“Thank you.” Meg smiled before shifting her posture to get a better angle and started drawing again. Her eyes flicking periodically between her paper and Aaron. She knew that the name was the same as the prince but assumed it was just a coincidence. “You know, I don't believe I have seen you around very often.” she committed.
He laughs softly, “oh- yeah- guess so…” he smiles, watching her. She was talented. He respected someone who could make such beautiful artwork.
Meghan smiled softly, glancing back up at him. “I suppose I was just wondering what brought you out here today?” she asked, feeling her face warm as she realized that he was watching her work.
He hums, “oh, i was just curious of what was up town…it was a boring day for me…” he was careful not to say too much. He didn’t want any suspicious.
“Understandable.” she nodded. “I have days like that at my mother's bakery. Though there is rarely much more going on in town than this unless it is a holiday.” Meg admitted with a light chuckle.
Aaron laughs softly. “Yeah- my- house…is pretty boring…” he adjusts his gloves.
Meg notices the gesture and smiles a little. “So, you are a gentleman.” she comments casually before quickly apologizing. “Ah, forgive me. That was too bold.”
He laughs, “oh its alright. I try to be anyways…” he sets his hands in his lap. “So, you work at a bakery?”
“Oh, I’m sure you do but I meant the gloves.” Meg explains, twirling the stick of charcoal to point at his hands. “The only people that I notice wearing gloves are nobles.”
She nods at the question. “I try to help out, at least. It's really my mother's bakery.” she answers.
He pauses. Oh shit he messed up didn’t he? He laughs nervously, “Oh- well my uh- parents come from very wealthy ancestry so…I believe so.” He clears his throat. “Anyway…”
Meg bit her lip to keep from laughing at the way Aaron stammered. “It's alright. As I said, I was being too bold. Though I would guess that you probably wear them out of habit.”
He nods. “Y-yeah. My father um- worked in a forge and I used to help him-“ man he hated lying, but when trying to hide your identity…you kinda had to. He smiles at the girl. She seemed so sweet…it only made the guilt grow.
Meg raised a brow at the interesting story. “Your father was from a wealthy family yet he worked in a forge? That's not something you hear every day.” she said, keeping her friendly smile in place. “Did you at least enjoy the work?”
He nods. “Uh- yeah. We made- weapons and other things…” he was kind of telling the truth. He always loved helping his friend work in their forge. He always enjoyed the adrenaline rush when the fire kickstarted. He smiles at the familiar thought.
Meg nodded, more accepting of that just because of the look in his eyes. A part of her was almost jealous that she hadn't found something that could make her light up in that way. But… “Whatever you are thinking about, keep thinking about it. And hold still, please.” she instructed quickly as she went back to her drawing.
He blinks, then laughs softly, seeming to beam. He holds perfectly still for her with perfect posture.
Meg smiled gratefully at him and focused on trying to capture the expression. “Thank you.”
He hums, “of course.” He smiles.
Meg smiled back and continued to draw. Her fingers smudging the charcoal purposefully to give the picture depth and shadow while the stick created sharp contrasts in precise areas.
It didn't take long for her to lose track of time and completely focus on what she was doing.
Aaron watches, smiling brightly as he watched the girl work. He loved how focused she was. It reminded him of himself when he was working on his own projects.
She’s not sure how much time has passed before she finishes, signing the bottom corner with “Meghan H.” before putting the piece of charcoal down.
“Thank you again for letting me draw you.” she smiled, turning to let him see the picture.
He smiles brightly. “Oh wow…it’s beautiful. I love it.” In all honesty, it looked even better then those ‘professionals’ who would paint him. He hums, fixing his cloak. Just as he opens his mouth to say something, he hears the all to familiar sound of clanking metal and the palace bells ringing. Damnit they noticed. He stands. “Thank you for your time but I really have to go. I hope i see you again sometime!” He turns.
Meg feels herself blush at the praise, while simultaneously feeling a swell of pride. “Thank you. It's been a while since I had such a model to sketch.” she admitted before hearing the bells and stomping sound of soldiers approaching. “I hope so too.” she nodded as she stood. “I should be going as well e. I left my mother alone at the shop for too long.”
Aaron smiles at her, then rushes out of her view. Once he reached the palace, he huffs. The gates were open. Great-
He climbed the wall and managed to climb into his bedroom window, only to be met with his butler and old friend. “Prince Aaron. Honor to have you here.” He raises an eyebrow.
Aaron cringes. “Sorry- I just-“
He was cut off. “I know I know…I’ll tell your parents you were out in your own little world painting. They’ll calm down. Anyway. Supper is ready. Follow me.” He smiles and leads Aaron to the dining room after he changes. He spent the rest of his afternoon ‘explaining himself’ and trying to come up with a good excuse for being late. After that, he flops down onto his bed and closes his eyes. He’d definitely try to see that girl again. Maybe he could get to know her more…
Meg sighed as Aaron disappeared and started on her way back to her mother’s bakery, dodging soldiers to avoid trouble. It had been a much more rewarding afternoon than she had thought it would be when she went out. And the picture… She couldn't get it out of her head how much he had genuinely seemed to like it.
As soon as she got home, she put her satchel and sketchbook away and washed as much of the dark stains off her hands as she could before going back to help her mother with the bakery until they closed.
The next morning, Aaron did the same thing as the day before. Climb the wall, head to town and look for that girl. He walked to the center of town and looked around. Where was she? He sighs and sat down by a fountain. He hoped she was still there. He had brought his own sketchbook and art supplies with him, wanting to draw the girl he had met. He hums and gets to work, keeping that mental image of her in his mind.
Meg, on the other hand, did not feel a particularly strong need to find that gentleman. Though she had enjoyed his company and drawing him had been a pleasure. For no reason she could think of, she started her day a little earlier than she usually did and went out for a morning walk with a warm roll for breakfast.
She wandered aimlessly toward the fountain with a soft smile, taking in the calm of the morning before everyone else crowded the area. It was so peaceful when she noticed a familiar figure nearby. “Sir Aaron. What a surprise to see you again.” she smiled as she approached.
He looked over to her and smiled. “Pleasure.” He chuckles, “how are you this fine morning, m’lady?”
“I am well. How are you?” she smiled back, taking a seat next to him.
He hums, “I’m actually pretty good. Thank you.” He actually did feel good today. He didn’t feel sick. Which was great news. He went back to work on his art piece, adding finishing touches.