Lili blushed once again. She'd never done that before. Blushed when someone was courting her. Many men had done that same action. Some of which were objectively attractive but Lili had never felt this way before. She knew why. She'd sort of known for a while now but she never thought she'd actually be with a woman. So hearing Lili call her her future wife made her soft smile grow. "I would enjoy getting to know you as well. I never thought I'd be happy that my father didn't allow me to help him translate his letter."
Anastasia smiled warmly at the blush. Her smile was warm and filled with affection. She hadn't been looking forward to this visit, but then she had been expecting a husband. She laughed quietly. "I think we were both relieved to escape the possibilities of husbands. Come, why don't you join me this evening in my quarters?" she offers her hand to the princess to take, bowing ever so slightly. "I would enjoy having your company after all. Anastasia was pleased to get to know Lili. She was excited, really.
Lili nodded and took her hand. "Of course. Wouldn't want my future wife to get lonely," she said standing up. She tried to will away the blush but her cheeks were still tinted a nice pink. She held Anastasia's hand softly as they made their way down the dining table to the doors. "Do you want me to have drinks sent up for the occasion?" She didn't take her eyes off of Anastasia.
She chuckles softly and squeezed her hand gently. "No, I wouldn't want that either. Life is much more wonderful when having an angel beside you." She chuckles quietly and walks beside Lili, humming a soft and sweet tune. The woman smiled. "I think some drinks would be lovely. The wine the servants served this evening was quite delicious. You must tell me what it is." She chuckles quietly. Anastasia's red lips turn into a small smirk. "I must say, tonight's dinner turned out much better than expected."
"I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it," She said waving over a servant. She asked for a bottle and two glasses to be sent up to Anastasia's room. "I don't drink much but the wines from our local winery are always divine." She didn't let go of Anastasia's hand as they continued walking. "I thought it did as well. Then again I know my father has enough sense not to completely disrespect a guest. i just hope that lasts and extends to the rest of the court."
She chuckles and nods, "It was rather delicious." She hummed as she glanced over at the servant as the wine was ordered. "They are indeed divine." She hummed happily as she walked beside Lili, not letting go of her hands either. "Not to worry, Lili. If there is one thing I can handle, it's a council." She replies, her eyes narrowing. She eased and kissed the back of Lili's hand. "Nothing to worry about my dear." She eases gently. She walked down the halls and allows Lili into her room. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Lili's blush was less than the other times but still notable. She sat down at a small table once they entered the room. Reluctantly letting go of her hand. She leaned back on the chair slightly and smiled at Anastasia. "So I know about a few of your siblings but seeing as we have no record of you I'm guessing our records about your kingdom are slightly out of date. So tell me a bit about your family," she suggested.
Anastasia loved seeing the cute blush cover Lili's cheeks. She hummed softly as she gazed at the other and settled into the chair that faced her. She smiled gently at Lili. She paused at the question before humming quietly and sighing. "Well. There's 14 of us…" She chuckled fondly. "Well. There's Antonio. He's the eldest. He's currently marrying his second husband, after James died I'm pleased to see he's moved on… There's Alexander. He's currently exploring the world with Asra. Asra is a year older than me." She paused. "Then there's Asher and Adler. They're off acting as diplomats for a warring country. Avery, my only sister is married to her husband and is living as queen. There's Axel, who eloped with his wife. Of course he's still in contact. Apollo is happily single and works as my father's right hand in the royal council. Atlas have up his life as a royal and married his husband, a blacksmith, and his significant other a baker. I believe all three of them are happy and healthy. Arthur is the captain of the Royal Guard. Adonis is pursuing his life of music. Augustus is our families poison expert as well as a diplomat. Ares is off marrying his significant other… And I am here, now getting married to quite possibly the most beautiful woman in the kingdom." She smiled gently. "My father had a thing for names starting with A. He believes it brings luck." Anastasia laughed quietly. "We had three mothers. Blair died of child birth after my sister was born. Our second mother ran away after Adonis was born. My mother died when I was little…And… Our current mother Ashe is alive and well."
Lili watched with interest the whole time. Leaning forward. Eyes widening slightly at each mention of differnet relationships. She was notisably confused at some parts but did ask questions at least not yet. "That's a very large family. It's always just been me and my parents. They tried for another child. Hopeing for a son but there where some complications with my birth that made that impossible." She said looking down at her table slightly. Most of the women in her family one have had problems with childbirth. Does your brother and his husband have plans for how well children and the next heir will work?" She had been wondering this question since Anastasia arrived and she new it would be one of the councils arguments.
She smiled a little at the other, noticing her curiosity, noticing her attentiveness. "It is a very large family. But it's a good family." She hummed happily and kept her gaze on the other as she spoke. She paused at the question before nodding slowly. "My brother and his fiancé are planning to have my brother's fiance's sister carry the child. A sperm donor and carrier if you will." She shrugged ever so slightly. "It still counts as a legitimate child of the king, but allows the child to be raised with two fathers instead." She smiles gently. "We've found ways that, no matter what, you are always allowed to love who you want to love. There are of course rules put in place for safety, but those are regarding people who take the phrase "Love is love." one step to far." Her eyes narrow slightly before she shakes her head. "I noticed when I was talking you seemed confused? Is there something I can to do clear up that confusion, Lili?"
Lili smiled as the explanation went on. "That all sounds amazing. Everyone being able to marry who they want. I was less confused than just shocked. I wasn't expecting so many different kinds of relationships," she explained. She roughly understood what everything she said meant. "I'd like to bring you to town one day. We don't have legal same-sex marriage yet. That's obviously something I hope to fix soon but I do know that commoners have worked around that and it's actually slightly common. Even if my father wants to ignore them." Lili bit her cheek at the end fist-clenching slightly.
Anastasia nods and smiles a little, "It's absolutely wonderful. It's rather nice to see that my country is thriving." She hummed quietly. "I think that would be wonderful. In order to help the people, we must work in their footsteps, see where they are suffering." She replies simply. She noticed the other biting her cheek and slightly clenching her fists. Anastasia reached out gently and touched the curled up hands. "Together, we will be able to bring an era of peace and prosperity to your home. I promise." She eases gently. She offers a kind smile. "We can do this together."
Lili relaxed slightly and nodded. Turning her hand to hold Anastasia's. "Thank you," she said leaning on the table slightly there was a knock at the door. Lili got up. She was already close to the door. She opened the door and smiled at the servant that came in and placed the bottle and two glasses on the table before leaving. Lili picked up the bottle and opened it. Pouring herself a glass. "want a glass?" She didn't drink much. Well not anymore at least.
Anastasia squeezed her hand in a comforting manner, smiling gently. "Of course." She glances up when there was the knock on the door, straightening to go and answer, but it seemed Lili already had it covered. She smiled faintly to herself and nods slightly. "God yes, please." She says softly, offering her hand for the glass. Wine had become a friend of hers recently. She hadn't been much of a drinker, but in the past year she had begun drinking more and more when needed. It was a messy habit, but she didn't mind it one bit. She handled her alcohol rather well. Miss perfect in every way.. a voice echoed quietly in her mind.
Lili nodded and handed her a glass. Pouring a generous amount. She placed the bottle back on the table and a down. taking a sip. She closed her eyes for a moment savoring it. She knew she'd have to pace herself. She could never hold her wine. She then sat down smiling softly at Anastasia. "So what do you like to do for.. well fun princess?" She asked before taking another sip. Her eyes never leaving Anastasia.
She takes the glass gratefully, sipping quietly at her wine for a moment. She glances at the other and smiled. "Please, love. Just Anastasia. Or Ana if you want." She waved her hand lightly before pausing. "I really love to read." She hums happily. "I used to spend hours in our library just… Reading. And fencing with my brothers. That was always fun."
Lili nodded sipping her wine again. "I like to read. We have a library downstairs that probably the biggest room in the castle. I used to spend a lot of time reading there. Especially when I was skipping my lesson," She said blushing slightly at that. "I've never fenced before. I've convinced the guard to show me some techniques with a training sword but I've never been persuasive enough to get my hands on a real on or actually spar anyone." She deflated slightly leaning on the table a bit.
She seemed to perk a little at the mention of a library, a wide smile forming on her lips. "Oh, that sounds lovely. If we're being honest when I was younger I remember doing the exact same thing. I'd always run to the library if I didn't want to do my lessons." She chuckles into her hand. "Fencing and swordfighting are rather fun. I could teach you a few moves." She winks playfully before humming and finishing her wine.
Lili smiled behind her own glass. "That would be great. I've always wanted to learn." She sipped her wine and placed her glass down. She played with her hands slightly. "I hate my lessons. I don't skip them anymore or at least not as much. I like learning in general. Especially history and learning about other kingdoms but my tutors are so boring. They mainly focus on etiquette and somehow make the most interesting topics long and boring. Having the rest of the week off was the only thing I was actually going to enjoy about this arrangement. Before I actually met.. well you of course," She rambled slightly.
She nods and smiles softly, "Then I would be glad to teach you. It's a lot of fun." She chuckles quietly and hummed softly as she gazed at the other. She chuckles softly into her hand as the other rambled, finding it cute. "Yes… I stopped skipping my lessons after my father and I made a deal." She shrugged. "And I changed tutors." She smiles softly and takes Lili's hand. "I have to admit. I wasn't looking forward to us meeting. I was tense. But now that I have met you, I'm extremely glad your father messed up in the letters." She chuckles and brings Lili's hand to her lips.
Lili smiled her cheeks tinted pink once again when she felt Ana's lips on her hand. She didn't move her hand. Squeezing Anastasia's hand slightly. She tilted her head. "What deal?" She asked but shook her head slightly when she realized that could be personal. "If you don't mind me asking. I'd love to get new ideas to try and convince my father. Then again he did say I could end my classes once I'm married." She left the 'if my husband allowed' unsaid.
Anastasia seemed pleased that the other was with her. She enjoyed having Lili's company. It was just so nice. She hummed and tilts her head a little bit. "My father and I agreed that if I did well in my studies for the year I would be allowed to help him and my brothers on the kingdoms council." She chuckled softly. "My brothers made bets to see if I could do it. And of course, I did." She laughs into her free hand, not wanting to let go of her hand. "I think your studies will be on hold for a while. We have my brothers marriage and coronation. Not to mention our own wedding to plan, as well as addressing the kingdoms needs." She hummed softly and ran her thumb along Lili's knuckles.
Lili brought her eyes down to their combined hands. Her smile growing. "I cant wait to meet your family," She admitted. "And to see your kingdom." She looked deep in thought. Thinking about the next few months. It was going to be hard but she knew as long as she had Anastasia by her side it would end up all right. She sipped her wine. She thought about the hardest parts to come. That would have to be the announcement for their engagement. The news has probably already leaked out but only as a rumor. No one would believe it. That they would mess up this bad. "I- I don't want to ruin the mood but do you have a plan for tomorrow or I guess any tips?"
Anastasia gave a tiny smile. "They're a very chaotic family, that's for sure." She hummed and served herself a bit more wine. It was going to be an interesting next few months. She was excited though. She was kind of glad that Lili had turned out to be her future fiance. She smiled gently and nods. "Handling councils is a talent I luckily possess." She murmured, gently rubbing her thumb over Lili's knuckles. "Together we can handle anything they try to throw at us. So tell me what you'd like help with." She kisses the back of Lili's hand softly.
Lili nodded her blush continuing to grow from the slight kiss. "I've been to a lot of council meetings but I mainly remained quiet. Except for the few times that I couldn't help but speak up. They never actually listened to me when I did though. I just want them to actually hear me. To understand that if they just gave me a chance I could rule. Most of the council members hate me. Thinking that I'm trying to dismantle all of our kingdom's traditions but it's not my fault most of them are just plain wrong and awful. They will most likely be planning our downfall as soon as we step into the room," She paused from her rambling realizing that she never answered Anastasia. "I just need your support. I think you being there with me will help. My father will be on our side. He won't act like it around you but he won't admit to the kingdom that he fucked up that bad. He'll treat the arrangement like it was planned."
