When Owen turned back towards her, he caught a sudden movement of hers in the periphery of his eye. He wasn’t sure what he saw. A delicate limb flying back towards her chest where she cradled it protectively. Like a disobedient child caught sneaking sweets in the kitchen. And then there was the endearing reddening of her skin. He followed the flush with his eyes down to her shoulders where those fetching spots patterned her exposed shoulders.
The emperor was left wondering what had sparked the reaction from her and why he found her bashfulness so seductive. He thought perhaps he’d caught her caressing his cloak as now that he thought of it he might have sensed the slightest pressure of a hand against his back. He couldn’t be sure.
He wondered also how far down her body the spots went.
She, meanwhile, was accepting his offering to be her escort. His smile was nearly a smirk, there was possession in it. The look of a man who had achieved something. “I’m honored, Your Majesty.” He said to seal the deal.
Owen could be sly when the mood struck him. With his free hand he took the edge of his cloak and lifted it up to show it to her. “I’ve taken to partial Veridian style,” he began with a little laugh, “but I couldn’t not wear my cloak.” He smoothed the portion of fabric held between his fingers over her shoulder where those little spots teased him. “Wool sheared from goats who live high in the Eskran mountains. They are almost impossible to catch. They can scale a near vertical rocky mountain face and are forbidden from being killed for their wool. They are considered a sacred animal and must be humanely captured and only sheared during the first months of spring or else they’d die from the cold in the winter.”
He lifted the fabric a little higher to brush across her cheek. “There’s nothing like it in the world.”
____
Holland bowed his head in a show of humility as she accused him of being ‘bold.’ He’d noted the way she’d reclaimed her hand, evidence that he’d offended her. It seemed she was much more assimilated to Veridian culture than he’d estimated and he could use the information to his advantage.
“Forgive me.” He murmured in reference to her hand.
The other accusations she made, he remained silent with a neutral but somehow concerned expression. He made a nice show of listening sympathetically to the complaints she made of him.
“Of course.” He agreed quietly with her instruction that he shouldn’t beg leniency from her but the queen.
When it came to the question of the forged invitation, Holland pursed his lips contemplatively and rubbed at his chin with the same affectation.
“Though it may displease My Lord Hartwydt, I feel compelled to give you the entire truth Lady Maeve.” He began attempting to flatter her with words rather than touch. “As you must be aware, the Emperor is very interested in...how should I say...unorthodox military exploits. We were curious whether we could gain access to a capital city by feigning invite. Such a success would prevent the need for protracted costly, and deadly sieging of a city.”
He bowed his head again. “I apologize that Veridian had to suffer the humiliation of our trickery. I must say I find it a credit to the hospitality of you and your Queen that have allowed us such leeway and forgiveness.”
He smiled suddenly and laughed, “I suppose we could chalk it up to a practical joke.” He lifted his index finger to add something further, "Also, you may not be aware that the Emperor has been on a tour of sorts. Meeting the available Ladies of high houses and of import in search of a suitable wife. He was interested in meeting the Queen of Veridian, though I informed him that she had already been matched via treaty. He was unpersuaded and wished, nonetheless, to meet a reigning female monarch."
Bitch, I'm limited edition.
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