Bianque's eyes widened as she watched Kaian.
He held me in his arms with casual possession, utterly ignoring her obvious distress.
"She made this hat for my birthday," I explained nervously. "It was my gift to him, after we married."
"Impossible." Bianque's voice rose. "I heard you despise following trends, that you refuse to do what everyone else does. When did you start listening to your wife?"
"After I got married," Kaian replied flatly.
The exchange felt like a battle of wills I couldn't navigate.
Grand Duke Luxen, Bianque's father, laughed heartily and clapped Kaian's shoulder. "Men do change after marriage. The Duke looks twenty years younger dressed like that. It suits him."
"I simply couldn't ignore a gift," Kaian said, slightly embarrassed.
"Did you wear it deliberately to show off?" Bianque screamed, her voice cracking with rage. "I hate it! I hate all of you!"
She stomped from the tent, maids hurrying after her.
"When will she mature?" Grand Duke Luxen sighed, turning to me apologetically. "I'm sorry. You seemed surprised when you arrived."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
"Everyone tells her she's beautiful, so she never develops beyond that," he continued with genuine affection despite his criticism. "It's a shame."
I felt a pang of envy watching him. *He loves her so openly.*
I'd never received such unconditional parental affection. The sparkling energy Bianque possessed, the strength born from being cherished—I'd never had that.
"She means no real harm," Grand Duke Luxen said gently. "Strong fathers sometimes protect their daughters from consequences they should face."
I understood this dynamic. "Don't worry about it."
When Grand Duke Luxen saw my calm acceptance, he turned to Kaian. "You two seem quite close. Unexpected, given the circumstances."
"It's working well," Kaian replied.
"Is it worth the Vermont connection?"
"My wife is Temnes."
Grand Duke Luxen chuckled with genuine satisfaction. "An excellent answer. She's Temnes."
He turned to Valquiterre, who'd been quietly observing. "Your Majesty, you should find a good wife soon."
Valquiterre laughed, responding with shameless humor. "Do you want me to storm out like Bianque?"
I couldn't help but laugh at his absurdity.
"The Duchess did nothing wrong," Valquiterre said warmly. "No need to apologize."
He sighed theatrically. "I suppose I should have married before Kaian. I should have seen this coming."
"Then work harder toward the future of Oberon's royal family," Grand Duke Luxen urged.
"Duke Temnes, what's so good about marriage?" Grand Duke Luxen pressed. "You avoid the topic whenever it's mentioned. You wouldn't even glance at the bride I brought from my principality."
I held my breath, curious what Kaian would say.
His answer shocked everyone.
"I'm happy."
The simplicity of it—the complete lack of guile—silenced the room.
Kaian continued with an unfamiliar depth to his voice, as if speaking from hard-won understanding. "Your parents died suddenly. I became head of the family. War came unexpectedly. Even this marriage arrived by telegram from the King."
He looked at me. "Now that Rowen Castle has its mistress, everything feels settled. Complete."
My heart shattered and reformed all at once.
I'd lived constantly terrified that this peace would shatter. That Kaian's warmth would evaporate. Yet he'd just told them—told me—that I made him happy. That I made him feel whole.
*It felt like a dream.*
Grand Duke Luxen observed us with obvious emotion. "Look at them, Your Majesty. Don't you feel something?"
"It's nice to witness," Valquiterre admitted quietly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Though I'm jealous."
"I only see my daughter once yearly," Grand Duke Luxen mused, "but I wish I could be her primary caretaker."
The pressure on Valquiterre to marry was palpable. He clearly felt it acutely.
"Let's go hunting," Kaian announced abruptly, standing. "I've kept you both from the nobles too long."
When I moved to follow him, he stopped me. "It's too cold. Rest here."
"But I want to see you hunt."
"I don't hunt."
When confusion crossed my face, Valquiterre explained with amusement. "The Duke made such a fuss about hunting's dangers that he'll only show his face if he's catching dangerous carnivores. Which means their only prey is rabbits."
Kaian leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. "If you want rabbit fur..."
*What is he saying?*
My face burned. I had the sudden urge to shake him by the collar.
"Don't. No hunting. Don't do it!"
"Since you like it, I'll catch a few," he said smoothly, kissing my forehead. "I'll be back soon."
Then he was gone.
The tent, which had felt intimate with Kaian's presence, suddenly felt enormous and hollow. The space seemed to stretch infinitely without him beside me.
---
Valquiterre picked up his fur cloak. "Why don't we take a walk? This is the only chance to see the grounds without Kaian watching."
"I shouldn't leave the tent," I protested weakly. "The Duke said—"
"It's a royal hunting ground," Grand Duke Luxen interjected kindly. "Worth seeing at least once. And I'll stay to ensure the Duke isn't angered."
"Then you'd be alone—"
"I've been alone since my Queen died," Grand Duke Luxen said gently. "Don't worry about me."
At Valquiterre's urging, I stood. The King helped me remove the layers of cloaks Kaian had bundled around me.
---
Outside, the afternoon sun provided unexpected warmth.
*If I'm quick, Kaian won't know I left.*
But calling him protective was unfair. He cared in ways that felt almost sacred.
Valquiterre led me to a gentle rise that overlooked the hunting grounds. The landscape spread before us in all directions—nobles in colorful clothing, the festival in full swing in the distance.
"This is a celebration of His Majesty's birth," I observed. "Do you mind staying here?"
Valquiterre laughed. "Why celebrate the same day every year? It's boring."
He studied me with unsettling intensity. "For me, this birthday feels special because you and Kaian are here."
"I appreciate that, Your Majesty."
I bowed formally, but when I raised my head, I found him frowning.
"There's no need for such formality."
He wanted me to speak to him as Kaian did in private? That seemed impossible.
*I'm not comfortable enough. It took years to trust Irena.*
"We haven't known each other long," I said carefully.
"Difficult to relax all at once," Valquiterre conceded. "Then use this instead. Call me Bark. When we're alone, like this."
*Bark.* The name he'd given himself at the lake.
I nodded slightly. "Bark."
Satisfaction crossed his features. "Anything you want to ask, I'll answer."
I took a breath, gathering courage. The political implications hung between us like a weapon.
"Did you tell the Duke of Vermont you'd help him attack Rowen?"
---