"Oof!" Svana spat, excitedly. "And he just opened the door?"

"He heard my voice. And things flying at me."

"What excuse did my mother give?" And then she worried. "Or did she just yell at him? Do we need to apologize to Ser Derek on her behalf?" she teased.

"Heh," I shook my head. "No. We don't need to apologize to Ser Derek, though I'm sure he'd appreciate the sentiment. And she didn't say anything. She was dumbstruck as I was."

"What?" she tsk'd. "She said something. You just don't want to tell me!"

"I'm very serious" I said. "She was speechless. Nothing was said of the discovery, she just leapt out of the embrace I'd managed, declared that Derek forget what he saw, and he... waited until she calmed down."

"He waited?"

"Ser Derek had intervened in a few fights with His Majesty by now, he knew it was best to simply take the verbal abuse... He waited, she called him a few colorful names; such as nosy-sort, and then when she was no longer yelling, he explained to us how he had come to be in the room. He said nothing of the length of time it took for us to notice him standing by the door, or the symphony of thrashing objects I'm sure had drawn him in in the first place. He said nothing of Her Majesty's panic, her accusations, threats, or overall handling of the scene. Nor that it had been very obvious we had been laying together in the tangled mess of sheets at some point. Nothing of the broken picture frame, or the vanity Eliza had seen to smashing. ...He just informed me, as Commander Elías, that I had been asked to a meeting. The one we had been anticipating and fighting over. Then he bowed respectively to the Queen, and he waited as I picked up my armor. Then we went."

"Unbelievable." She cocked her neck. "Did she make the connection? That you had told him before then? Or did she just assume he was another faithful fool?"

"I don't know," I said. "Eliza was very sharp, but Ser Derek is equally loyal, I've found. And a very private sword. He did not bring it up; even as I dressed in the corridor. I never heard rumor of the night come back around. And neither did she."

"Christ!" Svana cried.

"Hey! Language?"

"Sorry," she sang, shaking her head. "It's just. I'm very invested in this. The way you left him out before, I thought she would be mad! Wonder why he was so relaxed? Why he was so casual? Also. Did you not lock the door? You didn't think anyone would come in?"

"Again, if she knew he–"

"Oh, blow it, Eli. I think it's quite obvious she knew. Especially if you discussed the lack of rumors coming back to you. And why didn't you dress in the room? Why would you get dressed in the hallway?"

"...Because the Queen was indecent," I sang.

"Oh, you fiend. Poor Derek."

"Yes, well. That's what we get for forgetting to lock the door that night," I noted. "But. In my defense, not many men would enter the Queen's chamber unannounced."

"Um. The King might have," she mused.

"That's... a very valid point."

"And someone thinking they were defending the Queen, as it appears there was quite the squabble happening. Did you not barge in the same way before? Where even was the King? Did he come in next?"

"...I shall flog Past Elías for his oversight, on your behalf. But it was just the once. And no. Ser Derek was the only visitor. The King was in his office."

"Oh, that's right. Of course he was," she laughed, but circled her hand at me. "But I'm sure you checked that door every second you were behind it from that moment. So go on, what happened next?"

I took a moment.

"Elí?" she asked.

"I didn't have to check the doors much after that night," I told her.

"Oh... Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't–"

"Certainly not your fault." I hummed, somewhere between the fondness of Eliza's face, affecting my memories so vividly tonight, and the gloom that approached with the remainder of this tale. "There was another attack," I said, every sentence separate from its predecessor with a brief breath between. "Closer to the Capitol. Less of a surprise, but His Majesty was convinced that Chalke would soon try to besiege the castle, and he did not wish for the horrors the south had seen, to make their way into his wife and daughter's lives. It was very clear that we were to eradicate the issue as soon as possible."

"...Elías. When does this get happy?"

"We were told to leave by dawn. But." I folded my arms. "I received a letter, from Cory, an hour or two out. By then, the promise of our deployment had reached Her Majesty's ears, and her letter was... cryptic at the time."

I tried to find a way to forge through the scar. "It said, so few words. Elías. I love you. I can't see you go. Please. Stay. Eliza..."

Svana moaned, weakly, scarcely heard.

"A rare combination of things she'd never done before. Names, for one. Outright feelings for another."

"Was that–? Did you know?" she asked. "Surely you felt like something was wrong?"

I nodded after a second. "I felt it," I said. "Aye. But I know what you are thinking, and no, that was not her final letter. Not yet. At the time, it was unsettling. I knew I should have to act, and I did, but I did not allow myself to acknowledge the fear that was taking form. I went straight to His Majesty's study and found myself pleading for another day under the flimsy excuse of time it would take to reassemble the men. When that didn't convince him, it was how difficult it would be to operate with our provided equipment. I falsified the need for better armor, better weapons; whatever I could think of, I bartered with, so that I could go to your mother not empty-handed, but with an extension. With what she wanted. And as quickly as I could." I paused. "I must confess, the request was too self-serving and it showed. I wanted so badly to see Eliza for just a little bit longer that I forgot to be less transparent. My mind was a mess. I told myself it was nerves, not instinct. Though, I knew something was wrong with that letter, with her. I knew I should've dropped everything I had been doing, abandoned readying the team; fled to her room. Called for her. Sent someone in my stead, anyone, anything... Anything to soak up those few extra moments with her... But it tortured me to know I would have to leave anyway. To think I could not give her what she asked for. To think she might be angry with me, as a result."

"What happened?" Svana asked.

The King finished writing whatever his thought was, with a relaxed hum of; "I'm not sure I agree with your suggested complaints, Ser."

"Your mercy, Your Majesty. It's just that we are–" I started.

"–Uh huh." He nodded, setting his quill to the side and leaned back into his chair. I swallowed nervously as his eyes went over me. With a canted head he said; "You give your thoughts readily for a Sword."

"I–?"

"A welcomed change from Ser Dalton, I think."

"Silent roses; dreams. Places and faces, lovely they seem—"

Eliza's song carried sweetly through the garden, drifting as far as the King's window. He and I met in the middle; a shared look.

"Ser Dalton and I checked the blades ourselves," he said. "The equipment, too. They're new this year. You suggest they're rubbish now?" he asked.

I nodded, unsure. "I do."

"I see." Another verse sang beneath us.

"Loving and hoping; soon. All of their leaves fall, too."

He explained. "A Northern Áire song the Róses are known for. She sings it when she's contemplating. But you likely know that, don't you?"

"Your pardon?" I asked.

"Would you like me to tell you why I was sure of the affair? Or would you like to insult my readiness for this war another way? I'll wait while you decide."

Affair... My heart sank. "Your–"

"I'd appreciate you didn't lie to me again, Commander."

"Aye... Sir." I straightened.

"There are a certain number of rumors that are invented during a monarch's reign, especially that of the royal family. Most of them are lies, but not all. So. I ask again. Would you like me to tell you how I knew the one of you and Eliza was true?"

"I dont know of what you speak. Her Majesty and I–"

"Yes, you do."

I was silent.

"She's happy." His tone was very plain. "Maybe not in this moment. The song does sound a little sad today. I'm sure it's because she doesn't want to see you go. But every other day this month, she's smiled. Every walk; every lunch. I caught her singing to the birds last week. And she's been like this longer, when I think about it. Since the tournament." He stood from his chair and looked down at her through the window. "My Eliza is not a happy creature, and yet, there she goes. Plucking flowers and decorating every room of this cold fortress with them. A song in her heart, no doubt the effects of a new romance, as I have been preoccupied with everything but her." When he turned, he studied me. "She acted similarly with Ser Erik. Though, this feels different... So tell me. Why are you really asking for this delay?"

"I'm only–"

"Surely you are not stalling because you are scared?"

"What? No?"

"No, no. Not you. Not a Dalton. Then, I'll save you the struggle of formulating another lie as you seem rather bad at that particular task. I know the equipment to be up to par, so there's no sense in investing any time in exploring your complaint. Or in wasting precious gold on another inspection. Yes? Surely you respect me more than that?"

"I do respect you."

"I believe it. You have served me well enough that I respect you and the things you have done for the Empire in its time of need. So I ask; what do you want in return for it, Elías?"

Seconds, maybe minutes hung between my name and my reply.

"Time," I said, finally; an untethered plea. "But not because I'm a coward."

"Because you love Eliza?"

"Yes."

"And she loves you?"

"I don't know," I lied.

"You're aware that Ser Erik was beaten for this very offense?"

"Yes."

"And you confess it to me all the same? Ask me for permission?"

"...I do not know of her feelings, I only know of mine– We've never–"

"Another lie. Please. Spare me. You will not get another pass. You are very much involved with my wife. You're too much my kind to hide from me. A man like you doesn't wager. He only acts when he's sure. So if you are standing before me now, you know beyond reason and doubt; you're sure. She loves you."

My lips formed a line. "Yes."

He sank his hands into the pockets of his trousers, his exhale was loud and defeated. "You took a blade across your commander's, your uncle's throat because he defied me." Before I could defend the lie, he added; "They don't make Knights more loyal than that. They don't make men."

I was silent, despite the idea that I was taking credit where it wasn't due.

"That sort of devotion is not easily ignored. Especially in times like these. I confess War can lead a man into... poor decisions. But. You have proven yourself willing to do what it takes to serve the Crown, which is a trait I value over many things right now."

"I, I–" I didn't know what I was offering.

"Tell your men to go home. I will give you a week."

"What?"

"A word of advice; it's stupid to ask for a day. I've maimed for less and you know it. If you're going to wager your life, make it worth your while. I'll give you a week and nothing more."

"I don't understand. Are you saying—?"

"—But when this war is over, your position as Lord Commander is as well."

"Are you going to have me killed?"

"Ha." He shook his head. "No. If I wanted you dead I would drive my sword into your gut right now. I will let the War, or I will let God, do it, if it comes to it, but you are too capable a Blade to squander while there is still fighting to be had. You proved as much with the Games."

"I don't know what to say," I said.

"Just go," he sighed, peering out the window again. "Say nothing. Not everything needs a dialogue. Have your week. Enjoy her while it lasts. Tell her you love her. Promise her whatever you want. But when you return," he said, slower. "You will pack up your house. You'll relocate somewhere else. Somewhere in the country, somewhere in the south, I don't care. You'll never speak of this affair to anyone, or I won't have you killed, I'll kill you myself. The very least you could do is keep your mouth shut for the sake of my daughter."

I stewed; nervous heat pulsing through my arms.

"If you have something else to say, by all means say it now. We are but two men in this room so I will extend you that courtesy to remain perfectly clear with one another."

"...If you had treated her better, if you had not fucked her friends, she never would've looked twice at me or Ser Erik. She would've loved you and only you for all of time."

"Eliza does love me," he said, and he was sure. He, at his core, despite his immorality, believed it. "But you are correct, I have been a lousy husband."

"To say the least."

"To say the least," he grinned. "I like you better honest, Elías. I do. I would have liked to have served next to you a little longer. I can see why she likes you."

I didn't know what to say to that. On one hand, I was bewildered by the offer he had given me. On the other, I was grateful. I went to the door, not wanting to press my luck.

"One thing," he said, stopping me.

"Aye?"

"Pull out." It was direct; it was crass, and he didn't look at me when he said it. He just watched her as she continued to sing through the path below. "I don't need another nine months of uncertainty."

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