Basren's fingers tightened and Alaras thought he might not be so sure that all would be fine. Alaras had to wonder if this was a stupid endeavor. He'd not been given orders to come, draw attention to himself, and piss off the King. But if they didn't owe it to Basren, than who? If he was careful, maybe the King would find him unassuming enough he'd let things continue. Hopefully he'd be able to position himself closer to the King, though siding with the Queen might serve him almost as well. She knew Sovele well, after all. Alaras kept dancing with Basren though, as he'd requested. To pull back now would draw even more attention.<br/><br/>Once it was over, Basren walked him to get more wine. Alaras was not as used to drinking as he once was. When water was precious, one didn't do anything frivolous to dehydrate themselves, but he maintained just enough to take the edge from his nerves. Alaras wouldn't look to Sovele. To do so he would be admitting he knew the King might take an issue, and nothing he'd done so far had been inappropriate.<br/><br/>Sovele decided to sweep his way to them, not in a hurry, and when he reached them, he was smiling. His gaze slid over Basren before settling on Alaras, taking him for that dance he was promised, regardless of who was written in for the next one. He would get to Basren a bit later. People would talk, but they were going to do that anyway. With Sovelle, Alaras didn't show his clumsiness anymore than he'd done with Basren, mostly because the man could lead just as well, if not better. Alaras was rigid, nervous, but who wouldn't be? His fingers settled over the find clothing Sovele was wearing, and he tried not to think too much into it.<br/><br/>“You should have come to me with your interest. I offer you hospitality, and I learn of this by way of surprise,” Sovele told him, against the side of his ear.<br/><br/>“Apologies, your Highness. I was under the impression this is what you wanted of me. From allowing me to take company with Basren, and then the Queen explaining you intended to take offers seriously this season,” Alaras explained in as unoffensive tone as he could muster.<br/><br/>“He is like my own son,” Sovele added, a bit of a dangerous edge to his voice. It was easy to recognize; possession. Anyone brave and curious enough to listen in would only take it as a fatherly warning, but of course they had to realize the truth. Alaras did. Quite clearly he didn't want to give Basren up, even if it meant limiting him in life.<br/><br/>“That will never change,” the King added before leaving him standing there dumbly right after the dance. He didn't change going to Basren again so soon, worry that the King would take it to conspiring. Sovele did eventually make his way to Basren to dance with him in his claimed place.<br/><br/>“You didn't think to<i>ask</i>me for my approval?” Sovele started, hand tucked against the small of Basren's back. He didn't show any anger outwardly. Rather, he looked a little amused.<br/><br/>“Do you like him?” the King questioned curiously, wondering if Basren thought he was being clever, working with his wife to gain himself a husband that he desired. Sovele leaned a little closer, and some might interpret it as a father's blessing based on the pleased look on Sovele's face.<br/><br/>“Do you think he's the sort of man that will give no complaint if I ask him to my bedchamber so that he can watch while I fuck you?” he asked, voice saccharine. Basren already knew how he felt about the idea of another putting a child in him. Sovele couldn't do it himself either. Not claim it as his own anyway, but under the guise of a husband he could control.