Reassurance

"Rosamund!"

Adanita entered the room. He set down the documents he was reading, giving her his undivided attention. "What is it?"
"There's a nine-masted junk ship heading for your harbor. Ekliptik's spy saw it on the horizon."
"Nine- aha! Is it flying under Madol flag?"
"Aye. Alone. You know who it is?"
"Yes. That would be Captain Verlice's new ship Sojourn. I didn't think she'd make it to the ball, but I am very happy for it..."
"We think there's witches on board."
"That would explain how she got here so quickly," he said with a smile. Madol's view of mages was much different from Ganymede's. When your capital city is built on the ocean, suddenly the people who can prevent rogue waves and monsoons become highly sought after. Except that they were now on Bretonian territory and Adanita was staring him down with a deep frown. "They are diplomats," he said. "I won't arrest them, nor would the Queen allow me to." Well, he wouldn't arrest them anyway. He had Lotus running around. Rocks and glass houses.
"Right. Good." She relaxed and stepped away from his table, looking outside.

The time of the ball had been rapidly approaching and everyone found themselves extremely busy. Rosamund and Adanita were both overworking to the point the only time they'd see each other was dinner. She was too tired to visit him in the evenings and he had no time for her during the day. He missed her.

The manor was all but turned upside down by the numerous servants and workers decorating it for the event. The organization was going smoothly thanks to Nivelir. A week before the event, Adanita and Teodolit moved back to the ship as first guests started to arrive. Most of the people would only come on the day of the ball and leave sometime during the night, but a few were from far away and planned to spend some time in the manor. Now, three days before the ball, he really wondered if he should keep working or accept this welcome break.

"How is Viscountess Kuplung treating you?" he asked.
"With respect. There is some hint of irony in it, but I enjoy her company. Is the Duchess here?"
"She will arrive tonight and leave after the ball," he said. Upon learning this Lilac promptly caught a stomach bug and shut himself in his chambers. Taking the hint, Rosamund set up some guards in front of his door and forbade anyone from entering, no matter who they were. "Unfortunately I won't have the time to chat with her one on one, but since she and I will be the opening pair, I hope I'll manage to have a word with her while dancing." Well, Rosamund and Dorja, and Alberic and his fiance. The three of them were the most high ranking people, so they were the ones opening the ball.
"I don't like it. You'll be too close to her."
"It's not likely she would stab me, you know. There's too many people."
"She's a mage. You don't know what she could do."
"Nothing I couldn't see before it hits me. I will be fine," he said. He got up and placed his hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing her to reassure her. It was alright.

But she was still afraid of the Duchess.

And he couldn't help that.

"I hope you like Captain Verlice. She is a sweet young lady," he said, trying to change the subject.
"Think she'll be willing to invest?"
"I suppose we'll see. But managing to secure any form of a deal with her, be it money or connections, will help you greatly. She has been all over the world and if you get her support, she will be able to pull her strings for you."
"Should I go meet her now?"
"I don't know. Do you want to?"
"Aye," she said. "But she just arrived after traveling across two oceans. I can speak to her on the ball. Right? What do you think?"
"I'm sure she will appreciate your consideration."
"What's she like? I never met her, but I know her accomplishments. I don't know if I should expect a stuck-up woman of science or an egoist."
"She certainly has an ego," he agreed. "And a propensity for dramatic entrances. But she is endearing in a strange way. She likes to give out praise just as much as she likes to receive it, but if she receives none for too long she will start boasting. It's cute, in a way. I am sure she is just as curious about you as you are about her."
She nodded, reassured.

Good.

She will be alright.

He noticed she was becoming more and more anxious lately, but that was to be expected. There will be a few hundred nobles attending this ball and she was still healing from the horrors she lived through.

But she will be alright. He will protect her just as she protected him.

"...save a dance for me?" he quietly asked her.
"Hmm... I don't know," she said. There was a small smile in the corner of her lips. She was teasing him again.
"Oh?"
"I already have someone else I'd like to dance with."
"Who?" he asked, playing along with a matching smile.
"Well he's tall, dark, handsome..."
"Is he now?"
"Somewhat charming," she added.
"Only somewhat? A shame. I'd say I could sweep you off your feet with ease by comparison."
"Really, now. I suppose I'll give you the time of day, then."
He beamed at her, genuinely overjoyed by it. Sure, they would have to dance to prove a point about her new status. But she wanted to dance with him, in front of all those people. He was happy.

He wanted to spend more time with her...

"I have a lot of work to do," he said. "You can stay here if you'd like, though."
"No, I have to get to work, too. Back to the ship. I only came here because I needed Lord Nivelir."
"Oh. I understand. Best of luck with it, then."
"You too. And... thank you."

"Any time."