The days grew long as Leorick and Seraphine were swept up by the responsibilities of ruling. The warmth of their newly declared love was often a distant memory as they tackled the ceaseless demands of governance. It had been nearly a week since they'd shared a full conversation, each only glimpsing the other in passing.
Leorick sat at the head of the council table, his gaze shifting over maps and reports spread across the polished wood. To his left sat Duke Aldric, while his trade advisor, Lord Roderic, studied a parchment intently.
"So, Lord Roderic, you're saying the shortage of grain is affecting our deals with the southern merchants?" Leorick asked, rubbing his temples.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Roderic replied, nodding. "The southern merchants won't commit to new agreements unless we can guarantee supply. They've threatened to look elsewhere—potentially the Eastern Kingdoms."
Duke Aldric leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Perhaps we could lower tariffs to make trade more attractive. We may lose revenue, but it would buy us time to restock."
Leorick frowned, tapping his fingers against the table. "Lower tariffs… That may placate them for now, but it would set a precedent. They'll expect the same every time we hit a rough patch."
"Then what about increasing imports from the western regions?" Roderic suggested, glancing at the maps. "They have surplus grain this season. We'd have to adjust our budget, but it could offset the shortage."
"Are the western merchants open to negotiating new prices?" Leorick asked, raising an eyebrow.
Roderic shifted in his seat. "They're... aware of our predicament. They know we need them, so they'll demand higher rates."
Leorick sighed, his frustration showing. "I'm caught between greedy merchants and half-starved farmers. Every step forward feels like another obstacle."
Aldric chuckled. "Welcome to ruling, Your Majesty. We'll figure it out. A few late nights never killed anyone—yet."
Leorick forced a grin. "That remains to be seen. Let's move forward with this—reach out to the western merchants and try to negotiate the best terms. And inform the southern merchants that we're stabilizing our supplies. We can't let them think we're desperate."
The council murmured in agreement, and the conversation continued well into the afternoon, with Leorick strategizing, compromising, and wrestling with decisions that left him weary by day's end.
Meanwhile, Seraphine sat in a modest room across from Lady Agatha, the head of the kingdom's orphanages. Lady Agatha was a stern woman with silver hair pulled into a tight bun, her sharp eyes never missing a detail.
"We're very grateful for the funding, Lady Seraphine," Agatha said with a nod. "But if I may be frank, I have reservations about the proposed changes."
Seraphine folded her hands calmly. "Please, Lady Agatha, speak openly. I want to know your concerns."
Agatha gave a slight nod, her voice soft but firm. "The new budget for the orphanage requires adjustments—improved food supplies, better beds, repairs to the dormitories. But I need assurances that this funding will continue."
"I understand," Seraphine said, leaning forward earnestly. "That's why I'm proposing monthly audits. We'll review the budget together, making sure funds are allocated where they're most needed."
Lady Agatha's lips tightened. "Monthly audits? Pardon my bluntness, my lady, but what about six-month reviews instead? Monthly visits may cause undue stress on the staff."
Seraphine considered this thoughtfully. "You may be right. However, I still feel that regular checks are necessary, at least for the first few months. I'd like the opportunity to see the changes firsthand and ensure the children are benefiting."
Agatha sighed. "You are a caring woman, Lady Seraphine. But the staff are wary. They're accustomed to a… quieter operation, if you will."
Seraphine softened, offering a gentle smile. "Then perhaps we can ease into it. A quarterly review instead? Enough to maintain oversight, but not too intrusive?"
Agatha inclined her head in agreement. "That could work. Thank you, my lady."
Seraphine nodded, relieved to have found a compromise. "Thank you, Lady Agatha. I look forward to seeing the orphanage's progress."
As night fell, Leorick finally closed his ledgers, his body and mind aching from the day's work. He quietly entered the bedchamber, where Seraphine was seated by the window, wrapped in a soft robe, a book in her hands. She looked up, her face lighting up as she saw him.
"You're here," she murmured, her voice full of relief as she set her book aside.
Leorick gave her a weary smile, crossing the room to sit beside her. "Yes. I was beginning to think I'd be sleeping in the council chamber at this rate."
She laughed softly, brushing a stray hair from his face. "I missed you," she whispered, her hand lingering on his cheek. "It feels like we haven't had a proper conversation in days."
He leaned into her touch, sighing. "Tell me about it. Today's meetings were endless. The southern merchants are growing impatient, and we're at a standstill on the grain imports."
"Grain imports?" she asked, tilting her head. "What happened?"
"Our crops fell short, so the southern merchants are threatening to go elsewhere unless we can secure more supply. We're looking to import from the west, but they know we're in a bind, so they're raising prices."
Seraphine gave him a sympathetic smile. "Ruling has no easy choices, does it?"
Leorick chuckled ruefully. "Not even close. And I heard you've had your own battles with Lady Agatha."
"Oh, yes." Seraphine rolled her eyes. "She wants the orphanage funds, but she's wary of monthly audits. We finally agreed to quarterly reviews, but it took some convincing."
He smiled, resting his forehead against hers. "So, we're both surrounded by impossible people."
"Indeed," she whispered, her eyes softening as they locked onto his. "Is this...what it will be like? Us barely having time for each other?"
Leorick's expression softened, his hand moving to cradle her cheek. "I hope not. This week was harder than most, I think. Once we finish these negotiations and settle the orphanage reforms… perhaps we'll have a little more time. In fact, I've been thinking about something."
"Oh?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
He took her hands, gently tracing his thumbs over her knuckles. "What would you say to a trip? Once our duties are in order?"
Seraphine's face brightened. "A trip? Just us?"
Leorick smiled, nodding. "Yes. Somewhere quiet, away from all this." He gestured toward the ledgers and scrolls stacked by the desk. "I was thinking the northern countryside. There's a valley with fields that bloom in early spring. We could stay at one of the old estates along the river, with no council members or trade reports."
"It sounds perfect," she whispered, her voice filled with longing. "But only if we actually finish everything here first. I don't want you rushing back halfway through because of a missed shipment."
He laughed, his eyes gleaming with affection. "You have my word. We'll finish what needs to be done first. Then, it'll be just us."
She settled against him, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Thank you, Leorick. I look forward to it. Sometimes, I forget you're not just my king, but my husband."
"And I your grateful husband," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
In the silence that followed, they held each other, both weary from the weight of their responsibilities but comforted by the promise of the journey ahead—a reprieve from their duties and a reminder of the love that anchored them.