Keith POV

Keith didn't know what had come over him. Perhaps it was the past week of delicious food, or the fact that Henrietta hadn't ever heard of a snack break. Or, perhaps it was that he simply enjoyed her company.

Maybe it was the fact that she kept blushing everytime Keith caught her staring at his chest where his collar had come open. He had never flirted with a man or woman before, but he liked to think that she was enjoying his company as much as his popped buttons.

It was hard to find love as a Dark and Evil Overlord. Sure, royals sent letters offering prospective husbands and wives, but those were just political marriages and not something he was interested in.

It wasn't healthy dating someone who had recently come into his employ, and partially forced at that. On the other hand, Henrietta was someone he considered an equal. She might be ‘highly flammable’, but given the circumstances, either one of them could off the other pretty easily.

She was closer to him in level than most, and they shared similar skills, and she made him smile.

All of these things had come together in one reckless invitation to walk around the garden. And she’d said yes!

"The garden was actually cultivated by my godmother, Her Eminence Feliwyn." He explained as they stepped out into a veritable labyrinth of foliage. "She picked this courtyard, cracked the cobblestone floor and filled it with dirt. Then she planted anything and everything that piqued her interest."

Henrietta nodded as he led her through a trellis of itching ivy. The leaves had hairs on the back that caused a violent rash wherever they touched. Keith explained the other plants as they went.

"And this area is for the crypt roses. They only bloom when you give them a dead body to feed on." The beautiful purple roses were a sight to behold. "It's lucky that we came today; Chloe buried some new bodies before she left and they should bloom for another week or so before the flesh is fully dissolved. Easiest way to clean the bones, according to her."

"Chloe is your Necromancer?" Henrietta stood transfixed, staring out at the stunning flowers.

Keith nodded, "she'll be back in two weeks. Her and Grand Duchess Calisto’s daughter are close, and she's always gone for weeks whenever she travels north. Over here are the venus water lilies, they eat anything that gets within reach."

Around the corner from the crypt roses, Feliwyn had dug out a pond and magicked a portal to the running water in the moat. The venus water lilies kept popping up in the moat and he was of a mind to let them. They reminded him of his napping godmother, and they rarely killed anyone.

Besides, who swam in the Dark Lord's moat? Ne'er Do Wells, that's who.

"What's this?" Henrietta asked excitedly as they turned the last corner and found the center of the garden. A hollow circle was shaped from a thick hedge, creating a private seating area where he'd had a long ornate bench permanently installed. There was a table with a single chair up in the middle of the hollow. A teapot covered in a green leaf cozy sat on the table beside one teacup and a three tier tray of snacks.

Keith coughed and let go of Henrietta’s arm. "Excuse me, Princess. Give me just a moment."

Keith opened up his character sheet and found the first spell he needed. Lifting one hand while he activated the Skill.

You have attempted to use the Skill: Cantrip [Dancing Light]. You have succeeded. You may create light x Int 85. You have chosen 6 lights.