ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛᴄʜ (Geralt of Rivia)

ᴠɪɪ.

ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛᴄʜ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ: ᴠɪɪ.

As the night went on, it seemed like Geralt was enjoying his seat at the high table less and less. Calanthe had changed into a dress more suitable for the night's affairs, rather than her golden armor. Thazina had retired to her own seat, rather than mingling in the crowd.

The next course was brought up, a whole roast pig, golden brown with crisp skin.

Calanthe was fidgeting in her seat, fingers tugging at her corset through her dress. "Damn this cursed thing," she stated. "I'd as soon see this night out in armor."

"As would I," Geralt noted from beside Thazina.

"Indeed," Calanthe said. "Tell me, how does a witcher find himself at my daughter's wedding feast dressed like a..." a laugh escaped her.

"I'm protecting the bard from vengeful royal cuckolds," Geralt answered simply.

"Hm! Idiots, the lot of them," Calanthe said, picking a piece of the pig off with her fingers and eating it quickly. "Still, I'm glad of your company, which could prove handy. I have no doubt blood will spill here tonight."

"Ah, save the good Queen's breath. I'm not for hire as a bodyguard."

"You were hired just so by the bard," Calanthe noted, eyebrow raised.

"I'm helping the idiot free of his coin," Geralt said, a faint smile starting to form on his face.

Calanthe scoffed at that. "And he's the idiot? I'm simply saying, surely if all goes to hell here tonight, I can count on you to strategically remove certain irritants that may present themselves?"

Thazina sighed, knowing full well what her Queen meant. 

Calanthe ignored the anxious expression that was forming on the mage's face as she continued, "I'd do so myself, only I'm bound to uphold an artifice of decorum and... fairness."

"Hey," Geralt said. "I can't help you."

"So perilously direct," Calanthe replied with a chuckle. "As Queen, I could command it."

"If I were one of your subjects."

"I could torture you so very slowly into compliance."

Geralt smirked. "Her Majesty will do as she wishes. I'm not for turning."

"Oh, come now," Calanthe pressed. "Everyone has their price."