"Please, excuse me," Ro whispered, closing the heavy door shut behind her. Her arms ached from the effort, but she gently clasped it in front of her.
The study sprawled out before her in a clear expanse that was cut short by rows of shelves on both sides.
His desk was in front of her at the other end of the study, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Ro took a step forward and paused, turning her back and forth to peek between rows of books and wood.
'Ester said he was here.'
"I was told—"
"I am here."
Ro jumped, her hands flying to her throat as she jerked away to find Iver behind her. Her eyes wide, she grabbed her hand.
She had not sensed him in the room, much less even felt him come up to her.
How had he done that?!
Iver straightened, a small smile playing on his lips. "I apologise for that."
"It's... fine," Ro mumbled.
"We will be meeting with the envoys soon. You still wanted to see me before that?" He walked past her and towards his desk, Ro followed. He had on large loose dark pants that flowed with each silent step. Ro found herself staring. The fabric of his loose shirt was thick, yet dense muscles visibly rippled amidst the flowy garment.
"I wanted to ask... in regards to the ceremony."
Iver paused, then turned around. He extended a hand to one of the seats.
"Thank you." Ro briskly walked past him and sat down.
Silence.
She raised her head to look up at him. He shared her confusion.
"Have I done something wrong?" Ro asked.
"If I didn't tell you to sit down, would you have sat?"
Ro blinked, taken aback. She looked at her lap and glanced back at him.
"It's common courtesy in Erzi to be granted a seat before taking one..." Her words faltered.
Why did such an important rule sound so ridiculous at the moment?
One of his brows tipped up and he pursed his lips, making his way to a seat beside her.
"Unless you are an attendant or servant, that does not apply here," he spoke gently, his voice low as he held her gaze.
Ro shifted in her seat.
He continued, "And I will soon be your husband. The only person that can grant you that permission would be the King, and even then, that still does not apply to you."
A strange warmth spread across her chest. Her heart skipped a few beats and she tore her eyes from his.
Was she that important?
Even...
Shame quickly dampened the elation she felt. For such a tiny thing to be making her happy. And the fact that she was not who he thought he would be wedded to.
What if they could never find out? Maybe being his wife here would not be so bad.
'Foolish thinking.'
"I... Wasn't aware of that," Ro mumbled. Her eyes travelled to his pants.
The fact envoys were here was another avenue for the truth to come out. There would be no such thing of the Lispans not finding out the truth, even if it was years down the line.
It would not be something to be easily ignored.
In fact, the truth coming out after a long time would be far worse.
"You wanted to talk about the ceremony."
She met his eyes to find him still staring.
The staring.
Did they all do that?
Ro swallowed. Not wanting to avert her eyes once again.
"Ah... Yes. It's..." Ro lowered her gaze. Blood rushed to her ears and she found herself out of breath.
The innocence she had initially planned on feigning failed.
She didn't have to fake it.
"Please, excuse me," she whispered, raising her hand to her forehead as if to shield her face from view.
She had never been with a man of this size. The last thing she needed was...
This was all his fault. He had seen her near nude before, and he was yet to give her dirty looks. That would make him all the more easier to dislike.
Then again, she had just met this man. His politeness might as well be a front.
'At the very least, if the escape fails, I need to know what to face.'
She sighed and closed her eyes. "It's about... bedroom matters..."
"I won't touch you until you're ready. You don't need to worry about that."
Ro sat straight, stunned. Iver rose up from his seat. He wore a serious expression, the earlier surprise gone.
"I am aware of our... physical differences," he added.
"Oh." Ro got to her feet, clasping her hands.
He did not move.
"Thank you for your time," she said in a rush, not knowing what to say.
She then offered a brief bow and darted out of the study.
Ro adjusted her dress outside the door, her throat tight.
That had been uncomfortable. Maybe a little unnecessary. Her jaw clenched.
Something had to be wrong somewhere. Why was he being so reasonable?
She clutched the folds of her dress and stepped away. It seemed she didn't have to worry about his behaviour... hopefully.
Her steps slowed to a stop.
'I shouldn't have done that.'
What was she doing?
She was supposed to be putting her all into escaping?
'But that's impossible...'
She was not in any city, but the capital. He had full jurisdiction along with other novels over this territory, including the woods.
And she could not blend in..
She looked back down the hallway towards his study chamber.
"Why can't I just tell him?"
"My Lady?"
Ro turned to find an approaching male servant.
"The guests have arrived."