The Dragon and His Prince{ManxMan}

*Chapter 7

Marius

It was happening again. A time of absolute dread for me but I pushed through, I allowed myself to endure even for a little while because I knew, I knew it made him happy, displayed his intentions to the most influential being in the kingdom. His father.

This was a time where our change was drastic, where the roles of society really took their toll on us and it always showed after.

I stared at the two double doors and sighed. The suit was stiff and suffocating, I wanted to unbuckle the two buttons at the top, take off the ridiculous tie and free myself from the fitted pants. However, I had to help him, help my Prince continue to prove them wrong.

Entering I was glad to see Zyandra already there, seated and hunched over, a permanent pout on her plump lips, she wiggled in her seat and pulled at the hem of her dress with a scowl before resuming her still pout, staring at her glass with water.

"I see you decided to be early." She looked over, her eyes scanning over me.

"I thought it best to just get this over with." She sighed, her shoulders slumped. "You'd think after years and years of this I'd be used to it but nope, each time just seems harder than the last."

I took my seat around where Zavian would soon sit.

"Tell me about it." I chuckled. "I was sure you wouldn't show this time."

She sat up and rolled her shoulders. "That was the plan, but mother threatened me." She shook her head. "Woman can be scary."

I grinned. "Did you like my gift?" Her eyes lit up.

"I was meaning to ask where you got it. I was hoping to purchase a set." I grinned telling her where I got it and wishing her luck in finding a set. We talked more about the kind of weapons she was hoping to master soon, and how archery really was not being kind to her which was adorable.

Zavian joined us silently, offering us both a small smile. I stared at him as his brows furrowed gently while he stared at his plate and pursed his lip in thought. I reached over subtly, my hand touching his thigh and he froze, looking over at me slowly. We stared for a minute, before his hand slipped below, tapping mine and giving me a small smile which disappeared once the man of the hour joined.

We stood as he entered, the man was tall and he was handsome despite himself, his black hair was styled back, a golden crown atop his head, his cornflower blue eyes were bright and... he was smiling. My eyes widened a bit, he surely had a good day.

My stomach dropped as his gaze slid over the room and met mine, the low narrowing caused me to swallow and look down. This would not be pretty.

His wife, the Queen entered soon after, she had her golden brown hair down this time, with a braid going down either side connecting behind her, her subtle diamond crown matched her red and silver gown, her lips were in a thin line, lines around her forehead showing worry as she stiffly walked behind her husband and they sat.

"Father, feels as though it has been ages since we last saw you," Zyandra spoke politely, adding a delighted and excited beat as she smiled widely.

"Indeed, I fear I forget I even have children with this much distance between us." He laughed loudly and food was served.

There was polite chatter made as I kept my head down and ate silently, smiling and nodding here and there, I was careful not to speak unless spoken too.