He’d gone to Hyasari shortly after the New Year for two reasons: to visit Kadol, his mentor (though they hadn’t met a lot in person before this), and to attend a meeting of bishops by request of the queen. There he found the second most shocking thing to ever realize in his life, second to becoming the bishop: Queen Zofie was really hot.
He ignored nearly everything she and the other bishops discussed in favor of more interesting fantasies. While the others debated the needs of their people, he considered what he might do to gain her attention. They’d have no reason to meet after this. He didn’t even know what she liked. Every moment of that meeting was spent working out a plan to introduce himself to her without their titles attached.
Always a fan of Seothian plays, he could woo her by song! But… did the castle even have a balcony? Would she get the reference? Not to mention it was Esetis—it wasn’t really romantic if he froze to death.
Could he buy flowers and surprise her? No, it wasn’t the right season and it would be too cliche. He wasn’t sure how she’d react to him using illusion magic after she lost her own.
He glanced at her and, for a moment, she paused when their eyes met. Maybe… all he had to do was talk to her. They just needed some time together and they could both see how it played out from there.
He’d shared his plan with Kadol and largely disregarded the older’s advice. With his help, though, Allen was able to work out a scenario for the two of them to be alone together. All he had to do was use a bit of his Karsten charm and, if all went well, it wouldn’t be the last they saw of each other.
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And it worked. They talked until she could no longer afford to put her other obligations off. He stayed right there and waited for her. From that moment on, there was no denying this was something Talmi had selected herself—a match meant to last forever.
Of course, they’d still only known each other for a month, but he was sure of it even now. He knew she’d say the same, already closer than anyone would’ve expected.
“What’s this from?” He traced a scar along her back, though she didn’t seem to mind it.
“Nigel,” was her quiet response.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not comfortable.”
Zofie turned around and gave him a weak smile. “I want to know you and for you to know me. I don’t mind.” She got a little closer to him. “You wouldn’t have heard much about him, being from Pasha… either way, most of that’s something for later. What matters is that, as the future queen and at least partially because of my magic, he didn’t dare hurt me. But there was one time when I learned what Mother and Dimas shielded me from… though I suppose I deserved it…”
“You could never earn something like that.”
She shook her head. “Mávri Mageía. I used Dark magic to control him.”
“And what did he do to deserve it?”
“He… was hurting Dimas. I couldn’t just watch… Thero had gone to get Mother, but I couldn’t wait for her to try to break it up. Next thing I know, I’m controlling my father like a doll.”
“You were looking out for your brother. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Sometimes, I… wonder if whoever I end up with is going to be like him. I know Dimas is happily married and looking after two kids, but still…”
Allen kissed her. “You don’t have to worry. I’m never going to hurt you.”