as willâs face passes hers sofia presses a nimble kiss to his temple, soft smile warm on her lips at the sight of both the men she loves in one place. it has been too long - has felt as though time slowed down while waiting for will to be able to slip into their chambers discretely. it is an arrangement that would be seen in poor light by others, and while sofia wholly understands why secrecy is needed it does not mean she enjoys having to spend nights curled up with one less lover than usual. âiâve missed you, darling,â she murmurs to will, alongside a tender, âthank you,â as he loosens the bodice. a laugh leaves her lungs at the thought of judith in the same attire her mother dons now, all tightly laced and bejeweled.
      âi would not be surprised if our little rascal does not cause quite the stir in the courts with her dressing choices upon becoming a young woman,â sofia would not discourage it, made clear in the light amusement in her tone as she presses a kiss to the corner of conradâs mouth in thanks for the assistance with the blouse. skirts and corset still remain, though she can take care of the former on her own far easier than the laces of the latter. âas much as i do wish i could say you could never bore me, whatever grim talks filled your day would at least put a damper on things.â there is little severity in sofia, though she does look at conrad a little longer as though seeking the affirmation of his well-being in his gaze. âwhat of yours, then, will? i do hope it was well enough.â
A fond smile traces across his lips as the talk of their youngest continues. Heâd loved both children just the same, having helped raise the both of them since infancy. Judith though always tugged a little harder on his heartstrings, being so much like himself when he was her age. âI should hope soâ, he chuckles warmly, âIâd hate for her to lose her rebellious spirit with age.â
When she asks him about his own day, Will looks up to Conrad, his gaze a questioning one, hidden behind Sofiaâs back and mass of curls. They had not decided whether or not Sofia would be in on the plan the two of them had settled on. She would no doubt be against it, but certainly she would have to understand the reasons why? Not wanting to worry her any more than she already was about this entire affair, he decides to keep his answer vague for now.Â
âJust been helping Conrad, much more boring than your day Iâm sure,â he replies, wrapping his arms around her for a moment as he plants a kiss to the side of her neck. The crosshatch of ribbons that make up her corset look for more daunting than those of her bodice, so instead of doing the task himself he hands it off to his other lover. Taking Sofiaâs hand he turns her around to face him.
There is something warm and comforting that has always filled his heart upon seeing his two lovers together, and now it feels magnified, in a way, because of the distance they have had to keep for the safety of their family. What matters, though, is that they are all here now, and they can breathe, he can watch with a fond smile as the two exchange kisses, mirrored when she presses a kiss to the corner of his own mouth. The smile only slips slightly as she looks at him sternly for the briefest of moments, and he nods slightly, a silent shrug, the unspoken, all is well, if not tedious. He does not wish to taint the happiness with such serious topics, and it seems Will agrees, as his eyes meet his when Sofia turns the question on him.
Eventually, he knows they will have to tell her of their plan, but now did not seem the time to worry her more, with everything else so fresh and new. Now is the time for a gentle peace and familiarity that is hard to find in a place so foreign. âI could not put forward such a peaceful front, if not for Will at my shoulder, although I do fear talk of peace is perhaps even more boring for him than I,â he says with a small laugh, before settling to work on the corsetâs ribbons. âBut I promise both of you to make up for the tedium I am subjecting you to.â