Carol
Elroy Thèvenet
Provincial Thèvenet

"Is that all it takes? Stand up and fight, coward!" Elroy watched from the sidelines as Andrès tortured their new recruits. Each noble house in Araedia had sent twenty of their best men to Bladegarden to become Primes, but the road to such an esteemed title was not an easy one and Elroy had watched many suitable fighters break under the intense training. 

"Enough, Andrès." He called, striding forward to speak to the men weary from a long day of training and strategy. "You cannot show weakness." He began, eyes scanning across the formation as he walked along the front. "As Primes your men look up to you. If their leader falters... If you falter, how can they expect to go on?" The rhetorical question hung in the air. "Break yourselves so nothing can break you and they will never have cause to doubt and you will never doubt yourself." He continued, meeting the eyes of each man as he strode past them. "We are done for tonight. Training resumes at dawn." Dismissing the man, Elroy pulled Andrès aside to discuss the schedule for the next day. As the meeting concluded, Elroy glanced towards the setting sun, letting himself lean agaisnt a wooden post to think. The metallic sounds of weapons being cleaned and sharpened rang out from the barracks, but while it may have been harsh to the ears of another, it was comforting to Elroy. He remained at the post until the sun sat just above the horizon contemplating a number of things before the chill drove him inside. 
—————————————————————————

As he approached their quarters, Elroy called for a bath to be drawn for him so he could remove the grit and grime from the fights of the day. He opened the mahogany doors as quietly as possible after being informed his wife was sleeping. Gently setting his sword down at the entrance, Elroy walked through their chambers until he reached their bedroom. Jasmine was curled up, looking every bit as much like a ball given how the covers hid her figure. A smile crossed his face as he noticed she had stolen his pillow from the right side of the bed. Not wanting to disturb her, Elroy returned to their personal study room and sat at his desk, reworking his military adjustments for the thousandth time. 

When the maids came in with the bathwater, Elroy hushed them and directed them to a door that led to the bathroom without disturbing the bedroom. Once they had finished drawing the water, he dismissed them and locked the doors. With a quiet sigh, Elroy peeled off his off-white tunic and pants before sinking into the warmth of the steaming water. It was hot, but Elroy reveled in the heat, feeling his muscles relax. He lay in the water until it became more bearable before cleaning himself, the steam sneaking from under the cracks of the doors.
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet
Private Quarters, Provincial Thèvenet

Jasmine slowly opened her eyes, feeling a bit drowsy. It was much later now, given how the room was much more dark. Faint notes of citrus and spice touched her nose, and she realized that the scent must have woken her up.

*Elroy.*

She propped herself up on one elbow as she looked over at the bathroom door to confirm her theory. The faint haze of steam slipping through the door and the soft light from inside the washroom confirmed her husband was indeed home. Jasmine pushed herself up into a sitting position as she looked at the washroom door. She longed to go over and enter the washroom to greet him, but his earlier teasing came into her mind. She wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Pushing off the covers, Jasmine looked to see what she could work with on such short notice. Hearing a rather loud sound of water dripping into the tub meant that Elroy was getting out preparing to dry off. She snatched his pillow and laid down in such a way where she was lying diagonally across the bed in full view, making it nearly impossible for Elroy not to notice her. After making sure to lay her red hair above her head to have her slender neck in full view, she moved so that one leg was exposed from the upper knee downwards. As a final touch, she tugged the nightgown so that its collar exposed a bare shoulder. Satisfied with her work, she quickly made her body relax as well as her expression. Still hugging Elroy's pillow but making sure her face was in view, she pretended to be asleep.
Carol
Elroy Thèvenet 
Provincial Thèvenet

Elroy glanced at the wrinkled skin of his hand and sighed, admitting to himself that the water had gone cold and it was time to get out. Standing up, he let the water drip from his body back into the tub before stepping out and drying himself off. He pulled the towel around his waist, tying it tightly before opening the door leading to their bedroom. 

The room was darker than the bathroom, but Elroy knew exactly where his clothes were and moved towards the left, hand extended feeling for the wood of their closet. He felt the cool touch of the metal handle and pulled it open, retrieving a night shirt from the top shelf. After donning the tunic, the man turned to see if Jasmine was still sleeping. Instead of the innocent position she had been in before, he found her lying seductively across the bed. Chuckling, he moved to the left side of the bed and began to gently tease her neck with his tongue and lips. 

"I know you are awake." He growled quietly into her ear, pulling back to look down at his wife with a smirk.
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet
Private Quarters, Provincial Thèvenet

Jasmine kept her eyes shut as she heard the washroom door open. A rustle of clothing told her that Elroy was getting dressed in his nightclothes, and then silence. She almost peeked an eyelid open before she felt something on her neck, making her startle slightly.

The sound of Elroy chuckling made her relaxed expression pinch into one of irritation. He saw through her attempt so easily. There was no use in pretending to be asleep anymore, it was obvious she was awake now. She raised a hand to protect her neck from any further attacks as she turned her head so she could better see Elroy. The smell of spice and citrus was even stronger now that he was so close to her. At the sight of him grinning down at her, she had to put extra effort into keeping her irked expression.

"First you tease me in front of all your men until I am as red as a strawberry, and now you go as far as to make advances on me whilst I lay vulnerable and innocent in my sleep?" She asked him, gently hitting his shoulder with the pillow she was holding. She knew her pose had been anything but innocent, and she struggled not to smile. Her tone was both indignant and teasing as she shook her head at him. "For shame, Elroy."
Carol
Elroy Thèvenet
Provincial Thèvenet 

Amused by her charades, Elroy maintained his smirk as her expressions shifted until it lingered on irritation. A funny sort of mix, really, and one that made it very difficult to pretend to take her seriously. 

His eyebrows rose as she described her position as innocent and he smiled knowingly as she continued. "Innocent?" He laughed, grabbing the pillow she hit him with and tossing to the other side of the bed. "My apologies, my lady." He replied dramatically, sighing as he pushed himself off the bed. "I must defend your honor at all costs." Walking around the other side, he pushed the covers aside and climbed in. "I suppose I will wait in agony until you feel I deserve your attention." Turning towards Jasmine he smiled, winking. They had been separated for nearly a week and Elroy knew she was as desperate for him as he was for her.
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet
Private Quarters, Provincial Thèvenet

Jasmine let out a small, amused huff at his choice of words as she moved over so she was no longer taking up the majority of the bed. Though she was a bit cold, she didn't go back underneath the covers yet.

"Wait in agony until you deserve my attention?" She repeated, reaching over to lightly tap his nose. "Hmm, that sounds familiar. Doesn't it?" She arched an brow, a small smile on her lips now. She could no longer pretend to be mad at him. "It's very similar to what you did to your poor, loving wife only hours ago." 

She leaned over to give him a light kiss on the lips. "But if you are so tired from training, and if you must defend my honor at all costs, then I suppose your agony must continue if we are to keep our relationship so honorable and respectable."
Carol
Elroy Thèvenet
Provincial Thèvenet

Elroy returned the kiss, groaning as she pulled away. "You are a terrible tease." He muttered, an arm sneaking around her back to pull her closer to him, back under the covers. "In private, I could care less about keeping our relationship honorable and respectable." He continued, taking a lock of red hair and twirling it around his fingers. Smiling, he locked eyes with Jasmine. "What do you say, my love?" Leaning forward he locked lips with her again as he waited for her answer.
Erin
Jasmine Thèvenet
Private Quarters, Provincial Thèvenet

A happiness filled Jasmine's heart as he pulled her close to him. How nice it was to be back in Elroy's strong, comforting embrace. She felt safe when she was with him, as if nothing could hurt her.

She was surprised to realize that a deep sorrow inside her chest ached as he smiled down at her. He loved her so much, and yet she had betrayed his trust. She could have very well destroyed their lives. And yet he gazed at her with such adoration and affection. He never would suspect that she would have thought to have done something so treacherous as an act against the Circle, much less see to it being carried out.

She remembered the terrible nightmare she had had while she was away. How dead his eyes were, how uncaring. The sheer apathy had frightened her, and that particular aspect of the dream had stuck with her. And yet now, his eyes were lively and full of love for her. Would he hate her if he knew what she had left for? Would he have even wanted her to come back? Would he have gazed at her as he did in her nightmare?

As he reached over and playfully twirled a lock of her hair, the sadness she felt grew stronger. When he kissed her, her eyes fill with tears. Though Elroy was right beside her, she felt that horrible loneliness yet again. If she was not found out, she could never tell him what had transpired. He would never know.

"Your eloquence has moved me to tears," She said with a light laugh as she hastily wiped her eyes. She raised a hand to caress his face, a soft smile on her face. "My answer is yes. Always and forever, yes."