Serenity and Secrets (3)

Anaroth cautiously sat down across from him. Raven swiftly poured him a cup of tea before sending away Galwund and the other servant. He stood to the side quietly. Anaroth glanced at him. He was surprisingly good at his job, though that wasn't the only unnerving thing here.

He turned back to Veridin. The situation felt strange: There was some underlying motive he couldn't place. Did he already forget their argument? He watched as Veridin slowly finished the slice of cake. White cream mixed with the red from the strawberries, staining it. Anaroth shivered. White and red. When Veridin's eyes turned up at him, Anaroth felt that the cake wasn't just a cake anymore.

"Well? How did your trip go?"

Veridin picked up his cup, studying Anaroth. He watched as Anaroth's eyes darted across the table with suspicion. His frightened and confused expression made Veridin want to smile, but guilt began to make his stomach churn. This was the only reason why he called Anaroth here. Focus, Veridin told himself, you don't want him to be mad at you again do you?

"The saint told me to await her response."

"You asked Lilis to help you?" Veridin took a drink of his tea.

"In a way, yes. I also encountered the high priest."

Veridin lowered his cup. His expression darkened. Beside him, Raven turned pale. Having been an assassin for years, Raven's senses were quite honed in terms of predator and prey. Right now, he felt like a squirrel standing in the path of a starved wolf. The bloodlust coming from Veridin made him frozen in fear. Raven glanced at Anaroth, but what he anticipated didn't happen.

"What did you think of him?" Veridin calmly set the cup down.

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"What else would I ask of you?"

"He is… evil."

"That's it?"

"There's no other word that suits him better." Anaroth glanced to the side.

"What else?"

"He doesn't deserve to be the head of the church."

Veridin looked at him. He was hiding something. Though whatever it was wasn't important. Veridin calmly picked up a cookie. He wasn't going to pry. As long as the high priest would fall, everything else could come after. What was important at the moment was easing Anaroth's anger.

Anaroth watched Veridin carefully. Those violet eyes seemed to see right through him while he spoke. He couldn't tell what he should say. Veridin had been strange since the hunting festival.

"Are you just going to let the tea get cold? If you didn't eat while you were out you should eat something as well."

He flinched, hesitantly picking up the cup. The amber liquid inside emitted warmth and a floral scent. It was strange. Truly strange. Since they met, Veridin had never been this leisurely. He slowly lowered the cup without drinking.

"What is this for?" Anaroth knew: Neither the drinks nor the food was poisoned.

"Do I need a reason to enjoy myself?"

Anaroth sighed. Veridin wasn't going to answer. Did he learn nothing from their argument? At least he was still infuriating. Yet there was something else underneath all of it; Less sinister than before.

"Just tell me if you're not going to answer." He took a drink, letting the warm liquid quench his anger.

"The promise was to tell you everything at my coronation ball. Besides, I've only been telling you the truth. We're friends, are we not?"

Anaroth paused. He had said that more than a month ago. Veridin remembered that? No, more than that, because of something he said so flippantly, Veridin hadn't lied to him since then? He set down the cup, shaking slightly. Did he have everything wrong? What if Veridin had been taking him seriously this whole time? Anaroth looked up.

"Yes, we're friends."

Anaroth watched Veridin bring his cup to his lips, barely masking his smile. If Anaroth hadn't been watching closely he wouldn't have seen it. An uncomfortable sensation wormed its way into his stomach. Seeing someone happy should have brought him a sense of relief and joy, but the person sitting across from him was never happy unless things were going his way. Veridin's smile only brought more unease. For a moment, he wished that he was dealing with the high priest instead.

On that note, he remarked that the two were strikingly similar. They were both selfish, crude, and cunning. However, the high priest used and manipulated people to do his dirty work. Veridin on the other hand, didn't mind getting his hands dirty. In fact he seemed to enjoy the primal feeling of punishing people for their arrogance with his own hands. Again, the hypocrisy of the situation stared at Anaroth in the face.

He was meant to choose between a con-man and a snake. While he was inclined to choose the man, the snake in front of him had already wrapped itself around him. It offered him a deal sweeter than he could imagine. He had truly sold himself for the peace of his kingdom. Yet still, he could not figure out why such a snake had given him this offer.

With a sigh, he resigned himself. He could ask those questions later. He had received a promise that every question would be answered at the coronation ball. The promises for the treaty had been more than fulfilled. As long as the high priest was brought down, Anaroth would have his answers.

"The debutante balls are in two weeks. It will be a great opportunity for you to meet the nobles in a more formal setting. It'll also create an opportunity to show the nobles your power. They seem to be much more cautious of you than they are of me."

Anaroth didn't restate the obvious. "I think the high priest may try something during that time.

"Like?"

"I think he plans to turn you into a madman. Although…"

Veridin grinned. "You're calling me mad? What's the point of you being on my side then?"

"I'm simply saying that you mask yourself behind kindness and justice, nothing more. Are you not worried?" Anaroth turned serious.

"Why would I be? Malas can't escape me any longer."

"I'm talking about your position."

"Why would I care about my position? It only makes intimidating people easier. Are you worried about me?"

"That's– I'm worried about what will happen if you're removed from the throne."

"So it's the treaty you're worried about."

Veridin didn't speak anymore, but Anaroth could hear his disappointment. Why was that? "Did you want me to be worried about you?"

"That would have been nice." What was this estrangement? Anaroth felt closer, yet so far from him. He furrowed his brows. The odd feeling wouldn't disappear. "You'll be accompanying me during the three days the balls are held."

"Three days? Why am I to accompany you for all three days?"

"In short, to show you off."

"Show me–?"

"If you're close to me, then perhaps the citizens and nobles will feel more comfortable with demons."

"So that's what you meant." Anaroth relaxed, then squinted. Veridin didn't say things without meaning behind them. "What do you really mean by showing me off?"

"Showing off our bond of course. What else would I mean?"

Veridin watched Anaroth struggle to find words. It was adorable. Like he had just caught a mouse that was snooping around. The more he thought about it, the more plausible this feeling seemed. Yet he felt even more guilt about arguing with him. Veridin leaned on his hand. Anaroth's red eyes scrutinized him back, but were left puzzled. Cute, Veridin thought, you're so cute that I don't want to stop annoying you.

"I don't need to accompany you, just for that do I?"

"Saint Lilis will also be there. It's an opportunity to convince her."

"If I convince her before that?"

"You can try." Veridin grinned. "If you don't, you have to come with me."

"Then I'll do just that." Anaroth stood up. "I've said this before, but if you need anything just send a servant."

"I might."

He watched as silver hair disappeared behind the doors to the garden. He sighed softly. It was fun seeing him so riled up, but he knew Anaroth hated it. Veridin leaned back in his chair and glanced at Raven.

"Make it so he has no chance to meet the saint until next week."

Raven's eyes widened. "Would that not hinder your plans?"

"I can take care of Malas at any time, but him," Veridin looked at the doors with an inexplicable expression, "I have to deal with him first."

His golden eyes studied Veridin for a moment. "Your majesty, are you…? Nevermind. I understand."

"What do you understand, Raven?"

"Towards his majesty, you… Wish for him to stand by your side, is that right?"

Veridin chuckled softly. How cute Anaroth, even Raven knows how I feel about you. I wonder how long it will take you to figure it out. Well, the longer you take, the sweeter it will be in the end. "That's right. Demon culture allows for marriage between men, right? I can't wait."

Raven lowered his head. He had suspected this from the beginning, but that wouldn't deter his loyalty. "How long do you plan on waiting?"

"The coronation ball. If he doesn't figure it out, then I'll tell him then. Before that, I have to show him my sincerity. I hope you stay ignorant until the end, Anaroth."