Collaterals

At Home.

"How long will you be staying?" Leila found herself asking, for the second time tonight.

Aurelius did not shuffle away from the window, his back turned to her. Still, Leila could see how he leaned closer, peering into the courtyard. She grit her teeth, looking away as he finally shut the window, turning to look at her. 

He did not respond. Instead, he moved to the armchair, settling into it gracefully before he crossed his legs and leaned back. He cocked his head to the side as he looked to Leila, "How long has the King been sick?"

Leila gulped. She almost looked behind her, almost hoped to catch a glance of the Captain's body, standing guard by the door as he usually did. But Aurelius had bid him remain outside. And so it was only them. Well, them and the Diviner, stood idly to the side. The Princess shrugged, "He...is under the weather."

"Under the weather?" Aurelius raised a brow. A corners of his mouth twitched to the side before he bit it, as though to hold back his amusement. "He coughed up blood, Leila. He collapsed on the ground. Three men helped haul him to his feet and out the court."

Leila clutched her armrest. "Perhaps it is best your Imperial Highness retires for the night? I can have entertainment brought, and I understand you might hope to view the royal library—"

"Leila."

She looked up at him.

The Prince did not speak, for a moment. The glint of amusement sputtered out, leaving only his cool gaze, "How come you are not in the King's quarters? With your siblings?"

"His majesty...requires privacy."

"From you?" 

Leila's eyes snapped to him. In truth, she had not tried to enter the King's chambers. She'd been blocked off from them since the sickness began to take true hold, not a person deigning to enlighten her as to what his ailment may be and so— and so, eventually, she stopped trying. "I...thought to provide your Imperial highness with some company."

He raised a brow, "I practically dragged you in here, Leila. I even had to endure Oversized Blue robe, there."

Leila glanced to the Diviner, standing by the door. Yes, well. She could not have very well see him alone. And, of course, the Diviner had not left her side. Especially since the execution. Leila could not help but shift in her seat, eyes settling on a loose thread woven into the arm-rest. She pulled at it. 

"Show me the flame."

Leila did not so much as look up. She'd expected this. Expected Aurelius's poorly placed curiosity. "You know it is not for spectacle."

"It is only for spectacle, you use it for no other practical reason," He scoffed, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward. "Show me."

Now, Leila looked up. "It is not for show. We use it when needed, in the appropriate venues, with the appropriate audience."

He raised a brow. "Am I not the appropriate audience?"

Leila's hold tightened on the thread beneath her fingers. And even with the steadfast steel in her voice, Leila could not meet his eye. "Your Imperial highness...you know what I mean."

His jaw clenched subtly to the side, as though a sour taste now ran through his tongue He must have decided this was not a battle he felt like fighting, for his head dipped a moment. The Imperial Prince straightened, running a hand through his hair with a sigh as he leaned back onto the chair. "I will write in advance of my departure. To the Emperor. I will have the Empire send its finest physicians."

Its finest physicians were probably already in the King's room. Still, Leila did not argue, pulling at the thread some more. "Thank you. You are most gracious, Your Imperial Highness."

"And I will depart in two days' time."

At that, Leila looked to him, "So soon?"

"Ha!" Aurelius shook his head as he laughed. "And here I thought you wished to be rid of me. Do make up your mind, Leila."

Leila sighed, "You cannot leave to soon, Au— your Imperial Highness. You would do us a great honor to stay. Perhaps stroll through the library? Or visit the universities?"

"Perhaps some other visit. I find I've grown homesick. I suppose you know the feeling?"

"I'll be back in Tain come another month," Leila countered.

Aurelius smiled, " I was referring to Aradia."

"Oh," Leila balked. She looked down. The Princess took a breath as the fire crackled. It was pleasant, really, the rhythmic sound of burning filling the room as Leila drew one breath after the other. She'd lived in Tain her entire life. It had been a natural conclusion to come to, a natural slip up. And yet...the implication had her stomach turn, the ugly burn of bile clambering up her throat. Suddenly— suddenly it was becoming very hard not to glance at the door, and very hard not to turn to it. And so the the Princess stood, her courtesy plunging, practiced and poised as she said, "By your Leave, Your Imperial Highness. The Night's activities have left me fatigued."

Aurelius was slow to stand. He took her hand as she rose, and looked to her as he bowed his head ever so slightly, bringing the back of her hand to his lips. His breath feathered her skin when he said, "Have a peaceful night, Leila. I should hope to see you more. At home."