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."
She hummed softly and shook her head before turning her attention to the other. She listened intently as Lili talked, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. She didn't like the fact that this sweet, kind woman had been cut off by men. She smiled and kissed her hand again. "I will support you as much as I can, and I will make sure that you are heard." She promises quietly. "I'm glad that I can be here for you. And I am glad that we can work as a team to make things work." She smiles and tugs the other up. "Why don't we sit on the bed. It might be a little more comfortable. Plus I can sit closer to you." She guides the other to the bed and hummed softly as she settled onto the softer sheets. "Much better."
Lili allowed herself to be lead to the bed. Sitting rather close to the other girl. Never letting go of her hand. She smiled in agreement. "Thank you. Again just having you there is going to help so much," she said leaning on Anastasia slightly. Up close her eyes were obviously watery but she had a real smile on her face as she looked at Anastasia. Still in shock that the princess was even there.
Anastasia offered a tiny smile as she gazed down at the other. She leaned closer as well, gently pulling the other to her chest and kissing her cheek. "Of course. I will stand by your side. I'm sure we'll be able to do it." She smiles gently and ran her hand through Lili's hair. "We'll get through this together, okay?" She assures gently. She gently cups Lili's cheek and ran her thumb along under her eye. "It'll be okay. I promise."
Lili nodded. "Okay," She whispered before wrapping an arm around Anastasia so they would stay close. She looked up at her. Not breaking eye contact. She leaned in slightly but stopped herself. Standing up. "We should get to bed. I1 It was really nice talking to you," She stammered. Downing the rest of her wine in one sip. "I'll see you in the morning. Lots to show you."
Anastasia smiled at the other, leaning into her touch slightly. She kept the gaze and tilts her head as the other leaned closer. She watched Lili stand, startled slightly by how abruptly the other left her grasp. "Ah, yes. Rest well then… I look forward to the tours tomorrow." She smiled gently, waving at the other. She didn't mean to impose… or move too quickly… she sighed and stood slowly before shedding her dress and getting into her nightdress. She braids her hair and settles into bed.
Lili nodded. "Yeah I can't wait either," She said giving Anastaisa one last smile before leaving the room. She walked to her own room and prepared for bed.
The next morning Lili was up bright and early. Eating her breakfast and heading down to the library before she planned on meeting with Anastasia.
Anastasia was anxious about today, but of course no one could really see that since she always seemed to have a rather emotionless expression. She was up early, of course she had managed to get in her well deserved rest… She sighed deeply as Nia helped her get ready for the day. She was dressed in a simple but elegant long blue dress. It showed off her shoulders, but it was long sleeved the rest of the way. Breakfast had been brought to her, and she ate it quickly before wandering the halls curiously. It's not like she had anything better to do before the tours began.
Lili left the library. Spotting Anastasia down the hall. "Hello, Ana how has your morning been?" She asked walking over to the other girl. The other tour guide her father planned mysteriously canceled so she was the only one showing Lili around. She was so excited even after the anxious night before. She didn't want to think about that. Her reasoning for getting up was unknown even to herself.
Anastasia jumped slightly before smiling softly at Lili. It seemed she only smiled when Lili was beside her. "It's been pleasantly quiet." She replies simply, walking to meet the other woman halfway. She bowed slightly, taking Lili's hand in hers and placing a soft kiss to the back of Lili's hand. "How did you sleep?" She asks pleasantly, straightening and hesitantly letting go of Lili's hand so she could walk beside Lili. She looked serene in the morning light, it gave her red hair a sheen of light and placed life into those stunning blue eyes. She always seemed to hold herself with grace. Chin up, back straight, hands in front of her. But her face was stone cold. But she seemed to ease slightly around Lili. Something about the female beside her eased her mind.
(sorry I'm away right now so I'm going to be slow to respond)
Lili nodded "It was fine thank you," She said letting her hand fall to her side as she walked beside Anastasia. "Our other tour guide had to cancel but I can show you around." She took Anastasia's hand. "Anywhere where specific you would like to see?" She looked awake. If not slightly jittery. Trying to keep her mind off of what was to come later in the day.
(It's alright! The holidays are always busy. I've been busy myself lol)
Anastasia smiled and nods gently. "I think that would be a wonderful idea! I'd love to go on a tour with you." She squeezed Lili's hand gently, bringing it to her lips once again. She noticed how tense the other was and hummed softly before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to Lili's cheek, it was more like a gentle brush of a warm summers eve's breeze. "Everything will be fine." She whispers in assurance. "Now… How about the library?" She asks gently, a small smile on her lips as she pulled away.
Lili blushed and nodded. she calmed slightly her shoulders relaxing as she squeezed Anastasia's hand reassuringly. "Library it is!" Se walked down the hall with the other princes until they turned a corner to a beautiful large room filled with books. No one else was in the room but it looked newly cleaned. "This is our library. My lessons are usually held in a room to the side but I usually like to go upstairs. That's where the best books are," she admitted looking up at the exposed second floor. She could spend hours in her favorite little corner surrounded by books.
Anastasia smiled gently at the other and follows after her quietly. A small gasp left her lips at the sight of the library. It was so beautiful. She hummed and glanced at Lili, listening intently as she explained where the lessons were held and glancing up at the second floor. "Sounds like quite the adventure." She chuckles softly, kissing the others cheek before humming, "Why don't you show me your favorite book?" She asks curiously, squeezing Lili's hand gently. She was very curious about the woman in front of her.
Lili's face lit up and walked up the stairs still holding Anastasia's hand. She walked over to a corner that had a comfortable looking chair and a table with a pile of books on it. "so my favorite fiction has to be.." She ran her fingers over the books on the shelf until she pulled or of. Reading the title. "I read it for the first time a few years ago. It's about a sorceress who used to be praised for her powers but after an accident, she was almost executed and now has to live on the run." She put the book down on a side table. looking over at Ana.
Anastasia smiled a little bit at the sight of the smile on Lili's face, walking after her quietly. The spot was dainty and rather cute, much like the sweet girl at her side. She glances at the book in Lili's hand and nods thoughtfully. "Sounds interesting. May I?" She offered her delicate hand to take the book, her eyes gentle as she scanned over the first page. "I'll have to read it, it sound's very intriguing." She chuckles and tucks the book under her arm. "What else is there?" She tilts her head a little bit.
