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The man lay there, awake but eyes closed. He was tall, approaching thirty, with dark features. He had the strong build of a soldier, not huge or brutish, there was a leanness to him, but his shoulders were broad, and his face showed signs of age beyond his years. He didn't sleep well of late, often awake when Aijou came to him in the morning, simply laying while his mind turned over the problems of the day. Shizuka had made a name for himself, as a strategist and tactician for the High King. Some even whispered his feats and feints could only have been done with magical aid, or clairvoyance, and it was whispered he was a mystic. Either way, the King had found much use for Shizukan, but also feared him, and had him bound to the court through a political marriage to a noble daughter. A woman vain and critical, distasteful of anything that she didn't feel accented her own greatness, she resented being married off to a 'mere soldier', never mind Shizu was one of the highest ranks the military had. Shizu found himself trapped, bound to serve a King who, now with his power secure, was suddenly not the great kind ruler Shizu had hoped for, and when he returned from long days helping the King defend and outhink his enemies, both evil and good, wicked and innocent, Shizu's home was no more relaxing with a hostile wife who found every delight in pointing out her superior breeding. Unfortunately she was a rare beauty, a gorgeous woman who knew how to charm people into getting what she wanted, except Shizu.
His eyes opened slowly, and he looked upon the boy. He was a soft sweet looking young man, and Shizu was struck often by the quiet beauty Aijou possessed. The very qualities that led the boy into service far from his family were those that endeared him to Shizu, and already he was a bright point in the man's day. Such a diligent and devoted servant, Shizu was more glad than he cared to admit. He watched the streaming rays as they highlighted the features of Aijou.
"Thank you Aijou, and good morning to you. How do you manage to keep so cheerful?"
A slight smile painted Shizu's lips, before he slowly munched upon the breakfast, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He wore only thin sleep pants, torso exposed, a few scars marking the history of his service. His appetite wasn't strong, he wasn't hungry much these days. But for Aijou's sake he tried to eat, although it was clear he was mostly just picking at the meal.
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