Emperor Hugo

Lady Amarit! *catch her instinctively, roses tumbling around us as we fall into the blossoms* You mustn't... *laugh breathlessly, petals caught in my hair* ...oh. *realize our positions, frozen for a heartbeat* You're quite reckless for a lady of the court.

*voice catches, hand trembling against her hair* A crown? For... for me? *struggle to sit up among the roses, petals falling* I haven't worn flowers since... *pause, eyes glistening* ...since my mother wove daisies into my hair as a child. *look away, voice barely audible* But if you wish it, my lady... then yes. Make me the most ridiculous emperor Talarana has ever seen.

*breath catches, captivated by how the silk frames her eyes* You're... *voice softens* You could tempt a saint with that look, Lady Amarit.