Romance RP

William kissed both girls on their foreheads and replied,

"I will be always there to protect beautiful pretties."

**********************

Nerine followed Alex as they went downstairs, keeping her cheerful smile although that strange look in her eyes never left her gaze. She noticed that Alex was pretty quiet and wondered what he was thinking, whether he liked the change in her or not.

Stacey and Megan blushed and Megan replied, "And we'll protect you, too, William."

Stacey giggled happily and replied, "Yup, we sure will."

*************

As they headed towards the gardens, Alex glanced at Nerine and quietly said,

"I'm sorry for how I behaved earlier. I wasn't thinking and I know I hurt you. Please forgive me?"

William grinned and replied,

"I am definitely lucky then."

He continued,

"So how about we continue swimming now?"

***********************

Nerine turned to Alex and with her smile on, she replied,

"Don't mention it. I know it was a friendly hug to your sister-in-law. You were just trying to comfort her. I guess I was a little mean back there to my sister but once we go down, I'll apologize to her!"

Megan replied, "Sure!"

Stacey added, "Ok. We still have a little time left to enjoy the water."

The two girls then resumed swimming.

************

Alex was surprised to hear Nerine's reply to his apology but wanted to believe that she was sincere. Smiling softly at her, Alex replied,

"That would be kind of you, darling, and I'll be more attentive to your needs."

(I'm going to get off for a bit but I'll be back a little later. ^^)

(Take your time. ^^)

William continued swimming happily, enjoying the pleasant company and the cool water.

*******************

Nerine smiled cheerfully to Alex but didn't say anything. Although she was pleased by his last statement, she wondered if he was liking her this way better, now that she was behaving like Lycoris, and if that was why he was going to be more attentive to her needs.

(I'm back now. XD)

As the family swam in the water, there were a few other people who were swimming as well as a couple of people out on boats in the deeper parts of the water, enjoying the afternoon.

Stacey commented, "It looks like a lot of people are taking advantage of this great weather."

**************

The couple continued their walk until at last they reached the gardens. Alex made sure to keep a safe distance away from the roses, though. Bryan saw the couple and he approached the couple with Rosaline. Bryan turned to Nerine and with a kind smile, he asked,

"How are you, Nerine? Did you have a restful nap?"

(Welcome back. ^^)

William nodded happily and replied,

"It's the perfect weather to swim. I wonder-are these people natives of here or are they tourists as well?"

************************

Nerine felt a little nervous when Bryan talked to her, as she figured he'd know the reason of her change of behavior, but nevertheless, she replied cheerfully,

"Hey, Bryan. Yup, I sure did. I feel great now!"

Rosaline raised an eyebrow in confusion, wondering why Nerine seemed so happy suddenly.

(Back again. I was busy organizing stuff so that's why I got off again. lol But on the good news, for this month, I'll be able to RP earlier on Fridays. I still have work but I'll get off a couple of hours earlier so I can be here more. ^^)

Stacey replied, "It's usually a mix of locals and tourists. It's easier to figure out which ones are tourists but locals can only be recognized if you live here long enough or visit here a lot."

**************

Bryan raised an eyebrow as well, wondering what was up with Nerine's sudden mood swing. But deciding to be tactful about it, he nodded and replied,

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you're feeling better."

(Ahh that's nice to hear. ^^ I'll be here, of course, though for the next few days, I'll be slow when posting since I have exams this month and all. XD)

William nodded and replied, "I see. So I guess it's clear that we're tourists, huh? Hmm I wonder but who rules this town?"

**********************

Nerine smiled then noticing Lycoris and Avi nearby, she said to Alex,

"Ahh I'll be right back, Alex. I'll talk to my lovely sister for a moment and return, ok? I still need to apologize for earlier."

(Ahh I understand. ^^)

Stacey looked thoughtful and replied, "Well, each town usually is ruled by a mayor who is elected by the people. The laws for electing a mayor differ depending on the town but they usually stay in the office for at least two years. If you'd like, we can drop by the main government building here and you can check out information about the mayor and other town officials."

*************

Alex nodded and replied, "Of course. Take your time, darling. I'll be here with Bryan and Rosaline until you return."

He smiled softly at Nerine, truly believing that her attitude had changed for the better.

William shook his head and replied, "Nah, I am not that interested, just curious and everything. The gods' world has more different ways. Towns there tend to be larger, so they are ruled by dukes."

************************

Nerine nodded and replied, "Alright, I won't take long."

She gave Alex a kiss on the cheek then left, heading to Lycoris and Avi. Once they were alone, Rosaline turned to Alex and raising her eyebrow, she asked,

"Okay, so what did you do exactly? Why does Nerine suddenly seem so happy?"

Stacey nodded and replied, "Ahh I see. Are the dukes elected by the people or are they appointed to rule the towns?"

*************

Alex shrugged and replied, "I have no idea. I thought that my darling would be upset at me and everything but she seems very happy. I even apologized for hurting her earlier but she seemed all right, as though my apology was unnecessary. I'm not sure what's going on."

Bryan quietly replied, "I might. I suggested to Nerine earlier that she might try to be more like Lycoris but I didn't think she'd take that suggestion literally, let alone seriously."

Alex looked to Bryan and asked, "Why would you suggest that?"

Bryan replied, "Well, it seemed to me that you like Lycoris a lot and that might have to do with her personality, you know? I adore my love so much because of her fiery personality."

William replied, "They inherit it from their parents. Like, if you're the daughter of the duke, once he dies, you become duchess. I am not sure if that's a good system but it seems to go fine."

************************

Rosaline smiled for a bit over Bryan's last comment but then turning serious again, she said,

"Well, if Nerine's trying to act like Lycoris, she sure is doing it right but I didn't think she'd be that desperate to go as far. I mean, I'd want my husband's attention back too if I were her but I wouldn't change my personality or how I look for it."

Stacey nodded and replied, "I see. That's the way it used to be here as well but then the kingdoms wanted to change to a fairer system where the people have some say. The mayors do have to report to their respective kings and queens, of course, but at least they have some power and freedom to make the best decisions for the people."

**************

Bryan turned to Rosaline and replied, "And I would never want you to change just to make me happy. I love you for exactly yourself."

Turning the conversation back to Nerine, he then asked, "Did I make a bad suggestion? I didn't mean for Nerine to take it literally. It just seems that Lycoris is this happy, light spirit and I thought it wouldn't hurt if Nerine was a bit like that."

William nodded and replied, "I see. So which kingdom does this town report to? I mean, which kingdom is it a part of?"

******************

Rosaline replied, "Well, I have known Nerine for a long time and she was a happy, light spirit before. Pretty sure you knew her like that, too, my love, before. Well, she was like that until certain things happened."

She was referring to the ordeal between Nerine and Alex but didn't want to say it directly. She continued,

"I wouldn't have made such a suggestion though, my love. It seems like Nerine took it to the heart, changing her whole self."

Stacey replied, "This town is belongs to the kingdom of Castillion. However, it's on the mainland so this town is really autonomous and the mayor here doesn't usually go directly to the king and queen unless needed."

************

Bryan sighed and replied, "Yeah. I didn't know what else to suggest. Of course, I think Alex and Nerine should talk things out."

Alex sighed and replied, "Yes, you're right and that's what I'd planned to do when I went to see my darling but she seemed to get over what happened earlier so I thought it better to let it go."

William nodded and replied, "That sounds nice. Hmm maybe we should pay a visit to the main town sometime. It sounds intriguing and I wonder how it looks like."

*********************

Rosaline looked to Alex and sighing, she replied,

"I thought you'd notice that something is off. I honestly wouldn't believe that Nerine simply decided to let things go and be so happy suddenly."

She turned to look over Nerine, Lycoris and Avi. Nerine was talking in such a friendly manner, hugging Lycoris and apologizing to her. Lycoris looked surprised, confused and maybe even a little scared, while Avi had a confused look all over his face.

Stacey nodded and replied, "Sure, we can do that. We won't have time on this vacation although we could probably just see it on our way back but perhaps on a future vacation."

Megan replied, "I'd like that, too."

**************

Alex replied, "I did feel that something was off but I couldn't place my finger around it. But now that Bryan told me about his suggestion, it makes sense. It's a bit weird but I kind of like seeing my darling letting go of being angry and being happy."

William nodded in agreement and replied,

"Yup, I'd like that as well. We could find a place for it in our future vacations. It will be fun to explore and see more towns, right?"

********************

(Man, I can't believe Alex simply likes Nerine this way even though he knows she's just acting. O.O)

Rosaline looked a little surprised at Alex and replied, "But Alex, you know that she's angry and hurting inside. She's putting up this act just to please you."

Megan cheered and replied, "Yup! I want to see a lot of this world."

Stacey grinned and replied, "And I want to show it to the both of you."

**************

(Well, Alex wants to believe that Nerine is letting go of her anger and all although obviously, that isn't the case. He wants to look for the best in her, if that makes sense.)

Alex looked to Rosaline and asked, "What do you suggest I do? Get angry at her and tell her to stop putting this act on?"

William grinned and the family continued swimming around for some more. Then William said,

"Ahh I am getting a little tired so maybe we should take a little break?"

*******************

(Ahh I see but letting things go just like that wouldn't really help things. O.O)

Rosaline sighed and replied, "Well, not get angry at her. Just talk to her gently and let her know that you know what she's doing."

At that moment, Nerine returned with her cheerful smile all wide, and said,

"I am back! I hope I didn't take long but it's all fixed with Lycoris now and she isn't angry at me or anything."

Megan replied, "Ok, I could use a break."

Stacey nodded and added, "Sounds good. Let's race to the water."

**************

(I agree but Alex doesn't really know how to handle the situation at hand. O.O)

Alex smiled a little at Nerine and replied, "That's good to hear, darling. Lycoris has a forgiving heart and it was very kind of you to talk to her to sort things out."

He reached out to hold Nerine's hand and said, "Would you like to have a quiet talk, darling? I'm sure the others won't mind."

William chuckled and replied, "Sure, let's race."

He counted to three and on three, they all swam back to the beach.

**********************

(Yeah, I agree. O.O)

Nerine wondered if Alex would bring up the change in her but nodding happily, she replied,

"Of course, whatever you want! Lead the way."

Stacey and Megan raced alongside William and soon, they all reached the beach. Then they returned to their spot and taking towels, they dried themselves off.

*************

Alex nodded and turning to Bryan and Rosaline, he said,

"Will you excuse me? We'll be back in a bit."

Bryan nodded and replied, "Of course. Take your time."

Alex nodded and then gently holding Nerine's arm, he led the way a little distance away from the others so that they could have a private chat.

William took his towel and dried himself as well then put the towel back in place. After helping Stacey and Megan take a seat on the sand, he sat down as well and looking happily at the sea, he commented,

"This is a very beautiful scene there."

***********************

Once Nerine and Alex were alone and away from the others, she turned to him and asked,

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"