S
Shokkou
Guest
Original poster
Lyle saw her face burn red, the deep breath, and caught the subtle touch of disappointment in her voice as the conversation turned back to business. That was all the affirmation he needed. He hadn't wanted to be presumptuous or force himself on Kit in any way - after all different cultures had different rules about what was appropriate before marriage - but he knew now she had wanted him to kiss her. As soon as another opportunity presented itself, she would feel his lips against her own. He nodded to Lucy. "Very well. I shall keep Kai's servant if he is a man of good character. No need to deprive someone of their job without cause."
After a while, the thumping of hooves against dirt gave way to clacking against some form of brick or stone. Shortly thereafter the carriage came to a halt and the door opened, sending a light breeze of warm sea air into the cabin. He took a deep breath through his nose, but grimaced as he looked out and saw sand everywhere. Ever since he was a young boy, his older brothers had made a game on their family visits to their home on the shore. The game was simple, get as much sand into Lyle's hair and other uncomfortable places as possible. It was the only downside to being the youngest brother. He stepped out of the carriage and followed Kit and Lucy to the ship.
Lyle smiled and waved to the kindly looking man who came for the bags in an effort to relieve some of the embarrassment of waving to a blind girl. He looked across the dock at the ship which awaited them. It was an impressive vessel, to be sure. It looked even nicer than the one his family would take on their vacations at sea, but that was to be expected. The Strudwicks were rulers of a rural duchy, whereas Kit was a princess. The thought occurred to him that once he boarded the ship it was likely that the entire crew would be citizens of Hylei. He would be immersed in a culture he had only had small glimpses of from that point on. Walking along the pier, he followed Lucy and Kit aboard the ship.
He started to nod to Lucy, but stopped and turned his head when Kit interjected that she would show him around. The idea of the two of them walking together through the ship and having some time to themselves finally brought a smile to his face. He gave Lucy a thankful nod before she departed up the ramp. Once she'd gone, he turned to Kit and took her hands in his. "Well darling, where shall we go first?"
After a while, the thumping of hooves against dirt gave way to clacking against some form of brick or stone. Shortly thereafter the carriage came to a halt and the door opened, sending a light breeze of warm sea air into the cabin. He took a deep breath through his nose, but grimaced as he looked out and saw sand everywhere. Ever since he was a young boy, his older brothers had made a game on their family visits to their home on the shore. The game was simple, get as much sand into Lyle's hair and other uncomfortable places as possible. It was the only downside to being the youngest brother. He stepped out of the carriage and followed Kit and Lucy to the ship.
Lyle smiled and waved to the kindly looking man who came for the bags in an effort to relieve some of the embarrassment of waving to a blind girl. He looked across the dock at the ship which awaited them. It was an impressive vessel, to be sure. It looked even nicer than the one his family would take on their vacations at sea, but that was to be expected. The Strudwicks were rulers of a rural duchy, whereas Kit was a princess. The thought occurred to him that once he boarded the ship it was likely that the entire crew would be citizens of Hylei. He would be immersed in a culture he had only had small glimpses of from that point on. Walking along the pier, he followed Lucy and Kit aboard the ship.
He started to nod to Lucy, but stopped and turned his head when Kit interjected that she would show him around. The idea of the two of them walking together through the ship and having some time to themselves finally brought a smile to his face. He gave Lucy a thankful nod before she departed up the ramp. Once she'd gone, he turned to Kit and took her hands in his. "Well darling, where shall we go first?"