A knock on the door (again)

You are nearly asleep when you hear someone at the door. Annoyed, you nevertheless get up and open the door. You see a serving girl waiting there and you want to scream. "Look, I already told Jan, I don't wan-" you start to say but she cuts you off. "Quiet milord!" she says in a hushed tone. "I'm here with a message from my lady Sonya. She wishes to meet you tonight in the garden." A private meeting with Sonya? Sounds promising. You let the girl lead you through the dark passages, tip-toeing past closed doors and dying torches. In maybe a minute you walk through the doors opening to the garden and see it bathed in bright moonlight. A lone womanly figure stands out, hidden by shadow. You walk out boldly, and are happy to find that it is in fact Sonya, not some sort of trap or some such spooky thing. "Hello, I hope we didn't wake you" she says teasingly. You feel a bit surprised to see Sonya joking. You're used to a girl almost painfully formal. "Hello yourself" you say with a bit of swagger, trying to match her teasing mood. She holds out her hand take it in yours, and the two of you begin strolling without a word.

You don't know how to begin, as you are confused as to Sonya's true motive in inviting you here. You don't have to worry long, as she starts. "I love being out here at night. Everything looks so different under the moonlight, and just as beautiful but in a unique way." You look around dumbly, and blurt out an awkward "yes". She waits a moment, then proceeds. "I feel so free, walking around here without a servant or my father watching me. This has always been my favorite place in the castle." You get the feeling where she's going with this. "You know, if you wanted a private meeting, you could have come to my chambers instead of the servant." She barks out a quick, somewhat mocking laugh. "Is that what you're thinking? Oh no silly boy, I'm not one of daddy's whores. If you want to share a bed with me you'll need a ring and a ceremony first." Your cheeks burn with shame at your blunder, but your condition ameliorates when she kisses your cheek unexpectedly. "It's cute that you thought that though. It's not as if I haven't thought of doing such things, with you. But I'm not so simple-minded as to actually do them. Don't fret, I'm flattered, really." You do fret, just a little. "So why did you ask to see me with such secrecy then?" you ask once the awkwardness subsides. "I just wanted to invite you out here so we could talk in private, be more open, more genuine. Not the cleansed speech of courtship under parental supervision." The two of you reach the end of the garden, which is at a hilltop overlooking the city. The moon is full, raining nocturnal sun over the city beneath you. She breaks your grip and sits down on a scenic viewpoint and pats the ground at her side. You sit with her.

"I know the reason you came. You wanted an alliance with my father, to secure his vote, right?" You nod your head. It sounds so cold when put like that. "You don't have to feel bad, I'm not offended, that's just how this ruling stuff works. It's part of the lifestyle, and I've long since accepted that. But have you found any other reasons to want to marry me?" How could she doubt you? "Of course!" you blurt out suddenly. She laughs sweetly. "Really? I make my case that well?" She's looking at you with renewed interest, breaking her gaze from the scenery. She doesn't have quite as cool and collected a tone as she usually does. "Absolutely!" you say. "You're sweet and intelligent, not to mention you've mastered the courtly graces. You act so cool but when you break through your shell I see the fun girl inside. You're a wonderful woman Sonya." For the first time this trip you think you see her blush from you. "Sonya, I'd like more time to get to know you, but even after this short time, I have real feelings for you." She doesn't say anything, but she grabs you, initiating a kiss again. It's not a sneaky bit of play like when Jan was watching, but a real kiss. You return her passion, and the two of you spend the rest of the night kissing on the hill above the city.

Eventually, you see the gray light of the sun as it starts to peek out from the horizon. You would love to watch the sun rise with her, but it's too dangerous. You and Sonya trade one last kiss, then run back inside.