Alastor sat on his throne, chin resting on his hand, his midnight-blue eyes scanning the ballroom with a detached gaze. The vibrant colors of the nobles swirled around him like a chaotic painting, laughter and chatter filling the air, but he felt as if he were watching a distant storm from the safety of a window.
He watched Hale, who was effortlessly engaging with the crowd on his behalf, a charming smile plastered on his face as he navigated the sea of aristocrats.
"Phew," Hale said, plopping down on the throne beside Alastor after a particularly lengthy discussion with a group of nobles. "That was a lot of talking, and Daphne's not even here yet."
Alastor merely nodded, his usual sharp wit dulled by an unusual low spirit. He felt a wave of gratitude wash over him for Hale's ability to handle the social intricacies of the court. He was too tired for it himself. Too tired.
"What's wrong with you, Al?" Hale asked, his tone light but his gaze probing. He reached out, gently caressing Alastor's hair in an attempt to elicit a reaction from the usually grumpy king.
Alastor, usually quick to swat away such gestures, merely chuckled softly, a tired smile creeping onto his lips as he continued to stare straight ahead. "What are you even talking about?" he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hale paused, noticing the unusual lack of resistance. His expression turned contemplative as he continued to fondle Alastor's hair, a gesture that felt oddly intimate in the midst of the grand festivities. "You know, Allie, the rumors about you are crazy."
Alastor turned to look at him, Hale's hand still on his hair. "Were they pestering you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the nearby nobles, who were too engrossed in their own conversations to notice the royal exchange.
Hale smiled slightly at the familiar reaction, feeling a momentary sense of relief. "No, I overheard. You know I have enhanced hearing; though, it's quite useless in my kingdom."
"Oh…" Alastor softened, the tension in his shoulders easing as he turned his attention back to the ball. "Right."
"Why didn't you take care of it?" Hale pressed, his tone shifting to something more serious. "You could easily get rid of such things. I haven't heard a word that is actually true."
Alastor chuckled, still avoiding Hale's gaze. "Maybe it is true."
"Al." Hale's voice turned serious, cutting through the lighthearted banter.
Alastor hesitated, a smile faltering on his lips. "They let their guard down the more they hear their king's 'imperfections.'"
Hale looked at him silently for a moment, the concern deepening in his gaze. "Why do you need them to let their guard down?" he asked, his voice softening.
Alastor tried to meet Hale's eyes but found himself looking away, a forced smile on his face. "If I…" He hesitated, swallowing hard. "If I can't quit. Isn't it obvious that I have to make it tolerable?" He chuckled, as if the absurdity of the situation made perfect sense.
Hale's eyes widened, and he grabbed Alastor's face, forcing him to look directly at him. "Al." His voice trembled slightly, realization dawning. "You… You didn't…"
Alastor chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "What are you doing?"
"Answer me! Did you…?" Hale's voice faltered, finally mustering the courage to ask, "Did you try to—"
Alastor grabbed Hale's hands, chuckling again. "For someone so perceptive, you can be quite slow at times."
Hale's expression shifted to one of fear, his hands shaking slightly in Alastor's grasp. "Al…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Noticing Hale's trembling hands, Alastor's face turned expressionless, then softened into a smile. "I haven't since Daphne."
Hale took a moment to process the words, his eyes widening in shock.
Abruptly, he pinched Alastor's cheek, a mix of relief and frustration flooding his features.
"What are you really doing, Hale?" Alastor laughed, the sound echoing in the grand hall.
"You are a huge pain, you know that?" Hale replied, his voice a blend of exasperation and affection.
"Yeah, yeah," Alastor said, shaking his head, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward, a hint of warmth breaking through the otherwise cold facade he had maintained.
Nathan leaned against the polished marble railing of the grand ballroom. His gaze was fixed on King Alastor, who was sharing a laugh with Hale. His brow furrowed slightly, a strange expression crossing his face as he contemplated the king's laughter. "It's odd to see him laugh," he muttered.
Duke Everard, standing beside him, nodded absently, his eyes still fixed on the king. "He's always been close with that Fae's ruler," he replied, his tone devoid of enthusiasm.
Nathan crossed his arms, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "Why isn't his daughter here yet?" he asked, feigning innocence while secretly relishing the thought of her absence.
The Duke furrowed his brow, genuinely perplexed. "I… I can't understand why she isn't here yet," he admitted.
"Perhaps she's too afraid to come?" Nathan suggested as he snickered to himself, imagining the chaos that would ensue if the princess decided to hide away.
'Though that will work out well for me,' he thought, a smirk creeping onto his lips.
The Duke shot him a disapproving look, his expression a mix of irritation and concern. "It can't be," he replied, shaking his head as if to dispel Nathan's suggestion.
"It shouldn't be."