@norringtxn || Continued from X
He laughed along with her, the corners of his lips curling into a genuine smile. It was odd, this sensation of happiness without fear for what could ruin it. He was just living in the moment, enjoying the best company he could ask for. “If you insist, you Royal Highness.” He took advantage of their brief moment of jest to tease her a little. Something he never would have dared to do months before. It really was curious how so much could change in so little time.
“My thoughts were about you. And about me.” He realized the implication and was quick to clarify. “N-Not about us together, of course, that was not what I meant. Just about how… different we’ve become from our younger selves. Of how much we’ve changed.”
He listened carefully as she spoke of the future, sharing one of the options she had been considering. They truly had their own destinies in their own hands, for once in their lives. His breath hitched at her suggestion, not fully believing what he was hearing.
“I… Elizabeth…” His voice was so low her name was but a whisper on the tip of his tongue. “Are you truly… are you asking me to come with you? Do you really want me by your side?”
She had already asked him to go with her minutes before he had died, but he had been so blinded by his sense of duty and his need to redeem himself, that he had not believed her words. Perhaps here and now, he had another chance.
❝We’ve become different persons indeed, but I dare say,.. I’ve grown to like this side of you.❞ Gently she turned on her back again, tracing the dark wooden beams of the ceiling. intrigued by the texture of the wood.
❝I dare you to refuse my question a second time.❞ She threatened, amusement hidden in her voice. Her lips parted to continue the conversation, but she easily got distracted by the rich aromas of several dishes. It was hard to resist the delightful sensations that whipped up inside her memory at the mere thought of delving her teeth deep into all the different delicacies. When was the last time they had eaten something more tasteful than biscuits?
She sat up, quickly finding the green of his eyes. ❝Let’s have dinner, what say you?❞ a look of longing crossing her face. ❝I’ll go down and get us two plates.❞ Swiftly she got onto her feet, the exhaustion leaving her as she was determined to eat something decent this evening
When she got down, she was astonished by the banquet. Whole roasted goats and pigs still turning on spits. Huge platters of fowl stuffed with savoury and fruits. Ocean creatures drizzled in sauces or begging to be dipped in spicy concoctions. Countless cheeses, breads, vegetables, sweets, waterfalls of wine and beer.
❝We have a great deal to learn from them when it comes to celebrations.❞ Elizabeth entered the room with a large wooden tray filled with all kinds of stuff. ❝We have known each other for such a long time, I am almost ashamed to say that I hadn’t got a clue with you actually like.❞ carefully she balanced it on the nightstand. She poured the deep red liquid into the glasses, handing one over to him. Ones more she found herself sitting next to James. Her fingers embracing the glass while she unconsciously admired his features. He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. She guessed he must have gotten used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way.
❝Let’s toast,..❞ the words slowly escaped her lips, as if in deep thoughts. But she could hardly figure what speech to make. It was rare to find her at a loss for words.
