Doves and Peacocks
Speculation
“Why don't you ask your partner over for lunch?” said Tanio over breakfast one day.
Ruthenia froze immediately, too shocked to deny the suggestion. Partner? How had he known?
He picked up on her astonishment easily. “Did you think I would miss all those gift boxes in your waste bin?” he asked. “Or the new tools. And the books, oh, I could never miss the books—who knew you even cared for those?”
She managed a smile, although it was hard not to look embarrassed. “He has a bad habit of buying anything I stare at for more than five seconds,” she said in a mock-groan.
Tanio sighed. “Remember poor Tanio when you marry out,” he said.
“Let’s not talk about marriage just yet,” she gasped. “What about the machine business? All the research and testing? You think I’m going to walk out on that?”
“We won’t be doing this forever. We’ll be hiring, and someone will inherit the mantle someday. We let go whenever we like; that’s a luxury we have now that we’re funded by the public.” He grinned, tossing a bun into her plate; she intercepted it before it could roll onto the tabletop. “And then you’ll get to marry whichever poor thing would deign to accept you.”
“I’ll have you know he is very happy to be with me!” she blurted. Then she blushed when she realised how much fervour she’d spoken with, tearing a huge bite out of the bun so she did not have to continue speaking.
“Is it who I think it is?” he asked in a drawl.
She stared at the kitchen door. “Probably. Maybe.”
“Ah, we’re making this a game, are we?” Tanio sang. “Well...so, this, your partner—did you once claim to hate him with a passion?”
She nodded.
“Is he blond and highborn?”
“I—wh—well, yes—”
“Have you...kissed?”
She felt her face heat up as she nodded.
“Ooh, how positively scandalous!” He grinned. “May I invite him over for lunch?”
“No! Not if you’re making your bleeding mutton patties again! He has been eating palace food for six years, do you think your mutton patties could hold a candle to that?”
“Palace food, eh? Is your partner royalty?” He pretended to look flabbergasted when she nodded again (this time with a roll of her eyes). “How incredibly lucky, Ruth. But I must share my homemade cuisine with him, now!”
“Oh, Ihir,” she sighed, sagging forward. “Ihir didn’t save me so I could come back to this.”
“Does he treat you well?”
Ruthenia looked up, surprised to find Tanio looking earnestly at her.
“He always has,” she answered.
“Good. But do you treat him well?”
She chortled. “I think so.”
Tanio nodded pensively. “Careful. I think Aleigh is the sort to take things to heart.”
Ruthenia laughed again. “He does, the silly boy,” she said.
“Ah, I knew it was him.”
She cast her eyes down at her plate so she didn’t have to see his triumphant smirk. “You knew even before I did.”
With those words, Ruthenia braced herself for a bout of teasing, but he only gave a grunt of satisfaction. “Yes, and I’d still love to invite him over. He’ll learn to enjoy the mutton patties.”