The Hunting Lodge Trip

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"Stop thinking about me," she replied coolly, staring straight ahead. "You and I are not meant to be, in any way, shape or form. Give it up."

[The Smith]

Rodrick looked at her, and said slowly, "Do you think I am in love with you?" He scratched at his stubble.

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"No," she snapped, feeling stung by the comment, because he was partially right. "But I think your behavior is unacceptable, and that you are crossing boundaries."

[The Smith]

Rodrick said slowly, "Now that you say it, you may be right. I could be in love with you. I think about you a lot, in various stages of dress. I always want to impress you. I make crude jokes, and taunt you to no end." He laughed, "Wow... I think I do love you."

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"No, you fool, you want to bed me," she said cuttingly. "It's time you learned the difference between lust and true love."

[The Smith]

Rodrick chuckled, "I always wanted to bed you, from the moment I met you." He shook his head, "No this new feeling is different... I actually care what you think about me. You are only the second woman to whom I have given that power."

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This is going so, so wrong. "Well, I don't think about you," Jeyne said coolly. "So you can stop wondering. Selyse is the woman who loves you, and she's the woman who deserves your loyalty and your heart. I have Rickon, and I get everything I want from him." Oh, you liar. But she had to do it.

[The Smith]

Rodrick smiled, "A forbidden love. Well that is rather romantic. Should I write you poems, and bribe servants to leave your favorite flower on your pillow?" He paused to consider, "What is your favorite flower?"

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It appeared that the queen did not hear him.

[The Smith]

Rodrick thought about it for a moment, "I bet it is roses. They are as elegant as you, but slightly removed and regal. But you are kinder then a rose, there are no thorns to you. Maybe violet, still beautiful, but more approachable and compassionate." He is lost in thought, "Daisy seems too pedestrian, but they have such sleek lines. And are so popular, much like yourself."

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"Don't you have any respect for your brother, even if you have no respect for your wife?" Jeyne asked, exasperated.

[The Smith]

"I love both of them, and I do not wish to cause either of them any harm." Rodrick replied. "What should I do? Do you think I can hide my feelings?" He frowned, "I am not a very good liar."

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"Here's my advice - we shall stop talking," Jeyne said firmly. "I will no longer be involved in this project - I will hand over these plans to the chief architect, and you will only deal with him. I will not receive you in my chambers any more, nor speak to you more than necessary in a public event. I am doing this to save us all, not be cruel. Until you master yourself, our friendship must end."

[The Smith]

Rodrick looked at her, "Do you truly think that will work?" He laughed then, "I think it far more likely I will simply act like a bigger ass in a desperate manner, desperately hoping you will notice me." He shook his head, "That might be the better way for you, but it is by far the worse for me."

[Deleted]

The look she gave him was icy. "Good bye, my lord." She kicked her mare forward, and left him behind in the dust.