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22nd of Blue Sea Moon
Imperial Year 1183
Garreg Mach Monastery, Adrestia
Evening
(After the defense of Garreg Mach)
FERDINAND VON AEGIR
Ferdinand von Aegir knew better than to pout—but it stung, somewhat, that his dining companion had yet to return.
Shez had excused herself to get some fresh air nearly half an hour ago. He knew she did not speak the language of courtship, but the whistle she had given him in the moment of his most dire need—after his father’s death—sat heavily around his neck.
Lorenz Hellman Gloucester eyed the empty seat across from him. “Chin up, my friend. This is, sadly, the result one should expect from attempting to court a commoner—”
That struck a nerve, and so he shot Count Gloucester a glare. “Lorenz,” was all he managed.
He blanched. “I merely intended to say that she is no noble, no matter how lofty a position Her Majesty sees fit to bestow upon her.”
Her Majesty sighed. “Ferdinand, he does have a point. I doubt she even knows she’s your companion for the feast, let alone what that means. And after the past week, it shouldn’t be surprising that she would want a chance to breathe.”
Ferdinand sighed. “I— No, this is foolishness.”
“Yeah, and who’d expect anything else from you?” Dorothea said with a disarming smile. “Go on, Ferdie.”
“I had hoped that I could give her such a chance. She always seemed to relax when it was only the two of us.”
Dorothea laughed. “I bet. So—think about it.”
“Hm?”
“It wouldn’t be just the two of you here, Ferdie.” As if to demonstrate, Caspar began to cough through an rather excessive mouthful—and Linhardt sighed at the display of his typical manners. “Go find her. I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you.” She winked. “I’d bet she’s waiting, actually.”
Of course—he was such a fool. “Please excuse me,” he said as he rose to his feet as quickly as he could without making a scene.
Her Majesty gave him an amused look. “Go.”
He hurried off.
Dorothea was right, of course. Shez beamed at him as soon as she turned. “Hey,” she said brightly—and there was, perhaps, a slight flush at her cheek. “Just who I wanted to see.”
“My deepest apologies—”
She laughed, covering her mouth as always—it set his heart aflame to see, and pushed all of his worries out of mind. “I just kinda slipped out. I—had to get my courage up, you know?”
“I understand,” he said as he took his place by her side. “Allow me to assure you once more that you have my utmost confidence.”
She turned her head and smiled up at him. “I know, Ferdinand. You put your all into making sure I knew it, even on a forced march. I’m just new to all this, you know?”
“‘This’?” he asked.
She looked back out over the fishing pond—which was hardly in a fit state for a romantic rendezvous. Still, it brought his mind back to just how forward he had been when she had brought him to a lovely little stream…
‘Places like this are perfect for trysts.’ His face had threatened to catch fire, from the look she had given him. ‘Er, not that I would ever do such a thing! Heaven forfend…’
He had put his foot in his mouth, of course—but as always, she was gracious enough to assume the best. ‘Yep. You’re the sort to do it ‘right,’ Ferdinand. Give it your all, you know?’
“Courtship,” she said quietly—and his heart leapt. “Dorothea’s been letting me know about all the little steps.” Her hand brushed his. “Although, I still can’t figure out which one of us is courting, and which one is being courted.”
He chanced a look, and she was smiling. Her eyes flicked to his, and her hand graced his with a touch once again—this time, he took it, and yet she went one step beyond and interlaced their fingers. “I admit that it has been somewhat confusing,” he said, “but I expected nothing else from one such as you.”
She laughed, once more displaying that rare grace. “If I didn’t know you, I’d think you meant ‘a commoner.’”
“Of course not,” he said. “I meant that the indirect nature of courtship between nobles ill suits one so earnest as you. Do not mistake me—I have taken great pleasure from all of the outings and the gifts—most especially this one.” He ran a thumb across the whistle, and she squeezed his hand. “Am I to understand that you meant it as a final courtship gift?”
She bumped against him with her shoulder. “Yep. And, I meant it as a comrade—I’ll always be there for you.”
“And I for you,” he said, his heart soaring freely. All that remained was to put it into words—
No, one stubborn doubt remained. It always fell silent in the presence of his love, but it yet haunted him in the dark of night. “Are you certain? The Aegir name is not what it was.”
She huffed. “Ferdinand. Come on—do you think that bothers me?” He did not—but she hardly seemed upset based on the warmth in her tone. “It’s not like the Shez name is that great either right now. Don’t get me wrong: I’m fine, and I know everyone who matters doesn’t blame me.” She unlaced their fingers and turned to face him. “I get what you mean, I think. It’s like rep for mercs: your name is everything. You work hard for it.” She raised his hand to her lips and graced it with a gentle kiss. “That’s something I love about you now, even if it took a while to get it: you don’t take nobility for granted.”
He smiled down at her—
‘Love.’
“But, I gotta ask—is it okay that I can’t have children with you? No heirs, and all.”
“My love”—his heart fluttered as her smile returned—“that is no obstacle at all! The very concept of heirs is to be left by the wayside.” He assumed the role of suitor and raised her hand to his lips. “If we wish for children, we may adopt. If our intention is to leave Aegir in good hands, tutelage is the answer.” She was grinning, now. “Either way, I intend to ensure that nobility goes out not with a whimper, but with a full demonstration of what we can accomplish, together.”
“Sounds perfect, Ferdinand,” she said, taking his other hand and stroking it with her thumb. “Never thought I’d be a noble, but here we are.” He smiled easily—she was so confident. “I gotta admit, I kinda want to see the look on Lorenz’s face. But really…” She took a deep breath. “I wanna see that, Ferdinand. I wanna be right there when Ferdinand von Aegir gives it his all—giving it my all right beside you. I still don’t know if my advice is worth all you say it is, but you’ve got it. I can keep our people safe, too.” She favored him with an amused look. “And, I can make sure you don’t overdo it. And…”
“Yes?”
“I can make sure you know that the Aegir name is worth more than gold to me. That you don’t let what happened keep eating at you. That you’re never alone.” Her voice dropped to a murmur. “That every single day, you know just how much I love you.”
That was it, then. The courtship had reached fruition—and then some. “I promise you the same,” he said. “Let it be known”—he raised his head and his voice alike—“that I, FERDINAND VON AEGIR, LOVE MY DEAR LADY SHEZ WITH EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE! LET THE HILLS RING WITH THE SONG OF MY ADORATION!”
Shez laughed brightly, then— “THE SAME FROM ME!” Her voice echoed wonderfully, shamelessly. “I LOVE FERDINAND VON AEGIR!”
From the distance, Dorothea’s voice rang out. “Nice work, Ferdie!”
If Shez was embarrassed—
No, of course she wasn’t. She looked up at him, he bent his knees to spare her the effort—and they shared a kiss at last. He put his all into it: the time he had worked up the nerve to offer to escort her to Aegir territory, and she had responded by grinning and asking if they’d live together—a joke, and yet…
The time she had offered to carry him and his twisted ankle back to camp—and he hadn’t been able to hide his excitement.
The time she had insisted that she was here for him—and given him the whistle the very next day, along with a lovely breakfast, full of his absolute favorites.
And now—this.
She was as bold as ever: her tongue slid across his lips, and he moaned freely. He matched that boldness with his own tongue—and the kiss went on: deeper, now. She shared her warmth, and accepted an arm around her waist with her own soft noise. Her hand stroked his cheek, surely feeling just how warm it was—for her.
When it broke, it wasn’t with an abrupt retreat—she lingered just an inch or two away, her eyes darting between his. He dearly hoped she could see the same love in his eyes as he could see in hers—
He was a fool. “I am yours, my love,” he murmured.
“We’re each other’s,” she answered, the warmth in her voice coursing through his body, head to toe. “So—back to the feast, or…?”
He stretched, deciding to continue along in this wonderfully bold new direction. “I dare say that we are not expected. And, if you are as ready for bed as I am…”
“Bet I am,” she said, grinning.
“Well, then! Let us delay no longer: the first step is the most important, and so we shall retire with everything we have!”
She laughed and took his hand. “Okay, still not sure I get it,” she said.
“Yes, my love?”
“You keep saying you’re gonna ‘give it your all’ about going to bed. What’s that even mean?”
He reveled in his blush—it was most welcome, after all. “Allow me to enlighten you, then!”
His love looked more than pleased.
“Now, the finishing touch is a warm glass of milk,” he said, “but I am somewhat unprepared at the moment. As we are maximally cozy already”—she looked adorable in her nightclothes and the borrowed nightcap, peeking out of the blanket with a wry smile—“it may be best to skip the journey to the dining hall.”
“Probably for the best, yeah,” she said, her voice as warm as it had ever been. “But, Ferdinand—I was kinda trying to, you know, get you into bed.”
“Just a moment, my dear lady,” he said as he extinguished the candle and set it on the bedside table. “I fully intend to join you, make no mistake.”
She laughed, and it was as music to his ears. “I meant sex, Ferdinand.” He felt his face heat, and lamented that she most likely could not see the reaction her words had elicited. “Don’t get me wrong—this is really nice. Doesn’t have to be tonight.”
“I dare say it does,” he managed as he lit the candle once more with a puff of magic—it would not do to fumble in the dark. “As long as you…?”
She already had her shirt off, and tossed it across the room. “Come to bed, dear,” she said, grinning.
He did, of course. And as they always would, they gave it their all—together.