Meeting to Shop

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Ever since the Romanov fete I'd been having an intense craving to see Fydor more and more- but I knew we were both becoming uncertain about spending so much time along together so we'd come to the agreement of meeting to walk around the City and take in the shops and sights. My gown was a comfortable and modest thing of sea green and I sat by a statue of a stag I'd told him of that was in a park in the Temple district to wait for him, hoping that he was as eager to see me as I was to see him.

[Fydor Romanov]

Clad in a simple cream shirt and brown breeches, I headed to the western section of the capital to meet with Lessa. In my hand I carried a yellow daisy, just something to pin to her gown or tuck into her hair and to make her smile.

I found her sitting on a bench near the sculpture that he had mentioned. "My lady," I said with a deep bow, presenting the daisy to her with a large grin.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

At seeing Fydor I smiled even as he walked toward me, and even giggled lightly with joy at his gesture as I took the flower he offered. "Good day my lord," I replied softly. "Thank you for the flower, it's lovely. I am very happy to see you- you look very handsome." The light seemed to make him even more vibrant than he usually was and I was a bit giddy with happiness.

[Fydor Romanov]

"Thank you. And you, you are vision of beauty." It was true, she was veritably glowing as I took a seat beside her. Leaning in, I laid a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I am happy to see you too," I whispered with a smile.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Flushing with pleasure and modesty I glanced at him from under my lashes, then tucked the flower behind my ear and hoped it would neither become mussed or fall out- I treasured every gift from him as though it were priceless. "I am glad to hear that- well, not that you missed me, but that you're happy to see me," I replied in a quiet, happy tone.

[Fydor Romanov]

"Very happy, you make me very happy," I said with a wide smile, watching with satisfaction as she tucked the flower behind her ear. Every gift she accepted from me gave me hope that when the time was right, I would be able to give her a ring. "So where are we going today?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I have a few things I would like to look at- but mostly I'd like to show you around the area, to see what you like and what is different between here and your home. In this part we have many different shops and restaurants and the City Academy- even the Temples to the different angels and the art guild. I- I love all of them, this is my favorite part of the City overall." My eyes were flashing brightly with eagerness and hope that he would enjoy this outing- and not simply see this as a boring endeavor he only endured for my sake. I hoped to appeal to the adventuring spirit he seemed to possess.

[Fydor Romanov]

Oh Laima she was beautiful like this, and it caused my wide smile to stay firmly in place. "Please, I want to see everything that you like. From your words, I think many days are needed though," I teased her slightly.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Well, it can be pared down a bit I think," I replied with a light laugh as I rose, smoothing my skirts as I did so. "What sounds the most interesting to you? I think we're closest to the Temples and the Academy, though there is a store or two as well- like Anezka Collections and l'Roches..." I flushed a little at the last. "And there's always something to see at the Artiste Societe."

[Fydor Romanov]

"Princess Leyna said that she take me to the temples. But I think she went to Aragonia, to visit her fiancé, so I do not know if I wait," I said worriedly. My worries were twofold: one was whether or not I should wait for Leyna to return - I had no idea how long she was planning on being in Aragonia - and two, whether Lessa would mind that I had made plans with another woman. "What do you think?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Then it is up to you- or we could always go and see something else," I suggested with a smile. My mood was too bright at his presence to be disturbed at such news and he still seemed happy to see me so I couldn't blame him for making plans with someone else. "I do not know the Princess very well so I am not sure when she will be back either. It could be some time though."

[Fydor Romanov]

I thought for a moment, not wanting to offend anyone. "Maybe today we see the other things. The Academy is interesting I think, and the shops that you like," I said to her with a smile, very glad that she didn't seem jealous. "And I will ask when the princess is home again. And maybe, if she is too slow," I chuckled at that, "we can see the temples on an other day."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"That sounds like a good plan," I agreed with a shy smile. "I like the Academy as well. Would you like to do that first or go and see the shops?" I was still practically giddy at his presence in the lovely weather and the idea of showing him whatever he wanted to see.

[Fydor Romanov]

"The Academy first. Please," I said with a smile that was inspired by the adorable look on her face.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Yes, of course," I replied eagerly as I took his hand gently and with a bright smile. "Then lets go and see it- I'm very excited to see it again."

[Fydor Romanov]

I chuckled, her enthusiasm infectious. "Yes, let us go," I said as I stood with a large smile, her hand wonderfully warm in mine.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Flushing happily I gently began to lead him in the direction of the Academy, a large complex only a couple of streets away from the square where we'd met. "Have you ever been anywhere like the Academy before?" I asked him curiously. "Do they have centers of learning of that type in Ruskovia?"

[Fydor Romanov]

"No, but my teachers said stories about the university in Tiberium," I replied as we began to walk. "But sometimes, with all the teachers for all my siblings, it feels like it is a... what did you say, center of learning?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I had a great deal of tutors as well," I replied, smiling cheerfully. "My mother insisted on it from the time I was very young."

[Fydor Romanov]

"You did not go to Tiberium?" I asked curiously. She seemed like the type to go to university.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"No, I was never able to attend- my mother got sick shortly after I turned sixteen and needed me to help with some of the affairs of Eisande," I explained with a sad smile. "I would have liked to go though. I have heard much about it. Do you wish to go?"

[Fydor Romanov]

My smile faded at her story, but at her suggestion I chuckled. "My Caedicci is more worse than my D'Angeline," I admitted with a wry smile. "I am not good at other languages. But if I was good, I wish to go to Tiberium. Maybe I will see the Academy, maybe I will like and take class."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"That would be a good idea," I replied happily. "If you went to Tiberium you would be far away and if you take some classes in the City you'll be nearby. I would miss you if you went so far though I would be very happy to see you when you returned. I'm very happy whenever I see you."

[Fydor Romanov]

"I am happy to see you too," I said with a beaming smile, joyous at her words. "And I am happy - very happy - to be courting you." My hand squeezed hers gently, through I refrained from pressing my lips to the back of her hand.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

This was the most joyous moment I could remember at the moment- my hand warm and secure in his own, with his smile warming me further as I flushed in glee and love. Here was a man who wanted me, who no one would fault me for choosing- and who seemed as though he cared for me as well, and could even love me in the future. It was more than I'd ever thought possible and only wildly dreamed for. "I am happy to be seen fitting to be courted by you," I replied softly, then quickly leaned up to brush a kiss across his cheek while not getting in the way of his steps. Perhaps my lips brushed too close to the corner of his lips but it wasn't something I was going to think on too deeply at the moment; I was too content and at ease to worry about very much at all. "I would like to see you more often- perhaps have you to dinner some night? Tonight, even?"

[Fydor Romanov]

Her lips brushed against the corner of my mouth, and it caused desire to flare within me. I kept it in check though, I wanted to be a gentleman for her after all.

"Tomorrow night maybe?" I suggested with a smile. "I said to my sister that I will be home for dinner tonight, and she does not like to make much extra food. I want very much to spend more time with you though."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Tomorrow night would be wonderful,"I agreed softly, a faint flush moving over my cheeks at the feeling of his body tensing and the sweetness of his words- though I wondered at his lack of reaction to some of my advances. I was not used to men who acted in such ways, at least not ones who wanted to bed me- and though I knew of his affection I wondered whether I was what he truly wanted. "I like to see you as well. Shall we- make it a plan?"

[Fydor Romanov]

"I think it sounds like a wonderful plan," I replied, counting my lucky stars that I was walking down the street, holding her hand so casually. "Tell me Lessa, have you met my brother Alexei?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"No, not really," I told him with a smile as I unconsciously stroked his hand with my thumb. "I remember that you mentioned you were very fond of him."

[Fydor Romanov]

"You would like to meet him?" I asked, knowing it was the next step on my end. I would never get permission from my father to marry Lessa if Alexei and Olga didn't approve. "And my sister Olga? Not tonight, but maybe soon?"