It was nine o'clock in the evening, Sophie visited Alexander's office.
Just as she got there, two gentleman-looking middle-aged men exited his office with joyous expressions written on their faces.
It seemed like the meeting ended amicably.
Of course, she didn't come empty-handed, in her hand was a tray that holds two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Rolan was also there but he didn't bar her this time.
Sophie stood next to the door of his office and saw five chalkboards filled with complex mathematical equations, schematics, and technical drawings that could make her head spin if she tries to understand them.
Alexander was wiping off one of the chalkboards. He stopped as he heard a soft tap from the door.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Sophie. "Sophie?"
"Hello Alexander, can I enter?"
"Oh...sure."
Sophie entered the office and saw that the table was filled with stacks of paper. Alexander took his seat and gestured for her to sit on one of the chairs in front of him.
"I brought these for you," Sophie said and handed him the mug. "It's hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. Careful, it's hot."
Alexander's lips formed a smile as he accepted the mug carefully. "Thank you...Why are you here?"
"I just came to visit you. Why, is there a problem for a wife to visit her husband," Sophie cheekily said, making Alexander off-guard.
"Ngh...what are you talking about all of the sudden...?" Alexander's cheek reddened. He tries to cover it by sipping a mouthful amount of hot chocolate drink. Inside, he was asking himself. Why is she bringing their relationship all of a sudden? What's gotten into her?
Sophie giggled at his response.
After taking a sip, Alexander placed his mug down on his table.
"So why are you really here?"
Sophie twiddled her hands as she answered. "I just want to see you...that's all."
"You just wanted to see me?" Alexander cocked his head to the side. Thinking about it, they were never once a time for them to be together alone since her arrival in the Winter Palace.
"I think I now understand the reason why," Alexander said, causing Sophie to look in his direction. "It's about us right?"
Sophie remained silent.
The date is December 20th, 1922. She arrived in Winter Palace in September. During those times they rarely interacted with one another. Alexander was busy drawing up plans. But he promised her that he'll give her time and attention and be a suitable husband for him, even though it was political.
He stood up from his seat, walked around his table, then sat across from her.
"I'm sorry," Alexander said. "I'm sorry that I'm not able to give you the time. I'm sorry I'm not able to be with you all the time. I'm sorry if I made you feel lonely and dejected," Alexander said. His face was solemn, and his expression was full of sorrow and guilt. "I even thought that I made a mistake when I agreed to this marriage. But I'm thankful that you're here, at least today, I can make up for it."
The building of his face, she realized how solemn and serious he is.
"No, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't realize how tiring your work can be...that you have to work every day with minimal rest."
Alexander slightly smiled, it was still not enough reason for him to completely ignore her for the past two months. He failed as a man, he made her feel alone even though he promised she'll make comfortable in his palace.
"What are you working on?" Sophie asked as she glanced around the room, changing the topic.
"Ah...it's for the military." Alexander stood and walked to one of the chalkboards. "I haven't had a name for it but this is an assault rifle that the Tula representative will be making. It's my design."
On the chalkboards, the schematics he drew in it were the AR15, AK47, and FN FAL.
Sophie followed him and checked the drawing herself. "I don't know what it is but the drawing is simply amazing...did you draw it yourself?"
"Of course, it's my drawing," Alexander answered. "I drew it to the finest detail so the arms manufacturer could easily understand."
"Then what about this drawing?"
"It's a new type of aircraft called a helicopter. The Tupolev Aeronautics are the ones who will be creating the prototype." Alexander explained.
"Helicopter..." She gasped as she looked closely at the schematics of the Huey helicopter. It was filled with mathematical equations that she can't fathom. Their lines are also different...they are lines that cut in the middle, some are thick and thin, they are arrows at both ends of the line, and it has numbers on top of it. She had never seen this before.
Alexander, who was watching her awed face decided to intervene. "It's called alphabet of lines if you're wondering. It's what the engineers used in technical drawings for designing machines, houses, buildings, et cetera. It's the universal language for engineers."
"Really? That's amazing. I never knew engineers use a different types of lines in their designs...so every line drawn here has different meanings right?"
Alexander nodded. "Yes, just like in art, you also have a set of, rules to follow in drawing them too."
"You're right...but this one is making my head spin...I can't even understand what it's trying to say..."
Alexander chuckled, it's only normal for her to feel that way.
"I'm not just trying to design military hardware, I also have plans on creating new appliances or even innovating those existing ones."
Sophie could only chuckle a response. Her brain simply can't follow Alexander's. Gazing into one of those drawings made her realize that he is not just an ordinary prince. He's really not lying about him telling her that he's an excellent engineer.
Sophie grabbed unused chalk from the chalk box and asked Alexander. "Can I try?"
Alexander blinked, it was the same word he said to Sophie when they were alone at the Hofburg Palace. Does she mean to copy his design and try to draw it herself?
"I don't see a problem with it,"
"Then...I'll start now." Sophie head to the unused chalkboard and began drawing.
Alexander stood behind her and observed her drawing.
From the beginning she just traced the outline, even though she believed that her drawing would be awful because this was her first time drawing it, Sophie was able to draw it in the end.
Alexander clapped his hands. "Nice," he complimented.
"Thank you...Can I try more?"
"Fine by me."
They spend their time drawing things whatever came to mind. It brings back memories of when they were at the Hofburg Palace drawing the bird on a canvas.
Alexander watched Sophie smiling as she enjoyed drawing things out of her field. It was endearing, her bright face made him let out a sigh of admiration. He has never seen a woman like her who was this vibrant and lovely.
They were drawing on the same board until suddenly, their hands bumped at one another, reflexively causing them to look at each other.
Their eyes locked.
Alexander and Sophie stood staring at each other. It was so quiet in his office. They could only hear the crackling of the fire beside them.
Alexander was the one who broke the silence by quietly saying. "Sophie..."
Sophie's face reddened. She felt her heart thumping.
"Yes?"
"I...I don't know how to say this..." After a pause, "Can I tell you something?"
They say the winter season in Ruthenia Empire is cold, very cold. But for some reason his entire body was hot, his heart beating fast like he just finished a 100-meter dash, and his face slowly turning red.
"Yes...?"
"Sophie...I like you,"
The silence returned as if the entire world stopped turning. Sophie stood frozen, her face was filled with disbelief, and shock and after a long while, she answered back. "I...I like you too, Alexander..."
Her eyes are filled with longing and love. He had never seen that look before. It makes him want to grab her and kiss her right there on her tempting lips.
Alexander took a step closer to her until they are face to face. But right there, he stopped, seemingly unable to move forward as he saw her eyes trembling...but in the end...she closed her eyes and protruded her lips to meet his.
Alexander leaned in and captured her lips in his. Their lips intertwined in a kiss as soft as silk.
Sophie felt her body warm and tingly. She couldn't believe this is happening, Alexander was kissing her, she kissed him back and it was perfect.