A lot had happened in the past week. More than he could really break down if someone wanted to ask him about a time line of things. But there was a lightness in his gait as he walked now. Almost as if a weight had been lifted off of him as he moved. Though on this day, he found himself wondering through one of the areas that hadn't been destroyed by the dragon. It was still a shame to see the areas that were being rebuilt, knowing the why of it. Because a family was out of control.

As he moved through the crowd, a dark black coat around him with silver threading, he spotted a familiar face in a shop window. He softened when he spotted her, waving through the window and making it obvious he was coming to see her. A warm smile on his face. "Annabeth," He greeted as he entered the shop, beaming that crooked grin at her. "Forgive me, I forget my manners. Marchioness Annabeth Andino." he bowed before giving her a once over. "You wear this color well, if I can say such a bold thing." He put his hand on the back of the seat across from her. Not daring to just assuming he could take the seat. For all he knew, her husband was going to be coming around the corner at any moment for it.

He have her a light shrug when she told him to call her by her first name. "Maybe I just wanted a chance to call you by your new name and title. It is surprisingly rather fitting for you. Marchioness that is." Even though the tone said he was teasing, there was a genuine comment in that. There were certain expectations of each noble role. The higher on the noble scale you went, the more was expected. And Ananbeth looked like she had almost flawlessly stepped into it. At least by the looks of it.

His crooked grin grew further on his face as he took the seat across from her. Looking over to the counter and raising a hand for a tea to be brought to him so he could join in with her. Showing that he was not leaving right away. "I was sure you did, that's why I figured you might want a bit of company here." He teased. A deep breath left him as he settled in, remembering the letter she had written him. The whole point was they were supposed to get things off their chest but not discuss it. So he didn't dare bring it up. "How've you been? You seem well. I am going to take a guess and say the new husband is a part of that?"

”I’m sure that you’ll get the hang of it quickly. If I can handle being a Duke… you can most definitely handle being a Marchioness.” He joked. A tea being placed in front of him by a server and he gave her a small smile and a wink. Old habits die hard after all. Even when he didn’t mean it towards her. A soft laugh left the server before she wondered off. He chuckled and leaned forward in his seat to start making the tea the way he liked it. A cube of sugar and a touch of cream before he stir it together.

“That’s good,” he tapped his spoon on the side of the tea cup lightly before he placed it down and cupped his cup. “I think I could name a few people who’d be willing to scare the man if he wasn’t doing right by you. Have you two talked about staring a family?”

His bright blue gaze snapped to her as he feigned offense at her comment. "My dear Lady, I am nothing but an innocent gentleman who happens to have an involuntary eye twictch," he said to her, winking at the end as if it proved his point. It was a bold lie, but it was certainly fun to joke with her like that. "I remember a time that you seemed to like my flirtations," she leaned forward a bit with a raised brow.

"It does matter," he was suddenly serious, a look that was far away from what it had just been moments ago. "What you feel matters, even if other's don't agree. Don't let anyone, even your husband, make you think differently. If you want children, then as your husband, he should listen to what you have to say about it. He is your husband... and what is the point of being married if he isn't willing to give you children?" He asked, especially if Annabeth expressed such a thing. Maybe he had a good reason... or maybe the man couldn't have children... that was always things outside of their control but at least given to Annabeth as a reason.

"Part of my boyish charm." He teased. Shaking his head slightly to get his hair to fall slightly differently with that signature grin of his. He couldn't help himself at times. Especially if it meant he was getting a woman to laugh with him. To be amused by his actions.

As she spoke softer, he leaned in to ensure he heard everything she had to say. Surprise flashed over his features, then anger as she explained what happened to her. What had possessed others to treat her like that was beyond him. And how she turned out to be such a sweet woman was beyond his comprehension. "I don't think anyone thinks those things of you Annabeth." He said as she mentioned being self centered. "You have always seemed to give more than you take. I don't think anyone has bad things to say about you." He leaned back in his seat after a moment.

"Well, one day I'll have to meet this husband of yours. Ensure he is taking proper care of you." He gave her a smile, meaning his words and also making a note that this could be a way to ensure this man wasn't just trying to take advantage of Annabeth. Because that wouldn't fly on his watch.

A quick burst of laughter left him. "The blind man? He can't see two feet in front of him, you really think that he can read a person well enough to have a valid opinion?" Perhaps it was cruel to say such things, but he said them anyway. He wasn't sure what had been said between the two of them but he also didn't know the new Duke much at all to know how the man's mind worked. "And from what you've said about your family, they are all horrid."

He shook his head, tilting it slightly as he looked at her. "My training days... have not seen the sun of day in a long time." He admitted. Probably too long. He really should brush up on his skills.

A loud burst of laughter left him. "Well I will make sure to make note of that. And steer clear of dueling the man until I get some more practice under my belt." He laughed, lifting his tea up and taking another sip from it. It was still plenty warm and he could feel it warm his chest as he swallowed it. He always liked that feeling.

"Well, if you shall ever need a friend... a great one apparently," He bantered with a teasing grin. "Then you know where to find me." He said as he stood and pulled some money from his pocket and placed it on the table. Enough to cover his tea and both of hers. Not that she needed him to, but it was a gesture that he wanted to make for her. "Take care of yourself, Annabeth." If she didn't stop him, he'd bow and make his way out of the shop.