The Raven-Haired Mistress

Night

He rode out after dinner the next day. It was almost pitch black by the time he arrived in the town. Riding in the dark was dangerous for obvious reasons, but this trail was very well traveled. The town was a common resting place for travelers. The inn was often full and the tavern had good business too. He hitched up his horse and went inside the tavern.
Monroe had been watching the door all night waiting for the handsome stranger. When he came in, she rushed over to him.
"Hello." She smiled. "Come, sit over here." Monroe lead him to a table. "What will you have tonight?" Monroe asked while keeping the flirting down.
"I feel like a beer, please." He answered with a smirk.
Monroe ignored his smirk and headed to the bar.
"You seem less flirty than last time." Nik said to his sister.
"I have a plan." She smiled, then served some of the other customers.
Adler sat patiently. He was curious why she was so different from yesterday. Less becoming and showing of her natural charm. They seemed busy tonight and maybe they were even more so before he came. It was possible that she was just stressed.
Monroe put the beer on the table and turned around.
"Wait a minute." Adler called after her. He reached out his and grabbed her arm.
Monroe sat down across the table from him.
"Did I do something to deserve this distaste?" He asked.
"I don't know, did you." She smirked. "I seem to remember you saying that you would come by yesterday."
Adler put his hand to his forehead. "Yes." He looked at her. "My apologies. You see, I live in the main city and I had some business to attend to last night. But I am here now." He explained.
"I suppose." Monroe smiled. "What sort of business are you in?" She asked.
"I...own land. There was a man who was interested in a share of it that I'm selling." He lied.
"Why are you selling?" She asked.
"It...I ran out of workers. Another lord and I met and he purchased the land." Adler continued his lie although he realized that there was nothing to gain here.
Monroe was a beautiful woman and he was married. He agreed to stay faithful. These tavern visits were just for fun. To have a life outside of the castle, outside his father's politics.
"What is it like to live in the main city?" Monroe asked with curiosity. "Have you met the royal family?" She asked with excitement.
"I haven't met them." Adler said. "I enjoy the city, but I love my country house better." Adler smiled.
"Oh...you are probably the richest man that we've had in here." She smiled. "And the most handsome."
"Waitress!" A man called.
Monroe got up before Adler could respond.
She returned to his table after waiting on the other men.
"I don't like working here. I have to though, I have no other option. My family had no other option." Monroe exclaimed with a frown.
"Well...I can see how that can be difficult." Adler responded, then he took a sip of his beer.
"I told you that I find you handsome. You are a true gentleman." Monroe said. "So how do you find me?"
Adler looked over her and pondered his next words carefully. "You are beautiful. And you have charm." He smiled.
Monroe blushed. "I will go get you a re-fill." She picked up the glass.
Adler watched her get up and walk to the bar. Now he was re-thinking things. She had beauty and grace, why not have her as his wife. She was poor, which wasn't desirable for a kingdom. But he enjoyed her company. They had a connection.
Monroe was starting to re-think some things as well. At first she was just in it for the money, but now she felt something. He seemed like a good man, if only she knew his name.
"Is your plan working?" Klaus asked. "I saw smiling." He said.
She filled the beer mug. "Um...yeah."
She went back over to him and they continued with conversation. Monroe would get up occasionally to tend to the other men.
When everyone had left and Niklaus was cleaning the bar, he called out to his sister, "Monroe! It's time to close."
"Alright!" She shouted back.
Monroe smiled at Adler. "I think it's time I left." He smiled back.
"Will you return tomorrow?" She asked as she lead him to the door.
"I..." He pulled her outside of the tavern. "I can't come back...tomorrow. I may be able to return soon. I'm not sure exactly...will you wait for me?" He asked.
"Yes." She smiled. "I will watch the door everyday until you come in."
That was the sentence that made Adler sure of what he wanted. He leaned in and kissed her. Because she was no expecting it, the kiss was awkward at first, but then it got better. Monroe loosened up and Adler went in deeper. They stood on the threshold, kissing each other passionately for a moment. Then Adler pulled away leaving Monroe with heat.
"I must go." He said as he went over to his horse.
"Wait! What is your name?" She asked.
"Adler!" He yelled as he rode off.