Page 37 of His Noble Savior

It’d be the second advantageous union for House Aranin within nine months. First Henry’s wedding to King Malorn of the Autumn Court, and now James. The Daltons and the Aranins might be cousins, but they were also rivals. If Richard didn’t get betrothed to Princess Bellerose, his house’s power would decline, and with decaying power came a loss of safety. Richard decidedly ignored it in favor of spending time with Lilian.

Once Richard’s purchases had been set up in his chambers, he accompanied Lilian to the flowerbeds in the garden. Lilian cut carnations and tulips to be placed in the vases around the castle. Richard smiled as Lilian helped him decorate. Visiting the artisans had sparked something in Lilian. It was no accident that their purchases had been spring-themed.

The following day, Richard arranged for a light lunch to bebrought outside for him and Lilian. The weather was sunny, and while they could’ve eaten on the terrace, Richard wanted to surprise Lilian with something romantic.

The servants had placed a large blanket under the blooming apple trees in a corner of the outer courtyard and brought small bowls of fresh fruit and cream to indulge in. Lilian’s eyes went wide with wonder when Richard led him to their little slice of heaven. They stretched out on the blanket, which was of the finest wool and impossibly soft to the touch.

“This is amazing,” Lilian said and picked a deep red cherry from a bowl, popping it into his mouth. He hummed as he chewed, his eyes closing in bliss.

Thanks to their outdoor activities, Lilian’s pallor had given way to a light tan. In the warmth of the spring sun, his skin flushed to a soft pink.

On the other side of the courtyard, gnomes were working the vegetable patches, their chatter drifting over. They were the friendliest and cutest of the fair folk. At only a foot tall, they were creatures in need of protection. Humans let them live in their gardens where they were safe from predators, and in exchange, the gnomes grew food, sharing the harvest with their hosts.

A male with a pointy red hat, under which a mane of thick white hair poked out, waved at them. Richard lifted his hand in greeting. He didn’t think much of it until the gnome grabbed a bowl, ran to the strawberry bushes and started picking fruit. Strawberries piled in the bowl, the gnome waddled over to their blanket. He panted, the bowl heavy for the little guy, and Richard made to get up and help him, but the gnome got there first.

He bowed and greeted them, presenting Richard with the plump berries, their red skin shiny in the sun. Richard thanked him and accepted the gift. As a lord with plenty of resources, he didn’t take half the gnomes’ harvest as most patrons would have,and so the gnomes brought him little offerings whenever they saw him. The gnome threw Lilian a cautious look, then departed with a bow.

“I think you scare them,” Richard said with a chuckle once the gnome was out of earshot.

“I’d never hurt a gnome.”

“They say that your kind is quite mischievous.”

Lilian shrugged. “Maybe they say that because we collect all debts. Wronging a fae is dangerous.” He said it in such a serious tone that a shiver raced down Richard’s back. Lilian’s features morphed into a smile. “The opposite is also true. I owe you more than you know, so you have nothing to worry about.”

So Richard had been right. The burden of debt weighed on Lilian’s mind.

“I won’t insult your culture by saying don’t repay me,” Richard said, “but know that it can wait. Also, I accept payment in back rubs.”

Lilian’s lips twitched. “Do you?”

“Oh yes.”

“I’ve accumulated so much debt, I could massage you every day for the rest of your life, and it wouldn’t be enough.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I’ll also decorate your castle,” Lilian said with a wave of determination. “Yesterday was a start, but more can be done. I have a lot of ideas.”

Lilian went on to elaborate on what additions he’d make to the decor. Curtains here, a painting there, perhaps a few more rugs. Richard almost laughed. People were right when they said fae repaid their debts the waytheyfelt was right.

Lilian described what Richard envisioned a palace of the Spring Court to look like. Lilian’s eyes gleamed with joy as he spoke of floral motifs on towels, dishes and even broomsticks. If Richard gave him free rein, Lilian would transform SomerdaleCastle into a flower palace. Richard wasn’t going to stop him. With reminders of spring everywhere, Lilian would feel at home during all seasons.

Richard picked up a strawberry and dipped it into the cream. He offered it to Lilian, interrupting his torrent of words. Lilian’s lips wrapped around the juicy fruit, moaning as he licked across Richard’s fingers.

Lilian’s eyes closed in bliss. “Yes, keep adding to my debt.”

“So that I get to keep you and make you repay me slowly?”

“Something like that. Very slowly.”

The apple tree above them rustled. A sparrow had landed, rolling its brown head left and right as it regarded the food on the blanket.

“Someone’s hungry,” Richard said and took a few crumbs from the breadbasket. He threw them into the grass, and the sparrow fluttered off the tree to pick at them.

“You’re always helping others,” Lilian said. “You overpaid the potter, you feed birds, you saved me…”

“I’m in a position of extreme privilege through no virtue of my own. I have everything I do because I was born into a noble house. The least I can do is share my wealth with those who have less.”

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