KAISERIN.

She offered the queen one smile more before taking a seat. “I’ll be straight with you, I was hoping to speak to you about possibly supporting my claim to the English throne.”

“Let me return your straightforwardness, then,” Lilli replied. “I’m more than willing to hear what you have to say, but it’s unlikely that I’ll choose to insert myself into English affairs.”

Feliks leaned against the railing, he was letting his cigarette burn. He smiled a little, taking a short drag. “We should have that cross-stitched on a pillow. How…” He paused, “How are you liking Oslo? I’m finding myself missing home.”

“I’m very fond of this city, even if nothing will ever match Vienna in my eyes.” She paused. Perhaps being in Vienna would have helped her grieve. “But more importantly, this is where I must be.” Lilli had always been intensely dedicated to her country, and after Leo’s death it had become a coping method.

Feliks snorted and shook his head, “Yes but I was hoping to give her enough wine that she doesn’t notice or care. More likely she will ignore it unless someone tells her directly.” He shrugged, this wasn’t his best but he did just get home from a war zone. “I’ll do better tomorrow.” 

“Well, that’s a plan.” Elisabeth replied, with a shrug. “Best of luck. On escaping your wife’s ire and doing better tomorrow.”

@artrothschild

“I could never forget, I was actually nervous back then that you wouldn’t love me, being a father and all.” He’d been nervous about a lot of different subjects when he first met Lilli, she was royal and he was simply a president’s son. “Is this still considered sneaking away? Maybe we’ll have to make it a wedding tradition.”

“A part of me was afraid you’d realize you’d couldn’t love me, when you had to deal with...well, everything.” There was the very messy end of her first marriage, the challenges of blending families, to say nothing of the many burdens of becoming the spouse of a reigning monarch. Lilli shrugged. “Maybe not, but I needed a break.” She was an old hand at events like this, but since Leo’s death had found herself tiring of them more quickly. “A tradition, then. At the rate these betrothals are happening, I imagine we’ll have plenty of chances to continue it.”

The wedding and travel preparations certainly kept them busy, but the chaos was over. Mikolas kept an arm securely around her waist, starting for the balcony. “Makes you nostalgic, no?” They’d been married for over a decade, and that fact blew his mind whenever it came up.

Lilli rested a head on Mikolas’ shoulder. “Mhm, thirteen entire years ago. Even longer since I fell in love with you.” Those had been happier times — but at least she still had him at her side. “Remember, we snuck away at our reception, too.”

@mikclas

Feliks looked up and saw Lili, he looked down sheepishly at the cigarette mostly so he didn’t have to make eye contact. “I said I stopped smoking years ago but I can’t drink so I have to do something.” He offered as an explanation. 

“My lips are sealed.” Lilli said, dryly, slightly amused by the situation. “But aren’t you worried the lingering smell will give you away?”

“Ah, you don’t need to make it so serious all of a sudden.” So the latter it was. Then again what else could have he expected? “Humour me, which one would you pick if you had to realign your country?”

Lilli could clearly see that the Tsar wanted to suss her out, and, out of curiosity, chose to play along. After all, she bore no ill will towards Russia. “I prefer straightforward over serious.” she arched an eyebrow at him good-naturedly. “Through my mother, I’m a Rothschild — half of my family resides in France, England, and Switzerland. But on the other hand, my children are half-Spanish, and my oldest daughter will inherit one of Spain’s most important dukedoms. Which makes the personal angle a wash. And politically...well, each alliance has its share of messes.” Elisabeth shrugged, before joking. “In conclusion, I’d rather like another drink.” Sitting back in her chair she smiled. “What were you expecting me to say?”