Teresa sat with Thedora in her room Thedora going through Teresa jewelry as Teresa half listened

  “ Oh this is absolutely adorable oh I have been bugging Philip forever to get me something with emeralds on it but he always says he will” she said

  .” Uh huh yeah yeah he is rather green” she said not listening

  Thedora sighed as she sat down next to Teresa

  “ Your wondering how it's going with him and your brothers huh” she asked

  “ No no hes a grown man it's just friendly conversation or so forth” Teresa said

  Thedora gave her a look “ uh huh is that why you been scratching a hole into your bed” she said

  Teresa had been nervously scratching the sheet lost in thought “ oh…so it seems. But that's silly he's just a acquaintance of mine, it's not my business what my brother's say to him “

  Thedora place a hand on Teresa lap

  “ Honey, face the fact's your worried he's going to get scared off by your brothers” she said

  Teresa let out a in nervous laugh” what of course not that's silly, why would I care if”

  Thedora cut her off “ oh Teresa you are so smart yet, you can't see it…your in love with him “

  Teresa sat mouth wide turning red” wha I i don't, that's, no your funny oh your quite a joker Thedora ha ha “ Teresa said stammering out refusals

  Thedora rolled her eyes” uh huh is that why for the last three days you two have been together constantly, Teresa you look at him like he's the only thing in the world…and truthfully he does the same.” She said simply

  Teresa stammered “ i i don't I….. he dose?” She asked

  “ Oh Teresa, yes he looks at you like you are the only thing keeping him alive, honestly I'm sure he's just as oblivious as you “ she said

  Teresa by now was left quiet listening

  “ Well I I suppose I do enjoy his company, and find him rather stimulating company….. little.. handsome “ she said muttering at the end

  “ And he did say that whole thing about.. the boat “

  “ But that doesn't mean anything Thedora just a little you know uh childish it's childish yes yes “ she said standing up

  “ All of this is silly I'm a grown woman hes a grown man were both just trying to see are lands through this war “ she said though her anger was rather weak as she walked out

  Before coming back in “ and you can take the emerald necklace I never wear it “ she said angrily before exiting

  Teresa would be sitting in the lounge biting her nail in thought as she stared into the fire

  “ Silly, just silly, thinking like some 16 year old, middle of a war for God's sake “ she mumbled to herself

  “ Well seems your brother are fond of me” the Duke said entering hint of joking

  Teresa jumped a little in surprise as she quickly composed herself “ hmm yes I imagine … seems everyone been eating bad bread “ she said as the Duke sat down

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “ How do you mean “ he inquired

  “ Well Thedora put forth this crazy notion that I fancy you, and get this she says you do to silly right aaah pregnancies really gotten to her head “ Teresa laughed waving her hand

  The Duke chuckled” hmm interesting your brothers said something similar course they more threatened my life but still same idea “ he said

  Teresa rolled her eyes” I'll talk to them about it sigh always something when they come home “ she said

  “ Eh you don't have to. Perhaps some notions aren't terribly silly “ he his leg bumping nervously” you are a…very um..” he found himself at a loss not because he lacked material but found himself rather tongue tied

  “ I suppose in a way I do find my self…drawn to you with obvious respect my lady…I just I guess I haven't felt this connected to someone….ever “ he said

  Teresa bit the inside of her mouth as she listened before nodding slightly “ I um I am flattered to hear that sir…. You are quite fascinating as well…with all honor given “ she said

  They kinda sat there quietly for a bit, only broken by Teresa moving her chair next to his as they stared quietly into the fire

  Teresa's hand found its way to the Duke sitting on top of it. The Duke hand slightly flinched for a moment before turning over as they held hands

  It was small, though truthfully both lack any experience in this matter

  But both enjoyed it hands just gently intwined

  Thedora entered feeling the need to apologize to Teresa but looking on the scene she smiled abd and exited quietly

  After a while

  “ This….is nice “ Teresa said

  “ It is….tch um what should we do now Teresa “ he asked turning her direction

  Teresa thought for a moment

  Honestly lot was happening so fast, such a shift in the air

  One moment they were casually talking about if trading tulips would be worth anything

  Now it had undertones

  Course Teresa then sighed knowing her brothers would probably freak seeing this as she looked out the window the sun fading

  “ Let's go for a Walk, Richard probably making Philip do some inane thing” she said

  “ They went hunting “ Thedora called from the hallway

  They both looked over in that direction

  “ remind me to get that woman something for the baby “ the Duke said

  They would get up going out to the courtyard and just walked about

  Teresa had sent the guards away so they were well and truly unbothered

  “ I do hope these shared feelings of ours don't interfere with are conversations I find your stories fascinating, and rather not have it disturbed by the pleasantries of romance” she waved

  The Duke chuckled “ oh i wouldn't dream of it, to censor a woman like you would be a crime “ he said

  “ in truth I am quite terrible at this my lord, I suppose this situation has never arisen for me “ she said as they strolled

  “ Oh you need not explain to me my lady, I am as well foreign to this, though I suppose if I am to attempt romance with anyone…. I'm glad its you “

  Teresa blushed quietly “ oh you old flirt” she joked

  “ Oh I may be 800 years old but I assure you not a day more” he chuckled

  She laughed “ it's almost like one of those tales you pay a bard to tell, hmm perhaps I should use this for my next writing” she said

  “ You know we've talked a lot about fathers, I wonder how was your mother like” the duke said

  “ Oh my mother. She kinda kept everyone together father was intolerable but my mother she kept him in check, she loved painting she would always paint the skyline the day she found out she was pregnant with one of us…. Unfortunately well she didn't make it past Philip, to much blood the doctor said. My father was always very tough on him because of it I think he blamed him, though truthfully I think he blamed all of us “ she said simply

  “ What about your mother?” She asked

  “ Well she…she was…a great woman, she would take me out when father was too busy in the forge on errands, we always had such fun “ he said having to pause clearly having trouble remembering

  Teresa gently touches his arm” hmm she sounds like a wonderful woman “ she said

  They continue essentially circling the courtyard in discussion soon linking arms as they did

  “ And then after he woke up the emperor, nearly burned down the town because he couldn't find his pants, took me and his wife to talk him down “ he chuckled discussing a incident of medevil mischief

  Teresa chuckled” oh my, oh that reminds me of when Gerlad, took Philip out after his engagement

  It was him,Philip and Ernst they went out drinking with their friends

  The next day I'm woken up by Asen because Gerlad was picked up in a boat, Ernst was arrested for stealing a mule l, and Phillip they couldn't find him. Apparently he had somehow went to the next city over speaking Greek, because he had learned ot for Theodora oh I wish you could have seen it, it was hilarious and a headache “ she said wiping a tear of amusement

  As the laughing died down

  “ What are you going to say to your brothers about us?” He asked looking back at her

  She sighed “ I'm not going to say anything, they can just deal with it, especially since well at the moment I suppose we're just…. figuring this out” she said looking at him

  As she held his hands letting out a exhale “truthfully, away from the usual formalities I am very happy you decided to stay at least for a while “ she said

  “ I am to perhaps if I may also break formality I hope when I return to mosion you'd join me, so I may repay your hospitality “ he said

  She looked at him thoughtfully smiling softly” I may have to keep you to that” she said

  He lifted her hand up kissing it softly “ it would be my pleasure Teresa “