Cleo had no desire to go sit and eat breakfast with the family that had taken everything from her but she knew she had no choice. After Magnus' return from the road she hadn't seen him much, not that she had seen him much before. Their agreement seemed to be working out he walked in to the room with her and later snuck out. She didn't much care that he didn't want to spend the night with her it left her more time to study her books and learn as much about the stories and legends regarding her ring.
"Well good morning, princess"
Cleo was startled out of her daze by the whisper of a man that held her future in his hands. Just like his son the king had dark hair and dark eyes. However that's where she believed the similarities ended. Though Magnus had tried several times to convince her that he would grow up to be just like his father he had proven time and time again that he had a heart, as much as she hated it. He had defended her in Limeros when a man tried to attack them putting himself in harm's way in the process. He had also left her untouched on the night of their wedding though he had been just as trapped in the room as her.
"King Gaius, good morning to you as well." She knew she must have sounded exasperated having to talk to him.
"And where is my son this morning? It seems that the two of you are never with the other. Now if you ask me that is no way for a pair of newlyweds to act." Cleo wasn't fooled. She knew full well that he understood there was no love in the marriage she shared with his son. He simply had these talks to toy with her to remind her that her marriage would always be nothing more than a business deal, a way to calm the crowds of Auranos.
"I don't exactly know but I'm sure whatever he is doing is much more important than entertaining me." Cleo gave him a sly smile and walked to her seat at the table. She sat there silently for a couple more minutes before Magnus walked to sit on her right side next to his father who sat at the head of the table.
"Good morning Father" Magnus gave his father a nod and nonchalant look while grabbing for a piece of bread.
"Good morning Magnus. I would expect you first words this morning however to be to your new wife." King Gaius eyed his son suspiciously. "Is there a reason that you two are ignoring each other?"
Magnus set about putting jam on his bread as if his father's question never even passed his lips. Cleo wished she still had the courage to stand up to the King the way his son was. However, after their marriage ceremony, Gaius showed her that he had no problem handling her and that she was kept around for his amusement.
The King still looked at his son waiting for an answer to his question. When one still wasn't given the King rose from his chair and started the walk towards them, Cleo was sure that he would strike his son or worse kill him dead. The shock on both their faces was clear as a day in Auranos when Cleo felt the cold chill of the tip of a dagger at her throat.