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XX Derynxx#403A60
"Deryn, princes don’t marry for love."
Bertrand's words catch Deryn off guard, and she turns to face him as he steps up to her side. She shouldn't be surprised, in retrospect- after all, her own parents never seemed to love each other.
The realization that Ainara hasn't even met her husband-to-be also catches her off guard, but it's a less surprising act, though it makes Deryn's heart sink a bit. If she hasn't met him by now, then it's likely she won't meet the man until her wedding day. Deryn feels uncomfortable by association.
She understands when Bertrand says he's fortunate in marrying someone he knows- after all, isn't she fortunate, to marry a man who doesn't mind her lovelessness? Who appreciates it?
Yes, they are fortunate, but it's a bittersweet fortune. Still, she must be grateful for this fate.
Bertrand continues to speak, and his words touch Deryn's heart for a second time. Prendre l'air welcomes her. She has a place in their kingdom. His comment that Alouette might torture him if she left has Deryn giggling, and she threads her fingers through her hair, fingertips settling on the ribbons with a light touch. As crooked as they must be, she doesn't want to disturb them.
"Can I help you feel like you belong? If there is anything I can do, don’t hesitate to tell me."
Deryn catches a falling bud in her hands and smiles. "Your highness," She says, tone painfully formal, "Your kind words are more than enough comfort for a princess like me."
And with that, Deryn allows herself to truly laugh, chortling and snorting rather indelicately.
"Honestly, it does help. I appreciate that you treat my like a friend. Your mother and sisters treat me like I'm already theirs, and it does a lot to calm me. I think I haven't felt kindness like this in a long time- since my mother passed. Kindness without strings attached."
"Deryn, princes don’t marry for love."
Bertrand's words catch Deryn off guard, and she turns to face him as he steps up to her side. She shouldn't be surprised, in retrospect- after all, her own parents never seemed to love each other.
The realization that Ainara hasn't even met her husband-to-be also catches her off guard, but it's a less surprising act, though it makes Deryn's heart sink a bit. If she hasn't met him by now, then it's likely she won't meet the man until her wedding day. Deryn feels uncomfortable by association.
She understands when Bertrand says he's fortunate in marrying someone he knows- after all, isn't she fortunate, to marry a man who doesn't mind her lovelessness? Who appreciates it?
Yes, they are fortunate, but it's a bittersweet fortune. Still, she must be grateful for this fate.
Bertrand continues to speak, and his words touch Deryn's heart for a second time. Prendre l'air welcomes her. She has a place in their kingdom. His comment that Alouette might torture him if she left has Deryn giggling, and she threads her fingers through her hair, fingertips settling on the ribbons with a light touch. As crooked as they must be, she doesn't want to disturb them.
"Can I help you feel like you belong? If there is anything I can do, don’t hesitate to tell me."
Deryn catches a falling bud in her hands and smiles. "Your highness," She says, tone painfully formal, "Your kind words are more than enough comfort for a princess like me."
And with that, Deryn allows herself to truly laugh, chortling and snorting rather indelicately.
"Honestly, it does help. I appreciate that you treat my like a friend. Your mother and sisters treat me like I'm already theirs, and it does a lot to calm me. I think I haven't felt kindness like this in a long time- since my mother passed. Kindness without strings attached."