The rhythmic rattle of the horses on the grass fields was the only thing Benedikt wanted to hear.
As the group of men and their attendants moved along the lines of the river, the youngest among them, Benedikt, tried his best to conceal the fact that he didn't want to spend one of his rare leisurely times horse riding with the husbands of other noble Allemanian families.
He'd preferred to spend it with his wife on Kleingoldlinden, having a nice cup of her favourite tea and a lavish walk around the shore of their island.
Instead he had to engage in boring conversations about the shallow topics within their circles, while politely avoiding the obvious urgency of the current political situation of their country.
The capital city of Sachson Dresdany was a beautiful testament of architectural and cultural development. Due to its nature of geographical location Dresdany became an important economical and political hub in Allemania.
It wasn't that the Prince of the northernmost duchy didn't want to see how other allemanian royalties had advanced their lordship compared to his precious home. In a way it was inspiring to see how Dresdany had changed so much from his last visit years ago. He wanted visitors to be impressed by Hohengoldlinden's development as well.
It was just that Benedikt didn't want to attend such a social gathering with the intention of scrutinising his wife of her legitimacy.
The shallow conversation made him fretful, yet he was, just as always, capable of maintaining the ideal expression and gave enough input to the current topic to appear knowledgeable without being arrogant.
Their group had begun slowing down, overseeing the river with the city beyond it.
Benedikt had tried his best to not surpass his host and match his speed to the other members of their entourage.
"Prince Benedikt, do tell me how did the married life changed you?" Baron Gottwald von Bedan looked over to the blonde man sitting on the brown horse and grinned. He was as nosy as his wife Henriette.
"To the better, I would say. I didn't expect that it would bring me so much happiness." Benedikt smiled back at him, skillfully ignoring his suggesting undertone.
"Happiness, indeed," Gottwald nodded. "It is a shame though that you haven't lived out your bachelor years a little bit more freely."
"So are the rumours true, that you truly haven't savoured the advantages of being a bachelor in your position?" The Marquis Lorenz Leuthringen joined the conversation and looked at the younger one in surprise.
For Benedikt the topic of extramarital romantic or passionate relations or experiences was a weary subject. He didn't engage in such things, as it was way more troublesome to deal with any consequences afterwards as that the benefits would have made it worth it.
To the Prince with the wavy blonde hair it was more rewarding to have waited until his arranged marriage. Whatever humane passions Yumiko and he shared were worth more than any other experience that he could have had beforehand.
However, to most other men in their circles such an abstinence before marriage was unfathomable. A majority of men married with strategic intentions, so engaging in bodily relationships before and even during one's marriage was the only remedy for such a sacrifice.
Or rather, that was the excuse that was commonly used to justify such a sinful act.
Almost all men with noble backgrounds had a mistress or two that kept them entertained while they had a wife who would devote herself solely to their infidel husband.
It was a luxury that they were able to afford.
Though, it wasn't something that Benedikt ever wanted to pursue. He had rather focused on his naval career.
"I have savoured my bachelor years plenty enough, there is not a single thing that I regret." Benedikt kept on his polite smile. He didn't want to talk about his private life with those men.
"Plenty hm?" Gottwald smirked at him. "How so?"
"I completed my military training successfully and have created a great foundation to follow that path within His Imperial Majesty's naval military division."
Gottwald looked at him in confusion. "Well yes, career wise. However, what I asked was about the other aspect of your bachelor life."
Benedikt continued to smile at him in polite oblivion. "I indulged in every other aspect of my bachelor life abundantly."
"Then I would assume that you are also savouring your married life abundantly?" His tone was playfully ambiguous.
Benedikt had to stifle the abhorrence that he felt towards the brunette man in front of him. He was a repulsive man who had a well-known reputation of proudly engaging in numerous extramarital relationships. Despite their similarity of age, Benedikt could never really connect to the Baron. He was a crude, obnoxious person who didn't quite live up to the title he inherited.
It was brazen of him to address Benedikt's private life so directly, however the current circumstance allowed him to speak more freely.
"As I have mentioned before, I am very happily married." Benedikt knew that this answer wouldn't satisfy the Baron. However, he wasn't willing to play along.
"A shame, I say! Someone in your position could have had any woman." Gottwald sighed with outrage. He ruffled his hair and shook his head in disappointment.
"I don't need any woman. My wife is the only woman that I could have ever asked for." Benedikt spoke calmly.
"You are unexpectedly romantic, Prince Benedikt," Duke Erhard von der Pfelz grinned at him.
Erhard was around Leopold's age and was one of the few more dutiful and proper men that he knew of.
"Yeah right, romantic." Gottwald scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"It is good to know that you enjoy your marriage. Your potential marriage prospects were quite a widely discussed topic after all." Duke Erhard smiled at him.
"There was no soul in Allemania or even on the western continent that wouldn't have a kind of assumption who the precious younger Archduke of the prestigious Hohengoldlinden family could possibly marry." Elector Maximilian laughed.
"How did Baroness Isabella react to the surprising marriage announcement? Do they actually get along?" Gottwald leaned over on his horse and looked at Benedikt with excitement.
Benedikt refrained from showing any irritating expressions.
"There is nothing worth mentioning about her reaction at that time. Baroness Isabella and my wife do get along really well. They have already formed a close friendship," Benedikt smiled at Gottwald who looked a little bit disappointed.
His expression quickly changed as he came to a conclusion. The brunette approached Benedikt now on his horse, close enough to give the blonde man a pat on the back. A gesture of respect while nodding his head knowingly.
"I see. I see. So that's what you have been brewing all this time. Very clever, my dear Prince. I didn't expect that from you. So being the perfectly proper nobleman is only your facade, hm?"
Benedikt didn't quite understand the conclusion that Gottwald made, but it slowly dawned on him as he traced back their conversation.
The other men bursted out laughing as they came to the same conclusion.
"I don't think this is what Prince Benedikt had planned," Duke Erhard shook his head.
"You should keep your wild fantasies to yourself, Gottwald," Marquis Lorenz agreed.
"I think it makes perfect sense." Gottwald looked within their group seriously.
Benedikt stretched out his arm and held onto Gottwald's shoulder.
"Baron Gottwald, I'm not too sure what conclusions you are creating in that funny head of yours, however I'm confident in the words that I just told you. There is no room for any other implications and I would very much prefer it to not read into any of my statements." Benedikt firmly gripped onto his shoulder, underlining his words. He spoke calmly, yet with enough authority to put him back into his position.
Benedikt gave him a small grin before letting go and commanding his horse to slowly continue on.
The other men followed him while briefly glancing at Gottwald.
His expression was a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. He cleared his throat before getting a move on.
"Do allow me the question, Prince Benedikt. Has your wife's…condition any impact on your daily life?" Prince Hermann Steufer looked at Benedikt carefully.
It was a genuine question out of curiosity. He couldn't blame him for asking the obvious and didn't feel offended.
As they calmly rode along the river, Benedikt looked around. The city was not far in front of them, the trees were fully green, shaking softly in the breeze. The sun shone in between the gaps of the leaves and branches. The water within the river was glistening, moving ever so gently towards Dresdany. The golden embroidery on his sleeves and the colours of his outerwear were a bright contrast to the slightly shadowy background of the earthy path below him and his horse.
All these things and so many more were unknown to his wife. At the same time her world was also completely unknown to him.
"There is no impact on my daily life whatsoever," Benedikt then turned towards Hermann whose face still showed some of his discomfort for asking such a personal question. "Like any other relationship it is a lot about learning and understanding."
Hermann returned his gaze with a careful smile, relieved that he didn't displease Benedikt. "Indeed it is."
Benedikt looked up again towards the trees and the thought of wanting to be with Yumiko crossed his mind. He wanted to walk beside her, enjoy the refreshing breeze and the warm sun rays between the leaves. He would have described whatever he saw to her with the best words that he knew.
The impatience within him grew as he wanted the time to pass faster in order to see his wife as soon as possible.
"Though it must be quite complex, wouldn't it be? Considering that it is quite uncommon, especially in our social class to have someone with this kind of condition as a marriage prospect." Gottwald's tone was also cautious. Despite that, Benedikt could tell that it was his sly way of masking another demeaning comment.
His statement wasn't necessarily wrong. It was indeed unusual that someone would consider a potential marriage partner under these circumstances, fearing to pass on any unfavourable characteristics to one's children.
However, for Benedikt and his family it didn't pose any hindrance in considering Yumiko as a spouse, the economic and political opportunities outweighed any other possible concerns. By simply looking at all the other royal families and their lineage, it wasn't important to his parents to preserve their name solely within the borders of their known countries.
Despite him feeling completely indifferent to his own marriage just a few months ago, Benedikt now felt like a changed person. He didn't even want to imagine a single day without being married to Yumiko ever. She brought him so much joy and made him see his surroundings with new eyes. In the beginning he just wanted her to at least feel comfortable in Kleingoldlinden, a far away foreign country. But now he was willing to give her the entirety of the planet and even more to see her happy.
It was a strange, unfamiliar feeling of commitment and wholehearted dedication, but he enjoyed every second of it. There was still so much he had to learn and it filled him with even more bliss knowing that their shared life had just begun.
And this event here in Sachson was their first challenge as a mixed couple on the western continent, although the majority was centred around Yumiko and the female half of this gathering, he couldn't allow himself any mistakes that might affect the other people's opinion on them. However, he couldn't allow any other person to make such openly offensive comments about his wife.
"That might be possible, however it seems that we are then socialising in different circles, aren't we, Baron?" Benedikt gave him a brief glance over the shoulders, smiling. Ever so perfectly adequate as the son of the only Archduke of this entire empire of Allemania.
He managed to catch a glimpse of Gottwald who was taken aback.
In all honesty Benedikt wanted to ridicule the Baron of Bedan even more explicitly, but he had to hold back to not seem too overly arrogant. He wouldn't meet Gottwald within the same shameful extent. He was far superior to sink to such low standards.
"My, my, dear gentlemen. Isn't that over there our first stop for a short break?" Elector Maximilian nervously chuckled as he led his horse through the last remaining trees of the forest.
"Fair enough, it seems like we have reached the tent awaiting us with some refreshments." Duke Erhard gave a strong pat on Gottwald's back as he too went ahead and followed Maximilian towards the colourful tents.
"A nice refreshment sounds wonderful," Benedikt joined them cheerfully. He made it more than clear for the Baron to understand. It was time to lighten up the mood and stir the conversation to the usual boring topics.
Gottwald cleared his throat, avoiding looking directly at Benedikt. He only nodded in acknowledgement and followed along without making any other displeasing comment.
Benedikt entered the bedroom that was assigned to both him and Yumiko within the castle.
As he opened the door with a deep sigh he saw his wife sitting on the chair by the window. She wore a beautiful kimono and was ready for the evening. Her head slowly turned around towards the door and she smiled. "It's me," he said in a soft whisper, like an automatic reaction upon entering a room with her already in it. He wanted to make sure that she would always know that it was him.
He could feel his heart elevate in his chest, thumbing happily and the energy returning into his body. With large, swift steps he closed the distance between them, carefully took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Welcome back," she whispered back. Benedikt quietly observed her expression. He wanted to see if there were any signs of exhaustion or dejection on her beautiful face. There were none, though he knew that she was good at concealing her emotions.
"How are you?" He took her other hand, lifting her up gently from the chair and sat down himself. Benedikt then grabbed her by the waist and placed her on his lap, cradling her lovingly.
"Oh my," she laughed and carefully straightened the fabrics of her kimono. "You seem upset?"
He looked at her and nuzzled his head onto the back of her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her delicate waist.
"Not anymore." His voice came out muffled.
"Was it that displeasing to you?" Yumiko raised her hand and patted his head.
Benedikt shook his head. "What about you? How was your first tea party outside our home? I want to hear that first."
She didn't stop ruffling through his hair as she answered. It was comforting.
"I'm good, it was a pleasant surprise."
"Hm?" Benedikt shook his head again furrowing his brows. "A pleasant surprise?"
"We had lovely tea in a beautiful garden. The others were really kind, we exchanged pleasantries and it was a pleasure to meet them all." Yumiko spoke calmly, genuinely. "It would be nice to invite them to Kleingoldlinden and get to know them even more."
Her answer was more on the shallower side, very much like her, however Benedikt wanted to know more details. Usually, whatever happens during a tea party would be none of a man's concern. But he wanted to know what happened during the few hours they were separated in this unfamiliar territory. It was in her mercy to disclose any more information and he wouldn't push any further if she chose not to.
"So, nothing happened or was said that upset you?" Benedikt asked cautiously.
Yumiko's body within his embrace vibrated from her soft chuckles.
"Are you being overprotective?"
Once more Benedikt shook his head. "I just want to ensure that my wife has been treated well during my absence."
"Yes, certainly," Benedikt could hear her grin as she spoke. "What can I do about my caring husband?"
"Endure it happily." He sheepishly gave her neck a kiss. She laughed.
"I wasn't upset or anything and I wasn't surprised by any of the questions either. I am managing just fine even during your absence and outside of your watchful eyes."
Benedikt sighed softly in relief. "I know, it isn't that I'm not aware of your capabilities. It is everyone else whom I don't trust."
"Aren't they all your peers? It's not like they are strangers."
"Sure, I know them. But at the same time I don't. There is a reason why I usually avoid such gatherings. Human intentions are complex and will change. Therefore, depending on the circumstances they are strangers to me."
"That is true too. Even with all that it is still necessary to establish good relationships with others."
"Worry not about your husband. When it comes down to it, I will be the most dependable guy in that matter," he kissed her again on the back of her neck. "And with that said, I have to unfortunately go and get ready for the evening."
"Yes, you should." Yumiko turned around with her upper body within his arms, held his face with her hands and kissed his left cheek.
Benedikt then leaned forward and wanted to kiss her on the lips. She stopped his face gently with her hands. "I have lipstick on."
He grinned and pushed past her hands. "This trifle can't stop me."
They kissed and Benedikt savoured every second of this small intimate moment.
Before he could have struggled to break away from her, he sighed and leaned backwards again.
As he opened his eyes he saw her red lipstick all smudged on her tempting lips.
He chuckled and tried to gently wipe away the red colour from around her mouth with his thumbs.
"Tell Takane-san that I'm sorry. But I'm sure she will understand."
Yumiko furrowed her brows, but she smiled. Adoringly.
Benedikt sighed deeply again and got up from the chair, placing Yumiko back into its midst.
"I will be back in a bit."
"I will be waiting for you," Yumiko gave him a lovely smile and he tried to suppress another sigh.
As he walked to the connecting door to the adjacent room he wiped his lips with his thumb. He looked at his red stained finger and regretted his rational behaviour.
What would he have given to just ignore the upcoming evening plans. However, it was important to show themselves in front of all the other guests of this gathering. As a loving couple, worthy of their title. Free of any possible disadvantages arising from their cultural origin.