He could have sworn beads of sweat had begun rolling down his face as Lhurriel accepted his proffered treat. He felt his stomach unclench as the dinner utensil slipped away from the ladymage's lips. But before he could heave any sigh of relief, there was speak of a reward and suddenly his face was contorted in the oddest expression of worry and... bliss?<br/><br/>Rohwik was damn certain he had never seen such a look on any man's face before when Lhurriel kissed the boy. What a wicked woman. She knew how uncomfortable William was in that position - they all did. And yet she still pressed to make him squirm. He liked Lhurriel. She was a woman who knew how to have fun. Rohwik grinned to himself as he polished off the last bit of his dessert, stuffing in the last large mouthful before the servant carried the plate away.<br/><br/>"Please send the cook our thanks, Lady Lhurriel." Tolan manage to put in before she had stepped off, "The meal was quite wonderful."<br/><br/>William could find no words for Corsair in his fevered attempt at recovery, trying desperately to loosen the collar on his jerkin for relief from the inexplicable heat he felt. The weight of the world lifted when Lhurriel left him at peace, of course, that meant he was open to ridicule by Rohwik. But Rohwik was someone William could handle. As Hawk began poking fun at the boy, Corsair had begun discussing state affairs with Kaeden and normalcy resumed - for a while.<br/><br/>"Well, I'm sure you know just how reserved the king can be when it comes to situations like that." Kae replied to a comment Corsair had made, "He does mean well, though some times it's difficult to find a better way to approach things."<br/><br/>Kaeden reached for the cup of warm but quickly cooling tea he had only begun sipping through William's peril, but before he could take a sip of the sweet drink he noticed Corsair stand from his seat while the butler made an arrival announcement.<br/><br/>The military-bound brothers all turned their attention to the door where a small flock of chatty chicks pooled into the room. At once, all stood from his seat to properly greet the ladies as they led themselves in.<em>Gods, will the torment not end this night?</em>Poor William seemed to feel he was being picked on far more than usual.<br/><br/>Finding themselves being oriented in the sitting room now, each "claimed" solider kindly helping their lady counterpart take their seat. Tolan had, of course, offered his arm kindly to the young lady Randolf after giving his name, complimenting her quite elaborate gown as he did so. The poor thing nearly swooned as he casually lead her behind those who coerced the first few into the room.<br/><br/>William was certain to have broken under the scrutinous eye of the widow Chirtoff that fell on Ghestin. It was obvious she admired his well "maintained" physique, but Ghestin seemed unaffected by her approving looks. William's attention was brought back to the young miss Randolf as the young lady of seventeen summers eagerly yanked on his arm to have him seated beside her.<br/><br/>"Come, come!" she urged, "Sit with me!"<br/>"Erh, y-yes." William choked nervously, "Certainly, m'lady."<br/><br/>The way that the young lass scooted closer and closer to William, causing him to to flush red and practically squirm in his seat would have been cue for Rohwik to begin his usual jestural mocking and ridicule. However, he was quite busied with his own form of company in the form of the young miss Randolf. The little girl wouldn't cease her incessant chattering.<br/><br/><em>For the love of all that is good in this world, please make her STOP.</em>She just went on and on and on and on. Everynow and then Rohwik tuned back into her words as he kept his nods timely and his smile constant, picking up things about her shoes, the baker's son, and the frills on her dress not matching the laces on her bodice or something before he tuned her out again. Hawk began mentally grumbling at how Fate stacked the cards against them and fell in favor of Kaeden.<em>Why couldn't Kaeden have been stuck with the chatterbox while he spent the evening enjoying the company of what flower Kae had chanced upon?</em><br/><br/>Flower indeed. Certainly a woman who knew how to paint a picture of beauty. However, Kaeden found her quite a pushy young woman, knowing where she wanted to go in a conversation and sought to keep control of it.<br/><br/>"Do tell me Master Kaeden," she began with a coy smile, "Are you an important man within the king's forces?"<br/>"Each man is important, my lady," Kae answered diplomatically, as he had long ago learned to do, "One man does not make an army."<br/>"Indeed." Her tone was curt and Kae picked up the hint of annoyance with his answer. Not wanting to offend any of the guests to the house, as well as not to put Corsair himself at risk at the hands of gossip or the like, Kaeden changed his tactics.<br/>"I am a Captain of King Roland's knights." he added.<br/>"Oh how wonderful!" of course she perked up again nigh instantly.<br/><br/><em>It seems we shall have to brave these dark waters as men...</em>Kaeden mentally sighed.