Theodore walked away from the crowd of women with a deep frown. He couldn't stand gossip, and that dark-haired girl had just proven his point. No one on this side of the city was supposed to know who he was, yet somehow she had guessed. Typical.
"Lord Theodore!" someone called, loud enough to turn heads. He turned around, ready to yell at whoever dared, but stopped when he saw his friend,Lord Gregory Cavendish.
Gregory walked up to him with a grin. "What took you so long? I've been waiting here like a fool."
"I met a friend," Theodore said shortly.
Gregory raised an eyebrow. "A friend you talk to, or a friend you scare half to death?"
Theodore smirked. "You know me too well."
Gregory was about to reply when his eyes caught something across the street. Lavender and his sister, Sarah, were stepping into a carriage. Lavender's bright blue dress glimmered under the sun as she smiled politely at him. Gregory smiled back before realizing Theodore was watching him.
"You know that gossiper?" Theodore asked sharply.
Gregory blinked. "What gossiper?"
"The dark girl," Theodore replied flatly.
Gregory's expression softened. "Oh, Lavender. She's Sarah's friend." His tone was gentler now.
Theodore noticed the way Gregory said her name, like it meant something more, but decided not to comment.
"Why are you asking about her?" Gregory asked, looking curious.
"She likes to talk," Theodore said simply.
Gregory chuckled. "She talks a lot, yes. But she's interesting. You'd like her if you stopped being grumpy for five minutes."
Theodore rolled his eyes. "Unlikely."
They both walked into The Blue Lion, a quiet gentlemen's club tucked behind Elaris' bustling square. Only nobles and high officials came here, so no one would suspect them. The owner spotted Theodore and quickly led them to a private room upstairs.
Once seated, Gregory poured two glasses of whiskey and handed one to Theodore.
"To surviving another season," Gregory toasted.
Theodore took a sip, enjoying the burn in his throat. "Barely."
"So tell me," Gregory started, "why are you really in Elaris? Don't tell me you missed the city."
Theodore shrugged. "Maybe I did."
Gregory laughed. "Please. You'd rather wrestle a bear than admit you missed this place."
Theodore chuckled. "His Majesty has plans for me this season."
"Let me guess," Gregory said with a grin. "Marriage?"
Theodore didn't answer, which was enough of an answer.
"You know, it wouldn't kill you to fall in love," Gregory teased.
"I never said marriage was bad," Theodore replied, "but I'm not ready to take on… extra responsibility."
Gregory leaned forward. "Extra responsibility? You make it sound like adopting a dog."
"I mean it," Theodore said. "Women talk too much. They ask questions. They want attention. I don't have time for that."
Gregory laughed and shook his head. "So basically, you hate all women in Elaris. You're doomed, my friend. The city's full of them."
Theodore gave him a look. "And you? Still avoiding your proposal?"
Gregory sighed. "I plan to propose, but there's a lot in the way."
"Excuses," Theodore said dryly. "You always have them."
"And you always postpone things," Gregory shot back, grinning. "Don't act like you're better than me."
They both laughed, the air between them lighter.
Theodore finished his drink and leaned back, his smile fading. "Alright. Enough jokes. Let's talk about the real matter at hand."
Gregory's smile slowly faded. He leaned forward, resting both elbows on the table. "The king's health is deteriorating," he said quietly.
Theodore's expression hardened. "Word hasn't gone out yet, but somehow a few of the king's enemies have already gotten wind of it."
Gregory frowned, his fingers tapping against his glass. "The crown prince knows that spies have been planted in the castle, but finding them is the real problem."
"The queen knows too," Theodore said. "She's taken it upon herself to oversee the kingdom until her son's coronation. After that, she plans to leave with the king."
Gregory sighed, rubbing his temple. "The spies aren't the only problem."
Theodore nodded. "I know. Someone's been killing black commoners in Dunhelm, that town near the southern border. Whoever's behind it is trying to stir them up,start trouble."
Gregory's jaw tightened. "The queen can't handle all this on her own. Parliament knows what's going on, but they've done nothing. No decision, no plan."
Theodore swirled the last drops of whiskey in his glass. "If word gets out about what's happening in the castle, the kingdom will panic. I've already sent some of my men to Dunhelm to investigate the killings."
"That's good," Gregory said. "The parliament acts like it's a small issue, as if those people don't matter."
Theodore's eyes darkened. "Keep an eye on them,especially the House of Verdan, they've been too quiet lately. I don't trust silence in politics."
Gregory nodded firmly. "I will."
Theodore stood, reaching for his coat. "I have to leave, dear friend."
"Where to?" Gregory asked, smirking. "Another brothel?"
Theodore laughed under his breath. "I don't do brothels. I prefer my women in nicer places."
Gregory rolled his eyes. "For someone who claims to hate women, you seem to enjoy their company."
"Oh please," Theodore said with a half-smile, buttoning his coat. "Don't act like a saint, Gregory."
With that, he tipped his hat, his grin fading back into his usual cold expression as he turned toward the door.