Chapter 434: That’s An Order.

Chapter 434: Chapter 434: That’s An Order.

Rogard drops some of the playfulness from his voice. Khobi has to know that he means it, right? "I’m serious," he tells him, brow creasing earnestly; just to make sure he does.

​"I know," Khobi replies, and offers him a small smile with a spoonful of stew, ready for tasting, "Thanks, Rogard."

​Unfortunately Khobi doesn’t seem ready to divulge exactly what’s playing on his mind, but the stew does taste amazing, so that counts as a win.

Rogard hadn’t exactly considered the logistics of how he’s going to actually get it to Drogger’s office, but the servants take pity on him and load up a couple of trays for him.

Even with enough set aside for Drogger and Loac to absolutely gorge themselves there’s so much left over, although from the curious and rather hungry looks on the faces of the servants as they swing by, it’s probably not going to stay that way for long.

​Khobi better get in quick if he wants some.

There appears to be a line forming, and from how animated the servants look as they jostle for position to see what it is that Khobi’s ladling out, he’s somewhat of a celebrity down here.

Rogard decides to make himself scarce before he can get too jealous, and a couple of servants automatically hoist up the heavy trays Khobi’s helped prepare and fall into step behind him.

​The trays look awkward and heavy, but even with the number of stairs they have to manoeuvre on the way to Drogger’s office, they don’t spill a single drop.

​Rogard can tell the moment that he walks in that he was not expecting company. That, and he’s got about two seconds to explain just why he’s burst in on his very important meeting.

The vein in Drogger’s forehead is looking particularly angry today.

​"Good afternoon, master!" he declares, throwing in just a little bit of extra sparkle to counteract Vogrid and Loac’s sour faces.

It doesn’t work; the room currently occupied by three of the few people in the world completely immune to him. "I’ve brought you lunch~"

​"...It looks like the servants have brought me lunch," Drogger remarks dryly. Wow, he really must be tired to have such little time for his theatrics, and he seems quite confused when Rogard waggles a finger at him.

​"They carried it," he admits, and makes sure to clarify with not a little pride, "But I made it."

​That’s it, he’s finally done it.

​He’s finally broken Drogger Noog.

​Drogger blinks at him, slowly; trying to familiarise himself with the concept and coming up empty. "You made me lunch."

​"...Well, Khobi helped," Rogard concedes, being a Good Friend and sharing the credit where it was due.

​That gets Loac’s attention.

​" –Wait, that’s what he was doing with you?" he exclaims incredulously, so blatantly reeking of jealousy that you’d think Rogard had just announced that he’d been in bed with him as opposed to the kitchen.

​" –Don’t say it like that, Loac," he chides impishly, "It was just once~ And I’m sure Khobi was thinking of you the whole time."

Loac glowers at him. Rogard has the distinct feeling he’s on the verge of getting kicked, or kicked out, so to save himself he makes sure to add, "...And he even made some extra for you. Sorry, Vogrid. I didn’t know you were here."

​"Like I would want any."

​Vogrid can really be the worst, sometimes. But at least Loac perks up a little, opening up the lid of the pot the servants offer up to him to see what’s inside.

He seems pleased by what he finds, and grabs for a spoon even as Drogger tries to remind him that they still have work to do.

​"...Ah." Rogard deflates. He’d kind of figured as much, but that doesn’t mean he can keep the disappointment from bleeding into his voice. "I thought we could have lunch."

​For what it’s worth, Drogger immediately offers him an apologetic look that Rogard knows means that he would really like to accept. "... Rogard ..." If they were in private, he would have called him by his given name.

"We’re just a little..."

​" –Ugh, go have lunch," Loac drawls dismissively, swinging back on his chair with a bowl already in one hand, "...It can wait. Movang and Cabaga are still gonna hate each other when you get back."

Drogger’s brow furrows, gesturing at the stacks of papers littering his desk. There’s definitely more there than Rogard remembers –possibly the most he’s ever seen.

​"But –"

​" Drogger . Go have lunch with your boyfriend,"

Loac interjects flatly, sending Rogard a sidelong look before adding, "...And that’s an order."

​The room is speechless. Even Vogrid looks taken aback, and Drogger’s eyebrows shoot so high they practically leave his forehead.

​It’s not every day someone pulls rank on him, after all.

Not that there are many who can, and for a second there it looks as though Drogger is about to tell Loac exactly what he thinks about being ordered around.

But one of the problems of being a stickler for the rules is that you can’t pick and choose which ones to follow, and an order from his Prince –his First Captain of a Prince, no less –is still an order.

So with a small sigh, and his expression softening infinitesimally, he decisively pushes away from his desk.

​"Right you are, Captain," he decides, gesturing for Rogard and his little entourage of servants to lead the way.

Rogard catches him trying to hide a smile, so hopefully that means they’re not going to be in a world of trouble when they’re next at training.

"Don’t go anywhere," he makes sure to remind Loac, and that is most certainly an order seeing as Loac was probably planning on sneaking out while Drogger’s back was turned.

"We’re not done here. And don’t get food on my floor."

​Loac ignores that last part; mouth full as he sends him off with a pleasant, "Enjoy your lunch. S’ pretty good."

Rogard could hug him. Khobi too, because just like he was hoping the food brings a smile to Drogger’s face, and by the time they finish their lunch the deep stress lines are looking just a little softer.

​Drogger also kisses him right there in the courtyard; soft and grateful and like he doesn’t care who sees.