Is it spring yet?

If Azure had a pronounced reaction to her words then she didn't notice. Instead her smile grew as he pushed the conversation on, returning the formalities like he actually enjoyed her company. A warm sense of pride rushed through her system as she mentally gave herself a little pat on the back. Normally gaining a wolf's approval wasn't a difficult task for her, but since they'd gotten off to a bit of a rocky start Hanako couldn't be certain. It never occurred to her that she'd been walking on thin ice, that only in being so polite and demure she'd won his favour, and that without it she could have easily wound up hurt, or worse. But as far as she was concerned, Azure was a fine gentleman and a worthy prince. Maybe, if pressed, it could be argued that he was overly cautious and a bit rough around the edges, but what did that matter? And who was she to judge him?

His next question was a natural one but once again she found herself hesitating.

"Um, nowhere really." She laughed at little at the absurdity of it. "I was travelling with my Keepers but we got separated and...well, here I am." Her tail flicked, gesturing to the willows surrounding them.

It idly occurred to her that maybe she should have been more worried about her Keepers, that for all she knew they could've gotten themselves into some real trouble. But really it was difficult for her to think of them in that way, they were so large and imposing, wolves capable of seemingly anything it seemed silly for a person like her to fuss over their welfare. No doubt they'd find it insulting, patronising even, like she was babying them. Just thinking about them reminded Hanako of her blunder, she hadn't even bothered to explain just who or what her Keepers were. A mistake she was quick to rectify.

"The Keepers are my wardens, Your Highness. I've been in their care for most of my life." It still felt a little strange to be apart from them but not unpleasant.

By then she noticed that Azure was asking her a lot of questions but she hardly minded, if anything she found it quite flattering that a man of his status was interested enough to pry in the first place.