She had assumed that the tea was to keep the Duke's power in check. It seemed, that it was to keep her in check. She had gone from being a no-named Baron's daughter to personally offending the Queen Regent.
Aelis, Aelis, how did this end up happening?
"Surely, Lady Fughal has many other matches to consider," Duke Lurris smiled.
"But you agree that you're the best one," she smiled.
"Of course not. But if it pleases your majesty, I can arrange a meeting between her and other eligible young lords."
"It would please her very much," the Queen leaned back reaching out a hand to touch the rose glistening at her neck, "But how is it that you got engaged to someone like her?"
Is she not aware of how rude she is being?
Aelis continued to smile as she took a sip of the tea.
For a moment, she wondered if the bitter tea had been poisoned, seeing that it was being served in porcelain crockery sets with roses patterned along them. But of course, demanding to be served in silver sets would be rather rude of her. It was not as if the Queen Regent had any reason to poison a minor noble lady over a spat over a man.
To be fair, she was curious about why they were engaged too.
"It was a whirlwind of passion." Duke Lurris smiled and reached out a hand across her shoulders, pulling her close. The tea threatened to spill, "I had the good fortune of meeting this brilliant young lady at your Royal Ball. And the moment we saw each other," he paused turning to her and looking into her face - his eyes so close to hers, she wondered if they were already kissing, "I fell in love."
Love?
What nonsense was this man spewing?
"That's enough," the Queen Regent said. Her face was full of utter displeasure, and Aelis felt fear wrap around her heart. They had certainly annoyed her, and she would punish them now.
If not the duke, the Queen Regent would punish Aelis.
"It is no wonder," Duke Lurris continued saying with his deep smile as if hadn't quite noticed the annoyance he was causing, "That I should ask her to be my wife, isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
It was almost as if he was trying to pick on her on purpose. Aelis wished that he'd stop. Even if he was protected as a Duke, she had no idea how protected she was. As a Baron's daughter, she was practically defenseless.
"I believe it is becoming quite late," the Queen Regent flashed a tight smile, rising to her feet. In her haste, one of the roses pricked her neck, and a thin strand of blood bloomed down to her dress. Aelis stepped forward, somewhat concerned, to make sure the bushes were not entangling her further, when the Queen Regent put up a hand, freezing Aelis in her tracks. "I am quite alright, thank you."
"My Lord," Aelis turned to him, and he was already pulling away from the table. He offered her a hand,
"The Queen doesn't like to be touched. I will inform someone at the palace." Aelis wasn't quite sure of the etiquette for leaving a member of the royal family injured. Seeing that she was still being hesitant, the Duke grabbed her hand and led her out. "It was just a prick, dear woman."
They stopped by the servant who had led them to the gardens and let him know of the situation. He performed a deep bow before hurrying to the gardens.
"But it is the Queen Regent!" Aelis whispered somewhat horrified, "Does this come under treason?"
"Not at all." He led her up the carriage. "She very much deserved it."
"Hush!" Aelis hissed.
Duke Lurris chuckled as they shut the carriage door. His eyes still seemed distant, but his shoulders seemed to sag in relief. She wasn't sure of what the history was between the Queen Regent and him, but she did not want to face the brunt of it. Moreover, she wasn't able to quite fathom why he insisted on himself being in love with her.
"Did you mean it?" she asked after quite a long pause, partially to fill the silence, and partially because it unnerved her.
"Mean what?" he flashed his handsome smile, yet again. It was little wonder that women fell for him left and right. He had somehow managed to earn the informal title, "The Pearl of Ochalis," given his looks. Perhaps it was a bit too late for her to enjoy her fiance's beauty now. But then again, she had been somewhat on guard about meeting the Queen Regent.
"That you intend to marry me," she said leaning back and soaking into his beauty again. His platinum hair was long and braided over his shoulder touching the edge of his badge. lapel held by a blue ribbon. His eyes were a stunning clear grey, with lashes longer than most women, enhancing his delicate beauty. His broad shoulders, however, were a testament to rigorous physical training, tapering to a waist so tiny, she wondered if he was wearing a corset. It was annoying how androgynously beautiful he was.
"Dear Aelis Damaran," he sighed, "Would you kindly tell me what an engagement means?"
"I know what it means," Aelis's cheeks reddened, "I was somewhat under the impression that you will come to your sense about marrying me."
"Why did you agree to marry me if you thought this was doomed anyway?" he smiled, forcing her to fight the urge to smile back.
Because I thought my value would rise? No. Because I was happy to get rid of all the boring suitors my parents set up? No. Because I wanted to see what would happen. Yes.
"I was curious," Aelis said.
"Curious about me?" he leaned ahead and grinned.
"I was curious about what made the Duke of Lurris look my way," she smiled.
"Well, will you come with me to the dukedom to find out?" he chuckled.
Maybe I will, she mused.