Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 350. Lost Track of Time
"Rose," he said, his voice low, almost raspy. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be resting."
Rose crossed the room, her gaze sweeping over the cluttered desk. Stacks of documents, maps, and letters were spread out before him, along with an empty plate that had been pushed to the side. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied, her tone gentle but firm. "It's been over half an hour. You promised you wouldn't take long."
Angel exhaled, leaning back in his chair and rubbing a hand over his face. "I lost track of time," he admitted.
Rose crossed her arms, giving him a knowing look. "Again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Angel huffed a quiet laugh, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. "Again," he said, his tone almost resigned. "I think it's a habit at this point."
"At least you've eaten now," Rose pointed out, her voice softer, though still firm.
"I am," Angel replied, leaning back slightly, as if to prove it to her. The faint smile tugging at his lips suggested he knew she was right.
Rose walked around the desk and sat down in the chair across from him, her hands resting lightly in her lap. "Is there still a lot left to do?" she asked, glancing at the chaotic spread of papers before him. "Should I help you?"
Angel shook his head immediately. "No. Five minutes," he said, holding up a hand as if making a solemn promise. "Give me five minutes, and I'll be done."
Rose narrowed her eyes at him, clearly unconvinced. "Five minutes?" she repeated, her disbelief evident. "I've heard that before."
"This time, I'll keep my word," Angel insisted, a faint smirk appearing on his face, though his voice carried a tinge of guilt.
Rose let out a long exhale, shaking her head before finally relenting. "Fine," she said, leaning back slightly in her chair. "But I'm staying right here to make sure you don't lose track of time again."
Angel chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "Alright," he agreed. "Deal." He didn't waste any more time, his attention snapping back to the documents in front of him. The quill in his hand moved again, the scratch of it against the parchment the only sound in the room.
Rose watched him for a moment, her eyes tracing the sharp lines of his profile. Despite the exhaustion etched into his features, there was a quiet determination in the way he worked, a focus that spoke of how deeply he cared about his responsibilities. It was one of the things she admired about him, even if it frustrated her to see him push himself so hard.
She let her gaze wander to the papers on the desk, careful not to disturb him but curious about the intricacies of his work. Maps, letters, and plans—all vital pieces of the puzzle that was their kingdom. It was overwhelming to think about how much rested on his shoulders.
The minutes ticked by, and true to his word, Angel stayed on task, his quill moving with precise strokes. Rose glanced at the clock, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noted the time. "It's been five minutes," she said, her voice breaking through the silence.
Angel didn't look up immediately, finishing the sentence he was working on before setting the quill down. "Done," he said, leaning back and letting out a sigh of relief. "See? I kept my word."
Rose gave him a small, approving smile. "You did," she said, though her eyes carried a hint of surprise. "I wasn't sure if you'd actually stop."
Angel smirked, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "I do listen to you," he said, his tone teasing.
"Sometimes," Rose shot back, the playfulness in her voice matching his.
They shared a brief moment of quiet laughter. Angel stood, stretching his arms above his head before rolling his shoulders to release some of the stiffness. Rose watched him, her expression softening.
"You need to rest, Angel," she said gently. "The coronation is important, but so is your health. You're no good to anyone if you burn yourself out."
Angel nodded, the sincerity in her voice grounding him. "I know," he said, his tone quieter now. "I'll rest. Thank you for keeping me on track."
Rose stood as well, stepping closer to him. "That's what I'm here for," she said, her smile warm. "Now, let's go to the chamber. You need some proper rest."
Angel hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on the documents still scattered across his desk. But then he looked at Rose, at the quiet determination in her expression, and he knew she was right. He had pushed himself enough for one night.
"Alright," he said, his voice soft but resolute. He offered her his arm, and she took it without hesitation, the warmth of her touch grounding him further.
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