“The man with the halberd I take it. Well, I suppose if you are to be my husband, then we certainly do have things to talk about, don’t we,” Elica replied, her cross loosening. “But I would still like some time collect my thoughts.”

“Then how about we take a stroll through the gardens while we talk, I’m sure they’ll help you clear your head,” he said, his hand still extended towards her.

“Very well, I’ll come with you,” she replied, taking hold of his warm hand to walk with him.

“We’ll leave through the main door, but I’ll show you a side door that leads directly to the gardens when we return,” he said as they left the room, turning towards the same direction she had come from.

Dietz stood in the great hall off some distance, talking to the group that had been watching Valafar’s performance. He only gave the duo a nod before returning to his talk as they left the building.

A trellis arch sat on the stone pathway that led into the gardens, its flower covered vines warmly greeting all who would enter.

The view from the main pathway did little justice to the full splendor of the gardens. The intricacy of the structures and the vibrancy of the plants proved to be a powerful combination.

Valafar released her hand shortly after they entered, allowing her to roam about the pathways, dumbfounded by the beauty before her.

“I take it the gardens are to your liking,” Valafar asked, following closely behind her.

“They’re amazing,” she gasped as her eyes continued to wander. Her eyes quickly landed on a gardenia bush next to a fountain, its white flowers strongly asserting its presence. “Just look at them,-” she exclaimed, gleefully approaching the large plant, “-aren’t they beautiful!”

“Do you especially like these flowers,” he asked, approaching from behind.

“They remind me of someone I know,” she replied wistfully, the breeze enveloping her in their fragrance. “Anyway,” she burst out, breaking from her trance like state, “what would you like to talk about.”

“Well, about our betrothal, how do you feel about it. Feel free to answer honestly, I won’t mind either way.”

“Well, if you insist that I be honest, my answer would be that I hate it... I have the feeling though, that my opinion isn’t going to change the matter, now is it?”

“Unfortunately that seems to be the case, though keep in mind this isn’t by my design,” he reassured.

“I got that impression while your father spoke of you,” Elica sighed. “So how long have you known about this? I heard you recently returned to Riorna, so I’m guessing you knew before that.”

“I suppose you could say that I knew,” he said, walking over the the fountain. “I was summoned back under my father’s orders, and, considering our issues and state he was in, I should have known his intentions.”

“So you’re saying you just recently learned of this as well,” she said, watching him as he peered deep into the rippling water.

“To be honest, I was informed right after you were, and my feelings on the matter match yours as it seems. I saw the state you were in when you left his chamber, that must have been the reason you hadn’t seen me coming down the hall,” he said, turning his face from the waters to give her a faint smile.

“So I take it there’s nothing you can do about this from your position?”

“Unfortunately not, my father has apparently already sent word of our marriage to the king and nobility. It would completely disgrace our family if I were to call it off now.”

“I see,” Elica replied quietly.

“That bastard knew exactly how to get his way,” he suddenly burst out, dashing the water angrily.

“Hey, calm down,” Elica scolded, firmly grabbing his arm as she thought of how Aeres would handle the situation.

“How can I possibly calm down. My affair with my father has caused him to drag someone else into the middle,” he hissed.

“Here, look at me,” she instructed softly, trying to calm him as she directed his face to meet her’s. “Nevermind the circumstances of my involvement, we are now in this together, so we need to work together to make the best of it,” she cooed, looking deep into his troubled eyes.

“You’re right,” he whispered, his face softening once again. “I apologize for my outburst, I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me..”

“Oh don’t worry about it, I can’t say I wouldn’t have reacted in the same way,” she said, trying to think of a way to change the mood. “By the way, you looked pretty cool wielding that halberd, how about you teach me some time,” she remarked, sending him a wide smile.

“Thanks, I’ll think about it” he said with a short laugh. “Now how about we go back and put on a show,” he smiled, extending his hand once again, to which she replied by taking it firmly.