ASingh5

"A festival?" I repeat after him.

The holiday season was upon us, and the people of Sanct Sybil felt like celebrating. Not only because their beloved prince was alive, but also because the treacherous period of political turmoil was coming to a close end. The rebels were at bay for the most part, and everyone was feeling the holiday spirit.

The long dinner table was only occupied by Ivan and I as usual. Only today's dinner felt a tad bit stiffer and more serious than normal days.

I fidgeted with the napkin on my lap as I listened to Ivan rant about how much of a terrible idea this "festival" was. The people of the the town over wanted to celebrate, but Ivan couldn't help but think of the most dangerous possible scenario that could occur.

Reasonably so, as he was nearly assassinated just a couple months back, and on multiple other occasions.

"What if there's terrorists?" He brings up, putting down the spoon full of soup down for the fifth time.

I smile nervously, trying hard not to picture that possible outcome. "That's a little extreme, but I understand where you're coming from."

We sat down to eat a little over 20 minutes ago, yet neither of us have touched our food. I didn't mind listening to his choice of conversation topic, but I sure did feel like I wasn't qualified to really chime in on it.

I'm just a pastry chef, with little to no knowledge of the politics of Sanct Sybil. I was learning, but the knowledge that I have been given so far is not enough.

"We have to make sure they don't go through with it." Ivan ends the conversation before finally bringing the now cold food to his lips.

I felt like I needed to be more engaged in the conversation but I wasn't sure how to approach the subject. He was right about the potential dangers of having an event like that, but at the same time I sympathized with the citizens. I understand the desire to celebrate the end of a grim period, of course, I myself am not from the country, but I can only imagine the feeling of uneasiness that could be generated within a decades and having all of it finally coming to an end. Of course they'd want to celebrate.

"I know I'm not, qualified or really entitled to much of an opinion...but deep down I feel like maybe you should let them have this." I speak my thoughts out loud, abruptly, somehow expecting for Ivan to yell at me after.

I close my eyes and look down in anticipation of a scolding, but instead I'm greeted by a surprise.

"You think so?" He spoke after taking a sip of water.

I open my eyes hesitantly, letting go of the napkin I was tightly gripping onto before with nervousness. "Um...yeah... I agree with you on the whole 'it's dangerous thoughts' but, is there really no way around that?"

His steel blue eyes shift downwards, and his hands stop moving. "Perhaps, but I figured that maybe just avoiding the whole situation was a better idea."

"I guess you have a point..." I look back down at my lap.

"But I'll think about it."

With the sound of his last word and the gentle scraping of his spoon against the bowl, I look back up in pleasant surprise.

A couple weeks pass and I don't bring up the topic again. Simply because I felt like I shouldn't meddle with important decisions regarding the land. It was too soon and I have no background in politics.

To my surprise, they did let the event happen. I don't know what came about Ivan that made him change his decision, but I was glad that he came around. And despite letting the festival come to life, he did have several conditions in exchange for permission.

Alas, the day for the festival came.

Inside the well heated limousine, driving on our way to the festival, I stared outside the tinted window at the snowing landscape. It was beautiful, and we were lucky to have any clear weathered days in December at all.

I glanced at Ivan and catch him gazing at me.

I feel the heat rising up to my cheeks, "What is it?" I look back out the window shyly.

It's not like we had just began going out or anything. In fact just the opposite. We were engaged and somehow I was acting this way. I struggled to understand why my heart was beating unusually fast. Shouldn't I be used to him by now?

"I just felt like looking at you." He admits, his expression staying serious.

Was I excited about going to the festival with him? I knew deep down that we weren't going to have time to play around and take a tour. He was there strictly for business. He insisted that he didn't want to let the heinous amount of soldiers surveillance the area without him. He's always been that way, and it worries me.

Yet it's a part of him that's respectable.

The entrance of the city was surrounded by soldiers, and upon entering the city, I noticed several officers patrolling the area.

That was his condition,

I breathed a sigh of relief, at the sight of people having fun, walking from street vendor to street vendor, taking pictures with ice sculptures and Christmas trees. Everything was beautiful, the lampposts were adorned with red ribbons, and every building wore bright multicolored lights along the rooftops.

A warm feeling surges from within me, this is exactly how I pictured it, It was as if everyone's smiles were contagious.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Ivan turns his gaze to the window. "I'm glad I let it happen."

I nodded in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing."

We both knew that it was too early to rejoice, we wouldn't call it a successful event until it was over without any problems. So far, the early outcome was a satisfying scene of joy.

"Thank you." He reaches for my hand and holds it in between both of his. "I think...that if you hadn't mentioned anything during dinner at that day, I wouldn't have even considered it."

I smile, bringing my other hand over his and looking up into his beautiful eyes. "Thank you for listening to my opinion."

I wasn't scared if sharing my opinion, it was more like, I was afraid of coming off as disrespectful. I didn't want to come off as ignorant or pushy.

"Of course I'd listen to you. You're going to be my wife, and I want to hear what you have to say too. You're going to be the future queen of Sanct Sybil."

"Thanks...but before I give you any useful input, I think I'd better study up on more of Sanct Sybil's history, customs and traditions." I chuckle nervously.

"Of course. Nonetheless, that suggestion you made before was about the happiness of my people. So, believe me when I say that I'm really grateful that you thought about them. You're going to make a wonderful queen."

Again, my face feels hot and my poor heart skips a beat. "Th-Thank you..." I utter quietly.

"Come here." He pats the spot beside him for me to sit beside him.

I nod obediently and move to sit next to him.

I feel the warmth of his body next to mine and settle my head down on his shoulder gingerly.

"You know...you still make my heart beat like mad and I struggle to understand why." I admit taking off my glove to look down at the ring he gave me almost right after we met. "I guess I must really be in love with you."

Ivan brings his lips to the top of my head and plants a soft kiss on my hair as he responds,"It's same for me too. You surprise me all the time with, and somehow, even though it seemed impossible, I continue falling in love with you more and more." He proceeds to taking off his own glove to hold my hand. His fingers entwine between mine gently. As if he held something precious.

"I love you so much." I whisper quietly, closing my eyes to focus my other senses to fully embrace the moment. The heat of his body beside mine, the light scent of his cologne, and the sound of his soft breathing beside my ear made the moment cozy and sweet.

And just like that, wrapped up in euphoria, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry if it seems choppy, I'm slowly getting back into writing after a long pause! Anyways thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments, and don't forget to vote!

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