2 Knightsend (1/2)
Timothy stared at the window. After reading the letter, he cancelled the march and went to his office with Erik.
The two were silent for a while until Erik spoke with a worried tone ”Tim, you don't know anything about women”
”Yeah” he answered lazily
”And…” Erik paused as if recalling something ”you never had a lover before”
”That's true” Timothy agreed
Erik leaned on his chair ”Some people even say that you” he paused and whispered ”like men”
Tim shot Erik a piercing look that almost made him fell off the chair. While it was true that he never had a lover before, it was not because he likes men. He just doesn't have interest in romance. For him, romance was a privilege only commoners could enjoy. Every noble family uses marriage as a political tool so he already knew that someday he would marry someone for political reasons. But now that it finally happened, he was slightly scared. He will live with this person possibly his whole life. Although Castonian law allowed divorce, he will still be tied to her. He was young and still had many ambitions.
He wanted to experience his youth and discover the secrets of this world. He wanted to travel north where the sea spans the horizon, to visit the howling mountains of Ninev, the lush fertile plains of sond, the ghambit desert. Most important of all, he wanted to find the person in his dreams, that woman whose presence fills his heart with both joy and sadness. If he will marry, he can't do these things.
”Baseless rumors!” Erik immediately clarified ”but Tim, are you alright with this?”
”It's father's orders. I don't have a choice. As long as she doesn't shackle me, then it's alright.”
Timothy stood up and went to the cabinet. He took a bottle of aged Hadean wine. The bottle was one of the best ones in his collection. He then took two cups and offered one to Erik.
”Drinking before breakfast. Is that wise?” Erik cautioned.
Timothy ignored his question. ”We will leave the castle and head for the capital tomorrow. You're not unfamiliar with the King's patience. Besides..” he poured some wine into his cup. The aroma of aged hadean filled his nostrils with glee. ” we also need to visit your father in Greenwater along the way. The Marquis will be happy to see you again.” he took a sip. The rich taste of the wine warmed his heart.
”I'll make the preparations then” Erik also poured some wine into his cup. He took a sip and then emptied the cup into his mouth. He let out an ecstatic grunt ”After we're done with this of course” he raised his cup and took the bottle again to pour some more.
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