Lunch after the faire

[Leyna de Somerville]

We’d returned home and I got Wildfire settled in her new stall then set about getting everything set up for Spot. I’d already told Anne to prepare lunch, and when she heard the Queen was coming I thought she was going to explode as she began giving orders to the other staff.

I then set about mixing up the concoction for Spot to drink until we could find a lactating mare.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

The house was in an uproar, but a pleasant one, and I could only smile as I watched the preparations being made while trying to dutifully stay out of everyone's way. Sidling up to Leyna I looked over her shoulder to watch what she was doing.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I smiled at Nic over my shoulder. “I sent Peter out to see about a mare, but I think Spot needs something to eat now,” I told him as I mixed.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I dressed in something a little nicer but comfortable, a forest green velvet gown with my hair down. I took my small, open, carriage for two and rode toward Nic and Leyna's home.

When the carriage stopped I exited and went to the door knocking.
"You're Majesty." The maid said as soon as she saw me. "Please come in." I smiled and nodded as she rose from her deep curtsy.
"I'll tell Her Highness you're here."

"Thank you." I responsed with a grin.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"He has had a long day," I replied, gently wrapping my arms around her waist while trying not to interfere with her hands.

[Leyna de Somerville]

“Yes he has,” I said, smiling and pressing back against Nic as much as I could and still work. I was just pouring the mix into a bottle when Anne came rushing in.

“Her Majesty is here,” she said breathlessly. Her eyes settled on my messy dress and I just knew she was going to offer to lay out something clean for me.

“Thank you Anne, you can go finish seeing to lunch.” Anne hurried off and I looked back at Nic again. “Would you mind going and seeing Sabrina? I need to go feed Spot. If you two are still inside when I’m done I’ll come find you.”

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Are we taking lunch anywhere in particular?" I asked her, nuzzling against her neck for a moment before grinning at her. "Of course I will go and see to Her Majesty, so long as you promise not to dally terribly long and be distracted with currycombing your new love. Is it a deal?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

“I told Anne to have everything set up in the family dining room, it’s small and cool enough to be comfortable,” I said, trying not to let myself become too distracted by his nuzzling of my neck and the press of his body – Sabrina and Spot were waiting after all. “And I promise as soon as he’s fed I’ll come in.”

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Then I will go and see to your cousin," I assured her, kissing her cheek quickly before taking a step back with a playful smile. "We'll be waiting for your return, I'm sure."

[Leyna de Somerville]

“I’ll be quick as I can,” I said, giving him a smile and then hurrying out to the stables.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

For a moment I simply watched her go, then went to meet Sabrina. At seeing her I gave a pleasant, charming smile and bowed respectfully. "Good afternoon again, Your Majesty- Leyna is off seeing to her newest charge for a moment, so you'll have to endure me instead."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I turned seeing Nic and smiled.
"Principe," I said inclining my head to him and chuckling. "She's enjoying Spot's pressence then." I said softly.
"Then I shall endure. Where are we going to luncheon?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"In the family dining room, of course," I told her with a wider smile as I offered her my arm in a brotherly gesture.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I smiled and took his arm.
"Have you two set a date for the wedding?" I asked still smiling at him.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"We want it to be special, but with all of the other weddings that keep coming along and the arrangements keep the date somewhat fuzzy," I admitted. "She wants a large ceremony, of course, and that means a good deal of planning."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I nodded.
"You know that the palace is at your desposal." I offered with a grin.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Thank you very much," I replied with a nod of understanding. Opening the door to the sitting room I led her inside where the table was set and over to the most comfortable chair.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I grinned as I saw the lovely sitting room.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, I met another one of you cousins. Princessa Lola, I assume you know she's staying at the palace."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Yes, I'd heard her father let her make the trip," I replied with a nod, pulling out the chair intended for Sabrina. "I hope she's not causing too much trouble."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I sat, running my hands underneath my bottom to smooth out my skirt as I sat and smiled.
"Yes, she's been pursuing Prince Christien, or at least thats what her father sent her for. He believes that the Princessa should marry my brother, though I think they're much too young to be thinking about such things." I said with a bit of a chuckle.

"She's been good as far as I know, but there was a bit of an issue with my Cassiline, apparently she kissed him."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"She did?" I asked with a raised brow; my father had always warned my uncle that keeping her so sequestered would cause her to be wild when released, like a dog too long penned. "I will have a word with her about her manners, of course." As to her thoughts about her brother's marrying, I carefully didn't comment; I didn't want it to be said I was only trying to push my uncle's agenda, or working against it, so the neatest thing to do was remain clear of the situation.

[Leyna de Somerville]

Spot was settling in well and after I finished feeding him, he settled into a corner and went to sleep. Smiling, I left him in the capable hands of my stable master and headed back inside. I’d been quick and I decided I had enough time to run upstairs and change into a dress that didn’t smell of the stables, not that I minded but Sabrina and Nic might not be appreciative of such an aroma with lunch.

Dashing up the back stairs, I went to our room to change, already undoing my gown as I did, determined to be quick.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I smiled.
"Thats kind of you Nic." I said softly. "I think she's just feeling a little taken in by her new environment." I observed.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"It's a lot to be caught up in and she's been exposed to very little, even in Aragonia," I replied. "But she's not truly bad, I know that- only young and impulsive."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"Oh, I'm sure she's not bad. She seems very sweet actually, just young and very naive." I smiled to him.
"Once she's got her feet on the ground I'm sure she'll do well. Have you had a chance to speak with her since her arrival?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Unfortunately no- work has been keeping me very busy, as has checking up on a few things here and there," I told her with a commiserating smile.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I nodded.
"I've got my eye's on her so not to worry." I said smiling. "I understand the pressures of work so not to worry. Have you been up to anything other then working and spending time with Leyna?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Practicing my sparring so I don't get too rusty," I said with a chuckle. "And yourself?"

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I shook my head.
"Mostly working, I read a good book recently though, "The rise and fall of Tiberium"."

[Leyna de Somerville]

In a clean if somewhat hastily adorned dress of blue, I made my way down to join Nic and Sabrina.

“Hello again,” I said as I joined them. “Hope I wasn’t gone too long.”