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Leofric nodded again. He tried to hold back the urge to roll his eye. Really? Was this the person who really ended the war? Maybe it actually talked The Holy Monarch to death instead. They rested their head on their fist with another ‘uh huh’. Their little meeting started off so fun. Now it was just it and its companion going off about imports, exports, and other meaningless bullshit. They did understand the economics of what was happening but maybe the purpose of the meeting got lost in their letter. All of the other rulers that Leo had met had been halfway through their life or a foot in the grave. He was really hoping that It would become someone he could rely on. Similar life experiences, y’know? That hope had died once it sat down with a list of notes.
Eske was and going to be another royal asshole with a stick up its ass pretending to be better than everyone else. Leofric had always hated those types. Sure the last ruler of Daelux was somewhat good but he had struggled to keep people together before and during the war. Too out of touch to really understand what the people were going through. That's why their people pushed them to the thrown. Leofric had tried to hold an election, but the people just voted for him anyway. Leofric had promised change to this empire, doing his best to bring a sense of unity his mother had often dreamed of aloud to him. They missed those days.
A clearing of a throat caused the spell to break, they blinked a couple of times to look back to the golden eyes that glared at them. “Do I need to repeat myself, Lord Eros?”
Leofric sat up, sighing, “For the love of any god you respect, drop the fancy titles. From what I saw we’re the same age, that would be weird if I made you call me some fancy title. I don’t even let other people here call me titles. Makes me throw up a little if you ask me.”
“If I’m asking you to call me holy reverend, I should apply the same level of respect.” Maybe it was more of a question than a statement, but in all honesty, that was a guess. Its tone was almost non-existent during this entire conversion.
Leofric sighed again, closing his eye and rubbing their temples, “That’s because you refused to give me your actual name.”
“Correct.” It nodded.
“You are like talking to a wall.” Leo really didn’t care what they said, all their export was religious material. This was an off-kilter trade anyway. Trading spices and pottery for stained glass and religious texts? He could care less. Sure there were a few places here that followed Iloflenity or The Church of the Three Gods. But there was definitely enough material around for them. Maybe there would be some pushback from the Arceax that did follow, but that's it at most. So at the end of the night, they weren’t risking much.
It was Eske's turn to sigh, he swore its eyes glazed over for a second, “It's for religious reasons Lord Eros.”
Leo threw all impulse control to the wind, rolling their eyes, splaying themself across the chair, huffing, “Do you ever do anything of your own will? Or did you sell your entire personality to your god?”
It stood up slowly, “Since we are at a stalemate, Adenike and I will be taking our leave. Have a good night Lord Eros.” The other Cazulea stood up to follow, the cane clicking on the tile floor as they both left. He watched until the spotted tail disappeared behind the door. And yet still they watched.
“Leo? What happened there?” Meztli poked their head around the back door.
“It's an asshole.”