Thickskulled

Keladry was a stone. Not even a full born Yamani would be able to read her emotions.

"Why so gloomy Kel, getting tired already?" he asked.

How could he know? Even Yukimi hadn't detected anything. No one had – how could he of all people and why, in the name of the trickster god, he of all people?

"I just needed a bit of fresh air. What made you think that?" she answered flashing a false smile.

He folded his arms and looked at her, leaning to the door opening.

"Your eyes seemed so sad" he said after a while.

"…or tired." He added. "Sometimes it's hard to tell which."

Keladry wanted to flee. Instead she turned her back on him and looked down at the palace garden.

"Maybe I am a little tired" she admitted.

She could feel his eyes examining her back. "Then why are you so tense?"

He wasn't fooled by her acting. Damn him.

Keladry tried one last time. "If you have to know, my corset is killing me. Happy now?"

"What in the name of gods made you wear a corset? A warrior like you should know better than that"

He bought it. Of course he did, a warrior like her wouldn't be comfortable with dresses and balls. In fact Keladry hardly noticed her corset at all. To be honest the corset was nothing compared to heavy armory. The reason she was sad were the man present. Keladry was just a warrior to him. No amount of dresses, shoes or jewelry could make him think differently. He didn't seem to notice that Keladry actually had other interests and needs beyond the knighthood. Today she saw him flirt and dance with other ladies again. Keladry sighed and looked up to the stars.

She heard him laugh; it was like music in her ears.

"You sounded like a court girl sighing over her unrequited love" He said.

To her surprise he had sneaked up beside her and looked down at her with an amused smile.

His smiled faded quickly as his eyes bore into hers. When she looked away, she felt his hands gripping her chin and making her look up.

"You are sad." he frowned. "What are you hiding from me?"

Keladry was tired of acting, tired of trying and most of all; tired of waiting.

"Fine Dom, I am sad. I am sighing of my unrequited love. Now please leave me alone?"

Domitan looked surprised. But instead of leaving he took her in his arms and patted her back.

"What an idiot. He doesn't know that he just missed the most beautiful and lovable lady knight of this century. "He assured her and made her look up with his other hand "Tell me, was he blind?"

Keladry smiled through her emerging tears.

"No. He is just very thickskulled." She said with an ironical smile.

Domitan laughed and dried her tears away with his thumb "Those are the worst. Trust me; you are better off without him."

Keladry couldn't control it any longer; she just sat down at the bench nearby and laughed, and laughed and laughed, tears of laughter streaming down her.

When she finally stopped she discovered Domitan looking worriedly at her.

"I am in love with you Dom" she finally admitted with a smile.

Domitan looked stunned.