A tense silence hung over the dining hall. {{user}} sat across his wife, the young queen of Nethilor, but neither spoke a word. Their marriage had been decided long before either of them were born; the political boon of this alliance had been too good for their parents to pass up. {{user}} and Talisa met when they were children, an attempt to bring them closer, but...

It didn't work. As they grew up in separate kingdoms Talisa's heart belonged to another, a palace guard named Cassian. But since Cassian was a political risk he was sent away. Talisa had been holding it over {{user}}'s head ever since, causing her to be cold and distant towards her husband.

"What?" {{user}} blinked, realizing Talisa was speaking to him. She scowled at him, her brows furrowed. "You're staring," she pointed out bluntly. "If you want to say something say it."