Over the years, Snake had earned his place next to Fallon. The king had even put his intelligence on a pedestal above the Chancellor. Where Snake's tongue was sharp, his mind was no less. 

Over those same years, Snake had gathered quite a lot of information on Vaust and De Guise, as well as why the other kingdoms joined and who they fought alongside.

Alaric once came to Fallon with a proposal of alliance. Vaust and Fallon had always been politically friendly, so of course, Fallon respected the prospect and agreed, much to Snake's demise.

Now, he was to see Alaric regularly, and worse, Snake was the one in charge of writing letters. So, when he would write letters to Fallon's allies, he would now also have to write to Alaric.

It did make sense politically, and it did benefit both kingdoms greatly, however, so Snake would not be petty. Vaust had a shortage of water at the time that Fallon could supply plenty of, as well as coal from the caves. Alaric traded in turn wax and potatoes from the farm. 

“He is such a tool, that Alaric.” Fallon groaned once, droning on about how Alaric burned down the Castle of De Guise.

Sure, Snake had heard the rumors going about, he was nosy. And it was his job. But to hear that Alaric had actually gone through with it was like receiving a puppy for Christmas.

Perhaps Alaric truly was simply looking out for Snake and had no intention of courting Rhys.

Snake stirred in the sheets, sitting up, they bunched around his waist. “So, what about the prince, Rhys?”

“What do you mean?”

“If he is the only one left, will he be married off?”

“Actually, yes. Alaric has decided to wed him.”

Of course. Snake sighed, his heart clenched as he stood up, letting the silk fall behind him where it may.

“Enough about that. Come back to bed,” his arms slid around the king's waist as he pressed featherlight kisses up his spine. And Alaric, briefly, was all but forgotten.

Snake sat in his study, eyes squinted as he wrote away, flitting between maps and old letters.

One particular letter caught Snake's attention. One from early this morning he hadn't yet had time to read. How could he have forgotten? I mean, it was from Alaric himself. Directly to Fallon.

Why Snake had to be the one to deliver Fallon's letters to him was beyond the scholar, but Fallon had requested all letters be given to Snake, including his own. 

Being nosy, and knowing Fallon wouldn't be too upset, Snake opened the letter.

Fallon, I hope you are faring well.

I write to you under the unfortunate circumstances of finding three of my soldiers perished, as well as one commoner of my village near your bridge. If you happen to know anything of this, please write to me immediately. This is deeply concerning, considering De Guise and Vaust have both withdrawn from war to focus on the new kingdom.

Sincerely, 

Alaric E. Vaust.

Snake raised a brow as he read. Fallon wasn't a murderer. He didn't even willingly join the war, and no soldier of his would kill a commoner without Fallon hearing from the captain or lieutenant. 

Fallon Ridge was originally the only kingdom in the north that remained secluded from the battles surrounding it. Fallon had only been brought into the equation after an unsurprising shortage of coal—surrounding kingdoms demanded that Fallon split the land so they could get their share. Rationally, Fallon declined. But still, the king had never been truly involved—once Fallon realized he wasn't going to be able to keep his great mountains and caves, at least not all of them, he relented and divided the land more evenly, leaving Fallon Ridge the smallest kingdom standing in the north.

Which begged the question, if Fallon didn't need Snake's help with the war, what exactly did he need him for?

Well, sex, of course. That was Snake's original thought. But Fallon was handsome and dashing, and more importantly a king. If he declared he wanted a lover, he would certainly have plenty to choose from. Though, just because the war ended on Fallon's behalf didn't guarantee he would remain uninvolved. There could still be difficult trades to make or enemy kingdoms deciding they wanted more land. And, with Snake as Fallon's official decision-maker behind these choices, it was justified to keep him there. 

So, Snake dropped the question, making his way down the labyrinthine corridors until he found Fallon, handing him the letter.

“Four found dead by the bridge. I read it.”

“Why would you read it, Snake?”

Snake shrugged, “Research.”