Going on a bit of a break after this update, but never fear I'll be back soon! Do leave some reviews, its always nice to read encouragement/hate ;)

"Are you sure you want to go?" asked Susan worriedly. Liana fastened her sash around her waist and turned to give her friend a look.

"I'm sure my brother will prefer to hear from me that his wife has died, rather than from anyone else," she answered monotonously. Susan bit her lip. Liana immediately felt a stab of guilt. "I'm sorry, Susan. I don't know what's gotten into me."

"You're upset," said Susan. She gave Liana a smile. "Don't apologize. I just wish I knew how to help you."

"You're helping me a great deal without realizing it," said Liana. "Both you and Lucy have been very kind to Merda and the baby, and I can't thank you enough for keeping a room for me in the palace."

Susan clicked her tongue. "A promise is a promise. Don't be silly. We weren't going to turn you out."

Liana smiled and opened the door to her room. "I'll see you soon, I hope."

"Take as long as you need. Your room will still be here when you return," Liana shut the door on Susan's smiling face and sighed before collecting her faculties and walking out of the palace. The day was bright and sunny, and she intended to make it to the ports by the time her brother's ship came in. She crossed the gardens and had just passed by the stables when she heard her name. Reflexively, she stopped and turned around.

Edmund squinted against the glaring sun and gave her an odd look. "Where are you going in this heat?" he called out. They were still sufficiently far away from each other that a private conversation was next to impossible.

"To the ports," answered Liana. Edmund frowned and indicated for her to wait. She crossed her arms over her chest huffily and stood tapping her shoe against the ground until he reemerged from the stable, wearing his sword.

"Is your brother returning today?" he asked as he joined her under the shade of a tree. Liana nodded. Edmund looked up thoughtfully. "I'll come with you."

Liana blinked. "What?"

"To the ports. I'll come with you."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know," he flashed a quick grin in her direction. "I want to. Shall we?"

Bemused, Liana nodded. "If you insist, Your Highness."

Edmund raised his eyebrows as they began walking. "I'd think, Liana, after all that has happened, you might call me by my first name permanently now."

Liana's lips twitched. "I might," she conceded. "But that would be too easy for you."

"You intend to make me work for your friendship?" asked Edmund. His eyes crinkled as he grinned at her. "Challenge accepted."

"Not everything is a duel," she admonished . A Dryad fluttered by in the breeze, and a flower caught in Liana's hair. She smiled and plucked it out, twirling it around in her fingers.

Edmund snagged it from her and tucked it into her hair. Liana looked up at him in surprise. "With you, that seems to be the case."

Liana blinked, taking a few seconds to remember what they had been talking about. "Oh… I wouldn't think I am that difficult to win over."

"I didn't think you were," said Edmund. He reached for her arm and pulled back her sleeve. Liana was too caught off guard to stop him, and he got a glimpse of the diamond bracelet before she pulled her hand away. "Was I mistaken?"

The question was obviously rhetorical. She bit her lip. They walked in silence for a few moments, but she couldn't stand it. "It means nothing," she blurted out.

Edmund raised his eyebrows and shrugged casually. "It is none of my concern."

Liana was taken aback. "Of course, I didn't mean-"

"No, I'm sorry," said Edmund immediately. "It is my concern. You're not like this, Liana. Why do you wear it? Why do you wear any of them? I've teased you about suitors for months, but you never said it meant nothing."

Liana blinked at his outburst, but couldn't resist asking him a question that was bothering her. "What would I gain from telling you, Edmund?"

"Someone who was willing to listen," said Edmund without hesitation. "We are friends, are we not?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"So then tell me what troubles you."

Liana hesitated. "I don't think I should," she spoke slowly.

Edmund was silent. "Why?" he asked quietly.

"Because I need a willing listener, not a swordsman," said Liana dryly. The tension diffused. Edmund laughed loudly. "I'm serious!" she persisted. "Sometimes I'm afraid you'll cut open the first man who proposes to me!"

Her words sounded comical, but she had said them for a reason. Edmund stopped laughing, and his eyes darkened. "I will if he's not good enough," he said. His words sounded like a promise. Liana shuddered and tugged at his arm. He looked at her and grinned roguishly. "Don't worry, if all else fails, I'll marry you."

"I thought I told you to stop flirting?" said Liana. She tried to sound stern, but failed. His words had unsettled her. As dear as all the royals were to her, she couldn't deny the special place King Edmund occupied in her heart. How special that place exactly was, was something she still had not decided.

"You did," he winked. "But it doesn't count as flirting until I kiss you."

"Then I fear for the time when you do start flirting," said Liana, rolling her eyes. A playful Edmund wasn't something she was used to, but she was surprised to find that she wasn't uneasy. Truth be told, she was having fun.

"Of course, that brings us back to the matter at hand," said Edmund. Liana raised her eyebrows. He touched her wrist again. "Your jewels, of course."

Liana shrugged. "They're pretty."

"Really?" asked Edmund skeptically.

"Well, you can't say this isn't absolutely gorgeous," said Liana, slipping it off her wrist. She handed it to him. "What do your eyes tell you, King Edmund?"

"Just Edmund," he corrected automatically. He inspected the bracelet critically and gave it back to her. "So your reasoning is that as long as they are pretty and well-made, you have no scruples in wearing them?"

"Well, they're gifts," said Liana defensively. "I certainly made no promises when I accepted them."

"So if I gave you something, you would wear it?" did she imagine the hopefulness in his tone?

Liana ignored her overactive imagination and winked. "It would have to be pretty enough."

Edmund inclined his head slightly. "I'll look into it."

"That's not a hint for you to buy me a present, Edmund."

"Of course not, Liana," he took her arm as they neared the village. "I wouldn't think of it."

The rest of their journey was silent, but comfortable. The village was crowded with early risers. Many of them knew Liana, and gave her smiles as she passed by. The few who recognized her companion either bowed or stared, slack-jawed. But Edmund's composure didn't weaken. Liana was actually impressed at his ability to smile at everyone, despite the hand that stayed on his sword.

"You might let that alone," she said finally. "No one will harm you."

"I worry more for your safety than mine," he said, his eyes watchful as a group of merchants in foreign garb stared at them. "Everyone has enemies, Liana."

"Not a Healer. I save lives."

"And sometimes you save the wrong ones," he shot back. Liana raised her eyebrows, but didn't respond. They reached the ports, but Edmund stopped before they could go any further. "Tell your brother I am sorry for his loss and he can take as long as he needs to recover," said Edmund as she turned to look at him. "I'm afraid I should be returning before dinner. Will you join us?"

"Not for a few more days," said Liana. "I should get the children and Rinas settled, and I want to find a nurse for the baby. I can't look after her all the time and Merda is barely five."

Edmund nodded. "You will let me know if I can help, of course."

Liana smiled. "I will. But you've helped enough."

Edmund inclined his head and touched her hand. Liana saw him hesitate for only a second before he brought it to his lips, grazing them against her knuckles. She froze. He walked away without another word.