"Did you get what you came for?" I teased her with eyes on her blushed cheeks while tucking my shirt back into my trousers.
"Yes." She smiled and hugged me again.
"Are you satisfied now, my wife?" I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, squeezing her even more.
"I will be after I make sure you are in bed and sleeping," Valleria muttered.
Ah right. I'm tired.
"Let's go then." I ruffled her hair a bit and laughed when she tried to fix it immediately after.
"You are so fucking cute." I couldn't help but kiss her again before she tried to make me move by holding my hand and walking in front of me.
As we walked through the corridors, I noticed I had already assigned twice as many guards as a month ago. It went from one man to three, then to five and she was now stuck with eight of them, following her like shadows.
"I'll join you in the afternoon, just send someone to remind me when the time comes." I kissed her fingers when we parted ways.
"Good night, husband," she replied with a sincere smile before she left surrounded by royal guards.
"Wake me in four hours." I looked at one of my men and closed the door behind me.
I was finally alone, able to get rid of my clothes and slip into the bed.
My uncomfortable dreams came again, as every night. I was always more suited for planning battles and leading armies. This much bureaucracy just made me sick.
Lately, I found myself relying more on Valleria's guidance. She had a way of seeing things that I didn't, and her insights helped me make some tough decisions. But there was still a part of me that felt bad because of it. I couldn't help but feel like she was a much better person than I would deserve to have by my side.
A soft knock on the door woke me up. One of my guards came to remind me that it was time for lunch. I groaned inwardly, knowing that I had forgotten about that council I promised to join.
I forced myself out of bed and went into the council hall with a plate in my hand, finding them screaming at each other. They finally shut their mouths after they noticed I arrived.
I put a plate with the unfinished meal on the table and sat in my usual spot.
"Branko," I addressed one of the councilmen by my left "Summarize what you agreed upon before I can finish my meal."
"We made no progress at all, Your Highness." He shook his head and sighed with eyes on the desk.
Sure they did. I swallowed another goblet and nodded a few times.
"We will go with Branislav's draft." I decided and reminded them "That's my final word, you have more important matters than this to discuss now. The delegation will be here in less than a month. Come up with the agenda, write it down, and report it to me tomorrow."
I left the empty plate on the spot and left. I promised to be there and I decided to come even before Valleria could send a maid for me. Maybe I can steal a few kisses from her before the guests can arrive.
But they were already there and I had no other choice than to join the women for tea in the gardens. As we sat there sipping our tea and chatting about trivial things, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider. These women trusted Valleria completely, making me feel small and insignificant compared to her. None of them tried to undermine her authority, nor question her reasons.
But it was interesting. I enjoyed her honest laugh and I was grateful no one tried to chat me up.