Note

Well, things have been heavy on the main line lately huh? Here’s a little Christmas time fluff for everyone. The Pantonas are throwing a party and Aaron is being a brat! Also, this is the last planned interlude for a while. I’ve loved writing them, but nothing seems in good enough shape for the moment. If something comes up that I want to write I will, but for now…time for a rest.

Caleb

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Lisette gasped running her hand over the delicate blue gown. “Am I truly allowed to wear it?” Caleb smiled. She was fifteen, he realized, too grown up to be hidden away much longer.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” He asked. She frowned. Olivia looked at him as Lisette held it up against herself and looked in the mirror.

“Normally when you bring things like this back they go in the trunk,” she said softly, “for later.” Caleb nodded.

“This is for the midwinter festival,” he said, “someone suggested new dresses were the thing for it.” Lisette looked at him. “There’s going to be a ball.”

“And you can’t very well go to your first ball in your cottons, Lisette,” Olivia said. Lisette smiled and hugged them both.

“Thank you!” She said. “I love you both so much.” She skipped out.

“Is it too much?” Caleb grimaced. “I never know.” Olivia sighed.

“I think in this case, no,” Olivia said, “we’d be indulging her regardless on this occasion.” He sat down. “And it will be good practice for her.” Caleb frowned. “You’re under a storm cloud, my love, what is it?”

“Something Les said,” he sighed, “Marina has begun to notice Brayton’s attention.” Olivia sighed. “We could bring her here.”

“We can’t do that,” Olivia said softly. “He can’t look this way, you know it.” He nodded. “I want to protect Marina too, of course I do, but we must protect Lisette and Aaron first.” He exhaled. “He’d just think we were placing her in front of Aaron, which would put everyone at risk.” Caleb grinned.

“I’ve heard worse ideas,” he said. Olivia laughed.

“Aaron would find Marina a charming distraction for exactly one month, and then leave her heartbroken and vulnerable,” Olivia shook her head. Caleb looked at her. “He’s my son as much as he’s yours.” Caleb laughed.

“I hate admitting that you’re right,” he said. Olivia laughed. “Has she written to Harran more?”

“Stop meddling,” Olivia said, “bringing Harran here was good for her, but you know her opinion on things.” Caleb sighed. “And if she has, she didn’t tell me about it and I won’t ask. She’s entitled to some privacy about boys at her age, heir to a throne or not.” He exhaled as his wife kissed him gently. Olivia wasn’t wrong of course, but he had brought Harran to Pantona to show Annalise that she had options outside of the ones she contemplated constantly.

The Prince of Phania and Aaron.

His plan had succeeded too well, he was pretty sure. When the Prince had departed, his daughter had spent a week doing nothing but scribbling in her diary and sighing loudly. When he asked Aaron what exactly had gone on between the pair the response had been less than useful.

“She followed him around like a puppy and he preened at the attention,” Aaron has said, “it was deadly boring.” Aaron’s blasé attitude was becoming a problem, but Caleb didn’t know a cure besides seeing more of the world and the idea of Aaron in Dovetail terrified him.

Aaron

“It does suit you,” he said, as Annalise pulled at the necklace Olivia had leant her with the ice blue gown. The guests hadn’t arrived for the ball yet. She looked at him.

“In the books Olivia gives me it says young girls shouldn’t wear jewelry,” Lisette frowned. “Just flowers or maybe a scarf in their hair.

“Maybe there’s some sort of exception for Princesses,” he grinned. She scoffed at him. “You’re excited, I haven’t seen you this happy since last summer.” She straightened up.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she mustered her dignity. He laughed. He shouldn’t tease her about Prince Harran, but it was really so easy. “I ran into Maggie at market yesterday.” Aaron grimaced.

“Did you?” He said. “How um,” he swallowed. “How was she?”

“She told me to tell you that she’s going to marry Alfred Baker over in Corenting,” Lisette said, “and that should you wish her joy you could choke on it.” He sighed. “She wasn’t the one?”

“You’re not funny,” he said. “Even if she were, I can’t marry a shopkeeper’s daughter from the village.” She frowned. “Don’t worry I’m not holding out for you.”

“I didn’t think you were,” she stuck out her tongue. He laughed. “Do you think when I’m queen, he’ll come back?”

“I think he’d be very foolish not to.” He said and kissed her forehead. “Did you tell him the truth?” She shook her head.

“Caleb said not to,” she whispered. “And even if he hadn’t, I didn’t want,” she exhaled, “I wanted him to like me.” She exhaled. “I know you didn’t like him.”

“It isn’t that I didn’t like him, but I’m not used to sharing you,” Aaron admitted. He’d have to get used to it, he knew that. “Maggie’s really getting married?” She rolled her eyes.

“I only know what they tell me,” she said. He raised an eyebrow. “Believe it or not the goddess is not particularly interested in your conquests, Aaron, so she doesn’t send me Dreams about them.” He smirked. She turned and looked at herself in the mirror.

“You look very grown up Lisette,” he said. She smiled. “Though not quite like a Princess.” She smiled.

“I hope not,” she said, “it makes my eyes look blue.” He nodded.

Olivia

“I can’t believe Father thought of this,” Aaron frowned. Olivia looked at her son.

“Marina Sanpierre thought of this,” Olivia said. He blinked at her. “Are you shocked?”

“A little,” he said, “isn’t she twelve?”

“She’s fourteen,” Olivia said, “and your father has it in his head for you to get to know her very well.” Aaron rolled his eyes. “He means well. You two are too hard on each other.” Lisette was dancing with one of the merchant boys who’d been passing through. “She’s doing well.”

“Yes,” he sighed. “Is it always going to be like this?” Olivia raised an eyebrow at him. “Every man who looks at her makes me want to corner him and ask what his intentions are.” Olivia laughed. “It’s not funny, it’s maddening.”

“I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at myself,” she exhaled. “I was worrying about the two of you, being too attached.” Aaron smirked. “You were awful about Harran, but if it’s just you being protective, I can live with it.”

“Countess,” William Santino walked over. “Viscount.” Speaking of protectiveness. “Thank you for having me.”

“Anytime,” Aaron smirked. “Please tell me you brought something to drink?” His mother sighed at him.

“Always,” William laughed, “shall we?” Aaron grinned and they walked out. Odd that Aaron was blind to William’s intention towards Lisette. Or maybe he didn’t care. She wasn’t too worried about it. They needed friends, and Pantona left them with precious little choice in who they could be with regularly.

Her own youth in Dovetail had been full, friends and suitors and that was even under her father’s considerable and toxic influence.

“Olivia,” Lisette walked over flushed and happy. “Why aren’t you and Caleb dancing?” She smiled at the girl.

“An excellent question,” Olivia said, “you look lovely.” Lisette smiled widely.

“I’m having so much fun,” she said, “I want to do this all the time.” Olivia laughed.

“When we’re in Dovetail maybe you can,” she whispered kissing her on the cheek softly. Lisette laughed and went back to her merchant. Caleb walked over. “Lisette wants to know why we aren’t dancing?”

“It’s an excellent question,” he smiled taking her hand as a new dance started. She smiled. “I’m proud of this.”

“You should be,” she said softly. “Of all of it.” He smiled and kissed her gently.