𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝// OxO // OPEN

Castian's jaw clenched at being somewhat told off by the king, but he wisely said nothing. "I wanted to give you an update about the war front," he said blandly. Clearly, it had been something else he wanted to talk about, and he was shying away from the topic now that Farah hadn't left. "We're making more progress at the border."

Farah's eyes narrowed slightly, but she held her tongue. Last she heard, the resources were running thin and the soldiers were weary and exhausted. Neither of which sounded like progress.

"Not at the moment, Your Majesty," Castian replied shortly. He bowed, gave one more sharp glance at Farah, and strode away.

Farah released a breath and let her entire body slump with relief that her father was gone. "Shall we go to breakfast now?" she asked quietly.

Farah sighed quietly. "Probably something to do with me," she answered. Her hand reached for his again, entwining their fingers with a hopeful smile on her lips. "Yes. Let's go."

Farah looked ashamed as he mentioned her injuries. "Yes, perhaps that's not the best idea right now," she offered in return, attempting a weak version of her natural smile. It was obvious that any confrontation with her father disturbed her, whether she was safe with Adrien at her side or not.

Farah's cheeks turned a soft pink hue of embarrassment. She wasn't used to accepting protection, and the truth be told, she didn't like it. But it was the only option for her right now. After talking back to her father, especially in front of the king, Farah was sure to face his wrath once they were alone again. Adrien was right.

So the woman inhaled slowly and dipped her head in a nod. "Alright," she replied, quietly as he did.

Farah smiled back, but hers was shy and more tentative. She was still getting over everything that happened between her and her father the past two days.

"Breakfast," she reminded him. "We're on our way to breakfast."

Farah followed him at a reasonable distance. Not too far, and definitely not too close. Her eyes studied the table, waiting for Adrien to take his place at the head before she sat down on his right. She refused to break etiquette as much as her father seemed to want her to so he could ream her out.

Farah waited until he was fully situated before she inhaled slowly and she seated herself by his side. The wrapped bruise sang with pain, and her expression contorted for a split second. But she easily turned her gaze to him. “Are you still up for that ride later?” she asked softly.