Was this for you?

I’ll whisper them, I won’t make it easy, she’d tease.

There was an ease with their jabs at each other. An outsider might see it as competition, and it was to some extent, but it also served as a smokescreen to hide the hidden meaning underlying their taunts. The Princess was realising how quickly they had found themselves here, not just sharing a bath, but investing into each other’s lives.

You might not like where this goes, she warned, meeting his gaze seriously. It is not just about family, it is about Antiva, her people, and their wellbeing. That is the responsibility of the crown. She could not, no, would not shirk the responsibility that so many Campana’s had before. My Father and Mother tried… they’re both dead…

Her gaze trailed off, realising too late that the secret was out.. Whether he pieced it together or not was debatable, but no word of the Dowager Queen’s demise had filtered through yet.

Recapturing her attention by peeling away the wet strand, Adaria listened to his council, his proclamation and promise to her, wishing the same in return. Adaria felt her heart hammer wildly in her chest, I choose you, no-one ever chose her, only three people in her world had and they were all dead. As the youngest she was passed off, the heir and spare already ahead of her Adaria was merely the extra icing, the People’s Princess.

He might regret it. She caught herself thinking, paining her expression briefly. So might I.

I choose… to take one step at a time. It was the logical answer, no path could be carved without a progression of steps and while the future lay ahead obscured by uncertainty, for the moment she had someone. But even in the here and now, she couldn’t remain in Antiva. But I made a decision to go to the University of Orlais. My Aunt is there so I will be safe… though I won’t object to you visiting, announced or otherwise. Lifting her head a fraction, Adaria placed a series of soft kisses along his jaw, help me into something comfortable and I can tell you the best trellis to climb, which times to avoid my aunt's security.

@Rafael Acosta