156 Marquis of Greenwater (1/2)
Erik was standing on the beach. The white sand of Greenwater was so fine that his boots were sunk to the heel. The calm waves pushed against his shin- gentle and caring.
”You are right my handsome Marquis. Greenwater Bay is beautiful” said Sylvie who was beside him. She was holding the tip hem of her dress, preventing the waves from bathing the cloth with seawater.
”Stop calling me that. It's a little creepy. My Handsome Marquis my bottom. First of all, I am not your property”
”You're flushed my handsome Marquis. But what my endearment says about you is true. First you are good-looking. Not as good-looking as the King. Heh, lucky Lucia. But you'll pass. Second you are a Marquis. Third, you are mine for I have your heart”
”You have my heart? How come I myself didn't know?”
”But it's true my handsome Marquis. You even proposed to me”
Erik choked a little after hearing her. He looked at Sylvie.
”I didn't”
”You didn't? But last night...Oh right. That was just a dream of mine. But dreams are prophetic sometimes. Who knows. Maybe you will suddenly hold my hand, kneel, look at me in an endearing manner, and propose. Why else would you suddenly bring me here on the beach?”
”I brought you here because I promised to show Greenwater Bay to you. For the past weeks I've been busy reconstructing the city and doing various things that I kind of lagged on my promise. Let me clear that up for you Sylvie. I did not bring you here to propose”
”A shame then. There is romance in the air. The scenery is beautiful” She nudged him a little ”And I would have said yes”
Erik cupped some seawater using his hands. He was about to sprinkle it to Sylvie when something cold dripped on his neck. It was so cold that he was zapped. He then heard Sylvie's laughter.
”Trying something impish because you lost to my teasing” She was still laughing ”Unfortunately my handsome Marquis, I am faster than you”
What ensued next was a chase. He chased Sylvie who ran to the water. The water was freezing but he must at least repay her mischief. In the end he failed to catch her and their clothes became wet.
Erik sat on the sand. He let out a foggy sigh. Sylvie sat beside him and leaned against his arm.
”It's already freezing and yet you are adding to the cold”
”Permit me just this once my handsome Marquis”
”Fine, fine. But we should return to the villa soon or else we'll freeze to death”
”Isn't that romantic? Freezing to death together? They'll make ballad of tragedy about us”
Erik just chuckled. Dealing with Sylvie's weirdness was a like a breath of fresh air after dealing with masons, craftsmen, shipbuilders and carpenters for weeks.
”Ah look at you two” An old voice said ”Grandchild. When?”
It was his mother who was flanked by guards and was supporting her stand with her cane.
”It's not what you think Ma. We are just resting”
”Resting from a romantic chase in the sand” Sylvie grinned ”Ma”
Erik glared at her and she returned with a satisfied wink. He looked at his mother.
”So what is it? Portion of the wall went down? Masons complaining again?”
His mother's expression turned serious ”A pigeon just arrived bearing a red-sealed letter. It's from the King”
**********
”He really attracts trouble” Erik pursed his lips.
After going back to the villa and changing clothes, he read Timothy's letter. The contents were, of course, trouble. It seemed many merchants and nobles in Vanadis are discontented with how the things are going between Castonia and Vanadis. The Queen suspects a coup.
Erik shifted his bottom on his seat. Sylvie and his mother were in front across the table. After also hearing the contents of the letter, they fell into silence.
”It is expected that not everybody will be happy with the current arrangements. Especially the Vanadian merchants. Can't blame them actually. Making a union with Castonia must have felt like sharing their hard-earned wealth to us Castonians” his mother said.
”I can confirm. They fear change. The current laws and arrangements in Vanadis are designed to increase trade revenue” Sylvie said. She took a small sip from her bowl of steaming stew ”So when will you leave?”
”We” Erik corrected ”You are coming with me. You'll accompany me in the ball”
Sylvie started to avoid looking at him.