[ota] my crown is on my head, not in my heart

[ishineon]

Well. She can't say she wasn't half-expecting this, but she certainly wasn't expecting how it would go. She'd sought out Silas with some questions- small, important, needing only the approval of the King or Queen. Instead he'd set a small stack of paperwork in her hands and left without a word.

The first sheet is titled: Ascension to Position of

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[sineoccasu]

It's not really a time for gifts or making much to do over things. That time will come, in a sedate way, but later. That doesn't mean it's a day that shouldn't be marked with something. Maybe just words. Maybe just the best smile that can be mustered.

Frederick so rarely has a plan. It's easier to just go with what feels right. With many things, this works just fine. He's hoping that this is one of those things as he taps on the door frame.

"Dia?"

[ishineon]

She looks up from what she's sorting through- what little she wasn't privy to as an Ace- and sets the file back into the stack. Good time to take a breather, anyway.

"Come on in, Rieti. I'm about done twiddling my thumbs for the day."

[sineoccasu]

"Good. I'm done making a horrible mess of myself." Less true today. He'd been sketching, not painting, since everything went sideways. Rumpled, mismatched, but fairly clean of pain. "That sounds like it must be time for dinner."

Because she'd eaten lunch and breakfast. Lie and tell him yes.

[ishineon]

Not saying no is the same as saying yes, right? Right.

"If I must. I keep forgetting to go down without Isaac dithering me out of my office." Maybe she ought to just have it sent up and save herself the trouble of remembering.

[sineoccasu]

The hits to the Diamonds clearly would just keep on coming until they showed a scratch. Unfortunate for life or fate or what have you--they're infinitely difficult to leave a mark on. "We'll work on it. Today, however." And out goes the habitual, congenial hand. "I insist you leave that desk long enough to consume."

Not because he suspected her of overworking. Just because he needed to stretch his legs.

[ishineon]

This long sigh is made for the purpose of making her reluctance and indignation clear. Taking his hand will come with a sour face, but at least he doesn't have to drag her down the stairs.

[sineoccasu]

It's a small victory, but he'll take it. And settle, on their way down, for a simple, "You'll do well, I think."

Because 'congratulations' will never sound right. 'I'm proud of you' is only moderately better.

[ishineon]

That gets him a small, slightly resigned curve of her lips that's only technically a smile. "Thank you, Rieti." It's good that you have faith in me, is what goes unsaid.

[sineoccasu]

That's a small victory as well. They'll get settled into that route, tiny success after tiny success. They've done that before. "What thanks, mm?"

[ishineon]

"Tch. Am I never to say that again?" Oh well. As long as she can express appreciation some way. Like bottles of wine.

...Probably in a few weeks' time.