Anything more than a kiss may have to wait!

The kiss is sweet and simple, lips upon lips, without the instrusion of a tongue or even a soft moan of pleasure. Pia seems to want it just as it once was, and of course you feel no need for anything more at the moment; the memory relived is more than enough.

At last she pulls away, and her eyes shine as she looks up at you. "It seems you've grown quite noticeably," she says, her hips pressing gently against your own.

"Have I, now?"

"Indeed; the last time we kissed, I did not need to stand on my toes." She smirks playfully at you.

You draw in a deep breath - this next part will be difficult to say! "Pia... as much as I would dearly love to explore all the ways in which we have both grown, this may not be the time or the place to do so. A blacksmith's apprentice can spend his time away from the forge as he will, but a King does not have the same freedoms." {if Johann = true}Johann's words come back to you in the moment... would Pia be able to adjust to such a curtailing of her freedoms, should she be the one destined to become your Queen? Of course, that would rather be getting ahead of things; so far, all you have done is kiss!{endif}

"Not five minutes do we spend together after so long, and already you see fit to break my heart," she says, her smile taking the sting from the words. "I shall watch you from the crowd, as you stand before Elyssia as King, and weep for my lost chances."

"I would not hear of it, Pia," you tell her, coming to a sudden decision. "Rather, I would have you at my side, my personal guest to the anniversary festivities. As your King, I could command it to be so, but I would rather ask it of you, as a friend who was once too tongue-tied to speak of any feelings beyond friendship... feelings which I have always held, since the first moment I saw you. But there is no escaping the fact that it is a King who asks for your company, and that all eyes would be upon you, both friendly and otherwise. You may decline if you will, and my feelings for you will remain unchanged."

"Such gallantry, you have acquired over the years," Pia says. "As to your gracious invitation, I can only say, you bet your sweet arse I'll be there."

You can't help but laugh at this - and finally, it is as if no time has passed at all, and you feel certain that the addition of a crown on your head has changed nothing between you and Pia; she is still your dear friend, and given the chance, perhaps something more. "You will need a dress for the occasion, of course," you tell her. "I don't suppose that in your travels, you have acquired anything fit for a royal reception?"

"Nothing so fancy as this," she says, toying with one of the tassels on your shoulder.

"I'm sure there is something at the castle which you could wear," you say - and then suddenly, you feel slightly uncomfortable as you realize who would be best fit to find something for her. "Er... I imagine that you know of the Lady Valerie?"

"You mean, your mistress?" Pia says, clearly enjoying your obvious embarrassment. "Xavier, I am not the blushing maiden I once was. You are a man, and a man has needs; I would not expect a King to service such needs himself! If Lady Valerie can stand to be in the presence of the young and pretty maid who first captured your heart, and who she has doubtless been trying desperately to measure up to since moment one... I believe I can accept the assistance of she who currently warms your bed at night."

"Not every night," you insist, and then feel like a fool for saying something so pathetic. Pia, it seems, still has the power to loosen your tongue and make you blurt out things you would rather not have!

"I am sure you have much to do, Xavier," Pia says, and stretches up to kiss you once again, a short and sweet kiss which still leaves you wanting more. "Go off now and and be King if you must, and when the ceremonies begin I will present myself as one worthy to be Your Majesty's escort. Oh, and please don't forget to send word to the castle guard that I will be coming, it would be most inconvenient if I showed up at the gate and they had no idea who I was."

"Of course, Pia... and as your hair, long and lovely though it is, could not possibly cover all your womanly assets, I would implore you not to wait until you are at the castle to find something to wear."

For the first time, her cheeks flush slightly pink. "I've half a mind to ride up to the castle wearing only my hair, just to show you that I could; but, as I still seem to be cursed with skin which burns red in the slightest sun, I imagine I could find a cloak to throw on. I shall see you at the castle, dear Xavier."