Altor was in the stables, brushing his horse. His horse was a quiet one, matching his usual mood. Today, however, Altor was disquiet, unable to focus or find joy in the simple task.
The horse snapped at him. "I am sorry" Altor tried to pacify him.
"You must have pulled a few of his hair" her voice called behind him. "I could see you brushing too hard".
Sure enough, Altor turned around to see Adiwen at the entrance of the stall. She was dressed warmly, but her cheeks were red from the cold. She looked as lovely as ever.
"What are you even doing here? Don't you have a Prince to attract?" He tried to imitate her snarky tone, but he was tired and sad, without much color.
She shrugged. "I changed my mind". He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, she always tried to hide it and appear confident. She fooled most people but not him.
"Did you change your mind, or did you fail?"
"Me? I could ensnare a Prince if I wanted to. But I do not want a Prince". She moved a few steps closer.
"Oh?" Seemed to be the only sound he could make. Where had all his words gone? They abandoned him as soon as she started talking. After a few moments, he managed to say. "And what do you want?"
"Take a guess, you are a smart man".
"My future mother in law will hate me. A second son, who is not even a true Rider of the Mark!" He groaned, even though it didn't match his exact feelings at the moment.
"She is not who you have to worry about!" Adiwen waved her hand. "You should worry about me, because I might get a second son for a husband, but I expect to be treated like a Queen!"
This time his scoff was real. "What will the reprecussions be if I am not worthy of your regal statue?" He teased her.
Adiwen paused for a moment thinking. "I will figure it out after you kiss me".
How could he not oblige? He kissed her, not worrying about anything. Oh her mother would hate how happy and weird they were going to be.
THE END
