forum Royal Affairs (O/O Closed)

Started May 08, 2023 by @LolaBug

tune

“This is going to be adorable,” Ophelia comments with a smile, looking forward to it even more now. It’s also going to be absolutely chaotic. Romeo and Juliet is already an interesting play so adding kids to the mix will only make it awkward and hilarious.

She follows the guards into the theatre, relieved to have a more private and quiet interest. She doesn’t mind talking to people by any means but it would have been overwhelming to have been crowded while trying to enter the building. This is one of the reasons why having the guards around is so nice. Though they have to sacrifice privacy for safety.

Once officially in their box, she takes a look around. The theatre looks very nice for a town of this size. Not every town can afford to make entertainment a priority so it’s lovely that this town even as a theatre.

Kaillas generally did not concern himself with things like this. Going to the theater, especially a children's theater. But he had known that his wife would have enjoyed it and his sisters had dragged him along a few times so he at least knew of the quality. It was good as far as small town shows went. They put their hearts into their performances. It was enjoyable.

He helped Ophelia sit down in her seat before taking the one next to her. He put their clasped hands in his lap, squeezing her fingers and stroking her knuckles with his thumb. They had a few minutes before the show would start. the curtain was still pulled and if they listened close enough, they would be able to hear the footsteps of the stage being finished set up.

"We can go to the theater back at home as well, if you enjoy it," he said. "There's a few grand theaters that put on good shows. They have a full house almost every night." He knew that only because his sisters gushed about it constantly and complained he never let them go. There was only so much risk he was willing to take with his family. And his two young sisters being alone at the theater was not one.

The theater is one of her favorites things. Her parents go often and when she was a child they would occasionally take her along to keep up appearances. She adored it. Going to the theater was the one time she was allowed to leave the grounds of the palace. The plays were always fun for her to watch and one time she even got to meet the actors. It’s a memory she still cherishes to this day.

She sits down and gets herself settled in the chair. Feeling Kaillas take her hand, she looks over to him and offers a light smile. It’s time to have their own private box so they can be a little affectionate with each other and no one can stare. Seeing as the theater is dark and no one can really see into their box, she takes a risk and settles her head lightly on his shoulder.

“I would love that. I adore the theater.” It would be fun to go to a grand theater with him and perhaps with his sisters as well. The childrens’ play is going to be wonderful but going to a theater with proper actors and props is an entirely different experience.

Kaillas looked down at her as she placed her head on his shoulder. He smiled softly and placed a gentle kiss on her head. The only ones to bare witness were the guards at the entrance of their box and he decided to pretend they weren't there for a fleeting moment. He had a feeling as soon as they got home she was going right to sleep. He would likely be up a little longer before finding sleep. And hopefully he would sleep right through the night this time.

"I know my sisters would like to go. Maybe it can be our first event as a family when we get back." Because she was family now, officially. His sisters already adored her. It made him nervous just how much they flicked to her. Not because he was scared about being replaced, but because of past events that had taken their family. They trusted perhaps a little too easy and it made him wary.

The director of the production stepped onto the stage to announce the beginning of the show. He asked that everyone be courteous and maintain proper theater etiquette. Then the lights finished dimming and the spot light shone on the stage and it was ready to begin.

Ophelia smiles softly when she feels the kiss being pressed to her forehead. She’s glad that they’re able to have this mostly private moment. The only ones to bare witness are the guards and she doubts that they’re paying much mind to this stolen affection. Today has been a very long day so she likely won’t be up too late tonight. She wants to be able to spend some time talking with him and cuddling a bit before she lets sleep overtake her.

“That would be wonderful.” She’s not sure when they’ll get a chance to go but she’s already looking forward to it. She adores Kaillas and his sisters so it’ll be nice to spend some time with all three of them at the same time. Going to the theater sounds like a great way to do that. Perhaps they could go out to eat afterwards to chat about it and bond even more.

She silences herself when the play begins, not wanting to be rude. The children must have worked hard on this play and she respects their dedication. As the play begins, she watches with a light smile on her face. It’s already adorable.

The play went a little smoother than he had expected but it was still as every bit of entertaining that he had expected from it. He smiled and laughed and shook his head at some of the antics. They had done their best to make it child friendly and in doing so, increased the laugh factor. Overall, be was very pleased with how it had gone.

The curtain finally closed and all the actors came out to give their last bow. There was applaud until the lights turned on and the show was over. Kaillas and Ophelia had to stay in the box a little linger to let the crowd mostly clear out before they could leave. Then they were ushered back out the back door.

Kaillas turned to his wife, holding her hand in his. "I hope you enjoyed yourself," he said with a crinkling smile. "Are you hungry for dinner? I know a place we can go to here in the town. Or we can get something small back at the house."

The play is just as hilarious as she was expecting it to be. Having to change some things to make it kid friendly creates some unusual and humorous antics. The kids are trying so hard to do it properly and they’re doing a good job with it. She absolutely loves the play. She smiles big and claps loudly as the play ends and the kids take a bow.

“That was wonderful,” She gushes to Kaillas as the curtains close. They’ll have to wait for everyone else to clear out before they leave so they have a few moments to chat. “They did such a good job. The little boy who played Romeo was concentrating so hard,” She says with a light laugh.

“What place did you have in mind to eat at?” She asks, wondering if this is a sit down place or if they’ll just grab their food and go. She’s pretty tired from doing everything today but she doesn’t want to miss out if this place is something special.

Kaillas simply smiled as she gushed all about the play. He added nothing to her words, only nodding his head. She had said everything was to say, he didn't need to add onto it or say pretty words that meant the same thing as she did.

"It's nothing special, my darling." It was a nice steak house but they coukd always return another. And he said just as much, "We can come back later this week for just an evening meal. I don't want to keep you out too late if you're tired. We can always have the cooks make us something simple. Or I can, if we don't want to bother them."

He could cook the basics. Pasta, chicken, eggs, that sort of thing. He had learned to in his many years of being in the military. Being so young, he did lost of the tasks the others didn't want to do.

Ophelia leans back in her chair and takes a moment to think about what she wants to do. She doesn’t particularly feel like going out to eat right now and there is always the option of going to this place later in the week. The only reason she hesitates is because she doesn’t want to bother the cooks so late in the day.

She blinks and looks over to him. “You can cook?” She asks, genuinely surprised by this. She doesn’t mean to sound so shocked by she’s caught off guard. Most royal family members aren’t taught to cook. There simply isn’t a need for it since there are people to do it for them. She knows how to make one or two very simple things but that’s it.

If Kaillas is willing to cook then that’s the option she’ll go with. It’ll save the cooks a headache and she’s curious to see this actually happen.

Kaillas coukd have laughed at her shocked expression. Instead, he only grinned and nodded his head. "I can cook some. I know enough to pull together a decent meal. It won't be anything fancy like the cooks can make up." He was already thinking of what to make up for the night. Maybe a chicken breast with steamed rice and maybe a curry sauce. He would have to see what they had.

"Come on, let's get going. I'll bet the horses are waiting for us." He wanted to get Ophelia home and readied for bed before he started in the kitchen. He wanted her to be comfortable. It woukd be just the two of then until morning. There was nothing wrong with her being in her night clothes around the house for dinner. He bet it woukd be more comfortable to.

He stood up from his chair and offered a hand to Ophelia to help her up. He gave a subtle nod to the guards to signal they would be leaving now. The crowd should be mostly gone by now and they should be able to get to the stables with no issue.

Ophelia is still surprised by this new information. “I’m really looking forward to this,” She admits, very curious to see him cook. Admittedly, she’s just assuming that he got some sort of cooking training while in the army. It’s what she thinks makes the most sense. She doesn’t expect anything fancy but she’s sure that whatever he makes will be amazing. She’s looking forward to trying it.

Standing up, she takes his hand and gets ready to go. There’s no need to linger in the theater. Everyone has left so they shouldn’t be met with a crowd when they leave. She doesn’t mind interacting with people but it’s no fun when there are so many and they’re all trying to talk at once. It just gets overwhelming.

She follows him out of the theater and through the town. At least she remembers where the stables are so she won’t be just following him aimlessly this time.

(It’s storming super bad so we’re doing a deep clean at work. Yay.)

Kaillas squeezed her hand, leading her out if the box. They walked down some stairs and around the back of the theater before making their exit. The sun had fallen fully and the only light one the streets were well lit lampposts. Despite the sun having set, the streets were still quite lit.

It gave a nice ambiance to the little town. It was warm and cozy. Had they been just a normal couple, oerhaos they woukd have enjoyed their evening at a little tavern or evening restaurant. They could dance in the square where the few musicians played backseat they could. It could be a nice life.

The walk back to the stables was quiet and uneventful. Their horses were saddled and ready for them to ride. He picked Oohelia up by her waist and set her on the horse before mounting his own. Be gave her a small smile, "Ready?"

Ophelia looks around the town as they walk. The lampposts illuminate the dark pathways, creating a cozy and comforting feeling. Despite how late it has gotten, there are still many people out and about. She can even hear some music playing from the town square. This feels like a glimpse into what her life could have been like had she not been born to royals.

Approaching the stables, she smiled when she spots the horses. They’re such sweet creatures. She startles a bit when Kaillas scoops her up. She still hasn’t gotten used to that. Settling herself on the saddle, she turns to look at him. “Ready,” She confirms with a nod.

Once they’re all set, she guides her horse towards the path that will get them back to the house. Luckily the ride won’t be too long. She’s ready to get back and get changed into something much more comfortable. That, and she’s excited for Kaillas to cook for them.

Kaillas urged the horse forward and started down the path, walking beside Ophelia. It was quiet and peaceful. The further they got from town, the darker it became. The only light they had was from the half full moon in the sky. But he had no worry. Not only were they surrounded by guards in front and in back of them, he had never been attacked here before. It was a peaceful town with little conflict.

The ride felt a bit linger than the one in, but it was always like that on every trip, he noticed. They got back with no trouble at all. He dismounted the horse in front of the stables. He moved to Ophelia and helped her off the horse. He smiled down at her before lifting her head and dismissing the guards. They coukd take uo their posts and the two royals could enjoy the rest of their evening.

He took her hand to walk her inside. "If you want to change into something more comfortable, I'll get started on dinner." He needed to see what they had available before he decided on what to make.

Ophelia stays quiet for the duration of their ride. The night is peaceful so she’s happy to ride in silence and just enjoy it. As they stray further and further from the town, the area around them darkens. There are several guards accompanying them so there’s no need for worry. Even if they were on their own, she thinks it would be alright. In a town small enough for everyone to know everyone, she doubts there’s much crime.

Upon their arrival at the house, she accepts Kaillas’ help off of her horse, thanking him for the assistance. “I think I will go get changed,” She agrees. “I shan’t be too long and then I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” This is a lovely dress but she’s ready to get it off so she can wear something less restricting.

In the bedroom, Ophelia changes into one of her nightgowns and lets her hair down, enjoying the freedom from formal attire. She pulls on a simply sheer robe to cover up a bit before she leaves the room and heads for the kitchen.

(I was driving home from my moms and stopped at this snow cone place. There were two little high school boys there and they were flirting so bad with me. Keep in mind I'm almost 22. I was like straight up bullying them, they were so funny.)

Kaillas gave her one small kiss on the top of her head before parting from her. Her to the bedroom and him to the kitchen. He rummaged through what they had in the house and was happy to find he woukd be able to make his chicken and curry. It was a mild spice, just had a little kick to ut. Paired with some bread, it was barely noticeable.

He had finished dicing and seasoning the chicken by the time Ophelia joined him in the kitchen. He had rolled his sleeves off and his shoes were by the door. He was just putting the chicken into the skillet before working on the sauce.

He raised his head as he heard her enter and smile softly. "Sit," he gestured to a bar stool at the center island. "Do you want something to drink? Wine? Water?" He had glass of water himself, thirsty from their trip in town and the heat of the stove. He would likely have a glass of wine with the meal.

(Sounds like they needed a healthy dose of bullying lol Some of these kids are waaaay too cocky and annoying. Need to be taken down a peg or two. Hope the snowcone made up for it!)

Ophelia joins him in the kitchen, pleasantly surprised by how good everything smells. She’s not sure what exactly he’s making yet but she’s sure that she’s going to like it. For a moment, she just stands in the doorway and watches him. It’s interesting to see him acting so….domestic. That’s the only word she can think of to fit this.

Almost instantly she notices that his sleeves are rolled up. Something so simple and so innocent is something that has her staring. It shows off his well built arms and just makes him seem so attractive right now. She stares for a moment longer before startling out of her thoughts when he speaks to her.

“Some water would be nice,” She replies, wandering over and taking a seat on the stool. She steals one more look at his arms before turning her gaze to what he’s doing. “What are you making?” She asks curiously. “It smells wonderful.”

Kaillas had small smile on his lips. He had felt her staring at him. Even saw her eyes trained on his arms. It was hard not to flext for her and even then, he couldn't help himself. Of course, he did all of this without letting her know that he was on to her.

He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it up with some water from the fridge. He placed it in front of her, offering her a smile as he did so. He did not comment on her staring at hid arms again. He found it flattering, honestly. He worked hard on his body and it felt nice for it to be appreciated. Other than being ogled by married ladies at court.

"It's curry. It's pretty mild. I wasn't sure what your spice tolerance was." He grabbed a fresh spoon from a drawer and dipped it into the sauce. After blowing on it to cool it, he held it out for her to try. He hoped she like it. Otherwise, he would have to start on a new dish.

Ophelia is none the wiser than her staring has been noticed. She had been trying not to be obvious but she didn’t exactly succeed. Realizing that she’s maybe being a bit rude, she averts her gaze. She’s not sure what’s gotten into her. She knows she shouldn’t be looking at him like that.

“Thank you.” She accepts the glass of water and takes a few sips. “I don’t think I’ve ever had curry before but my spice tolerance is pretty high,” She offers, more than willing to give it a try. There’s no way for her to know if she likes it or not if she doesn’t even try it. Besides, it smells wonderful so she has high hopes.

As he offers her a taste of the curry, she accepts the spoon. She takes a careful bite. The flavors explode on her tongue, a perfect blend of spices that danced harmoniously. “It’s truly delicious, Kaillas,” She compliments him, sincere. The curry is amazing and she’s glad he made it for them.

Kaillas nodded his head. It would be something to pass on to the chefs so they knew they could cook spicier foods. He still wanted to be careful with the menu, however, until he learned all of her likes and dislikes.

He placed the spoon in the sink as she finished with it. He would clean all the dishes once he was finished cooking and had a chance to cool off from being on the hot stove. He poured the sauce onto the chicken and lowered the heat to lett it simmer. Then he started on the rice which would only need a few minutes to boil and soak up all the water.

Once everything was set on the stove and finishing cooking, he turned to Ophelia. "I picked up the recipe on my only deployment I had. I was fifteen and deemed old enough to travel. I picked up a few different recipes over there." He had never had a chance to go on deployment again. A year later ge would be crowned king and have a country to rule.

As the food finished, he grabbed two plates and began to dish it up. He gave then each reasonable portions and the rest could be packed as leftovers. Grabbing some extra utensils, he set the plates and cutlery down on the island. One in front of Ophelia and one next to her. He made sure everything was turned off and off the heat before sitting down next to her.

Ophelia watches as he moves around the kitchen, preparing the meal. She’s a little surprised to see how comfortable he is with doing everything. Her earlier suspicions are confirmed when he informs her he learned this recipe during his time with the army. It makes sense that they would have taught him something.

Though curious and wanting to ask a few questions, she resists the urge. She doubts that he wants to discuss that part of his life, especially since it ties directly to the memories of his family dying. She doesn’t want to bring that up and ruin the evening. He’ll tell he what he wants to whenever he’s ready.

She smiles appreciatively as Kaillas serves the food. The aroma of the spicy chicken and the sight of the perfectly cooked rice made her mouth water. “Thank you.” She waits for him to set his own plate and then sit beside her before she begins to eat anything.

Once they’re both settled, she picks up her fork and takes a bite, savoring the flavors that dance on her tongue. It truly is delicious. “Perhaps you should cook more often,” She says with a light hum, genuinely enjoying this meal with him.