«…and thus, for the reasons I have previously announced, I can affirm that there is no more tender instinct than that of loving a woman, mentally and physically, and that the true sense of life is to create the most close bond with a feminine soul and body.»
Tino clapped politely along with the others, though feeling slightly annoyed by the speech. The audience seemed mostly enthusiastic at the words, but to Tino, those had sounded empty and worthless. The oration hadn't been that great, objectively speaking; it had went on for half an hour and it had listed with flowery figures of speech the reasons why women are good, roughly speaking.
Tino liked women, but he had never loved them; specifically in that kind of love that was supposedly what everyone was talking about. His mother and his sisters, those were the closest feminine relationship he had; he hadn't managed to form any other connection with the opposite sex, probably because they were all obsessed to find a lover and he couldn't bring himself to court them. He had seen girls engaging in cultural discussions, once or twice; but his heart had remained silent and froze in place, feeling a vague sense of liking and appreciation, but not real fondness.
Same feeling was for their body. He could flatly say "It is very nice" when called into conversation with other men; he recognized the curves had some sort of charm in them, and he could see why the softness of their figures could emit such attractive power. But had he ever felt the urge to kiss them or touch them? Had he ever sensed a romantic atmosphere between him and a female? Had he once even desired a woman?
But with men, it was something else. When seeing a handsome being, desire crept through his limbs; the more he looked at a pretty face and a strong body hiding under rich garments, the more he wanted to experience what had been attracting him for as long as he could remember. And he was sure that his need to know everything about certain gentlemen he had met even for a brief amount of time was the closest thing to love he had ever felt, though in a much lighter way. He felt right when talking to those occasional infatuations, wrong when forced to look at a woman in an intimate way; because he could bring himself to do that only with someone of his same nature.
«What do you think? » Eduard asked while everyone in the room was still flattering with a strong applause the man who had just spoken.
«Very nice, though I personally preferred the one who talked about God's existence. »
«I think the same, but this one is probably more appealing to the audience. »
Tino shot a glance at the other nobles in the room. They were all sitting in lines before an empty space at one side of the room, which was occupied in turns by the temporary orator.
He and Eduard had been there for a couple of hours now, and they had assisted to the same scene over and over: that is, a man standing up from the public, placing at the center of the empty zone to get everyone's attention, say whatever he had prepared, and then, after the applauses, going back to his place. Though the first two speeches had excited him, now he felt exhausted from the amount of blabbering that had been inculcated in his brain. He was starting to sense a headache.
Out of nowhere, the King stood up from the front line and started to walk past the chairs to get out of the room, followed loyally by Oxenstierna. The cheerful hubbub stopped immediately and everyone kept silent, waiting for them to leave.
«It's lunchtime. » Eduard whispered, eyeing his Swiss wristwatch. Tino followed absently the two figures pacing majestically in the middle of the room, without really looking at anyone. But directed briefly his glance to Tino, and he parted his lips as if he was about to stop and say something; but he quickly paced away, following the fast pace of the King. Tino felt an uncomfortable knot of his stomach at Oxenstierna's firm gaze, but decided not to pay much attention to it.
«So, the other Ambassador of Demark will be there? »
«Yes, Mathias Kohler. He is very nice, you'll like him. »
Tino smiled to Eduard, sitting in front of him. They were about to arrive at the Bondeviks' residence after a short journey in the simple carriage Eduard owned. They had remained silent for most of the way, Tino looking at the green landscape out of the window and Eduard dozing off. He wasn't nervous; he rarely was. Meeting the King the night before had been an exception, given the person in question. Now he had anticipation filling his chest with excitement: it was a positive feeling.
Eduard grinned. «This tea party comes just in the right moment. Emilie and Raili are really good friends, you know? I really want you to meet her. And Mathias is always with Lukas so you it would have happened anyway. I've known them for a long time and they won't make you uncomfortable, trust me. »
« I'm sure of it. »
Tino turned his head to the trees that run by the window, and breathed in the fresh air that came in, feeling the fresh scent filling his lungs.
« We've arrived. »
The carriage started to slow down, and Tino's gaze stopped on the residence before him. It was little but very pretty, of a light yellow color, surrounded by the dark green of the Nordic trees.
The two got off the carriage and started to pace towards the big entrance.
«Small but elegant, am I right? » Eduard said. «This is Bondevik's villa; Kohler lives in a similar one nearby, though that one is much bigger. »
The door suddenly opened with a high pitched creak, revealing a large waiting room in fine white marble which gave Tino a cold shiver as soon as he stepped in. A butler welcomed them with a polite bow and marched through the hall to show them the way; the steps clicked cheerfully on the hard floor.
As the elegant façade of the residence could suggest, the interior was finely furnished with delicate taste. There wasn't any baroque inclination, as the fashion of the time was; the paintings on the walls were mostly portraying breath-taking wintery landscapes. Tino could smell a sweet scent of lavender which, he thought, added simple authenticity to the environment.
«Mister Von Bock and Mister Väinämöinen have arrived. »
The room was large, but there was only a little table on the center and, on one side, two little red couches. It was powerfully enlightened by an enormous window, and the sense of void created by the empty space was filled thanks to a huge mirror which faced the guest as soon as he entered in.
A few people were sitting around the table, and immediately turned their heads to face Eduard and Tino. There was Lukas, who had at one side his sister and on the other a man without a wig, but with blond hair tied in a small ponytail; therefore, Tino reflected, he must've been really close to the Bondeviks. Between the two stood a gracious little woman with big round eyes; her lips curled up as soon as she saw Eduard, but she kept silent and graciously stayed still.
«Welcome! » Lukas greeted, perhaps trying not to sound as flat as usual, standing up and moving towards the guests. «We already started playing cards while waiting for you. »
They sat down so that the order was: Raili, Emilie, Lukas, Mathias, Tino, and Eduard.
«Good evening! » The blond man greeted energetically, maybe more than it was necessary. «I'm Mathias Kohler, Ambassador of Denmark with Lukas. »
«It's a pleasure to meet you! »
Eduard smiled politely. «Tino, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancée… Raili Galante. »
The girl didn't dare to look up from the table, trying to become even tinier and shifting near Eduard's protective presence.
«It's a pleasure to meet you too, miss. »
«We have to restart the game, yes? » Emile intervened, obviously irritated, even if Tino couldn't exactly tell why.
«Thanks. »
As the girl recollected the cards and started mixing up, Mathias opened the conversation with a large grin. «So, Mister Väinämöinen. What brings you to the Swedish court? »
«I'm here mostly because I'm in need of a fiancée. »
«Ah! You'll like it here then. There are plenty of nice girls. » Mathias said winking. Both Lukas and Emilie rolled their eyes.
«Well, Tino is the owner of a large terrain in East. » Eduard stated calmly. «Of about 40 hectares. It should be enough to find a wife with a decent dowry, isn't it? »
The bespectacled man was facing Mathias, but peeked of the corner of his eye to spy the reaction the two Bondeviks; both maintained a cold façade. Tino was about to say that is terrain was large, but it wasn't really productive; he kept his mouth shut.
«It sure is! » Mathias said, taking the cards Emilie was offering.
«What about you, Mister Kohler? » Tino asked distractedly, studying his cards. «Are you betrothed? »
Silence. Tino looked up, a little surprised not hearing any answer; and he noticed an uncomfortable expression written all over Kohler's face. Strange enough, the Bondeviks seemed to stiffen up, although so briefly that Tino thought it was just his impression.
"Maybe I shouldn't have asked that". He glanced interrogatively at Eduard, at his side, only to see he was studying the others' faces with attention.
«Uhm, eh, I mean… I suppose? »
That was definitely the kind of answer a high-class person shouldn't give. Tino looked at Eduard again for advice on what to do, and his cousin nodded with his head.
«May I ask to whom? »
That was a little intrusive, given the sweat appearing on Mathias's front. Lukas said nothing, looking down at the table, but Emilie finally decided to intervene.
«Are we here to get into someone else's affairs or to play? »
Silence fell on the table. Tino felt slighty guilty, but he saw Eduard nodding lightly in approval.
«I-uhm, » restarted Mathias, clearing his throat, «I'm about to ask for her hand. »
Tino eyed him while the others kept silent, simply gliding their cards on the table, not looking up; or at least that's what they wanted to show.
He smiled, trying to lighten up the mood. «I'm sure she will accept. Good luck. »
Mathias nodded, though obviously his cheerful mood had just been killed. Everyone wandered with his thoughts in complete contemplation, though the games kept going as if a ghost was moving their hands.
«Alright, » Eduard decided to speak up, startling everybody. «Have I told you the news about Mister Ollson, running away with the daughter of Madame Lindberg? I bet you haven't heard this one before. »
Mathias clapped his hands, and the Bondeviks rolled their eyes again, as they always did; but the corner of their lips turned up, relieved to change the topic.
Though Eduard was the one who had encouraged him to continue before (and upset everyone), Tino was amazed at how, with a simple phrase, said with a calm but happy-sounding voice, he had been able to switch everybody's mood positively. Raili smiled relieved, her cheeks full and red. That was the first time Tino saw her smile since they had sat down.
«Eduard…? »
«Yes? »
«…What on Earth? »
A deep sigh. «I don't know, either. »
Tino narrowed his brows. «You don't know either? »
« That's exactly the problem! »
«Just tell me. » he said, crossing his arms.
They were on their way back to Von Bock's house, in the carriage, hearing no sound but the clopping of the horses; they hadn't eaten yet, but the moon was already shining and the night had taken over the Swedish woods. The evening had been really pleasant, after all; talking and laughing, it was already dark when they said goodbye to the others and started going their way back.
« This reminds me of yesterday. » Eduard smiled. « Anyway. Remember when I told you that Miss Emile detests his brother's friendships, has no chance of finding a husband with her harsh behavior and all those things? »
« Yes, I do. » Tino eyed him confusedly. «Go on. »
« The solution of this problem was right under our noses and we didn't notice! » Eduard screeched excitedly. « She is going to marry Mathias! »
« What? » Tino thought about it for a second, before scrolling his head. «No way, no way. » He had observed Kohler's behavior that evening, and that hyper and joyful personality wasn't to his eyes the best match to Emilie's nerves.
« Listen to me. There's no other way. It's impossible to find someone being able to stand her. But as far as I know (and I'm good friend with Lukas), the three of them are childhood friends. He needs a wife, she needs a husband; what better chance to walk down the aisle? »
Tino blinked; it didn't sound that illogical after all. But…
« But still, something feels off. »
Eduard nodded approvingly. « I know, right? Your question from before really disturbed them, although the Bondeviks are good at hiding it. But I know better! And Tino, you did a good job in asking them. »
Tino sighed. « You knew I was going to do it, didn't you? »
« Yes, because that's a normal thing to ask. Nothing strange, nothing they should get upset about. I don't understand their behavior. »
« And why, » Tino added, as if suddenly remembering something, « did you tell them about my property in Finland? »
Eduard elegantly adjusted the glasses on his nose. « If they know, there's a higher chance the message will get across to other people, especially thanks to Mathias, who is the most socially active out of them. And who knows, maybe someone will want to know you. »
Tino rested his chin on his palm, observing his cousin. He was eccentric and nosey, that's true; but he was also smart and clever, maybe somehow calculator, though he was sure: Eduard was a good person. Raili was lucky to have him.
Eduard batted his eyes, questioningly watching Tino back.
« Do I have something on my face? »
« No, I was just wondering… » He paused for a moment, « why are you so interested in other people's lives? Not that I'm not, but you really try everything for gossip. »
Eduard let out an amused laugh. « I just think people are interesting, Tino. Although they claim their lives are nothing special, I think every single story, even behind the most boring person in the world, needs to be told. To say it in other words, each life is a book and I want to read it, will I be called meddler for it. »
Tino seemed satisfied with that answer and closed his eyes to rest for a while. That was his second day and so much was already happening! He felt curiosity for the Bondevik's affair building up inside him too. He wasn't nosey; but he was rather curious, and he sensed something interesting here.
Moreover, Tino liked already Lukas, Eduard, Raili, even Emilie. He enjoyed people, though differently from the way Eduard did. He observed personalities, and his delight was to find the little particularities about one's behavior. For example, the way Mathias scratched a little cut on his thumb continuously. Or the way Raili braided a little lock of hair when she got lost in her thoughts.
Tino, he was a very simple person, he knew it. But he had felt comfortable that evening: as if the people facing him had already welcomed him even though he was nothing special.
I really hope they liked me too, he simply thought before falling asleep with a smile on his face.
A/N: Hello again! I spent a lot of time on this chapter, re-reading it over and over, so I really hope you enjoyed it. Tino has a big, big heart, but he's not as simple as he thinks to be. I really like him. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this second chapter!
Thanks to nobodys-handmaid for editing it.
Camilla