She was ready to strangle Ezra the longer he spoke, and it took her immense control not to. "You can't lead solely with your head either. I would suspect you would know that, but I suppose you don't care in the slightest about the people you govern. Calm down about calling me led by emotions until you get in touch with yours first." Allian didn't wait for his answer before stepping away from him, spitting out as she left, "Now I have to go try to fix the mess you made. Before I have to decide the easiest way to get rid of you."
"Leading requires more from your head than your emotions. Surprising as it may be to you, you may have ot make difficult decisions sometimes, Allian." he said, crossing his arms as he watched her go, eyes narrow. He gritted his teeth, looking down at the letters on the bench after a moment, shaking his head.
Allian didn't turn around as she stormed off, cursing under her breath. So much had happened in such little time and it was enough to make her pissed off. Not to mention with them being caught together, she and Ezra would be seen as the newest news in the capital, and any chance for her to get away from him would be ruined. If it got out of control enough, they would be seen as a couple, and if it got bad enough, he would be seen as a possible husband. If it got to that point, she was sure she would rather drink poison than end up with him.
He gathered up his letters, silent as he began to make his way back towards his rooms, brows gathered together and storm clouds in his eyes. He knew quite well the rumors that this could start, but couldn't find it in himself to care. After all, it would only piss of Allian more, and he was feeling juvenile enough to think that was quite a good thing.
(Should we do a timeskip?)
(Hmmmm I'm not sure, any ideas? Otherwise I can try to whip up something)
(No worries…maybe we could skip a few days/weeks until the news of the two of them together has traveled around and they get asked about it? Maybe by the king? And one or both of them, even though they would rather gouge their eyes out than speak to each other, see it as a way to gain some power and they force themselves to make it look like they're together?? Maybe?)
(Perfect! Do you think that's something Ezra would do? Or should I make Allian do it?)
(mmmmm idk. I feel like it's kinda out of character for both of them?? like Ezra would literally rather die, but I think Allian would too?? Unless she realizes "oh shit wait allying myself with the youngest general might give me more clout with the military??" idk??)
(Maybe one of the other generals says some bs in a lie about seeing them together and that's what causes it? Or the king could say he's making Ezra one of her suitors because of how close they used to be and 'they're good for each other?)
(Perfect! I can get a starter up soon, unless you have an idea to start?)
(I don't, so you can start whenever :)
TIMESKIP
It had been a stressful week since Allian had seen Ezra. Word of them together spread fast around the palace, and through the city after that, meaning she had been asked about it on the daily. Keeping her look as a sweet girl, she usually brushed off the question, pretending to be embarrassed. A strategy that worked well.
As she picked at her lunch a week later, she was deep in thought, mostly about the easiest way to get Ezra out of her life. She barely heard the conversation between the King and the generals, who just had to eat every meal with the two of them. Usually, it wouldn't have bothered her, but Ezra still happened to be one of the generals, and he was seated right next to her. Whoever planned the seating, she decided she was going to fire.
Her father laughed at some joke one of the generals said, letting the conversation dull before he looked over at Ezra, turning the conversation towards the youngest guest with a smile. "So, Ezra, I've heard you and my daughter were spending time together earlier this week, is that right? For a general without his name on her suitor list, you two seem close."
Ezra cleared his throat faintly, a little surprised at being called out like this. "We…are old friends." sure. He could call it that for now. He certainly was not going to tell the king that he hated his daughter's guts. "We were just catching up. Nothign more than that." hopefully the king would believe that. Ezra did not know what would happen if the king did not believe him. He took a sip of his drink, gaze flashing sideways to Allian for a split second, then returning to the king.
"Ah, well being old friends means you two will probably be spending lots of time catching up, I assume?" He askes, his smile never leaving his face. It was hard to tell if he believed Ezra that they were nothing more than old friends, and he didn't give any hints. "You two certainly sound like you get along well."
Allian didn't speak, still mostly lost in her own mind, and she didn't return his glance, her eyes trained on her plate.
"Perhaps." Ezra didn't quite know what to say to all of the things the king was saying. "We've grown apart a bit. Personalities change and all of that." he waved a hand vaguely. They had certainly grown apart, though it was more of a falling apart than a slow, gradual growing apart.
The king leaned back in his seat and watched Ezra carefully, offering as if it was a nonchalant thing, "You two seem good together, maybe I'll add you to her list of suitors. It would make sense since you two are close, and marriage wouldn't be horrible if you're already close." He shrugged, reaching for his glass and taking a sip while he watched for a response.
Ezra suppressed a grimace, instead giving the king a tight smile. "I am not sure that she would appreciate that." he finally said, slowly, glancing over at Allian again, though she did not seem to be paying attention. "We are only friends, not…anything more than that." even friends was a lie, but he was not going to tell the king that.
"You don't have to pretend to only be friends," The king replied, waving away the comment, "I'll add you to the list. A gift from me to you. It'll help solidify your position as one of my generals and will add to your reputation in the capital, plus then Allian won't have to fret over loathing all of her suitors. A winning situation for all." He smiled warmly, glancing towards his daughter, who still seemed to want nothing to do with the conversation at the table. Looking back towards Ezra, he tipped his head in approval and sat up in his chair, this time announcing to everyone, "I hope everyone enjoyed their meals. Feel free to continue eating, I'm going to leave for the night, and I recommend you all do the same. Early meeting tomorrow over breakfast."
The king stood after speaking, downing the rest of his drink before walking out, offering one more smile towards Ezra.
Ezra's smile felt frozen on his face as he watched the king leave. Allian did loathe him, though. The king was doing no one any favors in this situation, despite what he thought. But there was nothing Ezra could do about it now. So he took another bite of food, a faint frown tugging at his mouth.
Allian looked up when her father spoke, a look of boredom on her face. She had run out of ideas on how to make Ezra die painfully, much to her frustration. There were only so many ways she could do so without getting in lots of trouble. Seeing that the meal was done, she pushed her mostly full plate away from her and stood, simply nodding to the Generals before leaving. She was hungry, yes, but she wanted to be away from Ezra more. Walking to her room, she slowed as she got an idea. The kitchens would be open at this time, and the workers usually didn't mind if she was down there. If she didn't want to eat the food from before, she could always go down and make some on her own.
Idea in mind, she changed her path, turning down towards the path down to the kitchens, a tiny smile on her face.
