Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 16, 2009 8:13:11 GMT -5
The ride back to my home had been more comfortable, but there was a layer of tension beneath it all. We were both still a bit uncomfortable and it made me watch myself more carefully, speak more rarely and my mind throbbed with all sorts of minor unpleasant ideas. All I felt comfortable doing was responding to his questions and apologizing.
The trip was not a long one and we were pulling up to my estate and I gave Fydor a happier smile; being home made me feel much more at ease though I knew the things that were bothering me were still there. "I'm sorry I ruined a day that was going so well," I told him, then looked over the gardens as we passed and breathed deeply, taking in the scents of the flowers. "But I hope I can make everything pleasant again."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 16, 2009 17:03:33 GMT -5
"It is not your fault," I said for a second time as we walked through the garden, my hand squeezing hers comfortingly. "And you can always make it pleasant."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 16, 2009 17:17:03 GMT -5
"You are very sweet to me- I'm not very used to it," I told him honestly and with a slight flush, running my free hand over the petals of a spider lily as we passed by. "At least not unless they wished more of me than you seem to. I think that when someone is so nice that perhaps I react as I have been taught, with reserve and caution even though it may not be necessary."
I was speaking slowly but clearly, hoping he would understand what I said but willing to explain again if he needed me to.
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 17, 2009 0:35:22 GMT -5
Wanting to be sure I understood, I rephrased her words using ones I knew. "Because I am sweet you do not trust?" I asked, watching her touch the flowers.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 17, 2009 8:41:03 GMT -5
His way of rephrasing the statement made me wince slightly- it sounded so silly and so ugly a thing in that form, but I bore in mind that he could only use the words he knew. Perhaps now it would be easier to get my idea across using his phrase as a basis. "Not quite," I replied softly, looking up at him and praying he could sense my sincerity. "Because no one else is sweet in the way you are I haven't learned what to make of it. I am more used to being cautious on the inside and I find myself wanting to be freer with you- but I don't know if that's right."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 17, 2009 13:03:27 GMT -5
"What way you want freer?" I asked, concerned now that my presence was holding her back in some way. We came to a bench, and I drew her down so that we could both sit.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 17, 2009 13:15:01 GMT -5
Smiling shyly as I sat moderately gracefully flushed slightly and stroked his hand with my thumb. "I haven't had many friends and I'm not much used to telling people how I feel or what I think- not about personal things anyway. I find myself wanting to talk to you about those matters but I don't really know how. I'm worried that I'll offend you if I try."
With a gentle brush of my fingers I took the flower he'd given me earlier from my hair and twirled it delicately between them, careful not to break the stem or the petals. "Do you think I'm odd for that? For wanting to be closer to you in that sense?"
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 17, 2009 15:22:01 GMT -5
"I do not think that you are odd," I said, brushing a knuckle of my index finger softly across her cheek. "I do not want a wife like my brother Vladimir. If she talks, he does not listen. I want to know what you think and feel. I want... I want comrade for future."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 17, 2009 15:53:09 GMT -5
His words caused me to brighten a bit and I smiled more warmly in response. "I just want someone who can be my friend," I replied, leaning into his hand almost before I realized it. "And I think whoever ends up your wife will be very lucky indeed. I will be very jealous of them."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 17, 2009 22:57:37 GMT -5
"You do not want to be my wife?" I asked, my voice very soft as I kept caressing her cheek. "Because that is why I court you."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 17, 2009 23:03:17 GMT -5
"I would like that very much," I replied in all honesty, my eyes wide and just a little damp though I refused to indulge myself too far in that regard. "But- I don't want to hope too hard either. Then, if it didn't happen, it would hurt more. I try to remain removed from it all, to keep from letting my emotions interfere in what I think, what logic and decency say are necessary but I don't think I'm doing so well at it."
Tentatively I raised my free hand to stroke his cheek, then with a more playful movement I tucked the flower I held behind his ear with a wider smile. "I think being married must be much easier than courting is- in a marriage there is the freedom to be oneself but in courting it is about staying so good all of the time."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 18, 2009 0:02:53 GMT -5
I smiled to see the happy look on her face, relaxing the tension that had formed when I thought that she might have possibly lost interest in me. I knew I probably looked silly with a flower behind my ear, but that was fine. It made her happy.
"But I want you Lessa. I want to understand, and be your friend. I know that things are not... comfortable for things like today. I am not good with talking about that."
I drew in a deep breath. "I am respecting my brother, and his marriage to the queen. And if you like me after marriage of Alexei, maybe... maybe courtship ends." I couldn't promise her anything, there were still so many channels to go through to have any union between us approved. But I wanted her to know where I stood.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 18, 2009 8:07:12 GMT -5
His words made me brighten though his last phrase confused and worried me just a bit. It would be wrong to ask, though. His expression and tone were calm and happy and how else would I learn to trust except by accepting his words in their best possible meaning? "I hope the situation works out in the way it's supposed to," I said in a soft tone; before I quite realized it I kissed his cheek, then pulled back with a blush.
For a moment I looked down at my hand where it rested in my lap, then slid the flower from behind his ear. "You did mean 'end' in the sense of us still seeing each other didn't you?" I asked, looking up at him from beneath my lashes with a shy smile. Damn, why could I never just assume and then deal with things as they come?
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 18, 2009 21:26:54 GMT -5
Oh Laima, she looked absolutely adorable peering up at me like that, beautiful and demure and playful, all at once.
"Yes," I said simply with a smile. "But I must be waiting for wedding of Alexei."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 18, 2009 21:37:48 GMT -5
"That isn't so long," I conceded with a wider smile- I could have kissed him for his sweetness and his words but I knew it would likely only make things uncomfortable again. I wanted that and more, felt it acutely- but I was starting to realize that he did as well and to increase his torment was simply cruel. "I was planning on taking a trip to Marsilikos shortly after that- will you still come with me? If you need to wait for a time I can postpone."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 19, 2009 14:31:15 GMT -5
"I will like that," I said with a smile at the thought of traveling to her home. It would also give me a chance to meet her family, and more importantly, her father. I knew that it wasn't necessary in D'Angeline custom to receive a father's blessing on a union, but it was still something I wanted to do. "I will talk to Sergei, ask if he has planning for that time, or if he can stay in the City with Olga."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 19, 2009 14:44:50 GMT -5
"It's very nice how you want to take care of your sister- though I hope your brother will be able to for a time," I said, brightening further at his seeming enthusiasm to make the trip with me. "Though- it will be warmer there, even during the winter. I know that you already find it hot here, even now- and Marsilkos is a good deal to the south. But there are many ways to cool off and it's so beautiful."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 20, 2009 22:09:53 GMT -5
"I will be warm, but I will be with you," I said with happy smile. It was a simple thing for me. "How do you... cool off?"
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 20, 2009 22:21:00 GMT -5
"I was born and raised in the City- to me they are a bit brisk," I admitted with a happy flush. "And here is almost cold. But others who are from places further north- not as far as Ruskovia, of course, but Skaldia or Alba- tend to visit the beach for swimming or take cool baths. There is also a Tiberian dessert called gelato which helps a good deal. During the summer, when it is too hot even for me I spend a lot of time in the ocean or on a small boat where I can feel a breeze more easily."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 23, 2009 14:51:03 GMT -5
"Swimming? What is swimming?" I asked. I wanted to understand her, even if my questions slowed things down a bit. "And breeze?"
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 23, 2009 14:57:16 GMT -5
"Swimming.." I said to myself as I thought about how best to describe the term. "To move in the water without touching the bottom? As though in the ocean- it can get very deep so you swim so your head doesn't go beneath. And a breeze is a light wind, the pleasant sort on most occasions."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 23, 2009 16:54:29 GMT -5
"Ah, I see," I replied with a nod of understanding. "I like a breeze, and boats too. I do not have sick like Sergei has on boats." I grinned at that.
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 23, 2009 16:57:35 GMT -5
"Swimming isn't exactly with boats- it's getting into the water oneself," I said gently, not sure if he'd misunderstood or if I had. "But boating is very nice as well, though I prefer to be on them at night. The stars look so much clearer when I'm out over the water. If you'd like we could go on a sailing trip provided the weather holds."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 23, 2009 17:13:36 GMT -5
I nodded with a grin. "Sailing? Boat with wings? I think that will be much fun."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 23, 2009 17:16:15 GMT -5
"Boats with wings- yes, that is exactly it," I replied softly, smoothing my gown and glad we had something in common. "Do you study astronomy as well? Where the stars are and what they are part of?"
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 25, 2009 0:17:11 GMT -5
I nodded eagerly. "Yes, many stories of stars. The... paintings that stars make in sky, many stories."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 25, 2009 6:57:10 GMT -5
"I like astronomy as well," I replied, pleased beyond measure to have found something we both enjoyed; perhaps that could be a bridge between us. Yes, there was still the bit of a language barrier but when there was something based in imagery it would be less of a hindrance and fun for both of us at the same time! "Perhaps before you go this evening we could go look at the stars and see if the pictures I know and the ones you know are the same?" I offered hopefully. I wasn't sure how quickly he wanted to be gone from here but the only way to find out was to ask.
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 26, 2009 2:15:49 GMT -5
My brows furrowed slightly. "Is it... proper? It is very in the night," I said. "I know you say that it is not like a soldier here with proper, I am just making sure."
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Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov
Noble (Staff)
Sovereign Duchesse of Eisande, Lady of Marsilikos *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Wife of Fydor Romanov
Posts: 2,623
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Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on May 26, 2009 7:29:35 GMT -5
His words caused me a moment's frustration and concern; he spoke of courting me, yet he didn't want to be alone with me at night, not even when I meant it in a purely innocent sense. I wanted to understand but at some moments it was harder than others.
But with another split-second of thought I wondered if I was the one whose perception was wrong again. He had shown me respect and kindness, he'd tried his best to learn how d'Angeline culture works. From the cultures I'd had experience with outside my own this could perhaps be the best I could hope for- and on top of that, he seemed fond of me as well. I was already used to keeping myself a bit removed from the more physical things d'Angelines did in their time; I could manage until I found out if he truly did care about me as much as he thought he did at the moment. Men, I thought wryly, could be fickle.
"Well," I replied carefully and hesitantly, offering him a shy smile. "Perhaps it will make others think the wrong thing- but with our spending so much time together they would assume that we were doing those things anyway. And- it's very hard to see stars during the day. But no matter what other people think you and I know the truth, that nothing will happen; isn't that what's important?" I couldn't help the tones of my voice in that statement- not aggressive or angry but confused and a bit despairing. "I don't understand why it should make such a difference what others think. Every moment outside of my estate grounds I worry about their eyes on me but in my home- I try to forget what others may say if they knew of my life."
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Fydor Romanov
Royal
His Highness, Prince of Ruskovia, House Romanov *Voted Member of Best Storyline 2010*
Husband to Lessandrie de Mereliot; youngest child of Nikolai and Ivana Romanov
Posts: 1,170
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Post by Fydor Romanov on May 26, 2009 17:04:26 GMT -5
I wilted a little from the despair in her voice. Doubtless she thought that I was just a barbarian. I bit back my prideful answer, and tried to explain.
"I am sorry Lessa. In Ruskovia, many times man sees woman two, three times before they make alliance. Love is nice, but it comes maybe after marriage. Love is not important part, alliance with families is important. I like the D'Angeline way, I like spending time with you. I like having feelings with you. But sometimes it is hard. We have time together, and no people watching. I know, and you know, that there is honour in the actions of us. But if we did same things in Ruskovia, you would not have honour. People talk and ruin honour, and then you are like dead at court."
I gathered her hands in mine. "I am sorry for worrying. But I want best for you. I do not fully understand customs here. So I think with customs from home. But I do not want to dishonour your customs. I... I am just confused. I am sorry."
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