He shrugged. "Enia is the saint of forgiveness and redemption. He would advocate for giving Farrantil a chance to redeem themselves and earn forgiveness." He traced a finger over his knuckles for a moment, a soft frown pulling at his features. "I don't know. It's just not something I'm….good at, I suppose."
"Forgiveness tends to be a funny thing. Not many are good at it as well. Kings and commoners alike." Dacian continued to observe the king, taking in his features. Softly, he smiled, attempting to be reassuring as possible. "I know kings have to be perfect with everything, but it is alright. You are already good at so many other things like leading…and strategy….being kind….being strong, and having the heart of a king. I have only listed so many, but I know you are great at so many other things as well."
He smiled faintly. "Yes. Thank you, Dacian. You always have such kind words for me, that I am…not sure I deserve." he looked down at his hands for a moment, before returning his gaze to the ambassador. "Really. Many thanks for your words."
"Why are not sure, Your Majesty?" Dacian moved to the edge of his seat. He held his hands together as he glimpsed over to the king's. For a quick second, he thought back to the gardens and King Evander holding the rose. "Because every time I see you, from when we first met to the gardens yesterday to now, I believe you deserve so much, even more than what words could give. I will always have kind words to say about you."
Evander flushed faintly, gaze flicking to the window for a moment, unable to meet Dacian's gaze for long. "I just…it's complicated." He replied, shrugging a little bit and then shaking his head. "But… really. Thank you for your words, Dacian."
"Complicated?" He muttered under his breath. Along with the king, he shook his head before glimpsing out for a moment. His eyes could not stay looking out the window, for he ended up looking back over at King Evander. "I see…." He nodded, smiling brightly. "It is nothing but my pleasure, Your Majesty. But…really, from your leadership to….you….I always will have something good to say about you. I hope I know when to stop myself at the appropriate time."
Evander let out a quiet sound that was half hum, half laugh. "So far, yes, you've stopped at appropriate times. I'll let you know if that ever changes." he didn't know why things were different between him and Dacian than they were with other ambassadors. But for some reason it was just…easier, with Dacian.
A quiet chuckle managed to slip out of him. "Very well then…." He muttered. Dacian rested his index finger on his bottom lip as he stared down at the floor. Some sort of feeling crept over him, and it was the same one when they were in the gardens. He wasn't sure what it was, but there was something about King Evander that made his face blush. It felt oddly natural to say all those things, and yet he knew that he shouldn't, but there was that feeling lingering in him again.
Perhaps it was because Dacian was always so kind to him. He didn't know. Only that sometimes being around the ambassador made him feel like a blushing schoolboy again, and that it made him off balance. He didn't know what to do. He shuffled his papers, doing his best to look busy.
Resting his chin on his palm, Dacian kept looking down at the floor. While he was still in his seat, he became rigid as he continued to think about King Evander and try to figure out what was going on. His heart was beating at a fast rate while his cheeks were incredibly warm. Actually, he simply felt warm in general. It was hard for him to find words to say. He wanted to say something, but he worried of what words could potentially fall from his lips.
Evander shuffled the papers for a moment longer, then let out a breath. "Ambassador, it really is good to have you here." He said, studying Dacian quietly with his grey eyes.
The king's words caused him to lift his chin. Dacian stared back at King Evander, a quiet sigh managed to slip from him. His eyes widened before he eventually glanced away again. He hummed while nodding. "It is a pleasure to be here with you, Your Majesty," He said. "It really is an honor and a pleasure."
He smiled faintly. "With the treaty negotiated, it seems we must turn our attention elsewhere." he said, studying Dacian quietly, calm and thoughtful.
"Elsewhere?" Dacian turned so that he could face the king better. His eyes glistened over as he tried to think of what else that they could go through. Anytime he did try to think, he looked back at King Evander and his chain of thought broke. "What else would you like to go over, Your Majesty?" He asked, softly smiling.
Evander smiled softly as well, considering. "Perhaps we could simply talk of our countries and customs. I don't think we know enough about each other's countries, and I should like to learn."
Countries and customs. Dacian was not able to resist the urge of letting out a gentle sigh. Despite being rigid still, he nodded with a smile. "That sounds like a plan, Your Majesty. I am always intrigued to learn more about Aven! And I would love to tell you everything about Sceivania and answer any questions. Let me be your personal tutor," He chuckled. "Is there anything you would like to know?"
He smiled faintly. "Alright. I am…unsure what to inquire about, so what do you think I should know?" he asked, tipping his head faintly. "What don't I know, I suppose, that I should? Keeping in mind that I'm aware of the basics of your country and how it works."
Dacian titled his head up as he stared at the ceiling for a couple of seconds. He bit the inside of his bottom lip before lowering his chin. His eyes lit up when they met King Evander's. "Well, despite us Sceivanians loving the cold, we really love folk tales and stories. We love them so much, but less than a handful of them have been transcribed onto paper," He explained. "Some are epic tales while others are tragedies, but there's quite the amount of love stories. We are very superstitious despite being monotheistic, so they all deal with spirits, moroi, dragons, angels, and all of that. Actually, there is one with an angel named Dacian, my mother loves it so much that it is my namesake. If would ever want to hear a tale, Your Majesty, I would more than happy to tell you one."
Evander listened quietly, nodding. "I see. If you would like to tell me this tale, I wouldn't be averse to hearing it." he replied, a soft smile flickering over his face. He did enjoy learning about other cultures and their stories; it never hurt to know more about the countries he was dealing with.
In a brief moment of time, Dacian said nothing, but watched as King Evander grinned. The king's gentle smile reminded him of yesterday; oh how charming and warm it is. All he could do was smile back, giving a plain head bow in response. "It'd be my pleasure, Your Majesty," He said in a soft tone. Covering his mouth, he turned to clear his throat before beginning to speak again. "Well, a few centuries ago, the heavens were in chaos. Evil spirits managed to escape hell then break the gates; they were everywhere, killing angels and capturing souls and spirits. In the mist of it all was this simple angel named Dacian. Nobody really paid any attention to him because he appeared to be normal, but they were wrong for he is as mighty as twenty armies and is very clever. Thanks to him and the other angels, they were able to drive out the evil spirits, but one of them caught Dacian, tore off his wings, and threw him down to the earth. He was weak, powerless, and had nothing; he was lost. Thankfully, an outcast, named Nevinovat, had come across the fallen angel and nursed him back to health. Dacian and Nevinovat started to grow closer and closer as time went on. They would go on adventures, eat, and spend a lot of time with each other. But, the people in the village did not like Nevinovat, and he ended up being accused as one of the evil demons. The people in the town went on their way to get him, but when they got to his home, no one was there. Dacian and Nevinovat escaped before they could make it. That's where the story ends; there are various kinds of endings and other details, some even have Nevinovat as a woman, but this version is the one my mother would tell me. I like to believe that they went to live somewhere else and that Dacian was able to get his wings back; the idea of it makes me happy." He paused again, taking a deep breath before he ended up coughing. After he shook his head, he asked, "What do you think, Your Majesty? Did you enjoy the story?"
Evander had listened quietly to the story, and took a moment to consider it. "I quite like it." He replied. "I don't believe I've heard it or anything like it before." He smiled softly. "It was good to hear it, thank you for telling it to me." He studied the other man quietly for a long moment.
"You do?" Dacian whispered under his breath. While he looked away, his face gradually began to blush. He was not so sure if the king would like it, only for the sake that he was trying to recall the story without talking too much or forgetting how to say a word in Avenian. Yet the fact that His Majesty says he likes it and is still smiling at him, it simply makes him giddy. Giving a gentle head bow, he said, "I am very glad that you do, Your Majesty. I would be more than willing to tell you so many more, but…." While he tried to speak, he caught notice of how King Evander was looking at him. He shook his head, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, I lost my words for a good moment."
Evander nodded. "I would love to hear more, if you have the time to do so." He replied with another soft smile. "And you are forgiven; we all lose our words every now and again." He couldn't help but wonder why exactly he was doing this. It wasn't as if he and Dacian could be anything more than friends. But then he wasn't acting like that. He was just being friendly, right?
How could he lose his words right in front of the king? Dacian had no idea why; he was not sure what was happening. He feels so comfortable around King Evander, and yet, he felt a little shy in front of him. At the end of the day, he is only an ambassador, he should not be becoming timid right now. His lips parted, but no words slipped out. They moved as if he was about to speak before he forced them to shut. Pressing the back of his hand against his cheek, he slowly nodded, following with an apologetic head bow.
Evander smiled again, shifting his papers and looking down at them to give Dacian a moment to collect himself without the pressure of the king's gaze on him. He let out a faint breath, folding up the papers and putting them away.