"I greet you with a warm welcome, our Empress!" The commoners shouted as their eyes laid rest on the approaching carriages. Their eyes marveled upon the presence of the Emperor who they thought would have just been a myth. Breathtaking his features are, the people looked up to him as some idolatry.
The carriage stopped at the capital of Celeste, The Valley. The sun was already setting and Selestia still need to gain her strength. It is indeed true that her inactiveness brought her to falter, but all she could do was to briefly rest. She still has plans for tomorrow.
Selestia was fast asleep inside Grandel's guestroom, the royal family does not own a courthouse amidst the capital. To which if they'd travel to the Palace, Selestia burdened for it would be a waste of time. Speaking of, she could get there at daybreak if she pleased. Fritz was on the lounge, he knew earlier than everyone that his sister would be departing from Celeste for a short period of time, though it caused him bewilderment to see her sister's husband present in the midst of them.
Grandel was calm and Fritz could not break the ice. It is unusual for Grandel to be this calm in the midst of a great presence, though Venemiah did not care at all. He silently waited for his manservant to pour tea on his cup and drank with no care of the world.
Fritz slid closer next to Grandel, "How could you be so calm at a time like this?" he whispered.
Grandel's eyes lit with astonishment. "What do you mean by calm? Have you not notice how my hands are trembling since earlier? I've been wishing for him to speak, or even leave. He's making my spine tingle."
Their eyes mirrored Venemiah's reflection as he silently mind his own business. For certain, he could hear what they were talking about knowing how loud they are amidst whispering, pretentious it would be, he did not bother.
The two remained stiff as Venemiah chugged on the tea as many times, it was merely unnumbered. The owl already made its sound breaking through the silence, yet it was nothing but a gauche demeanor it brought. Venemiah could not even look at them, he dare not to. Whichever reason they have, he sensed that they harbor fear for him. When tea bore him out, Venemiah stood that caught the two by surprise as they jolted.
He dusted his pants and footed toward Selestia's room, his action made Grandel quaintly react to panic.
"Your Excellency, that is not your room..." Grandel scratched his head in anticipation, worried that he'd get berated, or so he thought would happen to him.
Venemiah did not intend to listen, instead, he only paced forward. The door hung open, seeing Selestia sound asleep, his mouth cast a subtle chuckle. He took his coat off his body, slowly, he trudged upon the hardwood floor. Selestia bore a peaceful face as she slept, nonetheless, it was a surprise for him to see her that way. He footed toward a settee nearest to Selestia's repose. He curled himself to fit on the narrow space of the settee, difficult in finding his posture to sleep, he managed to be still and forced himself upon a slumber.
"That man is a peculiar one..." Fritz spake. Strangely as he found Venemiah, Fritz summed up that he would only talk if he pleased.
The morning came about, Selestia uncovered herself from the sheets of the blanket but somehow it felt like something was restraining her. She found herself within startlement once she witnessed Venemiah's arms wrapped around her waist.
'Since when was he here? How come did I not sense him amidst my sleep? Was I deeply asleep?'
She gently shook him to wake him up, but he was fast in slumber. Not from a distance, she could hear a pessimistic whining.
"Milord! Milord! Where could you be?"
"Have you not check his room?"
"I already did, it reeked of his absence. Oh, where could he be?"
She covered her ears in annoyance. Nothing could be as infuriating as a loud noise upon her waking up. "What commotion could there be?" She mumbled.
"Oh, how burdensome..." a raspy voice spoke amidst her thoughts. "Pardon my insolence, Selestia. I couldn't find it in me to sleep so soundly within this walls without you beside me."
She could only roll her eyes as he sprung up from lying. "If I correctly recollect, you stated that I would be untouched not until you win."
He scratched his head. "That is what I beg your pardon for."
He stood up from the mattress and looked for his coat he left therewith yesternight. "Are you off somewhere today?"
Selestia looked at him, baffled. Why would he ask where she would be off to? Is it because they're married? Or is it because he's playing diligently with her?
"I cannot comprehend why you would ask about my matters this early in the morn. As a matter of fact, you are awfully strange from when I first met you..."
"To be able to own you, I have to cross each landmarks of Celeste that I can steal you from this land. Did you not say that this land is where your heart is bound?"
She scoffed. "So where are you off to?" He looked at her, his coat hanging on his arms.
"To the winehouse."
He tilted his head in wonder, though excitement washed the shore of his eyes. Nothing could be more exciting than being taken to a place that would mean so much to his wife. With this brief moment with her, he could figure her out. Moreover, he could find a way to get along with the woman she married.
"I rather not disrespect your wishes, although, I'd gladly wish to come with you to this Winehouse you told me about."
Her eyebrows pleated. "I thought you dare not lose to me, shouldn't you be heading to Shamar to win their land over?"
"I'd rather play my cards fairly. Furthermore, this land of yours might intrigue me."
Once again, she could only bat an eye. "Do as you wish."
Her mouth was barely moving when she spoke, it was rather dry to even be a response to an Emperor, but glee filled his apertures.