Romance RP

(Back now.  I'll be multi-tasking and all that but I'll be here until I turn in for the night.  ^^)

Ryan smiled at Bryan and Rosaline and replied, "Thanks.  I'd like for Lycoris to be happy and a pet would certainly help in that endeavor."

He was grateful that Bryan and Rosaline would try to talk to Lycoris about getting a pet, as though a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

(Welcome back. ^^)

Rosaline saw Ryan's relief and it looked like he indeed was worried for Lycoris' sake. She couldn't help but comment,

"You seem to care quite a bit for Lycoris, you know."

(Thanks.  ^^)

Ryan wondered why Rosaline made the comment about him caring for Lycoris but he replied,

"I do.  She's a good woman and she's a fellow magic user and I'd be saddened to see her talents go to waste.  And I can tell as well that she's been through an emotional burden."

Bryan nodded and replied, "That does seem to be the case."

Rosaline nodded and replied, "She did."

She soon finished her lunch, as did Lisianthus. Lisianthus then turned to Ryan and asked,

"Duke Collins will be here shortly, I think. You'll receive him with me, cutie?"

Ryan nodded and replied, "Of course, beautiful.  I wouldn't dare have you face him by yourself."

He finished his lunch and Bryan finished soon after.  Bryan then turned to Ryan and Lisianthus and said,

"I guess this is where we part ways for now until dinnertime."

Lisianthus smiled to Bryan and replied, "Yup, but we'll all meet again then and you'll get to see that duke too. Please have a nice time till then. Excuse us."

She led way out of the dining room and it was just as well, as one of the soldiers then came up to her to let her know that Duke Collins had arrived.

(Should we assume that Bryan and Rosaline went to their room to rest?  XD)

Ryan bid Bryan and Rosaline a farewell and following Lisianthus, he heard as well about Duke Collins' arrival.  Looking to Lisianthus, he asked,

"Where do you usually receive guests, beautiful?"

(Ahh yup, that would do it. XD)

Lisianthus replied, "Well, there's a guest room for welcoming guests. He must have been led there by now. Usually, the chancellor would receive him but the soldiers probably received him by now. Reminds me that I should get a new chancellor as soon as possible."

She sighed then facing Ryan with a smile, she said, "Are you ready to come with me?"

(Ok.  XD)

Ryan nodded and giving Lisianthus a comforting smile, he replied,

"I am and don't worry-I'm not leaving your side for even a second."

He held Lisianthus' arm and waited for her to lead the way to the guest room.

Lisianthus returned Ryan's smile then led the way to the guest room. Indeed inside, Duke Collins was there, seated comfortably in one of the armchairs. However, upon seeing the queen enter, he stood up and bowed, although he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight of her arm-in-arm with the human, but quickly hid it.

Lisianthus took a deep breath and spoke up, "I'm pleased to see you again, Duke Collins. Welcome."

The duke looked up and replied, a smile on his face, one that wasn't so sincere,

"The pleasure is mine, your majesty. Glad to see that you've taken back your throne. Rightfully, of course."

There was almost a sarcastic tone as he said "rightfully" and although Lisianthus was annoyed, she decided not to comment on it.

Ryan observed the exchange between Lisianthus and Duke Collins and the meaning didn't escape him.  However, he bowed to Duke Collins and said,

"It's nice to see you again.  I hear that you have some business in Cephiron?"

Duke Collins didn't like how Ryan took part in the conversation and how wondered on what rules he would be allowed to be there with them. But deciding not to bring that up now, although he intended to do it later, he replied,

"Oh yes, some business I've had to attend to in Cephiron and it might take some time. It's got to do with trading matters between my duchy and Cephiron. Nothing too serious; but the routine takes some time."

Of course, there was also other business he had to attend to; for one, watching over Lisianthus and making sure she wouldn't run the kingdom as she did before.

Ryan nodded and replied,

"Of course.  We understand.  We would be happy to have you stay for as long as your business needs attending."

Ryan was being polite for Lisianthus' sake although he didn't have friendly feelings towards Duke Collins.

Duke Collins couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this point and unable to hold his tongue, he replied,

"I am sorry, but 'we'? I think it's only up to Her Majesty to allow me to remain here for as long as she wishes, sir. You're as guest as I am, I'm afraid."

He, too, couldn't stand Ryan very much, and his presence was also one of the reasons he had come to Cephiron.

Ryan raised an eyebrow upon hearing Duke Collins' reply and calmly replied,

"Oh you'll find that I'm more than a guest here, my good sir."

He looked to Lisianthus and he gave a loving smile to her.

Lisianthus returned Ryan's smile lovingly and turning to Duke Collins with a smirk, she replied,

"That's right. I was going to announce it in a week time, but since you're so much in a hurry, duke, you might as well be honored to hear it first. Ryan and I are engaged, and we'll get married sooner than you think. You might as well treat him as your king from now on, if you please. His decision and opinion are pretty much as strong as mine."

The news weren't much of a surprise, as the duke had expected it, and feared it. However, he was still angered, as it became a reality before him. Keeping his composure however, he said,

"I see. We'll talk about this later, Your Majesty. For now, I admit that the journey from my duchy to here wore me out, and I request to be taken to a room to rest."

Lisianthus replied, "Very well."

She ordered a nearby soldier to take the duke to his prepared room, and the duke got up, bowed to Lisianthus then followed the soldier. However, he gave Ryan one warning glance before he went, silently promising that he shall not let him marry the queen.

(O.O  I wonder why Duke Collins is so against Ryan marrying Lisianthus.  XD)

After the duke left, Ryan let out a sigh of relief and said,

"Man, it was hard keeping my cool with that duke around and that look just now.  He definitely wasn't pleased to hear about our engagement."

(Random but I'm playing LRR at the moment and going on Per's path.  He does give out a birthday gift after all.  It's this cute red ribbon that increases charm.  ^^)

(Ahh it's got to do with him being a human. It sounds a little racist even to me. O.o But he believes that the queen must only marry a god according to tradition. XD And yup, I know about that gift although I can't remember ever getting it once. xD)

Lisianthus couldn't help but giggle and replied,

"I know and that's the good part, right? I loved seeing the anger on his face. We definitely got him this time. Geez, he better keep away if he so wants me to allow him in here for long."

(O.O  I see and yeah, that does sound racist.  :/  And ahh, I see about the gift.  I finally was able to get it.  XD)

Ryan chuckled and replied, "Yup, that's right.  He certainly doesn't stand a chance against you, beautiful.

At least now that the formalities are over with, we have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves, right?"

(Ahh congrats. XD)

Lisianthus nodded happily and replied, "You're right about that, cutie. We won't have to see that duke again until dinnertime. So what do you want to do? Oooh I know, I know! I want you to run after me in the gardens! It's been a while since we did that!"

(Thanks.  XD)

Ryan chuckled and grinning, he replied, "You're right about that.  Let's head on to the gardens then and I'll chase after you to your heart's delight.  But I expect a wonderful reward if I catch you."

He winked at Lisianthus and then led the way to the gardens.

(Sorry about the delay. I had to have lunch quickly but I am here now. XD)

Lisianthus followed Ryan excitedly to the gardens, where the weather was beautiful and there was lots of space to run around. Lycoris was still sitting where she was, accompanied by the puppies.

Once there, Lisianthus tapped Ryan's arm playfully then said, "Now catch me if you can!"

Then she ran off as fast as possible away from him.

(Ahh no problem.  Welcome back.  ^^)

Ryan chuckled and ran after Lisianthus, doing his best to catch her.  As the afternoon weather was warm and beautiful, it was the perfect time to play tag and not think about any worries or troubles.

(Thanks. ^^)

Lisianthus continued running away from Ryan, carefree and happily, enjoying the afternoon as well. She always felt like this when she was alone with Ryan, as his company was the warmest thing ever to her.

(Ahh would you like to fast forward the afternoon or should we continue to play it out? XD)

(Ahh we can fast forward.  XD)

Ryan continued to chase Lisianthus and as he did so, he said,

"I'm going to catch you, beautiful.  Just you see."

He ran as fast as his feet could take him, reaching closer to Lisianthus.