Written by C

|| Trigger Warning: alcohol consumption ||

Edgar was mid-laugh when the situation turned - though whether it had turned badly or simply become more entertaining was, in his mind, still up for debate. He'd somehow found his way onto the edge of a fountain in the square of Covent Garden, one boot braced against the stone lip while the other hovered far too close to slipping. His coat hung open, cravat half-loosened, hair a touch unruly in a way that suggested the night had been far longer than intended. A small crowd had gathered at a cautious distance.

"I'm perfectly steady," he insisted to no one in particular, though his balance suggested otherwise. He lifted his glass as if to prove a point, only managing to spill a portion of it over his hand instead. Edgar blinked at it, then laughed again, entirely unbothered. "See? Not a drop-" His foot slipped slightly. He caught himself, barely, grin widening as though that had only improved things. "- well, nearly."

Only then did his gaze flick outward, landing on someone just close enough to intervene. Recognition - or something like it - lit his expression, bright and easy. "Ah," he said, as if they'd arrived exactly when expected. "There you are." He tipped his head, still precariously balanced, entirely untroubled by it. "Tell me," he added, voice warm with amusement, "are you here to save me, or simply witness the ending?"

"Do you need saving sir? For truly if you need it I will assist but I do not fully understand how you've gotten yourself into this situation."

"Your majesty you're here." Elizabeth was stunned to see the Princess but thrilled. One of her major concerns had been that eloping would stop Sophia from allowing the friendship that they had started building. She crossed the entry way, her arms open to give the option of a hug should Sophia feel comfortable.

A lost child softened her instantly and she looks around, hoping to see some sign of him. "I haven't seen any children this way but of course I'll help you. Does he have a favourite place to go when he's here?"

"He likes to watch the birds, there's some nests nearby I think."

"that's good, isn't it? Someone went through with it….He likely saved your family, hadn't he?" He scoffed. "I don't know why he did it." He wonders why the man would marry into Barnetts…what does he gain, he wonders. He tilted his head to the side. " Am I meant to marry when I only have the half-truth? You know, marriages are meant for. I wonder why you married...? " He pointed out. He repeated back what his brother said to him so many times. Surely those words would get back to Mary. It'd be good. Make her hate him. "Your man knew beforehand. I was not aware."

"He asked, had you asked we'd have told you all. But instead you reacted, well I'm sure I don't need to remind what you did." She wouldn't do Mary that disservice, explaining the heartbreak in such a public place.

"Everything she said was justified. Someone in my position shouldn't have hid a child. It's better I go," Relationships with parents would always have their difficulties and Regina didn't feel too comfortable butting into the relationship between the King and the Dowager, not when she was already in hot water with the latter.

As much as he hated the title and status lifting her beyond his reach, he hadn’t ever put much thought to what might happen between them if scandal ever brought her low. She had always been nigh unimpeachable in his eyes. Everything between them, all the hurt and the pain, and the rash decisions; they sat heavy on his heart and in his mind.

Even now it was hardly her fault Johann was a bastard. He ought to have married her when he had the chance. He ought not to have waited. Waiting had made a mess out of everything, out of them both.

“Regina.” What was he doing here? All that frantic looking and now he had no idea what to say. “Lady Messer. I was looking for you. I— this place. Is it suiting? Are you… is it safe here? For both of you.”

His words elicited a bitter scoff though and she looked away, turning her attention to the entrance hallway before back to him.

"In this situation yes. It is safe enough. It has to be... Would you like to come in? I'd rather have this conversation in private."

"There's a reason I said speak down to me, not just speak. I'm well aware of how you'll be feeling about this matter." Regina had to bite back a scoff at the Princess. Although she'd moved out of the royal housing she was still grateful to have her job with Alisa, even if it was on a tightrope at the moment. "Gosh you sound like your mother, is it not exhausting to stay on that high horse all the time."