Attraction

                                    

                                          
"Sebastian, my new friend, I would like to make you my left hand man. I believe that you are very clever and have a lot of potential. We get along well, and I would like you to become my left tenant." Adler proposed to Bash while they were playing chess in his chambers. 
Sebastian was completely surprised by this. One second his moved his piece and said cheekmate, the next the Prince was offering him a distinguished title. Sebastian nearly fell out of his chair. 
"Really?" He blinked. "You want me?" 
"Is that really that hard to believe?" Adler asked with a smile. "I trust you and I believe that you are right for the position." 
"Thank you, your highness." Bash smiled. "I would be honored." 
"Great. Will do all the legal signing later, but first I would like to introduce you to someone." Adler stood up. "Follow me, won't you?" 
They left his chambers and walked towards Monroe's. 
Adler knocked on the door and Lady Rockford answered it. 
She curtsied. "Your highness. Sorry to say that Mistress Monroe isn't here." 
"Where is she?" Adler asked. 
Lady Rockford looked up and between the two men's shoulders. "She is across the hall." She told them. 
Adler turned around. "My wife's chambers." He told Bash. "He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. 
Tullia opened it with a huge grin on her face that faded when she saw Adler. She must have been laughing at something before. 
"Your highness." She bowed her head and then opened the door wider to let them in. "Prince Adler." She announced to Regina and Monroe. 
They were standing in front of Regina's easel and the painting was covered by a sheet. 
"What are two up to?" He asked. 
"Up to? What would we be up to?" Monroe giggled. 
"Right...this is Sebastian Orvar." Adler gestured to Bash who bowed his head to the ladies. "This is my wife, so to be ex, Lady Regina Mills." He gestured to Regina. "And my love, the Lady Monroe Lunar, so to be wife." He gestured to Monroe. 
"Ladies." Bash bowed his head again. "Adler speaks highly of you both." He said. 
"And of you." Monroe smiled. "He has told me of your friendship and it warms my heart." 
"I am honored." Bash smiled. 
His eyes wandered back over to Tullia who moved to stand closer to the easel. 
Monroe stepped closer to Tullia. "This is my friend and lady, Tullia Hughes."
"Nice to meet you." He smiled at her. 
The two shared a moment of eye contact and the room was awkwardly silent.
"Right then, what is under the sheet?" Adler asked Regina. 
"Ah, your commission." She smiled and looked at Tullia. "A portrait of Monroe that I have self titled, 'The Raven-Haired Mistress.'" Regina said. 
Tullia lifted off the sheet. 
Adler admired the painted. "This is wonderful!" He smiled. "It looks like her and captured her beauty very well." Adler observed her perfect porcelain skin, red plump lips, and gorgeous flowing hair. "I love it." He moves closer to Monroe. "And I love you." He smiled. 
"I like how you show her sexy and fierce resting face, but still show the kindness and joy behind her eyes." Bash observed. 
Regina nodded. "Thank you. That was my intent. At least someone is tasteful enough to realize." 
"I love all arts although I am useless at it all. I am a watcher, not a doer." Bash stated. 
"Thank you for the painting, Regina. I will have it moved to my chambers." Adler said. "Tullia, find my servants and have them get it moved. They know where it is to be hung." 
"Of course." Tullia nodded. 
She walked out of Regina's chambers. 
"Bash, I am going to take my lovely Monroe to her chambers and we are going to have lunch." He placed Monroe's arm in his. "I will meet up with you later to go over the specifics of your new position." Adler said. 
They all left Regina alone in her room. Adler and Monroe crossed the hall and Sebastian was all alone in the halls. 
He heard footsteps coming. Tullia walked down the hall with confidence and she was followed by two male servants. They went into Regina's chambers and emerged with the portrait. 
"Thank you." Tullia said to them as they walked away. 
Tullia turned and smiled at Bash. She then went to go into Monroe's room. 
"Oh, I won't go in there." Sebastian warned. 
"Why not?" She asked with a hint of distain. 
"The Prince is in there with your Lady and they both seemed rather giddy." Bash explained. 
"Oh..." Tullia stepped back from the door. "This is the part I dread." 
"What? The aftermath cleanup?" Bash asked with a smirk. 
"No...well, yes, but that wasn't what I was thinking." She giggled. "I just have nothing to do now." 
"You could go back to your chambers."
Bash suggested. 
"I suppose, but there isn't much to entertain me there. I have a few books, but I have read them all." Tullia explained. 
"You could always explore the castle. I could accompany you?" He proposed. 
Tullia looked a little shocked. "Umm...I guess." She smiled. 
"And I could lend you a few books if you wish?" Bash added. 
"That would be wonderful." Her joy faded slightly. "May I ask why you are so kind to me?" 
"Do I have to have a reason to be kind?" Sebastian asked. 
"Most of the people that I've seen always have a motive." Tullia replied. 
"Well, I suppose that I do have a reason." Sebastian reached forward and grabbed Tullia's hand. "I tend to be kind to people that I wish to impress. And I would like to impress you, beautiful lady." He smirked. 
Tullia's heart pounded in her chest and her hands got sweaty from nerves. 
"Oh..." Was all she could utter. 
Bash chuckled. "How about that tour?" 
He placed her arm in his and lead her down the hall.