6.

As the year continues to progress, you and Alexius seem to reach an understanding. While you wouldn't classify your feelings for him as love, you have grown to respect him to some capacity. It at least appears as if there was something to the Fate's prediction as his temper has begun to slowly subside. The change has not gone unnoticed by his subjects and their feelings towards him have become favorable. Despite this, you can't help but worry that something else is still bothering him. He's grown somewhat superstitious and increasingly insistent on following the path of the gods. While it's not strange to be religious, it is slightly concerning to you how quickly these changes have come about. These thoughts mill around in your head as you make your way through the large complex. Now that you're Empress, the soldiers show you a greater deal of respect when you pass by them. Despite this, there are still some traditions even you must abide by. When you express your desire to have an audience with Alexius, you're hardly surprised to hear he's currently in one of the nearby temples. Sighing, you inform the servants to pass along your request when he returns. While you wait, you decide to spend some time in the courtyard and take advantage of the mild weather. Though it's winter, it won't get cold until much later in the day.

Dry grass crunches beneath your feet as you walk into the secluded garden you visited the eve of your wedding. Though the trees have become bare of foliage, the large bushes and plants surrounding you provide sufficient coverage. It's not often you have any time to yourself anymore despite your lack of any meaningful duties. Running your hand along one of the large trunks nearby, you're reminded of how much has changed since that night not so long ago. The sound of footsteps behind you quickly draws your attention away. Turning around, you feel your heartbeat quicken when you see Leonos standing a few feet away. "I thought I might find you here." He remarks curtly and folds his arms over his large chest. "Surely you can't still think I might run away." You reply somewhat roguishly before offering him a smile. He doesn't return the gesture and continues to say, "That's not why I'm here." The smile slowly falls from your face when you hear his humorless tone. "Very well, then why are you here?" You ask while taking in the serious expression on his face. "I'm sure you've noticed the Emperor's new found interest in the gods." He seems to chose his words carefully as he begins speaking again. "I have no doubt of their power to bestow visions..." Furrowing your brow after he trails off, you take a few steps towards him. "Please, go on."

Turning away from you slightly, Leonos runs a hand through his light hair as he continues to ask, "Do you know of his plans to set sail at the end of this month?" Your frown deepens and there's a small pause before you warily admit, "No, I was unaware of this news." Leonos looks back over at you and seems to study you for a moment. "It appears I was correct about you being out of your depths." He states somewhat brusquely then goes on to explain. "It's unadvisable to sail in the winter, the storms are far harsher and more prone to capsizing our boats." A small jolt of emotion courses through your body at his words and you quickly demand, "Then why would he suggest a voyage now?" Before he replies, something clicks and you softly answer your own question. "Because he had another vision." Leonos nods in confirmation then adds, "Perhaps you're more sharp than you seem." Ignoring this backhanded compliment, you tilt your head slightly and ask, "You're required to accompany him, aren't you?" There's a brief moment of silence as he continues to observe your face. He leans down towards you as he finally replies, "Unfortunately." You feel a small flutter in your stomach when he moves closer to you and blush slightly. "That is unfortunate." He stiffens a bit at your response then straightens up.

"For me or you?" His question catches you off guard and you're **** to think for a moment. "Perhaps for both of us." You muse softly after a moment and step forward again. Before he can respond, the sound of people passing through nearby causes him to pause. Once the sound fades away, his expression turns serious again and he briskly states, "I should be on my way." As he's turning to leave you quickly grab his arm. "Wait!" He frowns slightly and glances down at your hand. Dismissing this, your fingers wrap around him tighter while asking, "What words did you want me to think over that night." Leonos seems to take a moment to understand your question then chuckles lowly. "Isn't it obvious now?" Without waiting for a reply, he pulls his arm out of your grip and walks away. You remain there for a few minutes and contemplate his words. Your thoughts are interrupted when some servants come to inform you the Emperor has returned. They escort you to the great hall where you find him sitting on his throne looking somewhat distracted. When you reach him, you give him a customary bow before speaking. "I heard you were at the temple of Athena today." Alexius doesn't seem to focus on your words but nods vacantly in confirmation.

Pausing, you move closer to him and quietly ask, "Is it true you mean to sail somewhere at the month's end?" This seems to catch his attention and his eyes quickly dart over to your face. "I planned on tell you this evening but it seems someone has taken it upon themselves to do it for me." Stifling your instinct to flinch, you straight up slightly then reply, "No one had to, you're not as hard to read as you might think." He continues to obverse you for a moment before rising from his throne. "I'm not accustomed to having someone... close." His voice is uncharacteristically soft and sends a slight shiver down your spine. The expression on his face doesn't match the tone in his voice and you step back hesitantly when he moves forward. "However, I doubt you gathered all of that from my face." You're unable to suppress a wince from flashing across your face when he grabs your arm. "It wouldn't be hard to go through my ranks and figure out who is responsible." A knot forms in your stomach when you think about what he might do should he actually find out. "I speak the truth." You find yourself blurting out despite it being a blatant lie. Alexius appears to note the fervor in your voice and doubtfully asks, "Why should I believe that?" Mild panic sets when you realize you failed to think this far ahead.

His hand on your arm tightens and you're surprised when you find your thoughts drifting back to your wedding night. "You're merely stalling." He scoffs in annoyance after a moment and releases his grip. You're too distracted by the memories that are quickly flooding your mind. Something he had said about bad omens keeps cropping back up and the strange feeling it brought you. Alexius walks past you as if to signify the end of the conversation. Regardless, you're unable to keep from quickly announcing, "I know what's been plaguing your mind." When he turns back to face you, a dark look has come over his face. "Do not trifle with me, woman." He snaps sharply but you refuse to cower or back down. "You think your fathers **** was brought about by your failure to honor the gods." The color slowly drains from Alexius' face when he hears your statement and it emboldens you to continue. "You thought the gods lead you to me. However, I think it may have been I that was lead here." It didn't occur to you that you feel that way until the words have left your mouth. Alexius ignores this comment and quietly demands, "What do you know of my father?"

"That's what your new visions have been about." You're unsure how you know this but something inside tells you you're correct. The deep furrow in Alexius' brow confirms you're at least on the right track. "He was lost at sea on a voyage... one you were meant to be on." A slightly pained look flashes across his eyes before it's quickly replaced by contempt. "You should tread very carefully." He cautions bitterly and takes a step towards you. You notice his hand quiver slightly as he forces it to his side. Swallowing nervously, you hesitatingly go on to state, "You were the one who was supposed to die, not him." The sound of his hand striking your face echoes through the empty hall and causes you to flinch visibly. Pain seers across your cheek and a metallic taste coats your tongue. Alexius's chest deeply rises and falls as he attempts to calm his breathing. "I apologize but you stepped out of bounds." His hand clenches into a fist as he speaks and he brusquely turns away. You wince again after raising your hand and wiping blood from the corner of your mouth. It's not surprising that Alexius would react so poorly to hearing the truth. Nonetheless, you feel as if it's somehow your duty to press on.

"This vision was different than the last one, was it not?" There's a brief pause before he turns his head slightly and tilts it in affirmation. Nodding, you cautiously step towards him as some of the broken pieces of your mind begin forming back together. "Though I'm unsure how I know this, you must believe me when I say do not trust it." Alexius begins to speak but you quickly cut him off. "I know the promise of finding out what happened to him is alluring. However, you don't know what repercussions might result from it." Alexius turns sharply and stares down at you resentfully. "And pray tell, what are these repercussions?" You think for a moment before sighing in frustration and admitting, "I'm unsure." He scoffs angrily and straights his back. "Is that all you came here for then? A feeble attempt to change my mind?" You open your mouth to reply then remember you if you speak the truth he may realize how you actually learned of his impending trip. "Yes." You reply somewhat dejectedly after observing his rigid expression. He breathes in deeply and his temper appears to ease slightly. He exhales audibly and you stiffen slightly when he places a hand on your bruised cheek. "It slips my mind how much women tend to fret." Alexius comments somewhat absentmindedly as his thumb brushes across your bottom lip. "Do not worry, I have the gods on my side." His words continue to linger in your mind after he steps away and leaves the hall. "That is what I worry about." You mumble softly to yourself as a feeling of anxiety begins creeping over you.