Chapter Text
She first noticed him on the battlefield.
Well, what she really noticed first were the pirates being tossed around as if they were paper. Due to her bloodline, Tailtiu excelled at thunder magic, but wind magic was a whole different beast. The green haired mage wielded it effortlessly, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the battle’s chaos.
Tailtiu’s attention wasn’t diverted for too long, she had herself and Father Claud to worry about.
He first noticed her when the battle had ended.
Sigurd introduced him to Claud of Edda, major Bragi blood, wielder of the Valkyrie staff. In a brief and polite conversation, Lewyn was also introduced to Tailtiu of Friege, the man’s companion.
What he really noticed was directly afterwards, when the boys from Velthomer and Dozel greeted her. She dropped all formalities upon seeing them, pulling them into a tight embrace. And her laugh. She had the most beautiful laugh.
She was lucky to have such good friends.
“Doesn’t she look beautiful?”
They’d been in Silesse for months before Lewyn and Tailtiu spoke again.
Erinys had approached him, and asked for his blessing to marry Claud of Edda. No, it wasn’t asking, was it? She was telling him she’d found love, the approval was only a formality.
“Yeah, she does.”
Due to the circumstances, the wedding party was complicated. Erinys’s family were in attendance of course, but Claud had few personal guests. As such, Lewyn was asked to be their best man, with Annand and Tailtiu as bridesmaids. It was a modest service, hardly fitting of a duke.
“I’ve never been a bridesmaid before.” Tailtiu continued talking. “When my brother got married, he said I could be one. But my sister-in-law changed her mind, and got some friends to do it instead.”
“I was a musician at the last few weddings I attended.” Lewyn said. “Didn’t know the people, didn’t really know the town. But it was a lot of fun, dancing in the streets until dawn.”
Tailtiu laughed. “I’d love to see Claud try to dance all night. He usually avoids balls, and whenever I’ve seen him at one he’s been at the sides, talking about serious stuff with my father.”
“Have you known him for a while then?”
“Kinda? I mean, I don’t remember not knowing him. But it was only a couple of years ago that I started to know him as a person, instead of another noble… you get what I mean?”
“I think so.”
“I was shocked when he told me he was getting married. I always thought he seemed like the sort of guy that’d court a woman for years before asking her out.”
“I was surprised too. Erinys is always so busy with work, I always thought she didn’t have the time to find a man.”
“But they’re happy. Isn’t that all that matters?”
Lewyn couldn’t argue with that.
There was a modest reception after the service, where a small Silessian orchestra played beautiful tunes. After a sweet first dance from the bride and groom, Tailtiu found herself in Lewyn’s arms.
“Might as well dance with a bridesmaid first.” He’d said. “And Annand’s stepped on my feet too many times in the past.”
His blase attitude almost made Tailtiu turn him down. But with Azelle dancing with a girl he’d met at the wedding, and Lex stuffing his face already, he would do.
“So, do you want a wedding like this one day?” He asked as they danced.
“I’ll be happy with what I get.” She replied, and Lewyn frowned. “Oh sorry, that sounds so sad, doesn’t it? I just meant, my family would probably plan my wedding for me.” If she was still able to have a family after this. “I guess as the heir you have more freedom.”
“I don’t know if I’d call it that. I ran away from being heir to get more freedom, yet here I am. Back in Silesse, and I can’t leave now. Not when I’m allied with Lord Sigurd.”
Both of them sighed.
“This is sad.” Lewyn muttered. “Isn’t there something happier we can talk about?”
“You said you played music.” Lewyn’s face lit up at the mention of it. He had a cute smile, Tailtiu thought. “Do you think they’d let you play a song now?”
“Oh I’m not sure my music is fit for an occasion like this… but if you insist, I can give you a private concert some time.”
A few weeks later, Lewyn and Tailtiu ended up in each other’s arms again, dancing in a far less formal manner.
It started when Lewyn followed through on his offer of a concert. Though not so private, as he was playing lively jigs in the capital’s market square. The dance started with just Silvia, putting on a performance. But soon flocks of people joined in the cheer, even though there was nothing in particular to celebrate.
Even Azelle, usually shy at these sorts of things, was drawn in by Silvia’s charm. Tailtiu watched him awkwardly try to impress her, and laughed.
“You should join your friend.” Lewyn spoke over the music, as they stood at the sidelines.
“I think he’s a bit busy.” She yelled back. “Your friend’s so pretty, I dunno if I can compete.”
“Hey, you’re just as pretty.” He replied instantly, and Tailtiu felt herself blush. “Go on, have some fun, I’m only doing this because you convinced me to.”
It did look like a lot of fun, but there was only one person Tailtiu wanted to be with right now. “Doesn’t anyone else in this city play the lute?” She asked. “Why don’t we have some fun together?”
For the briefest moment, Tailtiu saw something on Lewyn’s face. It wasn’t just that he was smiling, he’d been grinning this entire time. It was smaller, maybe a little bashful. Or maybe she was just imagining things.
“Yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”
Within minutes, they were spinning together. Despite the crowd, Tailtiu only had eyes for Lewyn, and he only had eyes for her.
Lewyn began noticing Tailtiu more and more.
She was like Silvia, a lot of fun, a bit of a brat (in a nice way). Someone he could be himself around. She was like Erinys, knowing when to be serious, and focused on the battlefield. Someone he could rely on.
She was like him, running away from her family. He couldn’t bring himself to ask, but he could feel it. She had troubles she hid behind smiles, and a sense of duty that conflicted with her sense of freedom.
She was herself.
And she was perfect.