brave face
queenellarion:
HER HUSBAND’S WAY OF THINKING was irrevocable. Impeccable, if she might add. That was only one of the many qualities she loved about her King, how rational and reasonable he is, while still remaining his joyful self. They really were quite the pair. “Yes and then we could simply ignore it the next time it chooses to appear. I think you just solved all of our problems, Will.” The Queen said with a gentle, appreciative smile. “Indeed, why should be break ourselves and our heads trying to find a meaning in it. Malice without intent is a meaning on its own. Perhaps that’s what this is, just mindless mischief, intent on seeing us glum on happy occasions.” She mused, when her husband’s words caught her attention again and she inclined herself closer to him. “I doubt anyone would miss us if we make a timely exit. With all these masks, I doubt anyone even recognises us now.”
“If you miss him, we could visit Iatris in the next few days, or invite your brother and the Queen to come stay with us, and bring your nephew along. We can always make time for family and Eyden is still going steadily. I doubt that prolonging out stay from it would jeopardise it greatly. Besides, my mother can always step in, in our absence.” Daphne gently offered. Truthfully speaking, she would’ve gone to Mordu to spend time with her cousins, but Iatris and Mordu were not the same, distance wise. Iatris was less than a day’s ride, the could’ve gone there for a cup of afternoon tea and be home by sundown, while Mordu… She would’ve had to be absent for a few days from her kingdom, with an entire sea between her home and her mother’s old kingdom. “And what of you, are you finding your time here pleasant enough?”
“If only it were that simple,” he said, half to himself. He would love to be able to solve the mystery of the Voice, and the danger that it might pose with one suggestion. In one fell swoop, he could alleviate at least some of their worries. “Although I don’t think ignoring it would help. We tried that last time, remember?” When he had been so forcefully jolly, so determined to keep the party going. He had refused to let the Voice spoil their wedding.
Malice without intent indeed. But that’s what worried William. That there was some intent behind it. And why now? Hadn’t the Kingdoms had happy occasions before? The Voice hadn’t shown up to any of those.
The difference now was that the Kingdoms were beginning to get along.
Maybe that was the point. Maybe it was just someone looking to make trouble, stir the pot, keep the Kingdoms suspicious of each other. If it was, it wouldn’t work. Things were going well, and William was in a position to at least try to ensure they stayed that way.
He choked on the sip he had just taken of his drink. Gods but he loved Daphne’s spontaneity and willingness to go along with his capers. He was tempted to take her at her word and steal her away. They probably wouldn’t even make it to their chambers without him being able to keep his hands off her. And his lips.
"As much as I want--” cough “--that. I think we should probably stay a little longer. Show the Voice that it can’t scare us, and everyone else that they shouldn’t be afraid. Which--” he paused again, this time to hand his glass to a nearby servant, “--means we should probably dance.” He turned, causing her hand at his elbow to slide down until he could grasp it . He lifted it, and raised his eyebrows.
At her offer, William’s heart swelled. There was something every day that made William appreciate how lucky he was to have Daphne. How lucky he was that she had wanted him when he had been hopelessly oblivious in Iatris. Her kind heart, and understanding made him almost want to weep with emotion and gratitude. She was just so good and sweet. Though she had a kingdom to run, she was offering to inconvenience herself just to make him happy.
He pressed a kiss to her hand. “Duck, that’s--that’s very sweet of you. I would enjoy us going for a visit at some point, and being able to show you all the things I should have the first time.” When he had behaved like an idiot and avoided the question of his marriage much less the actual subject--or monarch in this case. “I promise you that I’m not unhappy in Eyden though,” he hastened to add, eyes searching hers for any indication that she might be upset. He hoped he hadn’t made her think he wasn’t happy in his new home and new role. It was overwhelming, yes, and difficult, but it wasn’t as if William could go back. This was his life now. He had no regrets and didn’t want Daphne to think that he did.

















