The time to seemed to halt as the crowd watched on both Eleanor & Leo. Eleanor patted his back in a low rhythmic manner--As she felt the quiet shifting of his shoulders--Followed by his soft sobs. Then--She lifted her gaze-Only to be met with a piercing pair of hazel.
It was Flaytus--Without a beat, he watched her. Eleanor's breath hitched as her eyes returned to the soil before--Still feeling his pressing stare. She then gazed at him--His lips were curled in a soft remorseful smile. His gaze lingered as if to ask whether she was, okay?
--before she knew it-She was smiling back at him, her lips were curled in quiet warmth as if to reply, "everything was all right, you came" her gaze then traveled to Slav--Her pulse quickened
--"Slav is here!" she reminded herself as she took staggered breaths--"Her husband was here!"
Then, a man-a bearer of news came to Flaytus--His lips moved in calculated precision as he then lowered his voice into nothing--As if it was only to be heard by Flaytus.
Though his gaze was still glued on to her--It didn't leave her.
"Emperor Augustus therefore summons you "the man ended.
Flaytus's hands clenched as his lips returned to normal.
Then--Hesitantly tore his gaze away and walked off, his hands clenching at his sword as he did. Aristos's eyebrows furrowed as his gaze darted to him--He then, swiftly followed him behind in a panic.
Eleanor's smile faltered--She then felt an immeasurable weight of another gaze--Quiet a familiar one. Her eyes then darted--Only to be locked onto an icy blue one. Her face went pale--Her chest tightened--It was Slav (Julius)--He was now looking straight at her now.
Her eyes widened as she sensed his jaw--How it clenched. His eyes--They said everything. His head was tilted as he then started to make his way to her. Eleanor quickly glanced away as her breath caught at her throat. She gritted her lips as her eyebrows furrowed--Wishing to vanish into oblivion.
Leo's gaze darted to her--Eleanor? are you okay? his tiny voice came out, hoarse. As he then watched her face--How drained it looked.
Eleanor buried her face with her blonde ringlets as she then heard the low thud of his boots, which was now slower as if to be deliberate. Leo turned to the source of the sound--He then smiled brightly as he jumped out of Eleanor's hands--Quickly tugging at Julius's cloak.
Julius gazed at the boy, his lips cured in a soft genuine smile--Then it fell to Eleanor--At how her gaze seemed to be fixed to the ground, not daring to look up at him.
He then crouched down to both of their level--Softly, he then began whispering something into Leo's ears. Through the corner of her lashes--She peeked at him, then, Flashbacks:
It was way past the nocturnal hours as not a being was seen at the oblivion hour--Except for two. Eleanor and Julius stood at an enormous tree--Their hands intertwining each other as one's gaze was at surrender another looked in defiance.
Julius's gaze pressed as his fingers found her chin--He then lifted it up to meet his face. Her breath hitched as their gaze locked. Staring at each other as if that was the only thing that was anchoring them.
Elen...
he murmured, his voice was low, husky. Eleanor's face flushed. even that time--she didn't dare look at him.
He then tilted his head, so, you won't even look at me...?
he asked, voice amused. She didn't respond--Her lips parted, though nothing came.
Remind me, my dear...I thought we were wed...? he murmured--There is nothing scandalous about this...
Eleanor's lips then pouted naturally--Well...still...
Still, what my dear?
Julius let out a chuckle as he then reached out for her face--Softly cupping it--He leaned in closer. Eleanor's breath hitched--As she realized how close they were--Though she didn't pull away, not even an inch.
Julius's gaze then fell to her luscious lips--As his thumbs absent-mindedly grazed at her. J-
Julius...
her voice-barely a whisper. Just as her mouth was about to part--Her Natmika (veil) fluttered against her, it hovered over her face as it then flung against her mouth. Julius's then without a care--He brushed his lips against hers--Soft, tender.
Heat seeped in through the veil as she felt his gaze on her, his eyes held fire-yet something else was clouded behind it.
The veil still clung to her mouth as she gazed at him--Her heart raced, her face flushed.
His eyes then fluttered shut--His eyebrows creased as if to really mean his affection.
The past events played out on his mind--December, 1002BCE--That war had been cruel, harsh.
On the slushy mud of the vast field stood armada of men from both sides--Infront was Julius--His armor glistening under the sun as he then clutched at sword as if that was the only thing that was anchoring him.
He then raised it up the air as men from both sides charged at each other--As swords clashed under the bright sky.
Julius yelled out as he struck the hearts of the enemies--His sword plunged into an opponent soldier's abdomen--The man let out a blood curling screech as he then felt the sword in him twist with a terrible slush.
AGH...! aghhh...He fell with a thud.
Slav's chest rose and fell as he
Eleanor's breath caught in her throat as his arms slid to her waist--Gripping on it tight. He then pulled away just slightly--His head rested on the nape of her neck--Finding the comfort in his wife which he couldn't in war.
Then he traveled to her forehead--Pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her temple, "I love you Elen...his voice came low, genuine.
"I love you so much" he murmured.
Eleanor gazed at him--Her lips were curled in a coy manner as she then pressed her head against his chest--Her palm grazing it, gently.
"I love you too, dear husband" she whispered back.
Eleanor! Julius said he won't take me on the next campaign! complained Leo. as Eleanor then snapped from her dreamland.
She smiled and reached out to graze the boy's hair--Just then, he ran off giggling--As Eleanor's hands missing an inch and grazed Julius's hair instead.
Elen's gaze then found his--Though he was already watching her. His lips casted a bitter smile--She didn't even look at him.
Eleanor froze as she quickly pulled back--Her eyes widened; she then quickly apologized--Not sparing a glance--she walked off.
Julius's gaze darted to her--His hands clenched; she was still the same, though different--Something has changed... something that was beyond him changed
--Something beyond him.