Manon Blackbeak, Queen of the Southern Wastes and more recently, Adarlan, controlled her expression as she tried not to bare her teeth at the lord that was talking. Lord Brunswick of Seram, a territory three days' horse-ride from Rifthhold and which controlled a good half of all the grain across the country.

Safe to say, Lord Brunswick did not like the King, and Dorian's feelings on the Lord were not much different. It had already been a terrible first hour and it did not seem like it would get any better or that any agreements would be reached. "We shall keep paying the same amount as the past six months," Dorian reinterred for what seemed like the tenth time that morning.

"Lady Hally's fields have not given as good a crop as mine, I deserve more in exchange."

A greedy man, that was what he was. The older man already gained enough money to feed a small kingdom for ten years with what the crown had paid him and Dorian had previously agreed to his rates, high as they were, because their country was in need of food after the war with the Valg.

Manon could feel Dorian seething, though he seemed rather content on the outside, the only way to tell he was furious was the cold breeze that brushed against her hand, an outlet of release for his abyss of power. The Witch Queen placed her hand under her chin, appearing bored as the discussion went on. She rarely participated when it came to delegating with Adarlan's many Lords and Ladies, but her presence alone made them warry and more often than not…malleable.

Brunswick was no such type, scoffing at her when he first entered the throne room even when he bowed and said the appropriate heralds. Manon was a new Queen, and many were upset at the King's choice, despite the fact that their marriage brought in an alliance between the Wastes and Adarlan.

It wasn't until Brunswick asked for three times the price for his crops that Manon finally spoke. "Perhaps we should use the crops from Rhianion. The price would certainly be significantly less." Rhianion was a new territory specifically made for farming in the Wastes, close to the border of Adarlan for just this reason. If Brunswick did not lower his rates, then grain would be shipped. It would be expensive to do so, but much cheaper than what he asked.

Annoying, but a necessity with how stubborn this Lord was.

Everyone's eyes fell on her, but the cool wind against her fingers let her know her interruption was appreciated. Lord Brunswick and his two children, a man and a woman, switched between her and the King in shock.

"You cannot expect-"

Manon sat up, her crown a weight on her head as she gave them all a small smile. "I understand your concern with the quality of your grain. If it is worth so much, then sell it to Terrasen or Ellwye. If anything, the profits will benefit Adarlan. But for our people and our kingdom, we not only want the best when it comes to quality, but we want it to be affordable. You wouldn't want our people to starve because of unnecessary price hikes would you, Lord Brunswick?"

The old man had gone red in the face, his full beard bristling as he turned to the King in question. Dorian merely shrugged, signaling back to Manon. "I suppose," the man said after some time, "we could work up a more…comfortable price."

The witch kept her smile, fluttering her eyes as she leaned forward, catching the admiring look from the son as she spoke. "That is all we want."

…

A few hours later, Manon had just walked into her shared rooms with Dorian when she spotted the King on the foot of their bed rubbing his face with his hands, looking like he hadn't slept in days.

"Dorian."

He snapped to attention, smiling at her. "Hello, witchling." Even his voice was tainted with exhaustion and the smile he gave her was a bare lift of his lips.

It took her one look to know what she wanted to say. "Maybe you should postpone the next meeting." It was set to be in an hour, but the Lady who requested it could wait until tomorrow.

"I'm fine, after the meeting I'll…rest."

She knew he was lying, both to her and to himself. Only paperwork awaited him when he finished, and they both knew he was too responsible to let it sit for more than it should be, despite his health.

"I could attend the meeting for you and fill in your paperwork too." As Queen she was allowed to do so and he truly appeared like he needed the break.

"No, love, it's alright. You have your own work to worry about." His office had two desks now, and hers was almost as full as his with paperwork from the Wastes. But witches had more patience than humans and her people were more fearful of their monarch.

"Dorian." He breathed out as she approached and a sniff of the air gave her all the information she needed. "You're stressed," she muttered as she sat next to him. "That's not healthy."

"I need to be strong for my people. They expect me to do well." He went for her hand, tangling their fingers. But there was a tremor in his voice and Manon could see the forming grooves in his eyes.

"You and I both know that it's okay to hurt and breakdown. You don't have to be strong all the time," she said.

He groaned a bit at the statement and she let him lean his head on her shoulder. "This is so hard."

"I know."

"I feel like I don't even have time to think sometimes."

"Which is why you should take a break." Manon faced him though all she could see was his dark hair. "Your people will understand. You've done enough as is."

Dorian slowly lifted his head, meeting her gold eyes with his own blue ones. "This is exactly why I married you, you know."

She let out a humored breath before she faced him, her face hovering close to his. "Perhaps we both need a bit of a break."

He licked his lips, entranced. "You think? And what does my Queen have in mind as a relaxing activity?"

Manon let out a smirk, her hands moving toward his waist. "I may have a few ideas."

The answer he gave her was to meet their lips.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed!