Almost

Adanita took her time with him and Rosamund refused to do anything about it. Sure, the two of them more or less disappeared from the manor, but that wasn't his problem. He wanted to enjoy himself a little and he was happy. And he taught Nivelir better than to raise a panic. Mislav was with them for a while last night, so she knew that if both disappeared, they would likely be together. Ekliptik's spies surely saw them leave the manor, too, so he didn't doubt the teenager was perfectly aware of his location. Nivelir and Bluebell may scold him later and that was fine, he didn't like causing concern to other people, but if they made it public and started a search, he will simply be angry.

Adanita found a comb embedded with nacre and played around for a while, braiding his hair with little beads and giving him a proper pirate look. She found some old clothes he could wear, and a simple short cloak to hide his holster. Completing the outfit with a bandana, he looked like any other pirate in her presence. Wearing her signature clothes, she would further attract the attention, letting him go unnoticed by the citizens as they walked.

She returned his ribbon to him, she stored it away in her pocket after untying his hair last night.

They found the cravat up on the hill. He picked it up shamelessly and got a playful smile in return.

They sneaked in over the garden wall and she helped him climb into his room through the balcony, using a sword to undo the latch from the outside.

His lover was the ♥ Pirate Queen ♥

How lucky he was to be loved. He went to the mirror to undo the braids and get ready for the day, and realized he had just walked through the city in a deep cut shirt while being covered in hickeys.

Alright. Maybe there was some shame in here. He took a deep breath, intentionally forcing his face into a neutral expression. This demanded a payback.

"Ah, Captain. Do you mind coming over for a moment?" he asked as she was preparing to leave.
"What is it?" she asked, gladly walking up to him.
He placed a hand on her waist and stood on his toes to reach for her neck. He kissed her~
And the hickey was forming nicely, too.
"Rosamund!"
"I am simply returning the favour," he said with a smile.
"Aye, but unlike you, I don't wear a cravat!"
Oops. He didn't think about that. "Well... I don't mind if you don't."
"You are impossible. I should- hmpf." She leaned down and kissed him with a huff. "I'll wear it in the open and everyone will see, so there."
"Goodness gracious, perhaps I should do the same. Show the world how much you love me," he brightly said.

"By gods, you are impossible. Think of your reputation, please. I can't be the voice of reason here."
"Ah... I apologize. I didn't mean to place all the responsibilities on you. I will- I will behave," he said. She wanted some amount of discretion, it seemed. Who wouldn't? She must've still be frightened of the nobility, and he offered her to cause a scandal just because they could.
"Good." She placed a little smooch on his forehead. "I need to get going, before your servants or guests see me. Will I see you at lunch?"
"Of course. I just need to get dressed."
"Mm. A tragedy indeed. I much prefer this outfit on you."
"Aye-aye, Captain."
"Don't push it, else we'll see how well you can really follow orders," she warned.

...

"To the letter, my Queen," he frankly said.

Her face turned red. Hehe~ She gave him another little kiss for a farewell and left the same way they came.

Ah~ she made him positively giddy. He never felt happier than last night, and if nothing drastic happens they will spend another night together. And hopefully another. And one day soon, they will...

Hah. Who was blushing now, he thought. He washed himself up, put on his usual finery, and tied his hair. He was on auto-pilot, completely zoning out and daydreaming about her. That was it, it seemed. He was obsessing. He wondered what music he could play for her that she would like the most. He wondered what foods were her favourite, so he could cook for her. He wanted to know what she liked the most, so he could do it to her. He was completely, thoroughly, fully overwhelmed by her. And he got kissed.

All over.

Gods damn it all. One day they will have to part ways, but there was not a chance in hell he was going to let her slip away before then. He wanted to learn everything about her, he wanted to spend all the precious little time they had with her, and he wanted her here tonight. And the next night. She mentioned previously she was going to return to the Cove on business and all he could do was wonder how he'll make it through without her by his side. Hopefully Lilac will draw a new circle over there soon, so he could visit her at any time he wanted-

No. He had important duties to focus on. Most of his guests departed last night, but there were still things he needed to handle. Today's pile of work was certainly waiting for him in his office and he already spent the whole morning not working on it. But she flipped his priorities upside down with such terrifying ease.

And he was happy.

He shuddered as he tied his cravat, his neck still sensitive from her touch. Damn it all. He will need to keep himself under control, otherwise he might really do something idiotic. And that wouldn't put only him at risk. It could hurt Adanita, too. She was right to be concerned. He never felt the need to rein in his own decently unhinged behavior, but he will really need to be more careful in the future. For her sake, if nothing else. Madness only gets you so far.

His quiet insanity thankfully didn't deter her, but he refused to allow it to grow louder. He had self-control. He could behave. The desire to set it all ablaze and elope with her wasn't stronger than his responsible nature. He had his family and his colony to take care of.

She deserved him at his best. Nothing less would do.

He stared at his face in the mirror until his expression was perfectly neutral.

Calm.

Cold.

Back to his usual self.

Bluebell knocked on the door and entered just as he was finishing up putting his bixbite cravat pin. The pin.
"My lord! You have returned," he said. "Good morning."
"Good morning, mister Bluebell."
"If I may be so imprudent, where have you been?"
"I went for a short walk," he calmly said. "I had a bit of a hangover and I needed some fresh air."
"Of course, my lord. Lord Secretary was worried by your absence, however. And it seems there is a rumor spreading among the staff..."
"Again?" he tiredly asked.
"I will take care of it, my lord."
"And I will be more mindful when I go and take a stroll," he coldly said. "I will leave a note next time."
"Very good, my lord. Should I bring you medicine?"
"No. I already feel better."

There. That should take care of it. For her sake, not his. He wanted to show off to everyone how lucky he was to be in love with her, but considering her trauma, she must be highly sensitive to insolent wretches who would no doubt gossip. He wanted to shout it from the top of the world... but he could behave, even if he truly didn't care what the others thought. For her sake.

Perhaps they could go and see a play in the Capital...

Have dinner at the finest restaurant, walk by each other's side and talk, and enjoy the spring in the city, and when they get home, wherever that would be, fall asleep in each other's arms.

Or maybe he could cook a meal for her, and they could chat and eat in the kitchen full of scents, sit right next to each other and enjoy the food, and she could lean in and kiss him as a thank you.

Or perhaps she could visit him in his office after she is done with training, and he would drop whatever he was doing, and let her lead them to the couch to help her relax...

Perhaps have a picnic together, with no one else around...

His heart was loudly beating in his ears.

So many things to do, so little time for it all. He allowed himself a quiet chuckle, enjoying the feeling coursing through his veins.

He was in love...

Sadly, love doesn't pay the bills. There was a circus waiting for him outside and he just put on the clothes of a ringleader. He flicked off a nonexistent speck of dust and marched outside, perfectly himself.


Almost.

He planned to speak with Teodolit and Nivelir about this after lunch. The four of them were alone in a smaller dining room, eating together and speaking of the usual light topics.
"In any case, I see you had some fun last night~" Teodolit told Adanita. Nivelir looked thoroughly disinterested in the crude new direction of conversation, while Teodolit grinned at her hickey. She playfully whacked him on the shoulder to make him stop.
But Rosamund couldn't help it.
"This morning, too," he said, thoughtfully staring at the centerpiece.


Almost.