Ebari and Galen were used to hiding their feelings from one another and, for a couple of weeks, they continued as normal.
However, in that couple of weeks, Galen was finished training the new guards for the time being so he was able to resume morning training sessions with Ebari.
The emperor had been doing nothing but stewing in his feelings for the days leading up to that. There were times he couldn't even meditate, his mind and heart so heavy with conflicting feelings that he would pretend to be immersed until Galen opened his eyes and they would move on as normal.
At dinner, Galen had quietly asked him if he wanted to resume morning training and he readily agreed, thinking he could handle it until the Basilian was in front of him and not wearing any armor.
It felt like Galen's physique was taunting Ebari and telling him what he couldn't have.
Ebari lunged at Galen particularly hard.
