Pure Adoration and Happiness

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 11th November 2020

Characters: Bryvin, Brina, Asaile
Description: Bryvin makes a decision and a proposal
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 5, day 10 of Turn 10

Bryvin

Brina

Asaile

Asaile smoothed down her skirts and exhaled slowly, trying to calm her
riotous nerves as she approached the small, private dining room. This
time, her maid didn't trail behind her, having been instructed to
remain in her rooms. A private, or mostly private dinner with Lord
Bryvn and Lady Brina, brought her heart to hammering in her chest. No
other girl had been asked to a second dinner. Perhaps Lord Bryvin did
favor her, at least a little.

She'd worn one of her finest dresses, a soft pale green that accented
her skin and eyes with delicate silver-threaded embroidery down the
bodice panel, sleeves and skirts. It was modestly cut in comparison to
many of the other ladies' gowns, but her maid swore that it
complimented her slim curves to perfection. Her maid had also done up
her hair and by some magic, her curls were under control, shiny and
bouncy, yet without the dreaded frizz that sometimes came with the
mass. She looked her best. She hoped that they both approved.

She approached the entrance to the dining hall and stepped in, her
mouth parting at the lovely array of blooms that decorated and seemed
to spread over the table. "Oh how lovely..."

Hearing the soft voice, Brina turned from the window where she'd been
conversing with her brother and, with a welcoming smile, crossed the
room to greet the young girl. "Lady Asaile. What a beautiful gown!" She
herself was dressed in pale amethyst and silver, the colors of the lost
Hold of her family. This was a special occasion, after all. She stepped
aside to let Bryvin see. "Don't you think so, brother?"

Bryvin smiled. "Indeed sister," he stepped toward Asiaile. "You look
very lovely this evening," he murmured as he bowed over her hand.

Asaile dropped into an immediate deep curtsy and rose only after
Bryvin took her hand. "Thank you, Lady Brina. Lord Bryvin." Her cheeks
flushed and she dipped her head. "Everything looks so beautiful. Thank
you for taking the trouble to make it so." She felt her stomach
flutter with excitement and anticipation for the coming dinner; she
hoped that she could at least impress both of them a little more.

Bryvin led her to her chair and held it for her and then went around
the table to do the same for his sister. He made a summoning motion
with one hand and the servers began to file in with their first
course. He smiled at Asaille, "How was your day today?"

She sat, surprised the she was at one side of him and Lady Brina at
the other and felt her heart leap. Before, she'd sat across, but
beside Brina. Now, she was right by his side! As her first plate was
placed in front of her, a small salad, her attention was almost
completely on the Lord Holder. "Oh, I had a very busy day. I helped
Lady Brina in the creche. Your children are quite charming, my Lord.
Little Brylex is the sweetest little boy. And then we worked on
helping your Headwoman with completing a supply inventory." She looked
at Lady Brina; while it hadn't been an unusual day, she'd been nearly
buzzing with excitement thinking about the planned dinner. "I think
our day was very busy."

"It was. I'm glad you weren't too tired to make it to dinner, especially
after a morning in the creche," Brina said as she poured a small glass
of wine for each of them. "I don't know where the children get their
energy from. Sometimes I'm tempted to go and lie down after visiting them!"

"My it was busy," Bryvin laughed. He loved children and it showed when
he went to the creche to visit. Although he didn't stay as long as the
Ladies obviously had. "I can imagine how tiring it might be," he said.
"But thank you. I know my children enjoy your visits."

Asaile took the small glass when Brina handed it to her and gave a
polite sip before putting it down. She smiled over at Bryvin, eyes
soft and unbeknownst to her, obviously adoring, as his laugh making
her heart flutter yet again. To her mind, the laugh felt buttery soft
hide caressing her skin. "I really enjoy my time in the creche. It
doesn't tire me at all, if I may be honest. I helped my mother in our
creche at home. There's not as many children, but I do enjoy it,
especially playing their little games. I like teaching them their
letters and numbers early." She glanced up at Brina and Bryvin, face
flushing. "I know it's the Harper's duties, but the Harpers at our
Hold were appreciative. I hope that's the same here."

"I imagine they'd be pleased to have the children come to their classes
already knowing those things." Brina smiled. "I remember teaching my
daughter her numbers. She was so excited to learn, she would count
anything she could find to anyone who would listen. Her fingers, her
toys, the beasts in the fields, whatever was on her dinner plate. It's
one of the great pleasures in life, to see the joy in a child when they
understand something new."

Bryvin smiled at his sister noting the ease she felt with Asaile and
although he hadn't discussed it with her previous to their meal this
evening he got the feeling that she approved of this young woman. With
the addition of her relation to Lord Rorigraf there was no downside he
could discern. Bryvin reached for his napkin and patted his lips
before clearing his throat and reaching for Asaile's hand. Holding it
in his, he rose from his chair to kneel at her side.

"Sweet Lady," he said softly and with intensity in his eyes. "With my
sister as witness I must tell you I can think of nothing that could
make me happier than if you would consent to be my wife. If it would
please you, I would like to apply to your father for your hand." He
bent his head over her fingers and touched them lightly with his lips.

Asaile's eyes followed Bryvin as he rose, then widened in shock as he
knelt beside her. Her mouth parted and she took a quick inward breath,
feeling her heart leap in her chest as though it would pound out of
her throat. She tried to form the words, but only heard his words
singing in her mind. **He wants me! He's choosing me! He's asking
me!** Her head felt light as she felt her eyes sting with the
beginnings of happy tears that she quickly blinked back. At that
moment, all she could see was his face and his lips on her fingers
felt like the warmest, sweetest brand she could have ever wanted.
Asaile wanted to squeal in delight, and she held herself back, trying
to form an immediate assent with her lips but faltered. Could it be
true?

Then a pure, delighted smile lit her face and her voice was soft,
trembling with utter happiness. "Oh, Lord Bryvin, it would make me
very happy to say yes. Yes. Very much yes. I can't think of anything
that would make me happier. It would please me very much. " She had no
doubt that her father would consent. His wife! She'd be his wife!
She'd have dark haired babies with his eyes and she would do anything
to see him smile at her every day.

Her obvious joy made his eyes crinkle. **So sweet and innocent.** He
schooled his expression from triumph to a smile and lifted his head.
He was determined to keep her just as sweet as possible for his own
peace of mind. She'd know nothing of his other interests or business
dealings. He'd experienced happiness and love with Danrina for a time
just because of that. He smiled into her eyes. "May I kiss you," he
asked and looked at his sister briefly flicking his eyes toward the
door before returning his eyes to Asaile.

Brina cleared her throat and got to her feet, with a knowing look for
her brother. "If you would excuse me, my Lord, Lady Asaile, I've just
remembered a small matter I must attend to. I'll return shortly." She
turned and walked to the door, barely suppressing the amused curve of
her lips as she left them alone together.

His question both stunned and delighted her. She'd dreamed about just
such a thing happening and in her wildest hopes, it had always only
ever happened at their wedding. A first kiss. A real kiss. She
barely noticed Lady Brina leaving, but it did register that as she
left, they were alone for the first time. Face flushed, her eyes
locked on Lord Bryvin's and she nodded, her voice tremulous. "Yes, my
Lord."

He smiled gently down into her eyes for a moment longer before tilting
her chin up with a finger and softly capturing her lips. The other
hand went to her waist and pulled her against him.

There was a soft gasp as his lips touched hers and she felt the press
of a man's body against hers for the first time. There was a sigh and
her eyes closed as her hands lifted to lightly grasp his shirt at his
chest, winding her fingers in the soft material. Her mind flew at the
touch of his lips, so soft, so warm, so...right. It was wonderful, it
was gentle, and so perfect that her knees weakened and she had to
cling to him.

His arm encircled her waist supporting her and he held her for a
moment longer. **So innocent** It was obvious to him that she was
completely inexperienced as he enfolded her in his arms for a moment.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?:" He knew his sister would return
momentarily.

Asaile's eyes fluttered open, her face sweetly dazed by the kiss. She
slowly nodded, her tongue dipping out quickly to taste her lips. He'd
called her sweetheart and she wanted to melt into his embrace. Out of
her mouth spilled the first words that registered in her brain. "I
love you, my Lord." She flushed and then looked down, but still held
on to him as she tried to regain her balance and straighten her knees.

He held on to her until he had her seated again. Then he sat in his
own chair still holding her hand. He reached into his pocket and
pulled out a lovely gold ring with a circle of diamonds around a deep
pink sapphire. "I adore you," he said softly as he slipped it on her
finger.

Asaile's hand went to her chest as she gasped at the beauty of the ring
he'd slid onto her finger. Her lips parted and her hands trembled. "Oh,
my Lord Bryvin... it's so beautiful. I've never head anything so fine
and lovely. Thank you." Adoring eyes lifted to his, near brimming with
happy tears. She couldn't believe it. She was to be his wife. Her
secret private dreams would come true and she felt as though her heart
would spring from her chest out of sheer happiness. When she heard soft
feminine footsteps, she looked up, eyes moist. "Lady Brina..." Her hand
lightly clutched Bryvin's as though afraid it really wasn't there.
"Lady Brina, look what he's given me. Isn't it perfect?"

Brina had slipped back into the room, and with a glance at her brother
for permission she approached and looked down at the ring sparkling on
Asaile's finger. "Oh, how beautiful. May I be the first to wish you
joy?" There was genuine pleasure in her voice. Asaile was young, but she
could tell the girl cared deeply for her brother and would do everything
she could to make him happy - and she could grow into a good Lady for
the Hold.

"Oh, thank you, Lady Brina. I will be very happy to be able to call
you sister someday, if you'll allow it.. " Asaile's face glowed
softly with a dreamy inner light as her gaze returned to Bryvin's.
This handsome, wonderful, gentle man would be her husband. The
position of Lady Holder didn't matter to her at that moment, if it
ever had once she had laid eyes on him and he'd danced with her. From
that moment, her heart had been his and nothing else mattered.

Bryvin smiled at both of them and then his eyes caught his sisters.
'Thank you,' he mouthed then he lifted Asaile's fingers to his lips
once more.

Last updated on the November 22nd 2020

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Pure Adoration and Happiness