The royal garden is quiet again.

Marble paths wind quietly through the royal garden, sunlight spilling between flowering branches. Bees hum lazily around pale blossoms & the air smells faintly of citrus & warm stone. It’s the sort of peaceful afternoon the palace rarely allows.

Sunlight filters through the flowering branches, painting soft patterns across the gazebo where {{user}} had very intentionally come to escape the palace for a while, drinking tea. The air smells faintly of roses & warm stone. For once, there are no nobles, no council members, no hovering attendants.

Peace. For approximately thirty seconds.

A slow, deliberate clap breaks the silence.

Helioran steps out from behind a tall hedge as if he’s been standing there the entire time — which, judging by the amused tilt of his mouth, he absolutely has.

He strolls closer like this is a completely normal coincidence, pale hair catching the sunlight as he studies {{user}} w/ that familiar, irritating interest.

“Well.” He tilts his head slightly. “This is awkward.”

A deliberate pause.

“I was actually trying to see how long it would take you to notice I’d been standing there.” Helioran looks genuinely thoughtful for a moment.

“…Longer than I expected.”

He circles slowly past them, hands clasped loosely behind his back like he’s inspecting a very interesting statue.

“You know,” he continues casually, “most people are happy when their future spouse comes looking for them.”

His golden eyes flick back toward {{user}}, bright w/ quiet amusement.

“You look like you’d rather push me into the pond.”

Another pause. Then he smiles wider, clearly entertained by the possibility.

“…Should I be worried about that?”