He helped with the washing, and then everything was laid out to dry, and Perian was sent on his way.
“Would you like me to come back tomorrow to help some more?” he asked.
“If you’re available,” the doctor told him, “I wouldn’t say no.”
Perian nodded. “I’ll plan to stop by, barring disaster. As you know, sometimes I have disasters. Or get distracted.”
She laughed. “I understand.”
Nisal left with him, asking, “How are you doing?”
He took this to mean they’d heard about yesterday after all.
“Not too bad, now. Brannal got a very skewed version of what happened, we agreed that actually talking to one another was better than berating one another, and we had a good discussion. We’re going to be all right.”
They smiled wide. “I’m so glad. I like you together, very much.”
“I like us together too,” Perian agreed, smiling back. Sheepishly, he said, “It’s taking some work, but I feel like we’re figuring out how to be in a relationship.”
They laughed slightly, but it was a commiserating sort of laugh.
“I think most relationships probably have plenty of missteps. Plus, there are a lot of outside pressures and scrutiny that are pushing against the two of you. That would be a challenge for anyone to face.”
“Thank you,” Perian told them. “That actually makes me feel better.”
They beamed at him.
It was true that in most cases, people didn’t have to deal with queens, princesses, and protection of the country. Or the castle’s rumor mill. Maybe it was reasonable that they were struggling with this sometimes.
“Are you coming to dinner?” Nisal asked.
“Not sure yet,” Perian said. “Brannal and I didn’t talk about it. Want to see if he’s in?”
They nodded, and the two of them headed upstairs, where they found Brannal was indeed there, looking up and brightening when he saw Perian.
“There you are,” he said. “I remembered about the herbs, but then I realized I had no idea how long that would take, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Perian laughed. “We hit a moment of pause, anyway. Nisal was asking if we were going to dinner.”
Brannal made a face.
Perian made one in return. “What was that expression? ‘I don’t want to eat ever again’?”
Brannal’s lips tipped up. “Conflicting decisions.”
“Ah. And how are you torn?”
“I would much prefer to eat here with you, but after the… events of yesterday, I think it would be wiser to present a united front and dine with others.”
“Let’s do it,” Perian said immediately.
Brannal looked at him. “Yes?”
He nodded. “I thought one of the options was going to be without me, so I’m good.”
“Never without you,” Brannal told him.
There was a look in his eyes that told Perian that if Nisal hadn’t been present, they might not have made it to dinner after all, but Perian could see the sense of the plan.
