In Which Roderick Delights in the Formalities

September 9, 1180

Roderick's wife panted as she stepped back, a little flushed and a little flustered, smoothing the front of her dress as if the velvet dared wrinkle. But he couldn't fault the lapse in composure, not after what he'd just done. He and Laralita were not above occasionally falling prey to their more animalistic instincts--not as prone to it as some, thank God, but hardly immune--but they at least had the decency to restrict such impulses to the bedroom, after hours, and usually under at least the guise of wanting another child. So who was he to blame her for being caught off-guard when he'd greeted her with a dip toward the floor and a persistent open-mouth kiss?

"Well. Whatever I thought you'd summoned me to your study for, I hardly expected that!"

"My apologies, love." He wasn't really sorry, nor he did think she felt he ought to be, but it was a formality. And Lord knew they both adored formalities, almost as much as they enjoyed the sunny glow of good fortune's smile upon them--which he, for one, certainly felt in full after that meeting. "I couldn't help myself. I have wonderful news."

"Oh?"

"Indeed! Severin and Octavius finally managed to find a suitable captain for our first ship." And about time too! Damn it, he'd already had to delay taking advantage of Devidra's side of the bargain long enough, especially when he'd more than fulfilled his own; Devidra would be a grandmother in February, after all, courtesy of Roderick's daughter. "But while they did take more time than they ought to have, I'll give them credit for picking well. Carvalli fellow, captain of his own ship at one point--merchant sailor of some sort. But even better than the experience is that the appointed will infuriate that wretched Devidra to no end."

"Oh?" Laralita's lips pursed in interest. She'd never met Devidra, but like any good and dutiful wife, she loathed her husband's adversaries on principle. "How so?"

"Funny story. You see, the man has an identical twin brother who happens to be a drunk, and this drunk..." He shuddered. He'd had enough of bar shenanigans to last a life time, but this man had it much worse. He hadn't even been the drinker! And he hadn't even gotten a kingdom out of it! "Well, it's not really a story fit for a lady's ears--probably the same sort of filth Severin dreams up in his spare time--but suffice to say he paid her great offense. One unfortunate case of mistaken identity later, and our man is at the top of her personal most wanted list." He shook his head. There was nothing quite so tragic as the needless plight of a good man. At least the tale had now taken a happy turn. "But, seeing as he will be serving under me, he's under my official protection. Why, Devidra couldn't arrest him even if he took up piracy!"

Laralita smiled, an understanding in her face he'd scarcely seen on anyone since his own dear mother's passing. Whatever cruel trick God had played when He'd given him Geneva, He'd surely repaid tenfold. "Oh, Roderick! You've done this man a great favor; he'll serve you well in turn."

She stepped forward for an embrace and a kiss to the cheek. Roderick returned it before cementing his agreement. "Of course he will, if he knows what's good for him. I am a king, damn it!"

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