At that, Thylas turns around, meeting my gaze, and quickly bows. He grabs the cotton shirt he haphazardly tossed on the ground, putting it back on. He blushes, then stares at my feet avoiding my gaze. “Princess Carnaxa, forgive me. Time must have gotten away from me as I meant to be back before you awoke.”
“It's certainly alright. Thankfully I have Lanie here to assist. What, may I ask, are you two up to?” Both men look like children caught stealing from the kitchen, but Ereon speaks first.
“We were simply making sure we stayed up to par with our training. I didn't find many who would spar with me, and your captain here said he would. Nothing more than men being men.” He smiles and despite the dirt that covers his face, I notice he has dimples. How have I never noticed them before?
“Princess, if you would allow me to gather my things, I'll be happy to escort you for the rest of the day.” Thylas looks down, grabs his sword, and twirls his dagger in his right hand, putting it into the leather sheath strapped around his muscular thigh.
Ereon steps in front of him and says, “I'll escort her. It will give you time to make yourself presentable.” I don't make a mention of how Ereon is just as dirt-ridden. “I'm sure this woman” – he stops to smile at Lanie and I don't miss what seems to be a silent message between them – “wouldn't mind helping fetch some water for you.” He nods to Lanie, who has become so quiet I forgot she was even beside me.
Lanie bows her head slightly. “Yes, whatever you need.”
Thylas looks toward her, then back at me. “If that's what you wish,Su Kechni.” I nod in agreement and he walks away, glancing back at me as I stare after him.
As Thylas walks away, Ereon grabs his shirt and slips it on, next he drapes his swords’ sheaths criss-cross, behind his back, followed by his swords. “Do you not wish to wash your sweat off as well?”
He wipes a rag across his face. “And miss getting to know you more? Never. I will bathe soon, I won't make you suffer my stench for too long. And Princess Carnaxa, what if we stop with the pleasantries? We are to be wed soon, after all.”
I twist the bangles of silver and gold on my wrist before continuing, “Then what would you like for me to call you?” Idon't know why the man makes me so nervous, but he does. I am not one who is known for being strong-willed, but I would also never call myself meek, but in his presence, I am.
“How about Ereon? That is my name, you know.” He gestures for us to walk and holds his arm out so that I may wrap my own around it.
I laugh. “Yes, I do know that much my … Ereon.”
“Oh, I'm yours am I?”
My cheeks twitch in embarrassment at the blunder and I lower my gaze to the ground. Trying to change the subject, I probe, “Are you ready to return home?” This is the same conversation I seem to have with him, but each time I do he tells me just a bit more about himself. It's the only time he seems to want to talk, and I really have nothing else to speak about.
“I am ready to be back … mostly. Are you ready for a new kingdom?”
“If I'm being honest, I am excited and also scared. Who wouldn't be? I have been made to leave my home, marry someone I don't know, and rule a kingdom that is not the one I grew up in.”
His eyes darken as he looks down at me, maybe I was too honest with him.
“We will get to know each other Carnaxa, I won't always be a stranger. You will be my queen consort and you will be perfect at my side. When my father steps down, of course.”
Queen Consort. I want to roll my eyes, what a nice way to say, I'll have no power. If he thinks I will also take that stance when it comes to Antalis, well … he has another thing coming.
“Are you ready to see your father?”
His arm tightens slightly around my own as he shrugs in response, “Sure. He is the King after all. Just a word of advice, when you meet him, always remember: you are not in Antalis. Antalis is not your home anymore and what I said to your fatheris true. You will be held to the rules of Shaston just as much as any other woman, if not more intently. My mother was always held to higher, almost impossible standards.”
His tone has changed, to the one he used with my father – not the same one that started this conversation joking about formalities. His eyes look distant, searching the tree line as he quickly changes the subject again, “I do believe we will stay an extra day or two here, in Midaeliea. The trip to the mountains takes but a half day, and I think you would enjoy this kingdom a bit. Plus the Queen asked that we stay.”
“That would be lovely.”
We walk into the gardens, when Siphonie approaches.
“Prince Ereon” – she bows – “Princess Carnaxa.”
“This is where I leave you, Princess, to go takethatbath.BêlitSiphonie, how good to see you.” He pats my hand, untwirling our arms as he walks away. I let out a sigh and give Siphonie a look of annoyance.
"What was that about, Naxa. Are you okay?” Siphonie slips a hand to my brow, I don’t know why she thinks I would have a fever. I suppose she is just worried for me, and I can understand that.
“I'm fine, what are you doing out here?” I fidget with my hands and the bracelets along my wrist.
“I passed Thylas and he said you were alone with Ereon. Normally I wouldn't intrude on betrothal business, but the way he said it, I thought I would come check. I didn't mean for him to leave.” She sighs and looks to where Ereon disappeared to and remarks, “It really would be good for the two of you to try to get to know one another before you’re wed.”
“It's okay, our conversation was finishing up anyway. I think we are working our way towards knowing more about each other, slowly. But can we go find the eating hall? I'm famished.”
