Rosalyn smiled slightly amused at Tehr at his interjection and his words, but the smile became more affectionate at his thoughts about her trouble with some of the other members of the court, though she seemed to hold her tongue for most part to hear what he had to tell, seeming quite amused and nodding along a bit at the time as the mention of her not relying on the same methods as House Saari came up, a chuckle escaping her lips briefly. She did nod at the mention of self-defence, and his comment upon himself as well at that point.<strong>"You did appear to handle yourself quite well when we first met."</strong>She remarked this briefly but smiled calmly while the talk moved onto the Forgefist.<br/><br/>Alex was pleased to note he'd said something worth a notice at Tehr's reply to his little off-topic talk about the crown, before smiling and nodding proudly at the mention of being allies in such a manner, a blush actually apparent on his face as he cleared his throat slightly.<strong>"Well I do hope to stay in touch for quite a long time to come and retain friendly relations even if eventually I'll need to head off, but my apprenticeship should make it a topic in a few years not months..."</strong>He spoke this in a calm fashion, and seeming to hold back something else given the somewhat thoughtful look, but said nothing else on that as the mention of her sister surfaced.<strong>"I believe I'll leave you and Lady Rosalyn to it then."</strong>Smiling and heading out the sly grin still on his lips.<br/><br/>Rosalyn focused once more fully on Tehr as he turned his attention to her at the end of the meeting, a warm, affectionate smile gracing those lips as she heard him out, seeming to blush a bit at the mention of professionalism, shifting in place. She had been sneaking looks often enough that it was possible the others were going to notice soon enough, 'tina almost certainly would given she picked things up like Tehr did. Still, as the topic slipped onto the matter of her visitor, her expression darkened, before she let out a short breath. Sighing wearily, she reached up to rub a spot on her forehead before looking up at him, her tone serious again though her eyes becoming a little searching, a bit scared, allowing that to show before him and trusting him to speak up of this.<br/><br/><strong>"While we elves like to think ourselves free spirited and following traditions mainly because they are important, sometimes they can lead to headaches. The Duke's extended vanishing trick has left the duchy in a state of controlled chaos. Certain elements would like to see disorder take root, but thankfully the people hold respect to myself and my uncle alike to clear things up. It also helps our race is long-lived and more willing to give it some time. However, two families, the Quil'lae and Adamora have recently taken up talking trash and, <em>while I cannot prove it,</em> possibly hiring mercenary bands acting as bandits to further spread disorder to our territories, although the effect of that has been curtailed greatly by the halfling outriders."</strong>She smiled faintly at this point but a weary sigh left her lips.<br/><br/><strong>"The Quil'lae are more 'courtly' and approach me to offer support on the surface while trying to worm their way closer, they are 'subtle' but the edge is clearly there in veiled threats. As for the Adamora, they are perfectly happy with getting a chance to line their pockets. With 'their' trade caravans left untouched, and the others harassed before they leave the duchy's borders, it should stand for them to get a better price for their services and goods? Not quite, though."</strong>She smirked at this point, and brushed the fingers amidst her hair looking at him in the eyes.<strong>"The Duke Caelor had taken up stockpiling goods for a bad year a long time ago, and now that we've had some internal troubles I have allowed those stockpiles to be partially opened, thus preventing the trouble that shortage on tools or some other supplies might have. It's costing the Adamora more money than they're gaining, but they're still working to pressure things. I'd love to order the guards to step in but as long as the Duke is alive but out of touch my orders only carry so much weight. With his return those two families are in for a nasty lesson though. The thing that got me furious however was an insinuation by the Quil'lae I am looking for a human husband to have a child without having to share a throne with a husband through my entire lifetime, in mimicry of the human queen. That's the sort of comment that irritates me, especially as it was made soon after I rather clearly refused to meet with a proud son of one of the Quil'lae allies and close bedmates."</strong>She smiled at him while reaching out to take a hold of his hand and squeeze it tight.<br/><br/><strong>"They try and push me into a gilded cage and take away my options and choice. Here, I've not been pressed, I've been allowed to breathe more free and be myself. I need to remember my status as an elven noblewoman, and I would <em>hate</em> to give them any ammunition to use against the duchy in the meanwhile, but they're acting too bold leading me to think they know more than I expected about the Duke's troubles. If he's on his way back however things are going to be solved soon, and... most importantly you have managed to help me retain my sanity through the harrowing experience. I doubt I'm ready to take the duchy anytime soon, but my father should have several centuries in him still so it should not be a problem."</strong>She sighed faintly at this but looked at him awkward and embarrassed.<strong>"There's no death-threats or treasonous whispers going on that the Queen should hear, there's little I have been willing to share because I feel it is a burden I should bear but at the same time I feel everyone here has been helping me in their own ways. Christina's eager excitement is infectious, your company washes away the worries with enjoying life instead, Alex seems eager to join 'tina in all the excitement she comes up with, and the house is lively both night and day, never seeming as cold and inhostile as some houses that are friendly by day but cold once the doors are shut and nightfall comes."</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">I hope I managed to frame that in even somewhat reasonable frame. I have had the idea of Rosalyn being under pressure with the duke missing but handling it quite well on her own, but also taking great pleasure in the distractions and ease the life with the family she is staying with can provide. The elven family names have not been mentioned before, but I believe I said the elven lady's first name before but now that I went back to look for it I came up blank. I left that behind and just used the two family, or 'Main House' names behind it instead.<br/><br/>Sorry if its a bit of a weird side-info-dump.</div></div>