"Yes," Lares said, a smile faintly tugging on the edges of his mouth. "Quite."
Caelum did smile then, albeit bitterly, and leaned forward to regard Lares earnestly. "I'll be frank about it, Stout-Heart -- I could use some help with these texts. I'm aware you're busy with Zardria's business as it is, but any time you could spare to help me would be greatly appreciated."
Lares sat and regarded Caelum, whose honesty sat on his face plain as day. He thought about the man's current position and realised Caelum, like him, had no more friends. Caelum spent all his time with the Empress, and while Lares could see how they felt about each other, he doubted they were friends as well as lovers. He thought of how embarrassing it must be for Caelum to have trouble with letters and words on the page i
