"Peace, gentlemen," Reynard then said, his warm smile not quite reaching the corners of his eyes, which were weary. Ard's eyes followed Reynard's gesture as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
Reynard's eyes flashed secretly. He knew this was a gesture of public intimacy that would be discussed in every carriage ride home tonight. And it has to be.
"I apologize for throwing you to the wolves so abruptly." Reynard then said.
"I understand your intentions." Ard replied calmly.
For a brief moment, Reynard almost smiled for real.
'He does?' he thought, his gaze softening.
"I completely understand," Ard repeated.
'Does he really?'
In truth, Ard does not even care about it. As long as the Duke does give him that support so that he can finally live in peace, it would be fine. It's not like he has any plans in actually playing politics here anyway. He just wants to leave already and live in the countryside in peace with an ordinary life.
But for the Duke, it was different.
