Snippet #1505359

Adelaide slipped from Storm's back with elegant grace, landing almost too lightly. She swung his reins over his head and followed Kervall's lead in tying Storm to a nearby tree, but far enough away so that he wouldn't become tangled with Lilac. Rubbing his neck, she smiled, resting her forehead against his shoulder. He paid her no heed, the meadow grass a tempting treat for a horse. Patting him once more, she turned, lifting her skirts and walking towards the bank where she had set up the picnic. It brought a smile to her lips to already see Kervall sitting himself down and even more so when he called her Ada. They had taken to calling each other by their nicknames when they were alone. It felt much less formal than in the confines of the castle. Which was why she had arranged the picnic in the clearing. It had taken a lot of preparation to sort it all out, not that she minded. In fact it had given her something to do other than practicing her fighting skills and it allowed them to escape etiquette and manners.

"I wanted to show you how grateful I am," Adelaide told him, placing herself gently beside him. She took his hand in her own, giving it a squeeze. "It is not everyday that someone will show such understanding for a princess." She let out a small laugh and although it appeared genuine, there was a bitter note to it. No Adelaide, don't linger on that. Father will listen one day. Clearing her throat, she diverted her eyes to the basket, which she pulled forwards with her free hand. Inside she had arranged various foods and some Dornish wine which she had taken without anyone's knowledge. She doubted that anyone would actually mind them taking the wine. Handing him a goblet, she pushed the basket at him as well, indicating for him to help himself. She removed her hand from his, leaning backwards.

"I actually wanted to discuss something with you," As she said it, she looked up to meet his eyes, holding his brilliant gaze. Her own dark brown eyes shimmered green in the bright sunlight. With a slender hand she removed a lock of hair that fell in front of her eyes. Her pale cheeks reddened somewhat. "My father is undoubtedly going to bring up the subject of betrothal once again..." She trailed off with a small shrug of the shoulders. "I wondered what our response should be. Obviously it will be bring further uproar between our Houses. But is there much more than war? I do not wish for your family to hate you Kurt. Quite the opposite in fact. I want our Houses united, but with your father and brother, that shall never happen." Chewing her bottom lip, she frowned, her cheeks returning to their naturally pale colour.

Adelaide did not wish to bring further reason for the Winslers to hate the Damians even further. It was her intention to make it the other way. But Jamie was so hot-headed and Lord Winsler was half-mad, meaning that they would never listen to their reasoning. In fact, a marriage between the two of them would cause them to move further away from being united with the Damian House. Ada's last wish was for Kervall to be outed or even killed by his own family. She would do all she could to prevent that and ensure his safety.