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the rudeness of the other was unacceptable and he nearly shoved the lad to the floor but as a soft thigh laid alongside his own and a warmth from ainsley's leached against his arm he thought better of it and relaxed. "i should not have touched your feet. i do apologize for my lapse of courtesy"

He'd expected to be reproached for his comment, but as none came his esteem rose further. "No need to apologize. It is all right, my lord." The tension could be felt dissipating in the air, and the stiffness of the Prince left as well, leaving him relaxed beside him on their bench. He set a hand atop the man's as he offered the barest hint of a smile. "This trip will be weary enough without poor feelings"

the action felt strange and he had to bite back the reflex to look over his shoulder to see if either the driver had seen. "you may rest your head against my shoulder if you are tired wife"

He could feel muscles stiffen as the face fought to keep itself facing forward, and he was unsure of the action's origin. Carefully he slid his free, and instead took the offer without complaint or discussion

the ride was long and dusty and though he soon grew stiff and sore from the jolting he did not dare move from his place lest he disturb his wife's rest

His intentions were not to fall asleep on his husband's shoulder lest he miss something of interest. However, his body differed from his mind and he fell to rest for a majority of the trip, but soon rough jostling of rocky roads awoke him. He yawned softly as he pulled himself off of the warm person

when the other moved away he felt a coldness against his arm and neck from the lack of touching and though it eased the pain of having to support the other he instantly missed it and had to keep himself from complaining, instead he merely rolled his shoulders and turned his face slightly towards the boy, "only a short while to go i would think, maybe an hour if the roads remain favorable"

"I do recall the roads around home to be stable unless the rivers flooded. I would agree with your estimate of an hour." As his mind began to clear from sleep and he grew more aware, the boy worked to fix his slouched posture. When he regained his thoughts of travel from the bare bumps and jostles of the roads, he turned to look out the side of the carriage. "How late in the day is it?"

moving the heavy damask aside he looked up at the sky, "early evening, do you miss your family so or is it travel that is making you so curious?" letting the fabric fall he shifted back against the other. "you really ought to be sitting in your own place wife"

"Both, my Lord. I miss my family so very much, and I do not like to be caught unaware while travelling." The brush of thigh against his own as the other sat back made him uneasy, though when he went to move to the spare bench in the cabin he was halted by a hand against his knee. Resting back into his seat he could feel both of their tension begin to leave as they each relaxed back into their seat. "Did you have other plans for this trip, or solely to play the part of glorified tax collector and a husband who pleases his wife?"

lightly he shrugged away the words. "not even that. i have no intention of counting a thing. the steward will do that along with your usual man. i will only be playing the part of husband who coddles his demanding wife"

His head tilted to the side, curls swaying slightly with the bare bumps of the carriage. "What would that do to benefit you, my lord?" Carefully he shifted in his seat, crossing his legs neatly. "Being weak for one's wife could not do well for image."

raising his brow he looked over at his wife. "one would think a man's wife would be thrilled to hear she was to be spoilt not disappointed that the man would lose face for such spoiling. if you must know wife, i much rather would see you with a smile than see you petulant and angry." turning back away he gave a sniff. he did not however mention that he also looked forward to the lad's tears when they had to leave

Gently he placed his hands into his lap as his shoulders raised into a shrug. "I am not an ordinary wife. Do not misjudge what I meant though, I am thrilled for this trip. The fact that I may return home means the world to me." He watched as the other turned away before he gently knocked his shoulder against the Prince's. "You are not pleased to go to such a heathen place, are you?

he felt heat rise in his face at the sweetly spoken query, "if it were for anyone else but my father or mother i would not go and if they were the ones to command it i would not go willingly. you are correct, you are not an ordinary wife and for that you are most fortunate. you are beautiful as a woman but have pride and a soul which are traits only given to a man. i respect your valor"

He knew the words were a compliment, and the chances of he hearing something so sweet from the man were rare. Without much of an intention to, he found his own cheeks heating quickly. "I believe it is a blessing, in truth. Had I not been molded by god to look like such, and was not given my soul, I do not believe I would be present right now"