"I don't care what it looks like-" Alistair already knows he's gained Anora's ire with the words and he wishes he could go back five seconds and unsay them. Because he does care, but he had felt backed into a corner.
"Well you should Alistair, and so should Cian if he cares about Ferelden at all."
"That's not fair, he's going-"
"To be the Prince Consort, though that is if he says yes. I am well aware of your intentions and I am happy for you, but he must have his own room even with that knowledge. Andraste bless you both, I know he shall not remain in it, but you must understand how it looks." Her hands come to rest on the table and even with no force behind them, Alistair knows when to concede.
That had been almost a week ago, when Anora had investigated the progress of the guest room for Cian. She'd even been nice enough to help him back out some of the minor decorations such as bedding and curtains. Alistair knew it need not be anything fancy or lush, but even so the sheets and blankets in Cian's room ended up being of nicer quality than Alistair had even ordered for himself when he first decorated his room in the palace more than a decade ago now.
Cian was to arrive late, as Alistair wanted to avoid the fanfare and questions of the returning Hero of Ferelden after the Wardens had all but disappeared. Not even the stable boy was there to meet Cian, but instead it was Alistair, dressed down waiting in the cold of the night to help him stable his horse.
With the clop of hooves, Alistair peered to the stable doors, busy giving his own Charger some much needed brushing and pats to keep himself busy.
"In here!" he announced, voice pitching slightly before he cleared his throat a few times, "Just inside-" Alistair pushed Fera away by her snout gently as she attempted to chew his sleeve in his distraction, giving her nose a brief little rub, Alistair pulled himself away and preened himself a bit before he went to the door finally to peek out into the night for his lover.
