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"Hold on," Judith said, her mouth agape. "Are you saying the reason you volunteered to defend the Great Bridge is because you figured it wouldn't be attacked?" She'd come all the way from Daphnel to assist the former Count Gloucester, Erwin Fritz Gloucester, in guarding The Great Bridge of Myrddin against empire attack. Most of the Federations forces were busy fighting the Almyran invasion.
"Hm. Now there is a thought..," Erwin said, feigning pensiveness.
"'Humble retiree, my foot, " Judith replied, throwing her hands up in the air, "you're just as shrewd as ever!"
"You honor me, Lady Judith," Erwin said, smiling as he pressed a hand to his chest. "Since we won't be busy here, would you care for some tea?"
"Tea? Don't you have anything more interesting than tea? Maybe throw in one of your cellar wines and I'm in."
"Certainly, I'll have it arranged." Erwin in truth would have given his best, last bottle of wine to Judith. He'd always held a special affection for her, but kept her at arm's length. There were the political reasons, his marriage, their own affairs with other people. But now he was retired, and as far as he knew, she was as single as he was.
Judith had not always gotten along with Erwin when they were on the Roundtable together. Despite the fact that he was by her estimates a good, responsible lord, she often found the man pompous and insufferable, always ready to argue and complain even if you agreed with him. But retired Count Gloucester seemed like a very different man.
"I see you decided to ditch the armor," Judith laughed, settling in on one of the couches in Erwin's office.
"A luxury of retirement," he smirked, pouring Judith a cup of tea, redolent of rose petals.
"Why do you still wear it anyway?" Judith asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Morale. Do not the people feel more secure when they feel their leaders have military prowess?"
"I guess." Judith decided to toy with him a little. "I think you look much better in whatever it is you're wearing now." It was a long purple brocade robe with a red velvet collar, over a white lace shirt and black breeches, paired with white slippers adorned with red roses. Judith found the whole get up to be deliciously elegant.
"I cannot tell if that's a compliment or a slight, but either way, even I have to admit this is much more comfortable." Judith very much enjoyed his reaction. She could tell he took it to heart, yet he would not let his demeanor betray him.
"Where's this wine you promised anyway?"
"I'm having it brought up from the cellar. Do you have somewhere to be?" Judith loved the way he drew out certain words in his deep, growling voice. A voice that could sound crotchety or alluring depending on the context. And she was beginning to find it more the latter.
"Fine, fine. Even I have to admit this tea is nice. And I suppose if I'm the only one keeping you from surrendering to the Empire, I might need to stay awhile," Judith said, taking a sip of the tea.
"Well, I can make it worth your while. I have sent for a 1179 bottle of Boramas. Need to clear out the good ones before my son takes over this place."
"You did ever make good use of trade with the Empire."
"As much as we can grow here, the wine in many Alliance regions leaves much to be desired."
As promised, the wine was very much worth it. Notes of tart berries and spice, delicate and fragrant. A heaping plate of cheese and charcuterie was served alongside it.
"Erwin, I lucked out on this one. When I took this assignment, I thought I'd be fighting the Empire, instead I'm enjoying fine wine and delicacies. It's almost as if you arranged this."
"Well, I have to thank you somehow."
"I haven't done anything, but if I'm the one you need to stay on the Alliance's side, I'm happy to be of service."
"I know we didn't always get along during our time at the Roundtable, but I've always had the utmost respect for you."
"Oh please, you're making me enjoy your company," she laughed.
"Well, I always enjoyed yours. And now that I'm retired even more so."
"Are you flirting with me? You're really full of surprises today," Judith replied, eyebrow raised.
"Hm. Now there is a thought…"
Later that evening the Count walked Judith to her room. He wished her good night and was about to leave.
"Wait,," Judith said, touching his arm as he turned to leave, "ugh, why is this happening, I'm utterly charmed by you."
"Are you? I had hoped that was the case," he smiled. It was as always, a wry smile that could be alternatively infuriating and enticing.
“You sly devil, you."
“Well it never would have worked if you didn’t desire me as much as I desire you.”
“Is that how you feel? Come here you fool," she said, pulling him in for a kiss. The first kiss was tentative but they escalated quickly, years of pent up sexual tension releasing as their tongues tangled and hands roamed down each other’s bodies. Soon enough they were making out, Judith pressed into the hallway wall.
A noise in the adjoining corridor brought them back to reality.
"Well, are you going to come in or not?" Judith said, opening the door to her room.
"You honor me, Lady Judith,” he laughed, taking her hand.
The next morning they had breakfast in Judith's room, sitting side by side on a couch with a view overlooking the river. Cured Airmid pike, toasted bread, and of course tea. Erwin wore a red velvet brocade robe and Judith had borrowed his other robe, a gold robe with purple embroidery. She wondered how many robes the man owned.
"Well I'm glad the Empire didn't attack us overnight," Judith said, "this whole guarding the Myrddin Bridge turned out to be quite the cushy job." She planted a soft, playful kiss on his cheek. "I'm liking this new, retired, Erwin."
“You know, you could retire as well," Erwin suggested, putting his arm around Judith.
“I still have a few more years on me. Claude needs me, they all do," Judith said, leaning into his embrace.
"I know you're right. But he's a reckless boy, dangerous. I worry about my son. I worry about you…"
"Oh come on," Judith interrupted, "he's young, but he's a great leader. He's still got a lot to learn, but that's why I'm there."
"I won't argue with you. I know we differ in opinions here. I'm just grateful you're there for my son as well."
"And I'll take good care of them."
"Thank you Judith," he said, pulling her in for a kiss. "Would you care to go fishing?"
"So much for the guardians of Myrddin," she said, laughing, "more like the vacationers of Myrddin."