"It was never your disappointment I sought," she responded, believing that he had never felt true disappointment over her refusals. Disappointment, perhaps, in the way youth face a restriction, but that was all. So what then had she been seeking? His attention, perhaps? Or maybe simply to see how far his interest in her had been? Or perhaps he was right and there had been a touch of cruelty to it, though she didn't believe that was the case. She could not simply put a name to it and it was of little consequence now, either way. "Our game of Cat and Mouse falls within the boundaries of cruel only if it limited you, which it did not. I was simply a single option."
His final comment, however, earned him a laugh. "Well, I suppose in that circumstance, any smugness you might display is entirely justified. Some might even say well earned." It had certainly, if nothing else, been a long time in the making. Of course, there was still plenty they needed to do before they reached that outcome, but that was the point of pushing back final decision, which she still felt was beneficial for the both of them no matter how much history was between them.
She glanced to him curiously when he tugged her hand, but she stilled a half step behind him. She wondered at which tactic he would choose to gain access into the restricted section of the gardens, or if he would choose to leave it unexplored. Both were viable options, even if she did not believe he would have much trouble with the guard. Then again, perhaps she put too much faith in his position here at Court.