Over the next few days, Eirik found himself noticing Kaelix's efforts more and more. Every morning, there was something, a bouquet of flowers, a carefully chosen book, a thoughtful gift left in his chambers. Each gesture was small, but it carried a weight that Eirik couldn't ignore.
Kaelix wasn't just going through the motions of their arranged marriage. He was trying, really trying, to show Eirik that he cared.
One evening, after a particularly long day of wedding preparations with Queen Elena, all he had wanted was some peace, some reprieve from the weight of it all.
And yet, the sight that greeted him when he returned to their chambers took him by surprise.
Eirik find Kaelix waiting for him.
He sat at the table, his posture relaxed, the room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, and on the table sat two cups of tea, steam curling up from the delicate porcelain.
