Soft kisses on my cheeks and arms wrapped around my torso. Before, I took this to my advantage. An often occurrence that I never once batted my eye to. Now, it's the comfort I craved.

"You must be tired after your long journey."

Father keeps his hands cupped on my cheeks. His eyes are filled with warmth, smile uncontainable. It takes Laurance reminding him that he'll have to release me soon so that he lets go.

He steps back, clearing his throat. The two of us have a quiet gaze before I nod my head.

"Tired nonetheless, but it's still early morning. There's the entire day ahead of us."

Clasping his hands together in front of him, father turns to Laurance with a nod. He announces he'd like to check on breakfast personally and for Laurance to be a good host.

Laurance agrees and walks to my side, pressing soft kisses on both of my cheeks before walking us inside. "Has it gotten any better in O'Khasis?"

I wave my fan in front of me, trying to fight against the late July heat. This time of year is always hot, but this pregnancy is making it nearly unbearable.

"My husband has given me both the best, and worst, wedding gifts I could ever ask for. He has given me a child at the earliest part of marriage, but he has granted me permission to come home for a little while."

"Is he treating you well?"

"He's the one pleased with this pregnancy. He asks about myself and the child's well-being everyday," I state, sighing heavily. "Never places his hands on me. His temper calm. He's very kind. If he hadn't wronged me the way he had prior to our marriage, perhaps I could love him at this very moment."

Laurance only hums in response. I look up at him, searching for a reaction on his face. Before, his expressions gave away every thought he had. I knew what he felt before he would identify it himself.

Time passes each day. Laurance's tell-all face changed within the short time I was away. His expressions are harder to read. His face is solid like stone.

"I try to push my stubbornness to the side when it comes to this topic," he admits, glancing at me for only a moment. "Your marriage represents peace and security between two kingdoms. If something were to happen. . . we'd be the ones to fall. You'd be the one having to watch it happen behind O'Khasis walls."

My stubbornness plays against me, but my pride does as well. Because of this, forgiveness is hard to muster.

"I wish to go for a ride on my horse."

I can't help but to divert the topic. There is no use in me commenting on this any longer. Laurance and father have had time to step back and think about their stance. I am forced to continue living in hell itself.

"Are you sure that is wise? You're with child after all.

"They've loosened my corset strings," I state. "Not bedridden me. Where's Eleanor? I'll need my riding suit."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

One day passes. It feels strange being considered a guest within the same walls that listened to the sound of my feet pitter pattering against the floors. The same walls that have watched me grow from a mere infant to an eighteen year old woman. I left them single. I came back with child and in shackles.

Knocks sound on my door. Eleanor opens them to show Laurance standing on the other side. The two of us lock eyes from my position in front of my vanity. With a quick adjustment of the jewels around my neck, my steps are quick in his direction.

He offers me his arm, and I accept. The two of us make our way to the dining room. Father had been expecting an important guest this morning, so Laurance and him have been busy since then.

"You're sporting emeralds. I've never seen those before. Are they new? In fact, you look different than normal."

I look like I've stepped out of O'Khasis. My dress is white with black lace adorning it. My gloves for the evening are black while the emeralds around my neck match my tiara. Fancy ringlets and an absurd amount of braids pulled into a chignon. The only thing that can resemble Meteli is the color of an emerald.

Laurance is observant when he wishes to be. I simply shrug. "Her Majesty gifted them to me after learning of my pregnancy. Women's fashion is beginning to shift. O'Khasis is typically one of the first kingdoms to be aware of this."

It isn't a false statement. O'Khasis and Scaleswind are so well known and powerful that they know everything that is current. It isn't related only to fashion. Smaller kingdoms like Meteli and Phoenix Drop are delayed on such information.

"How's your fiancée? The princess of Pikoro?"

This was a newer piece of information that I've found out recently. After being told of the recent changes coming to crinolines, I had overheard the announcement of Laurance's recent proposal through Garroth and a man in court. I hadn't meant to overhear the information. I was walking towards the library. The fires were warm there, and the windows leaked cold air in the corridors. I learned the exact information from Laurance days later from a letter.

People of court love to gossip and chat amongst themselves. That's how I've learned of Garroth's engagement to The Princess Royal of Scaleswind and Kandi's engagement to the heir of Falcon Claw. The idea of whom Zane would marry is still being thrown in the air. Vylad will mention these bits of information to me to try and make some small talk, but the conversations never last long afterwards.

"As far as I'm aware, she's well."

I nod my head. I know near to nothing regarding the princess, so I don't press deeper for more details. Laurance rarely even knows her himself.

"Is she pretty?" I ask.

He chuckles, "I like to think so."

That's the end of the conversation between us. No more is said regarding her. It's silent between us until we get down the stairs.

Father is deep into conversation with the newly visiting man. I can see the back of his head and how well he's dressed. His clothes are adorned in a rich brown fabric, giving away how much money he has to his name.

"Father, shall we be seated?"

Father looks over at the two of us, breaking his conversation. He smiles, nodding his head fondly. He motions for us to sit and makes a move for the head of the table.

My chair is pulled out for me, and I sit down. I look up, thinking it's to be my brother. "Thank you Laur—Your Lordship?"

"Your Royal Highness. We meet again."