[Certainly there is some measure of ambition in Csevet - he wouldn't have gotten to where he is now, or at least where he had been in Ethuveraz, without having some ambition in him. Still, he hasn't ever been the type of ambitious that would drive him to betrayal or hurting others for his own sake. Also, he certainly hadn't liked the Lord Chancellor, but that was simply why it had been effortless to choose to stay with Serenity instead of simply easy.
Truthfully, the reason Csevet had wanted to be asked so much was because of Maia's own nature, so clearly demonstrated in those crucial first few hours of his newborn reign. That nature had been why Csevet chose him, why he would've found a way to join his staff even if he hadn't been asked to as he had, why he'd gone out of his way to assist the new Emperor instead of finding a way to disappear into the staff and find his way back to Chavar as he so easily could have.
So it seems strange when Maia laughs at his comment that it had been his actions at Edonomee that made Csevet wish to stay by his side, and Csevet's ears lift enquiringly, curious. But the incredulous question he expects doesn't follow, so Csevet disengages, leaves it be, understanding from Maia's expression, his body language, that he understands and accepts Csevet's explanation.
Then Serenity takes it a step further, asking Csevet to be friends, confessing that he'd always considered Csevet to be his friend, his first friend, reaching out to take his hand, folding it into his own strong grey-skinned hand. For a moment, Csevet's eyes remain on their hands pressed together - as friends would - on the table, and then he turns his, curling his fingers around Maia's hand and squeezing, his heart racing. For a moment, it seems to be the only thing that exists in Csevet's world, the heat of Maia's hand in his and the frantic beating of his own heart in his ears.]
Serenity... [It's almost shameful, how soft and breathy his own voice comes out.] ...we would be honoured to count ourselves among your friends.
[Swallowing hard, he looks up when the waiter comes back over and puts down their food and drinks, smiles and makes small talk for a moment, eyes warm and half-lidded, flirting just a tiny bit to draw the attention to himself before the server leaves them to their dinner.
Glancing back over at Serenity, he exhales softly, his mouth curving into a warm smile, the tips of his pierced ears and his throat a little red.]
We had not realized that Your Serenity considered us as a friend, and are deeply pleased to hear it.
[There's no questioning the truth in what he says, his voice rings sincere, but he can't quite bring himself to say he considers Maia a friend, not just yet. It seems too forward, too dangerous, too conceited.
Instead, he pours chamomile tea from the small teapot the server brought into a cup and lifts it, handing it to Serenity, his eyes on his face.]
Please believe us when we say we are loyal and we wish for your happiness.
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Truthfully, the reason Csevet had wanted to be asked so much was because of Maia's own nature, so clearly demonstrated in those crucial first few hours of his newborn reign. That nature had been why Csevet chose him, why he would've found a way to join his staff even if he hadn't been asked to as he had, why he'd gone out of his way to assist the new Emperor instead of finding a way to disappear into the staff and find his way back to Chavar as he so easily could have.
So it seems strange when Maia laughs at his comment that it had been his actions at Edonomee that made Csevet wish to stay by his side, and Csevet's ears lift enquiringly, curious. But the incredulous question he expects doesn't follow, so Csevet disengages, leaves it be, understanding from Maia's expression, his body language, that he understands and accepts Csevet's explanation.
Then Serenity takes it a step further, asking Csevet to be friends, confessing that he'd always considered Csevet to be his friend, his first friend, reaching out to take his hand, folding it into his own strong grey-skinned hand. For a moment, Csevet's eyes remain on their hands pressed together - as friends would - on the table, and then he turns his, curling his fingers around Maia's hand and squeezing, his heart racing. For a moment, it seems to be the only thing that exists in Csevet's world, the heat of Maia's hand in his and the frantic beating of his own heart in his ears.]
Serenity... [It's almost shameful, how soft and breathy his own voice comes out.] ...we would be honoured to count ourselves among your friends.
[Swallowing hard, he looks up when the waiter comes back over and puts down their food and drinks, smiles and makes small talk for a moment, eyes warm and half-lidded, flirting just a tiny bit to draw the attention to himself before the server leaves them to their dinner.
Glancing back over at Serenity, he exhales softly, his mouth curving into a warm smile, the tips of his pierced ears and his throat a little red.]
We had not realized that Your Serenity considered us as a friend, and are deeply pleased to hear it.
[There's no questioning the truth in what he says, his voice rings sincere, but he can't quite bring himself to say he considers Maia a friend, not just yet. It seems too forward, too dangerous, too conceited.
Instead, he pours chamomile tea from the small teapot the server brought into a cup and lifts it, handing it to Serenity, his eyes on his face.]
Please believe us when we say we are loyal and we wish for your happiness.