"Zoya," is a muddle of things, all rolled into her name, sighed between them. The good cheer shifts like a curtain caught in the wind, revealing the shapes of worry and frustration and fear before all is obscured again.
His worries should be Zoya's burden.
"Let us consider the benefits of making friends here. Ravka certainly isn't in a position to be turning them away."
As if this is a diplomatic visit dragging on longer than it should, not a very real chance they've been stranded and Ravka left more or less to plunge into civil war when it's realized Nikolai is missing.
turns her head away, the sun illuminating her perfect profile. The flare of brightness makes it difficult to make out her expression, though she can't be pleased. Still, for a long moment, she says nothing.
If she caught any unhappiness from her king, she draws no attention to it. This isn't what their relationship is; he doesn't come to her for comfort, and she doesn't take his hand and offer reassurance. She isn't the kind of person anyone would go to for that, and with good reason.
no subject
His worries should be Zoya's burden.
"Let us consider the benefits of making friends here. Ravka certainly isn't in a position to be turning them away."
As if this is a diplomatic visit dragging on longer than it should, not a very real chance they've been stranded and Ravka left more or less to plunge into civil war when it's realized Nikolai is missing.
no subject
turns her head away, the sun illuminating her perfect profile. The flare of brightness makes it difficult to make out her expression, though she can't be pleased. Still, for a long moment, she says nothing.
If she caught any unhappiness from her king, she draws no attention to it. This isn't what their relationship is; he doesn't come to her for comfort, and she doesn't take his hand and offer reassurance. She isn't the kind of person anyone would go to for that, and with good reason.
She says, "Let's hope they like eels."