The Perils of Love and Courtship

Chapter 12

The remaining days at Blackmore Estate pass with a general sense of ease and tranquility.

Lambert has long held the belief that too much time spent with any one person was a recipe for eventual annoyance-- that certainly is the case when his family is involved, even though Lambert loves them all to death-- but spending the week with Aiden hasn't been torturous in the slightest. In fact, it's been pretty damn nice.

They continue to fence every morning. Most of their duels end in a draw, but sometimes Lambert will win one, or Aiden will. Though Lambert kind of hates to admit it, he has also come to respect how skilled of a swordsman Aiden is. So skilled, in fact, that he may have very well met his match.

The afternoons are filled with varying activities, usually ones that Lambert and Aiden will engage in together. Aiden shows him around the grounds and the many amenities that Blackmore Estate has to offer; they read in the library, go for walks or rides around the property, play gwent, and spend hours together just talking. Before arriving, Lambert had been sure that he would grow weary of Aiden's constant presence by the end of the week, but if anything he finds himself seeking out the alpha even during his alone time, somehow drawn to the other's company despite the fact that Lambert has been a solitary creature most of his life.

"It's the mark of a compatible relationship," Vesemir has told him many times throughout the years. "When spending time with the other person never gets old. You become so accustomed to their being near you that when you're apart it feels like a piece of you has been lost."

Considering his general distaste for other people, Lambert always thought that was utter bullshit. Yet here he is, and it turns out his father was right. Though of course he would die before telling him that. Not to mention the fact that if he did, the Duke would likely begin planning their wedding even more aggressively than he already is. In fact, just the other day Lambert walked in on his father and brother-in-law discussing potential floral arrangements.

(And it's not like Lambert is thinking about it or anything, but if he and Aiden did get married, it should be poisonous flowers only.)

The afternoon before the Blackmore Ball is to be hosted, Guxart has everyone meet in the parlor for an announcement.

"I have one last surprise for you all," the Duke declares. "A game of sorts. We've enjoyed an excellent week getting to know one another and it brings this old man a great deal of joy to have our families reconnect after so many years apart. This game will be our final challenge. I've had the servants hide a number of purple flags around the estate and grounds. We will pair up-- one member from each family-- and see which team can retrieve the most before dinner. The game begins now."

As soon as the Duke has finished his announcement, Aiden turns to Lambert.

"Shall we begin at the end of the west wing and spread out from there?"

"And who said we were going to be partners?"

"It's not like you have anyone else," the alpha retorts.

"I don't know, Kiyan and I really hit it off at dinner last night. Perhaps I'll ask him."

"Lambert! Shame on you! You would really betray me like that? And to think I was going to share all of my excellent battle strategies with you."

The omega rolls his eyes. "Well, if you insist."

The two make a pact right there and then that they are going to smite the competition. And that's how Lambert finds himself wandering through the twisting halls of Blackmore Estate with Aiden in search of purple flags.