Ezra hated sitting on his throne as war waged all around him. It hurt him more than anything. But maybe now, they had a little more of a chance. Maybe now… Ezra turned to Aces and picked up his hand, resting his forehead against it. "Thank you… I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to come, and for agreeing to our deal." He mutters softly.
“It’s nothing. This is practically an upgrade, as long as I don’t have to sleep with you.” he laughed, not entirely serious but serious enough that the laughter was somewhat out of place in context.
He smiled a little bit and slowly pulled away. "We only have to hold the appearance of doing so." He shrugged and sighed softly, glancing back at the garden. He seemed peaceful now, gently braiding his hair mindlessly over his shoulder.
“That’s fair enough. Although if I had to, you’re not bad looking. If it helps.” he chuckled a little, like it was a sort of joke.
He snorts softly, a small laugh leaving his lips. "You're not so bad looking yourself~" he purrs lowly, licking his lips as he looked over the other. He laughs a little bit before relaxing and gazing at the other. "You're welcome to do as you please here. You're under my protection."
“Anything I please? So, say, if I burned down half the castle you’d wave it off?” he joked, wondering if he was going too far. So, he added “Not that I would, obviously. I’m no fool.”
He laughs as well, shaking his head. "I wouldn't recommend it since we kind of live in the palace." He seemed to be in a better mood with all the joking around. "You are no fool, I can tell that much." He smiled a little, "After all, that's why I brought you here."
“I think you’ll soon regret your choice. It’s been too long since I had to strategize, and I usually had my peers backing me up whenever I was forced to make a decision. However, I will try my best.” Aces sighed, looking just as tired as the king was.
He inhaled softly. "That is all we can hope for. I wish… I wish I had done more to help your peers. I had told my council to support all of my soldiers. But they only helped the 'heroes'… I am grateful to my soldiers. I wish I could look them in the eyes and thank them for their service. Know them by name… But my council has gone behind my back. They only gave help to the more heroic ones. I will never forgive them for that. I want a new council, but replacing a council in the middle of a war is unwise."
“They’re all dead now, either by wounds or by poverty, or both. There’s nothing you can do for them. So let it go.” he said, in an attempt to be comforting, but really he just came off as gruff and grumpy.
He nods slowly, "I cannot erase the past unfortunately. I can only look to the future." He sighed quietly, knowing that there wasn't much he could do in the past except use if for future reference. He knew that the other was trying to comfort him in some sort of odd way, but that was fine. He nods slowly, "Yes. But the war is slowly coming to a close, it just depends on how well we get our plans through."
“That’s fair,” he said. He looked around the garden, then moved to sit in a patch of small blue flowers. He picked them out one by one, beginning to weave them into a long string of sorts until eventually he closed the loops. He grabbed his crutch and sat back on the bench, placing the flower crown on the king’s head. “My husband always cheered up when I made one of those for him. Maybe it’ll bring you the same joy.”
He watched the other with curiosity, his head tilted ever so slightly in wonder. He made sure that the other would not fall, in fear of him getting injured. He glanced at the flowers on top of his head and then blinked a few times. "Your husband?" He asks gently. If Aces were to be his 'concubine' it would be unwise for Aces to be married, and if he was married, Ezra would need to allow Aces to leave. After all… its one thing to have a concubine, its another thing to have an affair. He gently touched the leaves of the flowers. "It's very beautiful. What is it?" He asks softly.
“Flower crown. They remind me of him, he always loved playing with me and my son in the fields. At least before he… I’m sorry, it’s unwise of me to gush like this but since his death… well, my son is the only family I have left and I don’t even have him around anymore, he left years ago.” Aces sniffed, tears stinging his eyes.
His eyes turn soft and listens quietly. He slowly moved forward and gently cupped his cheek, rubbing away his tears. "You have been through so much." He gently hugs Aces. He didn't know how to comfort the other, but he seemed to be in distress. He just wanted to help in some sort of way. He brushed away Aces tears. "Do you want to talk about it?"
“I wouldn’t want to burden you with my troubles when you have so many of your own to handle.” he said sadly, looking Ezra in the eyes. “If you wish it, I will do so, but I still advise against it. Your life is worth more than mine, either way.”
He chuckles quietly. "Take this the way you wish, but helping others seems to ease my mind." He chuckles quietly and squeezed his hand gently. "I do not think my life is above any one else's… I understand that I have a kingdom to run but…" He smiled a little bit. "If you want to talk about it, get it off your chest please feel free to tell me." He whispers.
“I’m past it now. We were in love, he’s dead, now we’re out of love. Simple as that, I don’t know why you care about my feelings over the whole thing.” he shrugged, taking his crutch and standing up. “I need some new clothes, I’ve been wearing these ones for days now,” he sighed.
He nods slowly as the other talked, listening. Ezra had never fallen in love, it was a rarity for him, not only that but he just never found the right person. He stood slowly and nods quietly. "Not to worry. Why don't we head back in? You can take a bath and relax, and I'll have a maid bring some new clothes for you… If that's alright?" He asks curiously.
“That sounds perfect, if you don’t mind me saying. These old bones won’t be able to take much more if I don’t get to cleaning up soon.” he laughed, starting to walk back inside the castle.
Ezra nods and smiles warmly, "Of course. You're more than welcome to take as much time as you need." He walks beside the other and hums softly as they walk. "The maids tend to add lots of soap, so I hope you like bubble baths."
“I’ll manage,” he chuckled, hobbling down the hall. “Where do I go, now? This place is like that of a labyrinth.”
He smiled warmly and chuckled quietly. "Here." He guides the other through a short cut. "This palace is a maze, that's the whole point. My ancestors made it like this so that the enemy would have issues finding their way." He shrugged. They made it back to his room and he waved over a maid, speaking in a soft language to her. She nods and smiles before running off. "Anyways. Please go rest while the maids prepare the bath and your clothes." He opens the door for Aces.
Aces sat down on the bed, grateful to get some rest for his leg again. Sitting down was always easier to standing up for him, so he was always grateful to get a chance to sit.
He smiled gently at the other, wandering to his bed and settling down onto the soft covers. He gave a tired sigh, rubbing at his eyes. He had a meeting with his council tonight so he needed to prepare for that. He didn't want to though. He hated his council.
Aces waited for a while. Then waited some more. Eventually, he stood up and walked to the door, seeing a crowd of maids all gathered outside. “What the fuck?” he wondered aloud, and in and instant all but one ran away, making a chorus of squeaks and squeals. “What the hell was that all about?” he asked the woman who remained.
“I-I’m sorry sir, they said the king’s new concubine was a fearsome warrior and handsome hero and well… they wanted to see if you lived up to their expectations; you fell short on the handsome end, unfortunately. I’ll show you to the bath.” she said, taking Aces along to a glorious room with flowing water and gilded tubs galore, the room steamy and hot like a sauna.
Aces waved the maid away, unsure what to make of the earlier scene. He undressed and entered the bath, taking his time in washing up. He could now, here, without worrying about the water getting cold. Everything was made to be perfect, here.
After a moment, he sighed and stood, ringing for his usual maid. She entered quietly. The poor girl had been constantly harassed by the other maids since she was deaf. He smiled kindly at her and she smiled in reply. He signed to her that he needed his robes prepared, as well as a bath, she nods and exits. He watches her leave before walking to the mirror. He looked at himself in distaste, braiding his hair slowly over his shoulder. He just wanted this to be over with.
The maid returned and he asked her one more favor. She nods and bows before scurrying off. He nods in satisfaction and enters his bathroom, sinking into the bathtub. He gave a satisfied sigh and shut his eyes, letting his mind ease. He wasn't sure what to think any more, but he was grateful at least that he had someone new to guide him in his council. He desperately needed it.
Once out of the bath, he got dressed into a white flowing shirt that tucked in neatly to his black pants. He wore simple shoes. He pulled his hair into a neat bun and nods solemnly to himself as he wraps his mothers necklace around his neck. He sighed and adjusts himself. He needed to look like a king. Be a king. He grabs his crown and sets it on the top of his head. He sighed and touched his mirror. But did he really deserve the title of a king?
Aces exited the tub, finding an outfit was already laid out for him. It wasn’t much of an outfit, being a silk loincloth and thin, transparent cloak as well as a heavy load of jewelry, but if that was what he was to wear, so be it. He laughed at the twin anklets, he could only wear them on the one leg as he had no other. He dressed himself, finding his old clothes had mysteriously disappeared, likely to the trash. The jewelry was heavy, decadent, and clunky, but he did what he had to to make it in this new, unfamiliar world of finery and fancy.
He hummed quietly as he waiting for the other to come to his room, sighing quietly to himself. He hears a soft knock and walks to the door, allowing Ana (the maid for earlier) into his room. She was carrying a heavy suitcase. He smiles and takes it gratefully, handing her a few coins before setting it on the bed. He then settles back onto the bed and waits patiently for Aces to return from his bath.
Aces had to ask the maid for directions, but eventually mad his way to the king’s room. It was where he was expected to stay, after all, even if it made him feel strange. It had been so long since he’d slept in another man’s bed, and when Ezra noticed his chest… well, things would go downhill pretty quickly. It was still bandaged down to prevent any suspicion, and he was holding a towel over it as well but… well, his peers had always accepted him, but nobody knew about his body. He couldn’t be seen as a woman again, he’d die before that happened.