Peace for a Price (1x1)

"The glasses make sunlight tolerable, but I thank you for your consideration," Eleazar said, rustling his wings slightly before letting them settle like a cape once more. He turned and indicated a path leading around the castle. "The gardens in the back are a bit grander."

He led her around to the back where the area opened up to a large field of flowers. Most of the flowers were short and small, most of them only a few inches in height, but a few stood tall and proud. Gold, purple, white, and pink created a thick carpet with a stone path leading the way through. Rocks and stones in various shapes and sizes dotted the area in artistic piles, designed to look natural yet appealing. The tallest flowers and vining plants on trellises were arranged around the edges and in some areas created small walls to make private areas within the mostly open garden.
 
Malisia's eyes widened ever so slightly, though it was hard to tell from behind those thick framed glasses she always carried balanced on her nose.

Some of these species she recognized, and they were uncommon to say the least, to say there would be botanists willing to murder to have one or two specimens of each, was an understatement.

She wondered how they'd grown so well despite the climate... If only she was allowed free reign of this zone too so she may think of a couple of ways to help the garden on the main entrance.


No matter, not much she could do about it but enjoy this while it lasted.


"Would you mind if we just sat here for a while? Unless we had- Other things to do of course."
 
Eleazar guided her down one of the paths toward a long stone bench. "I told you. Today is yours to do with as you please," he reminded her.

He sat down on one end, wings fluttering out briefly to hang behind him so he didn't sit on them. There was plenty of room for at least two more people on the bench, meaning Malisia had plenty of room.

After a bit of quiet, Eleazar admitted, "I am not a farmer or a gardener. I did tend herd animals for a time, and they were much easier to deal with. However, I know that most of these grow wild deeper inland up on the steppes and the crags. Travelers brought them here when the castle was being built and helped establish them. I believe most of them are... bulbs? They have the big base that grows over and over again?" He moved his hands akwardly to define the shape and attempt to explain something he, himself, barely understood.
 
Malisia sat down beside him, shifting every so often to make sure she was close enough to him, without disturbing his personal space.


She nodded, understanding what he meant despite the difficulty at first, she felt ready to dump all the information she had onto him, but tried to keep it short and sweet, knowing he might not be interested, or rather, it may be too much to explain and she'd ruin this peaceful time.


"Most, bulb flowers are perennials. They return each season thanks to the bulb at their roots, they store the energy they require, and bloom easily... Seems like your garden has very healthy bulbs, considering how much they grew."

The princess cleared her throat, forcing herself to be quiet and not let her mouth run.

She ran a nervous hand through her curls, leaving a bit of silence in the air, enjoying the calm for a moment as she started to ponder what would come to her in the future.
 
"Ah. Is that how they work?" Eleazar mused thoughtfully. He was not particularly interested in bulbs or how they worked, but he knew that it was a hole in his knowledge that - in a kingdom struggling to keep its people fed - was rather important to fill. He knew he should at least learn enough about plants to know when someone was actually being helpful and when they were a scam artist. Plants were just... boring. And frustrating. Beautiful, and he liked flowers as much as the next person, but boring to learn about.

After a while, he turned to her and asked, "Are you ready to continue? Or would you prefer to stay here for a little longer? We have no need to rush, but I would not want you to be bored."
 
Malisia looked at the ground for a moment, thinking about what they should do now. Truth be told, she didn't have much else to do here, but she didn't particularly dislike just sitting still with Eleazar, however, it was, likely wise to get a move on despite the king saying he was not exactly trying to get out of here quickly.


"Well.. Perhaps we can return, later, if the day allows it." She was going to request to spend some more time with him there, another day, but then his words came back to her mind. He mentioned she could settle down in a home of her own after their trip ended.

It wasn't that unheard of that some kings sent away his lesser wives, since other kingdoms didn't have a leader as decent and honest as Eleazar, it was pretty common for certain monarchs to have several wives and often take very little care of those they deemed lesser, particularly the ones they married only for political alliances.

Sure, she didn't truly think Eleazar would be marrying anyone else any time soon considering how uninterested and tired he looked during their wedding, but she suspected... That she may end up somewhere far away for his peace.


Perhaps she was just overthinking, she sighed, and tried to put on her best smile while allowing it all to flow.


"What's our next stop your highness?"
 
Eleazar considered the question. "I think that is everything unless you wish to see the stables. I do not know why you would want to see the stables, but it is an option. Otherwise, you are free to rest or explore on your own or do whatever you wish with your day. We can spend it together, if you like, but I have never been accused of being good company. The noon meal is not for another hour, and that is taken in the dining room. Unless you prefer to take it in your room, then that can be arranged."
 
Malisia fixed her glasses back onto their correct position, she had to fix them soon, they were always sliding off, but she never really worried about that, it was just, a small annoyance if anything.

"Well... If that's the case, I'd like to remain here for a while longer. At least just for a moment while we wait for noon..."

​
She didn't mind just sitting in silence. Despite Eleazar's comment she dind't find him bad company either, sure, he may not be the first person she'd chose for conversation, but he seemed like a good listener, and that's all she needed at the time, some peace and quiet after how messy the previous days had been.

The woman remained in her seat, eyes half closed, enjoying the crisp air as the minutes went on and on, not really thinking of much unless the king spoke to her directly.
 
Eleazar was not much of an idle chatter. He did feel awkward since many people had impressed upon him the need to treat this woman well and make her feel at least somewhat welcome, but he just didn't know what to talk to her about. Politics? Dangerous and overdone. The weather? Silly. Something about the future? That seemed a little too far ahead. Favorite meals? Too random. So, he sat in silence and let her have her time.

He had to close his eyes now and then to rest them from the glare of the sun even through his dark glasses, but he enjoyed the warmth. His wings relaxed and even unhooked for the first time, though they still did not unfurl. In fact, other than to move them out of the way, he had barely moved his wings at all since meeting Malisia. That didn't seem to be changing now as he sunned himself next to her.

Finally, he blinked a bit and stood. "We should begin moving toward the dining room," he told her. "I don't think I showed you. It's a bit smaller than the banquet hall."
 
The princess opened her eyes slowly realizing time had passed far faster than she expected, she was, a bit sad that it was over so quickly, but she didn't protest, standing up beside him before giving one last look at the gardens, hoping she'd see these lovely sights once more once the sun rose again.


Without being prompted, or even before Eleazar offered his arm, she had already wrapped an arm around his, her touch was gentle, yet, quite firm, to be expected from someone her height and strength.

She no fighter, not at all, nor did she choose violence as an option in any ocassion, but she was active, she awasn't a fragile little house plant, if there was anything to compare her to, was a wild flower, resilient, rebellious, and yet, thriving despite the conditions. She liked to have hard work, working the soil of the gardens of Valeskiar used to be one of her favorite ways to pass the time, which helped her keep herself in good shape and not find herself ready to faint at any amount of effort she did in her daily activities.

Malisia also had, a pretty good appetite. Sure, she hadn't eaten too well during the last few days thanks to how badly she'd fallen into the whirlwind of negative thoughts, but she wasn't one to starve herself as many other princesses did just to "look better". She didn't have the small and meek body shape one would expect from a princess, though, that did add to her unique charm, even if she didn't realize it herself.


She took a deep breath, smilling tenderly towards Eleazar before speaking.


"Well, let's go then your highness."
 
Eleazar jumped a little at Malisia taking his arm. It wasn't for the strength of her grip, he was accustomed to females having all levels of weak or strong grips, but because of the quickness of her movement. "Yes," he agreed awkwardly, trying to recover.

He walked her back around to the back door rather than the front, which happened to take them through the kitchens. The cooks gave them grumpy looks as they scurried through, regardless of their rank, but they were out of the kitchen and into the dining room quickly. The dining room looked a lot like the banquet hall, except a lot smaller. A single long table dominated the center of the room with perhaps a dozen chairs around it. There were no chairs at either end of the table, only the sides. A simple runner and three vases filled with flowers that looked to be leftovers from the wedding decorated the center of the table, and a low fire burned in the fireplace at one end. The room was a little dark as the walls were wood with forest green wainscoting, but it was cozy and almost cabin-like.

The king stopped a few steps inside the room and turned to Malisia. "Do you prefer to be warmer or cooler? The room does not evenly heat, so the closer you are to the fire, the warmer you will be. You may chose where you - we - sit."
 
She felt the king's reaction, but didn't comment on it, instead smilling to herself as she found it oddly cute,

Cute? Gods, she might actually be losing her mind at this point.

Malisia looked at the way the room was organized, finding it delightful and quite pleasing to the eye, she didn't take too long to pick a spot for them in the middle, not too warm, not too cool, she wasn't sure how Eleazar preffered it, and she definetely didn't want to be cold given the warm climate back in Valeskiar.


"Here, perhaps?" She said, gently guiding him off to the seats that caught her eye.
 
"These will work fine, yes," Eleazar agreed. He pulled out the chair for Malisia and helped her sit before taking a seat by her side away from the fire.

Others soon came, their voices loud and boisterous as they walked in, but the moment they saw the two sovereigns already seated at the table, their voices dropped instantly. They ducked their heads and quietly filed in. There was quite a mix of races even among just these ten people, though only one was human. Lance sailed in with another tall, pale fellow like himself, though this one had hair the color of ripe wheat rather than red. Lance smiled at Eleazar and Malisia and gave them a small bow before taking a seat a little farther down the table. His blonde counterpart sat down diagonal to Malisia and dipped his head to them. Like Lance, his expression was highly controlled and hidden behind an impassive mask, but a twinkle gleamed in his eye. Directly across from Malisia, a woman with skin the color of an emerald took a seat and settled herself with great dignity as thick ropes of brown hair fell around her shoulders. Next to her, another woman climbed up onto the chair with a booster as she was barely hip-tall to Malisia. The rest of the gathering were all males, most of them quite young.

When all the seats had been filled, a bell rang, and servants bustled in to serve them all. They moved with quiet efficiency, placing the first course in front of each person. They seemed at ease and happy to be serving, but both servants and guests seemed to be deliberately quieting themselves each time they glanced toward Malisia. It was almost like a bunch of children not wanting to anger an adult. Except for Lance, the blonde man, and the woman with green skin. Lance was enigmatic as always, his blonde counterpart seemed amused, and the green-skinned woman did not seem to notice or care.

For his part, Eleazar kept his attention focused entirely on his bowl of light soup.
 
Malisia made sure to greet anyone close enough that they could see her tilting her head respectfully and greeting them, being particularly warm towards Lance thanks to their two previous encounters. Her parents would have not been this respectful to anyone unless they were of similar or higher rank, but this was just the way the princess was, jolly, and, perhaps too social for her own good, remaining kind even to the servants.

She chose to eat this time, feeling at ease compared to other occassions.


"How is it?" Malisia asked Eleazar quietly, to make small talk more than anything.

She had thought about it, and, even if they weren't particularly close at this time, Malisia considered the folk shouldn't suffer, they seemed to care for Eleazar, the least she could do was playing her part and be a decent companion to the king, at least in these events.
 
"It is good, though I am not fond of most soups," Eleazar admitted, stirring his soup lightly. "It is good. Warm. Tastes of carrot. Do you find it suitable?"
 
She nodded, proud of herself for managing to speak to him normally without a stutter while in public, as well as quite happy that he chose to engage in conversation.

"It is. Quite good. I never really asked previously, although, I wondered what, your prefered meal was? No real reason, simple curiosity."

She made sure to keep it brief, allowing him to leave the conversation at any point he desired.
 
"I have a strong enjoyment for potatoes," he replied hesitantly but honestly. A lot of other countries considered potatoes to be peasant food, and a royal would never, ever stoop to eating potatoes, or, at least, would never admit it. "I find it to be a solid staple that can be prepared in a shocking number of ways. I particularly enjoy them with rabbit meat." He paused for a second before seeming to remind himself to continue. "And what is it you prefer?"
 
Malisia was amused by his response, potatoes... One of the main crops back in Valeskiar, despised by the noble yet, the corner stone of the entirety of anyone else's diet in her kingdom of origin.

She smirked a bit, thinking of his reply, this sounded like more of a farmer or hunter's meal, common plant and common game, then again, these were common back home, she assumed Cravonid didn't have the luck of having such things as often as they did.


The princess thought about her answer, she... Liked too many things.

"Well... A few seasons back some folk from other kingdoms brought in some sea animals to Valeskiar in exchange for my hand- The king and queen despised it but I must say, ocean catch tastes different to the one from fresh water. Perhaps a a lobster, if I had to choose one? They are just... Big crayfish by the looks of it, and they seem to pair well with butter."


Valeskiar, due to its position within the continent, had no exit to the sea, they relied on other places for anything that came from the ocean, and just like potatoes, most places would consider lobster peasant food, the poor man's protein, even fed to animals at times, after all, who wanted to eat what was essentially a sea bug? Disgusting. Well, she did, she enjoyed it quite a bit.

So far, she was content with the conversation they were having, not really paying attention to her surroundings at the time.
 
Eleazar raised his brow with some surprise and curiosity, possibly the most interest he'd shown her yet. "I am familiar with crayfish as we do have a few places where those live, but I am not familiar with lobster. Then again, I am not often at the shorelines. We will be near the western shore later in our journey, so perhaps we might ask about this lobster there."

Cravonid did have a western and a northern shoreline as well as just a hair of eastern shoreline, but most of the area was cold. Dreadfully cold. People did fish there and did ship a lot of dried fish to other parts, but only a few lived in the area. Plus, the fishing was closely regulated as it was a good source of protein, and many were worried that greed would wipe out the fish faster than they could repopulate. With a scarcity of meat choices, every bit counted. No one wanted to lose even one.

When everyone had finished their soups, the appetizers came next. It was mushrooms stuffed with fancy cheese and bacon. Eleazar liked mushrooms even far less than he liked soup, but food was food, and he was not about to offend anyone. He delicately ate what was set before him and tried hard not to taste the mushroom. The cheese and bacon was amazing, though. Across from Malisia, the green-skinned woman ate her mushrooms with gusto and then eyed the others until she caught herself and seemed to be mentally reprimanding herself.

While Eleazar struggled with his mushrooms, the fair-haired version of Lance leaned forward. "Princess. I do hope you will forgive my absence to your wedding and subsequent feast, but I did send a gift in the hopes of tempering your wrath with a bribe." His eyes sparkled as he said it. He spoke with the same gravitas as Lance, but just slightly quicker and with a bit of a lilt, as if he was trying not to laugh at a personal joke. "Have you been finding your feet here in this strange land?"

Eleazar quietly cursed himself when he realized he'd forgotten to do anything with the gifts that were currently piled high in the room next to his. They should probably do something about that.
 
She nodded in appreciation at Eleazar's words. "That would be nice."


Malisia, once again, found herself enjoying the dish in front of her, she didn't show it much beyond the smile she kept on her face. Then again, she didn't particularly dislike any food, she had tried many strange things back when she was younger, particularly thanks to her many friendships among peasants; animal organs, odd herbs and roots that people weren't a big fan of within the castle, she was yet to find anything she found unnapealing.

Her attention shifted to the new stranger, she waved her hand light, as if trying to dismiss the comment about her wrath.

"I believe your bribe worked quite well."


She returned the joke and smiled kindly, though they hadn't introduced themselves properly yet.

The princess though for a moment before replying, she knew she couldn't say all the truth, so instead she simply expressed the same she'd say to everyone else but Eleazar.


"I still need time to get used to certain things, but I am quite happy so far, I'm sure I will adapt in no time."
 
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