A ℓσνєℓєѕѕ ยภเ๏ภ {Echo}

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal hesitated a moment, and then shrugged. "I suppose. It could have been worse." He would have liked to marry after he fell in love, but he knew that was never an option.

[echolight4eva]

Theon gave a small grin. "Could have been worse? She's gorgeous," he said with a laugh. "You should be happy."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal allowed him a small smile. "Yes, she is that. And I am. I'm just afraid she'll never come to love me... she's always so distant. Like she isn't quite sure what to do."

[echolight4eva]

Theon looked at him, pondering. "Well, I suppose you ought to help her understand what to do. That's the logical explanation." He walked over, observing Adelaide's embroidery. It was a scene in a garden. "Perhaps you should do something together. Women like shopping, right? Maybe you could treat her to something. That could help her trust you more."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal made a face. "You want me to take her shopping? You know how much I despise it. All it will accomplish is to make her hate me."

[echolight4eva]

"Well, I don't know!" he said with a frown. "What does she like to do?"

(Riding horses, painting, writing. She does like shopping but not much )

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal took a few moments to consider. "Horseback riding, I think," he said. "I could take her out of the city, if father will agree."

[echolight4eva]

"You should do that then. In the meantime," he said, "I should be going. I'm sure to be discovered if I stay any longer. I'll send you some correspondence soon. Goodbye."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal nodded. "Goodbye, Theon. And be careful. Father's angrier than you may know."

[echolight4eva]

Theon left and, thankfully, was not discovered. A few minutes later, Adelaide returned to their shared chambers, having seen Theon leaving while in the castle. She smiled softly at Nazeal, then sat back down in her chair to continue embroidering.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal watched her hands move for a bit, just standing there. Eventually, he said, "Would you like to come out riding with me?"

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked up in him in surprise, a faint smile on her face. "I would love to. Let me change into my riding habit." She stood and went into their bedroom, not bothering to close the door while she changed. Her riding habit was of a soft purple material that matched her eyes, and she put her riding boots on as well. "Okay," she said. "I'm ready."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal smiled and placed a gentle hand on her back to lead her to the door. Once outside in the hallway, he offered her his arm.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide accepted his arm and walked purposefully towards the stables. "So," she said to pass the time, "where are we going to go riding? In the countryside?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"There's an area just outside the city that I like to visit," he told her. "We'll have to bring guards, since we're leaving the city, but I can make it so my father agrees to only two, maybe even one."