A bit stiff at the start

The day arrives for your first date with Sonya. You put on an elegant walking garment, suitable for a casual stroll in the gardens. You follow the servant sent to fetch you and in a few minutes you arrive in the courtyard. Unlike your own more functional home, Jan's castle is rather ornate, with extensive grounds full of a variety of plant life. His country's silver mines have allowed him and his predecessors to fund a beautiful garden on the hill overlooking Praha, with low hedges, flowers, vines and so on. It's a warm, sunny day, rather pleasant in fact and perfect for a stroll. Sonya stands at the other set of doors, an old maid by her side. Each of you leaves your servants and walk forward to meet the other. You feel some butterflies in your stomach as you go. Court etiquette was never your specialty, and the mature grace of Sonya is a bit intimidating. You can't help but notice her fairly wide hips sway as she walks toward you, hands clasped in front of her. You try to put the idea of Jan watching from above out of your mind.

It feels so long, but it must have been less than 20 seconds before you get within speaking range. You are unsure of when it is appropriate to start, so you wait for her. Whether you made a gaffe or not, Sonya makes no indication. "Greetings your Majesty, I am honored to make your acquaintance." She bows, and opens her arms in a welcoming gesture. You bow back. "My pleasure, Lady Sonya. I hope you are well. Shall we walk together?" She nods, and the two of you stray away from the prying eyes of your seniors. You weave a languid path through the trimmed hedges and flower beds, enjoying the sun and fresh air. The two of you make awkward small talk at first, but when you are confidently out of earshot you feel a bit better about opening up. You decide to start with the elephant in the room. "I take it the duke scares away a lot of your suitors?" Sonya sighs. "Yes, of course he does. Almost none of them ever get even this far. Father was a scary enough man back before mother...well, I think that now he is getting worse. I'm sorry, but I would rather not talk of such things now, if that would please you." You apologize and try to change subject.

"How do you like Praha?" you ask. She looks around wistfully. "Praha is home, but of course you know that. I've traveled a little, not much, but nowhere else compares in my eyes. It has a character, a majesty no other city has that I've seen. I love it." "Do you think you could leave, if we were to marry?" "Oh yes! Sorry if I startled you, my sentiments are a bit contradictory at first glance. I've just always worried about where my eventual marriage might take me, and I have always feared that one day I might leave Praha forever. If we wed, it will not be too far, a very reasonable distance. Furthermore, it would be nice to go just far enough to be out of father's control." You take note of that. "He seems like a man who would be very domineering." She sighs again. "Oh yes, especially after...I suppose I might as well say it. Mother's ****. It affected him deeply. I think he hurts still, and to make up for the lack of control he had over her fate he compensates for it by controlling mine. Do not mistake me, I do not mean to insinuate that he is malicious in doing so. I have never doubted his devotion to me or my sisters. But at times it feels like I'll suffocate if I stay here."

You feel that you are starting to understand Jan a bit better. "I'm sorry that our first time together must be spent on such unhappy thoughts. If I can help I will" you say. She smiles sadly at you. "Don't apologize, it isn't your fault. The fact that our situation has become unhappy is no fault of yours." It hurts to see her pretty face look so...trapped. You look behind you and seat the dark figure of Jan, looming from the balcony like a malevolent specter. By now the two of you are at the end of the garden. You are walking by another low hedge, lined up between you and the castle and rising up to your waist. Suddenly you hear a small yelp and you sense Sonya fall down at your side. You reflexively bend down to help her up when she moves her face up to kiss you. Your eyes open in surprise, and before you can figure out what's going on it's over. "Help me up now, we can't look too suspicious." So this was a part of her plan to avoid her father's gaze for a moment. Clever girl. You pull the girl to her feet (copping a quick feel of her rump in the process), and the two of you head back to the castle. It's a good thing Jan is far away, otherwise he might see the grins you flash at each other. "I'm sorry for not warning you, but it's more fun that way. I don't get a lot of excitement around here." You take her hand in yours as you walk. She squeezes back, and you walk with light steps to the end. Not a terrible first date after all.

Jan is leaning over the balcony as you return. "You oaf, letting her fall. Why can't you learn a bit of sense?" You calm your initial anger. Jan is a complicated man, maybe you can forgive him his surliness. You and Sonya part respectfully, and you go back to your guest chamber.