Chapter Text
Dimitri settled himself into the chair as comfortably as he could. Across the table, Mercedes sat primly with a teacup in hand. A warm smile on her lips. Out of the people he could ask, Mercedes was the most ideal. She was neither the type to mock or ridicule him.
“I would be more than happy to assist you,” Mercedes set the teacup down and curled her hands together, the picture of motherly concern, “you’ve made it a long way already and the idea is quite sweet.”
Dimitri’s tight shoulders released the coiled tension which had been with him the entire day.
“Thank you, Mercedes. I am grateful for your aid with this… task.”
“My apologies, Marianne. I hope it is to your liking,” Dimitri said, placing a warm scone on Marianne’s plate, a smear of strawberry jam layered over the top.
The wooden table before her was laden with bread, cheese, pieces of fruit, and a warm pot of steaming lavender tea.
Marianne cut a piece of cheese, placing it on Dimitri’s plate in return, “It is. I’m glad we were able to have some time out here. It is nice to be outside for a moment of quietness.”
Only the twittering of small birds filled the royal garden. Peaceful and quiet.
They sat under a small pavilion which had been set up in the royal gardens; a few guards and servants stationed slightly away from the tent. It was strange, having guards and servants accompany them wherever they went together. Though Marianne supposed it was expected for both her and Dimitri to be chaperoned at this time of courtship.
Such a contrast to their academy days and during the war where there was no need for a chaperone. The rule of chaperoning weighed out by the constant threat of loss and death.
Despite those unknowable times, Marianne missed those moments of privacy between the two of them, away from keen ears and eyes tracking their every moment.
Regardless, the picnic was a much-needed respite away from the scrutiny of the visiting nobility. Everyone, excluding her past classmates and friends, seemed to find it in their role to test out Marianne, thus resulting in a large pile of invitations requests to tea and other social gatherings.
The busyness had increased over the past few months. There had been much organising around choosing the meal courses for the guests, the music to be played, and the various attires she and Dimitri would have to adorn. All to be done for their wedding.
Wedding.
Her heart thrummed at the word. Marianne glanced at Dimitri, a piece of cheese now in hand and his bright smile. Here he was beside her. Soon, she would be by his side as long as she liked and within their privacy once more.
Her cheeks warmed at the thought. How could she be so bold? It must be Hilda rubbing off on her.
A chucked escaped Dimitris mouth, cheese back on the plate. “Is something on your mind, Marianne?”
Marianne touched her cheeks.
“You’re quite an adorable sight.”
It must be redder now. There was a slight muffle from outside their tent. No doubt the servants and guards listening in.
“Um. I’m not.”
Dimitri reached out placing his hands on the table. Their fingers were so close. Just one more inch and they would be touching. There was a teasing glint in Dimitri’s eye. Marianne averted her eyes away, taking a bite of the scone and swallowing it. The sweet tangy flavour burst over her tongue.
“Marianne.”
Dimitri’s finger hovered close to her cheek. His lips were slightly parted.
Oh!
It must be on her face. Patting her mouth with a cloth napkin, she stood up quickly. Her breathing far too fast for her liking.
“I’m going to take a walk. I’ll be back”
Marianne walked out before Dimitri could respond, the servants and guards stepping aside to let her through. Taking a few steps away to stand under a tree, she inhaled slowly. The coolness of the wind a salve to her restlessness.
Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
Two birds sat on patches of grass, where the sun’s reach shone upon, chirping with each other. Marianne smiled and kneeled close to them. Familiar friends who lived in the royal gardens. She had often come to the gardens alone in the early mornings after prayer, partaking in moments of quietness.
“Hello, are you here to enjoy the sun too?”
The birds tweeted one after the other.
“Yes, it is lovely here.”
The twittering grew louder, and a bird hopped closer. Its head twitched curiously at her. Another joined her. Their little and orange chests puffed out.
“Would it be okay for me to join you again?”
One of the birds unfurled its wings and took flight, landing gently on her lap. A soft tweet as if to say yes.
The other bird also hopped closer.
“Oh, I should have brought some seeds to share. Next time, then.”
At the incoming steps behind her, the bird in her lap fluttered back to join its friend in the grass.
“Ah, looks like I scared them,” Dimitri stilled, before taking a step backwards, “I shouldn’t…”
Marianne lifted her head and shook it. He had always been wary, and afraid to hurt such creatures, but Marianne knew better, “Come sit down, Dimitri.”
He frowned, “Won’t I scare them again?”
Patting the spot beside her, Dimitri relented and kneeled beside Marianne, his cloak brushing against her dress.
Cupping her hands together, the bird inched forward once more and lightly landed in the palm of her hand. The tiny feet a gentle pad. Fluffing its feathers, it twittered at her again.
“I’m glad you could join us. Dimitri’s a very kind man, so you don’t need to be afraid.” Her index finger stroked over the chest, the beat of the bird’s heart a low thrum. The bird responded with another tweet, a gentle sound.
“You try it too, Dimitri. Cup your hands together like this.”
“I-I”
Marianne lifted her hands toward Dimitri, the bird watched curiously. Moments passed, then the bird hopped into Dimitri’s waiting palms.
A sharp intake of breath and Dimitri was completely transfixed. His blue eye wide. A look of childlike wonder. It was beautiful.
“This is” Dimitri swallowed, “I don’t think I can bear to move.”
“Hehe. Why don’t you join me next time and we can feed them together?” Marianne said as she stretched out her hand to the bird still on the grass, letting it hop onto her finger.
Dimitri nodded, a small smile breaking free.
“I would like that very much, Marianne.”
They sat quietly together with the birds for company.