With that heavy confession finally out of his chest, Alpheo settled back into the deep cushions of his chair, feeling the crushing weight on his shoulders halved by half.
Even though he knew there was very little Jasmine could practically do for him to alter the military reality in the south, it was a rare luxury to simply unleash his frustration upon someone who would just listen, someone who would simply perk an ear, nod in understanding, and allow him to bleed all the bile out of his system through his mouth.
Somewhere in the midst of his grumbling, the dynamic had shifted, seamlessly turning into the Queen soothing her weary husband. Her soft, delicate hands remained parked firmly on his broad shoulders, rhythmically kneading the tight knots in his muscles. Alpheo was not often at the receiving end of such a massage,usually, it was his hands providing the comfort to her after a day of court, but it was undeniably nice to have the roles swapped for once.
