Work Text:
"Eirika. Attend to me." Several heads snapped to Seth, who was standing from his chair at the head of the table.
"B-beg pardon," a councilor burbled. "Your Grace, we are not yet done-"
But Seth shook his head, turning to face the petite lady that stepped up beside him. "I have full trust you will figure it out without me." He gave Eirika a nod, watching as she bowed at the waist and the way the light sparkled off her earrings.
"A-as you wish," another muttered. As Eirika escorted Seth from the room, many more mutters, grumbles, and whispers followed behind them.
Once the door shut, Seth let out a long sigh. With it, his posture relaxed, shoulders slumping as well. Beside him, Eirika let out a little laugh. "Is the work of a royal all that bad?" she teased, her voice gentle.
"No," he answered, pushing a hand through his hair. The diadem he wore outside the view of the public he pulled off of his head. The headache that had been coming on from its grip against his scalp already felt like it was ebbing away. "I simply did not want to be around for the next topic."
Eirika tilted her head inquisitively. Her own posture was relaxed as well, though her hand never traveled away from the Rapier attached to her side. From the corner of his eye, Seth observed her — from her quick and polished gait, to the smoothness of her hair always kept in check, the reflection of her armor from the lit sconces they walked by, and the quiet music of her earrings.
It was hard to speak into being the answer to her question.
"Marriage proposals."
To anyone else, Eirika's expression remained neutral. Seth, who had known his lady knight long before he laid the sword to her shoulder, saw the tug of the eyebrows and the tiniest stumble in her walking. "I see," she said, voice careful.
Seth stopped walking. Two steps past him, Eirika stopped as well. She turned, craning her neck to peer up at her liege's expression.
"I do not want to," he said, gaze intense, bright behind his red fringe.
"I know," Eirika said, voice soft, for the walls had ears and eyes everywhere.
"I want to stay with you."
"I know." Eirika tilted her head.
But how? For a charged moment, the air grew heavy between them. It took an astounding amount of willpower not to walk forward, cup her cheeks, and kiss her to prove that he meant it.
"My lord," Eirika broke the silence, "we mustn't tarry."
"Yes," Seth responded, closing his eyes. "You're right, of course." He began to walk again, the familiar steps toward his rooms. After a moment, Eirika followed along behind him.
Seth stopped again, sucking his teeth as Eirika bumped into his back. "Ah- Lord Seth-?"
"You will attend me still," Seth said without looking back at Eirika. "No matter what happens."
"Is that an order?" He could hear the smile in her words, closing his eyes to savor the imagery.
"Yes."
A clink of her heels as she tapped them together, bowing. "Very well," she continued, "then I will do as my lord asks."
They resumed their walk.