Village next to the People's Palace -- Forge

[rahl_jr]

It's been a long morning for Michael and it's still had a while until lunch. Which meant that the fire stayed hot, the hammer in his hand continued to swing, clanging loudly against steel as he worked on the sword in his other hand. He could already see the small imperfections in it that said he would be making another one after this. It'd be good

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[chosen_heir]

One of the braver girls from the city wanders a little inside the forge, past the gaggle of other females. This is no time to be shy.

The Heir will be turning eighteen, and it's time for him to begin considering his bride.

"Hello, Lord Michael," she says, voice high, and a little sugary. "It's a pleasure seeing you return to the forge."

[rahl_jr]

A bride is something he can't claim he hasn't been thinking about it. But he will stand by that his sister will have a strong voice in the choice, whether he's fallen head over heels for the girl or not.

He pauses in his work, sword going back into the fire while he deals with this. He wouldn't want it to cool too much, after all, nor would he want any of the hot metal shards to accidentally hit her. He had a couple scars from that mistake his first day. Fast learner, he can be.

He looks over at the girl, his brain taking a small moment to remember her. "Lady Celeste," he says with the slightest dip of his head. The sugary tone the women had always raises his hackles a little. "Pleasurable as it may be, hopefully Caleb will have his forge back soon."

[chosen_heir]

She curtsies a little, smiling at him. She ventures a little closer to him, a damp rag in her hand, and gently reaches for him, but...can't quite reach him with a leather-gloved hand wrapped around her neck, pulling her out of the forge and pushing her outside.

"Learn respect," Michael's twin sister spits out like an angry cat. The women scatter as she leans against the frame of the forge.

"Having fun?" Ariella addresses her brother with a smug smile.

[rahl_jr]

He'd taken half a step backwards when she'd come forward, thankfully able to keep the scowl off his face for how brazen some of the women could be. He can't quite hold the smile at his sister's actions though. And it's an ever grateful smile at that.

"Yes, terribly. I love when they interrupt my work," he answers in a dry tone, making it clear he hates when they do that. His eyes go to the sword he's working on, shifting it a little.

"What good fortunes have been bestowed upon me that I get not only your help but your company at least for a short while?"