Page 20 of Pawns of Fate
Rose already served her time as a captive. Someone else should have a turn, he thought sourly.
A male faun held the door open for the group as they entered the mysterious Red Dragon Tea House. Nicholas was used to seeing the forest dwellers in Onanish; they had a few on staff atthe castle and one who served as a healer among their soldiers, but he didn’t miss the curiosity that sparkled in Rose’s eyes as another faun led them to the back of the restaurant.
Nicholas didn’t care much about tea but enjoyed visiting this place because of the rich, earthy food. He’d have to order some mushroom pasties to share with Rose.
The server led the group to a private dining room with tiny square windows and silk pillows for seats.
Rose blinked, confusion clouding her face. Nicholas realized that she had probably never been to a teahouse with low tables and cushions for chairs. They were only common in areas with a significant population of fauns.
He gently grasped her hand and whispered in her ear, “We’ll sit on the pillows. That’s why the table is so low.”
She nodded and relaxed her shoulders.
The group sat down, and their server gracefully poured them hot cinnamon tea while they decided what food they’d like to order. Nicholas ordered his favorite pasties, while Ava requested an assortment of cookies and more tea flavors.
“Well, what do you think?” Ava asked Rose.
“I’ve never been to a teahouse before. This tea is so flavorful.” She sipped the cinnamon brew with a soft smile on her face. Her tension seemed to melt away with every sip of the warm liquid. Nicholas hoped it was a sign that she would enjoy her time today.
“You’ve never been to a teahouse before? Are there none in your uncle’s parish?” Nicholas asked.
“I didn’t explore outside of the castle much, except when Iwas… visitingother families,” Rose said.When she was a hostage, serving as her uncle’s collateral, Nicholas amended in his mind.
Ava swooped in to change the subject. Nicholas thanked the gods. He couldn’t stop sticking his foot in his mouth around Rose.
“Well, I’m glad you get to visit this one. We should also visit one of the silkworm farms before we leave town today. The worms are the size of cows, but so gentle and docile. They are fascinating. Oh, and we should go by one of the houses that dye the silks. It’s an amazing process,” Ava gushed.
“There’s so much to see,” Rose replied with a genuine smile.
“Nicholas, what do you want to show Rose today?” Ava asked, trying to help him carry a conversation. The servers appeared with trays of food and several large teapots, carefully setting them around the table. Nicholas helped himself to one of the mushroom pasties, but it was still too hot to eat. He settled for a few lemon cookies instead, stuffing one in his mouth as he considered his answer to Ava’s question. Usually, Nicholas saved Ava from awkward social situations. It was funny to have the roles reversed.
“I’d like to show you the gardens at the castle,” he answered finally. “They aren’t as extravagant as the ones at your uncle’s castle. We don’t have as much flat land, so we have to use terraces.”
“I’m sure they’re still lovely,” Rose replied, then took a bite of a cookie topped with what Nicholas imagined to be blueberry icing from the color. He’d have to try one of those next.
“I like them. I think you will, too.”
An awkward silence fell on the group for a minute. Ava managed to pick up the conversation by asking York and Nicholas about their training for the day. York, always excited to talk about things related to swordsmanship, carried the conversation from there.
Nicholas was a little disappointed that he didn’t hear more about Rose for the remainder of the meal.
After they finished at the teahouse, Ava announced that she had a headache and requested that York take her back to the castle. Before she left, though, she demanded that Nicholas show Rose around Onanish Town. No fun was to be spoiled on account of her. This, of course, left Rose and Nicholas alone to explore the market and the main square.
He’d have to remember to get something for his sister-in-law to thank her for being a far better wingman than his brother.
“It gets pretty crowded here in the market. May I hold your hand?”
Rose demurely placed her hand in his. Nicholas thought it was soft and dainty, just like the rest of her.
He guided Rose toward the silk market in the center of town. The swaths of fabric dyed in more colors than Nicholas could have ever dreamed had always enchanted him, even if the dyes’ strong, rotting vegetable smell permeated that section of town. Hopefully, the wind would push it in the opposite direction today.
“The servants told me that you manage the household and the finances,” Rose offered up this tidbit of conversation as they made their way along the crowded street.
Nicholas waved off a vendor aggressively shoving some jewelry in Rose’s face. He tugged Rose a little closer to him. “Yes, the servants are correct. When my mother passed away, I was twelve, and York was six. My father mourned her loss very deeply for almost a year. I picked up many of my responsibilities then.”
“At twelve years old?”
“My father loved my mother so deeply. He was devastated after she passed… For a while, I worried he might die of a broken heart. He’ll never marry again.” He paused, lost in memories of his short-lived childhood. Rose gave his hand a tentative squeeze, and he cleared his throat. “About two years after my mother passed, he was able to take back most of his duties as marquess. As he ages, however, he continues slowly giving them back to me.” Nicholas chuckled. “I don’t mind. It’s all part of holding my title. Lots of responsibilities come along with it.” He shrugged.
