castle of glass

kingdom of scotland. aidan, earl of moray. xxxiii.

[aidanmoray]

brvgitte:

@aidanmoray

It was only to be a short stop in Scotland, as instructed by her mother, but Brigitte wished she could stay forever. Travel by ship always left her weak and nauseous, but stepping into the stinging salt air of Scotland felt restorative. The mist settled into the little grassy dips among hills, and as the carriage trundled through the country, her nose was pressed to the glass. It was beautiful. 

The castle was chilly, as was to be expected, but merry fires burned in every hearth, and heavy tapestries sealed off any great gaps. She knew she would soon be leaving to meet her betrothed in the south, but for now she would try to enjoy herself. In her rooms was a terribly comfortable chair, and she settled there to study her maps. She had been so well traveled of late, and she had grown an interest in cartography along the way. In time, the arrival of one of her hosts is announced, and Brigitte stands to meet him. “Lord Moray, you are a most gracious host. I wish I had discovered the beauty of Scotland long ago,” She says, with an honest smile on her face. She feels truly relaxed, for the first time in many years.

as expected from someone like him, when hearing about having a visitor, aidan made everything he could to prepare the castle and those who would interact with the duchess during her short staying. no matter how long someone was to stay under his hosting, the scottish earl always cared deeply about the treatment others would receive, that being why he would do some things himself, like spending some time with the guests.

working on his own things for a while after being informed about the duchess’ arrival, he rushed himself into getting everything done (or close to) before leaving to meet with the young woman.

“your grace,” he says with a small bow and a quiet smile on his lips once in her room, thanking the guard for announcing him. “i am honored to have you here and hope you do enjoy your short stay. surely there are a lot more you would like to discover here,” aidan comments, placing his hands behind himself. “have you arrived well? it is quite a tiring journey, as i well know, but worth it. i am glad you decided to come here before continuing your trip.”

[aidanmoray]

ruadhkenna:

&& :: @aidanmoray

the court was buzzing with rumors. ever since word has gotten out about the siege in austria, kenna has heard all sort of things: that the archduke had perished in a hideous fight, that the king of france lied dead over his blasphemous acts and even that the scots’ own royals were the ones lying in the arms of hades. the red haired heard them all with the (fake) faint interest in her porcelain features and disgust and annoyance deep in her soul – those were moments in which she wished the child in her womb did not make her fold back from the trip that took all the rest of her kinsmen from the castle, leaving only her children and a few obnoxious souls to take care of. 

thankfully, the same symptoms that has left her unable to go to the grand festivities across the continent also makes it easy for the red haired to turn her nose up without being judged, as well as to excuse herself for more than usual. william is the only one who does not leave her side at all times, even sleeping on the spot his father did. without the king’s closer family, the boy was the closest to a stewart heir they had, and her worries are not only the ones of a mother but the ones of a proud scots. kenna wishes to go back home – to aberdeen, but it’s better to stay in court, even if it means to endure. aidan had not written to her, but if any word was to come, it would be addressed to the castle, that much she was certain.

what she was also sure of was that when the family would come, they wouldn’t stop until reaching stirling. her assumptions turn reality eventually, when she wakes once morning and the sounds of the scottish delegation was heard even through stone walls. of course. “as if i had anything to doubt with you,” it’s the first thing she says to her husband, a small smile stretching upon her lips – one could say she was calm personified, if only they didn’t catch how her chest was heavening with each breath, or how her hands trembled just now. 

a lot of things had crossed the earl’s mind during those weeks. at first, when they were still on their way to austria, he had thought it had been a good idea to leave his wife and children behind—they had just returned from aberdeen and another journey, longer than the first, would be tiring; during the festivies, he had thought how the kids would have enjoyed it, being in another country for the first time, seeing so many people they’ve never seem before all together. it was during the siege, however, that those thoughts changed back to the first one. thank goodness none of them were there, they were safe at home.

as much as he understands what happened and knows where his loyalty lays in that scenario, aidan has been stressed out during most of those days locked in a room with a princess—one that almost reminded him of how his wife was, the sharp tongue and clear discontent always present. but it was just an almost; different from the countess, the girl had no idea how to fake a few things and look polite, which drove him quite disgusted since the start. his head hurt and he wanted to see his family. not his cousins who had been on the ship along with him, but the one who was waiting for him. considering all that, it is clear why—even looking as tired as he was—his first reaction at the sight of his wife is to open the smile she knew for too long now.

“i believe i can only apologize for the worry i may have caused,” the man approaches her, not hesitating in leaving a light kiss on her temple. he is not one to show affection that easily, but can not be helped when he’s just returned from such a long and stressful journey. before he manages to say anything else, he feels smaller arms around his waist and finds his older son, william, there, his smile growing before turning to talk to him. “did you take care of your mother?” he asks, looking amused at kenna before looking down at his son again, who nods, proud of himself. “good,” aidan runs his hand through the boy’s red hair. “did you get better?” he asks his wife, knowing she had been feeling unwell before he left.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

Matilda didn’t expect his hand on her wrist. She didn’t expect any kind of physical reaction from him, considering she was the princess of England. A gasp of pain left her lips as he gripped her wrist, too tight. It would bruise beneath his fingers, leaving his mark against her fair skin. Tears welled in her eyes as he shoved her against the wall. She flinched, her nose scrunching in pain as his hand moved to hold hers against the wall beside her head. She looked up at him, fear filling her but anger just as heavy in her chest as he hissed her name at her. His warning is not one she saw fit to heed. How dare he. She narrowed her eyes, looking to her wrist once her let go. Her other hand moved to gently cup the flesh that was already quite red and would be black and blue by morning light. “You are a fool, Aidan of Moray.” Her tone was cold. “You should pray my future husband does not hear of this.”

he can barely roll his eyes then, almost as if he is used to hear that. in fact, there was a time he was, and though he has changed (had grown up), he supposes that side of him can still be brough up if poked correctly. and that the princess did well. it is almost as if aidan doesn’t hear her then, fixing the sleeves of his cloth on his wrists, eyes crossing in her direction before shaking his head with a small smile on his lips. “i have heard that many times,” he dismisses her insult, as if he can shrug it off.

the scottish man remains there for a little while, considering if he should say anything else but, judging by her face, he knows he has crossed enough lines for a day. every time they met was the same thing, but this time everything went further than it usually does. he never uses his force against a woman, but being slapped on the face and remain quiet was also not an option. it was a reflex, and while half of him regrets it, the other says to let it go; he felt humiliated by being attacked by an english woman such as matilda, barely being conscious of his actions when his anger was suddenly triggered. however, no apology leaves his lips then, hands slowly moving behind him as he gave another step back. “i believe we have nothing else to talk about,” his voice is as cold and indifferent as hers, and less politely as before, as he simply starts walking away.

[aidanmoray]

3 songs to describe Aidan?

character development time: open. 

whatever it takes, imagine dragonshypocritical, egotistical / don’t wanna be the parenthetical / hypothetical, working onto something that i’m proud of / out of the box an epoxy to the world / and the vision we’ve lost / i’m an apostrophe / i’m just a symbol to remind you / that there’s more to see

broken arrow, the scriptthis time he’s gonna wear an iron suit / (…) / but this time he’s not gonna be another could have been / (…) / he says “a winner never quits, quitters never win” / (…) / this time he says he’s gonna stand for who he is

castle of glass, linkin parkbring me home in a blinding dream / through the secrets that i have seen / wash the sorrow from off my skin / and show me how to be whole again / 'cause i'm only a crack / in this castle of glass / hardly anything there for you to see

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

“The invitations will be sent in due time, perhaps patience is not your virtue. You seem to have a great deal of struggle with such a concept. Have you not been told that good things take time?” She snapped, her eyes narrowing at the Scottish earl. There was only so much that Matilda could tolerate. Aidan pushed her too far, every time. Her worries and fears were being thrown in her face and she didn’t appreciate it. She knew she wasn’t young. She knew she had limited amounts of time left to produce an heir, and that she could do nothing but sit and wait for her marriage to finally take place. How dare he. How dare he suggest what he had. He was taunting her, again, like he did every time.  She was tired of dealing with it, tired of him thinking he had some sort of right to speak to her however he desired. Her hand moved before she could truly think it through, slapping him as hard as she could muster across the cheek, hard enough that her hand reddened and stung. “You are sorely out of line, your grace! I suggest you learn to hold your tongue before I have it removed from your mouth.”

he would be laughing if it wasn’t for the sudden and sharp pain across his cheek, his face turned to the side then. there is a scoff, though, and he barely thinks before grabbing her wrist in the air, the grip tighter than it should be, obviously with the intention to hurt. he licks the inside of his cheek way too calmly as he turns to face the princess, his feet walking slowly and pushing her in front of him. “i am out of line?” aidan says in a questioning way, still calm, though his eyes clearly seem threatning once he sees how he cornered her against the wall, pressing her wrist against it, beside her head. “who do you think you are to threat me, matilda?” her name slips out of his mouth as a curse, eyes squinting. “you better not dare me.” he whispers before letting go of her wrist as if she is nothing, giving a slow step back as he runs his fingertips across his cheek, massaging it, his beard scratching his own flesh as he lets out another scoff. “not young and still strong for your size. your future husband must be amazed,” he mentions sarcastically.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

Matilda wanted to slap the satisfied smile off the Scotsman’s lips. She found herself reminded once more why she detested him. Every conversation they’d ever had ended in argument. She listened as he spoke, though she wanted to end the conversation then and there. “I am not a possession, I’ll not apologize for being content with my betrothal as a human being and not a jewel to be sold.” She responded, her anger growing with each word. She hated that he could push her buttons so well. His question is the last thing she wanted him to say. The absolute last thing for it asked the same question she had worried over for many years. She was perfectly old enough to be wed, and she desired to be, to have children, to have a future with her promised husband. Yet he had failed to negotiate a wedding date thus far and it made her worry. She wasn’t getting younger, she had limited time to take advantage. Her nose wrinkled as her body tensed. The question hurt. “You are sorely out of your element, Aidan. You ought watch your tongue. A wedding date has been negotiated, does that satisfy your ill thought curiosity?” She demanded, glaring at him. 

usually one of the nicest men and actually good to talk to, the earl changes quite easily at the sight of a person like the princess. he can not help himself, it seems, as his thoughts simply leave his lips, arguing to the point of get her to her limit. aidan has no boundaries sometimes, as his own wife well knows and had once heard him going way too far on what he thought about her in the very beginning of their married life, when things were not as at ease and comfortable as it is now, when they were not close and friends to each other. while he did learn to control his tongue in most of the situations, this is not one of them. his smirk only grows at her words, eyes leaving her face as he stares at the gardens. “i suppose,” he nods slowly, containing a laugh, arms falling on both of his sides now. “am i going to be invited? i believe that, so far, i got no invitation,” not that he believed she would invite him out of all people. but it is casual to think that she would invite the whole scottish court, as it is one her sister is part of. “i would say it is about time, your highness,” aidan continues, looking as amused as he could. “you are not young anymore.”

[aidanmoray]

Why did you take so much to get married and have children? Weren't you old by then?

character development time: open.

“i was not interested in getting married when i was at a young age. while my father was still alive, he would tell me that i should, so i could have a family of my own and a heir, but i did not take him serious until he was gone, and that was when i did decide to get married. i did consider myself old, as a twenty-two, but i suppose that is only because most of the others around me married when they were younger. in general, i considered a good age to be a father.”

[inperiosus-archive]

Character development time! Give me some interesting questions about my character and I will answer.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

The question sounded like a jest but Matilda knew better. “Of course I was that young when I desired to meet my future husband, a strange concept to you it seems, and yet little girls dream of such things, particularly when they are told from the cradle that they shall one day move far away to a foreign land to be the Queen.” Her voice had lost the playfulness that had filled it moments before. “England is my home, my heart. English blood fills my veins and it shall always be mine, but Portugal has been promised to me for nearly as long.” She answered, feeling as though he was accusing her of being a traitor to her own flesh and blood. Her loyalty to England was what made her look to Portugal, what made her desire to be the perfect Queen, that she might benefit her home by joining their houses. It was what Mary had set off to do in Scotland, though it seemed she was received less openly than Matilda hoped she would be in Portugal. “Is the concept too difficult for you to grasp, your grace? For I had thought you to be acquainted with the tradition. I shall marry because of the love and loyalty I possess for my home. To be fond of this extension of my family is a blessing that I cherish deeply. I do not lose my English party by gaining the Portuguese party.”

for someone who had just brought this storm over his own head, aidan somehow looks satisfied. the corner of his lips lift in a smirk, eyes squinting slightly at how easy it could be to have her so heated up in a conversation. deep down, he feels mad at her for having an answer to pretty much everything, but it isn’t any less amusing. the earl scoffs, finally looking away after a while, when his arms come to his front, crossing them against his chest. his eyes lay down on the gardens again, following his daughter from there and checking on her. once his throat is clear, he cocks up an eyebrow and looks at his side, at the english princess. “it is a strange concept for me, as i was one who grew up knowing those same marriages are just that. something to be promised as a regard. the questions is: to whom,” he comments, not looking any less humorous with the situation. it was much better to play stupid in that moment than go too hard on his actual thoughts. “i’m extremely acquainted with the tradition, worry not,” his smirk grows a little more once he looks away, fingers tapping against his arm. the intention was basically just that: to poke her. not a chance that should be wasted when this is the close they could ever had of a conversation—as aidan couldn’t care less about the subject itself, but likes to see matilda twisted like that. “do tell me something, though...” his voice sounds once again, once again taking a look at her before continuing. “if this was promised for that long, why haven’t you wedded yet?” he would point out she isn’t getting any younger, and mention children, but guesses he could save those ones for later.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

Matilda was no fool. She knew Aidan was displeased with her. “I remember being six years old. I remember dancing around my apartments, delighted at the prospect of meeting the Portuguese party for the first time. There is no harm in dreaming of far away places, your grace.” She responded, voice soft and polite though she was unafraid to hint that he was overreacting. “When she is of age, perhaps she could come and visit. What harm is there in coming to Portugal? It would be an opportunity for her to see more of the world and learn about new people. We ought take advantage of the peace surrounding us. Your daughter has the opportunity to experience more in life because of it.” She pointed out, meaning absolutely no harm to the girl. Margaret was but a child, and one Matilda was fond of. 

it is unlike him to be like that, to show off his thoughts in a way that clearly seemed likely to cause an overreaction. though he isn’t fond to the english princess, and had once expressed so, aidan knows (and sees) she meant no harm. it doesn’t particularly make him happy, but he knows that, and being a protective father he still doesn’t meet the idea as good as it is. “you were that young when you wanted to meet the portuguese party?” he doesn’t hold the question, an eyebrow raising almost as if he is curious and teasing her. and, perhaps, he is. “apologies for my honesty, your hightness, but as much as i believe traveling is a good experience, wanting to be in another’s party but your own that much seems very... unlikely, don’t you think?” the comment basically slips out of his lips, the curiosity growing while he looks at her. “though i believe that if that’s how you felt, you might be a good queen of your own there. at least you seem fond to them.” unlike the way he feels towards her sister, he thinks, letting this part out in an attempt not to cause a scene. though he is already doing so.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

Matilda did not miss the glance thrown her direction at her invitation. It had been of little consequence to her, the child was but six years of age and would surely forget the invitation altogether, or at least she would be easy enough to sway until she came of age to be permitted to travel so far away to Portugal. The English princess had offered it without true thought, thinking only of seeing the child smile. It was a way of making Margaret understand why Matilda could not visit Scotland more frequently, nothing more. 

She laughed at Margaret’s desire, a smile on her lips. “One day, perhaps, when you are older and stronger. It is a long, long journey. You must sail in a big ship for fortnight after fortnight and the seas can be so strong, the waves tall as mountains, and the sky as dark as night. If you are unlucky, your stomach will turn and when you finally arrive on land you will find your knees wobbly.” She warned, her voice playful as she wobbled back and forth. “Just like this!” She teased, delighted by the laughter filling her ears. “A carriage will greet your party at the port and you’ll have to take long windy roads to the grand palace. When you are older it will be much easier. Will you be dutifully patient, love?” Matilda asked, brow raised. “For if you are, I promise, should you come to the palace you will be greeted with the sweetest pastry and the softest blanket.” She reassured, not wishing to scare the child either. 

The English princess looked out, admiring the view. She was pleased that Mary at least had a stunning scenery to gaze upon. After a short while, she bid the little one farewell, watching as her tiny form disappeared from sight, leaving her alone with her far less pleasant companion. “She is a sweet child, your grace. I thank you for permitting her to join us.” 

even though he isn’t exactly pleased, it’s impossible not to end up smiling at the sounds of his daughter laughing—always so pleasing and pure, enough to ease him from being too harsh in his own head. “i will!” he watches her seeming content with that, wait until she has enough age. at least that he could deal with, he supposes, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

the princess seems good with children, he notices, once he’s pretty sure it was one of the few adults that had been there and were this nice to margaret, so he’s grateful. there’s nothing that makes his children happier than a little attention and people who liked to see them. it doesn’t take long for her to wiggle her legs, the sign that she wants to be put down, so he does, hearing her excusing herself to go back to her exploring. he is always a little surprise at how good she is at being on her own, watching when she takes out after a polite farewell.

aidan nods slowly, his smile now looking more like a simple and polite grin. “she just came back from a journey with her mother,” he explains, hands now on his back as he looks down, waiting for his child to appear, which takes a while—but there she goes, happily walking around the gardens. “not too far, but your highness can imagine how amazed she is by the idea of visiting others, as much as she likes to be visited,” at that, he raises an eyebrow, looking at her. “i believe it wasn’t your intention to get her hopes up, but she has a good memory. i’m sure she will come with the idea of seeing you when she is at age,” he shakes his head, laughing but clearly not amused.

[aidanmoray]

englishmatilda:

Matilda walked alongside Aidan and his daughter, listening as Margaret explained the need for every flower in existence. She was reminded of herself in the child. She had been talkative then as well, and still remained so in the right company. She had always delighted in foreign visitors, for they had stories and gifts and funny accents that made her smile. She hoped that her visit brought joy to Margaret as well. 

“There has been further pressing matters to attend to, your grace, though I am in no way displeased with such truth. The life of a princess is one of understanding duty.” She confessed. When she visited Scotland it was to see Mary, not wander aimlessly in the gardens, though she had taken to the Scottish princess, Ainsley, as well, and the King’s sister Cathryn. Both women deserved better than walking circles round a garden, though. 

She smiled at Margaret’s words, “I wish very much that I were able, love. I am afraid I must soon depart far away to a magical land.” She looked down, her eyes filled with brightness as she grinned to the little girl. “A land with a brave King, who is very handsome and strong. He can ride a horse as if he could command every animal that walks the ground. There is a castle there, tall and winding with hidden rooms and all the pastries you can dream of. I shall be Queen of this land, is it not wonderful, Margaret?” She asked, brow raised. “You shall have to visit me. There are dances and music to fill the halls, and knights in perfect armor to protect us all. And festivals so grand that they must last months and months.” She teased, watching Margaret to see how she responded to such stories. 

aidan can’t help in watching how delighted his own daughter feels at the sight of visitors, always so welcoming and warm. though his companion is one that could easily wip the smile out of his face, he seems to have a permanent one the more he listens to margaret, never interrupting her talking, noticing how smart she was for a six-year-old. perhaps visitors made her like this due the fact that he hasn’t taken her in long journeys with him, barely taking her brother as well, judging them too young to do so. the longest she’ve been was aberdeen, to visit her grandfather, along with her mother.

he hums at her response towards his question, agreeing quietly. their cousins are busy women, taking travels of their own and also having a lot to do there, so he isn’t completely surprised. before he can manage to bring something else to say, his daughter is once again entertaining the guest and he lowers his eyes to her while they walk. at the suggestion coming from the princess, the earl lifts his face to look straight at her, having to hold himself not to go against the idea.

“i want to go!” margaret is much faster than him, expressing her wishes as she turns to look from the princess to her father. “can we go, papa? we should visit princess matilda when she is a queen!” it is like the exact thought that was crossing his mind was brought to life to confirm his theories, that her inexperience with long journeys was what brought her so much curiosity over foreigners. aidan opens his mouth to answer and closes it again after a while—always incapable of saying no to those eyes of hers. “we will see,” it’s what ends up leaving his lips, followed by a nod to show he meant it. “i’m sure her highness will have a lot to do before we are able to, dear,” he adds, once she still didn’t look completely content.

luckily for him, they arrive to the high balcony that views to the gardens and that’s enough to take her attention away from the recent talk and let go of the princess’ hand, raising her arms to her father so he could take her on his arms, once she is still too short to look on her own. aidan brings her up, feeling her arm around his neck while she points with the other, saying the parts she had been without him to the princess.

[aidanmoray]

ofscotsblood:

                           The fellow Scot lifts his chalice to allow for a bout of wine into his cup. The action is delivered with a ghost of a grin though it is tugged by a tiredness which had gripped him since docking upon the continental swath of land, the horseback ride to Austria only further confirming his lackluster to travel following his thirty fourth year. “Tell me I am not the only one quite so weary. The boat did nothing for my spine.”

“you are definitely not,” aidan responds with a shake of head, taking a sip of his own drink once they were both served. “i believe we are getting old, archibald,” the joke leaves his lips, turning his light frown in a more amused reaction. knowing the other male is just a little older than him, the earl takes a look at his new companion, seeing how tired the other looked, just like himself. “long journeys were once better, and though i still think i can say i take some enjoyment in traveling, i think my body does not.”

[aidanmoray]

brvgitte:

The journey had been tough on Brigitte; she is a fool to spend so much time with her books, and so little out of doors, for she is physically frail and always has been. She is late to the revelries, in fact, for she has been in bed for some hours regaining her strength. “You are too kind, but I fear I have had enough hippocras already to make me quite dizzy. I feel as though that swan is staring into my very soul,” she says, nodding towards the extravagant swan upon an enormous plate. It had been redressed in its feathers, and its beak and feet gilded, and though it was soon to be eaten Brigitte felt quite ill at the thought.

his eyes follow the direction of her nod, an eyebrow raising when he puts the bottle down. “perhaps it is,” he lets out the comment, the clear intention to light up the mood when his eyes are still on the swan, head tilting to the side before he manages to look away. “my apologies, your grace, but you look a little pale. are you feeling well?”

[aidanmoray]

princess--isabelle:

“Bonsoir, monsieur.” she said, politely taking the seat that was offered, though refusing the drink as she did not want to seem improper with so many foreign eyes on her. “You look very familiar, I believe you visited France some time ago, did you not? Perhaps I am mistaken..” 

he nods politely, placing the bottle back on the table when refused. although he has many to drink that night, he’s been able to keep his head in place, not having more than he could take—which he believes to be far from reaching. “oh?” he seems a bit surprised with her comment, eyebrows raising slowly at the recognition. “yes, i’ve visited france a few times in the past,” he nods in agreement, letting a smile opens on his lips. “last time i did was a couple of years ago. you do look familiar as well... you’re one of the princess, aren’t you? i think you were much younger back then...”

[aidanmoray]

adelaidedelorraine:

     adelaide cared little for the death of a stranger ; the late archduchess meant nothing to her. but she was royal, and therefore required to be present as representative of her family, whether she cared or not. ‘ this would all be much more pleasant if the austrians had better wine. i am sure lorraine would happily trade for it ; we have many vineyards, ‘ adelaide commented, taking a small sip of the rather unimpressive vintage that had been presented to her.

he remains quiet for a while, lips pressed in a thin line as he considers what he had just heard. there weren’t many people who seemed open to complain, either in respect or for not having any. aidan is one of the last—so when his eyes lies on the princess close to him, he is clearly judging. “i find their reception and wine rather pleasant,” he comments, head tilting as he looks away and to those who occupied themselves in dancing. “perhaps could be more pleasant if others remained respectful for the reason we are here.”

[aidanmoray]

ruadhkenna:

father had not point out anything on her appearance but on how she glowed – as always – but kenna was no fool to assume age wasn’t getting to her, especially when after a journey of not even a fortnight had left her feet and back aching. that being so, there is not even an attempt on her part to follow her pair of children as they roam through the castle, to a direction she already knows of – distant from her own, but not completely, as she soon enough takes notice of those said children approaching the marischal office with no one other than that tall man who sired them.

her brother is the first to show some reaction to his nephews and brother in law, raising his eyebrows at the door opening and showing some eagerness in exit the conversation with his own sister, who doesn’t even raise her eyes to her family. “you must keep the organization,” she warns the oldest, icy orbs adding up to the defiant tone in her voice as she points to the piles. liam lets out a noise that’s obvious annoyance, saying something along the lines of “yes, your highness,” that’s all snark, but hardly bothers kenna. if she was scared of long faces and groans, she would have never had children – or even been born a woman, for that matter.

“don’t you have a husband to care for?” the keith heir complains in their mother tongue, and his sister can only roll her eyes before moving to the other side of the desk, where her children still yapped to their father. “aidan needs me less than you do, dearie. or have you perished and i am met with your corpse, husband?” the latter comes with a turn of head towards the earl, brow raised slightly at the man she hasn’t seen in so long.

it doesn’t take long until he’s entering the room his children dragged him to, his brows raised in slight confusion at what is happening—but if he had to guess, he would suppose his wife is being herself and probably helping her brother. aidan’s choice of word would be ‘scold’ instead of ‘help’, but that’s kept to himself as he turns to his children, taking a seat and paying more attention to their talk instead of his wife’s. if he knows her well—and he believes he does—that would take a while.

he is laughing softly as william tells him about their ‘adventures’ in the other city, how they were happy to see their grandfather, and only looks up when hearing the word being directed to him. the earl looks from his wife to his brother-in-law, and back to the woman, the smile fading on his lips.

“perish is a strong word,” he says, raising an eyebrow in return. aidan could take care of himself and his work, different from what her brother has been doing so far, but it could be easier when he had her to discuss his thoughts with and get another point of view. this thought is pushed away, though, already knowing better than to show any light sign of a small jealousy for her being there helping liam and not going to meet him first. “i’ve been doing good, thank you for worrying, your grace,” he responds her with little sarcasm as expected, the smile back on his lips.