Work Text:
The Fair
"Mari," Melina whined, "hurry up!"
Her father, King Vizimir, laughed heartily. "Melina. You won't miss anything, don't worry."
"But the fair is just every four years!"
"Those children," he laughed and Queen Hedwig patted his arm and smiled at him.
Mari hurried along the corridor, over to them. "Not my fault that your sister forgot her gloves," she said and handed them over to Dalimira.
"Can we please go now?" Melina whined again.
"Alright," Vizimir said. "Let's go."
They left the castle and stepped into the waiting carriages. It was a warm and sunny day. One could tell that summer was approaching. And it promised to be a good summer for the North. While they were making their way to Novigrad, where the fair was held, the children were speaking all at once.
"I want to see the acrobatics."
"No! The fire-eaters!"
"I want to eat everything till my stomach hurts."
"And the fortune teller, I want to see that one too."
"Do you think the travelling zerrikanian menagerie will be there?"
"I want to go into the maze labyrinth."
"No, that's too spooky."
"Scaredy-cat."
"Children, please," Hedwig said. "Calm down."
"Your mother is right," Vizimir nodded. "Save your energy for the fair."
They were travelling for a little while longer, then they arrived at the gates of Novigrad. There were more carriages waiting and people stepped outside, walking into the city. The three children hopped out of the carriage and made big eyes.
"There's the maze!"
"And the large tent of the show men!"
"Alright children," Vizimir spoke up and grabbed his leather purge. He got out some coins and gave the same amount to every one of his children. "Here are your Crowns. Manage them well. And," he said and turned around and gave some to Mari as well, "this is for you."
"Your Majesty, I can't accept that," Mari said and wanted to give the coins back but Vizimir raised his hand.
"No. Keep it. I insist. I asked you to come with us although it is your day off. The least I can do is to give you a few Crowns for your entertainment."
Mari nodded and put away the coins. "Thank you, Sire."
He smiled at her and turned around to his family again. "Alright, let's go. And you know the rules, do not leave my or your mother's eyesight."
The children, impatient as they had been the whole day, grabbed their parents hands and dragged them along with them. Mari looked after them and sighed. She hadn't been to a fair in years. Probably decades. She looked up to the gate and into the city, saw the colourful garlands and the lanterns. Slowly, she made her way into Novigrad. At every corner, in every alley, no matter how small, there were all kinds of stands which sold every kind of goods. No matter what you wished or were looking for, you most likely found it. The market place was also filled with stands and people. And it smelled of food. Roasted meat, stews boiling over fire for hours, fresh bread. Mixed with the sugary smell of melted candy and pastries. It smelled just beautiful. There was laughter and music and the yelling of the stand inhabitants. She was just standing there, inhaling all those smells and listening to the sounds when she got ripped out of the moment by a familiar voice.
"Lady Mari!"
It was unmistakably the voice of King Foltest, King of Temeria. Mari turned around to face him. She wanted to greet him but she was lost for words when she caught sight of his companion.
"You remember Vernon Roche?" King Foltest asked.
"Yes," she answered slowly and eyed Foltest's newest member of his secret service. She had met him at the banquet in Tretogor and she once ran into him when she had a day off, spending it in Novigrad as well. Yes, she remembered Vernon Roche very well.
Foltest, wondering about her loss for words, continued. "Are you here all by yourself?"
Mari tore her eyes off of Vernon's admittedly beautiful face and looked at Foltest again, giving him a polite smile. "No, Your Majesty. I'm here with the royal family. But they are spending their time as a family today. But they thought it would be good for me to come here as well instead of spending my time in the castle."
"So you're a free woman tonight."
"You might say so," she answered.
"Good to know."
Mari cleared her throat. "And what about you, Sire?"
"I'm here for the fair of course. It's a good opportunity to get together with people."
"May I assume that your, well, spy is here for the same reason? Everyone knows that a fair is the perfect meeting point for people of the underworld and the streets."
Foltest gave a laugh coming from the depths of his chest. "No. I just happened to have the same idea like the redanian royalty. I thought it was a good idea for my close staff to come here as well. Socialise. You know? I think it wouldn't harm Roche."
"What caring superiors we have."
"You know, now that I'm thinking about it …" Foltest turned towards Roche and gestured to Mari. "Why don't you two team up? Since both of you are here on your own?"
"Sure, Sire" Roche answered almost immediately and Mari hoped that she did not blush because she could feel the heat in her cheeks. Without waiting for her answer, Foltest clapped his hands together.
"Great," he smiled. "We can't let a beautiful woman walk around all alone when there are criminals sneaking through the streets. I mean, that's what you said. Right?"
Foltest looked at Mari and gave her a last smile. Then he patted Roche's shoulder one last time and wandered off.
"See you later! And watch the firework, it's breathtaking.
With that, Foltest was gone, blending into the crowd. Mari was standing in front of Vernon, both looking at each other. It was him who broke the awkward silence.
"Here we are. Set up by our kings."
"We were not set up. And you don't have to be my guard today."
"You heard my king," Vernon said. "It was almost an order to accompany you."
"So you do it because it was an order, not because you want to."
Vernon crossed his arms. "Are you having that special time of the month or why are you so vicious? You haven't been like this the last time we met in Novigrad."
Mari took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I did not want to attack you. I'm sorry if I offended you."
"Alright. Apology accepted."
"Good," she said and added after a few seconds, "Just for your information, sorceresses don't have that special time any more."
Vernon frowned. "No?"
"No.
"Why?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes?" he answered, hesitant.
"Sorceresses have to sacrifice their fertility in order to become a sorceress. They take our uterus in exchange for magical power."
He did not say a word.
"You wanted to know," Mari said and shrugged.
"So …" he started slowly. "That means that you cannot … I mean …"
"Get pregnant? No."
He nodded slowly. "I see."
And he couldn't help but have pictures in his head. Very clear pictures. Was that the reason why men were so eager to lie with a sorceress? If yes, understandable. And then he remembered that she was able to read minds.
He hoped devoutly that she didn't.
"So," he said quickly, changing the topic. "Is there anything in particular you want to do or see?"
"Not really," she said. "I haven't been to the fair in a very long time."
"Then let's just stroll around and see for ourselves," he said and offered her his arm. She hesitated shortly, then she took his offer and linked arms with him.
They wandered around and for a start, they grabbed some food. Vernon had slowly cooked and marinated beef in a freshly baked bread roll and Mari had herb toast from Toussaint. For dessert, she got herself some assorted toffees. She offered them to Vernon as well, but he politely declined.
"Suit yourself. More for me."
They kept on walking around and when Mari had finished her toffees, she linked arms with him again and they looked at all the stands. There were a lot of craftsmen who offered their goods. Everything from swords and clothes over household to jewellery and spices. Everything one could wish for. And of course they tried to sell their goods to them.
"Come closer, Sir. I have the finest swords in all of the North."
They kept walking, but of course the sellers did not stop.
"M'lady, looking for a new dress? Made out of the finest lace and silk from Toussaint."
"No, thank you," Mari declined and they kept walking.
"Why not?" Vernon asked. "I bet you'd look beautiful in it."
"I can't afford such a dress," she said. "They are frustratingly expensive. Only a noble or a Queen can afford such dresses."
"A shame. I'd love to see you in one of these."
"I have enough beautiful dresses. They may be old but they serve their purpose."
Vernon wanted to say something but he was interrupted by one of the stand inhabitants.
"Looking for a beautiful piece of jewellery for your lovely lady?" the man asked and pointed to his shiny silver and golden goods. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings. With or without gems. Vernon stepped closer and eyed the jewellery.
"See something you like?" the seller asked. But before Vernon could answer, Mari dragged him away again.
"Are you out of your mind?" she asked. "You're not buying me jewellery."
"Who said I'd buy it for you?"
He was right. No one ever said that.
Stupid you!
"I'm sorry, I- I thought that-"
"I'd buy something for you? Well, I have to admit, you thought right."
Her heart beat a little faster.
"Why?"
"Why not?" he counterasked.
"Because that's way too expensive. I don't want you to spend your money on me. I told you the last time."
"And like I told you the last time, I don't have anything else to spend my money on."
Mari turned her eyes in front of her and pointed to another stand. "Why don't you win something for me?"
Vernon looked at the stand as they were approaching it. He frowned. "Ball tossing?"
They reached the stand and Mari nodded. "If you want to make me a gift, I want you to honestly earn it. How does that sound?"
"Fair," he said and paid the showman.
The man nodded and handed three balls over to Vernon. "You have three shots. If you can knock down all ten cups, you get the first prize."
"Which is?"
"You'll see."
Vernon threw a ball up in the air and caught it again. Then he looked at Mari. "How about we raise the stakes?"
"To what?"
"A kiss for the winner?"
A bloody kiss.
Seriously?
"On the cheek," she answered.
"Wherever you want."
Vernon turned around to the stand. He tried his luck with the first ball. Immediately, seven cups fell to the floor. He picked up the second one, aimed and shot at the cups. Another two fell. He picked up his last ball and Mari did not know whether she wanted him to hit the last target or not. She watched him as he threw the ball. It hit the cup on the side, but its impact was too little to push it off the shelf.
"Good one," the man said and gave Vernon his consolation prize. It was a deep red, almost purple rose. "For your sweetheart."
"Thanks," Vernon grunted, angry about not winning, and turned to Mari. "Here. It's something."
"That's a very beautiful flower. Thank you," she said and smiled at him. And although he did not win, she kissed his cheek. It was stubbly and his skin felt rough against her lips. And he smelled of tobacco. Spicy but sweet. When she pulled back, she met his confused but glistening eyes.
"But I did not win."
"Not the game, no."
"What else did I win then?"
Mari just smiled at him, grabbed his arm and led him away from the stand where the man rearranged the cups for the next customer.
They spent the next hours with more eating, watching the acrobatics and the fire-eaters. They watched the jugglers and an illusionist and listened to some of the musicians. They even watched a comedic play in which the actors made fun of the nilfgaardian emperor var Emreis and ridiculed him and the empire. The people were laughing loudly, almost screaming with laughter. When the late hours approached and it slowly got dark, people were starting to find a good spot to watch the fireworks. Vernon and Mari sat on the meadow outside of the city walls. A lot of people had gathered there as well. The lanterns were lit and torches were burning as well. Mari sat next to Vernon and smelled her flower.
"How come," Vernon asked, "that it still looks so fresh and beautiful after this whole day?"
"I put a spell on it. So it won't wilt."
"Huh. I see," he said. And it touched him that this flower obviously meant so much to her that she didn't want to let it die. Was it because he gave it to her? He could just hope so.
"You know," Mari said and looked at him, "I had a very pleasant day. Thank you."
"You're welcome. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you. We should do that more often."
"I …" she started and hesitated. She'd like to answer that she would love to do it but she knew that she couldn't, no, shouldn't do that. If she was honest to herself, she was starting to see something that probably wasn't there. She started to see something in him. She got attracted to him. She couldn't lie to herself about that. But that was ridiculous. There was no place for a relationship, she was serving her country and its royalty. So did he. They were both professionals. That was it. He surely didn't even like her to that extent. No one ever did. So why should he? Mari sighed and tried to smile at him. "We'll see."
Vernon looked at her, eyeing her face. He recognised that there was something on her mind. Probably something troubling.
"It was the second beautiful day we've spent together and all you have to say is 'We'll see'?"
"What else am I supposed to say?"
"How about 'Yes, I'd love to'?"
"You know, I didn't take you for the type of man who likes to spend his time with a woman. I mean, I thought you're rather the lonesome, mysterious and quiet type who wants to be left alone."
"Usually that's true."
"Usually?"
"Yes. But now I met you."
"That's …" Mari sighed and looked away. "You don't even know me. And we have nothing in common. And you're working for Foltest so maybe we shouldn't spend time together."
"You're quite suspicious, aren't you?"
"I have enough experience to justify being so."
"Then I could be just like you. And I am. But I recognise people whom I can trust. Foltest for example. Actually, it's rather odd when an unmarried king picks up a young man from the streets and takes care of him. Right? I know it is, there have been enough rumours. But I knew Foltest wasn't that type of man. And I was right about him. And when I saw you, I had the same feeling. Although I did not know you, I looked at this beautiful woman in front of me and I felt it."
"If you ate the seafood at the banquet, that was probably it. Turning your stomach upside down. Because it wasn't that fresh anymore."
"Can't you just take a compliment for once?"
"I just … I'm not used to getting compliments."
"Then you're dealing with rather dumb or blind men."
"I'm dealing with rather intelligent men."
"So that's the reason? I'm not smart enough for you?"
"You're not stupid, Vernon," she said and turned towards him again. "Not at all."
"You kissed me."
"On the cheek."
"Although you didn't have to. So why did you do it?"
Mari looked at him and kept quiet. She just couldn't tell him the truth.
Because I wanted to.
"Why do you think I did it?" she asked instead.
"If I knew I wouldn't ask."
"Then I gave you something to think about."
They looked at each other, inspecting each other's faces. But then the firework started, catching their attention, and the night sky was enlightened with bright colours of red, green, blue, violet and white. The fireworks flew up into the sky sizzling, exploded with a loud crack and revealed their beautiful shapes.
"I wonder how they do it," Vernon said, looking into the sky.
"Basically it's just gunpowder and metal. Depending on which metal you use, you get a different colour."
Surprised, Vernon looked over to her. "How do you know?"
She turned her head towards him. "On the celebration day of his coronation, King Vizimir hired a pyrotechnician to arrange a firework for the occasion. He wanted red, silver and gold and I remember how the man explained to him that there is no metal that will make the sparks silver. Red and gold, yes, you use lithium and charcoal. But there was no way he could have silver. So he stuck to red and gold. "
"I see."
Mari turned her head to the sky again. But Vernon didn't. His eyes were stuck on her face and how the lights of the fireworks illuminated on her face, how they got reflected in her eyes. Slowly, and very carefully, Vernon raised his arm and put it around her shoulder. She didn't push his arm away or did anything else defending, but she didn't do anything else either. She just sat there and let it happen. Which wasn't such a bad sign, he thought. So he moved closer to her and, hardly, averted his eyes from her face and watched the firework. When he looked up, the fireworks bursted into the colourful coat of arms of all the northern kingdoms. Vernon wondered how that was possible but he did not dare to ask her and ruin the mood by doing so.
When the firework was over, the people slowly started to stand up and walk their way home or to their inn or to their carriage. Vernon and Mari kept sitting on the meadow, his arm still around her shoulder. And he had no intention to pull it back.
"Nice firework, hm?" he asked and Mari had to laugh quietly.
"You didn't pay much attention to the firework, did you?"
"Of course I did."
Mari turned her head around and looked at him. "You really have to improve your lying, Vernon."
He didn't respond. He watched her face, the grey eyes, her distinctive philtrum, and those high cheekbones. Gods, she was beautiful. Vernon took all his courage, his heart beating hard and fast, and he slowly moved his head closer to hers.
"Mari!"
For bloody fuck's sake!
She turned her head when she heard her name and saw the redanian royal family approaching. The children were running over to her and Vernon took his arm off her shoulder.
Those goddamn royal brats …
"Did you have a good time?" Mari asked the children and they started to talk about the exciting day all at once. King Vizimir and Queen Hedwig slowly caught up to them.
"Children, please," their father said and offered his hand to Mari and helped her up. Then he looked at Vernon.
"Sir Roche."
"Your Majesty."
"As I heard from your King, you took care of my advisor today. Thank you for watching after her."
"You're welcome, Your Grace. It was a pleasure."
Although your brood ruined the best part.
"We'll have to leave now. Come on, children, get to the carriage."
They quickly moved and Queen Hedwig made an apologising face. "They had too much sugar today," she said and followed her quick children.
Mari looked at Vernon who slowly got up as well.
"Again, thank you for your company and the beautiful day," she said and held the rose tight.
"As I said, you're welcome," he said and reached out his hand to her. Mari put hers in his and he gently kissed it. She pulled her hand back very slowly, dragging out the moment.
"Until the next time," she said.
"Don't keep me waiting for too long."
Mari eyed him, thinking about how he almost kissed her. She nodded. Then, she and Vizimir turned around and walked back to the carriage where Hedwig was already waiting with the children. Vernon looked after her until she disappeared in the carriage.
"There you are, Vernon." He turned around and met Foltest's eyes who approached him. "I hope your day was as great as mine."
"I'm tempted to say that it was even better, Sire."
Foltest laughed and patted his shoulder. "Oh, I do not doubt that, Vernon. I really don't."