Hadama was not so certain of his infallibility. It had seemed all too narrow a margin between victory and defeat from where he swam, but there was a certain strength to be found in his friend's belief in him. Her utter certainty was both a burden and a balm, and he gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment of her apology. That much, at least, was now genuine, and he was better able to consider accepting it.
Maybe not today. But... someday.
"I would not have enjoyed it. But there are few who would have supported you remaining as Queen once your infection was known." Even her fathers might have stepped in to help remove her from power, at least until she was cured. "But I am glad it did not come to that." He relaxed his hold and shifted in the water, his tail curving under him as they righted themselves and began to disentangle from their embrace.
Her next words disarmed him, however. For all that he knew how much she loved Torchline it was still good to hear it from time to time. His gaze softened and he bent down to rest his forehead atop her crown of damp curls for a slow double heartbeat before straightening again. "Hmm. So I can wish to shake you and I can also be proud of you at the same time." There was warmth in his voice equal to the exasperation there, and he pulled her back into a final brief hug.
He released her at last, pulling back far enough that he could contemplate his co-ruler with his habitual calm slowly returning. "And what part of this undertaking do you want your fathers to know about?" For he would have to speak to Ronin eventually. Sooner rather than later, on Safrin's business. And he had his own personal reasons to seek out Remi.
Maybe not today. But... someday.
"I would not have enjoyed it. But there are few who would have supported you remaining as Queen once your infection was known." Even her fathers might have stepped in to help remove her from power, at least until she was cured. "But I am glad it did not come to that." He relaxed his hold and shifted in the water, his tail curving under him as they righted themselves and began to disentangle from their embrace.
Her next words disarmed him, however. For all that he knew how much she loved Torchline it was still good to hear it from time to time. His gaze softened and he bent down to rest his forehead atop her crown of damp curls for a slow double heartbeat before straightening again. "Hmm. So I can wish to shake you and I can also be proud of you at the same time." There was warmth in his voice equal to the exasperation there, and he pulled her back into a final brief hug.
He released her at last, pulling back far enough that he could contemplate his co-ruler with his habitual calm slowly returning. "And what part of this undertaking do you want your fathers to know about?" For he would have to speak to Ronin eventually. Sooner rather than later, on Safrin's business. And he had his own personal reasons to seek out Remi.
