Dear Regent

Austin moved with purpose, his strides sharp and controlled—until he saw him.

Mormont.

The Queen's Lord of Whispers stood in the dim corridor, his usual smirk firmly in place, arms crossed like a man who had all the time in the world. Austin didn't stop. He had no patience for the little games Mormont played.

Unfortunately, Mormont had patience for him.

"Ah, the ever-loyal Regent," he drawled, stepping directly into Austin's path. "Late-night errands for the Queen? Or perhaps something a little more... secretive?"

Austin halted just inches from him, jaw clenched. "Move."

Mormont hummed. "Move? Just like that? No warm greetings? No discussion of the night's... events?" His gaze flickered, sharp and knowing. "A shame. I so much enjoy your company."

Austin didn't react. He wouldn't give Mormont the satisfaction.

"Your devotion to Her Majesty is admirable. Unshakable. Some might even say… intimate."

Austin flashed him a deadly stare at the word 'intimate'.

Daringly, Mormont took this as an invitation to continue. "You know, I saw the strangest thing earlier. A girl, crippled, battered. And then, oh, would you believe it? I saw someone standing over her. Not to help, mind you." He tilted his head. "Tell me, Regent, how much do you hate unfinished business?"

Austin's fingers twitched. He should have killed him months ago.

Mormont grinned. "Ah. There it is. That lovely flicker of rage." He leaned in slightly, voice turning amused.

"Careful, my Lord Regent. If you stare at me any harder, I might start to think you're attracted to me."

The dagger was out in a flash, cold steel pressed to Mormont's throat.

For the first time, Mormont went silent.

Then—he laughed.

"Oh, Austin," he sighed, completely unbothered. "You do this every time. But tell me, dear Regent, if you kill me now... doesn't that mean I was right?"

Austin's grip tightened—then he heard it.

A soft shuffle in the shadows. Someone was watching.

Mormont noticed too, his smirk curling into something almost delighted.

Austin slowly lowered the blade, slipping it back into its sheath. He said nothing. He didn't need to.

Mormont dusted off his robes like nothing had happened. "Regained control, have we? How very unlike you."

Austin turned and walked away. Fast.

But as he left, one thought burned in his mind—who saw them?

And what would they do with what they heard?