#interaction. frederik

He was knealing under a desk in an empty room, looking at the joints of the piece, at the intricate engravings upon the legs. It was truly a masterpiece- work suited only to live in a palace, with true attention to detail. At the sound of another’s footsteps, Frederik tried to stand up- htting his head on the way. “Ow-” he reached for his head, looking to the other person. “Uh, sorry- do you need the room?”

The Frisian king had never been a social person- had always preferred his own company, or that of just a select few. Still, he made an effort to welcome his brother's- well, he was not quite sure what Elif was to Arie. She was to be the mother of his brother's child, and in that sense she was now to be a member of his family, no matter the connection.

"Lady Elif-" he began after running into her in one of the corridors. "I do hope we have done all we can to make you comfortable here." He was not quite sure what had been done- just that she had moved into their wing of the castle, and Frederik could only hope it meant Arie was now taking full responsibility.

He sighed, settling into a chair next to his wife. "How was your day, dear?" Frederik turned his face to look at Halime, holding his hand out in offering to her across the arms of their chairs. The exhastion of his own day showed on his face- he missed home, he missed when days were simpler. Each day in Scotland felt like three at home, droning on hour upon hour.

He was hesitant to arrive- after their last talk, would Arie even want him there? Still, he thought, after spending far too much time trying to decide and swallowing three-quarters a glass of wine, Arie would be much more upset with Frederik missing his birthday celebrations than not coming over a spat between brothers. He hoped, at least, it was just a spat between brothers. That Arie would heed his words, would come to his senses.

Frederik waited until his youngest brother had a moment between guests before approaching him. "Happy birthday." He knew how much his brother cared for the day. "I- um hope you are enjoying yourself."

He did not often interact with his wife’s ladies- he mostly saw them in passing. Most he could recognize by sight- at least, recognize them as a member of Irisia’s household. It was not unusual to come across one of them in the sitting room, even if it might have been odd that the queen was not also there. “Oh, hello. Lady Vriesen, right?”