reznikolai | I N B O X

[Some could argue it was a bit rude to consider that topic one that most women enjoyed... but Konoha was not one of those people. Of course women enjoyed that sort of talk, and if a man needed to consult with someone about it, she could surely provide a sympathetic ear? Besides, he might be a sea captain, that was daring and brave, but she would be his senior in this arena, so... It allows her to feel just a bit in control of something. Just a bit.]

Oh, I'm sorry... I know it takes a lot of nerve to ask. It took me months to ask my husband to make me his wife...

[Months! She does sound genuinely sympathetic, though, who wouldn't be? The idea of confessing your feelings and proposing only to be rejected for another was tragic. And it had been years since? Had he been heartbroken that whole time... ? Desperate for the distraction, her imagination is ready to run amok.]

What kind of wife are you looking for... ?

[On the contrary, it had taken Nikolai no time at all to propose, and he had hardly needed to work up the nerve. He already had plenty of it. No sooner had he revealed his true identity to Alina than he was floating the idea of the Sun Summoner becoming his queen. Then what started as a clever political maneuver gradually turned to genuine feelings — but only on his side. He took for granted that she would say yes to a prince. She was, as always, full of surprises.

Nevertheless, he accepts Konoha's condolences with a soft squeeze of her hand.]

Worry not, I have no shortage of nerve. As for my ideal wife...well, she must be intelligent, beautiful, and gifted in witty repartee, of course.

[Then his expression turns from glib to thoughtful. His gaze turns aside.]

I would want us to be equal partners. Quite simply, I want someone who knows my mind and heart and decides I am worthy of being loved.

[Regardless, he adds privately.]

[Intelligent, beautiful, and good at talking? That is... such a tall order. Konoha's eyebrows raise a bit, mouthing a little "oh" as if thinking of how to break it to him that those were really high standards. He really did have nerve... Except then he says that, and... Hmmm. Her gaze turns thoughtful as if to mirror his, not necessarily having expected such a deep answer.]

That's really poetic...

[He was handsome, so he had that going for him to attract a wife, and he was a good talker, too, but hmmm... was a sea captain a high standing position? In her own world, not so much, but... She much prefers the idea of marrying for love herself, and if that's what he wanted too...]

I was going to ask if you had a good prospects for betrothal gifts, but maybe you can just charm a really fancy lady like that by talking about love instead... I haven't heard many men talk like that, I think you could really impress a woman if you were honest...

[Honesty was the best policy, after all!]

[Nikolai enjoys it perhaps a little too much, briefly pretending that his only obstacle to marriage is that he hasn't found the right girl yet. It's certainly preferable to the reality of it. That he has a secret, a literal inner demon, that would send any woman with two wits to rub together running in the opposite direction. That he cannot wait for love, because time is running out. That marriage can only be a political game for him, and he has no choice but to play.

His eyes are back on Konoha.]

You think so?

[He looks as though the idea has never occurred to him. Of course, his potential bride's dowry was yet another factor in Zoya's calculations as she gathered her list of candidates. It was the reason she kept pushing him toward Hiram Schenck's oh-so-eligible daughters. Having a father-in-law on Kerch's Merchant Council would be a huge boon to a debt-laden king.]

Do you think I might impress a wealthy merchant's daughter? [A grin, as if enjoying a private joke.] A duke's daughter? A princess?

Of course I think so.

[Konoha answers with the surety of a woman who saw very little merit or need to say something she didn't honestly believe. Well, of course there were times when one should be more diplomatic, especially with samurai or nobility in her social caste driven culture, but. They're just two people here, so why say something that she didn't think was true?

(Hah).]

I don't know about a lady that high class, since they have all sorts of rules to follow whether they're in love or not, but I think you could definitely marry a merchant's daughter!

[As much as she loved a good love story... She was a realist as well, and as charming as he was she couldn't imagine a duke or an emperor allowing their daughter to marry a ship's captain, no matter how dashing and gentlemanly he was... (An affair, well, maybe, depending on how discrete they were? But this is marriage talk!)]

And then you could go into business with her father and you'd probably make even more money!

[Love and business success!]

[Indeed, he knows all too well the rules that bind those with titles to bear. The higher the status, the tighter the expectations. But there is little point in worrying about that here. In a way, he's been granted a reprieve from the ticking time bomb of his search for a bride.

He smiles brightly at Konoha.]

An excellent proposition, Miss Konoha. Should I need advice in matters of love in the future, I'm certain I can rely on your wisdom and experience.

[He doesn't intend to fall in love here. It is only a temporary stay. Someday — he is determined — he must return to Ravka, his first love, his truest love, and whomever he meets here he cannot take with him.]

[Excellent, he says, and Konoha beams a little bit, glad to be told her idea held merit when she had become... admittedly somewhat used to her way of thinking not being as applicable in other worlds and these sorts of strange, energy-generating touch lands. She didn't have the education nor the imagination to conjure up ways to somehow manipulate time and space and magic to get them all back to their proper worlds, but.]

If it's love advice... you can leave it to me!

[... and, as she would soon prove, he could also leave the consumption of quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, and fish tacos to her as well, possessed of two stomachs in need of feeding to fuel a body over half a ton in weight.

At the very least, their hand holding at least produced enough manna to offset the bill...]

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