Mir quickly took the offered hand and practically glued himself to the king’s side as they headed down the street. He decided they might as well make use of the walk and asked very quietly, “So how do you want to convince the court I’m your concubine if you don’t want to do that stuff with me?” He needed to know his situation so he could fully be prepared to deal with it.
Corbin moved his closet to actually cover Dragomir in turn, keeping the man tucked away from any watchful eyes. Thankfully it was enough to still protect Corbin's identity. The castle was also a straight shot from the main road, even if it was still a long walk.
"Well," Corbin said, barely loud enough, "We would still have to be affectionate, especially around others in general. And, you would be given more… Fitting clothes, from your new status. How much are you comfortable with?"
Mir relaxed as he was covered and instinctively snuggled closer. He continued to speak in the same volume, “I’m comfortable with anything as long as anything below my hips and above my knees isn’t showing…. though we might want to cover up my wound until it’s scarred over…. And affection…. I’m- I’ll admit it- a very physically affectionate person, so if you have anything you don’t want me to do, like kissing, arms around your waist, or something like that, please tell me….”
"That can work, then," Corbin said. "I'll have the tailors make something for you. Mm… Perhaps a single sleeved cover could work? It wouldn't be much other than an arm sleeve." Corbin had to think a moment on the last statement.
"Well… I will be okay with anything, so long as you deem it appropriate for the situation. I trust your judgement." The king offered a small smile.
“So all I have to do is act affectionate and walk around shirtless? And of course help however you need, and just for that, I get food and a place to sleep at night? Really?” His eyes were sparkling. Then he thought of something. “Will I have to sleep with you, or will you have me in another room and just spend the night some nights to convince every else we’re doing the deed?” Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t blushing in the slightest at the thought of pretending to make love.
"Yes, really." Corbin offered a sweet smile. They were closer to the palace now, the area becoming more and more exquisite.
"And you would have your own room, yes, and it wouldn't be often you would have to stay in mine." The king gave Dragomir's hand a gentle squeeze.
Mir grinned at the smile and squeeze, snuggling close as he gawked through the cloak at the surrounding buildings, thinking that Corbin might as well understand how snuggly and affectionate he was now rather than later. He had never been this far in the city before and his eyes shone as he looked in awe at the architecture.
Corbin didn't seem to mind how close Mir was at all, humming softly. In fact, the king even wrapped and arm around the halfling as they headed further to the palace. The buildings here are old, yes, but they were dignified. They obviously were expensive, even now during this time when they weren't able to be cleaned as often. There were more people here too, nobles and guardsmen and merchants peddling their goods. And then, over the next hill crest was… The palace.
It was massive looming over the city below, soaring towers and massive walls protectiving everything else from view and attack. Corbin let out a soft breath, smiling just slightly. Home.
While Corbin relaxed at the sight of the palace, Mir stiffened, the grandiose structure making him feel even more small and insignificant than he already felt. It reminded him of just how inferior he was to the man beside him.
Corbin glanced down when he finally became aware of the change in Dragomir, reaching down to take his hand again and give it a gentle squeeze of assurance.
"It's not as overwhelming closer up, I promise. The rest of the castle is quiet… Quaint, in comparison to what we see know."
Mir looked up and nodded shyly, hoping his room would be nice and underwhelming. “W-will I get to decorate my room…? L-like with things I find, I won’t ask for any money to buy stuff of course…” he asked nervously, just wanting to feel comfortable again.
(aaa I've got to head to bed, night!)
"Yes, of course! And don't worry, Dragomir. You'll be getting wages anyway, enough for whatever you'd like. It won't be much, but no one is getting an that they used to these days…" Corbin sighed softly.
"You're room will be yours, after all. Bring in more furniture, take furniture out, anything you need to be comfortable." They were close to the gates by now, Corbin finally letting his hood down.
(Night!!)
Mir relaxed a bit at that. “Could I um, bring in some planting materials into my room? Bought with my wages of course… I miss gardening and properly preparing herbs…” He figured that Corbin could put the puzzle pieces together himself to realize Mir had worked as an apothecarian at one point in his life. He fiddled with something through his shirt, a soft metal clinking noise being heard.
Corbin had, thankfully.
"Yes, of course," the king said softly. Even now, just a few yards from the palace gates, people had recognized the king, bowing low in respect. Corbin nodded to them in turn, pulling Dragomir a bit closer to himself.
"You can also visit the palace gardens whenever you like. We grow most of our own herbs there, actually."
Mir smiled nervously. “That’d be nice…” He hid further into the folds of the cloak to hide himself from all the people bowing to the king. Dragomir stared up at the looming palace gates, shivering a bit. This was were his old life officially ended and his new life as the king’s secret advisor and fake concubine began,
Corbin kept his arm securely around Dragomir, his hand taking the halfing's to once again give it a gentle squeeze. It wasn't long before the gates were opened, Corbin briskly leading Dragomir inside. The walls surrounding the castle were thick, with there actually being two, a space between to pour hot oil upon any attackers entering there.
The palace was much… shorter, than the soaring towers attached to it. The main part was much more functional, thick stone walls with thin, slit windows where they could be found at all. It looked to be self-sustaining as well, like a smaller city inside the walls for in case there was ever a siege.
"First stop, the doctor's," the king said softly. He kept the cloak on, mostly for Dragomir's sake, as they continued on.
Mir nodded, relaxing a lot more when the inside of the palace was much much less intimidating. He looked around, fascinated as they headed for the doctor’s beginning to hunch over as small waves of pain began to hit again.
Corbin looked down when he felt Dragomir hunch over. He thought a moment on what best to do, finally deciding on something rather… embarrassing, for some. He paused in his walking to reach down, practically scooping Dragomir up into his arms. The king started off again, able to go his nature gait now. He had a different air about him in the palace, even more so than when he took off the hood. He was large, intimidating with the grace one had from years of work. There was something… immense about him, not just his height anymore. Everything he did seemed to have a purpose, even the flair of his cloak when he moved so quickly to pull Dragomir up into his arms.
Dragomir gasped and squeaked as he was scooped up, clinging to the king as he was carried, now realizing how much he had been holding the king back with his shorter stature as they moved much faster. He watched the king with an even greater awe than his amazement at the inner city’s architecture as he saw Corbin’s natural confidence, and sense of purpose as they headed quickly for wherever the doctor’s was.
The king was someone that could naturally part crowds, as he did now, especially when he had a goal to fulfill, such as now. His posture naturally fell to shoulders back, head held high, and cloak flaring out behind them. This, this was the king everyone knew, the confident man who would lead them through this war.
Corbin's face was set with concern, behind the careful mask he always wore any place his court could find him. Still, his touch with Dragomir was gentle, caring even, as he walked into the doctor's rooms, guards who had fallen naturally behind him as the two had continued through the courtyard opening the doors for him.
Mir carefully buried his face into the folds of Corbin’s cloak when they walked into the doctor’s room, incredibly nervous a even as he felt the king’s gentle touch as he was carried. He clutched at Corbin as he waited for instructions for him, unsure of what was going to happen.
The doctor looked up when the two came in, offering a small bow to Corbin before the doors were closed. Both king and doctor dropped the formalities, it seemed, as soon as it was just the three of them.
"Ameil," Corbin said softly, a small enough gesture that said a lot about how close the two were.
"Corbin," the woman said with a sly grin. "Here, go ahead and set the new patient down, hm?" The doctor offered a small smile of assurance to Dragomir.
"Hello, I'm doctor Ameil Parkins, it's nice to meet you." Corbin moved over to the table he'd been motioned to, setting Dragomir down. He stayed by the halfling's side, holding onto his hand.
Mir looked at the doctor warily. “M-my name’s Dragomir son of Firth… It’s… nice to meet you too??” He was utterly confused about how civil she was being towards him. He appreciated that Corbin continued holding his hand, feeling nervous before he yelped and curled into a ball as a large amount of pain hit him.
The doctor's face set into a hard look of concern, already pulling her bag over to Mir's side.
"This looks nasty," she said softly, carefully taking Dragomir's arm in her hands. The first thing she did was pull out a bottle, taking out some medicine and hold it up to Dragomir's mouth.
"Take this, quickly," she instructed. "Corbin, go get some water for him to wash it down." Corbin nodded, hurrying off without complaint. He knew when Ameil got like this, he would do best to follow orders.