I have to tell her… Alistair thought as they drew closer to Redcliff. He watched the mage as she walked confidently towards the city. He let out a sigh and reached for her arm before he could talk himself out of it.
His fingers tapped against her shoulder, giving him her attention. She turned back and looked up at him, smiling. The usually adorable, understanding brown eyes of hers, now looked as if they were staring into his soul. Reading every dark secret he held. "Uh…I, um, er…" He managed to stutter, she just waited patiently for him to speak in full sentences.
He sighed again "Argh, Maker…" He muttered "Can we talk for a bit? There's… something I need to tell you…"
She nodded happily, "Of course we can! What's on your mind?"
She'll understand… She'll understand… He kept repeating in his mind. "I told you before how Arl Eamon raised, right? That my mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took me in?" Alessia nodded in agreement, as she recalled the memory "Well… The reason he did that is because… Uh… Because my father was King Maric… Which made Cailan my half brother, I suppose." She just stood there and gazed at him, looking completely unfazed. She doesn't understand! She's pissed and she's trying to hide it! How could I have been so stupid! I've really come to care about this woman and all I have done is lie to her! He bellowed in his thoughts.
She watched him, as he began to sweat and waited for him to continue. But he didn't, he just stood there, shifting in place as he waited for her to reply. She nodded her head "Okay." was all she said.
He looked at her in disbelief. "'Okay'! That's it? That's all you're going to say!"
"Uh…Congratulations?" she tried again
"Wha- I no! You mean… That doesn't bother you…?"
She stared up at him "Should it?"
"I… I don't know…?"
She smiled warmly at him "Alistair, I'm a mage, politics don't matter to me. If you want to be king, then I guess I help you-"
"No!" He interrupted "I never wanted it! Not in my wildest dreams… I just thought you should know, is all."
She smiled again "Well, now I know. If you don't want to be king, I won't make you, alright?"
He smiled back "Alright… Alessia, thank you."
She nodded happily "Anytime! But right now we should go talk to Eamon, yes?" She led the way down the path towards Redcliff.
He smiled to himself. I am a lucky man indeed. Alistair thought as he followed the woman down the slop and into town.