The rest of the dinner went off without a hitch. Simprina and Brad rejoined them as they were intended to, and the rest of the meal was finished off with stories and recounts of past exploits. All the while, though, Maria remained quiet, reserved. She wasn’t invested in the conversation, and she wouldn’t say much unless specifically needed by Ivor or another member of the dinner who happened to make a comment toward her. More often than not, though, it was a generic response spoken through gritted teeth and a false smile.<br/><br/>So, once the “celebratory” dinner was through, she was escorted from the room by Simprina. Unlike every other event, though, she wasn’t brought immediately to her room. Instead, they deviated to another corridor and then another corridor. It wasn’t until they were alone that her intentions were clear.<br/><br/>“I’ve spoken with Brádach,” the woman started, eyes ever watchful for signs of movement; eavesdroppers were always readily available when conversations needed to be discrete.<br/><br/>“I’m aware,” Maria answered back in tired fashion. “Is this all? I must away to bed...I’m tired.”<br/><br/>“Do you truly consider him your friend?”<br/><br/>That question wasn’t one she expected, her brow furrowing as her head tilted a bit and a hand rubbed at her temple. “What?”<br/><br/>“Do you consider him your friend?”<br/><br/>“...I tire of your games, Simprina,” Maria sighed. “What are your intentions with this question?”<br/><br/>“You know...I asked him a question of that sentiment...what his intentions were.” Catching her attention fully, her otherwise blase mood shifting to one of unease, Maria frowned. “He claims that he’s nothing more than a friend to you, one who cares about how you’re feeling and wanting nothing but the best for you. He assured me there was nothing more than such feelings for you. He even offered me ask you how you felt of him...So, I’m here asking.”<br/><br/>“Bold...you are extremely bold.”<br/><br/>“Your highness hasn’t answered my question.”<br/><br/>“And I’m not in a situation where I need to.”<br/><br/>Simprina’s head lowered into a bow, hands clasping chastly in front of her. “I meant no disrespect...but I need to gauge how much you feel for him. If it’s anything more than what’s proper, something will need to be done, for all of our sakes...if it’s merely a friendship, a kindred spirit you’ve found in him, then it’ll be left alone. ...Just know I’ll be watching, as always, for your well being.” There was a pause as she chanced a look up at Maria. “I merely wanted to inquire to you first, to see whether my fears were founded or not.”<span style="font-style: italic">For which, I see that they are…</span>she added silently.<br/><br/>“He is a friend, Simprina, just as you are one to me. He watches out for me and is a piece of something familiar; And, yes, I know we’ve not known each other long, but there’s something familiar about him and how he acts. I don’t have to be Princess Maria with him...I’m merely Maria,” she answered cautiously.<br/><br/>“Though, you should always be a princess, Highness.”<br/><br/>“You know of what I speak,” Maria replied to that, her tone a bit curt.<br/><br/>“Don’t go to your room for a while yet-”<br/><br/>“Simprina, I’m t-”<br/><br/>“Listen to me...please,” Simprina started again. “Go out to the gardens...take a moment to yourself and get some fresh air. You used to walk the gardens all the time; Take a moment and then you can go to bed with a clearer head.”<br/><br/>There was a pause, a thoughtful pause, but she finally conceded. “I’ll go for a walk...and then I’ll to bed.”<br/><br/>With a nod, she turned on heel and left to take a stroll through the garden, through the maze of walls until she ended up at the fountain to sit and watch the water trickle down for a while. Something about it used to be soothing, calming; Perhaps it would work again this time.<br/><br/>As she left, Simprina left on a mission, spotting him down the hall, not too far off from her. “If you want your chance to talk with her, she’s gone for a walk.” And, as she passed him, she gave him a look. “Don’t say I don’t ever put her first, rather than my job.” Nothing more was said, as the woman disappeared down the hall and into a room behind a closed door, wondering if she'd just done the right thing...the proper thing.<br/><br/>Or if she'd just made matters far worse.