high enough

Franziska narrowed her eyes as she watched the King, the way he spoke to Manon, touched her. They seemed much too familiar with one another for her liking. Though perhaps that would keep whatever ire she was earning from Byron away. She was silent, as she watched the two of them, and adjusted her weight as the wine was removed from her possession. "I hardly think you wish my Antivan fire, Sire." Her voice felt hollow in her throat, she was mostly sure that it sounded okay, though.

Never display fear, never display your tells. Even now, she was carefully guarding herself against both of them, she had too. This man was King, he held the key to her freedom from the Crows, and... potentially, an alliance with this man would help her family. But how would this help Manon? She stood there, hiding her disgust at being touched in such a friendly manner by someone who she was certain planned to toy with her. It was easy to mask any emotions that his arm around her might have caused, she was used to it.

But really, the disgust was more at herself. She couldn't deny the way her stomach dropped when he draped his arm around her, couldn't deny the tingle of excitement that trailed up her spine. But her face was blank as the moment she'd realized he was watching them; could see them.

Manon's remark about that Antivan fire that one could expect to experience at the hands of Fran made her stomach coil happily; the praise, her tone of voice. She had to remind herself not to react, not to visibly shiver under the weight of praise from the Princess.

And then, all was right in the world. Manon had found her way against Fran once again, and she adjusted her stance appropriately. It seemed that Manon's insights to the King of Ferelden indicated he'd enjoy a good time... And that was something that she could get behind; even if she couldn't get passed how attractive the man was. There'd only been a handful of people in the world that had made Fran feel that way; and she'd only kept in touch with one of them over the years.

But what Manon wanted, she'd get.

"She has quite the appetite, Sire," Franziska managed, before Manon was returning her focus to them, shattering their facade with a deep kiss. Both of Fran's hands reached to tangle into the Orlesian Princess' hair, as they hungrily returned the kiss, forgetting the fears regarding the King—regarding anyone knowing about Manon and herself.

At the moment, there was nothing else in the world, but the woman in front of her.