“I would, but it was a mission from the Empress. You know how she is.” Shafir adjusted his gear before finally tying his hair back up in a more presentable fashion. His hair had been a mess too, so yes, he concluded, he passed out in the middle of work. Well, at least Eliqinor was probably too engrossed in his paperwork to even notice, and that’s why he wasn’t scolded. “Don’t wait for me. Not that you would anyway.” Shafir waved behind himself as he opened the door to the office with a creek and a small hum came from Eliqinor in response.
“Don’t take too long or I’ll have to come to find you myself.” Shafir stopped in the doorway as Eliqinor spoke. Well, that was a new one. He never acted like he’d been concerned with Shafir’s whereabouts before. Shafir took a second to regain his thoughts before turning around to look at his captain.
“What are you going to do? Drag me back to work?” There was the sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor and the thud of boots. When Shafir’s eyes trailed over Eliqinor’s form, which he wished he hadn’t, the other stood there in front of his desk, leaning back with his hands on the top of it. Something stirred in Shafir’s chest, and he felt the urge to leap out of his skin. Why did it seem like Eliqinor was trying to entice something out of him? Perhaps the other wanted to make him angry.
“If I have to. I will.”
“Well, fuck you.” Shafir practically ran out of the office and slammed the door behind him. The pounding in Shafir’s heart didn’t go away, even when he was so far away from that tiny office. He was still quick to anger like always, but there was something about the fact that they could hold a conversation that made Shafir feel weird. Even if it was only a few sentences, it was rather… pleasant? Not that he wanted to talk to that privileged asshole that much.
Shafir had been waiting for who knows how long in the garden pavilion. He had been summoned by the Empress and when he had gotten there; he had been told to wait. It wasn’t like her to send a missive to someone and then not be on time for the said meeting. So, he sat there and waited… and waited… and waited. Eventually, a maid came with some tea and sweets and told him the empress would be a while longer before leaving him there.
True enough to the maid’s words, the empress came strolling in with all the regality of a swan. As usual, they adorned her in all of her lavish gold and fancy robes. Sometimes Shafir still wondered how she even walked around in all that. If he had to wear something like that, he would sweat to death. Shafir stood up when she reached the opening of the pavilion and bowed.
“Your highness.” Shafir smiled slightly, and the empress waved her hand to release him from the action. This was their usual dance. She would ask for him, and he would show up and be as respectful as possible until-
“So, have you and the Captain explored each other yet?” Shafir felt his knees weaken and had to steady himself before making his way back to his seat. Did this woman have no decency? Why would she bring up something as wild and random as this every time they met up? Shafir should’ve grown used to this questioning, but it always took him by surprise. She did not sugarcoat it, and that was something that killed Shafir’s sense of respect for her.
“He hates me. You know this. How many times must I explain this to you, Aila?” The empress faked a hurt expression and sat down in the chair across from Shafir. She was overly dramatic in his company, but if it was with anyone else, she acted like a cold ruler. It was a bit tiring having to deal with this side of her and he would take the aloof ruler who trampled those in her way any day over this.
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