Alyssa watched impassively as another desk was carefully hauled into Rowan's office by a pair of guards. It was a sturdy desk, made of mahogany, if she wasn't mistaken. However, she didn't speak, just stood off to the side and watched as Rowan directed for it to be placed adjacent to his at a right angle. There was enough space between the desks so that they wouldn't disturb each other, but close enough that they could speak easily.
As soon as the desk was placed to his satisfaction, what seemed like a horde of servants swarmed into the room, carrying a chair and what seemed like enough supplies to keep a scribe stocked for a year. Each of them smiled brightly as they passed her, dipping a bob or bowing slightly. That was interesting. She had expected the palace servants to be much more standoffish while they took her measure. Especially considering that she could charitably be considered as nothing more than a country bumpkin noble. So, what could've possibly caused them to look favorably at her? Or was it because they were in the prince's presence? But no, it looked like they were genuinely happy to see her.
Still, all of this took less than five minutes and before she knew it, she was alone with Rowan in his study. He looked over at her, uncertainty passing quickly through his eyes. He offered quietly, "We can change anything you wish or if you've changed your mind, I can escort you back to your rooms."
She took a moment to look over the study before answering him. It was a nice study, reminding her greatly of the library back in Anaria. The shelves and furniture were made of rich dark wood, giving the room a calming feel to it. Two of the walls were lined with shelves and shelves of books. However, they weren't just for show, many of them showed signs of consistent use. The third wall set behind his desk contained a large set of windows, letting in light and fresh air, which undoubtedly helped to keep the study from feeling stuffy. Heavy red drapes were pulled back on either side with golden cords. With very little trouble, he could just shut the curtains and have complete privacy.
Not only that, but there were large potted plants scattered around the room, their deep green leaves and bright white pots bringing brightness to an otherwise dark study. Turning to him, she decided to put him out of his misery and shook her head. "No, this is more than adequate, thank you. I was just looking around, pardon my inattention."
The tension eased from his shoulders and he smiled warmly at her, "Not at all. Please, feel free to make yourself at home here. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. It can most likely be procured with little to no trouble."
She thought wryly, must be good to be prince. However, she simply shook her head and made her way over to the desk, "I'm sure that everything is excellent and doubt that there will be anything lacking. But thank you for your kind offer. When is your first meeting?"
He glanced at the clock resting on the large mantel of the fireplace. "In just a few minutes, actually. But there is still more than enough time to get you settled comfortably. I'm sure that you have your own way of laying things out, everyone who works at a desk for any time at all ends up creating a system. And if you oversaw the trading for Anaria, I'm sure that you spent a fair amount of time at a desk."
A sudden smile caught her by surprise, but she didn't try to hide it, the wry resignation in Rowan's voice telling her that he knew about time spent tied to a desk as well. Pulling out the seat and carefully adjusting it, she sat, carefully sweeping her skirts so that they weren't bunched uncomfortably. "Yes, I've spent a fair amount of time at a desk. And it's true, about developing a system. I still can't find anything on Claude's desk without having to get Marissa's help."
Seeming to realize that he was hovering, he reluctantly moved away and sat behind his desk. There was too much nonchalance in his voice for Alyssa to believe him truly disinterested when he asked, "Claude? Is that your steward, perhaps?"
She thought about teasing him, but they really didn't know each other well enough for that yet. Instead, she started carefully laying out her paper, quill, and inkwell. "No, my eldest brother. He's two years older than me and heir to Anaria and its lordship. A strong leader, one who will lead Anaria well especially with his mate's help. But still, he could use some help with his filing system. If it weren't for Lloyd and Marissa, we'd never be able to make head or tails out of it when he's not there."
Rowan glanced at the clock again before huffing a sigh and pulling out a pile of documents. Still, his voice was filled with curiosity, "And Marissa is Claude's mate? Do you have more siblings than just Lord Claude?"
She was surprised yet pleased that he was asking her personally about her family. Sure, he could've probably found the information easily in the census records, but it was a point in his favor that he had chosen to ask her directly instead. She opened her mouth to answer when there was a loud knock on the door, causing Rowan to scowl fiercely. Instead, she said quickly, "I'll tell you later."
He sighed and raked a hand through his hair, his low voice filled with frustration, "I'll hold you to that." Raising his voice, he shouted for whoever was knocking to enter.
Two men swept into the study, neither one of them looking particularly intimidated by the snarl in Rowan's voice. To Alyssa's surprise, she knew one of the men, Captain Eric from the night before, although the other one was a stranger to her. Ignoring Rowan entirely, the captain made his way over to her desk and grinned, giving her a deep bow. "Good day, Milady. It's good to see you looking well after that unfortunate incident last night."
She couldn't help but smile at the blunt guard captain, his cheerful demeanor reminding her of her father, "That was rather distasteful, wasn't it? But I was still able to get a good night's sleep and Rowan has been quite generous with his time this morning, although I'm sure that he had many duties that he needed to tend to."
Eric's grin widened and he shrugged, "Why should he worry about dull meetings and all that gibber-jabbering when he has such a lovely lady to court? Time well spent, I think. Eh, Kiran?"
The other man rolled his eyes but dutifully came over and bowed to her, "I am Kiran West, chief aide to Prince Rowan. Greetings, Princess Candidate Lady Alyssa. I am sorry to hear of your rough introduction to the palace. Such a thing should've never happened."
Eric groaned and she saw Rowan's expression tighten from the corner of her eye, but Alyssa found herself intrigued. Now here was the sort of reception that she had been expecting since she had first arrived at the palace. Watching and measuring to see what she was like before making a decision. She had the feeling that Kiran liked having things sorted into orderly boxes, his use of the title Princess Candidate making her position clear. However, he also was treating her with respect by acknowledging her title and position within the palace. Yes, he probably disliked chaos, which was how he ended up Rowan's aide. Plenty of duties and issues to sort at the prince's side.
Although she would watch her step around him, Alyssa decided immediately to treat him with the same courtesy that he'd shown her. "It is truly disheartening to see the disdain that someone has for the laws of this land, Sir Kiran. However, I trust that Rowan and those who work with him will see the matter fully sorted out and justice served. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Lady Alyssa of Anaria. Are you perhaps related to the West family of the countship of Kelnar?"
His eyes widened slightly at that, although he was quick to school his expression back into a neutral one. "The current count is my father. May I inquire as to how you know my family?"
She smiled at him, her own court mask that her mother had insisted that she practice ad nauseam until she had gotten it just so. "Countess Iris and I have corresponded the past few years on some trivial matters. A most impressive woman, your mother. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom from our acquaintance."
He bowed again, slightly deeper this time, "I am sure that she will be pleased to hear that you hold her in such high regard. Now, I regret the necessity, but the captain and I require Prince Rowan's attention for some necessary matters."
She nodded, "Of course, Sir Kiran. Please pass my greetings to the countess next time you write. Good day, Sir, Captain."
With a last nod to the pair of them, she picked up the quill and dipped it into the inkwell, turning her attention to the paper laid out neatly in front of her. She felt Eric and Kiran's gaze on her for several moments before they turned and walked the last few feet over to Rowan's desk.
Rowan snapped irritably at them to pay attention and stop staring and she ducked her head a little farther to hide her small smile as she began to write about the Sanduins' yearly pilgrimages, the nib scratching quietly across the parchment as she wrote. A cheerful guard captain and a stoic aide, this day was looking more interesting already. Maybe it was a good thing that she agreed to stay an extra day, she could learn a bit more about the palace and how it was run. If nothing else, it held the potential to be amusing at the very least.
Dipping the quill again, she had to swallow a chuckle. Princess Candidate indeed.
Comments (0)
See all