She blinked in surprise, tilting her head curiously. “I... I’m not sure,” she said worriedly, her brows furrowing. “I mean... I... I don’t know. I have a duty to lead, Basel. I figure that I will eventually get tossed around enough that I will end up where I started, and a balance will be restored.” She took his hand gently, looking at him in concern. “Why do you bring this up? Are you alright?”
"Because that's what's happening, Anya," he said, sounding a bit upset as he held her hand. "And I want you to pick what you would rather do.."
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes intense as she considered him. “Your voice is shaking, Baze,” she observed gently. “Why is it shaking? Are you frightened?”
He looked up at her, his gaze heartbreaking. "I'd be sad to see you go, An.. I'd be so sad. But.. I don't want to manipulate your choice like that."
She studied him, her brows furrowed before she moved to him, slipping her arms around his waist and pulling him into a gentle embrace, her head resting on his shoulder.
She was quiet for a while. “I think you know...” she said huskily after a few moments. “I think you know that I... I can’t ignore my duty, Basel, no matter how badly I want to be near you.”
"Please don't be sad," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "It would break my heart if you were sad about this."
She frowned, studying him. “I’m sorry,” she told him, her brows furrowed. “I don’t want to leave you on your own.”
He sighed, standing up and returning to his desk, his expression rather hopeless. "It's.. It's okay. It's your job. And this one is mine."
She looked very upset, folding her hands in her lap. Finally, she stood up, rubbing her arm nervously. “Will you... will you come to bed with me? You can say no.”
She came over to him hesitantly, slipping her hands in her pockets worriedly as she looked up at him expectantly.
