Tehr waited patiently to listen to House Saari's plea.  It was good to hear that the fruits of the trading company were already coming to blossom early already.  This also meant there would be a new income stream coming in shortly, hopefully, and the small but not completely insignificant fee of a potion for the duke wouldn't be a problem to get to Caroline.  Assuming she talked to the duke and he wished to pursue it.  After staying around and attending court just long enough to be polite, he stepped aside and told the duke that he needed to go to the royal library to do a little research, but he would return a few hours hence to go with the duke to meet the queen.  His intention was to do some more research on the potion that Caroline mentioned.<br/><br/>However he had only bee in the library looking for the books for a few minutes before he heard the sound of almost silent footfalls approaching.  Turning he found the duke approaching.<br/><br/><strong>"My Lord Tehr, I hope you don't mind,"</strong>he said seeming somewhat out of his element for once,<strong> "I couldn't pass up this opportunity to speak with you privately.  It seems like we are always surrounded by others and I wondered if i could speak to you on a private matter without prying eyes or ears, or even those who bore witness to the fact that we were having the conversation."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr bowed his head,<strong> "Of course sir,"</strong>he said not quite willing to be more familiar.  He sensed that there was something of great import that the Duke wanted to say, and wanted to keep things formal in case it was something that required that decorum.<br/><br/><strong>"First of all, I'm quite an observant man," </strong>Tehr nodded his head.  He was a respected leader of troops and had lived for quite a long time.  Tehr assumed that even among elves this meant that he'd have to be so.<strong>"I know my daughter has feelings for you, and I assume that has translated to a relationship that is not trivial.  When we spoke privately yesterday she again expressed her desire to remain here in Londinium with you.  With you Lord Wynt, not in the city, not at Hewthorne hall, not in the queen's court, but with you."</strong>He paused letting that sink in.<strong> "I'm not here to admonish you, as a father to his daughter's lover, nor even as an elf to a human.  I simply want to let you know that I know."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr nodded his head, saying nothing.  Even though the duke had said he wasn't here to admonish, Tehr felt like he was under a lens, he felt the way he hadn't felt since his days of learning under Uncle Lan back at Oxford.  So he stayed silent.  The lengthy pause between the two continued before the Duke shifted slightly and cleared his throat.<strong> "The other matter is one that is similar.  I find that the time that I spend with Angelique has been, rather satisfying."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr thought the duke might start blushing.  Now it made sense.  The duke had brought up his daughter to throw Tehr off, get him defensive, give himself a position of strength before broaching Angelique.  Tehr jumped in to reassure the elf.<strong> "I am glad, for she seems to be fond of you as well."</strong><br/><br/>The duke nodded seeming somewhat relieved by Tehr's apparent acceptance.<strong>"Rosalyn's mother, my mate, though we never officially married, was the only woman I experienced 'cil'inasahia' with.  A word that means love, but more than love.  To say 'true love' would be overly dramatic, and at the same time not enough.  'Fated' might be more appropriate if you follow my meaning?"</strong>Tehr nodded again.<strong>"I've lain with women since my mate's passing, even felt shallow versions of love, but nothing to ever compare to Rosalyn's mother.  However I feel a strong connection to Angelique, and I think she to me."</strong>Tehr smiled softly.  It was very easy to love Angelique after all.<br/><br/>The duke shifted once,<strong>"I won't stay in Londinium for too long, I must travel back home and report to my clan of the war.  But with my illness, it might be best to have someone with me who is not a soldier guard, but is someone I trust by my side.  Since Rosalyn wishes to stay by your side..." </strong>He trailed off.<br/><br/><strong>"You thought you'd ask if I would give leave to let Angelique travel with you?"</strong>Tehr filled in.  The duke nodded once, curtly.<strong>"I'm sure you feel, on this matter, much the same about Rosalyn as I do Angelique.  They are grown women and can make their own choices, and we wouldn't want to stand in their way at all.  Angelique is one of my oldest friends..."</strong><br/><br/>The duke interrupted and added,<strong> "and lovers."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr flinched ever so slightly.  She must have told him that.  If she had, that meant that the duke and Angelique had indeed grown very close.<strong> "...yes, and lovers.  As well she is the head of my maid staff, truthfully the head of my house.  Losing her will be a hardship, but not one that I would be unwilling to face.  If she wishes such a thing I would gladly hug her goodbye and watch her leave.  I care for her on many levels, and I wish to see her happy more than anything else." </strong>He paused and added,<strong> "As I'm sure you feel likewise about Rosalyn.  But I would make sure that such a thing is her choice you understand.  Was there anything else sir?  For maybe this is a good time to talk about why I am in this library, and your wound?"</strong><br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">I know you've been in this situation.... I'm not super happy with this post.  But it's been a week that you've been waiting and I wanted to get SOMETHING posted.  I feel this moves the conversation along the lines we discussed on steam.... but I don't know.  I just wanted to get something out for you.  Feel free to move things along however you like, maybe even jumping ahead to the queen?  I'm feeling a little antsy about the post, but going to just submit it as it is.</div></div>