[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tHK3yAW.png[/img][/center]
[hr][hr][sub][b]Location:[/b] Aelios Temple[/sub]
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For a long moment, Eris could only stare. Eyes wide, cheeks burning with a heat impossible to hide, she struggled to keep pace with the Lord’s flood of self-praise and boasts. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Inwardly, she winced.

This felt like some kind of cruel joke, or perhaps a nightmare of her own making. Staring at Ayel’s naked form before her, she wasn’t entirely sure that it wasn’t. She had known him to be... eccentric, but to hear him speak so freely of his own grandeur and her supposed fortune to receive his hand was something else entirely. 

She supposed some women in the capital might think themselves lucky for it. 

They’d be the talk of Aurelia, indeed. Her father would be beside himself. Giddy at the thought of a Hightower matched to a Raunefeldt. Such a union would raise both families' influence to glittering heights… and her own reputation to scandalous depths. Her mother would pity her, but remain silent.

Her brother would laugh, she thought. Or worse, lecture her on how far Raunefeldt coin could further their research and insist that he could find use for a brother-in-law with closeness to the Prince.

The image of sharing a household — [i]a life[/i] — with Ayel sent an involuntary shiver crawling down her spine. She fought to keep it from showing on her face.

[color=B1E4FC]“My Lord,”[/color] she began softly, the corners of her lips curving into a delicate, practiced smile. [color=B1E4FC]“I… I am truly overwhelmed by your graciousness.”[/color]

She hesitated, then carefully removed her hands from her pockets and smoothed them over her dress. Slowly, she bent in a deep bow, training her eyes on a dark spot in the floorboards as she forced the words free from her throat. 

[color=B1E4FC]“It is no small thing to receive such a proposal from a man of your station. I am… honored that you would think of me so kindly.”[/color]

Her tone was steady, her expression the picture of courtly composure, but inside, her mind raced for a way to redirect the conversation before he mistook her politeness for acceptance.

[color=B1E4FC]“However,"[/color] she continued quickly, her voice light and apologetic as she rose upright, her eyes finding his through the dim lighting. [color=B1E4FC]“You’ve endured quite an ordeal, and I cannot in good conscience make so significant a decision while you are still cold and no doubt shaken from this encounter.”[/color]

Her gaze flicked toward the guards — an escape. 

[color=B1E4FC]“Perhaps,”[/color] she said, inclining her head toward the man standing at the far end of the hall, [color=B1E4FC]“you might fetch Lord Raunefeldt some proper robes and a coat. The guest wardrobes should have something suitable. We can hardly send him home in such a state.”[/color]

The guard hesitated, exchanged a glance with the other, then nodded and disappeared down the corridor.

Eris turned her attention back to Ayel, offering another faint, patient smile. [color=B1E4FC]“You see, my Lord, I only wish to give your most generous offer the full consideration it deserves. Surely, such a noble union is not something to be rushed.”[/color]

Her phrasing was deliberate. Gentle, deferential, but intentionally noncommittal. She knew the way his ego worked; to deny him outright would likely wound his pride and invite a tantrum. Better to placate him with the illusion of progress. For now. 

[color=B1E4FC]“Let us first inform the Prince of what transpired here,”[/color] she continued, folding her hands neatly before her. [color=B1E4FC]“Ensuring Dawnhaven’s safety — and yours — must come before all else. Then, once this matter is resolved…”[/color] She offered a graceful dip of her chin. [color=B1E4FC]“…we may speak again.”[/color]

A quiet shuffle echoed down the hall as the guard returned, carrying a neatly folded set of guest robes, simple leather shoes that looked better suited for the barracks, and a thick guard’s coat. Plain, but warm.

Eris took them, then stepped aside and extended her arm in offering, careful to avert her eyes from Ayel’s unclothed form. [color=B1E4FC]“Here, my Lord. These should suffice until you can return to your manor.”[/color]

Her voice remained measured and kind, but her body angled subtly away, leaving him room to take the garments without further impropriety.

In front of her, the other guard — Kale — turned and took the clothes from her. Eris stiffened briefly, then let her hands retreat back into her coat pockets as he entered the High Priestess’ chambers. His dark eyes narrowed on Ayel as he extended the clothing toward him, gesturing with a curt nod for the Lord to take them and leave.

Eris, meanwhile, held her position by the door, her expression composed, though her thoughts tangled beyond measure. With everything that had happened this morning, and now this… her head ached.

[color=B1E4FC]“Please,”[/color] she broke the silence, her gaze fixed on the floorboards, [color=B1E4FC]“give me but a little time to consider your… generous offer.”[/color]

She drew in one slow breath, then another. [color=B1E4FC]“Let us be certain the temple is secure, my Lord. The guards will scour the area and alert the others of what happened here.”[/color] Her eyes lifted to the guard in the hallway for silent confirmation before she added, softly, [color=B1E4FC]“I must attend to some other matters here first, but I... I will let you know when I have made my decision at once.”[/color]

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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Ayel [@Dezuel][/sub]