A Day Shopping

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I smiled softly.
"This is true." For a moment I just sat there thinking, Landis' hand still in mine and after a moment I realized that I was still holding it and felt myself blush.
"I'm sorry," I said waving my hand and shaking my head. "I think the wine's getting to me."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"Wine does have a tendency to do that," I agreed, sorry I had put her ill at ease.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I laughed. "Tell me then," I said seeing my plate arrived, I was surprisingly hungry. "What do you have planned for the rest of the day?"

[Landis de Verreuil]

Smiling at the waiter I nodded thanks as my plate was set down and smiled at Phreya charmingly. "I am not a planner, so I have nothing planned, and nothing jumps to the front of my mind as something I have to do, so I guess I'm free for the day. What about yourself?"

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I nodded. "No, nothing." I took a bit of my sandwich. "This is so good." I exclaimed though I was sure I had had it before it seemed so much better this time. "I don't know why but I'm so hungry." I smiled again.

[Landis de Verreuil]

Picking up my own sandwich I took and bite. "Well, they say hunger- and good conversation- are the best sauce," I said with a grin.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I nodded and suddenly felt ill, I finished my bite but stopped for a moment.
"You could be correct," I said trying not to show my discomfort. "I think I'd like some water though." I said pushing my wine aside.

[Landis de Verreuil]

Concern flashing on my features I put the back of my hand to her forehead, feeling it burn slightly. "That might be the best idea," I said wisely. "And you are old enough to be more careful, near-cousin."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I furrowed my brows.
"Actually," I said rising from my seat. "I don't think its the wine." I felt my stomach turn and I rushed to the toilets where I proceded to vomit. It wasn't much but something hit be like stone in my stomach. I stayed for a moment collecting myself.

"Are you alright my lady?" A voice came from behind me.

"Yes thank you." I said taking and linen that she handed me and I wiped my mouth and hands.

"Can I help at all my lady?" She had the kindest eyes but I shook my head.

"Thank you, I've just...I'll be fine." I smiled and moved past her back toward Landis and this table. "I'm sorry about that." I said down and took up the sandwich once more.

[Landis de Verreuil]

Raising an eyebrow I watched her- she wasn't ill with an actual illness or she wouldn't be eating again so soon. "No need to apologize, I hope you're feeling better," I said soothingly.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I nodded. "Must have been something in my food from earlier." I said eating happily now.
"You should come for dinner if you have no plans." I said returning to the previous conversation. "I'm not sure if Delaunay will be around but we can dine together."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"That sounds like fun," I said amicably, noticing her changing the subject and not wanting to pry.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I smiled. "Good, whats you're favourite meal. I can make sure the cook makes it." I noticed that he seemed a bit taken back and leaned over.
"Is there something wrong?"

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I entered the cafe and moved over to where they were.
"Seems you do well picking up strangers." I said seeing Phreya.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I laughed and rose.
"Delaunay," I said smiling. "What are you doing here?" I shook my head. "Never mind, Delaunay, this is the Marquis Landis Verreuil." I smiled gesturing to Landis.

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I raised a brow and looked to the man with her.
"Well met cousin." I said surprised and looked to Phreya. "Landis, Phreya this is Medousa Asterius; Priestess and cousin of the Archon of Phaistos." I gestured to Medousa.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I smiled pleasantly at the couple and gave a graceful bow.

"A pleasure to meet you both."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I smiled to Medousa, I wanted to sit and stare at her. She was beautiful and exotic and I wondered what the relationship between them was.

"You'd you care to join us?" I asked sitting back down. "I was just saying to Landis that he should join us for dinner. Are you free?"

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I smiled looking at Landis and then back to Medousa gesturing for a chair which I pulled out and offered the seat before taking one of my own.

"Landis, who's your lineage through. How are you related to our grandfather?"

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I sat, feeling a little out of place, but still smiling none the less. I smoothed out my gown and was content to listen. My new lover and his sister looked made from the same mold.

I had never seen eyes ofthat hue of blue before, and doubted I ever would again. Phreya seemed to glow.

[Landis de Verreuil]

Nodding at Delaunay, I said, "Yes, Josceline was my great-uncle; my grandfather was Luc."

Poor Medousa- she looked a little stunned though she smiled and was well composed. Smiling a little sympathetically I turned back to the conversation.

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I nodded and turned to Medousa. "Landis is not cousin by blood but our foster grandfather and he are related by blood." I whispered quietly. "Though I'm sure you got that." I smiled then turned back to Phreya.

"I'm afraid we Medousa and I have plans this evening, perhaps some other time." I smiled and looked to their food and back to Medousa

"What would you like my dear?" I asked turning to her and smiling.

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I nodded, a bit curious of their plans.
"Then just you and I," I smiled back to Landis. "If you're still interested." I turned back looking at Medousa.

"How long have you been in Terre d'Ange?"

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I found Delaunay's hand under the table and gently squeezed. "I have no real idea, and any suggestions you have would be fine. I'm partial to fish if that helps." I smiled and turned to answer his sister's question.

"I arrived a few days before the coronation. This is a most beautiful place, and your brother has been kind enough to offer to show me around the City."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I noticed her hand under the table and smiled hoping that he was happy.

"Oh," I said chuckling. "I bet he's been a load of help." I raised a brow to Deluanay and grinned wickedly.

"Tell us of Kriti Medousa, I've never been."

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I raised and brow then rolled my eyes and leaned over to Landis.

"What have you been giving her?" I asked quietly from the side of my mouth.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

"Mmm, he may have a few ulterior motives, but he really has been rather...sweet in his efforts to show me the City." Indeed, a toy shop and a thorough tour of his bedroom and off to Mandrake.

"Kriti is sunny and warm most of the time, though right now winter storms are rolling in. We were lucky our journey from Phaistos to Marsilikos went as smoothly as it did. I live in the Temenos, it's a large temple situated on top of the highest point of the island and is near impregnable. It's tranquil there, though it hasn't always been so. Kriti is- it's beautiful, not like here, but serene in it's own way."

[Princess Phreya de la Courcel]

I smiled, she was pleasent and not one of the young and dumb adepts he was usually picking up. I nodded listening.
"I'll have to go sometime, it sound beautiful." I looked to Delaunay and winked. "How long will you be staying here?"

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

"It is. I don't intend on returning until spring. Winter crossings are always chancy and I have some business to conduct on behalf of my cousin and my Kore. And besides, this is the first time I've left the Islands. I think I'll linger a little and enjoy it." Another squeeze to Delaunay's hand. Yes, I had things to accomplish before I left, and I feared my leaving would not be easy. But that was something to think on later.

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I squeezed Medousa's hand back but thought for a moment what spring did mean and I began to wonder if he prophecy had anything to do with why she was with me. I began to think about what would happen if she did get pregnant, I would surely be the father...but what if that was the only reason. I had to be careful, a child born to Medousa and I had big complications. Medousa was to be the next Kore, and I even though removed from it was still in line to the throne. Our child would be a powerful person, part of two ruling nations and cousin to both crowns.