“Supporting that bastard boy Lathael…”

“I heard the same…”

“I respect the King, but a half-elf sitting on the throne…”

Eresin ignored the gossip around him, slamming into the shoulder of the gardener as he made his way past the group. His lip curled. Disgusting, as if they had no job to do. They’d rather stand around as though you weren’t generous enough to pay them for their subpar work. He’d suggested removing them multiple times already. You needn’t keep fools that would raise their tongues against your image.

You couldn’t support Lathael. Eresin knew you held no prejudice against half-elves. He was your most trusted guard and he wasn’t fully Elven. He refused to believe you’d defend the bastard smearing the names of half-elves.

Politics had never been Eresin’s strong suit. He had no taste for them, hardly understood a word when you spoke to him of them, but he so loved to listen to your voice. When rumor spread that King Aiwin had a bastard son who was fully Elven, Eresin hadn’t cared. Princess Ailea, King Aiwin’s oldest daughter and current heir, was quickly losing support from the people of Vesta for being half human. Again, Eresin hadn’t batted an eye. Whether someone of full Elven blood or diluted sat on throne mattered very little to him. He watched your reaction to it all, but you had yet to say much about it to him. Which, truthfully, was odd, but Eresin respected your intelligence. Perhaps you wanted more information before giving your stance. As one of Vesta’s nobility, many were waiting to see who you’d come out and publicly support. Most nobles stood with Princess Ailea, for their loyalty was to the royal bloodline regardless of King Aiwin’s spouse being human. Again, politicking meant little to Eresin. He would remain at your side regardless, but the rumors of you supporting a fully Elven king because you could not trust a half-elf left a bitter taste in his mouth. Eresin wondered if that meant you couldn’t trust him completely. He’d grown up hating his sullied blood; you were the reason that’d changed.

He would simply ask you himself. Quiet the rumors, threaten anyone who would lie about your intentions. The last soldier beneath him that’d gossiped about Eresin’s relationship to you had been taken care of in the same manner. Not a single soul was entitled to know of what you preferred to do in private.

Eresin didn’t bother greeting the guards standing outside your office doors despite them bowing their heads. Usually Eresin would knock, but he quietly stepped in instead. For a moment, he was distracted by the vision of you sitting at your desk. Had this been any other time, he would’ve been content to silently watch you work.

“Rumors have been spreading all morning,” he started slowly, as though you weren’t aware. Eresin knew you were no fool. “It may not be my place to speak, surely you do not intend on vocalizing support of the bastard boy.”

Why was he sick with dread? Even if you made the decision to back Lathael, Eresin would remain loyal to you. He must be an exception if you misliked half-elves. Eresin was a street dog, he had no right to question you, and yet here he was.

He looked away from you, choosing to stare at the floor instead, ashamed of himself.