A Holiday by Decree
~~Day 12~~
Beneath the cabana's cool shade, Sansa and Tyrion were served hot, steaming soup and golden, perfectly crusty rolls. The meal looked delicious, the broth being clear and aromatic, and the colorful vegetables stewed within shone brightly. Small, cut tomatoes, chopped green beans, and amber-hued pumpkin looked like gems among pieces of tiny, light-colored fish the crew had caught on their voyage.
Sansa and Tyrion laughed together, both of them hesitant at first at their steaming bowls. The thought of eating hot soup when they had been out walking in the hot sun seemed odd. Still, Tyrion had to point out: the food looked delicious, and had the staff so far steered them wrong? So lifting their darkly-lacquered wooden spoons, they each enjoyed a first bite, and then lifted up to watch each other grin.
The light soup was sour, evoking sweet citrus but still also perfectly, mouth-wateringly savory. While the soft vegetables and fish morsels were tender, certain of the greens still held a fresh snap that enhanced a spicy end-note that danced across the tongue with each bite that made the toasty, fresh bread a most welcome side.
"I don't usually think of hearty, Northern stews this way, but this soup is actually refreshing," Sansa observed excitedly, and Tyrion agreed, taking another spoonful.
They ate their meal at a leisurely pace, talking less but admiring the nearby ocean view more. "Is it me, but does everything seem to taste better here?" Tyrion asked, reclining and putting his spoon down gently in his empty bowl.
"No, I have felt the same," she said, picking contentedly at what was left of her bread and sharing his look.
"Do you think it's something about the ocean or possibly the salt air? Or maybe it's the local ingredients or how they use them?" he mused.
The tide pulled in and out a few beats before Sansa answered with a soft smile. "Or perhaps it's just the excellent company."
Tyrion looked down and snuffled embarrassedly at her compliment, drawing out Sansa's smile further. "My lady, if you continue to compliment me so, I may return to court more insufferable than others found me before they forced me on this trip."
Sansa grinned roguishly, "Oh then, will they send you away again?"
"That's a good point - they might," he laughed.
"Then, I don't plan to stop," she rebutted, and again Tyrion could not help but look down, happily smiling and flushed.
:
Over the years, Sansa had unfortunately come across Tyrion looking miserable countless times. Yet, as she noticed a change in herself the night before, she now basked all the more in how well he seemed to wear her affection, and it gave her courage to softly ask: "Tyrion, shall we check out that lagoon now?"
"Lead the way, my Lady," he grinned warmly, getting up to help her rise.
Sansa's heart beat with nervous energy, but with her hand in Tyrion's, she truly felt sure of what she was about to do.