BuzzingBee

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

The two friends chatted casually until the servants placed their food in front of them on the table. Both of them gave a word of thanks before they turned their attention to their food. Penelope began to eat but Naida hesitated as someone seemed to catch her eye since in the next moment she grinned and waved to gain their attention. The knight noticed and followed her gaze until it landed on Crow. Seeing him again made her smile faintly. She was glad that she was able to see him again so soon, especially since she had only been able to talk very briefly with him the day before.

"Morning!" Naida greeted him cheerfully.

"Hey." Penelope gave him a casual greeting, not wanting to draw anymore attention to her feelings for him. Naida had already been hounding her about it this morning, the last thing she wanted was for that topic to come up again. Especially with Crow around. However, it was a bit difficult. Not only did she wish to be closer to him but she wanted to be able to speak with him more freely. But until things calmed down, she supposed she'd just have to settle for what she could get with their time together around Naida.

"So how's your first official day going?" Naida asked him with an eager grin.

"I was curious about that too." Penelope mused as she looked over at him. A hint of concern crossed her gaze. "Especially with the king using Collin instead of 'Crow' yesterday." It was a change that she'd have to get used to as well. Sure she had already known his real name, but she tended to only use it during moments she was certain no one else would over hear. Being able,and likely encouraged, to address him as that in public now felt a bit strange to the knight.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope really had trouble talking herself out of that one xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Heading up the stairs and down the corridor, the knight made her way to the princess' room once again. Glancing around at passing guards and other nobles, she thought about the ceremony from the day before. Even from a distance she could tell most were a bit more bitter today than usual. Other then that, it seemed that things in the castle were carrying on as they always had. She couldn't help but feel a bit strange as well.

She was picking up where she left off in her plans for her future after the war and now she had Crow with her. Or rather, nearby. It had only been a day but she could already tell this distance between each other wouldn't be easy. She had seen him for most of the afternoon the day before but had only managed to steal a short conversation with him and even then it hadn't been alone. The knight let out a long sigh, praying that their days apart would go quick and that her father would give Crow his approval soon enough. Still, it still felt a bit surreal that Crow was now viceroy and there would come a day when she'd be able to walk through the castle at his side as his lover—and eventually wife. The days she stood besides him as a guard were done.

The knight was pulled from her thoughts as she arrived at the princess' room. She came to a halt and knocked on the door before standing back. There was a short pause before it opened but this time, instead of Naida, it was a young servant girl who peered out. She blinked as her gaze fell on Penelope. "Did you need the princess, ma'am?" she asked in a soft, polite voice.

"Ah yes. I just want to return this dress." Penelope explained with a small smile.

The attendant was about to reply when Naida popped up from behind her, looking tired. She rubbed her eyes for a moment. "Who's here?" she asked. Her gaze fell on Penelope and she grinned. "Oh! Penelope! Come in, come in!"

"I just came to drop this off real quick. I've got a busy day ahead of me." Penelope explained with a shake of her head.

Naida deflated slightly and seemed ready to agree until Penelope's stomach rumbled again, this time louder. The princess smirked. "Well, nothing gets done on an empty stomach! Let's go get breakfast together." she said eagerly.

Penelope blushed slightly and then gave a small nod. "Alright."

"Here, I'll take the dress." the attendant offered. The knight complied with a small word of thanks as she handed the clothing over to her. As she took care of the dress, Naida stepped out to join her friend, waving her to follow her down the hallway. Penelope smiled and fell instep besides her as the two headed to the Great Hall. The knight glanced over at her she noticed the princess' gaze focused on her with a devilish smirk on her lips. She raised an eyebrow questioningly at her. "What?"

"Oh nothing." Naida quickly looked away and began studying her nails as if they had suddenly become interesting to her. However a smirk still tugged at the corner of her lips. "It just seems someone might fancy the new viceroy."

Penelope's eyes widened slightly and her heart began to beat nervously. It seemed she hadn't played off Naida's questions from the night before as well as she had thought. It seemed like Naida was just guessing so there was still time to keep her in the dark about her relationship with Crow. "What are you talking about?" she asked crossing her arms.

"Don't try to act like you don't know! I saw how flustered you got yesterday." Naida grinned. "You like him don't you?"

"Naida, you've got it wrong." Penelope rolled her eyes. "I was just caught off guard yesterday."

"A likely story." Naida snickered. "Do you blush every time you get surprised?"

"When you're asking questions like that, yes." Penelope huffed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"It can't be that ridiculous. You two clearly get along alright and he's attractive." The princess smiled excitedly at her. "Plus I certainly wouldn't mind having you for a sister Penelope."

Penelope pursed her lips together. It seemed convincing Naida that she didn't like Crow was more difficult than she anticipate. "That's nice but you've got the wrong idea. Besides I don't really feel like courting anyone right now." she stated. Naida studied her for a moment and began to open her mouth to object further but didn't get a chance to as they stepped into the Great Hall, which gave Penelope an opportunity to change the subject.

"Come on there's an open table over there. I don't know about you but I'm hungry." Penelope mused as she headed over to the empty seats.

"So I've heard." Naida smirked as she trailed after her friend. "I'm surprised you're still hungry after that feast yesterday."

"Well I didn't gorge myself like some of the nobles there." Penelope mused with a shrug. As the two reached the table, she sat down and waited for the servants to bring them their plates while striking up a different conversation with Naida, hoping to keep her from asking anymore about her feelings for Crow.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope's just really focusing on her work now XD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

"Penelope."

The knight stirred at the sound of a familiar voice. She blinked as her gaze adjusted to the morning light and looked over to see her father standing besides the foot of her bed. She let out a small yawn and slowly sat up, a bit confused on why John had bothered to wake her up. As far as she was aware, she had no duties that needed her immediate attention. "Hmm... What is it?" she asked as she let out a yawn.

"I just stopped by to tell you that Tybalt scheduled you for a guard shift tonight. You'll be stationed at the front gate." John explained.

"Alright... Couldn't you have told me later?" Penelope sighed.

John crossed his arms over his chest. "I have matters to attend to and I don't think you should be wasting the morning sleeping. You may not be on the battlefield anymore but there's still plenty to do."

"I know." Penelope muttered. "I've got my work planned out, father."

"Good. Make sure you do it." John said with a stern nod before turning to step out of the room.

She watched him go before stretching out her arms to jog herself awake. The knight had been hoping to get a bit more sleep, she still felt rather tired from all the traveling, but supposed that her father was right. There was plenty to be done and it was best to get to work. At least, now she knew she had all day to get part of it done. She shifted to sit at the edge of her bed and slipped her boots on as she readied to head out of the room. Thinking over her plans, she figured she'd be spending most of her day at the library in the castle. They'd have the paper and ink she'd need to write the various letters. She just wished she knew of more barons.

Her gaze drifted over to the dress on the table. It was best she returned that first though. The knight wanted to make sure she got it promptly back to Naida. The princess might not have been overly concerned but Penelope felt a bit bad the longer she held onto the dress since it was likely rather expensive. She rose to her feet and grabbed the neatly folded clothing and moved to head out of her room. But not before a soft rumble came from her stomach. Though she was alone, the knight blushed slightly. It seemed the Great Hall would likely be her second stop after returning the dress.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Nice XD
I have a feeling Penelope's in for it when she returns the dress lol

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

"See ya." Penelope smiled and gave a small wave to the two before stepping away. Once she was back amongst the other nobles, she nervously raked a hand through her hair. She wasn't sure what had cause Naida to ask such questions but the knight could only hope that the princess hadn't noticed her blush. Letting out a sigh, she rejoined her father as the banquet continued on, hoping it would reach its end soon.

As it drew later, the feast eventually finished and the nobles were dismissed. Penelope let out a small yawn, glad that it was finally over. She had been growing bored after spending the rest of the time with her family, listening to John and Krea discuss topics she found to be rather dull. The knight would have much rather spent the time doing something more productive. Though she supposed she was at least grateful she had gotten the chance to speak with Crow, even if it had been brief.

The knight sighed as she walked down the corridor to her quarters. Once she reached it, she slipped out of the green dress, struggling a little with the ties, and back into her regular clothing. Penelope stretched, letting out a small breath of relief to be out of the movement restricting dress. Looking down at it laid out on the bed, she debated taking it straight back to Naida. However, it was getting late. She was tired and she was rather sure her friend would be too, especially after drinking, so she decided to save it for tomorrow. Surely Naida wouldn't mind waiting a bit before receiving the dress.

Satisfied with her decision, she carefully folded the clothing and tucked it away on a clean spot on the table besides her bed. She moved and laid down on her bed, letting out another yawn. Now that Crow's ceremony was over, his first true day as a noble would begin and once again she wished she was able to be there besides him. But aside from keeping their relationship a secret, she had her own work to get started on. Once tomorrow came, she wanted to begin truly campaigning for the war's end, which meant she'd have quite a bit of letters to write. She also wanted to work on plans for after the war and there was also a possibility she'd have a guard shift now that she had given her letter to Tybalt.

There was a lot to think about and her mind continued to buzz even after she closed her eyes. Eventually weariness won out though and the knight's thoughts melted away as she drifted off to sleep.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Nice cx

Penelope's struggled a little to play it casual XD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope nodded her head as Naida pointed out it could still be some time before the banquet ended. Not only were they drinking but she was rather certain the nobles would want to take up extra time for gossiping. It wasn't often so many powerful nobles were gathered in one place like this so she was sure they'd want to make the most of it. Even if some of them were upset over the results of the day.

She was about to comment on it as well but didn't get the chance as the queen spoke up to Naida. Penelope shifted a bit awkwardly and averted her gaze as the queen chided her daughter. She remained a bit tense, unsure what to say afterwards. Since she was still getting used to thinking of Naida as a princess, it was a bit intimidating to the knight to hear the queen speak so sternly. Luckily, Crow eventually spoke up and the knight relaxed once more. She looked over at Crow and smirked in amusement at his words.

"Definitely no way you're sneaking out of this." she agreed with Naida as she glanced around. Her attention shifted back over to them as Naida teased Crow about no woman wanting him for a suitor. She shifted a bit uneasily at the topic, especially as Naida pointed out he could 'have any woman he wanted'. Though she had no concern about his feelings for her, it did make her wonder how his new family would react to them being together.

She didn't get to dwell on it long though as Naida addressed her. "Thanks." she smiled at her friend, appreciative of the compliment until she went on to ask Crow for his opinion. The knight blinked in surprise and looked over at the thief, unsure what to do as he offered a casual comment. She gave him a small nod and hoped the subjected would be dropped. Instead it got worse.

Penelope blinked again as Naida then asked her about Crow. She hesitated, unsure what to say. The thief's new look had caught her off guard earlier and she had still been adjusting to it. In all honest, he did look quite handsome. Of course, she couldn't just admit that willingly. "Certainly a big difference from before." she replied with a shrug as she quickly shifted her gaze away from Crow. Despite the knight's wishes, she felt her cheeks grow a bit warm.

She turned her head to glance back at the nobles before looking back at the other two, trying to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. "I should probably get going. If anyone else wants to wish any fake congratulations I'm sure they won't like me holding up the line." she mused casually with a smirk.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Penelope noticed right away XD