Lilla Rowan
“But Lilla, you just almost killed me! Killed! I seriously could’ve died, and then where would we be?”
"Oh, hush. You're fine," Lilla said, shaking her head at him and his words. "You would have fallen but you wouldn't have died. Qu-..." She paused, blinking at him and shaking her head, an incredulous expression on her face. She put her hands on her hips, a bit of laughter spilling from her mouth. "If that was really your intention all along, it would be smart not to tell me of it. After all, that's what the king is looking for."
There was silent for what seemed to be several beats; as he began to speak, the shirt was a constant reminder in her mind. Or, it was until he ducked to look at her, his face close to hers as he spoke, and she could see just how tired he was by the darkness under his eyes. Unintentionally she frowned, tilting her head a little as he stepped away and yawned; the motion was mimicked on her, reaching up to cover her mouth.
Her frown deepened for only a minute as he spoke of the princesses, transforming into a well-practiced, interested smile. "I haven't had much contact with them, but... they seemed... quite dynamic." She had passed a few on her way into the palace yesterday, hearing one of them complain as she trailed her father, an indignant expression on her face. Not all seemed quite as off-putting, as she remembered another with hair darker than the Prince's trailing behind, shaking her head at the girl's antics and offering Lilla a smile. They weren't all bad.
He had met the princesses... her job was officially a competition now. The king had strictly told her he did not wish for his daughters to wed over a treaty, for he did not want a treaty with this nation. He liked the prices he set and she doubted he would cave much to Relos's demands. She would have to make sure she captured his attention more often and in different ways now that his eldest daughters were a part of the equation.
Not to corrupt him. Just to keep him from getting himself into trouble.
"I believe you," she said, reaching her arms above her head to stretch, another yawn causing her to pause while she spoke. "I've spoken to him on one occasion and he did do a poor job." Perhaps he would have held more respect in her mind if he hadn't openly called her a harlot to one of his advisers on her way through the palace, the motion meant to be quiet enough she wouldn't hear, but she had. He was not very wise when it came to relations and that proved to be his weak point, given the price hike and his lack of reasoning why.
"If I can't do anything for you, I may go to bed," Lilla said, pulling the shirt down from when she had stretched. "You look like you could use some sleep too, Relos," she added, teasing.