Ophelia smiles up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. The waltz music fills the air, setting a joyful tone for the evening. She holds onto his arm as they watch the princesses and their suitors join the dance. She can't help but smile a little as she sees how happy they are. Though, she can practically feel the concern radiating off of Kaillas.
"We haven't even be married for an hour," She points out with a light laugh. "I don't regret a thing." She hasn't had time to regret anything. Besides, she feels confident about their marriage. They will have their fair share of hardships, of that she's certain, but she thinks that they'll have a solid marriage.
She reaches up to touch the tiara delicately, her fingertips tracing the intricate details. "I will cherish it always," She assures them. If they ever have a daughter, she will give it to her. That is, if neither of Kaillas' sisters want the tiara. It belonged to their mother after all so they have every right to it.
With a hum, she takes Kaillas' hand, intertwining their fingers. Today has been a crazy whirlwind of activities and she's glad that they've finally moved on to something relaxing. She needs a break from the madness of it all.
Kaillas kept one eye on his sisters. He leveled a glare at the boys when one of them dared to hold his sisters too close them. They should be at arm's length if they were doing to dance together at all. He recognized them both as sons of lords at the court but he couldn't place their names. Any significant lord and lady had been invited along with their families for this occasion. There were a lot more people at court than usual. And that meant more lord's sons who could be potential husbands to his sisters.
"Well, one can never be too sure. I'm just hoping if I step on your toes it won't make you rethink this entire marriage." He wouldn't step on her toes. He had never once stepped or tripped over anyone while dancing.
His expression softened as she touched the crown. It looked beautiful on her. He hopes the crown would be passed through their generations. "Thank you," his voice quieted. There were many emotions surrounding the crown. Not all good.
"When would you like to leave?" It wasn't that Kaillas was trying to escape but that's exactly what he was doing. He was ready for a break from the court.
Ophelia notices the intensity in Kaillas' gaze as he watches his sisters dancing with their suitors. She understands his protective nature and finds it endearing that he cares for his sisters so much. Though she knows that he's worried, she doesn't doubt that Katya and Elora are perfectly capable of making their own choices. They wouldn't do anything crazy.
"You are the best dancer I know. I don't think I have to worry about you stepping on my toes," She assures him with a hum. "Even if you were the worst dancer in the world, I wouldn't rethink our entire marriage over a few sore toes." This entire conversation is very amusing to her.
She glances around at the revelry of the court, taking it all in. The celebrations are grand and the decorations are lovely but it's a bit much. The excited talking and laughing from the guests has gone from fun and endearing to a bit overwhelming.
She can sense his desire for some respite from the bustling court. She, too, feels the need to retreat and find solace in their own company. They have been in the spotlight all week and it's been draining. "I would love to leave whenever you feel ready," She replies, a hint of eagerness in her tone. She doesn't know how long they're meant to stay. Hopefully it won't reflect poorly on them if they decide to run off already.
Kaillas knew his sisters were perfectly capable of making their own decisions. While he wasn't unfamiliar to Elora kissing boys behind curtains, he kept his mouth shut. There were very few who knew of it. Only Cat and a select couple of maids who.had been the ones to catch them. It irritated him but he had been doing much worse at her age. He couldn't judge all that much. As long as she was careful he woukd keep his distance.
He twirled Opehlia before brining her back to his chest. "Hm, I suppose. Only time will tell." Truthfully, he was worried the more she got to know him, all his flaws, that it woukd be off putting. Kaillas didn't always think about others feelings when making a decision. He told hard truths and never sugar-coated. He shut himself off at times when he was going through something and never talked about his feelings. He knew it was only a matter of time before she no longer cared for him.
Kaillas had been itching to leave after the first five minutes of this balm starting. But he was enjoying dancing with Ophelia even if there was a crowd. "One more song?" He asked. He wanted to get out of these stuffy clothes but he wasn't quite ready to stop dancing with her.
The skirts of her gown flare as Kaillas twirls her, allowing her to feel a little less restrained. She leans into him when pulled back in close. “You mustn’t worry so much. Everything will work out,” She assures him, fully believing that. She has no doubts that Kaillas is a good man. Their marriage has the potential to be a happy one and that’s all that she wants.
As Kaillas asks for one more, she smiles softly and nods her head. "One more song," She agrees, looking forward to dance with him for just a few more minutes. While eager to depart from the crowd, she doesn’t want their time dancing together to end quite yet. The music continues to play, creating the perfect melody for their final dance. She follows his lead as they sway to the rhythm.
As they dance, Ophelia can’t help but steal glances at Kaillas. There is something captivating about him, something that dries her closer with each passing moment. She’s never met anyone like him before.
Kaillas found Catalina in the crowd, giving her a subtle gesture that after the next song, they were ready to leave. Their things should have already been packed and sent to their vacation estate. Kaillas was excited to show her. It would be a bit of a ride. It woukd take them until the early morning to get there bit it would be worth it.
"I always worry. It's my job to worry." There were so many things he needed to do as king. He had to worry about another kingdom deciding to spike a war with him, keeping other kingdoms happy so they didn't. Upholding treaties that were made by his parents. Watching poverty levels. And so, so much more.
Kaillas gripped her waist just a little bit harder, pulling her just a little bit closer. He looked down at her, noticing the way she was looking at him. He only smiled in response before spinning her again.
Ophelia catches Kaillas's subtle gesture towards Catalina, glad that preparations for them to leave after this song are being made. The thought of spending quality time with him away from the burdens of their responsibilities brings a sense of excitement and anticipation. That, and she’s looking forward to seeing where they’re going to be staying.
As Kaillas speaks about his worries, she listens attentively, understanding the weight that rested on his shoulders as a king. She appreciates his dedication and the seriousness with which he approached his duties. However, she does worry for him. All of that pressure and responsibility must be stressful.
Feeling his grip on her waist tighten as he pulls her closer, her heart skips a beat. With each spin and twirl, she finds herself fully relaxing. The day has gone perfectly and they’re ending everything on such a high note.
A sense of disappointment tugs at her when the song ends but her excitement to leave outweighs it. She gives his hand a light squeeze, indicating that she’s ready. She isn’t quite sure where they go from here but she’s looking forward to seeing it.
Catalina caught the gesture and slipped away from the crowd. She spoke with a steward who delivered the message to the driver. The carriage would be waiting for them by the time the song had ended.
Kaillas would try his best to sneak then out unnoticed but as king and queen, someone was always watching them. Despite knowing they should say their goodbyes, he wasn't in the mood for it. He speak with his sisters and Ambrose and they would be gone.
The music finally came to end and he felt a sense kf relief and dread. Relief to finally be leaving this place even if it was for a little while. And dread because he was worried to put the kingdom in the hands of another. It had only happened a few other times. And each time he had worried relentlessly until he was back on the throne. It wasn't that he didn't trust Ambrose. He just had control issues.
He gestured for his two sisters to come to them, which they after speaking with their dancing partners. "We're going to leave now," he said to both of them in a quiet voice. "We'll see you when we get back."
Elora and Katya both hugged Kaillas before moving to Ophelia. "Have a safe trip," the older one said. "Bring me back a present," said the younger. It made Kaillas roll his eyes with a smile on his face.
Ophelia watches as Kaillas beckons for his sisters to come over. Though she hates to pull them away from their dance partners, it would be wrong to just slip away without saying goodbye. She knows that Kaillas is worried about both leaving the kingdom in someone else's hands and not seeing his sisters for a week. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and he’ll be able to relax a little during their week off.
As Elora and Katya approach her, she happily hugs them back. She is so grateful to have married into such a wonderful family. At first she had been worried about how they would all get along but she’s really grown to love being around Elora and Katya. She truly sees them as sisters. "Thank you," she replies to the elder sister, appreciating her wishes for them to have an uneventful trip.
Turning to Katya, she can’t help but smile at the younger sister's request. "We’ll bring you something wonderful,” She assures her. She’s more than happy to get a present for both of the sisters. She’d also like to get something small for Catalina as a thank you. The woman has done so much for her after all.
As they say their goodbyes, Ophelia's gaze shifts to her new husband. "Are you ready?" She asks with a quiet hum, giving his hand a light squeeze. Thankfully their belonging have already been packed up and put into the carriage. All they’ve got to do is leave.
Kaillas refrained from rolling his eyes at Katya. Of course she would ve concerned on what there was to bring back. She knew exactly where they were going and the little merchant district that was near. But instead he said, "When have I ever not brought you both back something." He didn't leave often but when he did, even just to the cities of his kingdom, he always brought them home something.
"We'll see you in a week. Please try to behave." Their smiles didn't reassure him. If anything, it did the opposite. He just hoped he didn't come home to a scandal like last time. That had certianly been interesting to come home to and not in a good way.
He looked down at Ophelia, "Yes, in just a moment. I just need to speak with Ambrose. Stay here, I'llbe only a moment." He searched the crowd for the familiar face and aporached him, saying a quick goodbye and having the other man promise to take care of his kingdom until he returned.
Kaillas walked back to Ophelia's side, nodding for her to follow him outside. He was eager to leave the palace for a little while.
An amused smile tugs at her lips as she watches the interaction between the siblings. Their little quips and teasing are interesting to watch. It’s wonderful that they all have such a solid relationship with each other. She knows that many people grow apart from their siblings as they get older but that clearly isn’t the case here.
The comment about them behaving nearly makes her laugh. From what she knows about Katya and Elora, she can easily see them partying while their brother is away. She can’t blame them. They may as well let loose and have fun while they can. She just hopes that they won’t do anything too crazy.
She gives a small nod when Kaillas says that he needs to step away. She knows that he wants to have a chat with Ambrose and she can’t blame him. It must be stressful to leave the kingdom in someone else’s hands. She patiently waits for him to return, seeing no reason to rush him.
Upon his return, she offers a smile and then follows him outside. She’s excited to see where they’re going.
Once they were out of the ballroom, Kaillas unfastened his jacket buttons, exposing the dark undershirt. He reached over to grab her hand, pulling her against him. They were married now. He could as he pleased without a risk of a scandal. And with everyone at the ball, the only person they risked seeing then was a passing maid or the guards patrolling the halls.
He gripped the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. This was what he wanted to do when they had said their vows. This is what he wished he jad done. But there had too many people watching and jt made him uncomfortable to display such affections.
He broke the kiss, panting for a moment and tucking her head under his chin. He squeezed her once. "Alright, now we really should get going," he said with a laugh.
Taking her hand, he led her put to the palace steps were Catalina and a carriage were waiting for them. "Your Magesties," she dipped into a low curtsy, a smile on her face. "The carriage is ready for you both if you are ready."
Ophelia feels a rush of emotions as Kaillas pulls her into a passionate kiss. She has waited all week for moments like this, moments where they could openly express their affections without fear of judgment or scandal. She sets her hands on his chest, leaning into the kiss.
As he breaks the kiss and holds her close, she takes a minute to catch her breath. She leans into his embrace, savoring this time with him. His words bring a smile to her face, and she nods in agreement, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Yes, we should get going," she replies, her voice filled with a hint of playfulness. With their hands entwined, they make their way towards the awaiting carriage. Ophelia's eyes meet Catalina's, and she returns the smile. It is comforting to have someone like Catalina by their side.
"Thank you, Catalina," She says, her voice filled with gratitude. "We’re ready." As they approach the carriage, she glances back at the grand palace, its majestic structure fading into the night. She feels a sense of freedom, excited to embark on this little adventure with Kaillas.
With a mix of excitement and anticipation, she climbs into the carriage. As the carriage sets off, carrying them away from the palace and towards their honeymoon home, she cant help but hold Kaillas's hand tighter, grateful for the life they will now share as husband and wife.
Kaillas helped Ophelia into the carriage before getting in himself. He sat on the bench next to her, still holding her hand tight in his. Once the door closed, the carriage set off.
"It's going to be a long ride," he said, tugging her closer to him, "you should get some sleep." He used to that, her falling asleep on him. Every night that week he had gone into her chambers once everyone had gone to bed and sat with her. They would talk and kiss and hold each ither until she eventually fell asleep. Then he would pick her up and tuck her into bed before returning to his own rooms.
The carriage rode into the night. Before long, they were out if the city and on to the main road. They had an entourage with them of course. Plenty of guard with them to protect them should anything go wrong. Which it did not.
It was a smooth and easy ride. They stuck to the outskirts of towns to prevent from traveling through, which did prolong the trip but it was the safest option. Had they gone through the villages and cities, the carriage would have likely been stopped by people on the streets as they came to greet the two royals.
It was just an hour or two before dawn when they finally came to their destination. An estate right up on the beach. Vaeril bordered an ocean. There was only a small part of his kingdom that did and it wasn't large enough for his export to center around fishing. But it was a lovely vacation home and the perfect spot for a honeymoon.
Kaillas roused Ophelia gently. "We're here," he said, pulling away from her. "We can go back to bed in a moment." To sleep and only to sleep. He had no intentions of bedding her this night or any other night. Not at least until her twentieth birthday, and even then he was wary.
Ophelia curls up against him, tucking her head against his chest. “Getting some sleep sounds like a great idea,” She agrees softly. It’s been a long day and she wants to be well rested for the first day of their honeymoon tomorrow.
It doesn’t take long for her to drift off to sleep in his arms. She’s gotten so used to their little routine. Every night they spend time talking and kissing before she falls asleep with him as a pillow. It’s comforting and it’s become her favorite part of the day.
The hours pass and soon they arrive at their destination. She stirs as Kaillas gently wakes her up, her eyes blinking open sleepily. The carriage has come to a stop, and she realizes they have reached the house. Rubbing at her eyes, she glances outside the window and spots the beautiful estate overlooking the beach.
Stretching slightly, she smiles lightly at Kaillas. "We're here?” She murmurs, her voice still laced with drowsiness. She’s glad she was able to sleep but now it’s going to take her a minute to wake up properly. As she straightens up, her gaze drifts to the horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to paint the sky with soft hues of pink and orange.
"I can't believe we're finally here," She whispered, happy that their journey was uneventful.
As the realization of their honeymoon settled in, Ophelia feels a mix of emotions. There is a part of her that longs for a deeper connection with Kaillas, but she understands his reservations. She trusts him and believes that he is acting in their best interest.
She leans in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Let's go inside," She agrees, ready to get out of these clothes and curl up into bed.
"Yes, we're here," Kaillas smiled down at her. He couldn't help but notice how adorable she looked as she woke up. Her cute little yawn and the sleep evident in her voice. He would have let her continue sleeping had he not understood it was time to get out of these clothes and sleep on a proper bed.
The carriage door is opened by a footman and Kaillas exited first. He turned, offering his hand to Ophelia to help her out of the carriage. Once her feet were on the ground, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms. "I can't have my bride walking across the threshold of our temporary home now can I?" The stares of the household staff made him uncomfortable but he did his best to ignore them for her sake. He wanted her to be happy.
He carried her across the door and into the estate. The inside looked just as much like the outside, everything was white. There ere a few pieces that resembled the beach. There were rare seashells on display and a painting of Kaillas and his family when they had been children and come to this beach estate for a vacation. There was another of just Kaillas and his two sisters, taken years later after the first. Katya hadn't been in the first one and the second one they were missing half the family. Kaillas looked away before it brought any more dreadful thoughts.
Despite knowing that he could have easily placed Ophelia down, he decided to carry her to their rooms. "Now, the staff has prepared two separate bedrooms for us. Would you prefer your own or would you like to come to mine?" It was a dangerous thing to invite her back to his room. Dangerous with his thoughts that he had been having of her and the constant use of his right hand lately. But he trusted his self control and that he could sleep peacefully beside her.
With a smile and an expression of thanks, she takes his hand and carefully climbs out of the carriage. Being scooped up catches her off guard and causes her to let out a squeak of surprise. She quickly relaxes in his arms, admittedly enjoying that he’s cradling her like a precious treasure. “Aren’t you romantic?” She teases him lightly as she rests her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It is a moment of pure bliss for her.
As Kaillas carries her across the threshold and into the estate, Ophelia takes in the surroundings with wide eyes. The pristine white interior gives a sense of serenity, and the beach-themed decorations add a touch of whimsy. She glances at the seashells and the paintings on the wall, noting the connection to Kaillas' childhood memories.
Her gaze meets his for a moment, sensing a hint of sadness in his eyes when he looks at one of the paintings. She carefully tightens her grip on him, silently conveying her support and understanding. She knows there are complexities in his past, and she wants to be there for him, to provide comfort and solace.
As they reaches the bedrooms, Ophelia considers Kaillas' offer. “I want to stay with you,” She decides relatively quickly. She enjoys snuggling with and this way they can lay in each other’s arms all night long.
Kaillas shifted his gaze down at Ophelia as she squeezed him. He was thankful for her silent support and he kissed her temple as a silent thank you. One day he woukd feel brave enough to talk about his family to her but he wasn't ready just yet. It was a big step and there was still so much he did not know about her. Now was not the time.
He took to the stairs, trying to watch his step but her dress mostly got in the way. Thankfully, he didn't miss a step or stumble and they made it up the flight of stairs quite easily.
"I'll take you to your room first so that you can change in privacy. And I want you to know where it is in case you ever feel the need to use it." Such as using the bathroom or bathing and changing. He did not wish to impose on her privacy. He didn't want to see her exposed like that. Well, that wasn't true. He did want to and that was the problem. That was the need for the separate rooms, even if it wasn't already tradition.
He nudged open her door and set her inside. Her maids were already there, ready to help her change out of her bridal gown and into clothes for bed, despite dawn being on the horizon. Kaillas knew he was exhausted. He hadn't slept once since they entered the carriage. He wanted at least a few hours of sleep.
"My door is right next door. Come knock when you're finished." He gave her a soft kiss goodbye before striding to his own room.
Though she appreciates that he’s showing her where her room is, she doubts she’ll be using it much. She much prefers to be by his side. Besides, she doesn’t like being alone. As he leaves her in her room, she sighs softly. While she appreciates his consideration and respect for her privacy, she wishes that he would be a little more open with her.
She enters the room and politely greets the maids. She was hoping for a moment to herself but she knows she’ll need help getting out of this dress. As the maids busy themselves with helping her change, Ophelia's mind starts to wander. There have been so many changes in her life lately. It’s a lot to take in.
Taking a deep breath, she tries to clear her mind so she doesn’t stress herself out. She allows the maids to assist her, removing the intricate layers of her bridal gown, and helping her slip into a delicate nightgown. She then pulls on a light robe to help remain modest.
Once she is dressed, she takes a moment to look around her room. It’s elegant and spacious, tying in with the decorations of the rest of the house perfectly. As much as she likes it, she’s still certain she won’t spend much time in here.
Remembering Kaillas's words about his door being right next to hers, brings a small smile to her face. After bidding the maids goodnight, she slips out into the hallway and steps over to the bedroom door. She lightly knocks and then waits. She’s not sure if she’s just allowed to walk in or not after knocking.
Kaillas often slept naked. It's what felt most comfortable for him and allowed him to let everything breathe. It was apparent that he would not be able to do that tonight. He didn't want to startle his bride nor escalate anything. They were simply going to go to sleep.
He instead dressed in a loose fitting cotton shirt and a loose pair of sleeper pants. It was comfortable and was loose enough to still allow movement. It was light too so there coukd still be a breeze and despite the pants he wouldn't sweat.
He heard the knick from where he was in the bathroom as he finished his hygiene for the night. He cleared his throat, nodding at himself in the mirror. He could do this. Everything would be fine.
He left the bathroom and walked over to the door, opening it to reveal Ophelia. "Hi," he whispered. He moved aside so she could come in. "Come in."
The room itself still help the theme of the estate, beach core, but it was more masculine. Despite the few times hebhad stayed there the room was still to his liking and fit his personality. The sheets were a deep blue. There were a few artifacts from his time in the war complimented by things he had found on the beach. Common shells that he thought were nice, even if they were a little ugly. He was a man and a warrior and he was not well versed in the beauty of things. But he liked it and that was all the mattered.
He had a drawing on the wall the Katya made when she was a child. It was a horrendous thing but it was the first present he had recieved from his sisters and he cherished it. It had been the first time they had come here. They needed the time away from court to connect with each other. Katya hated the picture and constantly complained about it anytime it was mentioned but he refused to throw it away. It meant too much to him.
(He would be a great girl dad)
Ophelia steps into the room, her eyes scanning the surroundings as she takes in the beach-themed decor. The decor flowing through the entirety of the house is charming. She notices the shells littering the furniture along with some items that she assumes are from his days in the army. She’s happy to see the personal touches.
"Hi," She whispers back, suddenly nervous. Obviously they aren’t going to do anything other than sleep. They have slept in the same bed before but this feels different. She’s not quite sure why. She walks further into the room, gradually starting to relax once she assures herself she’s just overthinking things.
"It's a beautiful room, Kaillas," She comments, her gaze shifting to the drawing on the wall. She notices the childlike strokes and imperfections and smiles. It seems as though one of his sisters made it when they were young. She finds it incredibly sweet that he’s kept it up.
She moves closer to Kaillas, her hand gently reaching out to touch his arm in a reassuring gesture. "Ready for bed?” She asks quietly. She’s exhausted and she knows he must be tired as well. It’s gotten very late but at least they’ll be able to sleep in tomorrow.
(He really would be! He’s so friggin’ sweet)
Kaillas watched her as she entered his room, suddenly feeling a little subconscious about it. His rooms back at the palace had been entertained by several women there. But this, no one had been inside his room here other than his sisters and staff. No one of interest to him, romantic or sexual. This was his home away from home and his wife was in here with him.
He quirked his lips up in a small smile, muttering a quiet thank you. He placed his hand on her waist as she reached to touch his arm. He nodded his head once. "Yes, let's go to bed wife." Wife. It felt like such a foreign thing to say. He knew with time it would sound better. It was just strange to him. He had never imagined this life and now here he was, about to sleep with his wife.
He let Ophelia climb into bed first before getting in beside her. He was tired. He coukd feel the exhaustion pulling at him. This was normally the tome he would be waking up for the day, it felt strange to just now be falling asleep. He doubted he would slept more than a couple of hours.
After a mkemnt of hesitating, he wrapped his arms around Ophelia and brought her to his chest.
Smiling as he calls her wife, she climbs into bed and gets herself settled. The sheets are soft and luxurious. She doesn’t doubt that they cost a pretty penny. She’s happy to benefit from it, though.
She snuggles closer to Kaillas as he wrapped his arms around her, feeling the warmth and comfort of his embrace. She can tell that he’s hesitant about all of this. It’s definitely all new and strange for both of them but she’s certain that they’ll be settle and get into the groove of things after a while.
Resting her head against his chest, she lets out a content sigh as she gently runs her fingers along his arm. It’s nice to just lay here in his arms and relax. They haven’t had much time to just be with each other so she’s relishing every moment of this while she can.
She closes her eyes, feeling the weariness of the day herself. The weight of her new role and responsibilities has taken its toll, but knowing Kaillas is by her side brings her comfirt. She lets herself relax in his embrace, finding comfort and peace in the warmth of their togetherness.
As she drifts off to sleep, she stays tucked up against him. She’s glad that they’ll be able to stay together tonight. She looks forward to waking up and seeing him next to her.
