Draconia Offline vol. 1

67.1. I Bless Thee - Part 1

"Husbands, husbands, husbands," Erik is drumming happily the whole morning, to the point it becomes rather annoying. We should be working on establishing our new governmental departments, but one of us is obviously not focusing at all.

"Erik, we know," Liana rolls her eyes. "Trust me, everybody knows."

"I'm just so happy that I can't help it," he stands up and hugs me from behind, burying his chin in my hair.

"Ehm, I'm working," I sigh, but secretly enjoy his affection.

"Wait, I'm not Gotrid's husband as well, am I?" Erik asks, startled by the sudden intrusive thought.

"Not according to the Celestial lore, no," I calm him down.

"You don't have to be so obviously relieved, you know," Gotrid raises his eyebrow. "Besides, you're slowly warming up to me, don't hide it."

Erik sticks his tongue out at him and tries to make himself busy petting my feathers. But he is gradually warming up to Gotrid, whether he wants to admit it or not.

"Luvi, could we leave a bit earlier today?" Erik asks my adjutant who's in charge of our busy schedules. Since we can't have the whole weekend free as regular people would, Erik is always doing his best to negotiate our overall working hours.

"I'm afraid not, Royal Consort," Luviael has to disappoint him. "His Majesty and Lord Gotrid have to train. We can't afford to slack any longer, the priority now is to level up as quickly as possible."

"Sorry, we really have to," I clutch his hand, "but you could invite Elizabeth over again and spend some quality time with your new friend?"

Erik's emotional state changes into a slight bitterness.

"Actually," he takes a deep breath to answer. "Elizabeth suggested I visit her for a change."

"She did?" I'm surprised because Erik never mentioned it and I can't read every single thought when I'm telepathically connected to my partners. That would be both maddening and rude.

"I didn't tell you, because when I asked Vermiel, he said it's not safe for me to leave the premises even with an escort," he sighs.

I freeze. That realisation is so sudden and painful that I forget to breathe for a moment. Just how stupid and selfish am I?! How could I not have realised that earlier? Always being busy isn't an excuse. I can at least go for my regular flying session, but Erik isn't so lucky. He can't leave because it's not safe outside for him. Everyone knows whose partner he is and that makes him my weak spot, a perfect target for abduction.

"Erik, I... I didn't realise...," I mumble in panic. "You've never actually been outside ever since the Great Evolution started if we don't count New York! I'll talk to Vermiel, surely we can arrange it so that...," I'm frantically looking for a way but Erik shakes his head.

"And would you be allowed to come with me?" he points out.

"Definitely NOT!" Liana answers for me, without looking up from her screen.

"Then I have no reason to go out," he shrugs. "Where would I go anyway? My parents and friends can visit me, and it's not like I could go shopping or take a walk. I'm not naïve, Ryuu. I know what I signed up for when I became your Consort."

I hug him in a feeble attempt to comfort him, so I'm surprised to discover that Erik doesn't feel that devastated about it. He's more than content with our new apartment and enjoys the luxury. He also likes to be in the centre of everything. And, right now, the Draconian skyscraper seems to be the centre of the world.

"I'd welcome to pilot a helicopter again, though," he admits. "Li, didn't you promise me that it's supposed to be one of my employee benefits?"

"I certainly did," my Viceroy nods. "We can arrange that at least."

"Thanks," Erik smiles.

He's feeling much better already, but I still get up and hug him tight while sending all my love and gratitude towards him. And I promise that I'll do everything in my power to give him as much freedom as possible. Even though there's little freedom for the Celestial Emperor and his Consorts.