Chapter 106 - 106- Pent Up Frustration

"So now that we are all gathered here I would like to announce the news" Ea said. They had gather at their usual meeting room, Allias sitting comfortably next to Theseus opposite of Mark who as sitting next to Radius. The bulky elf seemed disturbed by his presence and the red haired boy did anything in his power to make him feel worse. He was the one who had scolded him last time and being as petty as he was he would kick him 'accidentally' and sneeze in front of his face making him flinch in shock. 

"What? You elves don't sneeze?" He asked him with a smirk and Allias chuckled, hiding his smile with his palm. 

Ea on the other hand he was impatiently tapping his foot on the shiny marbles and once his patience reached his limit he threw the letter he was holding and another folder he had on the brand new table, making a very loud noise to gather their attention. 

"Now let's begin…"

"Wait before we begin." Mark interrupted him again and pointed at Ares. "So you are Theseus' brother and Ea's husband"

"That's right" The young man said with a smile. "And you are?" He asked him. 

"I am his best friend"

"Allias you have cute friends" Ares said and winked at him making Ea slap the table again this time, thrice. He looked at Ares with his usual condescending look.

"I see we will be needing a new table soon again" Theseus commented at how Ea now was simply slapping it to take out his frustration. He was shameless. Completely shameless having the audacity to say something like that right in front of his face. 

"So what? You're interested in fucking humans now is that it?" Ea asked him with a disgusted expression. "Wasn't those demon bitches enough?" 

"You don't care anyways so why do you ask?" Ares asked him angered once again.

"Out of curiosity."

"Of course" Ares responded and scoffed. "If you cared you wouldn't behave like that to me after I was caught prisoner. We were fucking engaged then"

"What the heck are you talking…." Ea mumbled.

"So! Let's return back to the news" Allias said and this time he slapped he was the one slapping the table with his bare hands. A crack suddenly started to form and Theseus' eyes widened as he bended over and examined it.

"Yeah, definitely we will need a new table." He mumbled again and sighed as he sat back to his chair. Allias had managed to finally gathered their attention and Ea coughed.

"So. About the letter. This letter" He said and flaunted it in the air. "They have not given us permission to search for Joe. But they will visit us here to greet our King who has returned and they are willing to negotiate our options. They also said they will set a penalty for our…wrong doings"

"For our what?" Allias asked.

"We took action without talking with them first. They are talking for that slaughter the wolves cause but for some reason because they were under our protection we get the blame"

"It's not just that. They hate me and we know that" Allias said with a heavy breath as he sat back on his chair. Everyone was looking at him while he was thinking. "I will take the punishment."

"No! You weren't even practically back yet." Theseus said.

"It's fine. This will show them that I am obeying and I am not a threat. Also I am your king I would look weak if I let someone else do it. It's possible they will let us search more easily if they start liking me."

"Still you shouldn't get a punishment you don't deserve" Mark told him with a sad expression. Alex would end up suffering again for someone else's mistakes. It was an endless loop of being a martyr.

"Thank you for your concern but this is nothing. Radius I want you to make sure that we have some people on patrol at all times when they arrive. I don't want any unusual invents." 

"Of course my King" Radius replied without a second word. 

"Good. When will they be here Ea?" 

"Tomorrow evening."

"Okay. Find the head maid. Prepare a very good dinner and bring some musicians too. Open up the guest dining room. The best for our guests right?" He said with a smile and everyone nodded, following his commands. "You can leave now. Ea I need you to let me know at least two hours before they arrive tomorrow."

Soon everyone began to walk away some more unwillingly than others. Allias stood up and headed towards the window laying eyes on the quiet central village. Everything was silent, no huge lights no big masses of people. The same with this palace. It was almost like its people were lethargic and lacking of energy. Was it the endless winter? Allias wondered and looked at his palms. He clenched them into fists and let out a frustrated sigh. Way back those fists were the carriers of great magic. The bringers of the sun but now all he could do was just throw a few punches. His body was not his and with such a danger guest approaching he felt very insecure being like this.

"You will get back to normal soon. Do not worry" He heard Theseus familiar voice and turned around. He was standing in the doorframe, away from him, observing his inner battle.

"I hope so. I thought you left."

"I can't leave when you baby me so much. You shouldn't be receiving their punishment no matter what it is."

"I should so no one else will get it." Allias explained. This time he wanted to successfully protect everyone. Theseus did not view the situation the same way he did though. He saw it as Allias being the sacrificial lamb once more with him sitting on the side. 

"I don't agree with that. When will you understand that you are the King. You are bearing too much burden on your own. Let me help you. This is why I am here for!" 

"You endured for so long without me. Now it's time I take the situation in my hands. Calm down. We don't even know who they will choose." Allias told him. That was what worried him the most. Going with Allias and punishing him was the obvious choice but were they really such predictable? The elf King was afraid that these old men had designed something else that would make him suffer more than actually being whipped or cut. He unfortunately would have to wait and see but his impatience was a monster that always seemed to cooperate so well with his anxiety. He was already aware he wasn't going to sleep tonight. 

"What are you thinking about?" Theseus asked him and entered the room, closing the door quietly behind him. They were once again alone and Theseus could hug him freely. Throw away the mask of the cruel general and just embrace his love. Allias' heart was beating so fast and he caressed the back of his head, wanting to give him some comfort. 

"I am trying to think of their plan."

"They will not choose you. They are not so stupid. The best scenario it would be that they chose me."

"No!" 

"I can handle it. It's okay" Theseus told him with a chuckle. "I think though we should hide Mark. They don't have to see him."

"Yes."

"have you thought of sending Mark back home?" Theseus asked and he felt Allias tensing in his embrace.

"No."

"Okay but you need to think that…"

"No." The king repeated wanting to avoid this conversation. He had actually thought about it. What would be the best for Mark? He was afraid to talk with his best friend about it though. What if he really wanted to leave? This would break his heart. He was the only person he trusted completely except of his close circle. 

"Okay, Okay, you shouldn't worry about that too. It's fine. I am sorry I brought it up." 

Allias smiled and moved away from him. He turned towards the window and pointed with his index finger at the sleeping village. Theseus looked towards the direction he was pointing and then at his boyfriend with a questioning look that made the other laugh. His furrowed eyebrows and wrinkled nose were adorable and he glad he was the only one who got to enjoy such a precious view.

"How about once these creeps go away we have a celebration? One about the coming of spring?" Allias asked him and the white haired man looked at him almost speechless. 

"You really want and try to change the seasons? It's very straining."

"This winter is depressing. The people have lived like this for too long and now that I am here I want to return things to normal."

"You are free to do whatever you want. You know I will always follow but please take care of yourself. You are too important to me, to everyone." 

"I will be fine. We will be fine but first, we need to convince Mark to hide. For his own good."

"That will be hard" Theseus said and Allias nodded with an expression as if he was in pain. 

Another day, another adventure began.

What trouble would the prestigious Council bring and who was going to die soon?

....

Hello. Let's gooo to our next main arc! I hope you are ready! Ares and Ea's relationship for sure is blurry.

Next Chapter: 107- Red hair and Red blood. The perfect Decoy

I hope you enjoyed!