This Could be the Start of Something...Good? (Caerina)

[Ivory]

"I am," he confirmed with a nod and a fond grin.  "There's not a guard here I don't know personally.  I know their families and their histories.  They're all good men, and I trust them.  And outside of the castle, of course, I have a lot of friends."  Some of which wouldn't talk to him anymore, now that he was Duke, and some of which he could no longer be seen with...

But, then, there was the Blue Goose.  His eyes shone, suddenly, at that thought.  "If you don't mind trying a bit of common food, I'll take you to meet some of them after you're settled in here.  Rosie'll be glad to meet you.  She's kind of adopted the entire standing army of Allar as her own sons, and she's been after me to get married for years."

The proposal was entirely unorthodox, yes, but he was comfortable in asking...and that said a lot about how highly he thought of his wife-to-be.

[Caerina]

"Really? I would be glad to." she said, her eyes wide "It sounds like another adventure." her smile was warm.

So many promises, so many advntures to be had! Nera was very excited by what was happening and how her future husband planned. She was awe with him, the way he talked, his charming smiles and his personality. He was so different than her, and yet somehow they seemed to get along very good. At that moment, Nera refused to think about what she had to do to the wonderful man in front of her, betray him and hurt him.

[Ivory]

"Well, I don't know how much of an adventure it'll be with a whole squad of guards following us around," Audric answered her with a sheepish laugh.  "If I take you without the escort, there will be a riot by the time we come back.  I imagine they'll be drawing lots for the privilege of visiting Rosie's while on duty."

Audric certainly would not have missed the opportunity!

Ah, manners...  "How's your tea?"

[Caerina]

"I have a history of... Ah... Avoiding my escorting guards." she wrinkled her nose "But, it doesn't matter, I would still love to visit Rosie." Nera smiled happily.

It was hard to always have someone escorting you around like a tail, and keep on imagining that they don't exist. Usually, Nera would befrend the guards and then her father would change the squad. That was when she started avoiding them, leaving the house before anyone noticed. It did get her into trouble a few times, but her father usually forgave everything to her.

"Oh, it's quite wonderful!." she smiled "It's a beautiful mixture of a wild rose tea and... I think that's mint." she frowned.

The useless skill of tea tasting. Well, at least she used it something.

[Ivory]

"As a guard myself, I wonder if I shouldn't take offense to that!" the man teased heartily.  More quietly, with a conspiratorial wink, he added, "Even if I am in agreement with you."

He blinked down at his own tea when she mentioned wild roses and mint, looking at the drink almost suspiciously.  It tasted like...tea.  It was a subject he felt rather neutral towards.  Tea was tea was tea...

"How in the world can you taste that?" he wondered, moderately impressed.  His grin naturally followed.  "I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that before!"

[Caerina]

Nera smirked at his words.
"My guards rarely bothered me." she said "They also had an agreement with me."

Looking down at her tea she chuckled.

"One of the least useful skills they teach you at a boarding school for ladies." she said "It's not really something I'll need in my life, but it can be an interesting game. We used to mix up to ten different flavours in our tea and then guess them. I was always among the worst." Nera made a face.

"Well, I was glad I can at least use it to impress people around me." she chuckled lightly, proud on herself.

[Ivory]

"What sort of an agreement?"  That worried Audric -- a bit.  Scenarios of mayhem ran through his mind, each worse than the last.  Oh, he was sure -- pretty sure -- Nera knew how to behave (or he would certainly know more about her), but it still made him feel a bit edgy.

Obviously, he had spent too long babysitting Calent!

[Caerina]

"Oh, well it was nothing too serious." she told him "I let them go home earlier and they don't follow me when I go to the library. You should see how five soldiers in full armor and their weapons look in the middle of stacks of books." Nera slightly smiled "They never really liked going there."

It was twice a week that she visited the library, and everytime her guards looked terrified. And one time she just decided that this agreement would be better for everyone. Well, until her father found out and assigned a boring old woman to acompany her to the library.

"As I mentioned earlier, it was nothing serious." she smiled, because that was as rebellious as it gets when it comes to her.

[Ivory]

"I wouldn't know much about libraries myself," Audric answered, clearly sympathizing with the guards.  He could imagine how he would look standing in a library surrounded by books...

"Allar is, usually, a pretty friendly place, so I doubt we would need a full squad to escort you around town.  I think we could get away with just one or two.  And as long as you're shown which parts of town to avoid..."  He grinned sheepishly, suddenly, realizing he had slipped back into the role he had been playing for so many years: that of the Captain of the guard.  He broke a corner off of a biscuit, popping it into his mouth in a weak attempt to hide the slip -- or what he perceived to be one, anyway.

His blue eyes were bright when they lifted from the plate to meet hers.  "That is, I would recommend at least one guard accompany you.  I don't intend to shut you away from the world in the palace, and I certainly don't intend to send half a legion of guards into town with you should you wish to go.  I just would ask you be responsible in your judgment and that you listen to the advice my men offer."  Yeah, he was hardly one to talk...  "I'm sure my serg--Captain, that is, can assign someone who enjoys books."  Rather than send someone who would be bored to death...

[Caerina]

"Oh, well I would honestly hate to bore any of your poor men." her brow slightly furrowed "But, if you think that would be for the best, I won't press the issue." she said honestly. Soldiers she knew never liked books, why go through the trouble to find the one that might like books? Well, it was nice to see that he wanted to keep her safe, at least, but she didn't like the fact that there might be a fuss over her.The last thing she needed was for her household to see her as a snobbish and high maintenance wife.

Even if he wanted to, she doubted he could shut her away from the rest of the world, but she was very glad he didn't have those intentions. They tried to do that for the last ten years of her life, and perhaps on the ouutside she was the illusion of a perfect lady but they still had trouble taming whats inside.

"But please, you needn't worry about me. I feel like you are ready to prepare a battle plan and tactics for the men who will accompany me to the library." she slightly chuckled "I assure you that it isn't necessary. It seems that people with bad intentions also keep away from the library." Nera joked .

[Ivory]

"I'm sure it's probably because they'll find only the smartest people in Connlaoth there.  And they're sure to be outsmarted and their plans foiled."

With a soft laugh, Audric gestured to remains of the food and tea before them.  "I'll tell the cook you enjoyed the tea.  She was frantic, believe it or not, that you would not approve.  You will be the first woman to grace this house in some time.  I hope you won't find it in too much disarray."

[Caerina]

"Of course not. Everything is lovely." she smiled charmingly "But please do give my compliments to the cook. I adored the tea"

Nera felt strange because there was someone who actually cared for her approval, but it also made her feel pride, like she was someone important. Which , of course, she shall soon be. Also, Nera wanted to meet the staff, but not wanting to sound rude or ninterested she decided to wait and see what'll happen next.

Finishing off her tea with a small smile tugged on her lips, she completely forgot in those moments what she was suppose to do. Well, she will have enough time to collect information when they are married and it will be easier then.

[Ivory]

"I suppose I should have taken you through the house upon your arrival..."  But he had been excited to show her the garden, after all, and she had seemed to enjoy it, besides!  He glanced towards the house thoughtfully, then asked with a smile, "How would you like to have a little adventure?  It won't be much of one, but..."  He shrugged apologetically.  "A woman should get to know the house she's moving into, don't you think?  Rather than tell you where to go, I'll let you take the lead."

[Caerina]

"That could be quite an interesting thing to do." she smirked slightly "But I must admit that I have no idea how will I ever find my way through a house this big." Nera easily admitted, her interest piqued.
"And I would hate to barge in on anyone's private quarters..." thinking about the risk she nodded with an optimistic smile "Well, I believe I can do this, so I accept."

[Ivory]

"I promise I'll stop you before you do anything to embarrass yourself," Audric answered cheerfully.  He rose, bowed with exaggerated politeness, and extended a hand to her.  "After you, my Lady," he announced with a smirk that promised trouble.

"Unless you would like more tea first?  I believe our little adventure can wait, if that is the case."

[Caerina]

"No, I believe that's as much as I can drink." she glanced towards the empty tea cup. Besides, what he proposed sounded much more interesting than drinking tea. She really wanted to meet at least some of the staff in the house, since she'll be spending a lot of time here from now on.

She raised up from her seat and took his hand with a small nod and a smile.
"You will have to show the way, since this is a very large space for me to remember in such a short time." Nera added.

[Ivory]

Audric laughed out loud.  It wasn't entirely unpleasing, but it was a rough, genuine laugh that differed greatly from the cool, cultured chuckles of the upper class.

"Now, now," he answered her with a soft 'tsk' and shake of his head.  "That isn't what we agreed to, is it?"  Once she was on her feet, he swept his arm outwards in a gesture for her to take the lead.  "I thought you wanted to have a little adventure," he challenged good-naturedly.

[Caerina]

Nera threw him a sideway glance with a slight pout. She was so going to make a fool out of herself in this little plan of theirs. She started biting her lip while thinking where she should go. Turning around in a slow motion she found something. A sly smirk was now on her face.

"Remember, this was your idea." she told him with a challenging expression. With her head up high she went towards the back entrance of the mansion. It was probably leading to the kitchens, and since they were in the gardens, Nera was quite excited to see how the mansion looks from the inside.

[Ivory]

Audric doubted she could make a fool of herself.  After all, he saw nothing wrong with traipsing through the palace -- even if it wasn't something the upper class usually did.  Still, why shouldn't a duchess know where to find her servants or kitchens?  She would be in charge of the house once they were wed, after all...

"Oh, you won't hear a word of complaint from me!" he answered her cheerfully, twisting his fingers over his lips, as though locking them up.