Miavel

The rest of the presents went by without anything else crazy popping out at me. That is to say, no more bedroom clothes. Rogers briefed me on several documents in regards to laws of Thera, many of which I knew, which delighted him to no end. The day ended with a smiling Rogers practically skipping away. It was clear that he had thought he'd have to teach me everything. Now that he knew it wasn't necessary, I was being thanked for grabbing and reading a law book from the library.

The next day rolled around, and I was left with impossible decisions. Clothes. Jewelry. Shoes. Today, I’d be seeing him again. We were to hold audiences together in just a couple hours. I couldn’t begin to try and figure out what I’d even say to him when I saw his face again.

Yesterday when we spoke… well, it was… alarming, to say the least. The whole, if I prefer not to breathe then he can help me out with that, thing. Figuring him out was off of my list. I wasn’t going to pointlessly try to rationalize what he said and did.

As long as he preferred me alive and breathing, I supposed that was good enough for me.

I stepped out of my door after painstakingly choosing what I thought would be best for a queen tending to her people’s needs, only to find him waiting there for me. Barely holding back the shock that threated to keep me in place, I calmly walked over to him, staying silent the whole while. When he just held his arm out for me to take, I bit back a heavy mix between a sigh and a groan.

Of course, no words for me.

 Alecc and Rogers quietly followed us down the corridors. The palace staff took one look at the two of us, arm in arm, leading the way, and bowed before ducking out of the way and out of sight.

“Madam Delaine sent word this morning that your dresses will be done by the weeks end. She said she’ll be back for your final fitting on them.” He spoke quietly to me, breaking our silence.

I glanced up at him, at his gaze and head that remained facing forward. He was speaking quietly, like he didn't want others to overhear.

“Sent word?” I asked him, letting my gaze draw back down to our surroundings. “To you?”

It seemed odd that she’d send him the updates on my dresses when we were practically of the same rank. Why should he need to know about my dealings with the Madam?

Without batting an eye, he replied easily.

“As I’m still in charge of all finances at this moment, for the both of us until your share is transferred to your hands, it might interest you to know that there was a bill attached. Otherwise it would have been sent straight to you.”

It made sense. Still, for some reason, I felt oddly peeved by his words. 

“I see,” I snapped back at him. “If I’ve spent your money too recklessly, do let me know.”

This time, I noticed out of the corner of my eye. His head briefly turned my way before he faced forward once more.

“Recklessly?” I heard a bit of amusement trickle in through his voice. “I don’t think a few dozen dresses and shoes count as reckless spending.”

“Oh?”

“It’s practical.” His response was immediate, as if he had either practiced what to say beforehand or he was saying things exactly as they came to mind, without overthinking things. “You wear clothes and shoes each day, as do I. Considering how ill-fitting your wedding dress was, a new wardrobe for you is exactly as I said. Practical, not reckless.”

He slowed our pace as we reached the door. He turned himself to face me better before lifting his brows.

“Did I, or did I not, say that I wanted you breathing?”

Oh, ho. There it was again. What was with this man and breathing? I huffed and looked away from him.

“Hm. Was that before or after you told me you’d make me stop breathing if I so desired?”

He leaned in closer, his breath caressing my ear and sending shivers down my spine.

“I’m not a fan of that method.”

I couldn’t help it. I looked him in the eyes, turning my head even though we were already so close.

“You could’ve fooled me.”

“It seems I did.”

My cheeks flushed and I tried to ignore the part of me that said not all of it was from embarrassment. His closeness had nothing to do with it, even if he was very pretty to look at. The doors started to open, so I quickly turned away from him again. But my focus? All on him. On where my arm was touching his coat, to how thick and muscled it was under the fabric. Not watching the shadows out of the corner of my vision as he stood back up straight. He was really tall, too. I suddenly felt small again. I hadn’t, not for the whole walk here, but now I did.

He led us out on the dais.

“I heard you were reading up on the laws of Thera,” he said suddenly.

I nearly missed my step as his voice rolled through my head, over and over. Gosh, what was wrong with me?

“I am. It’s necessary for my job, is it not? I can’t simply ask Rogers and Lilia about every little thing. It’s better to have the knowledge first so that conversations can be expanded and the information can be utilized immediately as situations come up.”

It was only when I sat down that I realized he hadn’t responded.

“Was it wrong of me?”

“No. I admire your dedication to your job.”

It surprisingly didn’t sound like a joke. I shrugged as I settled comfortably into my seat.

“Well, it doesn’t only affect me if something happens. It’s the people and it’s you. I can’t only think of myself.”

He mumbled something that sounded like he was saying I ought to think of myself, but I couldn’t really hear him.

“What?”

But he didn’t answer my question. He simply changed the topic as people were starting to enter the room.

“If you don’t feel like speaking today, it’s alright. Things here are different from Cita.”

“Oh, believe me, I know that very well,” I muttered under my breath before putting a calm smile on my face.

In many ways, this place was far better. At the very least, I was treated as the rank I held.

And then the day began.

A couple hours later, a woman came up to the bottom stair of the dais, cradling a baby in her arms and with a child holding tightly to her skirts.

“Your Majesties,” she called gently as she bowed her head to us. When she looked up, her eyes met mine, seeming to sparkle with hope. “Would you bless my niece?”

I’d read of the tradition. It wasn’t performed in Cita by those on the throne, but by the temple. A kiss on the head, be it the forehead or on the top of their head. But, here, in Thera, it was custom for the king to bless the boys and the queen to bless the girls. I’d read just yesterday in one of the books I’d grabbed in the library that it was performed the same as it was in the temple blessings.

I stood carefully, gestured for her to come closer, and made my way to the steps. She joined me on the top step with a delighted and grateful smile.

“What’s her name?” I asked as I took the small bundle into my arms, feeling myself begin to smile at the small little baby as she stirred. She blinked her eyes slowly until she focused in on me.

“Raeya.”

“Raeya. What a beautiful name.” I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, quietly speaking the words of blessing.

Baby Raeya giggled and reached her tiny hands up to me as I pulled back away from her.

“Why can’t I get a blessing too?”

The young boy who had been clinging to the woman’s skirts stood just behind the her, pouting with his arms crossed over his chest.

I held back a chuckle for their sakes, even as the woman gasped.

“Theodore, hush.”

“Why can’t I be blessed by her too?!” he cried out loud, pointing up at me.

The woman quickly turned to me and bowed low in apology, fearing he’d offended me somehow. “Please excuse my son. I’m so sorry.”

I shook my head. “It’s alright.”

Turning back just briefly, I caught Rogers’s eye and he stepped forward without me having to say a word. I carefully tucked Raeya into his arms before calling the young boy closer and crouching down before him, all in order for our eyes to be level with each other.

“You want a blessing from me?”

He stared at me with wide eyes before nodding vigorously.

“Are you certain? You don’t want one from his Majesty?” I asked him gently.

He took one look over at the King sitting behind us. His eyes trailed back to mine immediately and his face seemed to pale. He shook his head quickly.

“Alright.”

This time, it took more effort to hold back a laugh as I looked at the face of this small boy who had chosen me over my husband. Somehow, it felt like a victory to me.

A small little victory.