10. Consequences #3
"Well, you can spot it if you are cunning enough. Plus, I do know Gawyn. He is honourable to a fault, so I didn't expect anything less from him. I can teach you everything about the court, but working on your husband is on you. Of course, if you need advice on how to seduce him,
I can always give you a tip or two," Elinora added with a wink.
Skylar's face couldn't get redder. "I... I think I'll manage."
"Good," said the Queen with a smile and got up. "Now, let's get to work, shall we?"
Skylar walked into Gawyn's office late in the evening. It was the first time she was here alone. Zachariah hesitated when she asked him if she could wait for her husband. But Skylar insisted; after all, she was now the Lady of the manor, and the Head Servant couldn't refuse.
The room was speaking volumes about its owner. Everything here was catalogued and put in perfect order. The piles of reports waiting for his attention were neatly stacked on the left side of the desk. On the right were inkpots and quills, methodically arranged by size and colour.
The books on the shelves that covered most of the walls were organised by authors and then alphabetically. Most of them were military treaties about tactics, strategy, or history. Sky moved her hand over beautiful leatherbound spines, reading the titles. She found one that seemed pretty new.
"War of the Crowns," Skylar read the title and pulled the book from the shelf.
It's not like she had anything else to do while waiting for Gawyn.
She sat down on his chair, put the tome on his desk, and started reading.
It was a recollection of how the civil war had begun.
The author elaborated on all the things that led to the conflict at a great length.
Skylar suppressed a yawn and propped her chin on her hand.
She was tired, and even though she was reading, her mind started wandering on its own, and her eyes started closing.
After a few minutes, she drifted off completely.
"Skylar?" someone said and shook her shoulder gently. She jumped up.
"Gawyn?" she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"Why are you sleeping at my desk?" the General asked with a quirked brow.
"I'm sorry. I was waiting for you. I didn't plan on sleeping here."
"Why were you waiting for me? Has something happened?"
"No, I just... I..." Skylar stuttered, feeling like a fool. Suddenly all this plan seemed silly to her. She had no idea how even to begin to get closer to him. And now, while he stood towering over her with crossed arms, she felt like a fool.
Gawyn sighed and moved a little cup over to her. "Here, drink."
"What's that?"
"Just tea." He took out glasses from his breast pocket and put them on, reaching for the document pile next to Skylar. "Drink it, and you can talk when you collect your thoughts. Or don't if you've already changed your mind. Just let me get on with my work in the meantime."
"Oh, all right." Skylar tried to stand up from his chair, but he only waved at her dismissively. He leaned on the desk next to her, already focused on the report. She sighed and inhaled the lightly fruity aroma of the tea.
They stayed like this in silence for a while. The only sound was a rustling of parchment when Gawyn was going through the reports. Skylar found the quiet comforting. She finished her cup and put it down on the desk gently.
"So, I was thinking..." she started.
The General lifted his finger, his eyes still scanning the report. When he finished, he put it down on the pile on the right side of the desk. Then, he took off his glasses and finally looked down at her. "Yes?"
"We hardly see each other."
"And that is the problem because...?" he inquired.
Skylar's cheeks burned again, but she was determined to continue. "I know you said we don't have to share a bed, and I'm grateful for that. But at the same time, we should at least look the part. I don't think we do."
"Let me guess, Elinora suggested it."
"She did. But I think she has a point."
"That woman is too cunning for her own good," said Gawyn with a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "But you are right. If she can see right through us, the others might too. And I think we have enough scandals already."
"Yes. The truth is, I still don't know much about you, and that makes me nervous," Skylar admitted. "Like... Most of the time, I have no idea how you would react, and that's stressful for me, especially when we are in public. I don't want to screw up again, and I need your help."
Gawyn was looking at her in silence for a moment, and she fidgeted nervously with her fingers, not sure if she wasn't too honest.
"All right," he finally said. "How about we start with eating dinner every evening together? I'll do my best to come back home a bit earlier. Then we can talk, and you can ask about anything you want. Whatever makes you more comfortable. And then, we'll see how it goes."
"That sounds good," Skylar said, smiling. She was relieved, as it went easier than she expected.
"All right. We'll start tomorrow then, as it's already late. You should go to bed. I assume tomorrow you leave early for the court."
"Yes, right." Skylar stood up and wanted to go, but she hesitated. "What about you? You look tired."
"I'll be fine. I need to finish a few things first."
"All right. Have a good night then."