Blue Blood

Lilli would be lying if she said she wasn’t surprised when he agreed to show her his art and take her to a cottage that she suspected few knew about, both were two incredibly personal things and she almost couldn’t believe that he was willing to reveal them. She always had the impression that Tristan was a deeply private person by nature, or perhaps out of necessity, so she recognized the gift he would be giving her by letting her in on that side of him. “I would love that, it’s been so long since I’ve been out of the city the tranquility will be welcome.” Tristan and her alone in a cabin outside of the city…for some reason the idea struck something inside her, excitement mixed with something else she couldn’t quite place. A warm kind of feeling. Perhaps it was just because of how much Lilli enjoyed time alone with Tristan, how much she reveled in getting to see a side of him that he didn’t show many others, but whatever the reason she thought it best not to dwell on it.

Tristan was uncharacteristically thrilled with her agreement, an almost childish white toothed smile flashing for a second before being pulled back. He watched her face for a moment after she spoke, unsure what it was he searched for there. There was a quality unique to Lilli that reminded him of the complexity of people and it was in small moments where his eyes lingered too long on her face that he was reminded of it. As quickly as it had come he was snapped out of it,and his ability to keep himself from saying or asking something foolish kicked in. “When is it you are next able?” He asked while suppressing his most eager impulses, bending his mind so they and those of fear muted each other.

She smiled at his answer and nodded. “That is…very true. If my memory serves correctly, I remember how many times people spoke ill of Lady Roslin when servants were around. It doesn’t surprise me.”

He chuckled sardonically, “the fact that anyone had anything bad to say about her majesty only proves that many at court have mouths and ambitions faster and stronger than their brains.”

She looked up and gave a sheepish smile. “That was a bit over stepping, wasn’t it? My apologies, but I do hope you find some happiness in such a situation.”

He laughed softly, “don’t worry, there are those with far worse things to say about these things and they’re a thousand times as vocal... Happiness may very well be the least of my worries.”

“And this time?” She smiled, raising an eyebrow curiously as she watched him. “Is this…foreign duchess to your liking?”

He gave her a look of surprise at the question, “better than expected and assumed, if there is no love to be had than at least she will make fine company.”

“Really? Next time we see each other you should bring one of your paintings, I’d really love to see your art. That is, if you’re comfortable showing it to me of course” Although Lilli had shown, or rather spoken, her art to him she understood the need to keep things of that nature private, a persons art could reveal a great deal about them. It showed much more than what could be communicated through conversation, often times it showed more than the person had intended it to.

“Many of them remain in Orilion, but I have a few hidden in a cottage just outside the city limits.” Out of habit he had just put into place a foothold for an excuse, but then he began to consider it. He was silent for a moment, he knew if he showed her it she would not be the sort to brush it off, she would leave with some new insight into who he was. Then he realized he almost liked the idea, “I’ll bring you there.”

“Engagement? Congratulations, then, your Majesty,” She smiled as she looked to him. “That is a good thing, right? I know that with some royals and nobles, a marriage isn’t always the most welcome thing…”

He chuckled deeply at the insight, “it is not what I would have expected from an arranged marriage to a foreign duchess I must say... And you’re very right, it very rarely is I’m afraid.”

“Sorry, you just really look like a customer I had in last week.” She sighed, looking down at the coat in her hands. “He left in such a hurry, and it didn’t seem like he was coming back, so I suppose I got my hopes up.” She sighed, setting the coat down beside her. “If you’d like a free coat, it’s yours. You’re about his size, and I don’t think he’s missing it.”

his eyes trailed the garment in her hands, sometimes things like this left him with an odd feeling of jealousy that. So odd to him that some people could disappear so inexplicably. He chuckled slightly, “is this a predicament you find yourself in often.”

“Then I suppose we’ll move onto lighter matters, regardless. Have you been enjoying yourself recently?”

He laughed slightly, “I’ve been interested recently, with my recent engagement... How about yourself?”

“Foul mood? What is the matter?” 

“I’d much rather talk about your problems.”

“Yes, I’d heard.” Her knowledge didn’t extend beyond rumours and gossip but Luna’s imminent marriage seemed almost certain to Levana. “I’m pleased for the princess, I really hope that she’ll be happy.”

He smiled at her words, “she is a royal, she will either find happiness or convince herself she has... She’ll do whatever she needs to for her son, and that is likely more important.”

“I…thank you, Your Majesty. But you don’t have to, if you’re busy. I don’t want to disturb you.”

“No, I am not too busy and perhaps some conversation can serve to extinguish my foul mood.”