When Blindfolds Fall

6: Chasing the Oldest Lovers

"I know I should've stopped dwelling on it, but I can't be the only one still wondering what that kiss meant. I mean was it an I feel bad for you kiss? A good luck with the rest of your life kiss? Or maybe just an I understand kiss. And what about us now agreeing to sleep together more often?! Do people normally do this? Who else has done this?!"

"Ah dear Luna, what am I gonna do." The head of the Aspen family sighed wearily as he took a short break out in the gardens.

It was a normal night in the palace of Crows, no major events had occurred except for the incessant nagging of Josiah's conscience in his head.

Tending to his usual duties as ambassador and advisor of the kingdom was challenging as he kept replaying that memory from the tower in his mind, and the night after that.

Even though he hadn't seen Viktor at all tonight, he just had an inexplicable need to see him and talk to him about what happened. However, there was one issue that also needed his attention, in fact, it called for both of their attentions.

While Josiah and Viktor were not lovers, they certainly weren't coworkers nor friends anymore. The dynamics of their relationship had entirely shifted and whether they wanted to proceed or not, they had to be careful so that no one found out.

It's not an explicit rule, but it is heavily implied against and frowned upon for workers of the castle to ever cross the line of colleagues in the same work place. Even more so if it involves the illicit involvement of two members of the five earl families of Lamia without council consent.

If anyone, specially the royal family, were to find out they weren't exactly acquaintances anymore, the consequences could put in danger the good names of their families or have even worse repercussions.

That was the precise reason why Josiah had to refrain from seeking him out no matter how desperate he was to go ask for an explanation to their "unfortunate" turn of events.

"Lord Aspen?" A servant of the castle approached the ambassador.

"Yes?" Josiah turned around and went towards them.

"His majesty is looking for you. H-He seems to be in a foul mood, I think it's best you go to him quickly."

"Oh my, certainly. Where is he? And thank you so much for the message!"

"He's currently wandering the fourth floor main corridor."

Quickly, Josiah thanked the servant once more and ascended four enormous flights of stairs before finally finding the king.

The ambassador panted out of breath and rested his palms on his knees as he tried to alleviate the tension in his legs from sprinting so fast.

"Y-Your majesty." Josiah wheezed. "My sincerest apologies . . . for . . . being hard to reach. What may I help you with?"

"What is the matter with you Josiah?! You're acting completely unlike you!" Hades teleported directly in front of him, nearly knocking him off balance.

"I-I'm sorry your majesty, I-I don't understand--"

"You've been late to all our early evening meetings when you used to be on time for every single one before, you're behind on filing the paperwork I give you, you stink of cigarettes sometimes, and now you've cost me a seat in the meeting Artemis is holding with the baker union from Sapphire!"

"I--" Josiah was about to apologize when he finally caught up with the king's rant and questioned: "Y-You wanted to attend that, your majesty? I thought you said it was unimportant when I first mentioned it?"

"Well I do now! But where were you?! Daydreaming off the garden balcony like a princess?!" Hades scolded his ambassador.

"I'm-I'm deeply sorry about all this your majesty, thank you for bringing to my attention that my performance has not been the best as of late. I-I assure you, I shall be on my best working behavior from now on." Josiah made a deep bow and touched his right hand to his heart with sincerity.