ingrid-duchessofhallandâ:
His words were comforting and soothed the slight embarrassment that Ingrid had felt upon being so maudlin so soon into their first meeting. She missed Sweden more than she had ever expected to and explaining that did not come easily. âYou have only just met me,â she pointed out. âSurely you cannot expect to enjoy all of the thoughts that might inevitably slip from my mind.â It was not quite flirting, not exactly, but it came close. She barely knew the man, though it was clear to Ingrid that he was a handsome one and she resolved not to meet his gaze, lest she get caught staring into his eyes. Her blush deepened and she looked down with a small breath of her own. âYou have flustered me,â she admitted. She was not used to feeling so out of sorts and she looked back over at the flowers in hopes that doing so would help compose herself.
The young woman laughed. âI very much enjoyed her company,â Ingrid stated, her voice honest as she thought of her meeting with Maria. She had seemed to be a good sort, after theyâd gotten over the initial first moments. As the prince said her name, Ingridâs eyes widened and her gaze softened. So few said her first name and she found she liked the way it sounded from his lips. âDmitri,â she repeated, sounding the foreign syllables on her tongue as a small smile graced her face. âVery well. We should be friends then, should we not?â
âi could not say as i have not had the pleasure of hearing them. however, i imagine i would enjoy most from a woman with your grace,â the flattery comes consistently easy from his lips, though it does not taint the sincerity of its meaning. dmitri knows the charm of his words and looks have great affect. yet, somehow, seeing her reaction is like a breath of fresh air that blindsides him. âmy apologies, i only hoped to see you smile,â he explains and quietly picks a small flower, twisting the stem between his fingers. he is ever the charmer, a trait likely inherited from his late father. many have told him it would one day get him into trouble.
it raises his spirits to hear someone speaking kindly of her. dmitri knows she has been having a hard time being away from home and it has made him feel useless as a brother. there is little that dmitri can do for maria, when his very presence likely reminds her of russia. âyou are very kind.â his interest is raised when he hears his name, in the same way he had seen his uttering affect her. it may have seemed a funny exchange to any outsiders, however, dmitri is thoroughly pleased. he has heard his family call his name hundreds of times, but it feels pleasantly different to hear it come from another. his face lights up once again at the offer of friendship and dmitri is quick to accept. âwe should, yes. i would enjoy that very much.â he misses his friends left behind in russia, wishing they could be with him, so to have found new companionship is comforting. âwhat a funny thing. two royals of kingdoms notorious for their cold weather, meeting in a place known for its warmth, â he muses.