Motto’s reaction was curious. Genevieve’s brow furrowed as she took in the coloring of his cheeks. At least the man had enough decency to feel shame, but…did Genevieve see something like confusion flash across Motto’s face? And the way fingers touched his temple. Was Motto putting on an act for her? He seemed to be in genuine distress! Perhaps Genevieve was just hoping it had all been a misunderstanding. She could believe that, had she not stumbled upon the pair in a compromising position twice in as many days. Averting her gaze, Genevieve silently scolded herself for allowing herself to feel sympathy for Motto.<br/><br/>When Motto addressed her, Genevieve’ eyes rose, taking the man in once more. He was struggling to speak. Was it his guilt? Or..or something else entirely? Truthfully, she had only known the man for a week, less than! But in that time, Genevieve thought she had actually come to know him. And this adulterous act was far from the character she thought she knew. And Genevieve hoped. She hoped that, perhaps, Motto had been coerced into such a position. Of course, her more cynical mind whispered that he was simply very good at playing the part. That he<span style="font-style: italic">had</span>been playing Genevieve for a fool, and her pride hurt for it.<br/><br/>Genevieve did not shy from Motto when he stepped closer to her. She was a strong woman, and would not shy from any man. Regardless, Genevieve wanted too. His strength beside her made Genevieve want to weep. Weep for what she had lost. Weep for a chance to redeem herself, because maybe…maybe it had been her fault Motto ran to another woman’s arms.<br/><br/>But she did not.<br/><br/>A gasp was given as the man picked her up, arms distinctively going around the man’s neck as Genevieve’s body leaned into his. Green eyes looked to brown as she was lowered upon her bed. Green eyes that truly wanted to forgive and forget, but didn’t know how.<br/><br/>Safely deposited upon her sheets, Genevieve’s hold lasted only a beat longer than Motto’s had, but as his instruction, they were removed with a gentle clearing of Genevieve’s voice and averted gaze. Her hands came to her lap, fingers fidgeting together. “I..won’t, Your Majesty.” Genevieve's own cheeks colored. Why had she held on to him? Genevieve could feel her heart pounding in her chest. And in an effort to distract herself, she twisted, reaching for her embroidery basket. “Will…” Genevieve spoke quietly while plucking at a white piece of linen, trying to hide her gift from Motto. “Will you require my presence  at dinner?” Oh, but she hoped so.<br/><br/>______<br/><br/>Cassie had made plans to revisit her sister once she was situated in her own chambers, ones she shared with her brother. Their father, father of the bride and a king, got his own. Not that Cassie minded. She loved her father dearly, but all she ever heard from him nowadays was about her own wedding, how Genevieve’s marriage opened up her opportunities for a better future. Cassie wasn’t so… combative against her father as Genevieve had been, but she did hold onto the childish dream that she might love her husband, whomever that may be.<br/><br/>“What do you think of Motto?” Cassie was smoothing out the bodice of her dress as she stood in the doorway of Gerald’s private room. Her own connected to his through a shared washroom.<br/><br/>“I don’t know.” The eleven  year old boy answered while situating his personal affect along a dresser top. “I haven’t met the man yet, but Genevieve didn’t speak of him much.. and her foot.” The boy paused, a hand at his chin. He didn’t believe his sister’s story, and that much was evident in his green eyes. Pale hair shifted as Gerald shook his head. “Regardless, I’ve my eye on the man. If he does anything to make Genevieve unhappy, as soon as I am king, I’ll take her back.” Gerald’s loyalty to his oldest sister was fierce. It was with all his siblings, but of them all, Genevieve was the only one who seemed truly bothered by betrothal to a stranger.<br/><br/>Cassie nodded her head before looking past their shared washroom and towards her own room. “I think I’ll go pay Genevieve another visit. She seemed down when I had seen her last.” Cassie didn’t want to mention the fact that she found Genevieve in her room with open bags. It would only arouse Gerald’s suspicions. “It’s probably just her foot, and with the ball tomorrow.” Cassie smiled gently. “You know how much she loves dancing.”<br/><br/>Of course, Cassie’s own speculations were wrong. So horribly wrong. And she found out just how wrong they were when she approached her sister’s door.<br/><br/>Cassie was going to simply enter, when she heard voices on the other end. Genevieve’s. And her sister was upset from the sound of it. Cassie gently pressed her ear against the wood of the door and listened. The voices were muffled, but she could make out a few words, a name, Seraphina? Setaphina?<br/><br/>The teen gasped as the door opened and she jumped back, eyes wide and hands behind her back. “Y-your Majesty!” It was a squeak. Thankfully, Cassie had managed to stay quiet until the door was closed behind the tall, imposing man. “I..I was just…um..” Her normally sharp mind went blank as she tried to think of some kind of lie. But then her mouth, which had hung open as she tried to think of something to say, closed into a tight line. Cassie’s pose straightened and she stood with hands on her hips, looking up at Motto, wide green eyes turning to slits. “Who’s Setaphina.” Oh, but how she looked like her oldest sister then. “Is this someone I should he worried about?”<br/><br/>Cassie, who wasn’t in the thick of the situation, obviously had something of an open mind about it, so she would actually listen to Motto. And, while it was true that her loyalties did lie with Genevieve, she knew the woman loved him. She also knew her older sister was a stubborn mule.