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No. He needs to know.

[Theodora is firm on that.]

He cannot be ignorant of anything in this kingdom.

Shit.

[ And shit again, because he shoudn't be swearing at the ambassador. Oops. ]

-you didn't hear that.

[ Nailed it. He takes a deep breath, looks at the closer book, then pushes it to one side. ]

If he needs to know, then Dracula's policies will be coming to an end. We replace them with exile and a brand. Execution will be the punishment dealt only to those who are found to be already branded when caught.

And you tell them this upon your return. Let them know that we don't consider our Prince's mercy a weakness to be hidden.

I've heard worse, I promise you.

[Theodora considers all of this. But her response is not to any of Trevor's proposals, but to something she doubts he's considered before.]

Belmont. I am sure you have already given extensive thought to what this position will demand of the Prince. But have you thought about what it is going to demand of you, and turn you into? Especially this one?

I-

[ This is absolutely not something he has considered before, nor something he ever expected anyone else to bring up. he's not quite sure how to respond at first. ]

It doesn't really matter. Not enough to waste time thinking about. I won't say that I'm eager to see my homeland go to war, or that I'm happy to hurt people who much just be fools being played. But I'm already a Belmont. Nothing will turn me into anything else.

[So no, he didn't. Theodora's serious face morphs into something softer, and she leans forward a little, placing her hand on the desk. It's a gesture, asking for Trevor to do the same. Nearly maternal.]

It does matter. You'll have to live with yourself and the decisions you make in this position, and what it turns you into. [More to the point:] You're trying to be his emotional bodyguard. That's admirable. Romantic, even. But you have to do the same for yourself. Take that from someone with a few centuries of experience.

I didn't call upon the ambassador to Trantoul for moral support, you know.

[ He grumbles, but there's no heart in it and he does place his hand onto the table. Not on hers, but near. ]

I- [ wait what. ] ...romantic?!

[ What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck he's never been called out like this before!!! ]

No Belmont, but you're getting it anyway.

[She pats his hand very gently before--oh.

Sorry Trevor, she doesn't mean to laugh but it happens anyway.]

It's fairly obvious that you have romantic feelings towards Adrian. At least to me.

I love him. As all his people should.

[ ...okay so maybe not all his people share a bed with him, even if he hasn't done that in a while. And probably not all his people get weird boners about him. BUT STILL. ]

It would be entirely inappropriate to feel otherwise. Inappropriate, and distracting, and- ugh.

....Trevor, your family isn't known for being subtle. I also have had a few flirtations over the years, I know what I'm looking at.

[THEODORA STOP SOUNDING SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS.]

I-

[ What the fuck first he's being called out and now THIS. Why is she like this. How did he lose control of this situation so badly??? ]

-It makes no difference. I don't mean to let it interfere with my work.

[Trevor you're like a Babby.]

It already is though.

It's not. It won't.

[ He's getting flustered, which is new. He's usually good at thinking on his feet, but Theodora is particularly skilled at getting under people's skin. It's normally a powerful asset, but turned on him it's just uncomfortable. ]

I won't let it. It's fine.

[Theodora sighs, and she withdraws her hand finally. Her eyes close, and when she breathes out, she actually sounds close to her age.]

Trevor, for this job, you can't let emotions in. It's like hunting - just cold calculation. That's the only thing it can be. Trust me when I say I know what I'm talking about.

[As for the rest, her emerald green eyes meet Trevor's.]

You'll find the balance. But you can't keep secrets from him. Matters of state are more important. Every time. And the king must know all matters of state. Especially the bad matters.

Oh, it's about that.

[ Please let it be about the executions, and not about 'you have to tell the prince you want to bone him'. Please. ]

I'll keep him aware, if you think that's the best way. But- if something needs to be done that would violate her highness' wishes, it isn't done by his hands unless necessary.

[No it's also about that, but for later.]

I do think you should address that as well, but later. [She smiles softly.]

And that is a fair compromise.

...perhaps when this is done.

[ That's 'never'. No. Alucard doesn't need to know. It'd horrify him to know that every time he turned to him for comfort, Trevor was practically getting off on it. He's been more distant now as a result, and- that's best. He should keep doing that. ]

This is all I needed of you. Unless you have other business, I'll let you go. The castle has seen to your usual room.

[ There's a pause, as if he meant to say something more, but he just shakes his head. ]

[Theodora has enough grace to hide her doubts, but she does look a little put off otherwise. She smiles at him though, and as she stands, there's a better idea on her lips:]

Knowing your family, you haven't eaten yet. I take normal food to put my former countrymen at ease, so why don't you take fifteen minutes and humor me by at least picking at something?

[It's not exactly a request, and not a demand.

Alucard's day is quiet. Mostly full of reading reports from various parts of Wallachia. Taking notes about their troubles and who he needs to talk to about fixing them. All is well until he reaches the bottom of the pile and---

--fuck.

He reads his father's farewell letter. Carefully.

Then declares himself done with business for the day and retreats to his room. Throws crown aside, bundles himself up as best he can, and makes it clear he's to be left alone for the night save truly urgent business. It's information that reaches Trevor's ears in due course, but closer to morning.]

[ The castle summons him, and he keeps working.

He does pick at the food, in that way that somehow morphs into eating as quickly as possible. It had been a day or so since he made the time. When he's done, the castle tries to lead him to Alucard's quarters and he takes the wrong door until it actually lets him to a study. He gets the news that something is wrong and that Alucard has asked to be left alone, eventually, and he knows that doesn't apply to him and keeps working.

Eventually, the castle rearranges itself to force him into Alucard's room. Because of course it does. He doesn't know if Alucard's awake, and he doesn't check. The crown is on the floor, so he picks it up to return it to its place. ]

[Alucard's head picks up just a little when Trevor walks in. His nostrils flare, relieved for the familiar scent.

When he speaks, his voice is so very thick and weary.]

Trevor?

You're still awake.

[ He sets the crown down, then goes to his chair. It's close enough to the bed that if both of them reach out their arms he can touch Alucard's hand, and that's the only contact they've really had recently. ]

What happened?

[Alucard's not laid down in bed, not really. He's coocooned himself up so much that the thickness of the furs has him on an angle. But with Trevor there, he sits up entirely.]

A final missive from my father. [His voice is soft, eyes refusing to meet Trevor's.]

It reads as a last note and farewell if he never returns.

Oh.

[ He doesn't know how to respond to that. Even if he wasn't so preoccupied with not making this weird he wouldn't know what to say. He never had warning, and maybe that was in part a blessing. There was never the slow, encroaching dread. ]

All we can do is keep you safe, so you'll see him again should he come back.

[Alucard's shoulders manage to slump even more forward.]

I've never felt so alone.

It's not forever. Just until they return. Both of them.

[ This is the part where he's meant to say that he's not alone, but oops. ]

Trevor, you won't even touch me.

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