LANGUID SMILES ― present on face regardless of the news . at times theodore alistair often wondered just what made this man before him so carefree . he was never a bit distressed , always so smug ― confident in what he was doing ( albeit his confidence seriously concerned alpheus . )
it was as if the man was not once scared of losing anything ― and truth be told , he was right to not be . after all what did he , the fallen one , had to lose ? he wasn't even alive in the records of history . he was a mere ghost , ghost of an atrocity that had happened years ago . and ghosts did not feel fear .
they had nothing to lose .
eery laughter escaped the haggard man seated comfortably by the fireplace . he looked relaxed , almost amused at Theodore's concerned face .
" do you usually look like that or is it a special look that is made on my presence , duke alistair ? " he asked , leaning forward , chin resting on his palm .
" what look ? "
" as if you're constipated on words and thoughts . " he clipped , before erupting into another quiet peal of laughter . theodore sighed , removing his glasses to rub his eyes tiredly .
" she may have not thrown your obnoxious attempt at flattery this time , but you ought to keep in mind that this game you're playing is dangerous & futile ; what possibly could you gain out of sending flowers to the empress ? are you not afraid of the consequences if the emperor finds out ? "
a sly smile curved on his face , dark eyes casting a lazy ― but knowing glance at the duke with raised eyebrows .
" not one bit . but you are , aren't you ? it's funny how scared you are of being involved in a scandal related to the empress . you should be honoured , duke , I'm giving you such a marvelous opportunity . "
" do you realise how serious this is ?! " roger snapped , making gabriel ― the fallen prince ― laugh yet once again .
" don't worry , Alistair . everything i do has a reason behind it , and i know more than you think ― so just trust me , and lend me the resources that i require for this task ― and i will ensure that you don't have to clean the shit behind . "
how vulgar ― theodore stared at the man with wide eyes , incredulous . it was so hard to imagine this man once being the crown prince .
" fair enough . i do not wish to be implicated in any of this , so be cautious . "
OFFICE TOWER
MINISTRY OF MAGIC
" AND we will be wrapping up for the day . thank you for your time , my lords . i believe if we keep this progress up , the magical forces will be twice stronger by the time we reach harvest season . "
Persephone rises from her seat , ending the meeting with the ministers of magic and the high mages that she'd scheduled earlier than planned due to the upcoming winter festival .
emily quickly appeared by her side , bringing her a bottle of water as soon as the men dispersed from the meeting hall after saying their greetings .
" no thank you , " Persephone refused , stepping out to head down the stairs instead .
" but your highness , you haven't even eaten breakfast . you'll be dizzy if you keep this on . "
" she is right , your highness . " the same voice . Persephone stiffened , turning to face the stranger she'd met the other day in the banquet hall .
" there is a cafe nearby , is it too much to ask her highness to a cup of tea ? " he advanced forth , hand over his heart , bowing in courtesy .
emily looked clearly displeased , and she was just about to summon the guards to escort this gentleman out when penelope raised a hand to stop her .
" that doesn't sound terrible to me . "
" it is my honour , your highness . " he said , gesturing her forth in the direction where the cafe was supposed to be .
Persephone looked down at his bowing form , replying coolly " oh , it is . "
the duo then headed towards the cafe , sitting in silence while the guards and the queen's ladies sat in a table away but not too far from them . no words were exchanged for a while .
" so how long are you planning on sending those flowers to me ? " Persephone broke the silence , taking a sip of her tea . sharp turquoise eyes transfixed on his face , she tries her best to read any signs of panic .
she finds none .
" how are you so sure it's me ? " he clips back , earning a humourless scoff from the empress .
" because i merely mentioned it and you understood the context in a blink of an eye ― let's not forget the fact that you appeared out of thin air exactly where i was supposed to be today , despite not working in the ministry . " her reply was curt , a single eyebrow rising in question .
" you're astute , I'll give you that .gabriel has a grin on his face , as he reaches inside his coat to draw another acacia stem out , extending it towards her .
" it was indeed me . however i'm glad to know you've finally come to accept my gift rather than throwing it away like usual . "
Persephone took the flower from his hands , and instead of keeping it ― she placed it inside the flower vase that was in the table . she did not have time to entertain this man further .
" i barely know you , sir . and appreciated as your kind gesture is , i believe sending passive aggressive messages to a married woman ― let alone the wife of your emperor ― is not appropriate . i believe the sooner you stop , the better it will be for you . "
pushing her chair back , she rises from her seat to leave . poised steps are about to walk past him , but .
" married woman , do the vows even matter if they're said half-heartedly with someone else in your mind , empress ? "
his words make her stop . she knew full well what he was referring to ― or who he was referring to for that matter .
and the knowingness behind those dark eyes had made sure to her that he was not bluffing either . he truly did know .
perhaps he was a spy ? or a messenger ?
" i do not know who you work for , neither am i interested in knowing ― " she said , casting a glance at him over her shoulder .
" but you ought to know that whatever it is that you're trying to achieve by this , its useless . so I'd advise you to put your efforts into a productive cause rather than a vain one . good day . "
with that , she stormed out .
gabriel smiled to himself ; she was harder to intimidate than he first thought , he mused ― watching as her entourage followed her on her way out .
tch , poor little brother .