𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑻𝑳𝑬 𝑾𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬𝑳.

⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗔, ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝖽𝗎𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗌𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗍. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝙵𝙸𝙻𝙴𝚂 𝙾𝙵 #𝓓𝖠𝖤𝖬𝖮𝖭𝖤𝖲 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀a mainly literate portrayal. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#witcherrp. mvms. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ♡ & ↻ ⠀

"Only a week? Why, I thought bearing the insufferable was your speciality," she teases gently, glancing at the other. "And... I am glad you are here, as well."

"Oh, absolutely. There is just something about the beauty of the gentle Toussaint winters... nothing like the blasting of frigidness this country gets in these months." She laughs. "But it has its own charm, for some periods." She admires the view for a long moment. "I am glad."

She finishes off her glass of wine and picks up another; it seems she has some catching up to do. "No one in particular... I must admit, I do have so many close friends among the Kaedweni. 'Tis just such a trek to get here."

She's currently at a luncheon with a few other ladies of the court... he is welcome, though.

The Duchess chuckles. "Oh, I noticed," she replies, though the bitterness that might once have stained such a statement no longer remains. "Indeed. They have so much passion, still, to change the world."

She smiles slightly; they're already, in a way, falling back into old patterns. The way Jaskier's face lights up at the mention of her students, the passion in her features... it tugs at the Duchess' heart. "That is all we can hope for those we care about, no?"

"Indeed, we do," she agrees, sipping her wine. "I know. I cannot tell if I think they are too young because of my own age or if they really are," she adds with a chuckle.

“Oh, you know what I mean,” she replies. “That’s certainly fair. I’ve been noticing the same. Children whose births I remember are getting married, these days.”

She chuckles. “Was it not for you?” she asks, a hint of playfulness in her tone. “Why, I don’t think most started dying down until the small hours, or beyond.”

“Yes, yes,” she dismisses with a wave of her hand. “You always were so very multi-talented,” she chuckles. “Makes sense that you’d fill in wherever necessary.”

“It is. And a lovely party, too,” she replies with a smile. “I am so glad to see you enjoying yourself, mon fleur.” She’s very much in her element, here, but it doesn’t stop her from noticing the slight discomfort Rose clearly feels. “You know, we are not obligated to stay.”

“At the university, I assume?” she asks curiously. “I don’t believe I ever asked what you do teach when you return there.”

“They shall,” she agrees, taking her hands. “That is perfectly fine,” she replies as they make their way to where other couples spin and dip. She keeps to the edge, at first, to allow Rose to get her bearings.

“Finally beginning to feel your age?” she asks with a small smile in return. “Oxenfurt is lovely. Though we have not been fortunate enough to spend much time there.”

“Nor I,” she murmurs. “No one has a clue how much you mean to me.” She stands, taking Rose’s hand in hers. “Shall we dance?”

She chuckles. “Ah, we fare well. The harvest this year was not as good as some years past, but it was enough. Things are much as they always have been, though,” replies the Duchess. “And where have you been, lately?”

"Very much so," she confirms, smiling brightly at her. "You are endlessly a flirt, mon cher. I love it."

Her smile tightens, but doesn't fade. "Like we said... it has been years," she sighs. "And besides, it is a new year. A fresh start, if you will."