They ended the day with dinner prepped and ready. William and the foreign king had returned as well, and were joined at the dinner table by Merrium and Arstel once all were washed up. In the presence of her husband once again, she felt her anxiety return, even worse with the king of Istel now present. She did her best to hide this, though she suspected Arstel had taken notice regardless, as his general enthusiasm seemed to fall a little as well.

“Lord Auroros, you had connections with our previous ruler, what did you think of his politics?” William asked.

“He was weak,” the man growled in response. “But much of your people are weak. Picking fights over petty quarrels, creating laws out of spite. Our family has seen many generations of rulers, I don’t expect this one to be any different.”

Arstel hid an eyeroll and cast a private exasperated smile towards Merrium, who wasn’t too sure how to respond.

“And how was your day, little one?” lord Auroros boomed to his son.

“It was perfectly pleasant, father,” he responded. “Merrium has been an excellent host thus far.”

“And you’ve been treating my son fairly?” he directed to her.

“U-um…” Her stuttering received a very stern and threatening look from her husband, and she quickly firmed her voice. “Of course, my lord. It’s my priority to see to you and your son’s needs.”

Lord Auroros leaned back, seemingly pleased by her response. “You’ve got a good one, sir William. Very respectable woman, strong for her kind.”

But Merrium did not feel strong. Underneath the table her legs and hands were shaking. Her verbal blunder would not go unpunished, and William will see to it she remembers.

The conversation continued without her, though Arstel seemed to have tried to include her in attempt to lift her spirits. But she couldn’t shake away the dread of when the dinner will finish. The staff brought out deserts and more wine, but the sun had long since gone down, and the travelers had grown tired.

“It appears time to retire,” William stated, and a chill crawled down her spine. “The servants will escort you to your rooms and attend to you needs.”

“I think I’ll take a walk around the hills,” Arstel said, standing up. “The food was delicious, I may have eaten too much.”

“I will send a message to our guards so they may keep an eye out then. Merrium.” She held back a jump as best she could but it didn’t go unnoticed. “I need to talk with you.”

“Actually,” Arstel suddenly interjected. “Might I request the company of your lovely wife? The lands are still a bit unfamiliar, and she seems to know them very well.”

King Auroros cast him a glance and William’s face contorted with confused anger, fighting with the fact that he was interrupted, but caused by one of very, very high standing. Finally he conceded.

“Very well,” he said through gritted teeth.

Arstel bowed his head politely and gestured towards Merrium. “Will you accompany me?”

“Of course,” Merrium said, surprised still.

The air was chill but she could only ignore it. The stars twinkled so very far away as they walked in silence. When the house was almost a speck she finally spoke.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking just slightly.

He furrowed his brow at her. “Why did he seem so cross with you?”

“I...I made a mistake in front of your father. My behavior was an embarrassment to him.”

“Made a mis--what? Because father surprised you?”

She nodded, twining her fingers together and feeling herself begin to shake.

“That’s too much,” he said, the anger in his voice surprising her. “That’s too harsh, it was a perfectly pleasant evening. And I guarantee you my father didn’t care, he was actually quite impressed with you.”

Merrium remained silent in response.

“What would he have done to you?” he demanded.

“That…” she began, stopping on a hill next to the lone oak tree. “That...that is...I’m afraid that would be beyond your business, my lord.”

His eyes widened a moment, his face flashing between many different emotions, though surprisingly none of them anger, at least not at her. But finally he sighed and sat down. Merrium sat next to him politely, feeling just a little scared of any other questions he might ask of her. She didn’t want to say too much, but she didn’t want to offend him either. And he seemed to be genuinely concerned for her.

She shivered again, and his gaze fell on her. “Are you cold?”

“I will be fine.”

He seemed to deliberate again, and then…

“Would you like a hug, Merrium?”

“I…” Merrium felt so shocked by his question she didn’t have time to think about her response. Immediately, everything within her was saying yes, please, that would be so...tears formed in her eyes, feeling guilty for having such feelings, and poured down her cheeks. “I…”

Arstel responded in surprise, taking her in carefully into his arms. She resisted emotionally, but the gesture broke down her defense. She leaned wholeheartedly into his chest and cried, and he held her tightly as she did. She apologize in between sobs, while he brushed it aside reassuringly.

She wiped her face once she had calmed down, feeling herself awash with shame.

“It’s okay, Merrium,” he said again.

“I’m an embarrassment,” she said bitterly.

“No, you’re not,” he said, gently taking her face into his hands. “You’re human, Merrium, and like any living thing out there, you make mistakes, you lose composure, but what’s important is to move forward. Don’t be embarrassed for having emotions, don’t feel embarrassed for being yourself.”

She hiccuped. “You’re too kind, lord Arstel.”

He smiled, and let her go. “You’re a wonderful person, Merrium. It might take some time, but you’ll see what I mean.”

“Perhaps,” she said, wiping her eyes and smiling a little.

After a little more time they continued their walk, chatting a little more idly about things. Merrium somehow felt warm despite the air surely being much colder, despite seeing their breathes, and despite the virtues she had grown up following. She spoke more freely than she did before, asking him about his home and reveling in the stories he told, smirking at his exaggerations and giggling at his embellishments. His steel-grey eyes glittering in the night, and his dark hair seemed tinted with blue, though that may have been the moon’s influence. She considered speaking about her visions, but decided it better to continue keeping that a secret.

The house began to come into view again, and Merrium sighed. Arstel glanced at her with a little bit of worry.

“When does he usually fall asleep?”

“It depends on how much he drinks. He drinks more when he’s frustrated, so I think he’ll be deep asleep by now. With luck he’ll have forgotten about this night’s transgressions.”

He furrowed his brow again and frowned. “I still think he’s being unfair to you. That far too harsh.”

“That’s kind of you to say. And thank you for...well, for pulling me away.”

He took her fingers into his hand and kissed them, like he had only a month ago. “Anytime, miss Merrium.”

Merrium flushed and found her heart beating faster. She pulled her hand away, maybe a little too quickly, and turned away from him.

“I’m sorry, Merrium, I didn’t mean to-”

“P-please don’t misunderstand, lord Arstel,” she said, her voice shaking. “I mean no offense to you, you are a pleasant man and very kind, but I’m a taken woman, I took vows…”

“I understand, I apologize.” She glanced back to take in his expression. It was stoic, but gentle and kind. “I can be a little charismatic at times. Please let me know if I’m overstepping, I don’t mean to cause you discomfort.”

She face away from him again, feeling herself fighting inside against the very words she just spoke to him. A void seemed to have been dropped into her chest, and she didn’t know why.

“I-I’ll direct you to your room,” she said, leading the way back into the warmth of her home. “There should be a fire in attendance for your pleasure, please let us know if you need anything else.”

He stopped in the door frame, giving her a gentle smile. “Thank you. Goonight, miss Merrium.”

She smiled and bowed her head. “Good night, lord Arstel.”