In the quiet evening atmosphere, with only soft candlelight illuminating the room, Gwendolyn felt brave, with a private smile curving her lips as she looked down into her glass. Her voice was hardly above a whisper, "Oh Aldwin... You underestimate yourself. This already feels more like home than Rome ever did. I know I have a place here - one that is important, at least..." Gwendolyn at last looked up from where she was swirling her drink, making eye contact with Aldwin, "That is how I feel about you. That you are... important... to me."

Gwendolyn hurriedly looked away as she took a sip from her glass, a blush high on her cheeks.

Never in Aldwin's life had he heard such honest words, so often did others dance around subjects or only say what they thought he wanted to hear, Aldwin cherished every moment spent with Gwendolyn because each moment was an honest one. In this case, her words touched his heart not only for their honesty but for their meaning, for what they implied.

The eye contact only made the moment feel even more surreal, and he quickly looked away and also buried his face in his glass for a moment, hoping the dim lighting would hide any trace of the red on his cheeks. "Well," Aldwin cleared his throat, "I am happy you feel that way Gwendolyn. I too feel that you are... important to me." The words brought a clearer rise of color to his cheeks and made him wince at the situation. Oh, the intricacies of romance were forever lost on him.

"I am also very glad you have taken to this humble palace, I cannot imagine how hard the move to a different country was but I do hope the atmosphere has at least made you feel more comfortable." Aldwin gave Gwendolyn a small smile, hoping that his small words could somehow properly convey his very large emotions and the meanings behind them.

i dont have anything particular planned, and i think i will gag if we keep on w this awkward love confessin atmosphere. they both are hopeless XD

ts? or do u have something u wanna do here?

Definitely hopeless, we can for sure ts. Where to though, more bonding? Perhaps a minor problem arising? Or OR, puppies

PUPS PLZ :3333333

i think after that we can have some *issues* arise in the form of annoyed local lords ?? *side eyes* in a political situation where aldwin technically can't turn them away bc they haven't done anything wrong, but they all KNOW that there is a usurper situation going on. but SOCIAL STANDARDS!!! ?? u know what i mean?

It was a busy day within the palace of Trinity.

The day had barely started breakfast was not yet over when Aldwin received word that Delilah was in labor. After hurriedly excusing himself, Aldwin was now rushing over to his bedroom. He knew that he would be chastised by his advisers later but at that moment all he felt was burning anxiousness for his dear pup. Delilah had been with him for many years and if he lost her to childbirth he would never forgive himself.

By the time Aldwin arrived in his chambers, the physician was already there, though no puppies had arrived yet. It was only a matter of time before they did. "How is she doing sir?" Aldwin approached the man who immediately bowed in response to the king's arrival. "Oh do please drop the formalities, my lord, you are aiding me in a stressful time." The man stood up straight after that and cleared his throat. "Thank you, your highness. She is doing well so far. Delilah is a strong and fit dog, she is sure to get through this easily." The physician gave Aldwin a reassuring smile as he approached Delilah's warm corner.

"How are you doing girl?" The dog looked up and wagged her tail at Aldwin's voice and shoved her face under his hand, asking for pets and love.

🥺🥺

Between one blink and the next, Aldwin went from calmly eating beside her to flying off with much haste. Gwendolyn found herself staring at his empty chair for a few heartbeats longer than she should before setting down her utensils. She turned her attention to the messenger that had her husband rushing off in such a hurry with a polite court smile, "May I ask what the commotion is about?"

It was mostly just a courtesy to ask for permission to know. Unless it pertained to confidential information, the staff were obligated to answer their Queen's questions. Still, Gwendolyn wasn't one to be unnecessary rude.

"His Magesty's dog has gone into labor, my Queen," the messenger answered, his voice even despite his apparent surprise that his news had given His Majesty such the start.

"I see, thank you. You are dismissed," Gwendolyn gave the lad a more genuine smile, who inclined his head and gave her one as well, before heading off to continue his duties.

Aldwin had shown much anxiety about Delilah's birth the past few weeks, with almost obsessively checking up on her and monitoring her pregnancy. With this stress - and, what Gwendolyn silently prayed for, subsequent joy - he would not want his advisers to bother him about his conduct. So, she took it upon herself to attempt to smooth out the situation, lightly remarking, "His Majesty has been eagerly anticipating this event. Perhaps with the new puppies lightening his mood, His Majesty might even be more amendable to My Lord's new tax plan."

He wouldn't be, of course, because Aldwin was too fair of a ruler to let his mood sway his hand, but for the advisers who would be apt to condemn Aldwin for his conduct, they were also the most easily manipulated, as their quest for power was predictable at best and tiring at worst. For those who saw through Gwendolyn's lie, it was because they were true friends of Aldwin's, and would not chastise him to begin with (except perhaps in jest, when the puppies had been safely delivered were napping in His Magesty's lap, so their King could not chase them around for their jokes).

Those men could understand why Gwendolyn would say such a thing, and silently nodded along, before resuming their meal.

Gwendolyn herself beckoned over a standing maid, and quietly requested her to send water and crackers up to the room Delilah was in for both the King and the physician, but not to disturb them if there was any noise or commotion. Since Aldwin did not finish his meal, he would likely be hungry once his anxious adrenaline faded.

After that was taken care of, Gwendolyn resumed eating. She would likely head up after breakfast had concluded, but for now, Aldwin would likely want to spend time with his beloved dog and focus all of his attention on her. If he wanted her there, then he would send for her, but for now, Gwendolyn would portray the picture of the elegant and unperturbed Queen, when really all

she wanted to do was squeal and be excited about the new puppies coming.

Do you want to ts to puppies?

sure!

can you start? since aldwin is the one WITH the pups?