Philippa knew this conversation was long overdue, but she couldnât find it in herself to bring it on, not when the monarch looked already so dejected, so repulsed by the idea. Philippa understands, really â- sheâs felt the same way for long now; they only have two big differences at this point. One, the sorceress has no problem in faking her way with someone to get to what she wants, and two, the most important one: she does not have any obligations in lying with one, unlike Zelda. They just need to find a good suitor, thatâs all â one that does not elict in her such a visceral reaction.Â
She only nods at the request, despite Zelda giving her back to her. That, she can do her best to make sure itâs accomplished. Quick and painless, to the best of her abilities. She only waits in silence when the other turns, letting her speak. She purses her lips. Sheâs fairly sure she knows what sheâs about to be asked, and sheâs already trying to come up with an answer in her head, even before the Kyngeâs done speaking. Is it possible? Technically, no one has never said it is not possible. Thereâs been rumors, even, of elven Sages â she exhales loudly from her nose. âWhat youâre asking me â Zelda. Even if, and thereâs a big if, I could do something to work around this little problem of yours, I couldnât be sure of the outcome.â She steps closer, so close that her chest brushes against Zeldaâs arm. She takes her hand in her own, stroking her thumb gently over her knuckles. âI canât take such risks, not without a confirmation that everything will be alright. I will not take such risks.â I wonât lose you. Not for a small issue as this one. Please, understand what youâre asking of me. âYouâre asking me to dabble in a type of magic so few have ever performed, I â- I wouldnât be sure about your survival, let alone the childâs.â Though, she sighs. Ah, the things you do for love. âIâll take a look at a couple of books. Iâll need to do some research, if you really think thereâs no other way, but I will not promise you anything.â
Philippa's touch was as light as air, and soothed the king's agonies like a salve to a burn. Some of the anxiety slipped from her face and soon enough her frustration turned to fondness. Zelda placed her hand over the top of Philippa's and cradled it. There were not many people who could touch their king the way that Philippa Eilhart could. âI trust you,â said Zelda softly. I trust you. With my life. With the future of my kingdom. The way she gazed at her advisor was almost fawn-like; so dotingly, so worshipfully, and so foolishly. It was a dangerous display of affection that, had anyone else walked in then and seen it, would have caused them great trouble.Â
As close as they already stood to one another, she leaned closer still. âI was not sure,â she began, her voice uncertain. âIâve thought about this for a while now. Months. I wanted to know more about whether it would be possible, or if it had even been done before.â Zelda hesitated, and her eyes fell to their clasped hands. Philippaâs flesh was so white against her own. She spent so much of her time outside. âI already had Thorley Greye look into it for me. Or, well, look into it as much as a retired sea captain can look into such things.âÂ
Greye was not a sorcerer. Certainly he did not possess the same knowledge as Philippa did, but he had his ways; his connections. She did not think he would let her down. âHe believes we could find out more with the hill folk.â The Aen Seidhe. âHe has already been in contact with some. Only a little. They make mention of the Aen Elle.â All that Zelda knew about the Aen Elle was that they were the boogeymen of the Continent. She had never even met one, she was not sure she ever wanted to, but if anyone would know of such a thing as magicking babies out of thin air then surely they would. âBut Thorley can only do so much. I need you for this.â
She glanced briefly at the magicianâs perfect mouth and hesitated, like she was suddenly thinking of kissing her. âLetâs go somewhere more private.â