kitchen or the barracks, and her laughter isn’t anywhere to be found. It should relax him, but it bores him instead. To think he misses her antics this much after scolding her over them. He wonders when he had a change of heart. On his left were the completed documents neatly piled, and on the right were the messy ones he needs to finish. The dent he put in them was reasonable, but there’s more to be done. Thinking everything would go to plan was foolish, so he needs to prepare measures to ensure success. He loses himself in strategizing and overlooks when she comes to him with food in hand and wine in the other. The sound of the plate causes him to start; he tentatively circles his fingers around the glass and smiles. “Talk to me for a little while. Everything’s starting to blur together again.”

Using this moment of peace to close his eyes and calm his mind, he knows it’ll be short-lived but more than enough for him. He makes the most of his time, and despite how fast times goes, he’s already recovered. It’s a talent he’s perfected over the years, which let him put it into full effect now. Familiar warmth blankets him with a sense of calm. Even with his eyes closed, he recognizes it. Her familiar scent catches in his nose. The feeling of heartbeat reaches his. He turns his head away from her to hide his smile, “You’re so needy lately.” Turning to face her again, he locks his eyes on hers and looks her over. She’s the face beside him every morning and the same taxing his dreams and heart. A future where he grew tired of seeing them couldn’t have existed anywhere. He loves her and everything she is sincerely. Thane knows neglecting her prompts her to take action; she won’t go without affection willingly, especially when he’s more than capable of giving it to her. Withholding it was his way of teasing her in revenge for her antics. 

His hands brush her sides, tracing the same outing again and again with no intention other than to touch. He wants to feel her and nothing else. In this position, he wouldn’t be able to refuse her, but he’ll graciously oblige. She is his queen, which entitled her to all he offers and whatever his kingdom provides. Showering her in every luxury is easy for him; the people rejoiced behind their queen and followed suit. Most took satisfaction in that leaving him to his devices, and he never dwelled on it. His duties were easily maintainable if he’s alone, but it’s different between them. Knowing she’ll be waiting for him when he’s free again encourages him to give his best. She is the reason he works so hard to make sure he appeases her. To allow free time to her and have intimate moments makes him giddy. He missed so much through the years because of his status, so everything here was fresh and new. He finds himself curious if this is how it should be or if he’s different compared to most. It doesn’t worry him now, but it’s the future weighing on his head. 

“Whatever will I do with such a spoiled queen?” He answers his question with a kiss skipping her lips to kiss her on the cheek. More follow but always avoiding her lips going anywhere else he can reach. Each kiss has emotion behind it; they’re crude and raw but pure in intention. If she wants to be spoiled, then he’ll spoil her. Every inch of her would get the same treatment until she’s had her fill. When Thane runs out of places to kiss, he finally pecks her lips, “I’ll clear out my work for the day.” He draws his finger down her spine and lets his fingertips dance over her back. He goes over her body like it’s a treasure that’ll break if he’s rough; he even teases the nape of her neck knowing the result, but he only does it once. “Don’t expect me to let you go that easily now.”

Hearing her causes him to jolt, he isn’t used to being snuck up, but she manages to every time. Smoothing out the creases in his coat, he hides his hands in his pockets, balling them into fists. “I didn’t mean to yell,” he responded, “I’ve been told my voice carries, though.” It helps him keep his students focused in class when it’s getting closer to dismissal. He didn’t want them missing out anything important even in those final moments. He draws out a small gift bag from his pocket, holding it out to her. “Here. I don’t know if you like sweets, but we had more leftovers than I thought. I figured I’d spread the wealth.” And keep them out of reach back home when the weekend came to spare himself the trouble.