denver’s quiet step to the side did not go unnoticed by dominic. he tried not to take offense, knew the other probably felt uncomfortable that the king lingered here so long. but it wasn’t every day dominic got to brush shoulders with someone so… notorious in his own right. when he’d first heard the story he’d pictured denver taller, and with a hooded cloak on at all times. something of a caricature; something everyone would know to avoid.
but the man didn’t look like a typical bad guy at all, and that only reeled dominic in further.
“if i wanted to speak to garrett, i would tell one of my oldest friends myself to sack up and come talk to me.” he said cooly. “— i do want to know why you did it though. i have ever since i was first made aware of your,” he paused for a moment, trying to find a more delicate word than what he’d initially had in mind, “background. — but i suppose you don’t want to answer that. i probably wouldn’t either.”
lazily he studied the ground below them, wondering what was going on for the rest of eden tonight. no doubt most of the partygoers were stumbling home now. the castle itself had sat in silence for at least an hour. soon enough the morning would wash away everything that was left of the event, and real life would resume. dominic hoped the feeling of dread he felt was mutual, because it was almost too much to contain.
“i trust eden was everything you were hoping it wouldn’t be.” he said, eyeing denver from his peripheral carefully. a small glint of pity flashed in his eyes. “i saw you wading through the crowd earlier tonight. i don’t think i’ve ever drawn quite as many stares in such a little amount of time.
at the other’s words, denver could not help but grit his teeth. they made him want to yell at the monarch, tell him that old friends don’t pick the enemy side in a war. gods- he wanted to shout at him until he’d earned a hanging three times over. but that was obvious madness. he was still needed back in solis.
the next part of dominic’s question, however, wrenched his molars apart. ❝ i’m not ashamed of it, sir. if you really want to know-❞ a pause, in which the acid-laced words of the executioner hung in ambiguity. a deep breath. hand rubbing the back of his neck.
a painfully simple explanation, undoubtedly unsatisfying to the monarch- but true. denver turned away from the other man, hands gripping the balcony of the railing until his knuckles turned white. ❝ it was an order, so i did it. alright ? i was doing my job. my father was a traitor. he was a threat to the king, so he was- he was executed. that’s justice in my book. ❞
he followed the other’s gaze to the ground beneath them. a flowerbed sat just below the balcony- rosebushes & violets, lilies & chrysanthemums. even under the cover of darkness, one could tell it was quite a sight to behold by day.
when the king spoke again, denver turned to look at him. ❝ you said it yourself- i have quite the impressive backstory. as long as they stare at me & not the langstons, i really couldn’t give a damn. ❞
