She's happy, but insists Marcus leave with her

Blushing shyly, Marcus stared across the table at the older man he'd just given his first kiss to. Castus was looking back at him, his dark eyes drifting over the young prince's face and a smile on his lips. There was something very...nice about that lingering stare, the longing way the handsome soldier looked at Marcus like he was some precious treasure, or dazzling jewel. It made the young prince all warm and happy inside, even if he knew Castus was only this happy because he thought he'd kissed a pretty and delicate girl, Marcia, instead of a boy who was also the fugitive royal he was supposed to be hunting. Somehow, that didn't bother Marcus too much, not right now anyway. The consequences for all this lying seemed so very far away, as his lips still tingled with the memory of that lovely kiss and his cheeks glowed with that same shy blush.

It was almost like in these warm moments, that he really was Marcia, a sweet peasant girl, out on a nice date with a handsome soldier. That felt way better right now than the truth ever could. After all, Marcia didn't have to worry about her parents being locked away in a dungeon by her mean uncle, or getting hunted down by soldiers who wanted him dead. Marcia had her Mother right here, looking after her, and now brave, kind Castus as well to protect her, while Marcus had no-one.

"You're so beautiful." Castus breathed suddenly. "I still can hardly believe you're happy to kiss a man like me."

"Oh um...you're very handsome too, Sir." Marcus babbled, his cheeks glowing even hotter from that lovely compliment. "And you've been so kind and good to me and my Mother."

"Please, call me Castus." The soldier replied. Calling him by just his name already...it felt like a big step somehow, but they'd already kissed, hadn't they?

"Okay, Castus." Marcus tried it quickly, his blush getting even warmer. He must look so very red right now, all the way to his ears and hair, so embarrassing! Even if his cheeks were glowing, Castus just kept smiling and staring like he was the most beautiful girl in the world. The young prince fidgeted on his chair, a hand darting up to smooth away a stray strand of silver hair dangling over his forehead. "Um...so why did you...?" Marcus began, meaning to ask the soldier more about his life.

"Marcia, dear, I'm sorry, but I think we'd best be off now." Coraline's voice cut across him, sweet but firm. He stiffened in shock, his head turning to find his maid standing just beside his chair, her eyebrow raised as she glanced between the young prince and Castus. Marcus felt a cold chill of nervousness for a moment, wondering if he'd somehow upset her by going this far with the handsome soldier. Then her full lips curled into a warm smile and he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to see you two have enjoyed yourselves so much." She continued, the twinkle in her eye suggesting she somehow knew just how that had come about. "But Marcia has her chores to do at home, and I need to get to work in the Castle for the afternoon shift. I hope you understand that I'm **** to leave my precious, innocent daughter alone with a young man, even one as well brought up as you, Lieutenant. In time, perhaps." Marcus glanced down as he realized she was serious about splitting them apart, his lips curling into an annoyed pout. He didn't dare say it for fear of upsetting her, but he really wanted to stay longer with the handsome soldier...maybe even, kiss again?

"Of course." Castus sighed faintly, but even he seemed to accept Coraline's excuses with good grace. "I understand. I would like to see her again soon, if she's happy to meet." His dark eyes flickered to Marcus, who nodded enthusiastically.

"How about tomorrow?" Coraline suggested. "In the evening. You can come by our house for a meal. Who knows, if I can trust the pair of you to behave yourselves, I might find myself otherwise engaged and leave you alone for a spell." Marcus sat up in his chair, his mouth dropping open in delighted shock. Tomorrow...he was going to meet Castus again tomorrow? How exciting!

"Thank you, ma'am!" The handsome soldier jumped to his feet. "I'll be there straight after muster at the Castle, I promise. Do you need an escort home now? I'd be happy to assist."

"No, I don't think we do." Coraline shook her head, her thin smile suggesting she found his eagerness to assist very amusing. Marcus frowned at that, Castus just wanted to help, that wasn't funny, was it? "I know how eager you are to get to know my daughter better, but I can at least get her home safely in broad daylight myself." She chuckled. "Up you get Marcia, time we got home, okay?" The young prince nodded and rose to his feet, hurriedly smoothing down his pretty dress. Castus turned to glance at him, dark eyes flickering down his body. Marcus smiled faintly at that lingering look. He didn't much mind the girly clothing anymore if it made the handsome soldier who kissed him stare at him that way.

"Goodbye...Castus, see you tomorrow." The young prince said shyly, raising his hand in a little wave. Castus stared just stared for a moment, a faint flush coloring his own rough, stubbled cheeks.

"Oh of course." The soldier nodded finally. "See you tomorrow, Marcia." He looked like he wanted to say more, but kept quiet instead, probably because Coraline would hear. Marcus sighed with longing, hoping whatever nice things Castus was thinking the handsome soldier would be able to tell him tomorrow, when they were alone again. Just that thought made him feel rather giddy, and he was smiling widely as he turned to follow Coraline toward the door. Even the stares following his every move, interested men and the frowning women they were sitting with, didn't bother him anymore. He couldn't wait for tomorrow!