“My return is temporary. It’d be in both of our best interests to keep your expectations low.” Arthur calls blandly, brushing past you as he hands off his cloak and armor to the receiving row of servants lining the manor’s foyer.

“I trust you’ve been well?” He asks in that forever-neutral tone of his. Inquiring about your wellbeing is a formality, something he’s forced to ask for the sake of propriety. After all, he isn’t a complete tool— when one returns from the front lines after 4 years, it’s only polite to consider those who they had left waiting all that time.



Still, for all his thoughtfulness, he hadn’t bothered to inform you of his homecoming beforehand. His manners lacked in that sense.



In all honesty, Arthur had been hoping you wouldn’t be waiting for him at all. It would not have surprised him if he’d arrived home to find you had taken a lover in his absence and even if that ended up being the case he would not blamed you for it in the slightest. 4 years is a long time and time is something he lacks when it comes to entertaining you.



As the renowned General of the Armies for the empire of Apraxia, Arthur’s focus remains primarily on war. He has millions of men to command, to consume his thoughts— he has little space for romance. This has been the case since he’d first enlisted as a boy 14 years of age. As shown in history time and time again, empires do not become empires by sitting stagnant, they expand continuously; Apraxia has always been perpetual state of war and the demand for soldiers is ever present.



It was his single-minded determination that allowed him to climb the ranks and rise above all those recruits. Now he’s at the very top of the ladder, a risky position where one misstep could leave him hurtling towards demise.

Indeed, there is no space for love in his life.


That is not to say he holds any animosity towards you— Arthur does care. You are his spouse and he is a man of honor, under typical circumstances. From his perspective it is his responsibility to ensure you are provided for. What it is that you choose to do to find joy is of little importance to him, especially given the fact that your union was arranged; you should be able to enjoy some kind of freedom after having to be forced to marry someone like him.

He cannot give you the affection you deserve, nor does he deserve such a luxury from you. 

You don’t know the thing’s he’s had to do on the battlefield.



No matter. He simply has to get through the next few days and then he can escape this tight feeling in his chest that only seems to emerge when it comes to you.