Sunil

Al smiled when the introductions seemed to go relatively well. His attention was focused mostly on the little puppy that was curled up in the wooden crate. However when his sister began talking about how cute the puppy was he laughed and glanced over to her husband. "Careful. Next thing you know she'll be asking you for a puppy," he said in a joking manner. When Renny said she didn't think there was an animal alive that didn't like him he merely shrugged. "At least not one that we've met," he said with a chuckle and shake of his head. However when the conversation turned to what the Grand Duchess was doing here he cringed inwardly. Of course this subject was going to come up. "She's here because the Clergy thinks that I need a baby sitter," he said in a strained tone. It was obvious that he was trying not to let the irritation and anger that he felt seep into his tone. He knew it wasn't Treise's fault, but it still irritated him anyway. He shook his head, however, when the puppy started to wake up. Almost immediately his expression softened and he reached out to pet her gently on the head. He was rewarded with multiple licks to his fingers again.

When Alpin and Renny both teased him over the Grand Duchess he shook his head, though a slight red tint covered his cheeks. He coughed and tried to cover it up, but wasn't sure if he was successful or not. However, a grin did tug at his lips when Ranait glared at the Duke. It was funny to see his sister jealous of anyone, quite honestly. Renny was normally so care-free that to see the jealousy flash across his sister's face told him just how in love with Alpin Mahon she was. He shook his head and plucked the puppy from the crate to tuck her against his chest when she woke up. He used the other hand to pet her head gently, and when Treise attempted to excuse herself he frowned until Renny intervened. He stood up as well. "She's right, you know," he mumbled. "You don't have to leave, and I'm not upset with you. As you said; this isn't your choice," he said with a shrug as he bent over to place the puppy on the ground and let her romp about for a little while. A chuckle rumbled from his chest when she immediately attacked his hand. Once again he was trying to suppress a wince while her little needle-like teeth sunk into his fingers. 

She frowned at the woman's insistence, but gave a slight nod. "Alright," she said. "I didn't mean to bother you, I just didn't want you to feel unwelcome," she said, trying to be reassuring again. She shrugged and turned her attention back towards her brother when the other woman continued on her way. A giggle escaped her as she saw the pained expression on her brother's face when the puppy's teeth sank into his fingers. "You know you don't hide that very well," she said, teasing him. She wandered back over to her husband and stood on her tip toes to press a quick kiss to his cheek and then knelt on the ground in front of her brother and the little puppy. She gave a soft whistle and the puppy's attention immediately left her brother and focused on her. The little ball of fluff wheeled around and darted the short distance over to the hand that Ranait had outstretched for it and she bit her lip when the puppy's teeth sank into her fingers. "Ouch, you little bugger," she said, with a laugh. She carefully knocked the puppy over onto its back and rubbed her hand quickly over its stomach, grring softly at it. A giggle escaped her as a playful growl came from the puppy. It was just too darn cute not to giggle. Her attention flicked back to her husband and she flashed him a smile. "Okay. So maybe we do need a puppy once we get to Carnaghan," she said with a grin.

He shook his head as he watched the way his sister and the Duke interacted. It was obvious, even from an outsider's perspective, that the two of them were in love. At some point the puppy had stopped running around between the three of them and had flopped against his hand, a yawn parting her tiny muzzle. He chuckled and scooped the puppy up with one hand to tuck her against his chest for warmth and comfort. When his sister began to explain the decision his attention would turn to her and he'd nod as he absently stroked behind one of the puppy's ears with his forefinger. "I can understand being reluctant to leave behind your only friend," he said sympathetically. However when she mentioned the events of the last few days his head titled to the side. "The events of the last few days," he said questioningly. It wasn't so much that he was trying to pry, but something about the way that she'd said that made him think that something had happened to threaten her safety. And he didn't like it when things threatened the safety of his little sister. "If someone did something to you, Renny, or tried to," he said, letting his voice trail off with the threat.

She flashed Alpin a grin. "Of course I can. I have to be the good guy in this," she teased. Her attention flicked back to her brother when he asked what had happened. She was about to respond to him when Alpin started to explain things. "What he failed to mention is that this all went down while he was away from court," she added onto his words. A sigh drifted from her lips and she began to chew on the lower one. "I can't help but realize that I got really lucky that Esras and his uncle happened to be in the same place at the same time," she said on a sigh as she closed her eyes for a moment before blinking them back open to look at her brother. "Of course, Esras and I aren't on the best of terms now that he knows I'm married. And, I mean, the chances of something like that happening now that the king is gone are relatively slim, but," she paused as she scooted closer to her husband's side and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I think I would feel better being away from court and finally settling in somewhere that I can call home. I'll miss Moira, but other than that..There's not much to miss about it," she said with a shrug. "Besides, it's not like I won't be able to visit from time to time. The queen pretty much told me I didn't have a choice," she said with a soft giggle.