Knight Erion's Signs to Amelia
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Balcony of the Reading Association,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
Town of Crimsonton
Kingdom of Velicia,
Dawn of Morning,
The Tenth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
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"It's not about you though, so don't worry that little head of yours", Knight Erion said as he reached to touch her nose.
Instinctively, Amelia flinched back, as though she was not one used to male touch. They blinked before she tried to pacify the situation with a smile. "Alright then."
The dark haired man realised that Amelia wasn't accustomed to being touched by a man casually and she wasn't intentionally trying to avoid him. But since she didn't mind holding his hand, he wondered if she didn't have much male company aside of her little brother.
He liked the thought of that, as opposed to the way Charlene was almost courted by a variety of men and it always felt like he was competing for his place with her.
"Come along now", he said, leading her outside to the lawn.
He had not intended to visit the manor until the evening, but since he knew that Amelia was heading there, he decided to drop by and hang out with her. If Charlene heard that he was out there with another woman and that he had been to the Estate but hadn't paid her a visit, Knight Erion knew that she would want him back.
She was not one to rest if his heart was leaning to some other damsel. After all, his chances of marrying someone like Amelia was much higher than a noble like Charlene.
So if he couldn't get her back, the least he wanted was to marry the Luna-dynn damsel from Drift-Combe as soon as he could, show Miss Charlene what he had won and move away to another province so he wouldn't have to witness her marrying another man or even the crown prince.
As the thoughts of vengeance and marriage were brewing in the man's mind, Amelia withdrew her hands from his arm and said, "I believe I should be going to work now. I have some errands to run on the way. Maybe we can meet up later?" she finished with a smile.
"Of course, of course", the man nodded, before running a hand through his curly brown hair. Then, with her by his side, he walked towards his horse as he asked, "We will be meeting up for dinner, won't we?"
"Yes, of course, we will", Amelia beamed.
"Wonderful", the green eyed knight winked.
"Uhm", she looked hesitant, like she wanted to ask him something.
"What is it?" Erion asked, hoping she wouldn't decline. He began harnessing the animal as he spoke.
"Would it be alright if my brother came along as well? I don't want to leave him alone, and I am sure he would love to meet you, since you're the Head Knight of our province and he is aspiring to become one", she asked, her eyes hopeful.
The man scratched the back of his neck looking about like he was disinterested. "I don't know, Mel. I really appreciate you and your brother, and I adore the way you have such a beautiful bond as siblings, but don't you think it's getting between us?" he tried to phrase it as kindly as possible.
Amelia looked hurt, like she was unsure.
Erion dropped the reins of his horse as he exhaled a sigh. "Please don't get me the wrong way, I don't mean it like that. I would never want to be unaccepting of your family, or separating you from him. I have a large family myself, and they're living far, but I still send them money. So I do love people who consider blood a priority, but I'm not comfortable with meeting people very much. So, maybe not right away?" he asked.
Amelia nodded, "I understand."
"Tonight is about just you and me, okay?" The dark haired man smiled. "I want to get to know you a lot."
There was the colour of blush spreading mildly over her cheeks, the way he loved to see it, and she asked, "But aren't you, maybe, seeing Miss Charlene? Would she be okay with our sharing a dinner?"
Erion clicked his tongue in annoyance, for it reminded him of the way the duke's daughter was acting up. "Don't worry, we aren't like that. We are merely friends. Very close, for sure, but as you may know already, there is no means either of us can have a future with each other. It's just not possible, since we are from different edges of society. If I am looking to invest my heart in a bride, it should be a girl I can marry. Or I don't entertain friendships", he answered.
"I see", there was a slow smile rising on her lips.
"I promise I will meet your brother another time, alright? I just don't want to be seeing people, it is not my best moments to be making new company. So once I get to know you much deeper, I will be comfortable meeting him as well. How does that sound?" he winked.
"Yes, yes, that sounds wonderful", she blushed again, eyes going down to her feet like she was shy.
Knight Erion knew that she wouldn't refuse him, for anything. He was a Head Knight in charge of a whole wing (although presently probated), and she wouldn't find a better match than that for her status.
And he loved the feeling of being her best choice.
"I will pick you up then", the man smiled, mounting his horse. "From the Boutique?"
"No, no, it's alright. I will be there myself. Where are we meeting?" she asked.
"Fresh Dish Tavern, is that alright with you?" the Knight asked.
"Yes, I will see you there", the damsel of long brown braided hair smiled, before she bid him goodbye and left the Estate, heading towards the Boutique.
Erion whipped his horse to a start and made his way Castle-ward. He glanced up to steal a glimpse at Miss Charlene's Balcony and noticed that the doors had been opened, for there was a trolley of tea there by the railing. She must have awoken and made her way out.
In that case, it was inevitable that she should have noticed his being close to Amelia.
But more importantly, he saw a scarlet ribbon tied to the railing of the flower clad balcony, which was a sign from Charlene for Erion to go and meet her. And seeing that she had tied that there, he knew she wanted to see him.
And that was precisely why he turned his horse towards the gates and made his way outside, heading away to start his day at work.
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