The queen laughs, but her gaze was slightly shrewd.
"Nonsense, Lady Carver. Humility may be a virtue, but you, out of all the candidates, have the highest chance of succeeding based on looks. The next king would be lucky to get you to himself," she laughs.
When Payne strides into the room, the atmosphere imediately changes. It was the way even the king straightened slightly that would make the new lady wonder. . . what is his deal?
Not only that, he was just massive. Not exactly fat, that much was clear. But he was broad and tall, with strikingly golden eyes and a hardset jaw. Yes, he was certainly his father's son.
He glances at Lillian. His expression doesn't twitch, but he steps towards her and bows like he had to greet the other ladies.
"A pleasure, Lady Carver. I hope you'll find your stay pleasant," he states. His voice was as calm as the rumors said, and most certainly suited the warrior-prince.
He straightens, and for a moment there's a curious look in his eyes, before he blinks, dispelling it.
Lyanna merely blinked in response before forcing that blush to stain her cheeks once more. She looked away, feigning bashfulness. She had no intentions of marrying the prince, nor courting him. She merely wished to use him for information. On the Duke and to satisfy her own line of questioning. Though she would have to be very careful how she went about such a thing.
It was not lost on her how the prince's appearance changed everything. The guards seemed to straighten their backs, the staff tense. Even the king had stiffened on his throne. She wondered what exactly the prince must have done to warrant such a reaction.
Lyanna didn't stop herself from looking at the prince. She explained his face, his body. She counted any weapons he might have on him, hidden or visible. She herself had half a dozen weapons hidden on her body. He was certainly a warrior. Built like one. She had never seen someone as large as ge was. But that only meant he would fall so much harder.
She remembered to curtsy, even if it was delayed. She murmured a queit, "Your Highness," in greeting to him. She straightened her back, her chin lifted tall. She had the grace and poise of a lady. If only she didn't kill people for a living.
"I have no doubt that I will, Your Highness. The palace is as lovely as they say," she gave him a small smile. Her voice was smooth and steady. She did not waver. But she also did not throw herself against him as she was sure plenty did. She treated him as if he was just another person in the room.
"I have had a long journey." Not as long as they thought it had been. "If I may, I woukd like to retire to my room yo freshen uo then perhaps a tour," she was speaking to the queen now, her gaze shifted to her even if she kept one eye on the comings and goings of the room. Nothing ever escaped her. "There are so many halls I worry I might get lost easily."
Payne already seemed to be mostly disinterested, though only the queen and king would be able to tell it wasn't true. But Payne was a commander used to hiding what he felt. Even Lyanna would have a hard time getting a good read on him.
He sighs at the title.
"Just call me Payne. I have grown exceedingly tired of playing prince today," he says bluntly. He wasn't being impolite or particularly rude.
The queen smiles.
"Now now. Why don't you show Lady Carver to where she will be staying? Me and your father have things to discuss. And give her the tour as well," she says brightly.
Payne nods.
"As you wish," he says.
He looks at Lillian.
"I will help with your luggage later. For now, let us get you rested," he sighs.
Lyanna's head tilted slightly as she regarded the prince. Though not so princely she supposed. A warrior, a soldier first. The prince came second. Even if the roles should be reversed for him. He was the crown prince and heir to the throne. He would need to be alive to ascend.
She looked to the queen, smiling and nodding her head at her wishes. Though she wasn't so sure she wanted the prince to escort her. Not yet at least. She liked to keep people, men in particular, on their toes.
It was alright. At least she could hopefully convince him she wasn't trying to court him. Or bed him. Lyanna had other things on her mind and none of them had to do with bedding a pretty man. Even if they were her weakness. Though she supposed Lillian was supposed to be finding a suitable match. The prince was still too far out of her league.
She took a few steps until she was by Payne's side. She left enough room between them so they wouldn't accidentally touch but not so far as to be perceived as repulsed by him. She nodded politely. "You needn't do that. I may have brought a few too many things. I wouldn't want to burden you with such a task."
Truth be told, she really didn't want to care in any of those trunks. They were heavy. And it wasn't as though she couldn't carry them, she just didn't want to.
Payne shrugs.
"I'll be fine, Lady Carver. I'm used to much worse than a woman's tendency to pack their entire closets into a case," he says. It was hard to tell if he was being serious.
The queen laughs, at least.
Payne smiles at her, and the room relaxes from how tense it had been.
"Let us get going," he says, politely taking hold of Lyanna's arm to guide her as he strides off.
Lyanna smiled again, her cheeks beginning to hurt. She didn't know the last time she had smiled so much. Perhaps that's why it hurt her face. She usually adorned a smirk on her lips and a rare grin as people time and time again underestimated her. But smiling so casually, it was new to her. At home, if it could really be called that, there was no time for such things. Not for her. She was training or on a job. In those rare moments of free time she woukd venture to the market district and shops for clothing or books (books which she had brought with her) or accessories.
She took the arm that was offered to her, looping her own around and stepping closer to him. She had to in order to hold him so, to be guided. She held in her flinch everytime their hips brishes against one another. This is the son of the man who took everything from you. She would not be easily swayed. Not by him.
"I suppose a warrior as brilliant as yourself would see a few trunks of luggage a light workout." Her eyes twinkled as she teased. Mischief called to her, even when her head knew better.
Payne keeps his own distance from Lillian. He could feel the way she tensed up, holding back a flinch, every time their hips brushed or their shoulders bumped.
For him though, it was more a matter of respect than hate or distrust of her. He didn't enjoy watching as people shied away from him due to his feats in battle, the stories and rumors and even myths that have stemmed from his body count alone.
The people had even named his sword for him, a condition he wasn't exactly pleased with. All he wanted was to be known as a wise king, a kind king. Not the hero of countless bloody, brutal battles.
In the present, Payne chuckles at the tease.
"Well, I wouldn't say that much. Even I have trouble navigating with a closet strapped to my back," he replies with a smile.
Lyanna wasn't trying to make it noticeable. But it was hard to contain herself when she was so close to the offspring of the king. She wanted to kill Eleric for this. Not literally but…he was still the reason she was here. The reason she was doing this. The reason she was trapped in the palace around the piepl that were personally responsible for the downfall of her home.
She tilted her head to look up at him. He was nearly a foot taller than her. She had to crane her neck to look at him. "Oh, now you're just being modest. I'll think you'll fare just well."
She turned her head away from him, admiring the halls as they walked through them. She even tried to peer into the few rooms with open or cracked doors. She tried not to seem so obvious but she had never seen such a place. She wanted to see everything.
"Indulge me if you will," she spoke again. "Tell me something about the palace. Something I wouldn't know. Something that would only be known by those that dwell here."
Payne grins.
"I'm still very human, Lady Carver," he teases. His eyes were sparkling, his expression happy, but he still felt distant, as closed off as a castle under siege.
He watches as Lillian cranes her neck to try and examine each room.
At her question, he chuckles.
"Well it would be rude to rob you an opportunity to learn for yourself, now wouldn't it? Maybe you should ask the servants. I've heard they're the ones with all the secrets," he replies casually.
Lyanna didn't miss the way he seemed to distant himself mentally. She understood that, had done it enough times herself to recognize it. Sometimes it was just easier than allowing oneself to be fully present.
She didn't question him on it. Not only was she so new that pressuring him might ruin any sort of relationship she was trying to spring between them, but she also didn't particularly care. Curious yes. But she didn't care to do anything about it.
"Or I could learn from the prince that dwells within these walls what his secrets are of the palace." She looked up to him, eyebrow raised in a challenge. "It could be anything. You could tell me there are secret passages or that someone shapped a bush in the garden to look like a dick."
Her eyes twinkled with amusement. Oh did she have an imagination on her. And perhaps now she just might make a bush look like a part of the male anatomy. It would be entertaining to listen to the gasps if the court as they walked by it. And she did love causing chaos.
The challenge wasn't lost on Payne, but all he does is let out a hearty chuckle.
"I think I remember something similar to that happening a few years ago," he replies with a grin and a wink.
"Though I'd say that isn't particularly a secret, is it?" he adds.
He seems to get lost in thought for a moment, before directing a stern gaze at Lillian.
"Will you use whatever I tell you for fun or for. . . less fun motives?" he asks politely, but the implications of the question were clear.
Lyanna just shrugged her shoulders with a knowing smile. Perhaps someone bad done a better job concealing such ludicrous things into the garden. Or around the palace. Perhaps she would be the one to do so just for fun. She knew how to move around without getting caught.
She gave him a sly look. "I suppose that depends on what you tell me. If there's a giant slide that you've managed to keep hidden from the public all this time, well, I don't think I'll be able to contain myself from using it every chance I get."
She was asking purely for curiosity. For now that was. She had only heard rumors and whispers about the palace. Even if she was here for a job, she still wanted to do some exploring of herself. She had heard about the grand libraries and wanted to spend every free moment she had in them. When not stalking the Duke or trying to find the reason for magic disappearing. Or tending to the queen.
"Well, surely if there was a giant slide, I'd be going down it a lot myself," Payne smiles. "So I don't think there is one, at least not one that's easily accessed. As for other secrets, well. . ."
He tilts his head.
"Have you, by any chance, been down beneath the earth? In a cave, or a cavern?" he asks.
His expression was serious, but there were some hints of playfulness. He watched Lillian close to gauge her reaction to his question, trying to find any signs of fear or apprehension at the thought of being underground.
Lyanna looked at him curiously. "No, I haven't been beneath the earth but tight spaces have never bothered me to much." Not exactly the truth. She had used the sewers before to get around but vowed never to go back after she had almost drowned. It was not a fun experience. She had been vomiting for days afterwards.
Her curiosity was peaked now. She wondered if there was something hidden under the palace now. Something useful, or not, depending on what she was gunning for. But curious all the same. And if he didn't tell her she would very well find out for herself.
She moved out of the way as a couple maids with buckets of laundry passed by them. Unfortunately that meant stepping into Payne's side. But it was either that or risk colliding with the maid's and shed rather not have that. She had just arrived. She wasn't in any rush to start a scandal. Yet at least.
"Apologies," she murmured to the prince as she put a little distance between them. As much as she could with their linked arms.
Payne nods thoughtfully before a mischievous smile crosses his face.
"Alright. Then, I'll swing by later in the day, on the pretenses of giving you the tour - which I will, don't worry - and I'll show you the castle's best kept secret," he says playfully.
As Lillian moves out of the way and presses herself close to Payne, he has the sudden realization that this is the closest he's been to. . . well, any royal in a long, long time. The though simultaneously confuses him and makes him smile. Even though it was only to avoid causing the maids problems.
He sighs.
"It's fine. No need to be so formal and uptight, you know. I'm not going to have you fired by talking to me casually or relaxing," he chuckles.
Lyanna smiled despite herself. Despite knowing what and who he was. That his very blood was her enemy. And yet here he was, teasing her and playing with her. It could certainly be a front but if the rumors were true, he had never paid much attention to the women at court. Or ever.
"I will look forward to it then." And she found that she was. She was ready to see what he had in store for her. And curious as well to how she might use it.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps not but your mother might. I am in her employ am I not? I woukd risk being dismissed over titles." Still, the gleam in her eye said quite the opposite. At least in privacy. She wouldn't risk it in the company of others.
As they walked, she wondered with each step how in the world she was going to haul all of her things this way. She may have over packed but she couldn't part with the things she brought. Not the clothes or shoes or accessories. And certainly not her books. That was the heaviest of all her trunks.
(I'll have something tomorrow. Sorry. Life happened.)
"I sincerely doubt it, Lili. My mother wouldn't fire you if I explained to her what I had said. She's more reasonable than you think," Payne counters, his royal vocabulary giving way to the way the poor spoke. He'd even subconsciously called her the common version of her name.
He starts to hum a farmers ballad, seeming more and more. . . common with each step.
"Seriously, I can deal with the luggage. Been a while since I did some heavy lifting. The staff needs the help anyways," he smiles, unknowingly countering Lillian's thoughts.
(No worries. I've been busy working anyways.)
Lyanna was surprised at the shortened name he had given her. Even more so because it wasn't her name. Not truly. It was Lyanna Lavone, a notorious assassin. Not that she could tell him that. She couldn't tell anyone that. It was frustrating having to conceal her identity but she understood its necessity. However, she hid her moment of silence by forcing that sweet blush to her cheek.
"Who am I to deny such an offer?" Especially if it allowed her to watch as the muscles bulged on his arms. He may be her enemy but that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate a pretty face and a nice body.
She wondered for a moment how she might train. She would still need to do so to keep her body in shape and poised. She couldn't train in the training room or courtyard. It would be too obvious. She would have to find a way to use her room. Perhaps she could trick the prince into archery with her. She could work on her aim some.
Payne looks startled at Lillian's blush.
"Why are you blushing like that? Did I do something, or. . ." he blurts out.
He grins.
"I could even cook while doing it. I think I'd make a great wife in that regard, wouldn't I?" he laughs brightly.
Lyanna widened her eyes in surprise at him. She had never been called out by anyone before for the reactions she had. Most too it as an almost shy girl, naive for the flush that would taint her cheeks. "Oh, I uh-" She shook her head. "Nothing."
She stopped abruptly, turning to look at him. The corner of her lip turned up and she raised an eyebrow up at him. "Oh? You shouldn't have told me that. I'm already planning on dragging you to the kitchens to cook for me any chance we can get."
She could not cook. At least not very well. She could make the basics and even that she sometimes burned. She could bake sweets cookies and cake. Strange that she could do that and yet give her a pan and she would burn anything.
Payne only looked more confused at Lillian's next reaction, but shrugs at her words.
He laughs, pushing Lillian playfully with the arm she was holding.
"Bold, aren't we? Relegating your new wife to the kitchen when she has muscles like these and a face like a nereid's?" he teases.
He could cook anything but pastries, really.
Lyanna threw her head back in a laugh. She clung to his arm even as he playfully pushed her. She bumped his hip with her own in return. "Bold? I'd say direct. And to answer your question, I dint see why you can't do both. But luggage first please."
She smiled up at him. Dangerous. He was dangerous and she had a soft spot for pretty men. She was toeing the line but as long as she didn't go over, she didn't see anything wrong.
"So how nice are my quarters? I must say, I do have a bit of an expeseive taste. If it's not up to my standards I think I'll need to make a visit to the market." For furs and rugs and painting and curtains. She wanted to enjoy her new home, no matter how temporary.
"Ah, the wonders of women. . . if only they could all be as blunt as you," Payne chuckles.
Payne thinks for a moment. Having seen both slums and rich places, he had very diversified views for "expressiveness" and "standards."
"Compared to most other rooms, it is richly decorated. It even has carpet, a luxury only enjoyed by me and the rulers of the kingdom," he shrugs. It was clear he was simply reciting a practiced line, but it should be enough for Lillian, he thought.
He looks to the left and stops.
"Speaking of, here it is. Go right in, I'll be up in 20 minutes with the heaviest trunks to get them out of the way," Payne grins.
"I think it's good to say what's on the mind. All this dancing around with words makes it so hard to understand what one is truly saying." Not that she didn't know how to do so. Lyanna was excellent at playing the game at court. She used it plenty on other missions she's had.
"I don't expect any of the other women to be so direct, but I would like to think that with you in my company I can be myself. At least when we're alone."
And perhaps he woukd do the same for her. And reveal something she could use.
She took his words into consideration and nodded her head. She woukd likely still add her own touch to it. How she woukd smuggle it all out when the time came, she wasn't sure. She could figure that out later.
She looked at the door they were stopped at then back at Payne. She smiled at him, releasing his arm. "Then I expect for you to be on time, by good wife." She winked playfully before disappearing through the door.
