While Madeline was not looking at him Varrin gave Isabella a grateful nod and mouthed a silent 'thank you'.
“Good night, Ard. It was a pleasure to meet you. Good luck to you as well.” He nodded at the elf and watched him leave with his companions before turning his attention back to his sisters. “I think it's time for us to retire for the night as well.”
Abigail shakes her head. "Thanks, but you catch up with your family." The redhead smiles. "I might see you before I go, tomorrow morning." A royal page shows the three elves to their room, a spacious and luxurious bedchamber. Eileann walks into an adjoining chamber, stating that she's preparing for bed.
Isabella grins and shakes her head in amusement.
Ard nodded to Abigail, smiling, 'Alright, I hope you come see me. Have a good night, Abigail.'
Her eyes widen slightly in surprise as she is now the one recieving the questions. "Oh, you know, just never happened. I work-worked hard every day, and there was never any man who really swept me off my feet. I got marriage offers now and again, but none really intrigued me. The swamps aren't like other places, you see," she explains, "Fathers don't just force their daughters into marriage with whomever they want. It happens sometimes, but it's rare, and my own father never did it. I got offers from the merchants in the city to become a mistress, as well, but that never appealed to me. Besides, they're all fat, and I hear they're into weird stuff." She chuckles.
She chuckles. "I know. Forgive me, force of habit." Evir'i chooses her words. "Mistress Eileann... What do you think about her? I think she's very...fond of you, you know. More than she lets on when she's around you. She'd never say it, but she is."
'What do I think of her?' Ard chuckled, 'Well, she has changed a bit since I last saw her but I have always been fond of her. She's the closest relative I have to my age and I think we always got along very well. I am glad to hear she feels the same.' He took Evir'i's hand and looked in her eyes, 'If this is about who gets the estate and all that. You can assure her I have no designs to take anything from her.'
Looking around, he sees an attached bathroom, and various strange gadgets, probably from multiple worlds. He spots one of those strange music players, and an incense burner that sends forth a delightful scent that makes his body feel more vigorous. Isabella nods at his statement, and Varrin sees the sorceress looking to see if she can take any of the technology with her.
She shakes her head, smiling and looking back at him. "No, it's not about that. You're a man of your word, mas-Ard. We both know you'll keep it." She squeezes his hand. "It's just, what you said earlier to Eileann, about taking the initiative - I don't think she will, even if she really wants to. Running the estate alone has left her unwilling to open up, since there are so many people willing to exploit any weakness. If there was someone who liked her, really liked her, I think they'd have to make the first step, if you take my meaning."
The blonde's face goes red with embarrassment. "I-uh, well... I don't really... Really know. I've never actually, uh, you know..."
Madeline smirks, looking back at her brother as he stares at her breasts. "And I think, though I liked Aubie, that I prefer you. You know, brother, Isabella and I made a deal between ourselves, before this whole adventure." Looking around, Varrin sees that his older sister has gone into the other room, leaving him alone with his younger sister.
Ard nodded, smiling and chuckling, 'You always know what is best for both of us, do you not, Evir'i?' He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek, 'Wish me luck.'
"Right. Right." The blonde gives a nervous chuckle. "You know, I think-" As the blonde speaks, Verena hears a branch crack, outside the range of human hearing, but within earshot for a witcher.