Chapter 306: 306:Daily life.
Breakfast had become one of the few moments each day when neither discussed politics. The attendants had long since learned this unspoken rule, reports waited until afterward unless it was an emergency.
The conversations were wonderfully ordinary. Atheline found himself describing a particularly embarrassing moment during training when he’d accidentally scorched one of the palace training dummies so thoroughly that the Royal Guard had jokingly requested compensation.
Lilith quietly sipped her tea.
"You paid them?"
"I bought them a replacement."
"They requested three."
A faint laugh escaped her.
"That’s called negotiation. It reached me faster than you would expect."
"I should have expected that."
"I approved the expense. Zelpher was more than happy to report you."
The servant standing nearby struggled admirably to maintain a straight face. Even the attendants seemed more relaxed these days. The atmosphere within the palace had changed noticeably over the past two months.
The investigations had concluded. The executions of those proven guilty had restored confidence among both the nobility and the common people.
For the first time since the displacement, the palace no longer felt burdened by constant uncertainty. Council meetings had also become noticeably shorter.
With winter drawing to a close, emergency food allocations and storm preparations were gradually replaced by discussions regarding spring planting, road repairs, and reopening trade routes that had remained difficult to traverse during the harsher months.
Atheline found himself participating naturally. Questions came easier now and decisions felt less intimidating. Rather than looking toward Lilith after every proposal, Councillors increasingly found themselves looking toward both monarchs equally.
It wasn’t because she had become less influential, quite the opposite; now, they had begun ruling together.
When one Councillor proposed redirecting additional funds toward repairing a damaged bridge outside the Court, Atheline quietly requested reports from nearby villages first.
"If the bridge is repaired before the roads leading to it..." he smiled slightly. "...we’ve only solved half the problem."
Several councillors nodded. The noble elder looked openly pleased.
"An excellent observation, Your Majesty."
Lilith simply continued reading the report before speaking.
"Approved."
The Councillor bowed.
"It shall be done."
That afternoon, Atheline found himself walking through the palace gardens alongside Simion. The formal distance that had once existed between them had almost disappeared. Neither had consciously decided it should happen, it simply, had.
"So," the noble asked while tossing a small stick for the fox to chase, "have you decided what gift you’ll bring to the engagement?"
Atheline smiled.
"I’ve narrowed it down."
"Only narrowed?"
"Royal gifts require considerably more thought, I don’t want to mess it up."
"They do."
"I suggested a sword for the groom."
"And?"
"My wife informed me that giving weapons at an engagement ceremony sends the wrong message."
The young noble burst into laughter.
"I can imagine."
"In my opinion it symbolized strength but I know it also symbolizes preparing for war. I did get a bow as one of my engagement gifts, it was one of my favorites."
"There lies the problem."
"I know. I should probably start preparing jewellery, Solar crystals, and probably a rare item or ingredient. It’s quite the hustle when I’m not even sure if this marriage will last."
Simion curiously looked at him," Must you be so pessimistic?"
Atheline chuckled.
"It’s quite reasonable with the bride’s track record."
Simion nodded," One of her lovers was from one of the lower noble houses, the man defied his family and still got dropped. Thankfully he’s married now. But she became famous around our kingdom because of that."
Atheline chuckled," Those fools never learn."
"Love can make a man do wonders."
"Say no more," he muttered softly.
"By the way, have you heard of what happened to House Salidor yesterday?" Simion suddenly said breaking the silence.
Atheline shook his head, his eyes lighting with interest. Simion was his easiest means of getting information about nobles and gossip in general.
"Tell me more..."
Their laughter echoed softly through the gardens. Their friendship had gotten comfortable.
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the western Mountain, Atheline once again found himself upon the palace balcony.
Lilith joined him shortly afterward. Below them, workers had begun decorating portions of the Court. This wasn’t for any festival but because the kingdom had survived another winter. It had become tradition long before either of them had been born.
Lanterns of black crystal slowly illuminated the streets one by one. Atheline watched them quietly.
"It’s beautiful."
"It always is."
He looked toward her.
"I can’t believe time moves this fast."
She nodded.
"It’s hard to notice when you’re too busy. There will come a time when you’re too bored and time will then decide to stagnate."
"I know, but I can’t help but dread that period. My father said it’s excruciating." He leaned against the stone railing. " Still, having a long life guarantees I’ll be with you forever."
"It does." she smiled faintly. "That’s why I’m thankful to have you as my husband."
He chuckled.
"Me too, I can’t imagine my life otherwise."
She nodded once.
Their peaceful months were nearing their end. Neither of them regretted taking the time to enjoy them, both understood something that few rulers ever admitted.
Moments like these... quiet mornings, shared meals, walks through blooming gardens, and meaningless conversations that somehow became treasured memories, they were every bit as important as victories won upon the battlefield.
For kingdoms were not protected solely through war. Sometimes, they were protected simply by remembering what made them worth protecting in the first place.
.
.
.
The final week before the High Elven princess’s engagement ceremony arrived quietly. Winter still lingered over the kingdom, but its reign was clearly drawing to a close.
The snow that had once buried entire roads now survived only in shaded corners of the Court where the sunlight struggled to reach.
Icicles hanging from rooftops melted steadily throughout the day, sending droplets of water into narrow streams that ran alongside the cobbled streets.
The forests surrounding the Court had begun showing faint hints of green beneath the white blanket, while the palace gardeners worked tirelessly to prepare the flowerbeds for the coming spring.
The change was subtle, yet everyone noticed it. The kingdom was waking.
