“I would never presume on that, Your Majesty.” Emryn sputtered. “I will remain apart, and his Highness can live precisely has he has to this point. I only ask that I may continue to heal the sick as they come to me.”
“I do not flatter myself to think that I could prevent you from healing, Emryn.” The Queen steepled her fingers and propped her chin on them. “And I do not believe my son to be the sort of unwise that would lead him to demand that.”
“Otherwise, unless I am needed, I will remain out of the way.”
“Was that what you did in the temple?” The queen tilted her head at Emryn.
“When I was not needed in the temple, I taught the junior cohorts and saw that the senior cohorts were prepared to handle the sicknesses that were coming up through the city.”
“If there was one thing that would reduce the load of illness on the city, what would you propose?”
Emryn’s brain stopped short, trying to spin that problem into its component parts. “The water, Majesty.” She finally said. “If there was one thing that would improve the health of the citizens, it would be a restructuring of the way that the water is divided between drinking and other activities. Not to mention that, in some of the poorer areas of the city, the clean water is under control and payment is demanded for access.”
The queen looked startled. “That will be remedied immediately. The city water is meant to be free to my people.”
“I will make a list of the water sources that are controlled.” Emryn said.
“You will also draw up a plan to separate the drinking water from the washing water. I want it ready to present to the council in three weeks time.” The queen smiled at Emryn. “You are in the unique position to assist me in building a better city with your knowledge of the things that plague my people.”
“I will do my best, Majesty.” Emryn bowed her head to the queen. “I will continue to serve the city.
The door to the room opened and Cas walked in with a bundle of dark fluff in his arms. “Forgive the intrusion, Mother, Emryn, but I brought you a friend.” He set the bundle of fluff on the floor where it quickly resolved into four legs, a curled tail, and a shaggy head that looked around at the room.
“This is Brutus,” Prince Cas said. “He’s the friendliest pup I’ve had the fortune to meet.”
Emryn slipped off her chair and went to her knees, reaching out to the puppy. Who promptly climbed into her lap and licked her face.
Emryn laughed, the sound squeezed and slightly painful. “You need training, young man.”
“I said the same thing,” Prince Cas said, flicking a look at his mother. “We can train him together.”
“I don’t know the first thing about puppies,” Emryn said, petting Brutus and dodging his tongue again. “He’s very sweet though.”
“I thought you might like a companion, and I didn’t think one of the ladies lapdogs would suit you.”
“What is he?” Emryn dodged the tongue again and giggled. “Stop that, young man.”
“He’s a cross breed.” Cas said. “His mother is a hunter and his father is one of the palace guard dogs.”
“The kennel master must be furious,” the queen said from her chair.
“Quite put out.” Cas replied with a grin. “But the puppies will find their homes. There are already several requests for them among the country nobles.”
“Did you truly bring him for me?” Emryn asked.
“Truly,” Cas came and sat on the floor next to her. “He will be with you when I cannot be.” Cas reached and petted Brutus. “I have a proposal for you, Emryn.”
“What is it, Highness?”
“I would propose you use my name, first of all.” Cas smiled and Emryn felt herself blush hard. “But besides that, I have it detailed here.” He pulled a folded page out of his pocket. “While we must bond, I would still like to court you, Emryn.”
“Oh, I’m certain that’s not needed, Highness.” Emryn turned her eyes firmly onto Brutus, who was now laying down in her lap and lazily licking her hand. “I don’t mean to presume on you in the least.”
“I’m asking you to presume on me, Emryn.” Prince Cas shook his head. “If we are to spend the future together, then will you allow me to show you that it might not be such a terrible thing?”
“I don’t-” Emryn swallowed. “I don’t think that, just that it’s a dreadful inconvenience for you to be saddled with-”
“Nonsense,” the Queen said, cutting into the conversation. “As I said, you are uniquely positioned to help us make the city better, Emryn. Better for all of my people and that makes you no burden and no inconvenience.”