"Come in." Brandt calls after he hears a knock.
"Well, you look awful." He turns to face the person who has just barged into his study and freezes in shock.
"What are you doing here, Your Grace?"
"Oh please, you know how much I hate it when you call me that."
"Fine, but why are you here, Saga?"
"I heard about what happened."
"Well news travels even faster than I thought in the palace." Saga walks to where Brandt is standing by the window.
"How are you feeling?" He lets her caress his hair. Saga has always had a way of calming him down.
"I don't know. I can't help but feel responsible."
"Why is that?" Saga brushes the back of her cold fingers against his left cheek.
"I am confused, my thoughts are scrambled, my feelings are in chaos" Brandt clenches his jaw. "I don't know what I should do."
"Oh dear, you know you always put so much pressure on yourself."
"It is just that I am supposed to be in love with Lady Siv, but I have no memory of her." Saga gasps.
"What do you mean, you have no memory of her?" She feigns ignorance.
"It was a curse, I have lost all memories of Lady Siv."
"Oh my! Well, it is still not your fault, Brandt."
"I know that, but it is just puzzling. Every time I see her, I have these feelings that I can't explain."
"What kind of feelings?"
"As I said, I don't know how to explain it." Brandt struggles with the thought.
"Do you feel the same way you felt about me?" The question is quite direct, but they have known each other for so many years that the familiarity between them is normal to both of them. Brandt ponders the question for a moment. He has never felt about another woman the same way he felt about Saga.
"No." The two letters bring joy to Saga's heart. She was worried that he was in love with Lady Holmen. Out of all the men she has known, Brandt is the only one she's ever been in love with. Even though their relationship would never be a 'normal' one since he is the crown prince and she is a widow, especially with her reputation, Saga would settle for the position of mistress in a heartbeat.
"Then stop beating yourself, darling." Saga palms Brandt's face. "Maybe this is another chance for us, my love." Brandt eyes her for a moment.
The feelings he has for the woman standing in front of him are the most intense he has ever felt. She has always understood him, always knew the right words to say to him, she has given him the love that nobody else in the world has. For a split second, he considers running away with her. They could travel to a faraway land where no one knew either one of them. Away from his obligations as crown prince, away from her reputation, away from his father.
"Saga, you know we have had this conversation many times before."
"I know we have, we can keep our relationship a secret. We have done that before." She presses her lips against his. "I love you Brandt, you know we are good for each other." Brandt feels the urge to kiss her back, but something inside him stops him.
"Saga please." He takes a step back and runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "We can't, I can't do this."
Saga sighs.
She takes a few steps to the desk and leans on it. She gazes at Brandt for a moment while brushing her lips.
"You know, your beloved fiancee is not as innocent as you believe her to be."
"What do you mean?" Saga gets the reaction she was aiming for.
"She is quite the little fox." Brandt takes two urgent strides to tower over his old lover.
"I said, what do you mean?" A grin pulls on Saga's lips. She feels relieved that she still knows how to push his buttons.
"She has been meeting with Gary every day since you left for the East." Surprise is evident on Brandt's face. "She was even seen at a tavern in town yesterday." The room is silent for long minutes. Saga was expecting Brandt to burst with anger, but he seems too calm. Saga has to act, get some kind of a reaction. "Darling, I love you so much. We were so good together." She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him to her. Brandt has to put his hands on the desk to steady himself.
"Saga-" The Dowager Duchess puts an index on his lips.
"Shh, I know exactly what you need." Saga licks his lips seductively. "I can make you forget about all this, my love." When Brandt doesn't reject her, she gets more confident. "You know very well that I don't disappoint, right?"
"I can't." Brandt answers, barely audible.
"Very well." Saga releases his neck. His stubbornness aggravates her but her voice remains calm." I will just find someone else since you are so committed." She pats his arm implying that he should let her go. But he doesn't move.
"You mean one of those little shites that would choke at a sip of whiskey, much less handle you?" They hold each other's gaze for a moment before Brandt bruises her lips with his with a breathless, needy, and wild kiss.
"Brother I…" Brandt freezes when he hears Bodil's voice. His sister stands there immobile with wide eyes and a pale face.
"Bodil." Brandt calls. He can see the disappointment in her eyes, maybe even disgust. "It is not what you think." He takes a few steps toward her.
"Don't you dare lie to me, brother. I am not a stupid little girl you can deceive with your pathetic excuses." Brandt freezes at her words. She has never spoken to him in such a manner.
"Right, you're not." Is all he can utter.
"I will be taking my leave now, Your Highness." Bodil walks out of the study leaving Brandt with a heavy heart and an overwhelming feeling of guilt.
"You need to follow her, Brandt." Saga urges him. "You know your sister can be impulsive."
"You are right." He responds a little late before rushing out.