Chapter 14
14. The End of the Trip
The trip had come to an end.
After breakfast at the villa, I climbed into a large carriage with the help of His Majesty, Alexandri.
While the guards rode alongside on horseback, protecting us, the carriage set off with me, His Majesty Alexandri, and Lord Theo inside. From within the carriage, I looked out at the villa and the lake.
The carriage windows were narrow, but the wind flowed through freely.
Holding my hair against the wind as I gazed outside, His Majesty Alexandri came to the window and wrapped his arms around me.
Being embraced from behind, I felt the difference in our builds.
Lord Renan was only slightly taller than me, but His Majesty Alexandri was a full head taller. Being held from behind, I could feel his deep scent of perfume and body warmth, making my heart race.
“This trip was truly enjoyable. I never thought there could be moments so relaxing.”
“Your Majesty, you weren’t able to rest completely, were you? Work still reached the villa, didn’t it?”
“That was nothing compared to usual. Sitting next to you while you embroidered was a happy time.”
Hearing him say such things, I decided to make a suggestion.
“Even when we return to the Imperial Palace, will you spend time with me while I embroider?”
“Is that alright?”
“Yes. I also felt calm and happy with Your Majesty sitting beside me while I worked on embroidery.”
I would embroider while His Majesty Alexandri sat next to me, working on documents. That peaceful time made me wonder if we could continue having such moments even after becoming husband and wife.
His Majesty Alexandri hugged me tightly in response to my suggestion, his face buried in my shoulder from behind.
“Do you wear a special perfume, Your Majesty? You always smell so nice.”
“A perfumer made it to suit me. But you haven’t met the perfumer yet, have you, Lacey?”
“No, I haven’t had the chance.”
I didn’t have any perfume of my own. If I could have one made, I might want it.
“Lacey naturally smells nice, though.”
“That’s probably from shampoo, soap, and scented oils.”
Since arriving at the palace, I had been using fragrant shampoo and had scented oils applied to my hair and body. That made me smell very nice—it might be what His Majesty notices.
“I’d like to have my own perfume too. I’m curious what it would smell like.”
“I think the perfumer will make one that blends well with my scent.”
“A scent that matches Your Majesty…”
“When our scents mix, they create an even deeper fragrance.”
“I see. That sounds wonderful.”
I became excited at the thought of having the perfumer create a scent for me.
After spending half a day returning to the Imperial Palace, His Majesty Alexandri and I had lunch in the dining hall. Then he quickly changed clothes and hurried off.
“Sorry, there’s work piled up from the trip. I have to go.”
“Have a good day, Your Majesty.”
“I’ll be back, Lacey.”
I was so surprised by his hug that I nearly jumped, but he let me go and left.
Though I had been hugged before, it was the first time he had embraced me like that before leaving, and I pressed my warm cheeks in embarrassment.
After seeing His Majesty off, I returned to my room, changed clothes, and headed to the workshop.
The tailors were working diligently there. I showed them the gloves made for His Majesty Alexandri and for me during the trip.
When they saw the vine-patterned embroidery, the tailors exclaimed.
“They’re beautifully finished, Your Highness.”
“Shall we use the same design for Her Highness’s dress and the Emperor’s tailcoat?”
“Do you have a different design in mind?”
I pondered the tailors’ words.
“I’m thinking of matching the embroidery on the gloves, but I’m also curious about a new design.”
“There’s a design that would match the vine pattern as well.”
“Shall we think of something that fits the gloves?”
I seriously considered the design together with the tailors.
After tea, I continued working with the tailors. Before dinner, I went to the entrance hall to greet His Majesty Alexandri upon his return. He hugged me as soon as he arrived.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
“I’m home, Lacey.”
Since the trip, I felt closer to His Majesty Alexandri. My heart raced at the touch of his embrace, but I didn’t dislike it at all. Wrapped in his arms, smelling his deep perfume, I pressed my hot cheeks after being released.
Though I was happy to be embraced with affection, there were always maids in the palace, so moments alone with His Majesty were rare. Even when we had kissed, we had been barely alone, and the thought that a maid might be outside the door made me flustered.
At the Viscount Dian’s household, there were few servants, and being embraced by family was not embarrassing. But His Majesty Alexandri is a man and my future husband—it was natural to feel shy.
“What have you been doing today, Lacey?”
“I went to the tailors’ workshop to think about embroidery designs for the wedding attire.”
“Did you find anything nice?”
“There were several designs that matched the vine pattern. I’m thinking of using one of them.”
After reporting my day, His Majesty changed clothes and came to the dining hall for dinner. I followed and sat down once he was seated.
After dinner, I invited His Majesty Alexandri to my room. He hadn’t entered before, but this time he came in and sat on the sofa.
Sitting beside him, I showed him a few embroidery designs.
“Which design do you like, Your Majesty?”
“Let’s see… how about this one?”
He chose a delicate, intricate design, which I had also been interested in. I imagined it on the fabric of the attire.
“This design on this fabric… how does it look?”
“If you make it, Lacey, it will be wonderful.”
“You never deny anything I do, Your Majesty.”
When I said that, he smiled, and his eyes—pale pink like a crested ibis—glowed. I loved seeing his light-colored eyes deepen when he smiled.
“I think everything you do is wonderful.”
“So you approve completely?”
“That’s because I love you, Lacey.”
Hearing His Majesty say he loved me, I felt shy but also compelled to answer.
“I love you too, Your Majesty.”
“Lacey.”
His arms wrapped around me, drawing me close. Being embraced, I was filled with a sense of bliss.
