In some ways thing shad changed for the better. Both had undeniably exceled in their political ambitions. Mikino had an heir, and he was completely enamored with the girl. He couldn’t help missing the freedom a bit, now and again, even if he did prefer the full schedule when it came time to choose. Avalynn had always represented that freedom to him, and the sight of her made him wistful and invited him to reminisce over a time when things had seemed simpler, even if it was only their grasp of it all which had been yet unrefined.
Smile or pout, Mikino was an avid fan of those lips, and they caught his eye now as they lifted cheerfully. “My list of obligations has never kept me from dedicating time to the House of Dubhghail should its lovely patron so desire it.”
Which would have required asking, and neither enjoyed giving up the advantage of being the one sought out. It was what made these chance encounters to exciting. No one began with an advantage, so they could both struggle for it. He dipped his head agreeably, as if her offer to let him think as he wished were indeed a gracious one.
The next words got a smile out of him, and it was charming as ever, if a bit sardonic. “It is good of you to hope it. You would be amazed how infrequently such a simple line as that is a lie amongst the courtiers. I am well enough for the moment. Until such a time as Her Majesty chooses my new King, at the very least. Were you here hunched over a book all morning?”
He asked it with affectionate suspicion. Mikino did his share of reading. Knowledge did tend to be his best weapon and while he garnered much from interactions, now and then a correspondence must be written or a history read. He had always just told her he had the sense to keep such indiscretions private--which was something indeed, considering the ones he was quite content to let the public have their fun with.