Audric had no idea what he was doing, likely much to the amusement of his staff. Women usually didn't make him so flighty -- but, then, he knew what his usual women liked: words whispered in the moonlight, tales of gallant adventures, trinkets of his affection...coin...
But those were low-born women, one and all. He had never courted a lady before...
...And this, he had to remind himself, wasn't really courting anyway. No, no, their marriage was already an inevitability. This little meeting was just so he could get to know his future bride-to-be...and to see just how unlucky he had been in his arrangements.
He had heard little about this particular young woman, but what little he knew was not bad. She was said to be pretty in an unusual way (whatever that meant) and bred to be a perfect Connlaothian Lady... In other words, she was meant to help guide him through the maze of Connlaothian politics and gossip.
Oh, this had been a bad idea...but it was too late now.
It should have been one of her sisters. Not her. Why did her parents chose their youngest and perhaps the most innocent of their three daughters for such an important assigment. She wasn't as beautiful, with long blonde hair and sparkly eyes like her sisters, who could with only a smile make a man do whatever they wanted him to.
As they neared the destination, in her carriage, Nera couldn't even sit properly. Shifting from one side to another, trying to think of what she should say. Nera barely knew anything about her future husband, except he had a close friendship with the Duke. And that was something her family needed. A source of information.
Nera had no idea how he looked but she was sure he wasn't as nervous as her. No one could be. Not only was she getting married to someone she didn't know, but she also needed to steal information from him and send it to the other side. One bad move, a wrong word and she was gone. Now, she was on enemy territory, and mistakes could mean losing her head.
As the carriage stopped, Nera took a deep step before exiting. Her simple, but flatterng dark blue dress made her look a bit more paler and her dark hair around her face made her dark blue eyes glimmer in the light of the day.
It was the sight of the carriage that finally stopped Audric's incessant pacing and, dare he say it, muttering to himself.
If Calent were here, he'd be getting the brunt of Audric's general annoyance. As it stood, however, there was no one, really, to hear him except the guards and servants...and the guards, he thought, probably had a betting pool...
He stood rigidly at attention as she dismounted from the carriage, belatedly remembering that a proper gentleman would help the lady down. He strode forward, then, just as her foot graced the step, with one hand extended towards her.
"Lady Nera," he began, an expression of genuine, pleasant surprise on his handsome face. And he was truly delighted to find that Caerina wasn't some dumpy troll; she was quite lovely indeed. Certainly, she was different in appearance from Connlaothian standards...but he had never been as picky as some! "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
To say she was surprised wasn't right. Nera was astonished by the man in front of her. He seemed pleasant and charming, and really relaxed in her present. The same could not be said for her, since she was very unsure of her movements and the words that she was supposed to say.
"The pleasure is all mine." Nera bowed with one of her gentle smiles on her face.
Her sisters told her that she should seize any chance she gets to charm him. That was perhaps an easy task for them who were in society for the last couple of years, but for Nera it was actually quite a challenge. She never was the one to get high points for flirting and seduction, so she decided to go with her natural self, a bit more polished than usual.
This wasn't the right time to quit or to doubt yourself. Too deep in now, all you can do is continue ahead. So, she raised her head from her bow and smiled to her future husband.
"They've set up tea on the veranda," Audric offered once she had straightened, looking her over with another smile, this one seeming more satisfied than before. He offered her his arm, like a gentleman was supposed to do when escorting a lady.
They had gone no more than ten paces before Audric glanced at her sheepishly. "I'm not used to all of these formalities and things, yet. And we'll be married soon, so I'm not sure there's really a point to them anyway."
He just hoped he wasn't embarrassing her...
With a rakish smile that was utterly charming (and he knew it!), he said, "I'm Audric. Can I call you Nera?"
Nera casually hooked her arm with his. For her, it was something she practiced her whole life, something she was used on practicing. But, never with men. After a long ride, tea sounded heavenly to Nera, and she almost forgot that she was nervous. Ner was more than surprised when she heards his words. After all, she was the one used to formalities, but she did agree on his point.
"Of course you can." she said with a smile "Audric."
It was quite strange for her, not using any titles or family names. She tried out saying his name out loud because it sounded so foreign and unfamiliar to her. Well, she should probably get used to it.Nera knew that he has spent his whole life as a soldier, but he was well mannered for someone of that profession.
Hearing his name fall from her lips, he grinned readily. "Good." That wasn't so bad, was it?
"I'm told I'm supposed to give you a wedding present," he offered hesitantly. "But I'm sorry to say I hardly know you. I would hate to get you a gift you won't enjoy."
Pausing in their walk, he plucked a single flower from a nearby bed, and he held it out to her in offering with a smile. "I have heard you like flowers. The gardens will be yours to do with what you like when we're wed."
Nera gently took the flower from his hand as her shy smile now grew bigger and filled with more real happiness than politeness than earlier.She couldn't believe what he gave to her as a gift. Now that Nera thought, she couldn't remember getting a gift this valuable to her in ages.
"I will do my best to keep it at least as beautiful as it is now." she said, her voice still filled with a tone of childish happiness. Then she made herself look a bit more serious "Thank you." Nera said, looking at the beautiful flower in her hand.
"I don't believe I ever got a gift this valuable." she said as she raised her gaze from the flower to his face.
Audric laughed, sounding almost boyish as he did so. "You shouldn't sound so pleased. It's a rubbish gift, I'm afraid." Because it was something that had been done without much thought, more of a gesture of good will. "I should have preferred to give you something more appropriate to the wife of a Duke...a horse or perhaps some sapphires to match your eyes. Will you hold it against me if I give you something like that as well?"
It would certainly make him feel better -- like he had actually made an effort for her!
She chuckled lightly at his words.
"I am truly honored by your gift... And while many wouldn't appreciate this garden as a valuable gift, to me it is more valuable than jewels and horses." she told him, because she knew that many would like that gift "Of course, I don't mind those either." Nera joked with a smile. She always had dresses, horses and jewels but a garden was the only place for her where she could relax and be free.
She realized she felt much more comfortable around him now. Perhaps she could really pull this off.
"You're too kind," the Duke answered with an easy grin, not entirely believing her words but grateful for them, nonetheless.
They had rounded the corner, now, and the gardens were stretched out before them. Calent had been proud of his gardens, and Audric was happy that Nera would appreciate them and continue to care for them.
A vast field of flowers spread out before them, complemented by pools of water and a gazebo in the center. The gardens were meant to be appreciated from within, rather from the veranda or house.
Understanding that, Audric paused at the entrance to let her sweeping gaze take it in rather than rushing her through their scenic walk.
Nera had to keep herself from staring at the beautiful sight in front of her. Someone, even before her visit, has made the gardens look so lively and colorful. In her head she wondered who could have done something like this. Audric just didn't seem like the type to spend time and raise flowers.
"Truly wonderful." she said "Almost as beautiful as my gardens in father's mansion." a small proud smirk played on her face. She could surely make these gardens at least just as beautiful.
Nera warned herself not to get carried away, since taking care of the flowers in the garden wasn't why she was here. Her objective was to marry this man and smuggle information. Why wasn't Audric a bad man? she wondered in her head. That would make all of this a lot easier. She wouldn't even feel sorry.
That made Audric laugh quietly, apparently more amused by her comparison than offended. "Calent will be glad to see it improved. He's kept up the gardens in honor of his late mother. She loved flowers." Although she wasn't a very warm person otherwise... Calent had, apparently, wound up with that trait. It was little wonder; his father had been even worse!
"If you like, we can have a picnic over in the gazebo rather than on the veranda. Or anywhere else you like. This will be your home soon too, and I want you to feel as comfortable here as I do." He glanced to her with a warm smile, finding himself rather liking this girl. She was not the stuck-up, arrogant creature he had assumed he would be made to wed.
"Thank you. I would love to see the gazebo." she said with too much enthusiasm "I mean, if that's okay." Nera corrected her attitude. She rather like it here in the gardens and she wanted to spend some more time there enjoying the view. Nera was sure she would be much more relaxed here than in any other place in the house.
From time to time, Nera's perfect lady mask slipped a bit making her look a bit more wild than the society approves. "I wonder, is the life of a Duke more interesting than a soldier's life?" she asked with a smile, genuinely interested.
The soldier-turned-noble looked a bit put-out by her question. With genuine kindness, however, he said, "You needn't ask my permission, now or after we're wed. That may not be the way society does it, but I'm not interested in having another damned servant."
Even though it was said with a smile and gentle tone, he realized his words sounded, likely, a bit harsh. He was grateful that the servants were kept in line by the butler and housekeeper, because if he had to deal with that adjustment too, he would have gone mad!
Taking her hand in his, he turned to face her. "I only mean," he added softly, hoping to make up for his rough speech and habit to speak his mind. "You're a person. There are things you like and, I'm sure, things you don't. You have your own dreams and your own thoughts. And I'm looking forward to learning all of those things about you, because I respect you as an individual. And I hope you'll learn to feel the same way about me." He bowed his head over her hand, then, placing a soft kiss upon the back of her hand.
Still half-bowed, he looked up at her with a boyish grin. "And, the answer to that depends on how much of a hole I've dug myself into." Audric laughed quietly. "I'm a very poor gentleman, I'm afraid."
Nera felt her eyes widen a bit. She wasn't used to people being so open to her. In the society where sheived her whole life it was all about lies, secret plots and manipulations. Yet, somehow she was flattered by his words, becausd they were filled with the honesty she had not heard in a while. It was perhaps naive, but she felt a strange overwhelming happiness because of what he had said.
But, Nera also knew that people often changed their minds. At the moment, perhaps she didn't need his permission, but later on in their marriage there will surely be a time when they disagree on a matter. It was, after all, expected from her to listen to him and not the other way around.
"You are doing wonderful." she told him with a gentle smile, full of childlike honesty. After all, as a little girl she always repeated to her parents that she didn't want to marry a gentleman, but an adventurer. Who knew that her wish might come true. A pitty circumstances weren't more optimistic.
Audric chuckled and shook his head. "You're a very good liar. I'm doing terrible, and I know it."
Taking a moment, he turned to one of the guards that lined the walkway, and, with a flick of his wrist, gestured for him to come over. "Tell the servants to move everything out to the gazebo." That was the one positive to having servants! The man saluted crisply, and, although he managed not to stare at the couple directly, there was a telling sparkle in his eye and smirk playing about the corners of his lips.
Audric pretended not to notice. Besides, it was natural to take an interest in someone's life after you've trained together for so long. That couldn't be held against the men, as long as they remained professional and did their jobs.
"Feel free to wander where you like. It will take them a moment, I'm sure, so we have some time for you to enjoy a walk before tea." Allowing her to take the lead, he answered her question a bit more seriously.
"Interesting isn't the word I would use, I'm afraid. I've always been a bit of a troublemaker, and, well, soldiers are good at finding trouble." He smiled at her broadly and gave her a bit of a shrug. "This is going to sound crazy, but I'm finding this life feels...stifling."
Nera spent her whole life being in the company of lords and ladies, playing by the perfect rules that the high society maintained. Her sisiters were very adept at everything that society demanded, she was just not. Always asking one too many questions, not too worried about other people and too shy too survive in that kind of enviorment, Nera knew what he meant.
"You'll get used to it. It doesn't really get better, but you do get used to it." she told him as they walked "Besides, all you need to do is find your inner gentleman and perhaps you're even a natural talent." Nera smiled sweetly to him.
On the other hand, Nera never was a talent when it came to being a Connlaothian lady. She spent six years in a boarding school and yst she found that girls half her age were more adept in little talks and charming manipulations than her. It just wasn't in her blood.
"To tell you the truth, I was never a very good soldier, either," he answered her musingly. "At least with authority. I suppose I can blame our parents for that -- mine and Calent's. Calent's father brought me here as a ward when I was a little boy, and Calent and I were raised as brothers for five years or thereabouts. It completely ruined me," Audric added with a bright laugh. "I was moved into the barracks as soon as I was old enough to begin training as a soldier. And you know how boys are... If you have a choice between learning which fork to use for each course and learning to swing a sword, we'll pick the sword every time."
He was only kidding -- mostly. It was true he had a slight problem with authority when he was younger -- and still had a problem showing due respect to Calent. Ah, well.
"It seems that I'm suddenly quite popular, now that I have a title. Before I make both of us the laughing stock of Connlaoth, I suppose I should resume my studies on silverware."
Nera chuckled at his story. She didn't know much of his history before she came here, no one really did. But, turns out her trip was useful, as she found out some interesting things about him, nothing she could sell off to her parents but somethings she would keep as a reminder of how he became the person who he is today.
"You don't have to tell me about awkward childhoods." she smirked "When I was a child I used to talk to trees, guess when you have no friends even plants are good."
Nera's title and the title of her family wasn't really among the highest, but they were still among one of the oldest and most respected families in Connlaoth. As her both sisters, Nera did have a whole bunch of possible husbands who were all asking for her hand. But, since t was the choice of her parents, Nera didn't have much choice in it.
"Besides,silverware isn't that hard to get once you learn the basics." she smirked knowingly "That is society. They like new shiny titles."
"They didn't answer, did they?" Audric asked, eyes shining brightly with the humor of her story. He hadn't thought ahead to the children he would have... He did hope, and fervently, that they weren't so lonely they tried to befriend the trees.
"Do you like kids?" he asked, curious suddenly. "My family has always been important. They won't be underfoot all the time, but I've promised my nieces and nephews a visit. They'll have the run of the place before long, I'm afraid. But they only live in town, so we can send them home as soon as we tire of them."
For Audric, it wasn't often he got fed up with the kids!
"No, they didn't." she smiled "But I do like to think that they listened and understood my words." Not that it mattered anymore, she reminded herself. She was long over the sadness that struck her once she realized that the trees, much like the rest of the kids, won't answer her. Well, at least the trees didn't push her away and refused to play hide and seek with her.
"As the youngest in the family, I didn't really have much contact to kids." she said with a small frown "But I do love kids. At one point, few months ago, I did some charity work in an orphanage. And I almost adopted them all." she made a desapproving face her father made when she told him her brilliant idea and then chuckled.
"I would love to meet your family. And I do hope you'll have the chance to meet mine a little better." she said with a wide smile.
Audric had to grin at that. "I'm sure they couldn't have asked for a better mother. Does that mean you want a big family?"
Family -- a family of his own -- was not something he had given a lot of thought to, having assumed he would remain, forever and ever, a bachelor. If he had any kids out there, he didn't know about them...nor, likely, could their mothers prove he was the father. After all, he wasn't one to enjoy ruining a pretty girl...or to be tricked into a marriage.
"I think the tea must be set. Shall we begin in that direction?"
"I am not sure." she smiled uncomfortably "It's a lot of responsibility."
Nera never actually thought about having children. Yes, that was something that was expected from her as his wife, but was she ready for that, she wasn't sure. In her heart, she was still a child and although she was an intelligent young woman, her wit never stole away her childlike and happy-go-lucky nature.
"Of course." she nodded, her head still deep in thoughts. Having children would make her mission much more harder, because of all the things she can lose. Although she was a brave young woman, she couldn't even imagine the pain if she were to be discovered in the future and her children taken away from her.
"I know what you mean," the Duke agreed whole-heartedly. "I never pictured myself as the family type. I like kids and all, but there's a long way between liking them and thinking about having them." Things like names! And...things...
"I guess I've kind of always thought of Calent as my family. He's like a little kid that needs looking after most of the time." Chuckling, he added, to let her in on the joke, "And you wouldn't believe the temper tantrums a grown man can throw."
She chuckled lightly at his words. He was, apparently, a good friend to the Duke and that was the main reason he was chosen to be her husband. That was the line she was supposed to follow: Calent and his ideas about getting rid of the mages. Unfortunately, at the moment she was too taken by the man in front of her, to actually try and investigate deeper.
"Oh, I believe you." she said with a wide smile "As the youngest in my family I became accustomed to wild behaviour and mood swings. My sisters may look charming on the front, but you should see the madness around the house when someone loses their earrings or shoes." she raised her finger up to her lips conspiratorially, and then smiled.
As if it were a great secret, Audric leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "I'm sorry that I'm the one to have to tell you, but... That never changes. My brothers-in-law assure me that my sisters are inconsolable if they've lost a piece of jewelry. Or if someone gets in their way, Angsar help them." He winked at her then, bounding ahead a few steps to pull out the chair at the table for her.
"My Lady," he said with a cordial, light-hearted bow.
"Thank you." she nodded slightly with a smile as she sat at the table. The gazebo had a wonderful view to the gardens they just passed and Nera found herself infatuated with them once more. It was truly something, although she would've been much happier if she wasn't here to do a dirty job. She shook off that feeling and switched her attention to Audric.
"I am glad to hear that some things never change." she told him with a light smile on her lips.
Once they were seated, the servants moved into action around them. Tea was poured and a light meal -- finger-food, really -- was served to compliment the tea. It all looked ridiculously small and delicate to Audric, who was much more accustomed to the hearty meals served by the barracks cook. He couldn't even name some of these things...
But he rather hoped she enjoyed it!
"So you like to tend to flowers, and you like to help orphans. What else do you like to do?"
Nera thought about his question as she took a sip of tea.
"I love travelling." she said finally "I spent a lot of time on travel when I was in my boarding school. Always prefered riding horses over sitting in a carriage, though. My teachers thought it wasn't very lady like of me to ride my horse on dirty roads, but my father persuaded them in the end." she smiled as she remembered her small adventures over the country when she was in school.
"And that ruins the picture of the perfect lady who tends flowers and helps orphans, that you had in your head." she joked.
"Perfect, it seems, is a matter of opinion," Audric answered with a warm smile. He was, in truth, delighted to hear it. He, naturally, was not one for carriages himself... He could appreciate a woman who liked to ride.
"Allar is a beautiful place for riding. You can see for miles over the fields, and the forest is always peaceful. Few go there, and so it seems like an entirely different world when you're there alone." Not that she ever would be... But, perhaps, the two of them might go for a ride without escort... "It's not a very big duchy, but I'm sure we could always find an excuse to explore the region a little bit. If, that is, you don't mind having a little adventure?"
Her eyes glimmered when he mentioned adventure. She was always up for some interesting trip outside cities, in the forests and fields, and always hated spending tme locked in her family mansion. Especially when the weather was bad, and she couldn't even try and explore the backyard. This was of course when she was smaller, just a child who wanted to become a pirate or an adventurer.
"I would love that!" she said with a smile full of delight."It has been a long time since I had any adventure."
"As I said," Audric answered with an answering grin that was, of course, simply charming. "Perfect is a matter of opinion."
By Angsar, he could grow to love this girl... She was spirited and adventurous, but she was also a lady. To think he had been dreading this meeting and dreading his marriage! He'd have to be careful with this one, lest she stole his heart entirely!
"I've been giving you scarcely a chance to breathe," he realized with a light frown. "Is there anything you would care to ask me?"
Was he kidding? Nera actually had a prepared list of questions which she wanted to ask him. Sixty-four of them, precisely, but at that given moment perhaps only two or three questions came to her mind. Plus, even if she did remember her question list, she didn't wanted it to sound like an interview she wanted a natural flow.
"Well, I don't really mind." she smiled "But I could stand to know a bit more about you." Nera added as she took a small sip of tea.
"I am very much interested to hear about your adventures as a soldier, but I imagine I should out manners begin with a more suitable question." she told him with a small smirk "I know you have two younger siblings, but nothing more about your family."
Her questions made Audric laugh. "If I begin telling you about my soldiering days, I'm afraid you won't be able to get me to shut up." True enough, true enough!
"My sisters jointly inherited the Cat's Eye Merchant Company after my mother passed away. It's one of the biggest in the region, in fact. Relena -- Lena, we call her -- has her nose in the books, usually. She has two sons, Brice and John. Their father was killed shortly before John was born, and Lena hasn't remarried. I doubt she ever will." That made him frown a bit. He loved his sister dearly, but without a husband, it seemed she was married to her work. It hadn't particularly been good for the boys, but they were sweet enough, if a little rambunctious.
Continuing his narrative, Audric added, "The Company will go to Susannah's daughters. She has two, as well as a son. They're a little bit wild, my sister included. I think she could even out-run me."
That pretty much rounded them out! Ah, except she wouldn't know... "My parents are both dead -- nothing tragic, I assure you -- so my sisters and their families, and Calent, of course, are all the family you'll have to meet." His smile was genuine as he added, "I think you'll be a great addition, however."
Nera wasn't aware his parents were dead, and that made her flinch a bit. She wondered if she chose a bad question and although he said he didn't mind it, she wasn't so sure. Next question should be something a bit more careful, nothing where someone died or something, Nera reminded herself.
"I can't wait to meet them all." she smiled warmly "Also, you seem to have a very close friendship with Calent."
On one hand,Nera was interested to know more about Audric and his friends, people that helped in making of who he is today, but on the other one she was aware that she should somehow find a way to start the subject of Calent's war with the mages.
He grinned at her easily at the mention of Calent. "As close as anyone can be to him, I think. He's a bit of a recluse if there's no one there to keep him on his toes." Audric's eyes rolled skyward briefly. "And a complete drama queen."
To say the very least.
A bit more seriously, he added, "That was one of many reasons I didn't want this job. I worry about him. He just needs someone to poke at him a bit..."
Nera smiled. To call the Grand Duke Calent a drama queen you most certainly needed to be close to him. Also, she was very surprised to see with how much care Audric speaks of him, it was very clear to Nera that they were friends. And now you'll destroy everything, a small voice in her head accused her as she slowly shifted in her chair.
A feeling of guilt poked her, but she suppressed it. It was for family, and when you do something for your family it has to be right.
"It must be wonderful to have such a close friend." she said, her voice somewhat full of longing "Can't say I don't envy you a small bit." Nera continued jokingly.
"That's another of those benefits to being born a commoner. Calent's sort of a special case, but... We don't have to worry about who is scheming against you or who might stab you in the back at the first chance they get. Commoners don't care about politics, and they've little to gain by scheming -- unless you're rich, that is." Audric shot her a grin, entirely unmindful of how close to the truth his words were. "You can be friends with who you like."
Picking up the platter of biscuits in front of them before the servant could reach it, he offered it to her with a smirk. "I guess that's something you've already learned about me, Nera. I'm a plain-spoken man. I say what I mean, and I don't care much for people who hide their intentions behind flattery and fake smiles. If that means I'm unpopular with the courts, I think I'm better off." Realizing, then, that he was talking to his wife-to-be, he murmured sheepishly, "For your sake, I'll try not to be an ass, though. And you're sure welcome to tell me so if I am."
Nera chuckled lightly. She doesn't even remember when did someone use that word in her presence the last time. But it was amusing to hear it and know she won't be marrying some stuck up noble who is full of fake smiles and flattery. She took one of the biscuits from the platter watching him in something that looked like awe.
"You shouldn't worry." she said with a smirk "I don't hold back with words."
Her well-spoken nature was one of the reasons she left for the damn boarding school. She says what she wants to say, and thinks in a different manner than most rich and high born people do. Perhaps it has something to do with her real father... She shook off that thought from her head. Nera needed to concentrate on now, not the things n the past.
"Then, you must have many other friends besides Duke Calent." she said, excited. Her only friends were her two sisters but having someone outside the family sounded so wonderful.
"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.
"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.
"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?"
"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.
"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!"
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.
"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!
"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.
"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...
"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 .
"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."
"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.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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.
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.
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.
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.