Playing with Fire

Carina took a step back so she could look at Natalia properly, a stern expression settling on her features, "Don't go working through your lunch. Take a proper break, get away from the papers and go for a walk or something. I mean it, Natalia. I'll now if you don't." She threatened, but kept her voice light and airy so the woman knew she was joking, "Seriously, though, please take a proper break. You work so hard as it is, you don't need to work through your break."

With a final look to the adviser to plead with her to do as she had been asked, Carina quietly excused herself from the library to head back upstairs. It wasn't as though she didn't want to work, it had helped distract her for at least a short period of time, but the weightlessness of the pain medication was calling to her and Carina was all to eager to answer it by curling up in bed and taking a short nap. The interaction with Sven had also exhausted it, despite the briefness of it, and only served to bring forth all the painful self-hatred she had previously done so well to fight back against after he had burned her the night before.

Before she had seen his reopened wound, she had considered them even. She had hurt him (albeit inadvertently) and he had returned the favour. However, now she realised they would never be even. He had multiple stab wounds on his body while she had the one burn.

She made a brief detour to Lorcan's library to visit her son, having a cuddle with him in the rocking chair beside his cot. She attempted to focus on him, rather than the replays of the confrontation between her and Sven that played out on autopilot without her consent, her watching them as if the figures of herself and Sven were truly in the room with her. She cooed and talked in a soft, soothing voice to Lorcan as he stared up at her, and Carina was grateful to have caught him at that precise moment. Although, as she began to sing gently to him, his little eyes began to flutter shut and he was soon asleep in her arms.

Having gotten her dose of him, for now at least, she placed him carefully back into the cot and bid a quiet goodbye to the nanny who had been reading in the corner. The young Queen continued onto her room, hesitating once she had closed the door behind her. Now she had gotten there, and had left Natalia and their friendly conversation behind, Carina was nervous about the silence that filled her room dauntingly. It served to remind her of the past week, between the visits of Natalia and Lorcan, and made her all too aware of the cruel thoughts that were sneering and giggling in the back of her mind.

Not wanting to be perturbed by such things, she hastily moved to the bed and sat to ease her shoes from her feet. The tide that threatened to overwhelm her kept lashing out at her, determined to break through and drown her altogether. However, Carina laid back and out on the bed, reaching down for the throw blanket at the end of it and pulled it up over herself. She rolled onto her other side, keeping her back to the door and buried her face into the mountain of pillows at her disposal, squeezing her eyes shut as she willed herself into a tense and uneasy nap.
 
If she decided to work through her lunch, then there was really no way of Carina discovering that - and if she didn't bring it up, then, in all likelihood, she could get away with ignoring the other's pleas and spending the time dedicating herself to her duties, rather than relaxing back and enjoying some lunch.

Yet, the latter was something she very rarely got to do. Often, time off for lunch was non-existent, with the woman relying on a sandwich she could easily eat alongside whatever work had to be concluded that day - but a part of wanted to change that; to take Carina's advice, with there being a few reasons to justify doing so.

One, she wanted to neglect the possible accusation of hypocrisy. She could dish out advice with the expectation of her opinions being respected, but refusing to do so herself was behaviour she was keen on avoiding.

Two, she respected Carina a great deal and if the Queen thought she deserved an hour to herself, to unwind and free her mind of the often relentless thoughts of her work that inhabited it, then the advice was worth heeding.

And lastly, the idea appealed to her - sitting in the grand library with a hot bowl of soup, some crusty, buttered bread, with a book in hand and a small glass of wine at her side was everything she often hoped she could do but never had the chance to enjoy. Evidently, all she had needed was the prod of reassurance in the right direction... and he made an inward note to herself to thank Carina for her encouragement because never before had Natalia felt as energised and refreshed as she did when that lunch hour concluded.

As a result, she had every intention of letting Carina rest for all two hours of the allotted time away from her duties, so she could wake up and feel the same refreshment - or as close to it as she could be when she also had the tiring exhaustion of new motherhood and an injury to contend with. For a little while, Natalia had returned to the work with a smile on her face, seeing no rush to stir the Queen from a much-needed nap.

Though not all plans could go accordingly when the unexpected arrived to dent them.

With the heavy air of reluctance and fluster wore onto a previously relaxed expression, the advisor peered into the Queen's bedroom, at first whispering to her by her title just for the benefit of formality before dropping the effort in favour of something altogether more personal.

"Carina? I don't wish to wake you, believe me I don't, but-" Natalia paused, taking a breath to calm the panic from rising and infiltrating her speech, "but Andrew has arrived. His horse and cart are just outside the gate, I... I wasn't sure whether to invite him in just yet when he's arrived an entire day earlier than his letter anticipated-- I thought I'd alert you first, give you time to, ah... prepare yourself to greet him."
 
Carina was entirely reluctant to leave the darkness that filled her sleep. No nightmares, no dreams of any kind. Just restful darkness. She hadn't long been in it, because of the nature of her restless state she had periods of waking up before falling back into a light sleep where any little noise woke her. It seemed as though, just before Natalia's arrival, her body had finally deemed it safe enough to allow itself into a deeper sleep, and so she was mildly annoyed as a voice cut through her subconscious.

A soft, tired groan exposed the true depth of her exhaustion before Carina had the sense to suppress it, and she reluctantly rolled over from where her head had been buried under the pillows to begin sitting up.

Her eyes, at first heavy and hazy due to the mixture of waking up and the effects of the painkillers wearing off, snapped open at the mention of Andrew's arrival. Her hand, which had started to raise to rub the sleep from her eyes, froze in the air as she tried to digest the news that had been brought to her. She stared at Natalia, clearly and momentarily at a loss on what to do.

"Shit."

The curse escaped her without her meaning to, having always tried to keep such cussing to a minimum due to the image she felt she always had to present. Carina threw her legs over the side of the bed and pushed herself to her feet, having to reach for the bedpost to stabilise herself after putting too much pressure too quickly on her injured leg and the flare of pain that greeted her as the numbing began to wear away. However, she smothered the grimace of pain, not daring to show that much weakness even in front of Natalia.

"Invite him in-- this may be some sort of test in itself, to see how well prepared we are at short notice. Even if it isn't with our defences, it will still be a reflection on us as a monarch. Invite him in, have the butler take him to... to the Grand Hall. Instruct the maids to prepare a room immediately in one of the south rooms. If he shall be staying, he will overlook the village, not the courtyard and gates... which could give him time to identify any weaknesses there."

It may be paranoia, but Carina wasn't prepared to let any possibilities slip past her without analysing them first. After all that had happened, regardless of whether or not this man was Sven's half-brother or not, he could still wish them ill. For what reason, who could say, but it was fair to say that Carina had learned to never be too careful.

"Let me freshen up. I will be downstairs shortly-- and do not wake Sven. After the events of this morning, he cannot afford to be bursting those stitches again."
 
It hadn't even occurred to Natalia that this could be a deliberate ploy to throw them off kilter; to see how well-prepared they were to deal with the unexpected. She had simply assumed that the man had sent his letter in advance and overestimated the time it would take to venture to the kingdom of Ignis from his village down south - which of course could still be the truth. He could be entirely honest in his reasons for visiting and his early arrival merely a miscalculation on his part.

But until they could gauge his intentions for themselves, every possibility had to be analysed - including the possibility that this man was a potential threat to the stability of the throne. Of course, the marriage between Ignis' ruling couple was shaky, but that didn't mean the throne had to be under threat.

Collectively, Sven and Carina were in a dark place, feelings of betrayal and the hurt caused from unfair doubt and distrust unwelcomingly present... but they knew their duties trumped their personal issues. Natalia had absolutely no doubt that when it came down to it, both would put their dissatisfaction (a major understatement) with one another aside for the benefit of the kingdom.

To portray to their people a image of marital bliss and stability to ensure their joint possession of the crown was as solid as it could be under the circumstances.

She didn't vocalise how she hadn't considered the chance that this was a test, too angry with herself for overlooking that potentiality to admit to aloud. Besides, ultimately, it didn't matter too much when she at least had the foresight to keep the man outside the gates until she had confirmed the next course of action with the Queen; that was, at least, something she could comfort herself with.

"Of course, I'll get right on it-- Sven's fortunately asleep but without a remedy aiding it, it's possible he might stir at any moment so... I'll inform the staff to be mindful of that," she nodded as she cast a final glance across at Carina. The pain she no doubt felt from her blistering injury made Natalia grimace to herself, the urge to simply tell the Queen to get back to bed being strong. She could tell Andrew to find an inn within the kingdom for the night, arrange for the meeting to take place in the morning as planned... but she knew Carina wouldn't opt for such a plan, no matter how badly Natalia pleaded her to.

Ultimately, the Queen had her duties and nothing would currently deter her from them.

And so Natalia quietly took her leave from the room, making her to first inform the maids of the room preparations needed for the guest (whose identity she still kept vague just in case the man was a liar). After ensuring that her request for quiet for the King's sake was heeded, she motioned for the guard to pass along the message to his colleagues that the simple horse and cart had been approved entrance and turned on her heel to await Andrew's arrival -and Carina's entrance- to the Grand Hall.
 
Andrew always knew the palace was big, but there was a grandness to it that he simply couldn't prepare for. As he arrived in the horse-drawn cart, it felt as though the largeness of the gates alone would swallow him up whole, and he couldn't stop looking around in awe as the towers and pillars and stone walls rose to greet him as he neared the front doors after being allowed entrance into the courtyard. There was an awkwardness when he hopped off the cart and handed the reins to one of the stablehands, fumbling briefly over what to do and giving a nervous laugh as he tried to play it off. But stony-faced silence greeted him in return, and he was left to teeter off with his chuckle and clear his throat.

Being led through the halls was another eye-opener, with his gaze drinking in the statues, suits of armour and artwork that adorned the walls. Not that he recognised any of the pieces that were on display, his education not reaching to the full corners of the world unlike the half-brother he had been told about.

As he, and butler who had been escorting him, reached a set of double doors, he was quick to reach for the flat cap on his head and remove it, clutching it between his two hands, strangling it with the nerves of who he was about to meet. He was briefly told what to do and what not to do. To call her 'Your Majesty' once and then 'ma'am' afterwards (as in palm, and not ham).

When the doors opened, Carina wasn't entirely certain as to what to expect, but it certainly wasn't the strong, broad-shouldered, strong-armed man that walked into the Grand Hall.

With hair the colour of burning flames.

That immediately had her believing he was the son of the late king. It was well known, and joked about (even between her and Sven regarding their own son) that the red hair of the Ignisian line was a strong and unbeatable trait. His hair alone would be enough evidence that he was truly the son of the late king.

However, Carina couldn't allow herself to fall into that trap, it could be a mere coincidence. There could be other redheads in the kingdom. Just because he was one did not make him the illegitimate child of a king.

Andrew's steps were quick, not wanting to waste the time of the royal and the woman at her side. He was mildly disappointed to not see the king with them, but he knew better than to question it or demand to see him. He understood he was lucky enough to be permitted entrance as it was, after all that had occurred. His gaze did linger on the auburn-haired woman at the queen's side, despite the stern look and tense stance that she held. He couldn't deny she was attractive - of course the queen was too, but the woman by her side made him eager to learn more about her.

"Your name is... Andrew, isn't that correct?"

Andrew startled from his thoughts at the sound of the Queen's voice, blinking away from the adviser to provide his monarch his full attention, "Uh, y-yes, Your Majesty. Andrew, just Andrew-- well, Andrew Fernsby, if you wanted my full name. Was my mother's name, you see."

Carina paused, eyes running over him once more as she tried to discern his true intentions, "How old are you, Andrew?" She questioned, knowing that Natalia would probably appreciate trying to put a timeline together in order to help them figure out if this man was really telling the truth.

"I'm 21, ma'am. Born in May... My Ma said she met the King while he was visiting the area for a hunt. She was a maid to the Lady of the House where he stayed."

Smothering the urge to look to Natalia who stood at her side, Carina gently rubbed a finger across her lip in thought, her gaze dropping to the man's hands as they continued to squeeze around his hat. It signified a person who was nervous, not someone who had a plan and was confident about executing it. He was uncertain, awkward, at a loss.

"And your mother now? I'm assuming she told you about this... supposed affair she had with the late king?" She questioned, sitting up a little straighter as her opinions came to fruition.

Andrew hesitated, dropping his gaze before raising it again to the two women, "She... she has passed away, ma'am. A week ago. She, uh, said somethin' about me needin' to know an' that she didn't want me to be alone not knowin'... to be honest with you, ma'am, I was ready to take what she said with a pinch of salt... ah, a lot of what she said toward the end didn't make much sense."

Carina raised an eyebrow, hand pulling away from her mouth, "And why did you end up believing her? What changed your mind?"

Andrew paused, his hands stopping in their wringing of his hat, "Well, uh, she told me to go into her drawer an' get somethin', ma'am. A ring, an' some letters."

The idea of evidence, in the form of letters, had Carina finally looking to Natalia. She lingered there for a moment before looking back to the man and shifted slightly in her seat, "Have you brought them with you?" She asked.

Nodding, the young man hastily fished the items from the pocket on the right breast of his jacket, pulling them out and quickly taking the three small steps up to the throne to pass them on to the Queen.

Carina carefully unfurled the letters, and tentatively dropped the ring into the palm of her hand. It was a finely made ring, akin to the one she had seen adorn Sven's finger a few times. The Ignis crest was pressed into the main part. A signet ring. She quietly passed it over to Natalia for the adviser to take a look before opening the letters herself.

They were exchanges between the maid and the King, possibly the last few ever sent between them before the King broke things off. It showed the maid informing the king of her pregnancy, claiming it to be his. She was without husband and the king being the only man she had bedded, it had to be his. It ended with the king arranging for the woman to pick up a sum of money from a guard from the palace that would go towards the items needed for his illegitimate child, and the mention of the ring... a claim on the child and their lineage.

Swallowing thickly, Carina took a moment to absorb the meaning of the letters before passing them on to Natalia. Her attention next settled back onto Andrew, who stood with nervous patience as the women read over the evidence he provided.

"So... what were you hoping to attain from your visit today, Andrew? Money? Fame? A title?" She inquired, uncertain herself as to what he wanted. The idea of a king having a mistress and illegitimate children was slightly scandalous, but not exactly unheard of. So him going to the papers with the news (especially now they had the evidence in hand and could keep such proof from him) as blackmail seemed unlikely.

Andrew glanced between the two women, hesitating now, "I... I don't know. I just... wanted to meet him-- the King. Sorry. I just wanted to meet the King. Get to see him an'... an' let him see me. I've not got a brother-- or a sister, actually. S'just been me, all this time. An' after hearin' what happened to him, the idea of not gettin' to meet him at all... it didn't sit right with me."
 
Despite questions she yearned to ask to establish whether this stranger was a threat to the King, or the royal family at large, Natalia ultimately knew her place - and she certainly wasn't going to be offended by that fact. Her friendship with Sven was solid (or had been until recently, with the shakiness starting to affect it somewhat) and there may in fact be a blossoming bond to be found between her and Carina too... but nothing would change the fact that they were the King and Queen; they harboured authority and held themselves with an air that demanded respect.

She had some weight in the castle, a job that allowed her to wield some authority over the other members of staff beneath her, but in no way was it possible for her to enter a situation like this and grab control of it in the same way the ruling class could

Her friendships with the royals, whether they be established or currently in progress, did not afford her a position on their level and that boundary would always be in place, regardless of how genuine their connection with one another was. In private, that boundary inevitably blurred and friendships could be explored with their statuses almost irrelevant - but in public, the boundary and that level of distance, separation and professionalism had to be brought back, particularly if there was a situation like Andrew's at play.

And so, though she had a plethora of questions she wished to ask the man stood before them, the adviser bit her tongue and allowed the Queen to ask them instead; observed in respectful silence as she began the initial process of interrogating the stranger, seeking to, no doubt, determine the truthfulness of his claims as soon as was possible.

There was no point entertaining a stranger in the castle if he had no bona fide claim to reside within its walls, after all.

As the discussion continued without interjection on Natalia's part, the advisor spent her time examining Andrew's appearance and contemplating his supposed truths. The former was almost evidence in and of itself, the man possessing the same fiery hue of hair that Sven had - but it wasn't conclusive; not when Natalia herself was proof that simply having red hair didn't make you a member of the Ignisi family.

But his words, his statements... those held more weight. Even before the letters were handed across to her for inspection, the mention of the hunt down south to explain how the former King had met Andrew's mother caused the woman's eyes to widen, if onyl slightly. The King had enjoyed his hunts in the vast landscapes of the southern villages, so it was entirely possible for Andrew to have known that fact and concocted a wild tale, but the earnestness of his voice, the way he held himself and stumbled over his words in nervousness, told Natalia that he was as sincere as one man could ever be.

She wasn't invulnerable to manipulation, and the fact the other was rather easy on the eye (an almost objective fact she couldn't deny despite the seriousness of the occasion) might have allowed her to be a tad more sympathetic to his cause than she otherwise would have been - but innately, on gut instinct alone, she knew he was telling the truth.

As a quick peruse of the letters, along with the ring, proved.

What they couldn't prove was his intention upon arriving, with Natalia far more wary about believing that. If Sven's closest friend and a woman he had grown to trust could plot his death for the throne, then a half-brother he had never known could do the same - and have a greater claim to rule than Thorin and Lauren ever would have.

"The King is resting at the moment, as he will be the remainder of the day." Natalia finally spoke, sensing the opportunity and, with the glance from Carina, the approval to do so. Despite the fact Andrew had alluded to the attack, and therefore could guess what state Sven was in, there was no point in emphasising just how weak said state was; not when there remained question marks over Andrew's intentions.

"The letters and the ring will need to be passed along for the King's inspection when he's awake, so I'll keep hold of them for the time being," she concluded as she slipped the belongings into the front pocket of her dress, smoothing out the fabric to rid it of creases. "...Would you care for a cup of tea, ma'am? I shall bring along some for... our guest. His journey must have been tiresome, after all."
 
Andrew's words had struck a cord with Carina. A sensitive, vulnerable soft spot that she didn't wish it had. She had wanted to remain impartial and neutral to the proceedings of that early evening. However, hearing him speak of how he wanted to meet the brother (albeit half-brother) he had always been kept away from due to the secrecy of his lineage, and most probably access to the king and the nature of Ignis before the changes had come about, had Carina softening.

Having lost her own brother (admittedly due to her own husband) and understanding how precious that time was between family members (at least when one thought well of them), she found herself incapable of wanting to come between Andrew and his desires.

With the evidence of his lineage and birthparent now safely stowed away in Natalia's pocket, the weight of truth they seemed to carry and Andrew's own appearance and behaviours... Carina also allowed herself to side with the belief that Andrew was not deceiving them for his own chance for the throne. He seemed like a genuinely kind, nervous and awkward young man that just wanted to make ties with the only family he had left. And, in Carina's mind, he had been raised modestly and humbly. Granted she was unaware of what happened to his mother once her employer found out she was pregnant, and just what means mother and son had when it came to living. But, perhaps hopefully, Carina wondered if perhaps due to his upbringing outside of the castle and from under the hand of the King, Andrew may not be as well versed in the art of manipulation as his half-brother had been (and probably still was).

"Have them bring tea to the sun parlour. The three of us will have it there, together." Carina mused, keeping her eyes on Andrew as she continued to mull over her opinions that were forming on the young man.

Andrew glanced between the two, providing a hesitant smile in response to what was being said in front of him. He clasped his hands behind his back, continuing to keep the tight grip on his hat while his eyes moved to Natalia.

After realising he had been staring for too long, he quickly cleared his throat behind a fisted hand and then motioned to Natalia, "I, uh, your dress is lovely, mi'Lady. My-my, uh, my mother did some seamstress work for her Lady so I got to see some of the nicer dresses she had. She, ah, she would work by candlelight an' I'd peek out to check on 'er, man of the 'ouse, an' all." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck before his eyes widened and he looked to Carina, "Not-not sayin' yours ain't a lovely dress either, ma'am. Both are lovely. Very lovely indeed."

His fumbling words didn't insult Carina, but in fact did quite the opposite. Her lips twitched in amusement, betraying her attempts to hide a smile as her one finger gently tapped against the end of the arm of the throne. She had not missed the lingering look that had been sent Natalia's way before his attempts to cover his tracks, nor the one before that when he first entered the hall. Such attention on Natalia had, it seemed, made Andrew neglect to bow when he first approached. This fact did irk Carina at first, but now she understood why, it simply amused her.

"Natalia, why don't you show Mister Fernsby to the sun parlour. I will be along momentarily." She requested, glancing to the adviser with a gleam to her eye that hadn't been there previously, "I will have one of the butler's send for the tea."
 
However astute Natalia claimed to be, however often she prided herself on her observational skills (including often being able to accurately diagnose the emotions others felt from their expressions), it was abundantly clear just how oblivious she was to the man's apparent interest in her. Despite the incredible unsubtlety of his gaze, the advisor somehow overlooked the attraction lingering in it with her focus placed instead on squashing down the concerns that sprang to mind regarding Sven and how he would react to the news.

He didn't need any stress placed upon him in his condition, but she knew he would hardly prioritise his own care if he knew Andrew had arrived. He would also need much more than one night's rest to properly heal, but if he thought his half-brother was arriving in the morning, there was no doubt in Natalia's mind that he would be up at the crack of dawn, ready to interrogate the poor stranger himself... or he would have done had Andrew actually arrived on time.

It worked out for the best that he arrived when he did. Even if it was part of a plot to determine their preparedness, the surprise of his early arrival allowed Sven to continue to rest unaware - and hopefully, he would remain that way right through until the morning, his sleep undisturbed and body, therefore, allowed to rest and recuperate from the trauma inflicted upon it (some, admittedly, self-inflicted after a moment of sheer narcissistic idiocy in thinking he could simply patch himself up better than a trained physician could).

Not waking him did make her feel guilty, and she already knew he would be furious with her for letting him sleep through the man's initial arrival... but his health was far more important to her.

Such thoughts, naturally, dominated her mind - though even if they hadn't, there was every chance she would have remained entirely oblivious to the attention she was receiving, as proven by Andrew's compliments. Any other woman might have put two-and-two together in such a moment, realised that the nervous compliments, combined with a flushed expression, was an indication of the interest... but Natalia remained deadpan, struggling to determine whether the compliment was genuine or if this was a ploy to win her trust; use her and her knowledge to take down the royals and sit upon their throne.

It was a decidedly negative way of thinking but she couldn't be too careful nor too trusting - a lesson learnt from Lauren and Thorin's dual betrayal. Sven's childhood might not have been perfect, fraught with abuse and severe cruelty... but he had the privilege of an education, the safety of the castle and all its guards, the security of knowing he would always be well-fed and cared for (if only by maids and butlers), and he know sat on the throne as King. Andrew had none of that: it wasn't too cruel to assume he had arrived shortly after news of Sven's injuries broke in search of retribution for a lost life he could have lived amongst luxury; as a Prince of the realm.

Thus, though she found the compliments sweet (and would pass them along to her mother to bring a smile to the hardworking woman's face), she merely nodded her appreciation and left the comments die without response. It was safer not to engage in personal discussion with Andrew until his intentions were clearer... and even then, unaware of the interest in her, she didn't think their conversations would ever venture beyond polite small talk.

"Of course, ma'am. Tea in the sunroom sounds divine," she responded with a nod of understanding to the Queen, unable to hide the quizzical frown forming on her lips at Carina's amused glance. There was no time to enquire what had brought on that glint in her eyes, making a note in her mind to question her new friend on it later that day. Until they had that privacy to let their professional stances dwindle, she offered a parting curtsey and gestured for Andrew to follow her lead as she exited the Grand Hall.

"...How long have you travelled exactly, Mister Fernsby? You said in your letter that you were venturing here from the south; that's quite a way away. You must have been travelling over several nights and days - a room has been set up for you tonight so take some comfort in knowing you'll have the luxury of a comfortable bed at least. Her Majesty suggested it; she's rather thoughtful like that, I'm sure you'll thank her for her generosity later on, yes?"
 
After bumbling his thank-yous to the Queen and bowing deeply, Andrew proceeded to back up until it was safe to turn and hurriedly follow after the adviser. On his walk, the stablehand tucked his flat cap into the pocket in which the letters and ring were once safely stored, causing it to peek out ever so slightly and keep the flap of the pocket ajar. His hands, subconsciously, rubbed against the sides of his trousers as he walked, suddenly nervous about his cleanliness given the state of the palace and how pristine it was.

Marble gleamed and jewels shone within the sunlight that streamed through crystal-clear windows. Andrew couldn't remember the last time he had ever been in a place so clean, or even seen something so clean - perhaps his mother's Lady's House. His mother had been employed with the Langleys until Andrew had turned nine, and he had even been allowed onto the estate from time to time to help with odd jobs. One of which including cleaning the tack for the horses, which is where he fell in love with the idea of working with the animals.

"Oh, uh, yea'... yea'... 'bout six days? I asked at the local stagecoach, y'know, how long it'd take? They said seven days, so that's why I'm 'ere so early. I suppose they're used to their horses pullin' heavier loads of people an' carriages than just me an' my little cart." He smiled conversationally, glancing across to the woman. However that smile then turned into a look of astonishment at the prospect of having a room in the castle, leaving him to flounder for a moment, "S-She has? Well sure, I mean-- 'Course I'll thank her. But I... it really ain't a worry, I can get a room at the tavern or somethin'. I wasn't expectin', y'know, all this."

That was the truth. Andrew had only wanted a meeting with the King, less daunted by the prospect of meeting him now after all the positive changes that had occurred as of late. If it had been prior to the changing of the Ignisian image, Andrew wouldn't have dared for the fear of ending up as a mound of charcoaled bones in the middle of hall he just stood in. But with the warmer (no pun intended) image of the King being portrayed, the stories of him going out into the crowds and ending wars with treaties and creating alliances... that fear was no longer as listened to.

When speaking to the stagecoach people, Andrew hadn't told them the real reason why he wished to visit the capital, only that he had some business there. From there he let them think what they wanted: job interview, special woman, visiting relatives to tell them of his mother's passing, whatever their minds could come up with. He didn't want people knowing his private business.

"So... what... what should I call you? It feels rude that I ain't got a name to address you as," Andrew then asked, once more looking in Natalia's direction to gauge her response, "The Queen said...Natalia? But it feels improper to call someone of your importance by their first name alone, ma'am."
 
Though she was genuinely interested in the duration of his travel and how he had faired with the exhaustion of it (she had travelled to the southern villages as a young teenager and detested every minute of the arduous journey), it was also to further examine whether he was as innocent as he claimed to be; to determine whether his early arrival was merely a miscalculation on his part or, as Carina had proposed, a ploy.

Determined to remain wary of the stranger (just to be on the safe side, it was easier to consider him a threat first and have that disproven with time than regard him a friend and be left open to betrayal), she considered his explanation without offering a comment in return. It might be considered rude, most definitely unsociable, but she didn't remotely care about how she was perceived if it meant getting to discern whether Andrew was a threat or not.

She would gladly sacrifice a positive impression if it meant ensuring those she cared about were protected from further pain.

Besides, she wasn't naive to the way those in the castle perceived her: word had a habit of spreading and she had often overheard how she was a 'bitch' or 'a moody cow' as a few of the maids so eloquently described her was. Those were people she worked amongst for years and their poor opinion of her rarely concerned her anymore.

Why would she care about a man she didn't know thinking poorly of her too?

The only indication that she had even heard his reply was a slight, firm and controlled nod, her eyes focused forward as she manoeuvred past the study without daring to glance in and recall the events from earlier that day.

The sense of coldness between the once happy couple.

The sight of the smoke from the cigarettes swirling in the sunlight.

The unmistakeable metallic smell of Sven's blood as it pulsed from a gaping open wound.

All of it (though especially the latter) caused the urge to shudder though, aware of Andrew's presence behind her, she composed herself and proceeded onward towards the sun parlour overlooking the vast, plush landscape of the gardens; an oasis of sorts in a kingdom of volcanic rock and lava.

"...You could refer to me as Miss Bauer if you desired to maintain formalities. Otherwise Natalia is fine. I'll leave it to you to decide which is more appropriate; it'll tell me a lot about you, in fact," she responded carefully, glancing over her shoulder at him just the once before striding forward in silence - at least until the parlour was reached.

"Feel free to sit down, I'll just go and inform a butler to fetch us all some afternoon tea. Scones, light sandwiches, that sort of thing."
 
Not one to be deterred from the frosty reception, Andrew merely took a moment to look around the sunroom with a wide-eyed and curious expression. His feet led him across to the tall windows that looked out over the gardens, mystified by the lush greenery that laid just on the other side of the glass. Andrew clasped his hands politely behind his back once more as he stood before the windows, peering outwards at the views with genuine interest.

"Y'know, I've never known how they manage to keep these li'l plots of green so... well, green," he chuckled, looking to where Natalia stood over his shoulder, a grin forming before he turned back, "The gardeners at my Ma's Lady's house never told us the secret, but what good would it do me? In my line of work I need to keep the horses healthy, not the foliage."

He was slightly tired from his long journey, having gotten the bare minimum amount of rest his body could take in order to make the most of the day that laid ahead of him. That was also partly why he had arrived so early, having driven his cart from the break of dawn until the roads became too dangerous at night to continue. However, the nerves of meeting the Queen, the adrenaline of keeping on his best behaviour and the child-like wonder at all that he had come to see so far was enough to keep him going.

At Natalia's explanation of where she was going, Andrew turned and took the few steps back into the centre of the room, eyes darting to the two armchairs and then the loveseat centred between them on the opposite side, facing outwards towards the garden. However, instead of choosing one (and fearing he would pick a seat the Queen favoured), he remained standing. His hands came from behind his back to pull down the lapels of his lightened waistcoat (once a dark brown, but having lost its depth of colour due to its age).

"Ah, so you're goin'ta test me," he answered playfully, head turning to look outside once more before giving Natalia his attention again, uncaring to the fact she was about to head out for the tea, sandwiches and cakes that the Queen herself said she'd request, "Well, ma'am, I am not the one that should be makin' a decision of what makes the lady most comfortable. So I shall ask again, what would you like me to call you durin' my time here?"
 
The small white lie about needing to find a butler wasn't one she thought the King's half-brother would pick up on or even register, so no guilt arose from committing it. As devoted as she was to the aim of deciphering Andrew's true intentions (be they innocent or otherwise), she also wasn't quite sure what to make of the stranger: he seemed genuine but she had come to discover that those that appeared outwardly pleasant were capable of harbouring evil beneath the surface.

And while she wanted to be present in the room to ensure that, if this was a mask he was wearing, he would tire gradually of maintaining it and let true colours (if they existed) start to slip through, she also wanted to head to the study and place the evidence of his lineage somewhere safe while she could - especially when she could use that momentary absence to collect herself.

To remind herself that however nice Andrew seemed, she ought to feel no guilt for her rude dismissiveness of his charm and compliments when he could be lying boldly to her face.

Perhaps a tendency and proficiency for manipulation ran through the bloodline.

Yet, she found her desire to slip out from the room undercut by his fascination with the gardens. It was a feeling she shared, even after so many years working within the castle. Born and raised in Ignis, Natalia had only ever seen greenery when her family ventured beyond the borders for a holiday (something that caused neighbours to question their loyalty to their kingdom given the philosophies of the time) - there was never any chance of seeing vast rolling hills of green and blooming rows of colourful flowers in Ignis' mountainous landscapes, where bubbling creeks were replaced by rivers of steaming lava instead.

But evidently, despite their insistence that Ignis was the greatest place on the globe, that every inch of it was utter perfection, Kings of the past had sought an oasis amongst the fire; a private garden brimming with colour and life against the backdrop of darkness and (given the kingdom's history) death. And however many years she had spent in the castle, Natalia had always marvelled at its existence within the land.

It was hard not to stand and stare, to drink it all in despite her lie of needing to leave starting to become more obvious every second she lingered.

And it wasn't aided by Andrew's decision to continue conversing with her, her head snapping in his direction at the repeated question. She hadn't prepared herself for the playfulness of his tone, nor the fact he now chose to put her on the spot, causing her to flounder for her words - albeit for a second or two.

"I suppose I would prefer something altogether more formal considering you are a stranger to me - but I'm also aware that you are the King's... half-brother. You have that royal blood in your veins. Requesting you call me by something formal would be inappropriate, so Natalia is fine," she finally responded, biting the inside of her cheek hard. She didn't want to encourage informality with someone she was unsure of, preferring to keep him at arms length until she had a good understanding of his character, but her respect of his royal blood undercut that.

"I will, however, refer to you as Mister Fernsby. Despite the royal blood you possess, you have no title as of yet. Until that changes, if it changes... Mister Fernsby it is. I'm sure you understand."
 
"S'hardly inappropriate. I mean... I hardly consider myself royalty," Andrew snorted, fingers tapping against the back of his hand as they were held behind his back, "I've been 'ere not five minutes, and those letters may change somethin's but I don't really count myself as a royal, ma'am, not after livin' the way I have for twenny-odd years."

His eyes wandered over her features for a moment, as if attempting to decipher just what the adviser wanted. She wasn't the easiest to read, and Andrew had always thought he had found it easy to read people. Given his work with horses, he had to learn the subtle signs that would warn him what the beasts were feeling, and he had often translated that into his interaction with people. However, he was beginning to wonder if that was because the people in his village obviously didn't have the same methods as those residing in the castle.

Despite the lack of ease the seemed to feel the space between them (Andrew wasn't an idiot), he continued to try his best to make the adviser more comfortable, "Royal blood or not, if you ain't comfortable with me callin' you by your first name, Miss Bauer it is. S'your home, not mine. I'm the guest, an' I ain't wantin' to make one of my hosts feel awkward." His sentence finished with a warm smile, despite the nerves he still felt lingering beneath the surface. Natalia may not be royalty, but she still held a very superior position and deserved respect, which was still as daunting to Andrew as it was if he had been talking to the Queen.

"Now, uh, I ain't goin'ta keep you. If you need to... speak to the Butler about gettin' things then I don't wanna hold you back from that. But I am pretty sure that the Queen said she'd do that herself. I might be mistaken though." Andrew then held up his hands, shrugging with the smile still in place to show that he felt no insult to the lie she had told, "But I can also imagine you're a busy woman who don't need to worry about babysittin' me when you've got more important things to do. So if you need to go, don't worry about hurtin' my feelings, I'll forgive you."

He knew he was in no position to be teasing or playing around, but the warm and soft tones of voice were natural when he was in a nerve-wracking and awkward position. It got him out of a lot of nasty places when working with the horses, and while Natalia was definitely not that (and he was certain that his behaviour was also due to the attraction he felt towards her), it was now just a force of habit.

"Although I would hope to see you again before I head off tomorrow, I got'ta confess."
 
And there it was, the moment the insinuations that she was lying were dropped in favour of a calling-out, however playful the tone that accompanied it was. Unused to such moments, Natalia felt herself struggling for words once more, her gaze focused with unbridled intensity on the gardens beyond the windows, both to calm the flame in her mind (one mostly of slight embarrassment and uncomfortable pressure) and to determine what her next step ought to be.

Whether she ought to continue the lie and make her exit as though she was the one telling the truth (even if they both knew differently) or pretend as though she had been simply mistaken. Even if they knew that wasn't the case, that she had lied to have an excuse to make her exit whatever her reasoning behind it, she wasn't prepared to admit to it aloud and expose a vulnerability in front of a man she didn't trust.

A man who could still prove to be a threat to the livelihoods (and lives in general) of those within the castle.

Ultimately, she opted for the latter, deciding that to continue to take her leave would only compound the embarrassment further - and she was too mature to continue a pretence that had already been uncovered.

"...I think I do remember the Queen saying she would inform the butler herself, actually. Little point in me leaving to do the same when her Majesty has it covered, I don't wish to bother the cooks and have them preparing double the amount we need for our afternoon tea. It would be unnecessary," she agreed with a tight smile, hesitating a moment further before carefully passing by him to take her seat, resting her hands neatly on her lap. She paid his last remark little notice, assuming it to be a compliment aimed at earning her trust and lowering her defences - and neither would occur until she was certain he was as genuine as he claimed to be.

Under other circumstances, perhaps her cheeks would have flushed a little pink; perhaps she would have found the words charming, especially coming from a man so easy on the eye and with a smile she found genuinely captivating... but she wouldn't allow herself to fall so easily for the charm when the royals had been targeted so brutally by those they had trusted.

She couldn't naively deem this man a non-threat just because he was handsome and had an easy likeability to accompany it.

"I'm rather busy most days, I'll probably be in the study at work so I'm not sure if we will meet tomorrow, no. I really ought to be at work now, in fact, but alas, here I am."
 
Disappointment was an evident emotion that crawled up Andrew's spine at Natalia's words about being busy tomorrow, but he kept the smile on his face, even if it dim slightly. It wasn't as if he knew the woman, only wanting to see her again because she interested him and because she was attractive. But he wanted to know more about her. She had been stoic besides the queen during his brief interrogation, and when she had spoken to him, she had been aloof and cold.

However, instead of that pushing him away, it only made him want to know her more.

"Well ain't that a shame," he blew out a sigh, moving towards the windows once more, "But, I know when I'm beat. I won't prattle on about it an' make you uncomfortable." He then told her, shrugging finally.

While he would remain friendly with Natalia during his stay, he could pick up the signs well enough - her attempts to get out of staying in the room with him, her immediate cut off regarding any idea of him potentially seeing him again, the distant behaviour. He knew he could continue his playful behaviour, but he was also aware that it could become annoying, and he didn't want to make things even more miserable for the woman. He couldn't understand what he had done to warrant such behaviour, since he was only there with the desire to see his half-brother briefly, let him know he had family still and then leave. However, he supposed he could understand the necessity for guarded caution, given recent events.

Andrew startled from his thoughts, opening his body up to the rest of the room again as the door to the sun parlour opened to reveal the Queen. Hastily, he bowed low and Carina offered a smile to their guest, "So, you didn't make a break for it while you still could." She quipped, moving to the loveseat opposite the window to settle onto it comfortably.

A butler had kept the door open behind the royal, standing straight with his eyes forward and chin tilted upwards as a tray of tea and another two cake stands littered with treats were carried inside.

Carina remained silent as the maids set the items in place, waiting until the door had closed again before motioning for Andrew to sit. The young man did, hurriedly, in the one that had been left free. He kept his hands clasped together in his lap, shifting slightly in a fidgeting manner as he waited for the royal to speak.

Eventually she did, leaning forward to begin pouring the tea (the one thing she preferred to do herself), "Did Natalia inform you that you have a room prepared here for you this evening?"

Andrew glanced to the adviser and then back to the queen, nodding, "Uh, yes, yes she did. It was most kind of you to organise that, Your Majesty. I--I would like to say, however, that I ain't meanin' to trouble you or your staff. I can easily stay the night at a nearby inn."

Carina raised an eyebrow, shaking her head as she finished pouring the third cup of tea and placed the pot back on the tray, "Nonsense. If your mother's letters are true, and that ring was a gift from the late king, you're officially kin. And we will not have you staying at an inn, when there are plenty of rooms available here... isn't that right, Natalia?"
 
It wasn't a feeling Natalia was used to feeling when she often felt entirely confident in every decision she made (she rarely ventured forward with one if she felt there was a chance of regretting it at a later period) but the sight of Andrew's smile retreating somewhat, combined with the more obvious loss of playfulness to his words, did make the advisor feel guilty.

Her behaviour wasn't an abrupt change from what she was usually like, having made her name in the castle for being rude (even if it mostly arose from an intense dedication to her work and her professionalism), but she had perhaps turned it up a little more than she often did for the sole fact that Andrew was a potential threat. She didn't feel comfortable welcoming his presence with a smile and presenting the more softer characteristics she possessed when he could be here to exploit vulnerabilities; to fight his way to the throne.

If that was the case, she wasn't prepared to make it at all easy for him.

But the consequences her behaviour was having did make her second guess herself, if only slightly. She would maintain fiercely that it was justifiable, even if Andrew turned out to be as sincere as he seemed to be, but that guilt riddled through her and settled uncomfortably in her bones. She wasn't really in the habit of feeling the emotion towards strangers whose opinion of her barely mattered... but she couldn't deny what was abundantly clear and so, unable to sit in the silence of the room with that feeling eating away at her, her features softened and she opened her mouth to try and offer him something less cutting--

Though Carina's entrance put a stop to that, the advisor sitting up straight and allowing the moment of vulnerability to ebb: her posture straightened and features hardened, hands only leaving her lap to collect a china cup for herself.

"Yes, ma'am - you are entitled to a room for the night and I recommend you accept her Majesty's kindness, Mister Fernsby. I have lived in the centre of the town: I know for a fact that the inn tonight will be more or less crowded with stragglers from neighbouring villages, having travelled into Ignis for a night's revelry. It is the weekend tomorrow, after all; the taverns will see great business tonight and the inns will benefit from those too drunk to return home," she replied, her eyes examining the tray quietly before reaching across to the silver platter for a small cherry tart. She took a moment to carefully take a bite, lifting her plate up to avoid crumbs, before setting it back down with her attention directed across to Andrew, just to further prod him to making the right choice. "Unless you want to be amongst all that crowdedness, to deal with the drunken antics of those who have enjoyed themselves a tad too much... I really must recommend you stay here tonight."

She paused again to sip her tea, though made the most of those few seconds to think her next words over. It was a little attempt at playfulness, to show that she was capable of reciprocating his efforts, but doing so might also damage the detachment she was desperate to maintain.

Ultimately, she decided it was worth the risk - she didn't really fancy seeing the disappointment etched onto his face at future interactions when it pulled far too uncomfortably at her guilt.

"But perhaps you're a glutton for punishment, Mister Fernsby? I'm afraid I haven't quite worked you out yet, but... I suppose I'll gain a better understanding of your character the more we interact, of which, I'm sure, there'll be many instances."
 
The young man hesitated, clearly hesitated, since his cup (which he had reached out for when Carina brought Natalia into the conversation) paused on its way up to his mouth. He hadn't considered the days of the week, since on his journey they had all seemingly rolled into one. However, he realised that Natalia was right, it was the weekend the following say and the local inns and taverns would be teeming by the time he ended this meeting and got himself down to the village to find a place to stay for the night.

While he enjoyed a drink, he did so in moderation, and found the loud and boisterous behaviours found in such establishments slightly irksome. Of course he put up with it if he came across such matters on his journey to the capital, but the prospect of having to deal with the ruckus usually created on Friday...

"Well... I... if you're certain, Your Majesty, I would be honoured. The journey has, ah, started to catch up with me so I'd appreciate a quiet place to lay my head tonight before settin' off home tomorrow." Andrew finally responded, offering the Queen a smile that she saw as actually seeming rather relieved.

Carina also noticed how he kept speaking about starting the long journey back to his village in the morning, and found that rather curious. When she had inquired to the Butler who had organised to have Andrew's pack taken up to his room and unpacked, it had been revealed the young man only had two sets of outfits with him. Hardly a man who expected to make a home within the castle after claiming his true lineage. Or perhaps a man who didn't expected to live very long once he arrived... but if that was also the case, why bring his horse and carriage? Why not just use the last of his money to purchase a stagecoach and have a more restful journey in which he could sleep along the way?

Andrew, meanwhile, was caught by Natalia's second and more seemingly playful comment. His eyes were redirected to the adviser, from there he took a sip of his tea before lowering back into the saucer that was clasped carefully in his other hand.

"The more we interact? You're speakin' as though I'll be hangin' around here for longer than the mornin'. Besides... didn't you say you'd be busy workin' in that study of yours tomorrow?" He raised an eyebrow, a small twitch to the corner of his mouth betraying the suppressed urge to grin.

"Well, that depends on the King." Carina interrupted, sitting up and placing her cup back on the table before her, "You may end up stayin' here longer than just the half day, Mister Fernsby... then Natalia certainly could spend more time, ah, interacting with you."
 
Natalia wouldn't have dared to reciprocate a little of the playfulness the man had initiated if she wasn't certain of her actions. It might not be something she had great experience in, even with those she had already formed bonds with, but she felt inclined to try in this situation. She justified that necessity for reciprocation in the aim of alleviating the guilt that had rested within her - but a part of her couldn't deny that she experienced a quiet thrill at responding to Andrew with a more... positive tone to her words, rather than the cutting iciness of the strict ones.

Seeing that smile start to encroach his face once more, knowing that her words had had that effect, made her won lips twitch up into the faintest of smiles that only lasted a short while. In fact, if Andrew had blinked in that moment, he would have missed it entirely but that didn't change the fact that it had been in place, nor did it change the fact it had arrived as a result of the quick back-and-for with the man.

He was a stranger to the land, someone she had every reason to continue to hold at a distance from her and doubt the sincerity of... but there was also something to him that she couldn't deny enjoying, whether it was the amiableness of his personality or the agreeable mix of strength and softness in his features... or likely a combination of the two.

Not that she could admit that to herself without completely lowering her walls - a fact she didn't really do for anyone unless she completely trusted them, as she had done recently with Carina.

"Ah, well, yes - that's true. The King will determine whether you're entitled to stay longer - and I'm certain he'll want to get to know you, so it's safe to assume you might be here a few more days. Unless, of course, you're required back home," the advisor continued after a faint nod in agreement, doing her best not to let her confusion show once again at the Queen's words, particularly the ones she chose to emphasise. There felt like there was more to it than what was simply stated, so it was just another thing Natalia would inquire about in privacy (along with the amused glance she received off the woman during Andrew's initial arrival).

"His Highness is resting now but I'm sure he would want to meet you. Perhaps at dinner, I know the King well enough to know he will refuse to eat the meal anywhere other than at the table in the dining hall. That, I think, will be when you will meet him, but I'll be sure to, ah... show the evidence you provided beforehand, save having to disrupt your dinner passing about an old letter I'm sure you'll want to keep preserved."
 
"Well, I, uh... to be quite frank with the both of ya, I didn't expect to really... stay on longer than a day or two. I got my job back home, an' that's about it, but I told 'em I'd be back after the weekend. I think I already pissed them off-- beggin' your pardon, Your Majesty... Miss Bauer." Andrew hastily apologised for his cursing, wincing as he realised what he'd done and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, "I think I've already... upset them by requestin' those days off alone."

He cleared his throat, reaching for the tea again after warding off the lingering embarrassment of cussing in front of his monarch, "I, uh, it's not that I don't want to stay on or anythin', if the King wants to get to know me I'd be happy to. I just... I ain't told anyone about why I've come here. They don't know I've come to the palace or what my Ma told me. I've, uh, pretty much kept it a secret. Didn't wanna make a fuss, I'm sure you understand?"

Carina nodded understandably, shifting in her seat so her back was supported by the cushions of the loveseat, "Of course, and I understand what you say about your place of employment." She paused for a moment, thinking it over as she attempted to formulate a solution. Eventually she turned her head to look at Natalia, "Have a rider sent to Mister Fernsby's place of work with a letter with the royal seal. I'll write to them myself, perhaps not to tell them the real reason for your absence - if you wish to keep it a secret for now - but we'll create a little white lie," she explained, glancing to Andrew to make sure he was listening before returning her gaze to Natalia, "Perhaps... he is undertaking a week trial for a job at the palace, we'll pay them the costs to hire a helping hand for the week to keep them sweet too."

Andrew stared on as the plan was concocted by the Queen to keep him at the palace, blinking twice as he tried to get his mind around the fact that such an effort was being made for him. Yes, he understood that the letter opened a whole new avenue to him, but having been brought up as someone less important, there was rarely a time such as this where someone went out of their way for him.

"Ah... thank-thank you, ma'am. That's... that's most generous of you." He spluttered, cup back on the table and a hand running through messy, red locks.

Inclining her head towards the young man, Carina cleared her throat and raised her eyes to the clock that stood in the corner of the room, "Now, I do apologise for the brief appearances, Mister Fernsby, but I must be going. It's closing on dinner time for all us adults and thus means it's dinner time for my son." She chuckled, pushing herself to her feet.

Andrew quickly rose with her, out of respect and as he had been taught was proper for a person of high-class standing, "Of course, of course, Your Majesty. Uh, I really got'ta thank you for all this. It's much appreciated, truly." He told her earnestly.

"Really, there's no need to continuously thank me, Mister Fernsby. Now, please do stay and finish your tea and cakes. Natalia," she turned to the adviser, a soft smile on her lips, "Will you show Mister Fernsby to his room once he is done? And perhaps organise with the butler a refreshing bath and some suitable dinner clothes?"
 
Of course, Natalia understood that such an effort was going into accommodating Andrew given the evidence of his lineage. He might decide against expanding on that and living the life he was perhaps entitled to under the fairer systems in place, but he ought to at least be given that choice; to spend a few days exploring the side of him that had been unknown until recently. It made sense that Carina would go out of her way to ensure the man that chance, even if meant personally penning a letter to his current employer and providing a little white lie to spare the truth of Andrew's visit from spreading like wildfire in his hometown.

But that didn't mean she had to treat the man with such kindness. She could simultaneously help him whilst regarding him coldly if she so chose... but she didn't. Natalia observed the warmness on display with a smile of her own, knowing that while it could be because Andrew seemed like an amiable man who was hard to take a disliking to, it was evidence that her earlier advice to the Queen had been heralded.

That she was maintaining an openness to her rather than shutting herself down and providing an icy approach to those she came into contact with. Ignis would benefit greatly from her choice but so to would Andrew. This was undoubtedly a huge occasion for him, one incorporating stress and anxiety, so to be faced with a Queen who didn't superiorly sneer down at him was bound to be somewhat of a relief.

And though Natalia wanted to pin her delight at such a display solely on knowing Carina was following her advice (which would fare her better in the long-run), she also knew that her smile had risen in the knowledge Andrew would be around for a few more days. When her only friends were Sven and Carina, it was always nice to perhaps explore expanding that very limited social circle... even if things with Andrew were somewhat confused by the wariness she felt inclined on maintaining.

Yet, it wasn't going to stop her from undeniably feeling that glimmer of excitement at the thought of getting to know him a little better. She could deny that excitement and claim to herself that she had to get to know him to determine if he was a threat or not... but there was only so much deluding she could do before she admitted that her interest in him went beyond her professional responsibilities.

"I can see to all of that ma'am, yes. That isn't a problem - I'll have the letter sent as soon as you pen it," she confirmed once taking in each of the expected duties, the woman's smile widening a little more at knowing she finally had some work to be getting on with. Aimlessly sitting around in the sun parlour with some afternoon tea to enjoy before a genuinely beautiful sight was some people's idea of luxury... but it always made Natalia feel antsy and unsettled, the idea of just relaxing with no work to be doing never satisfying her.

Even the moment over lunch as she enjoyed her soup was interspliced with occasional concerns that she was doing something wrong by taking time for herself. Finally having some demands (however simple they were) was, possibly, the happiest she had felt that day.

"You'll be situated in the East Wing of the castle, in a room overlooking the town and the volcanic scenery surrounding it. I'm sure it'll be to your liking, Mister Fernsby," she hummed as she brought her cup to her lips upon Carina's exit, her eyes grazing across the remainder of the silver platter to determine whether she had the appetite for another sweet. Eventually, she decided she did; she planned on working through dinner without eating a full meal (just so she could get a headstart in categorising the library's contents) so a few treats now would stand her in good stead.

"...Thank you for earlier-- complimenting my dress, I mean. I didn't thank you for it and that was rude of me. My mother will be thrilled at the compliments of her needlework; she made the garment, you see. Business is difficult so... she'll appreciate the kind words. Gives her some hope that... business will pick up in time. Patience is necessary, I think - and I'd offer you that advice. To be patient here, with the King. He may not be as... understanding as the Queen has been."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back