Corina decided to take a bath without Nadine's assistance. She wanted to be alone so she could think about the Duke in peace. She also had lingering thoughts about the book she had been reading.
Nadine returned to her own chambers to spend the rest of the evening.
"Something isn't right," Corina muttered as she bobbed her head above the water, bubbles tickling her nose.
Her mind wandered to the illustration of the man and the woman. She reached down in the water, feeling between her legs. "Why did the woman not have this shown? But the man had it? I'm missing something," she grumbled, then released her hand. "But this thing isn't like the picture. The picture was massive! This is so small...maybe women have smaller ones that can hide. That might be it! I need to study more."
The princess finished her bath and then dressed in a more casual dress. She brushed out her long hair, then sighed.
Her heart ached. She wanted to see the Duke. She needed to clean the air between them as soon as she possibly could. She was going to taste the Duke's lips, even if it ended up killing her.
The princess stepped out of her room. As she did, she saw Jeffery pass her in the hall.
"Princess Corina," Jeffery bowed and offered her a smile. "Are you enjoying your time in Luminairea?"
Corina smacked her forehead and shook her head. "It's beautiful, but it's also frustrating."
"Oh? What had you frustrated?"
Corina placed her hands on her waist. She let out a long, exaggerating sigh. "Everything!"
Jeffery let out a hearty laugh. He patted the top of her head. "You'll get used to it."
"I have a question," Corina frowned. "Do you know where Alexander is right now?"
"Yes," Jeffery nodded and scratched his chin. "I saw the Duke headed for the gardens."
Corina nodded, and a smile crept up on her lips. She began to head down the hall, but she was stopped by the sound of the knight's voice calling out to her. "Yes, Jeffy?"
The older man blushed and laughed. "What a nickname."
"But it's a cute nickname," she commented.
"I don't think it's fitting, but I don't mind."
"Good Jeffy. Now, what is it?"
"Tomorrow," he began. "I was asked to go escort you into the village. The Duke wishes for you to meet with the tailor to speak about a design for your wedding dress."
Corina's face lit up, and her eyes sparkled when she heard Jeffery mention the wedding dress. She didn't realize she would be able to pick her own dress for the ceremony. "R-Really?" She gasped. "That's so exciting. I would love to go!"
"You can also see the village this way," Jeffery replied. "Would you like to head out after breakfast in the morning?"
Corina nodded enthusiastically. Finally, something exciting was going to happen. "Yes. I was getting bored being cooped up in the palace."
"Great," Jeffery replied before leaving. "I'll come to your chambers after breakfast. Try to get a good night's rest."
The blonde watched as the knight walked off. The prospect of venturing into the village with him was exciting. She wondered if they would be able to make a few stops to see the different shops in town.
"I hope they have a sweet shop," Corina muttered as she began her way to the garden. "I want some cake."
Ever since she was finally allowed to eat cake the night before she left her home, she had developed a craving for it. Before then, her mother never allowed her to eat cake, telling her it would make her fat and go straight to her hips.
The reality of it, though, was her mother wanted her to remain as small as possible, so she could better pass as a boy. Somehow, in Amelia's mind, she was doing the princess a favor, not realizing how abusive it was to deny her simple pleasures in life.
Corina hummed happily as she thought about eating a large slice of chocolate cake. Or strawberry cake. Or vanilla cake. Really, any cake. As long as it was moist, fluffy, and had layers of frosting, it didn't matter what type of cake she got to eat. She had so much focus on eating cake that she forgot the goal for the following day was to have a dress designed.
To hell with the dress—cake was the important part.
When Corina stepped into the garden, her blue eyes focused up at the sky. Night finally began to fall. It had always been her favorite time of the day. The girl enjoyed the way the stars shined in the sky and the twin moons illuminated beyond the horizon, slowly rising toward the center of the sky.
Orphelia, with a soft, yellow glow, guided the way of travelers who lost their way on the road, and Orpheus, the dark, mysterious spiked orb, which chased after Orphelia's soft glow but could never catch her.
The blonde tore her gaze away from the sky to scan the gardens. As advised, she saw the back of Duke Alexander seated on the bench near the center of the garden, his own gaze fixed on the approaching twilight above.
Corina stood there for a moment, her azure orbs focused on the man. Her chest fluttered as she stared at him. He was a handsome man, and she felt lucky she was allowed to become engaged to the gentle, kind, attractive royal. She hoped in her heart he would someday come to love her.
As quietly as possible, she stepped forward, ensuring she didn't disturb the man as she approached. She didn't take her eyes off of him as she nervously stood behind him.
Her heart beat faster as she folded her hands in front of her body. Her lips parted slightly as she wondered what to say to the man who was to be her husband.
"Hubby," Corina whispered, staring at the man who sat there.
Alexander turned his head, a look of surprise over his face when he saw her looking down at him. The expression quickly turned into a shy smile. He patted the seat next to him.
Corina nodded and took a seat, crossing her legs after she had sat. She rested her hands on her lap. "Good evening," she murmured.
"Good evening, princess," Alexander replied.
"Wifey," Corina corrected.
Alexander chuckled. "W-Wifey," he corrected himself with flushed cheeks.
"Could you not sleep?" Corina asked him.
"No," he replied with a subtle sigh. "I was tossing and turning, so I came out here to ease my mind."
Corina nodded, then ruined her head to look at him. "Would you like to talk about it?"
"Ah," Alexander nervously ran his fingers through this hair. "It's just... I feel as if I offended you earlier today. Again, I'm terribly sorry, princess."
"Wifey," Corina frowned.
The Duke nodded. It would take some time for him to become used to addressing the woman in such a manner, though he found it endearing how she insisted on referring to each other as husband and wife. He quite liked it, even though he was shy about using the affectionate term.
"You kissed my cheek," Corina began, a serious expression on her face. "I thought it was going to be my lips!"
Alexander placed his hand over his chest. Those words made his heart beat uncontrollably. "Is that the problem?" He asked her, having a hard time processing the idea. "Did you want that?"
Corina nodded.
"I can't believe this," Alexander let out a nervous chuckle. "I thought you were angry. I kissed you on the cheek."
"I was, but not because of the kiss," she responded with furrowed brows.
"We aren't supposed to lock lips until we exchange vows," he reminded her.
"I don't care!" The princess folded her arms against her chest.
Alexander gave her a warm smile. He leaned forward to gaze into her eyes. His gaze fell onto her soft, pink lips. Now that she mentioned what it was she desired, his urge to kiss her grew even stronger.
With a trembling hand, he cupped her chin and tilted her head up so he could get a better look into the deep blue pools. Slowly, he leaned forward. "A quick kiss wouldn't hurt, would it?" He wondered out loud. "It's not as if anyone is watching."
Corina blushed. This time it would happen. He would kiss her, right?