Multiple Settings 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 [CLOSED]

[revalia]

Mateo Nolan

Prince of Marina

Gardens

Solemn

Here

Interactions

Eleanor ( neverbackdown )

Mateo observed the pretty blonde rather intently as his usual confident facade softened by her earnestness and the warmth of her smile. Despite the tension he'd been feeling this morning out of his own selfishness, the encounter felt unexpectedly soothing, like a momentary escape from the pressures of his new responsibilities and his unsettled thoughts about his marriage. The life of a prince was something Mateo wished he was a stranger to but sadly with a persistent presence and pain in the ass essence such as his father was, he could never forget his royalty duties in pursuing an eligible lady and procuring an heir for his precious kingdom.

Her closeness was somewhat familiar. As if his body was used to this warmth. Teo was used to having various bodies within his vicinity but this one felt much more familiar... even if he had no inkling as to what happened the previous night. The female in front of him looked in the same hungover predicament as he was this morning so - something told him they both had some memories that made the night worthwhile. Be it together or not, last night was definitely the greatest blur of his whole life. Like someone snuffed the memory out of his head before he woke up with that booming headache next to his beloved wife.

He returned her smile, a genuine one that reached his eyes with how her face shone when her lips curved upwards. How her cheekbones heightened her whole face. By the heavens, she was beautiful. He mentally kicked himself in the head as he tried to shake off the feeling. He was married to a graceful and beautiful lady, he shouldn't be doing or thinking otherwise. It will surely take a lot of brain power not to but practice makes perfect, no?

"Ellie, then," he acknowledged, the formality of their titles feeling as out of place as she had suggested. "And please, call me Mateo. 'Your Highness' makes me feel ancient all the same," he chuckled, an easy, relaxed sound, a stark contrast to his earlier agitation that was vibrating in various aspects of his body parts.

"Do not mention it," he swiftly spoke in a suave tone. In reality he was the lucky man that had caught her. Even though her did ease her way. Mateo glanced at the delicate dahlia still resting in his hand, a reminder of his own fleeting moment of vulnerability. He offered it to Ellie with a flourish, a playful glint in his eyes. "A peace offering, for startling you," he said, though the truth was it felt like more than that. Sharing a piece of his late mother's favourite flower felt oddly intimate, a small yet significant gesture to Eleanor. Eleanor... that name felt like it should ring a bell but instead... nothing.

As she took the flower, their fingers briefly touched, and Mateo felt a spark, an electric jolt that was both thrilling and unsettling. It wasn't lost on him that this spark was what he'd been missing in his interactions with Evelina. He felt a pang of guilt, quickly masked by his charming smile. He pushed away the complicated emotions, focusing instead on the moment and the person in front of him. Although his wife was the epitome of kindness, how she always looked after him, cared for him and always went with his ways as best as she could in the little experience she had this fine morning - there was still something missing. How she jolts every time he initiated something physical with her. That was something that worried Mateo, especially knowing his sexual indulgences.

With a heavy sigh, he looked at the distance, "These gardens are something, aren't they?" he continued, looking around with an appreciative gaze. "I needed some air too, a break from... everything." His voice held a subtle hint of exasperation, though he kept his tone light. "Sometimes it feels like these walls are closing in, even if they're covered in gold."

He noticed her unease slipping away, replaced by a more genuine comfort, and he found himself relaxing as well. He slowly lowered his hand that was supporting her. There was something disarmingly refreshing about Ellie; her unguarded nature and genuine reactions were a breath of fresh air in a world full of pretence and duty. Mateo wondered how she was adjusting to her own new reality, whether she felt the same sense of displacement and longing that he did. Was she born from royalty? Seemingly not from her lack of appreciation to the title formality.

He gestured towards a nearby bench, nestled among the flowers and partially shaded by a large tree. "Care to sit?" he offered, a subtle invitation to continue their conversation. "We can talk about anything but royal duties. I think we both are in dire need of a break." There was an earnestness in his voice, a desire to connect without the burdens of their titles or expectations.

As he moved towards the bench, upon waiting her movement of course, Mateo found himself hoping that this unexpected meeting could offer some clarity or at least a momentary escape from the complexities of his thoughts and the weight of his crown. The spark he felt with Ellie was undeniable, but he pushed down any inappropriate thoughts, reminding himself of his commitments and the complicated situation they both were in. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the company of someone who seemed to understand, even without words.

coded by natasha.