In Kris's office, Cinder sat on one of his lavish, though underused couches with a cup of tea. She was readily dressed in an outgoing, dark green dress with a matching cartwheel hat. She sipped at her cup as she eyed the entrance door, her tongue touching her lip to gauge that her lipstick hadn't worn out. Soon, the door opened to an engrossed paper of a man that is Kris, his eyes solely on the paper. His eyes shifted up from his paper, scanning the room before he went back. But his eyes widened and shot back up to meet with Cinder's eyes as she smiled. 

"Good morning, my lord," Cinder said. 

"My lady, I didn't expect you to be up in the morning in my office," he said. 

"Rather come before you start work, or I would have to drag your head out of those papers."

"Oh," he looked out the window into the clear skies. "It's our first Friday, isn't it?"

"Yes, I figured that you might have forgotten." 

"I didn't. It's more that I figure you want to settle down before we venture out."

"Think I would get cold feet?"

"Part of it."

Cinder laughed. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." She stood up. "If you can't do it today, can we schedule another Friday?" 

"No," He said. He placed his papers on his desk. "I could use a fair share of sunlight after a while."

Cinder grabbed his arm. "Then let's go." She started moving herself and Kris out the door into the hallway. 

Kris placed his hand onto hers. "Did you already plan out the day?" 

"No."

He stares at her. "You just want to wing it?"

"Live on the wild side."

She stuffed him into the carriage outside the gates of their house, and thus, they traveled into the inner city of Marbeland. The innermost of Marbleland, not so far from the sights of the imperial palace, was a dangerously gorgeous area; it was brimming with stores, marble roads, and various flowers. Like Cinder and her fellow soldiers used to mock, Marbleland was the garden of Haeven; nor where in this place there weren't flowers everywhere. You could kill someone with all the pollen. It's a miracle she hasn't met a native noble here who was allergic to flowers. She was tired of all the flowers in this area, but it was better than her time at the Lunar District. It's uncommon here to be running around before one smacks their face into a tree that wasn't there before.

Also, walking through it was preferable. Cinder loved the sounds of her heels clicking off the stone sideways. She purposefully clicked her heels again to hear the stone's sweet, silent tone. She felt a slight tug as Kris placed his hand on her side to pull her closer to him, out of the way of two women walking past them. She glances over to him. His face was blank, emotionless, and bare. She bit her tongue before lecturing him for his face; she couldn't help but feel a bit mad. Why? She didn't know, but she wished for him to emote more around her, at least for the public. She leaked her arm with his, which caused him to look at him. 

"Thank you," Cinder said.

"What for?"

"I almost launched into a person if you didn't grab me."

"You're welcome. I wanted to ask before I grab you like that."

"You don't have to. I'm your wife now; it would be odd if you didn't touch me so much."

His ears went red as his eyes darted from her gaze. "I couldn't do such a thing."

"Why not?" She chuckled. "If you're afraid of touching me, don't be. I'm not averse to touch." She felt his arms shift as Kris used his other hand to pick at his earnings. She released her hold on his arm. "But if you are, you don't have to be ashamed. Tell me if I'm making you uncomfortable."

"Oh," he said. He grabbed her hand before she totally moved from his arm. They stopped in their tracks. "I'm not averse at all. It's my first time since I went out with someone else who isn't my family or Peterson, so I'm trying to gauge what to do."

"Gods, you know how pathetic that sounds, my lord?" she grinned. 

He rehooks their arms together before continuing to walk again. "It's indeed pathetic as it sounds. I'm not good at these things."

"Me either," Cinder said. 

"Yet, you act as if you could move through the world. Like that dog over there," Kris pointed over to the other sidewalk where an older lady, dressed in jewelry and frills, had a dog off-leash walking by her side. It moves for the woman's side to twist and barks at random objects, then returns perfectly to her side, holding its little head high as the woman. Like two primadonnas. "You act childish one minute to joke around before returning to a very amiable noble lady," Kris added. 

"And you're the old lady that's easy to push into the road?" He covered his mouth and turned his head. Even muffled and hidden, Cinder knew he was trying not to laugh out loud as she was. He turned back to her with a stern look, even though his lips were twitching up. Cinder gave him an equally intense stare with a grin on her face. She tipped her head to the side. "Too much?" 

"That's an awfully morbid thought," He said. 

"Same with that hat on her head."

That causes him to laugh. To laugh so loud that bystanders stopped and saw the scene. Soon, they recognized the clothes and aura of THE Grand Duke Ironheart, a man known for his many military achievements, freighting aura, and a rather blunt appeal, laughing like a child. Right next to an unfamiliar woman, her arm still links to this man's. Whispers began to ring: who is this woman? Why is the Duke out so much? Even more pity gossip that didn't stick much onto Cinder; she expected this. Pity gossip that turns into news; news turns into a widespread belief: the newlyweds Ironhearts are deeply in love with each other, or at least good with each other. Plus, Kris's laughter was sitting quite nicely into Cinder's ears as she held tight to him. However, the pity gossip was getting too close, causing Kris to take notice and close his mouth with a cough. Cinder's smile faded a bit before she pulled him forward. 

"Come, let's chat at the bakery I know here," She said. She leaned to Kris's ear, "Away from the others." Kris nodded. They ventured out from the gossiping crowd. Cinder glances back to the stare, eyes focused solely on her. Some were even daggers aiming for her soul, but she just smiled at them before turning forward. 

The bakery was a small affair on the scale of everything else in Marbleland; it was squeezed between a clothing store and a shoe store, their signs blocking the view of the bakery. The sign was readable: {Inesrt name}. Unfortunately, it was instead populated, much to people's first impression of the shabby restaurant. Many couples, friends, and family were sitting inside with plates of tiny cakes, pies, and cookies in front of them. Some were even smoking in the open windows. Cinder ushered Kris to a lovely table near the room's far corner. They sat as Cinder ordered an extensive array of sweets and two lemonades. Once the food was out, Kris had a slice of melon cake. Cinder watched him eagerly as his face changed into a mild amusement at the food before taking another bite. And another bit. And another bit. She covered her mouth as she giggled at him, trying to manage his grace and hunger for sweetness. He glanced up from his plate and met his eyes with Cinder. A slight smile spread before he looked away from her gaze. She started to match his pace at eating. They chat and eat, then talk and eat some more. Even during their time, one or the other would look up from their feast to steal a glance at the other; they would meet their eyes; sometimes, one would flash a smile or nod before altering their eyes, but the enjoyment was clear as day. It didn't have to be said.

Soon, time passed, and the sky turned dim blue as the day would soon end. Cinder and Kris, after the bakery, found themselves side by side at the local park. Unlike the rest of the city, it was green and full of trees and small ponds. Cinder even pointed out that it didn't have the ridiculous amount of flowers here. 

"It was to save resources," Kris said as they followed a wooden path. "It's a place of play, so the flowers would get in the way."

"It's the one place the flowers would make sense," Cinder said. 

"I have mentioned such concerns before, but most of my comments get ignored."

"Don't tell me the ruling family is more concerned about aesthetics than practicality? I mean, who would have guessed since they couldn't fucking bother sending more aid during the world."

"I advise not to make those thoughts out loud, lest you get tried for treason, but I agree nonetheless. However, it's just hard enough. Both princes already detest me because I remain a threat as long as I work close to their father."

"They should be kissing your ass since you are their best bet in one of them becoming the emperor. Shit, you have the money, power, and status for being their sole supporter. What are you even doing with the emperor?"

Kris stared at Cinder, who looked back at him as they stopped. "It's something I wish to keep between myself and the emperor if that's alright?"

Cinder raised her eyebrow. "Do you need my permission?"

"Even," He looks around, "in a contractual marriage where it's agreed upon that we don't force each other into our affairs, I believe it's still good to discuss these limits openly, especially since now you are an Ironheart. Unfortunately, work comes with it."

"Truly, I feel bad now. I managed to snag the best husband in the world from another woman, openly asking my opinion on matters. My gods, do you know how many women would be taking off their corsets right now for you?"

“M-my lady,” Kris said as his cheek spread with redness that reached his ears. He looked down, “I’m not that unique of a man.” 

“You’re not common either.”

“Did something happen with other men?” His eyes laid down on her. She didn’t like his voice, asking that as if she was covered from her past. As if she couldn’t hide the pain, the anger, and the nasty from her life. As if he knew even the ounce of struggle, she got through with powerful men.

She took off her hat. “Do I look as if I have an answer to that? Do I look like I want some pity?” She stepped into his face, poking at his chest at every word she spat. Kris took back, but with every step back, Cinder followed suit, her eyes on fire. Eventually, his back hit the tree. Cinder grabbed his collar, pulling him close to her face. “Let me set this one thing straight: I’m not a baby bird desperately calling for its mother; I’m not someone who needs your pity. I’m grateful for what you have offered me, but never cross that line again.” Her nerves were on fire, burning with the heat of a thousand suns as she squeezed his collar. However, something screamed inside, sobbing and begging her to release this man. For her to ease her hold, her heart, and her screaming. Perhaps, the voice screamed, she overreacted. Possibly, she just returned to her old ways, biting first, barking later. Yet…she felt justified, like she couldn’t quit now. Things must be set in place; her teeth were her to bare! Her wound was for her to choose to heal or bust open! She couldn’t stop now; the beast wouldn’t let her.

She felt she was wrong but felt she had wronged him too. Her eyes welled up as her nose burned from her breathing. Her hands were turning white; her eyes deterred from Kris as she stared at the ground. She was shaking at this point. Then, something cold touched her cheeks. It was Kris’s hand, rubbing the bit of water falling from her eyes. She looked up at him; She was expecting him to be angry, disgusted, or even fearful at the strength she held too close to his neck, but he looked at her as if she was worthy of his kindness. Worthy for him to be forgiven. His eyes were gentle and sweet like the cakes from the bakery. He placed his other hand on her white knuckle, slowly losing her grip on his collar. She dropped her hold on him. The other hand moved to her other cheek, wiping away more of her tears. 

Suddenly, he pulled her into a hug. Cinder’s eyes widened from the audacity. The audacity to pull your wife into a hug after she backed you into the corner, the same wife he only met and married a week ago. But, she hugged her back from her bewilderment because she felt cold from the silence between them and regretful as she was the one to cause such silence. 

“I’m sorry,” He whispered.

She buried her head into his shoulder. “I’m cold.” He pulled apart before removing his coat, leaving only his shirt and vest to wrap over her shoulders. He then picked up Cinder’s crumble hat on the floor. 

“Come. It’s getting late,” Kris extended his hand. Without a word, Cinder took his hand, and in silence, they walked back to their carriage when the sun was gone, and what was left was a violet sky.