The Balcony

"I'm seventeen" he answered.

It was still a serious matter to him. He didn't want to joke, neither he wanted to give up on his point of view.

"I think life has to be lived with measure. It's not all about fun. It's also about responsibility." he smirked, but in a sort way of mockery "Just look at my father: he's still having his fun but he knows when it's time to stop and doing what is right. I know that it's right not to tell you. I don't know if I can trust you, yet. If I was a common man, maybe I would tell you. But I'm not and I can't put my family in danger because of a silly condition of yours." He looked at her in the eyes "I like you. But if you think I'm an old man, then I shall say that you're child who grew up too fast"

He took a step back from her "I'm sorry I'm not what you're looking for" he bowed "Have a good evening, Lady Elizabeth" he turned to return to the hall.

What a strange little an, she thought, the first tie I meet him and he acts like this.

She shrugged and walked past him before he left.

With a cup of ale in hand, Anthony stepped out onto the balcony. The evening was still and the sound of music and chatter could be heard from the main Great Hall. He took a large swig and leaned over the balcony, looking at the gardens below.

Victoria walked out to the balcony on a cold evening wrapped with a shawl that her favorite servant from her mother's household had made for her on the day before her wedding. She leans against the beams of the balcony to enjoy the view of the snow covered forest.

Anthony had only just walked out onto the balcony when he heard the gentle click of a lady's heels. He smirked to himself, hoping it would be the raven haired woman he had winked at as he sauntered through the hall, the one who had smiled so mischievously. He turned around with great expectation and then saw it was not the woman he had seen.

With a bit of a sigh, he smiled pleasantly at her and rested his chin in his hand.

Victoria sees a gentleman staring endlessly at her from the corner of her eye. "It would be better if you painted a portrait of me than looking, My lord." She says with a side smile

Anthony chuckled and shrugged, "Alas I am not a talented artist..."

"Would your wife mind if she caught you staring?" Victoria turns to get a full view of the gentleman.

Anthony chuckled and feigned offence, replying teasingly, "I was not staring, Madam. How could you possibly say so?"

He then added with a smile, "Thankfully, I have no wife...not yet anyway."

"Mother says that gentlemen like to stare or look at beautiful ladies." Victoria wrapped the shawl a bit tighter around her to keep warm. "The name is Brandon. Victoria Brandon."

Anthony widened his eyes his eyes, "Daughter of Charles Brandon?"

"You are correct." Victoria chuckles "And you are?.."

Anthony smiled pleasantly, "Anthony Denny. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Tis a pleasure, Sir Anthony." Victoria smiles as she tucks a stray curl behind her ear "I suppose you have heard of my father."

Anthony tilted his head and glanced towards the palace grounds, "Met him, actually. A thoroughly decent man. I didn't know that he had such a...mature daughter."

"I'm glad you think so" Victoria smiles widely "I wasn't so mature before I got married."

Anthony raised a brow with a slight smirk, "Married? Pardon my impertinence-you seem so young! Indeed your husband is a fortunate man."

"Yes, I know." Victoria looks off into the distance "Suitors were lining up the door asking for my hand in marriage."

Anthony laughed, "I'm sure they were-well I wish every happiness with him."

"Thank you. And I hope you'll meet your future wife someday." Victoria says as she turns her back against the winter breeze.

Anthony cleared his throat, tilting his head "Unfortunately I think that day is sooner than I would like...my family are trying to barter my freedom to some girl. A girl I may add that I do not know...nor ever wish to. For Christ sa-" he stopped himself and quickly said, "Forgive my foul tongue, my lady...I'm forgetting my company. Yet it vexes me quite to be constrained. Even now! I'm an independent man but my father treats me like a boy in the nursery."

"That's absurd. A father should be proud of his son that he is in court and treat him like a man." Victoria asks curiously "Is there a reason behind the arranged marriage?"

Anthony smiled, pleased she showed equal dislike towards arranged marriages. He shrugged and replied, "Money I suppose-what else. I think her family have an old alliance with mine and are respectable. My father probably wants me married before I get a maid from a brothel with child."

"I can assure you that the are enough available ladies here at court." Victoria says with a smile "And no mother would want her son to have a child from a harlot."

Anthony chuckled, "Oh i'm well aware of that. The thing is I do not seek marriage...and the ladies in court are too virtuous to enjoy life outside of wedlock. No doubt this woman shall be the same."