A Holiday by Decree

~~ Day 3 ~~

Not really knowing what to expect, Sansa made the only plan she could and brought a book to breakfast that morning.

After watching the sunrise, she had made a point of bathing, styling her hair and make up, and selecting a dress for the day more carefully than rationality should have allowed.

In spite of a new sense of vigor at knowing she might run into Tyrion, she did manage to temper her choices a bit. A loose braid twisted with dark ribbon for her hair, while for makeup, she went with her usual daily look, though slightly warmed with a bronzy hue added on her cheekbones. Maybe the shimmering powder might catch the sun to mitigate her Northern paleness? For her dress though, she went with a bolder choice - a silken, long-balloon sleeved gown, with a flattering v-neckline, cinched A-line waist and modestly ruffled mid-calf skirt. The silk was a soft lavender embroidered with gilded sunbursts and decorated with more gold-threaded tassels. When she had decided she was finished, she had looked in the mirror and did a double take. It was perhaps the first time she had ever worn such a bright and exotic color.

However, her excitement had essentially stopped there, as she reminded herself: Tyrion may have agreed not to leave, but he never agreed to spend time with you, you silly woman.

Sansa also could not forget that Tyrion had also been really rather reserved with her. Things had been pleasant between them, and he had in word acknowledged he had forgiven her for the past. However, she knew there was much she still could not know, such as whether he felt any feelings warmer for her than just plain forgiveness for her; perhaps, he had just been very good at guarding more negative feelings and intended to make sure she remained out of his sight.

So after checking her hair one more time, she had grabbed the book she was reading off her bedside table and went to breakfast.

Another humid day, and sunny as it was, tropical birds were out aplenty, calling and singing in the thick, jungle of trees surrounding the property. Sansa listened to their chatter. Uneventfully, she sipped her cup of breakfast tea and read her book to the view of the ocean glittering like a gem under the bright sun.

Unwittingly enthralled by the view and the incredible ambiance of the place, she hardly noticed as a maid had approached to get her attention with a question.

"Milady, the groundskeeper let the kitchen know Lord Tyrion is on his way back from a morning stroll. Would you want a place set here at the table with you, ma'am?"

Sansa carefully put her book down, as the pace of her heart involuntarily kicked up in her chest, surprising her.

Clearing her throat to try to regain a bit of composure, the Queen of the North calmly replied, "Yes, I think that would be nice if Lord Tyrion could join me."