Work Text:
An ordinary day at the Alba Cavanich, or that’s what the special inquisitor thought while coming back from the city centre to the palace.
”Morning lady Mòrag, lady Brighid” the gormotti soldier greeted them. ”Morning Jac” Mòrag nods back, Jac is her closest soldier so there’s nothing out of the ordinary about him being without his helmet but she can see him being, tense. ”Is there a problem Jac?”
Jac swallows hard but shakes his head and gets awkward when glances at Brighid who furrowed her eyebrows. ”Nothing like that, it’s just… Boys put me on this, mission after reading today’s paper”
Mòrag sighs. What rumour’s it this time, a lot is going on since… She thought but got cut off when Jac hand her bouquet, it was tied professionally so it was clearly made by the palace's gardener.
It has been close to two years since they moved into the Elysium from their late titan after the world was saved by a group of heroes three years ago, Mòrag knows well and since then palace gardener has taken it into his heart to create a garden to the palace, now that he has a chance, so it wouldn’t be surprising him to make this but why her and now?
“Are we celebrating some occasion?” she asked taking the bouquet and looking at it, eyes wide.
“Umm… Happy International Women’s Day lady Mòrag“ Jac explained scratching his head behind his ears awkwardly but smiled how taken back his boss is by this gift.
“Oh right, it’s today, isn’t it?” Mòrag surprised him by laughing heartedly and then looked at the bouquet of bigger blue lily kind of flowers with white and red flowers, with even smaller yellow flowers, the bouquet was elaborate even though the colours were from her uniform. “Was this a shared idea?” She then teased her soldier.
“Hah yes, lady Mòrag. Gardener Marc was thrilled to make something like this, especially from our garden” Jac admits smiling happily when he proved to his mates that their boss isn’t as strict as she lets on.
“Oh, that’s kind and nice to hear. After the new palaces housewarming party he hasn’t had opportunities to make anything like this, so two birds on one stone” Mòrag understood and then saw her brother coming down from the elevator and already saw her with flowers. “You can go now Jac and tell others I appreciate the effort; the bouquet is pretty. I already visited the harbour and they informed me that the cargo has been delayed but we can expect it to arrive evening or early tomorrow“ she said smiling but then strictly.
“I will, I’m sure guys will be glad to hear that and thank you, special inquisitor, I’ll keep you posted“ Jac bowed to her and then quickly made honor to the Emperor. “Morning your Majesty”
“Morning Jac, you can go” Niall answered nodding and Jac bowed before leaving. “So Jac gave you the flowers or?” he whispered.
“Morning Niall and yes, apparently group brilliance… Mister Marc tied it…” Mòrag said to him smiling when looking at her bouquet.
Brighid smiled a little too when seeing her driver so delighted by this little effort and shows it, which is rare.
“Happy Woman’s Day sis and Brighid” Niall then whispered close to them smiling smugly.
“It seems everyone remembers other than me… Thank you Niall” Mòrag sighs.
“Thank you, your Majesty” Brighid placed her hand on her chest and bowed to him smiling. She is a woman but it’s still rare to be treated like this because she’s a blade.
“That’s a nice idea from soldiers” Niall continues but lifts his eyebrows. “But hasn’t some, other men, remembered?"
Mòrag lifts her brows and smiles a little but shakes her head. “No but maybe it’s a good thing, I would imagine he would go overboard”
“Aww maybe I should remind him how I asked to treat you” Niall whispered strictly but Mòrag could see he was just teasing. “Niall…”
“I thought Zeke and Pandoria are coming today?” Niall laughed, he was glad for his sister having something else than her job these days.
Something else happened at the housewarming party. Zeke made a move and got Mòrag to admit she has feelings for him.
They kept it a secret from the media for a while but after Zeke kept coming back to Mor Ardain. They couldn’t say he was still helping with the new palace, they agreed to reveal it to the public and Niall made clear it was Mòrag's personal decision and that he or the senate isn’t related when the media was already gossiping about it.
Although the senate did suggest, unspeakable relations between our nations but I make sure they don’t mess this up, I’m so glad finally see her so happy and more open… Niall thought and nodded to the soldier who came to report to Mòrag and saluted him.
Senate wanted to unite Tantal and Mor Ardain even though the couple wasn’t even married and had dated just a month but Niall denied that and put it behind imperial creed so they can’t touch it, until it was time, if Zeke and Tantal court agrees. He hasn’t told Mòrag or Zeke any of this.
“What we were talking about before the soldier came?” Mòrag cleared her voice.
“About Zeke and Pandoria coming…” Brighid helped but then they turned around to who the soldiers are greeting. “Speaking of the devil” Mòrag smiled when she sees Zeke come, maybe too theatrically when soldiers bow to him.
Well, he is a grown prince and also the emperor's future brother-in-law.
“Heard you mentioning us, pretty nice timing eh?” Zeke said proudly and bowed smiling widely. “Morning Niall and ladies”
Senate doesn’t like him being already so familiar with him on the first name basics but Niall likes it. “Morning Zeke and Pandoria, your timing was excellent“
“Morning and yeah like always, bad or good” Pandoria giggled and nodded to Mòrag and Brighid. “Morning Pandoria, Prince Zeke,” Brighid said.
She wasn’t surprised when Zeke made a move, not to say Pandoria was either because they were expecting it when Zeke planned it before coming to Alba Cavanich and Brighid arrange for them to have a quiet moment during the party.
Mòrag was the only one who didn’t know so I was a little nervous about how she takes that but I’m glad her feelings for my prince are mutual… Pandoria thought when seeing that his driver has something in mind.
“Morning… Zeke... and Pandoria” Mòrag said but was a little cut off when Zeke gave her a peck on the cheek so she blushed when the courtyard has a lot of soldiers and newbies are looking at her curiously.
But everyone could see how she’s happy to see him, after a long month when Zeke had to Tantal to see how their city project is coming along. Tantal has become a little more open and started another city into the Elysium soil.
“Morning Mòrag. What’s with the flowers?” Zeke just grinned nodding towards the bouquet.
Pandoria rolled her eyes and looked at Niall who cleared his voice. “International Women’s Day, which is celebrated by many countries besides Mor Ardain, Gormott, Leftheria…”
Zeke jumps backwards dramatically shocked by that. “It’s today?! So someone gave you flowers, who?!”
“My soldiers Zeke, being in the lead of the military where most of the soldiers male…” Mòrag said teasingly and smiled a little when Zeke was over the top dramatic and placed his hand on his chest. “And I didn’t remember that! Pandy why didn’t you…” he said disappointed in himself and looks at his longtime blade and friend but Pandoria just grossed her arms.
“I was waiting when you notice my prince. Tantal also celebrates the day” she said and Zeke scratch his head, of course, Pandoria didn’t say anything, she is a woman after all.
“Aww come on! More the bigger reason to kick and remind me!” he whined but then quickly pulls Mòrag and Pandoria as well as Brighid into the big bear hug. Brighid opens her eyes shocked by this and looks at him.
“Happy Women’s Day, my ladies!”
Niall put a hand on his mouth not to laugh as it was already a show when soldiers stopped to look at them. He’s not wrong… he thought but Brighid was so shocked he wasn’t sure can her sense of humour take this.
“Your Majesty” Aegaeon comes from the elevator and stops in his tracks to look at his driver who is surprised and crushed into the hug one arm stretched out so the bouquet she’s holding doesn’t get crushed too.
“Heh, yes Aegaeon” Niall just asked and water blade presented his matter to him and he then nods. “See ya at meeting later Mòrag and Brighid, don’t burn him” he then said when Zeke let the ladies go.
“Of course not your Majesty…” Brighid bowed to him and Mòrag straighten her hat and jacket and nodded before he left with her blade. Aegaeon acts as Niall's personal bodyguard and attendant as Mòrag wanted so even if he’s her blade.
“You wouldn’t do that, would you?” Zeke laughed a little worried when Brighid’s fires flashed. “Not today you highness, for lady Mòrag’s sake“ Brighid answered and Pandoria burst out laughing at Zeke's' terrified look.
Mòrag smiled too. As I said he was too dramatic but maybe not too much… “Brighid…”
“Yes, I know lady Mòrag. It was, considered of you Prince Zeke, so thank you but please refrain from doing that often” Brighid smiled a little and then looked at Pandoria who nods. “We'll go ahead, play nice” she giggles, leaving the couple alone.
It has come a routine they give their drivers some alone time. “Can’t promise that Brighid” Zeke still teased but when looked at Mòrag he lifts his eyebrows. “You really do have a death wish sometimes?” Mòrag sighs smiling.
“Heh… So soldiers gave you flowers? Can’t blame them, I should have gotten some too” Zeke laughed and came a little closer looking at the bouquet. “Yes, Jac brought it, it was a group effort and the palace gardener tied it nicely” Mòrag just said not noticing Zeke wanted to give her flowers too, as she wasn't embarrassed enough already when soldiers are just now going back to their work.
“It was nice of them, not many have the guts to give flowers to their supervisor who happens to be the leader of the imperial army and the Emperor's sister aaand girlfriend of…” Zeke grinned before Mòrag put a hand on his mouth smiling. “I know, it hasn’t been a tradition but I’m glad they did it, shall we go?” Mòrag whispered, she also knew it wasn’t just because Jac is her closest soldier on the rank but also because he has become as close to her to dare to do something like that.
Zeke just nods and they leave.
“If you want, there’s still time to get some breakfa…” Mòrag said after they got into the elevator but was once again cut off by Zeke kissing her hand on her hips but now she responds and shut down the elevator.
“Not what I meant…” she then gasp for air after the kiss.
Zeke laughed and gives her another small kiss. “I missed you y’know” he whispered and took her hat putting his other hand on her cheek.
“I missed you too… How was Tantal?” Mòrag whispered smiling putting her hand on his chest.
“The usual but I tell you everything when I get something to eat, now that ardainian cuisine is hella better than years ago” Zeke grinned. “Or did you have something else in mind stopping the whole elevator?”
Mòrag blushed but shook her head. “Niall and I do this from time to time, it’s a good place to have some privacy,” she said and push the elevator back on.
“I need to remember that when I think about what I’m, going to do to celebrate this day” Zeke whispered.
“That hug was more than enough Zeke and the elevator isn’t supposed to be without power for too long” Mòrag was shocked at what Zeke meant and takes her hat when the door opens. “And I should get some water for these” she continued looking at the flowers on her other hand.
“Well we’re going to the right place” Zeke smiled and pulls her into his armpit hugging her and giving a kiss on her head. Mòrag looks at him and put her hand on his back, it has been a long month and the media isn't here to take pictures if she lets herself relax a little.
“Or maybe I get Niall to give you a little break so we can…” Zeke noticed that and started again but was surprised when Mòrag kisses him by the dining room door. “I thought that would shut you up, that's a no, there's so much to do today” she whispered smiling and left going towards the kitchen.
You know it and I asked for it but I had to try… Zeke thought smiling and goes to sit while looking at how Mòrag talked to an older maid who she said to be like her mother when she was a little.
Or maybe I just ask her, what to make after the meetings and her work is done for tonight… he then sees Pandoria and Brighid coming so he waves at them.
Heh, my ladies… And I didn’t even plan that…