Kerttu's Selection

Tyrion Paul - Chapter 5

After dinner broke, Tyrion and I walked the great halls of the palace to the small lounge on the third floor. The hall was unshockingly silent. He had his hands bundled behind his back.

"You are the complete opposite of Shaan," I informed. "We held hands."

He smirked. "I'm not worried about that. I want to know more about you and who you are. Hand holding can come later."

"Smart response."

"I try."

"So what do you want to know?"

Tyrion thought hard on it, rubbing his cheek. "What do you do when you are completely alone?"

"Hmmmm, I eat," I told, smiling.

He chuckled briefly. "Of course."

"I plan budgets, all my princess-y stuff. But more than that, I think. Our country has been improving so much under my mother. How can I make it even better?" I expressed all of my thoughts to him without a seconds thought. Tyrion made me feel safe.

"Is this it?" he questioned, gesturing to the lounge.

"It is! Come on."

We walked into the pink and white lounge, deserts piled on fancy plates.

"The palace designs are gorgeous. It is all so beautiful," Tyrion observed. I grabbed him a plate.

"It's pretty cool," I underplayed. "So what snacks are you looking for?" He reached for the dish.

"I can put together my own food."

"Well, I want to set up your plate for you. I'm amazing at making food look delicious," I urged. "Ask Amberly."

He shook his head before giving in. He walked besides me, picking desserts as we went. He laughed at the way I drizzled whip cream over his strawberry tarts.

"You're going to give me diabetes," he noted. "Thank you for making me a plate. You are truly amazing." His intense grey eyes focused in on mine and I suddenly noticed how close we were. The plate was the only thing between us, it in both of our hands. I released it and sat on one of the cream couches in the center. Tyrion followed.

"Are you not eating?" he asked, stiffly eating a chocolate truffle. He ate so mechanically. Everything about him was robotic actually from his walk to the way he talked.

"No, I have to wait till I'm alone, remember? I may have to start taking notes. Tyrion, not the best memory," I teased.

He hid his smirk, looking down. "Are you really sure you don't want to eat?"

"Yeah," I confirmed. "I'm not hungry. I just want to learn more about you. I'll shoot your question back at you. What do you do when you are all alone?"

"I read. I read a lot."

"Really?" I asked. "I have to take you to the library. You'll love it."

"I would," he assented.

"Do you wanna go now? I mean, after you're done."

He gave me his first genuine smile. It was beautiful. His whole face lit up from top to bottom. It was like the moon had finally given and let the Sun shine. His grey eyes twinkled, the folds around his eyes creased, and his cheeks lifted. I wished my Grandpa was here to take a picture of it so that I could look at it for hours.

"No, you don't," Tyrion emphasized, that photo worthy smile still in place.

"I don't but my mom always tells me to slow down a little."

"That's funny. My mom usually tells me to pick up the pace." He put down his plate and reached for my hand. "Kerttu, would you do me the honor of aiding me to the library?"

I couldn't fight how my heart hammered in my chest as I took his hand.

**Do you guys like Tyrion? Which date is better so far: his or Shaan's? Who you rooting for**

**What do you think of Kerttu?**

**Thank you so much for reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**