Pandemonium | Dream SMP

37. Betrayal is never far behind that man.

Eret looks up from his book and quirks a brow, a smile slowly forming on his lips. A pair of dark shades rest on his nose, that slip slightly when he sits upright, revealing a pair of pure white eyes.

Closing the book, he rests it on a knee and addresses us in polite tones.

"Hello there, Mr J Schlatt." He says, his deep voice doing all sorts of weird things to my insides. I don't know whether to swoon or lie down and roll over. Maybe both..? I've always been a sucker for men with deep voices, and it would appear the king is no exception.

"Your majesty," Schlatt smirks, glancing back to me and my rigid form with amusement, knowing exactly what I'm thinking. "I thought I'd come have a chat. You don't mind, do you? You don't seem..." he glances around the empty room, "busy."

"Not at all. I always have time for a talk." Eret says, opening his arms wide in a welcoming manner.

"I'll give you guys some space," Hbomb says, closing the doors behind us. It's now just the three of us in the throne room.

"Ares, why don't you step out too," Schlatt suggests, his eyes trained on the king.

"Sir?" I look between the two men, reluctant to follow orders. I want to stay here...

"Ares, now, please. The president and the king need to talk."

"Yes, sir..."

With a final glance to Eret, who is gazing at me with something akin to intrigue, I turn and move back to the door, pulling one open and slipping through into the long hallway.

"That was quick!" Hbomb chirps. He's stood next to a statue, just a few feet away.

"The men are talking," I say in way of explanation, crossing the room to stare at the statue alongside him. It's of a winged being draped in robes, their gender indiscernible.

I reach out and poke at a quartz feather, sighing deeply.

"What's it like?"

"Hm? Sorry?" I turn to Hbomb. He's also gazing at the statue but meets his gaze with mine. His dark eyes are warm and cheerful, like hot chocolate on a cold day. They make my sadness melt away.

"Working for the president. Is it hard? Eret hardly does anything, not that he doesn't want to. But the SMP is pretty quiet since Dream takes care of crowd control. Have you met Dream yet? He's the scary guy in the mask."

"Yes, I have met him." I laugh lightly, entertained by H's childlike enthusiasm. "And I enjoy being with Schlatt. He's an important person to me, president or not."

"He sounds lucky to have you."

"Mm, we do make quite the pair."

More like I'm lucky to have him. I know exactly where I'd be right now if Schlatt hadn't saved me that day. Somewhere dark and empty. Somewhere cold.

"You asked me about Dream. Does that mean you've met him already?" I question, curious to know more about Dream's interactions.

Hbomb sweat drops, "uhhh, you could say that. Dream has come by the castle a few times to talk with Eret. I don't know what they say since I try to stay out of sight when he does. For someone so young he sure is intimidating. I'd rather not get in his way. I hear he's merciless to those he doesn't like. I'm not a fighter, so I'd rather not get mixed up if possible."

"Ah, that's fair enough. It is better to be safe than sorry." I nod along, in complete understanding of Hbomb's fears. "Does Eret get many visitors?"

Hbomb's expression drops, a sad smile on his lips. "No...not really. Dream is his most regular visitor, but sometimes Niki will come by. Or Bad or Callahan."