Tough case

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 3rd October 2007

Characters: Corowal, Erassa
Description: Corowal surprises Erassa with a picnic, but things don't go exactly as he planned.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 2 of Turn 4

"The older children are in harper classes and the younger ones should be having a daynap just right, so you'll have easy time. Just be here in case they woke up," Corowal explained to the woman that followed her when they entered the appartment. "Shouldn't be longer than candlemark or two."

"Yes, my lord," the woman nodded.

"Erassa!" Corowal called softly.

"I'm here, just a moment," she called as she finished pinning the baby's fresh nappy. "Come on little girl, let's go see what your father wants, hmm?" her milkmother said as she lifted Willia to her shoulder and walked towards the open door. "Yes, sir?"

"Heludia here is going to watch the children for a moment, while you're coming with me," the Lord holder grinned. His eyes were sparking joyfully, when he was thinking his plans.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously as she shifted the baby on her shoulder.

"It's a surprise. Just give her the baby. She's been fed recently, isn't she?" Corowal replied.

"Yes, sir," she said as she nodded to the young woman to come take her "And just changed."

The babysitter took the baby. "What a little cutie you are!" she crooned.

Corowal took a black scarf from his pocket and tied it around Erassa eyes.

"What..." Now Erassa was starting to become nervous.

"Trust me," Corowal said assuringly and took her arm tightly under his. He started to lead the blindfolded fostermother. Once outside the appartments, he spun her around few times to make her loose her sense of direction. Then he led her on. He refused to ask her questions and only thing he said was occasional: "stairs"-warning. If the hold folk gave them odd looks, at least _she_ didn't saw them. Finally there was whole lot of stairs.

"Tadaa!" Corowal pulled the blind fold off. They were up in fire height, high above the hold. The view was breath-taking. There was already a picnic dinner set up for two.

Her eyes widened at the view stretched out below them. It was almost like flying! They were up so high... Then her eyes fell on the lunch laid out for them. He had put a lot of thought into this. The food, the babysitter who could be sure they would not be interrupted, the secluded place where no one could disturb them... **Oh shards...** She knew what the whole Hold thought of her. They all assumed she was Corowal's whore. She didn't mind so much what they thought, but did _he_ think... "Why did you do all this?" she asked in a quiet whisper.

"Because you deserve a little break. Because I want to show how much I appreaciate the work you're done with my children. I know Wallia hasn't been an easy baby," Corowal replied. **And because I can and I found you attractive**, he added to himself only.

"She's a sweet baby," Erassa said softly. "But I'm only doing my duty..." **I'm only trying to do what's best for my own son...** Was this really just a sign of gratitude? Or a signal that he would come to expect more from their arrangment than just caring for the children's needs? As the ruined mother of a bastard son, did she dare refuse him if he _did_ expect more?

"And noisy," Corowal added. "Although she is getting over the worst of the colic, isn't she? Wine or juice?"

"Juice. I'm still nursing." And she needed to keep her wits about her.

Corowal poured her a glass of juice. He took wine himself. "Avian wings or meatrolls? The kitchen has been generous."

"Avian wing," she said quietly, reaching out for the glass he offered her. "Thank you, sir."

Corowal offered her a plate. "Ach, come on now, haven't we known each other long enough to drop off that sir."

She took the plate with a grateful nod. "I think that is not a good idea, sir. I am still your subject and your personal employee. One day you will remarry, and I doubt your future wife would appreciate such familiarity between us. Sir." And she definitely wanted to keep that distinction crytal clear in his mind as well. She was not his friend.
She was not his mistress.

She was a tough case, Corowal had to admit, but he just enjoyed the challenge more. "A possible future wife isn't here and now," he pointed out.

Erassa picked up her knife and fork and began slowly cutting a tubar rather than look at him. She didn't want to know what look was in his eyes. "I'm sure it's only a matter of time, sir."

"No doupt, there's plenty of volunteers. It won't be a love marriage thoug," Corowal said.

"I'm sure you will learn to love each other." One thing was for sure, whoever it would be, it would not be Erassa. Not the ruined mother of a bastard son who only got out of the kitchens because she could nurse his daughter. Would his future wife even want her hanging around?

Corowal just shrugged. What was love? Young people's foolishness. Yet, he had loved Ofelia.

She felt rather uncomfortable in the silence that stretched between them as they chewed their food. If his intensions _were_ completely innocent, she must seem an ungrateful wretch. She certainly didn't feel ungrateful to him. What did it matter what his intentions for her were?
He had given her a chance when no one else would. A chance for her was a chance for Beleran... "Sir, I can never repay you for the kindness you have shown me and my son."

"Are you sure? There might be way, " Corowal replied cryptically, flashing a grin.

"No, sir," Erassa replied coldly, bristling at the veiled invitation, "I don't think there is."

"Don't bet on it, " Corowal's voice was full of confidence.

Erassa's jaw tightened. It was obvious what his intentions had been.
Pushing herself back she stood to her feet. "I had better check on Wallia now. Thank you, sir, for the lunch. Unfortunately, I'm not very hungry anymore."

"Aw, Erassa. I'm disappointed with you. I though you like to ...enjoy your life," Corowal said and lifter his wine glass to the air, letting the sun's rays shine thru the ruby liquid. He knew he wasn't very subtle, but he was getting tired of waiting.

The disappoint left a bitter taste in her mouth. "And I thought you were a good man. I guess we were both wrong. Sir."

"I'm human, " Corowal said. "Don't you ever get lonely at nights? I do."

"You think I ran off with B'lion because I was lonely at night?" she snapped back. "I may have been a silly romantic girl, but I was never easy."

"Watch were you step, Erassa dear, and don't forget who you're talking to, " Corowal warned her with deceivingly care-free voice. He would tolerate her tricks only to a certain limit and she was fast approaching it.

Erassa's smile was cold, like a snear. "Even a Lord Holder's power has its limitations. I know the charter. I know my rights. You will never scare me into your bed. Sir."

Corowal sighed. "How did end up fighting like this?" he asked with a sad tone. It was completely fake of course. He had realized he was using wrong tactic and now tried to mend his error.

"I think it was when you decided to act like a wherry's ass, sir." As if he didn't already know. "Now, Lord Corowal, I must go check on your children. Thank you for the meal. It was certainly enlightening."
Turning on her heel she hurried back down the stairs he had lead her up not half a candlemark before. She didn't care if he followed her, she didn't care of she kicked her out of his Hold right that second. She just wanted to get as far away from him as possible before she spit in his face.

Corowal muttered an oath but then shrugged and finished his wine. It's not like she was the only fish in the ocean.

Last updated on the October 3rd 2007

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Tough case