Thread: An Empire in 100 Nights (Rosewood x LeatrixSage)

Obviously? Solveig smirked, but she kept her head down. It seemed anything but obvious to her. What else could his motive be? An expression of his power, a way of stroking his own ego? It sparked her curiosity in a way that was decidedly dangerous to her own wellbeing. Part of her was sorely tempted to agree simply to find out the answers to her questions. No one needs to know, now that made more sense. After all, what if she turned up swollen with the Emperors child? That would be problematic, if not for a wife or a family, then for all the damage that multiple heirs can bring to any throne not the least being wars and the fracturing of all hed built. Yes, it was far better for him if no one ever knew. He offered her time to think about it, and again she was taken by surprise. It left her wondering again if he was manipulating or maneuvering her. He didnt act like any man she had ever known, and it made it so damn difficult to predict him that she was reaching her wits end. He made it worse by asserting that he would be staying at Ravenswrath until her people were back to their normal lives, and then by giving her the choice to decide where he would sleep even after she had invited him within the walls of her home. He also wanted to tour the valley, see it all, and map it all to add to his collection. The notion was amusing, that as he conquered the world he reduced it down to ink on a page. It was somehow profound and yet, empty? Solveig wasnt certain. She frowned as he settled what certainly felt like a royal demand around her neck, ordering her to appear to hand out food to her people. It wasnt that she felt the task was beneath her, Solveig had grown up the daughter of a knight, shed healed and fed many a peasant with her own blood, sweat, and tears, as much as she had raised her sword when it was demanded of her. What bothered her was that he assumed it of her by ordering her to be there. When his laughter filled the tent, the woman whirled to face him, surprise written plain as day across her face. His wit further stunned her for a moment, and then a small smile twisted up the left corner of her lips. Honey doesnt spoil, she teased in mock outrage, before she found herself laughing and nodding. I think that it is a fair beginning. Picking up the tatters of her pride, the fallen Queen stole a maneuver from Adas playbook and walked back across the small distance between them to stop a hands breadth away from him. I dont trust you, she told him plainly. If he was a man of his words, then honesty would be the best place to begin. Instead of a weeks time, I have a suggestion, she began carefully. She was, in a way, maneuvering him, but her goal was to learn how well she could expect he stuck to his word, and how well he truly cared what she had to say about any decrees he made. Tomorrow, I and my nobles will be organizing aid as well as helping you in your efforts. Ill spend most of my day with treasury reimbursing farmers, villagers, tradesmen, and Barons for their losses. You would find a good deal of respect from the nobles, and gratitude from the common, if you took part. Food that wasnt his to begin with was one thing, she wanted to see how generous he was with all this wealth he promised was theirs for being part of his empire. After that, at days end, I will meet you here, with the mead. No Barons or Knights, just me, taking a deep breath, she readied herself to take the plunge, unsure of what may come of what she was going to say next. Consider it a trial. It will not count as one of the 100 nights you demand, but rather than a week to think, I would prefer a night and a day to decide if I can trust you, and to learn the details, regarding this deal of yours. Last edited Feb 15, 2019