Gysella and her retinue had been in Cayb for a short six weeks -- and though the time had gone by faster than she’d expected, some days felt like an eternity.
The dutiful princess had committed to no less than five hours per day on lessons to learn the language of her betrothed. Though she’d made some progress in her ability to string together simple sentences, she found that she was largely still unable to understand when others spoke to her. Their words felt too quick and jumbled, whereas her responses were slow and careful. (She was certain that her accent made the pronunciation of certain words near-impossible, and it was maddening to watch as the people around her smiled when she spoke, as if in amusement of how she she did it.) Each hour of those daily sessions, presided over by Gormon and occasionally attended upon by Geun, seemed to stretch on endlessly. Her tutor assured her that she would learn best if she surrounded herself amongst the Cayvish, but Gysella was quick to reply in a huff that she could not go out amongst her would-be people as such an outsider.
Thus she persisted in relative solitude, with her 5 hours of daily language lessons flanked by several hours more of lessons in the politics and culture of Cayb, mercifully delivered with Gormon there to translate back to the Golden Tongue. Late evenings were spent in her rooms amongst her ladies, with plentiful wine passed between them as they chattered comfortably in their native tongue. Between it all, she did attempt to carve out some purposeful time with Konu -- but it was eternally difficult to attempt to forge a bond with translators amongst them as mediators. She was tempted to spark a sexual relationship between the two of them, if only to allow for a more common language.
It was one of her handmaidens -- a girl called Serilda -- who had suggested that she and Konu spend time together in activities which did not rely upon conversation, such as sight-seeing. How much can you be talking if you’re busy looking? She had suggested, a smile on her face as she poured the princess more wine. And while you’re looking at this land, perhaps he could be looking at you.
With Serilda’s suggestion in mind, Gysella had waited until the following morning’s breakfast to voice her request for an outing of some kind. It was been Geun’s suggestion that the two venture out into the villages surrounding the palace. Gysella had been quick to voice concerns regarding an appearance amongst the common people so quickly, but these fears were assuaged when it was suggested that the would-be couple go out without disclosing their noble identities.
Thus, Gysella found herself ready to depart the capital dressed in her simplest dress, with her normally ornately braided hair left to hang loosely about her shoulders. Gormon stood beside her dressed in similarly common clothes. She had reluctantly accepted that his attendance would be necessary, though she’d asked that he maintain respectable distance.
“I do not want you to step in unless I am embarrassing myself,” Gysella reminded him sternly as they stood waiting. “Understand?”
“Of course, Princess,” Gormon replied -- the ever-amused smile on his lips firmly in place. “I will mind myself.”
