#anywhere

"Oh Aunt Thea, you're not telling me not to snoop with cantrips and such are you?"

"I'm suggesting you consider how she will feel and what she will think when she finds out. And she will."

A groan "But...want answers I can be sure of"

"Vali, if she doesn't want to get married.... if she wishes to simply skip the wedding and continued the married life you enjoy now.... will that be ok with you?"

"I really wanted the wedding" he says, surprised to have said it

"A ceremony to publicly proclaim what anyone can see? A party?"

"Maybe. Maybe I should stop asking WHEN the wedding is going to be, and start asking what KIND of .. wedding she'd like.. " Realization

"Oh Vali.... you haven't talked with her about what she'd like?"

"I mean.. I kind of assumed the dress with white the tux and.." A blink "Oh god. I'm an idiot"

Akanthea leans over and pats his hand.

BOW your heads, Peasants!

A sigh "thank you, Aunt Thea. I came here to give you a gift, but as usual, you're saving me from myself" He kisses her cheek "I have to go, for two reasons now"

"Two reasons?"

"I have to use this gift for someone else while it's still available, or it goes to waste.. .and I need to talk to the woman I love.. no.. correct that, I need to LISTEN to the woman I love"

"Travel safely, and let me know when you get there? I worry."

"I will, and I love you" A pause 'And tell Adelaide I know she was snooping and she needs to work on diverting her involvement better, but that i didn't know it until the quest was over"

"I will let her know." not without amusement.

"Good. " he smiles at her once more, "I think next time I'll bring the family" And out he goes

The guard does return, for even if she wasn't going to on her own (probably) Vali would have thanked her so she'd know to return if her duty required

And shortly, Adelaide enters to tend... and yes, pry in her way

"Adelaide, have you been keeping an eye, long-distance, on some business of Sir Vali's?" archly.

"He knows?" She plays with her hair "How humiliating . yes. I was trying to hone my skills...and , well, I do worry for him now and then."

"Well, you almost got away with it unnoticed."

"I was supposed to get away with it entirely" the young teen gives a delicate sniff, then she looks at her liege "I thought about stopping him. Not because you don't deserve his prize, but... well, the County needs you longer yet. "A frown "I'm sorry. I suppose instead I Should have planned a coup, but it would ruin yule and might heart wasn't in that"

"You know what the prize is?"

A soft nod

"I declined. You're stuck with me for a while longer." still not without humor.

"Ah well, at least we can have fine tea, meals, and delightful conversations over the books you've recommended I read, or how trolls can be quite vexing. Your choice of subject of course"

"Books, I think. What are you reading just now?"

And the subject turns to books. One she particularly enjoys about a vengeful witch.

(End scene)