A/N: Thanks to all the people who reviewed so far!
JennyT: Yeah, I like Bran and Nee too, especially Nee.
Saranha de Angelo: I was first thinking of doing a Mel/Vidanric one, but there's already some and they're so good that I don't think I could live up to them. Then I realized that Bran and Nee really didn't get much exposure on their romance. So, voila!
FelSong: Thanks! Don't worry, I'll keep it up…and speaking of keeping stories up, please update "Heart Duel" soon! I love it!
charmgirl: Thanks to you too! It's a lot of fun writing from Nee's perspective.
Disclaimer: Again, mostly everything belongs to Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel and Court Duel. I don't really see why we have to say this, since it is already in the Sherwood Smith section. But that's okay. Surprisingly, I have not quoted anyone else or used anything else of theirs in this chapter. Hmm……~ * ~ * ~
Introductions at Court"Count Branaric?" said Tamara in a sugary tone. "Then you are certainly worth of honor. But pray, tell us, where is your sister?"
Branaric still grinned. (I would find that he constantly smiled.) But he looked a little sad, and confused. "Mel – er – well…."
"Lady Meliara was detained," Vidanric inserted smoothly. "She is trying to restore order in county of Tlanth."
"Yes," the rather flustered count conceded. "But she will be joining us here soon."
After this there was a pause. Then Vidanric said, "Bran, may I present firstly Duke Russav of Savona?"
Savona smiled almost mockingly at Branaric and his current position. Branaric seemed to notice and said, unabashed, "I'm a bit of a rustic, eh?"
Savona tried to look cold and haughty, but he failed and grinned back mischievously. "Life, that's an understatement!" The men both laughed jokingly. At least Branaric would not be an outcast at Court – the friendship of both Shevraeth and Savona made up for his naivety.
Vidanric continued his introductions. "This is Lady Tamara Chamadis."
Tamara did not comment, just looked over him thoughtfully. Branaric also looked at her, and I stiffened suddenly. My cousin Tamara was beautiful, the most beautiful lady at Court. Her curly black hair, fair skin, sapphire blue eyes, and breathtaking smile had won over most men at the Court at sometime or another. They all gave her the same type of look, a look of admiration and longing. But she teased and played with their affections. Perhaps the only match for her was Savona – and strangely enough, they genuinely cared for each other, but did not like to make it known to anyone – especially each other.
But Branaric was different. He looked admiring, but the longing was absent. The only other person whom I knew like that was Vidanric – hardly anything was revealed in his enigmatic gray pupils and smooth "poker" face. Perhaps this newcomer would not succumb openly to my cousin's charms. What did he see that the others could not? Did he, like me, see the deceit and vanity in her? Or did he already have someone else back home?
I mentally scolded myself. Why do you care anyway, Nee?
"Lady Trishe and Lady Renna," Vidanric went on. Both smiled and curtsied to him as he returned an awkward bow.
"And last, but certainly not least, Lady Nimiar Argaliar."
I smiled warmly and also curtsied, spreading the skirts of my pale green gown. "I am honored to meet you, Count Branaric."
Normally a gentleman would have replied, "As am I, to make your acquaintance." Instead, he waved a hand and said, "Please, it's Bran." This showed his unawareness of proper etiquette during introductions, but I did not take any offense
"And I am Nee."
"Such a pretty name for a pretty lady," he said. He was charming, but certainly not schooled in the art of flirting. The usually soft, murmured compliment came out genially and friendly from his lips. Nevertheless, I could not help blushing.
He took my hand to kiss – and held it a little too long. When he released it, he also blushed suddenly. The lords around chuckled, while the ladies made signs of Mutual Attraction to each other with their fans and smiled.
Vidanric also looked as if he were about to laugh. "Branaric, shall I show you to your suite?"
Bran blinked. "Oh. Thanks, Danric." Vidanric paused a moment to let him address his farewell to all of us, but he obviously did not know that custom yet. Still, we all knew, as I had before, to interpret it as ignorance and not rudeness.
But as he and Vidanric exited the room, he gave a sudden, sleeting glance at me. If I had not been watching him, I would not have noticed.
But I had been watching. And I could tell from the look he gave me that he did not already have a love back home.
~ * ~ * ~
A/N: Sorry that the first two chapters have been so short. The next few will be longer and more interesting, I promise.
I don't know if anyone will notice whom I sort of based Tamara on – I was going to tell you, but I think I'll make it into a little guessing game. She's a famous fictional heroine from American literature who also liked to play with men's affections. Hints: she "lived" (or at least her book was set) during the Civil War, and the book was made into a famous four-hour movie in 1938. Wow, this is going to be really easy for you guys! Oh well.
Please review, or my self-esteem will go down and I will be too unhappy to update. Wah!
