He was tugged without resistance, and his smile widened with quiet delight at the kiss that was bestowed. It widened further as she revealed his greatest mistake in the attendance of his sister's wedding and he squeezed her hands in silent gratitude. He could well imagine the sort of interruption his brilliant, vivacious Queen might have instigated - one which would have been eminently satisfying on a personal level, even if his sister would have taken a few years to forgive him.
Ah well. Next time, perhaps.
But his attention was all for Flora as she sighed. He knew her too well to think it was something either simple or shallow, and at the blunt, unadorned statement of the Hanged Man's disposition he squeezed her hands a second time. There was concern in emerald eyes even before the news of her imminent move was revealed, and he drew in a slow breath to let it all sink in. Then he released her hands so he could lean down and pull her into a warm, strong embrace.
"The bar is in good hands," he rumbled quietly. "Almost as good as yours. But a mansion..." He released her, enough to rest his hands on her shoulders and look solemnly down into her sea-blue eyes. "Mmh. I suppose it will do, for now. But a Queen deserves a castle, Flora. And Torchline owes you a great deal for the risks and sacrifices you made with the Family. Promise me that you will spare no expense on it." The concern lingered, but his solemnity had lightened to a smile that held only a little sadness for what she was leaving behind - memories and connections with a past that would never be forgotten, but which would now be at an even further remove.
Ah well. Next time, perhaps.
But his attention was all for Flora as she sighed. He knew her too well to think it was something either simple or shallow, and at the blunt, unadorned statement of the Hanged Man's disposition he squeezed her hands a second time. There was concern in emerald eyes even before the news of her imminent move was revealed, and he drew in a slow breath to let it all sink in. Then he released her hands so he could lean down and pull her into a warm, strong embrace.
"The bar is in good hands," he rumbled quietly. "Almost as good as yours. But a mansion..." He released her, enough to rest his hands on her shoulders and look solemnly down into her sea-blue eyes. "Mmh. I suppose it will do, for now. But a Queen deserves a castle, Flora. And Torchline owes you a great deal for the risks and sacrifices you made with the Family. Promise me that you will spare no expense on it." The concern lingered, but his solemnity had lightened to a smile that held only a little sadness for what she was leaving behind - memories and connections with a past that would never be forgotten, but which would now be at an even further remove.
