From then on, the two men would be seen together for the entirety of the banquet.
Others looked at them with curiosity, wondering what men of such different backgrounds would have to discuss.
"Perhaps they are discussing some of the battles they might've fought in the past?" One guest suggested.
The others looked at him like he was deft. "They have been out there for three hours now?! You really think they'd be talking about fights all this time?"
"Then what do you suppose they are talking about?!" He exclaimed, clearly offended by the stares he was receiving.
"I'm not sure, but I know it can't be that. Despite how ferocious our king may be, he has barely reached adulthood. It looks to be the same for our ultimate warrior. He looks no older than King Ceremus. I sincerely doubt they've fought that many battles in their lifetimes." One of the more distinguished guests said.
The others nodded in agreement but the one who was accused of being an imbecile for his comment didn't seem to agree with his statement at all.
"Please, the King has reached the mature age of twenty-seven! And I'm sure the young lad next to him isn't far off either. You lot ought to stop treating him like a child."
One of the guests rolled their eyes. "Everyone knows a person doesn't reach true maturity until they reach the ripe age of thirty. Now do us all a favour and stop spouting your childish rhetoric elsewhere."
His eyes flared with anger. "Childish? Who exactly is the childish one is this scenario sir?!" He exclaimed.
The two went back and forth while the other guests watched the scene unfold with amusement. They had long forgotten the peculiarity that was the King and the ultimate warrior—at least until they heard of the two walking out on the streets together.
Even after the banquet had passed, they were still in each other's company, surprising the citizens of Trojas. The ones who were the most surprised however were Anemone and Anthanasia.
Since he had known Ceremus, he knew that the king didn't particularly enjoy being in the company of others unless it was the women he partied with or the many encounters he made in the night districts. Speaking of night district, it had been quite some time since his last visit. The more Anemone thought about it, the more he started to notice that the change began the moment he first made contact with Hael.
The advisor didn't know whether or not to fear or welcome this sudden change. Ceremus had always been wild and unpredictable, but he couldn't help wishing for the latter.
Anthanasia on the other hand felt strange. Since the celebratory banquet, she was seeing less and less of her new friend. She found herself lonely all of a sudden, and wondered what brought along such an inconceivable friendship between the two. She wanted to hear some answers from the man, but he was never alone. Anthanasia had no choice but to seek Loki out.
"What do you want?" The bird asked her, his face full of disdain. Despite not understanding him, she could tell he wasn't happy having her initiate a conversation with him.
Anthanasia rolled her eyes. "How long are you going to keep hating me for?" She asked him.
Loki turned his head, snubbing the young woman. Anthanasia sighed. "Well, it's clear we're not going to be able to have a civil conversation. I'm just worried about Hael is all." She mumbled.
This seemed to get Loki's attention. Just how bad is this King for her to be worried for a man who could lift the mountains if he wanted to? He let out a resigned sigh as he saw the look of concern on her face. He moved closer to the woman and gave her a light tap with his claws.
Anthanasia turned in surprise as she looked down at Loki whose eyes seemed to say everything she wanted to hear: he's fine.
She pursed her lips and nodded her head. "You're right. I'm sure wherever he is and whatever it is he's doing….he'll be fine. The man can take care of himself. It's rather disconcerting how quickly the King has changed though. I have a feeling Hael is the reason for that change."
The rest of the staff in the palace shared the same sentiment as the young huntress. No longer did the King go on angry bouts whenever he was in a bad mood. He stopped drinking as much, and it was rare for him to bring women or go over to the night district. Whatever it was that had changed him, they welcomed it.
Ceremus on the other hand couldn't help but feel terrified with how much things had developed in his relationship with Hael.
It was like the man was the breath of fresh air he never knew he needed. Every moment he spent with him was new and exciting. And whenever it was time for them to part, he felt a sudden loneliness that ripped through his very being. Whenever he felt lonely, he would have someone come take care of his needs, and Ceremus felt the urge to do so that night, however the thought of being in someone else's company, the feeling of someone else touching him left him with a deep disgust. It was sudden and inexplicable, and Ceremus didn't like it one bit. He recalled the conversation he had with Hael earlier.
"Why must you leave?" He asked him.
"I have to return to my home. I haven't been back for three days." The white haired man said.
Ceremus frowned. "I thought I said this would be your home from now on."
Hael tilted his head in confusion. "You were serious about that?"
"Of course I was! What reason would I have to lie?" He exclaimed.
Hael was taken aback. "But Your Majesty, we've only just met. How could I, a mere stranger, dare to impose on you?"
Ceremus paused as he took in Hael's words. Under normal circumstances, the man would be right. To take in someone you didn't even know as one of your personal guards, of course people would wonder how such a thing came to be, however, this was King Ceremus we were talking about. When had he ever listened to reason? If he wanted something, then he would have it. Who would dare oppose him? At least, that's how it should've been.
For the first time, Ceremus actually found himself questioning his decision. Why was he so insistent on having Hael around? Was it because he liked him? The fact that he desired a friendship with this man? He couldn't understand it, nor did he wish to understand it. All he knew was that he wanted Hael by his side.
Hael saw the troubled look on the King's face and felt a tug at his heart. An uncomfortable prick that made him want to remove the frown that had taken over Ceremus' face.
"I will stay then." He said. His words made Ceremus look up in shock.
"What?"
"I will stay if that is what you wish. However, I must return home first and let my friends know I am doing well." He told the man.
Ceremus didn't say anything for a while before he slowly nodded his head.
"Alright then. Do as you wish. I will also have a meeting with Anemone and see if I can grant you the position as well."
With that, both men felt at ease, and the prickly feeling they felt in their hearts was gone.