In one of your illuminated storybooks, there is a princess with wild fiery hair who steals the potion of Life from the savage mountain troll Turidrax, in order to save the love of her life. The ambassador has the same hair, regal posture and elegant features. She wears the official dress of the Prime Predict she represents. Over her silk white underdress, she wears knee-length myrtle green brocade jupon with ermine trimmings, and a wide golden chain with the official seal of the Autradian Dynasty. Outside, the ambassador would add a red woolen mantle and a very impractical tall, pointed hennin.

By the way she’s checking you out, you can tell she’s spoken to Lady Cristene.

You decide then and there that you will let nothing happen to Valentinia of Benlis, Imperial Librarian. Admiring, wide open eyes look into yours. Warm, soft, hungry lips find yours. Then they stop. Valentinia recoils and jumps up.

“Oh… I didn’t mean… Please forgive me, Junker Lintham.”

“No need. It was nothing…”

“How can you be so heartless!”

“Heartless? I think I just forgave you…”

“How can a kiss be nothing to you?”

“You just said you didn’t mean to kiss me.”

“I know what I said. I didn’t mean to kiss you. But you said it didn’t mean anything. That is completely different.”

“So, the kiss did mean something? To you? To me?”

“Why must you be so insufferable? You are always playing your nobility games with me.”

“Alright. Let’s go back to the beginning. Did you mean to kiss me?”

“No, I most certainly did not. What do you take me for?”

“Did the kiss mean something to you?”

“Of course! How can you even ask!”

“Well, what did it mean?”

“What do kisses usually mean, Junker Lintham?”

“That you like me?”

Valentinia stamps her foot.

“Not anymore!”