The woman laughed, clearly amused, a spark of delight in her eyes. "Nothing compared to you, my queen."
She dipped into a graceful bow, though the smirk on her lips never quite faded. "I'm Pearl, Your Majesty—Tirian's cousin." A slight tilt of her head. "The favorite, naturally. I do hope he's mentioned me?"
Orielle let out a soft laugh, returning the bow out of instinct more than necessity. "It's an honor to meet you," she said warmly. "He has mentioned you… though not in much detail."
A small huff escaped her before she could stop it. "Not that he shares much of anything to begin with."
Pearl's smile lingered, but something thoughtful flickered behind her eyes. Ah… so that rockhead is causing trouble again. But there was no bitterness in the queen's tone… At least there's care there. Maybe he's not completely hopeless.
"Well," Orielle continued, brightening suddenly as if pushing the thought aside, "you've come at the perfect time! I was just heading to the Green Room for tea."
She clasped her hands lightly, a hint of excitement returning. "I made the desserts myself. Would you like to join us? My father will be there as well, if you don't mind."
Pearl blinked, caught off guard. "You bake, Your Majesty?" she asked, brows lifting slightly. "That's…" She stopped herself, a grin forming instead.
Orielle's gaze dipped, a small, almost shy smile appearing. "Ah… I suppose it's not the most queenly hobby…"
"Not at all," Pearl replied quickly, waving the thought away. "The late queen loved baking too."
Her expression softened faintly. "I don't remember her very well… and it's likely the same with Ty. He was still young when she passed."
She continued lightly, "Has he tried your creations yet?"
Orielle's smile faltered. Just for a moment. "…No," she said, her tone still gentle, though quieter now. "But I sent him one today." She looked ahead again, her expression composed. "Perhaps he'll tell me if he likes it."
Pearl didn't miss it. She clapped her hands lightly, shifting the mood with practiced ease. "Oh! The Green Room, you said?" she chimed, her energy lifting again. "Perfect for tea. I'd love to join, if your invitation still stands?"
Orielle's face brightened instantly. "Of course! I finally get to meet Tirian's family!"
Pearl slipped her arm through Orielle's as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Wonderful," she said cheerfully. "Then lead the way."
They began walking down the corridor together, their pace unhurried. "When did you arrive?" Orielle asked, glancing at her.
"Not long ago," Pearl replied with a light huff. "Though getting any proper update from His Majesty is nearly impossible. So I decided to come visit myself!"
She rolled her eyes slightly, amused. "That man could vanish for a week and call it 'handling matters.'"
Orielle let out a small breath of agreement. "…He does seem to prefer that."
Pearl glanced at her from the corner of her eye, then added, a touch more thoughtfully, "Though, in his defense… there's usually a reason behind it."
Orielle slowed just slightly. Her fingers tightened faintly where they rested against Pearl's arm. "…So he simply doesn't know how to share things?" she asked.
The question was soft, almost too careful. Pearl looked at her and for just a moment. There was something like pity in her gaze.
Orielle caught it. And quickly, she smiled. As if nothing had touched her at all.
Pearl's expression softened. "Ty isn't one to speak his mind often," she said gently. "He's always believed that… handling things quietly on his own is the best way to protect the people he cares about."
Orielle nodded. She smiled. But it didn't quite reach her eyes. "…But when you're married," she murmured, more to herself than to Pearl, "you become one." Her gaze drifted ahead. "So living as if you're alone… shouldn't be how things are done anymore."
Pearl didn't answer right away. Because she agreed. And because there wasn't an easy way to say it without making things heavier.
Fortunately, the corridor opened up ahead. The doors to the Spring Room came into view, sunlight spilling softly through its glass panels.
Pearl's expression lifted again, seizing the shift in atmosphere. "Well," she said lightly, giving Orielle's arm a small squeeze, "we'll just have to make sure he learns, won't we?"
Orielle let out a quiet breath, then smiled, a little more genuinely this time. "…Perhaps."
Together, they stepped toward the doors. Orielle burst into laughter, nearly dropping the tartlet in her hand. "No—Tirian actually fell for that?" she gasped between giggles. "I can't imagine him kissing a frog!"
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she leaned closer. "How did you even convince him?" Pearl smirked, flipping her hair back with exaggerated confidence. As they both took a seat. "I have a talent for being very convincing," she said, dragging the word out playfully. "A dramatic plea, a touch of desperation—he didn't stand a chance."
She placed a hand lightly against her chest. "He's always been a bit of a softy, though he doesn't like to show it."
Orielle laughed again, shaking her head. "I guess I see that side to him sometimes," she said. "… he's must seem much more stubborn now then?"
Pearl's grin widened. "Oh, he was stubborn back then too, just… softer about it." She leaned back slightly, thinking. "There was this one time… he must've been around ten. He found this strange 'rock' in the woods and insisted on bringing it back."
Orielle tilted her head, amused. "A rock?"
"That's what he thought," Pearl said, barely holding back a laugh. "Turned out—it was an egg."
Orielle blinked. "…An egg?"
Pearl nodded, clearly enjoying herself. "It hatched into a baby dragon. And it imprinted on him!"
Orielle's mouth fell open slightly, her eyes lighting up. "No way…"
"Oh yes," Pearl continued. "My brother Lyon and I ran through the palace yelling, 'Ty's a father!'"
Orielle covered her mouth, laughing.
"It followed him around for a week," Pearl added, "before Torvax—his guard at the time—finally forced him to return it to the wild. Though the Dragon didn't want to, so it was a trial in itself to get the dragon to stop following Ty"
"Aww…" Orielle softened, her smile turning gentle. "That's actually adorable. I wish he could've kept it."
Pearl snorted lightly. "Trust me—you don't. Dragons aren't exactly… affectionate creatures. They'll eat anything weaker than them. Siblings, parents—doesn't matter."
Orielle paused, considering that. Then tilted her head slightly. "…Do you think Tirian would be weaker than a dragon now?"
Pearl blinked. Then burst out laughing. "You know what? I'm not sure!" she said. "We should get him another one just to test it."
Orielle laughed with her, the sound light and easy. "Do you have any more stories of his youth?"
Pearl rested her chin lightly on her hand, happy to see Orielle truly showing love and affection towards her cousin. "When I was eight, during the hunting festival—I tried to impress him and Lyon."
Orielle leaned in, curious. "I caught fish from the stream," Pearl continued, "and decided to make soup."
"That sounds promising," Orielle said.
"It would've been," Pearl replied dryly, "if I hadn't used sugar instead of salt."
Orielle froze. "…Sugar?"
"In fish soup," Pearl confirmed.
Orielle broke into laughter. "I'm guessing that didn't go well?"
"Lyon spat it out immediately," Pearl said, shrugging. "Told me I'm useless on cooking alone and should find another talent."
Orielle winced slightly. "And Tirian?" she asked.
Pearl smiled faintly. "He ate the entire bowl."
Orielle blinked. "…All of it?"
Nodding, "He didn't say it was good," Pearl added. "Just… thanked me."
Orielle's expression softened deeply. "…That sounds like him." She looked down at her tea, a small smile lingering. "He really does have that quiet kindness…" Then, with a small huff and giggle. "…even if he can be unbelievably frustrating."
Pearl chuckled. "That's Tirian." She tilted her head slightly. "What about you? Any siblings or cousins to drive you mad?"
Orielle's smile didn't faded, "No… just my father." A softer warmth replaced it. "But I had four close friends. We grew up together, did everything side by side."
Her gaze drifted slightly, distant. "Braiding hair… chasing chickens… sneaking apples from the orchards…" A small pause. "I haven't seen them in…" she counted quietly under her breath, "…almost four months."
Pearl's brows lifted. "That long?"
Orielle nodded. "Father used to write about them when he was still on the farm… but now that he's here, I haven't heard anything."
Pearl's expression brightened suddenly. "Then invite them!" she said. "Host a tea party—bring them here."
Orielle surprised at first. Then lit up. "Oh! Could I?" Her excitement returned instantly. "That would be wonderful!"
Before Pearl could respond. The door opened. Ulric stepped in, pausing slightly at the sight of Pearl. He hesitated, then gave a small, awkward bow. "Ah… I'm Ulric," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Orielle's father."
Pearl rose smoothly, her energy shifting without losing its warmth. "Pearl," she said brightly. "Tirian's cousin, delighted to meet you."
She offered a polite bow, then added with a grin. "Apologies for intruding on family time."
Ulric waved it off quickly, though a hint of protectiveness lingered in his posture. "No, no… you're family as well," he said. "Wouldn't be right for me to keep her all to myself."
Pearl caught it instantly. Protective, isn't he... hmm? A small, amused thought crossed her mind. That's actually rather sweet.
"Well," she said lightly, easing the tension, "she's survived the king this long, so clearly she's strong. I had to meet my cousin-in-law and see what sort of gift she might want."
Ulric chuckled, relaxing. "Aye… she's a tough one."
Orielle leaned forward, handing him a tartlet. "Try this, Father—I made it."
Ulric took a bite, crumbs catching lightly in his beard as his face lit up. "Delicious, my angel," he said warmly. "You've been busy. U remember you enjoying baking cakes for everyone's birthdays back home." Orielle smiled, pleased.
As they settled into tea, the atmosphere grew lighter, easier. Their laughter blended with the soft clink of teacups and the gentle warmth of the room.
Stories flowed easily, childhood memories, small confessions, plans yet to be made. And for the first time in days, Orielle didn't feel like she was waiting.