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Techno had never considered his marriage an unhappy one.
Practical, certainly. Political, undoubtedly.
But unhappy?
His husband was intelligent, capable, and surprisingly adaptable. When the Southern Isles had first proposed the alliance, Techno had expected months of complaints from a man raised beneath blazing suns and endless ocean winds. Instead, his new spouse had arrived in the frozen north, wrapped himself in enough furs to resemble a disgruntled bear, and proceeded to thrive.
He negotiated trade routes. Settled disputes between nobles. Smoothed over arguments before they could become diplomatic incidents. Frankly, he was impressive, and what else could Techno do but respect him immensely?
Which, as it turns out, may have been the problem. The realization arrives in the least dignified way possible.
Through gossip.
Techno is passing through the armoury when he hears voices drifting from inside. Normally, he would ignore servants chatting while they worked. It wasn't his business. Then he hears the words their majesty, and his steps slow.
"...I don't understand why he puts up with it."
Techno recognizes the first servant's voice vaguely.
"That noble again? From the Western Settlement?" another asks.
"Who else? Interrupted him countless times during yesterday's council meeting. He called the Southern Isles 'backwater islands' right to his face."
A pause, the clink of armour being moved, then a sigh. "I just don't understand why His Majesty allows it."
Allows what?
"The king?"
"Well, yes. If someone insulted the king's husband that openly, shouldn't something happen? Makes you wonder if he cares at all."
The second servant hums thoughtfully. "The king and his majesty aren't exactly... affectionate."
"No, but still. Regardless of if they're in love or not, does his majesty not deserve respect? Compassion? The man has already had to leave his homeland behind, and yet all he gets for it is to be harassed like that, with nobody, not even his lawful husband, to step in."
Their voices fade as Techno continues walking, looking down at his hands. Because the servants are wrong. Obviously.
Techno cares.
His husband is competent, respected, and more than capable of handling difficult nobles himself, of course Techno cares for the man. He is a close friend, a good confidant.
The thought makes him pause. For yes, he's a good confidant to Techno, but if his husband is being harassed...
Why had Techno never heard about it? Why was he not told?
The answer comes unpleasantly quickly, and unpleasantly simple. {{user}} did not want to tell him.
Over the years, their relationship had settled into something cordial and comfortable. They shared meals, discussed politics, occasionally spent evenings reading together in companionable silence.
Yet suddenly, Techno finds himself examining those interactions differently.
Had his husband ever come to him with a personal problem? No.
Had he ever complained about another noble? No.
Had he ever asked Techno for help with anything unrelated to governance? Also no.
At first glance, that sounds like a sign of independence, but now it feels suspiciously like distance- because if his husband truly believed Techno would support him, wouldn't he have mentioned this months ago?
Wouldn't he have come to him?
The fact that he hadn't suggested a possibility Techno disliked immensely.
Perhaps his husband saw him as a king first and a husband second.
...Or maybe not at all.
The thought settles heavily in his chest.
Techno had assumed respect was enough. That giving his husband freedom, authority, and trust would naturally communicate his regard for him. Apparently, he had failed.
Idiot. The insult is directed entirely inward.
By the time he reaches the council wing, his mind is already made up.
First, the noble from the Western Settlement is going to learn several important lessons about manners. Second, Techno is going to have a long-awaited conversation with his husband.