The moonlight poured into Rhian’s room through the extravagant windows, blanketing the sheets and the two under them in a soft blue. In the silence punctured only by their breathing, every single miniscule movement resonated throughout the room. There was nothing in between them, and Nveh’s arms remained draped over Rhian’s shoulders as the two laid in the bed, just above sleep. The knight closed his eyes, basking in the feeling of not having to hide his affection behind a mask of professional stoicism—of being able to be with Rhian not as his loyal adjutant, but as his lover. It was these moments that made him regret rejecting Rhian’s advances for so long.
Nveh felt the forecasting movements before he felt Rhian’s hand rest on his. The latter turned, fondly meeting Nveh’s eyes as they intertwined their fingers. As Rhian’s face melted into a soft smile, Nveh was a word away from a full grin. Neither of them said anything, though. For a moment, they simply appreciated the blissful peace. And then, Rhian’s voice peeked through the curtain of silence.
“Everything okay?” Rhian pulled his hand away from Nveh’s, pushing a lock of silver hair behind Nveh’s ear. In this light, Rhian couldn’t help but think that he was almost ethereal. But Nveh’s slight surprise furrowed his brow after hearing Rhian’s inquiry. “What are you referring to?”
“There’s been a lot recently, right? Rumors about the so-called ‘Visage Thief’ around, barons concerned about the last season’s yield and wanting to take counsel, and of course the accusations towards the Honor Guard, which I’m sure you’re aware of. What do you think?”
“Well, if I’m to be perfectly transparent… I’ve had your assignments as my top priority, so I haven’t delved much into those other issues as much as I should have. If you’d like, I could,” Nveh whispered. He briefly glanced down, then back up.
“No, no, that’s not what I’m getting at.” With those words, Rhian rose slightly, enough to prop himself up on an elbow as he pivoted his body. “Is there something bothering you?”
Nveh froze. The doubts that badgered him and their consequences flashed through his mind all at once.
Rhian must have had a reasonable aim in having Nveh target the viscount of a farming village.
The unsuspecting target from a couple days ago must have truly been assisting enemy soldiers, as Rhian said, so why did Nveh let her go?
Even those first residents that he was made to kill, they couldn’t have been completely innocent, could they?
Despite each instance of lingering doubt, despite already allowing multiple targets to live, Nveh still couldn’t bring himself to lie to Rhian’s face this way.
“Yes…” Nveh’s eyes strayed from Rhian, wandering to the sight of the moon in the window behind him. Its pure light silhouetted him, illuminating only the side of Rhian he couldn’t see. “But it’s trivial, really; something that I shouldn’t even be thinking about.” Rhian remained silent for a while. He accepted and trusted what Nveh said, but made sure to leave doors of discussion open for his dear assassin.
“Right, right.” Rhian stroked Nveh’s cheek, showing a delicacy that only the two of them knew. “Well, you know I can tell when something’s bothering you and, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this, but it’s always fine to ask for help. I’m always right here for you.”
“I know, thank you.” Following a half-laugh, half-scoff from Nveh, Rhian again put his disarming smile on display. The former knew that there was no mal-intent behind it—at least not towards him—and that was the bare minimum. Yet, no one could demand more.
Rhian moved closer to Nveh, back into his embrace, and it was like nothing ever happened. The contemplations, doubts, deceptions melted away as the night gave way to rest. But one last fragmented thought flitted across Nveh’s mind as the rise and fall of their breaths in sync lulled him to sleep: if only Rhian’s kindness extended to others.
