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"He should at least speak to you. It's- I-"
Bertrand pauses, closes his eyes, and sucks in a breath. Deryn can see the crease in his brow. He's frustrated, and she doesn't blame him. She's frustrated, too, but resigned to Callum's absence.
After all, she's had several more years to get used to Callum's cold shoulder than Bertrand has.
Bertrand has always been a peacekeeper. I wonder what it would take for him to snap.
"I don’t even care if he no longer wants anything to do with me," Bertrand says, and Deryn understands the sentiment, even if she doesn't believe he feels so. "I just wish he’d tell me."
"I understand." Deryn says, because she does.
She watches Bertrand, as she has always watched him, as she has always watched Callum, even when the latter refused to meet her gaze. She can see flickers of hope and hurt hiding in his eyes, can see the tightness in his jaw, can feel tension in the air. She lays a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm being foolish, aren't I?"
"Not at all."
"I miss him, and I wish he had the decency to break my heart properly."
Deryn supposes she shouldn't be surprised by these words. And she isn't, really. But to hear it said aloud that Bertrand has given his heart to Callum, is something of a treasure in her eyes. To admit to what, in their world, is almost unheard of, shows courage, even if he's only admitting it to her.
Bertrand steps away, and Deryn's gaze follows him as he does. He looks stunning in the light. She doubts any other woman could resist him, but then, no other woman knows him like she does.
Except his mother and sister, of course, but anyone could have guessed so.
"We don’t have to discuss him any longer," Bertrand says as he returns to her side. He presents her with a delicate flower and Deryn takes it in her hands, seeing through the common gesture to the apology and gratitude beneath. "Thank you, Deryn. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had."
Deryn smiles knowingly. She carefully tucks the blossom behind her ear and politely curtsies.
"It is an honor to be such, your highness."