date — march sixteenth location — hallway of silver quarters status — closed to @emoryosanos
Avoid, avoid, avoid — Everyone wanted a moment with the King, who had yet to be formally crowned. They all wanted to know why he had decided to make such a drastic change ( maybe even get the chance to poison his drink ). He did not care what any of their reasons were to speak to him. All he knew was that his mind had been set.
“ Please inform Emory that I would like to speak with him as soon as possible to go over those that have volunteered at this moment, “ Orion said without bothering to fully give his attention to one of his many new advisors. “ Would you also like Valeria to be requested as well, your highness? “ Valeria. Her presence was barely thought of in such a situation as he questioned if she would volunteer for the Crownstrial herself. He had wanted to avoid any awkwardness that might arise if she were to choose such a move — something he was not entirely against. “ Oh, I would like to give her the opportunity to decide whether she will be participating. I would prefer the company of Emory, so we are not to create tension between myself and Valeria at this time. “ And with that, his advisor excused themself to search out Emory.
Hours passed ( at least FIVE that Orion had counted ) — No visit from Emory was beginning to hit a nerve with him as his request was rarely ignored by the other. He was just about to raise his voice to call in his advisor when a quick knock and entry of the very advisor he had sent caused a hitch in his breath.
“ Is he okay? What happened? “ Orion jumped to his feet and grabbed the advisor’s arms to squeeze out the answer, but their words were alread pouring into such quick rhythms that he barely picked up on a few words here and there ; occupied – provos – private – quarters.
He should have listened to his advisor’s request to stay away from the Provos’ hall — to wait for Emory. Unfortunately, his patience was nonexistent with a worry wrapped in such curiosity that it would be his downfall. Later that night, he surely would have cursed himself for not waiting.
He turned down one hallway after another until he was standing at the head of the Provos’ hall without any idea of where to even start. His mind was too preoccupied to really comprehend what he was about to witness until Rahul’s door opened, freezing Orion entirely as the very person he was looking for emerged ; face red with a hint of sweat, shirt halfway unbuttoned, pants still being fastened. The very visual that Orion had never witnessed until this very moment — a sight he prayed he would forget.
Orion immediately gathered his thoughts before turning back on his original path with pain radiating from his chest in a way that resembled something he had once felt in childhood. He should have said something. He should have stood there and witnessed Emory’s expression unfold, but his heart was failing him as rage soon swallowed every hint of light within him.
HEARTBREAK — He was disgusted with himself more than he should have been ; disgusted that he was allowing his emotions to show so easily ( ignoring every lesson his father had ever taught him ) AND most of all — disgusted that he had not understood his feelings sooner.