Work Text:
Post-Epilogue:
After coming back from the short vacation that I spent working with Rio in the bookstore, I was back at the castle. I took a few days off from etiquette and history lessons along with socializing with other aristocrats because Chevalier didn’t want me working too hard.
After our engagement a few months ago, I vowed to be a woman who was capable of ruling the country with Chevalier as equals and I have been trying to catch up to him ever since. It hasn’t been an easy transition at all because everything was new to me and it would take some time before I got used to living in the castle as well.
Luckily I had Rio to help me out. He tried to visit me as much as he could whenever he had the time or whenever Sariel had unreasonable demands for him. My lessons were supposed to resume today but I was told I could help out in the kitchen instead of the usual meetings in the salon with my various tutors.
I knew Chevalier was also busy with his duties because we haven’t seen each other since breakfast. It has been a dream-like life ever since I started to live with him. Nothing much has changed from how we were a year ago but now we slept in the same room and my first task of the day is to wake him up.
It baffled me how even as the King of Rhodolite, he still had a hard time waking up, and to be fair, it must be due to the late nights he spends in his office dealing with petitions and other state issues. Still, he kept himself on track with my schedule and told me that I don’t have to go straight back to lessons right after I came back from my break.
I was on my way to the kitchen when I felt a pair of eyes staring at me from behind one of the pillars in the hallway. “I know that’s you, Yves. Come on out.” I said in a gentle tone. I heard a heavy sigh as I turned to look at Yves coming out to make his presence more obvious. “How are you today, Aria? It seems my future sister-in-law is going the wrong way to her lessons. The salon is that way in case you forgot, though you need not thank me because I’m just doing what I can to help you out.” he huffed proudly.
Yves was always trying to be helpful whenever I was around him and today was no exception. He was rather adorable with that small pout on his face and his head turned to the side as if I looked like a lost lamb in this enormous castle.
“Thank you, Yves, that’s very sweet of you. But today I don’t have any formal lessons. Chevalier assigned me to have a hands-on lesson in the kitchen instead.” I smiled. Yves’ non-existent cat ears seemed to perk up at what I said and suddenly came up beside me like a purring animal.
“The kitchen? What do you plan to do there?” he asked nonchalantly. “I think the cooks are going to show me the meal plan for the week and after that, I’m free to use the place however I like.” “Well if that’s the case, can I join you after your lesson? Besides, I don’t want to be spoiled on what we’ll be eating this week,” he said with an excited expression. “Oh, sure. I’ll have someone come get you once we are done with our preparations.” With that, Yves thanked me and left me standing in the hallway as he walked away with a spring in his step. I smiled to myself as I returned to my trip to the kitchen.
“Hmm? Seems like something fun is going on.” On his way out of the Diplomatic Affairs office, Clavis spotted Yves and Aria talking in the hallway but didn’t go out of the room completely to avoid being noticed. After their conversation, they went their separate ways which was a sign for Clavis to come out of the room.
He made a short trip to the King’s office where he knocked a few times before letting himself in without waiting. “Good morning, your Majesty! Seems like you had a good night’s sleep, my sweet brother.” Clavis smirked as he made himself comfortable on the sofa adjacent to Chevalier’s desk.
Chevalier groaned with a hand on his face as he replied, “What is it this time, Clavis? I’m busy with work you know, and I hope you have finished the reports I asked from you before I picked up Aria the other day.” Clavis crossed one leg over the other as he kept the sinister smile on his face, “Of course I have, what did you expect from your High Steward and completely capable younger brother?” Chevalier groaned as Clavis called himself his High Steward.
It was true though, after his engagement, he had asked for Clavis’ help to manage some things for him since it was going to get busier in the castle for the preparations for the wedding and transition of Aria to a princess. But whenever Clavis spoke like that, he started to think if maybe Leon or even Nokto was a better choice instead.
“I heard my new sister is going to be making some sweets in the kitchen later.” Chevalier’s ears perked up when he heard that, “Where did you hear that from? She’s just going to watch the cooks prepare meals. She shouldn't be straining her body, she just came back from a short break.” he replied as a matter of fact.
“If anyone is straining her, it’s you. Don’t think I don’t know how irresistible she looks especially when you haven’t seen her in a few days. If anything, your sour mood during our meetings was a clear indication of that.” Upon hearing Clavis’ words, Chevalier bowed his head even lower than it reached the surface of his desk.
“Shut up….”
—---
A few hours had passed and it was already the afternoon. I was done watching the cooks prepare our meals so I offered to have lunch with them which clearly shocked the entire kitchen. It’s not every day that they get to dine with a future royal of the country.
I had a great time learning where we get our produce from along with the carefully calculated procedures that each chef takes into preparing our meals. I was very grateful to be fed so generously every day and now I know the hard work behind it all. After we finished our meals, I rested for a while before I asked for someone to summon Yves.
I had planned to make some strawberry shortcakes since I know he loves sweets. It was something I used to make for me and Rio back when we were still working in the bookstore together. He loves it so much that he refuses to eat any other baker’s version in town so maybe I’ll ask someone to send him a few slices later on.
As I was chopping the strawberries, Yves suddenly came into the kitchen. “So what are we making today? I hope you know I won’t let you do all the work since I like to bake cakes as well,” he said with his arms crossed. “I was thinking of making a strawberry shortcake. I know you like raspberries as well so I’ll add some just for you.” I replied with a smile on my face.
He didn’t reply to that so I looked up to make sure he was still in the room. To my surprise, he turned his head to the side again and so desperately tried to hide the small blush that was creeping up on his cheeks. “Yves, are you alright? Are you feeling—” “Stop! I’m fine! There’s no need to touch my face. I didn’t know that you remembered I liked raspberries…” he muttered.
Of course, I remembered that small fact, it was a long time ago but there was a time I had afternoon tea with Yves, Licht, and Clavis in a cafe in town. He was fighting with Licht over the last raspberries so I knew I wasn’t gonna forget that he liked them. “Well luckily for us, there was a new basket of fresh raspberries that were brought in this morning so you can put as many as you like!” With that, Yves uncrossed his arms and sauntered over closer to me so that we could finish the cake by dinner time.
Whilst we were waiting for the cake part to finish, I sat down on a stool in front of the counter and Yves did the same. We fell into a casual conversation after that. “So, are you gonna give a slice to His Majesty as well?” Yves asked. Chevalier wasn’t really too keen on sweets so I wasn’t sure if he wanted a taste of what we made. “I don’t think he likes stuff like this so—” “Oh I’m sure he’ll like whatever you make, Aria, so don’t worry about it!” Another person said from the entrance to the kitchen.
Clavis came sauntering in with his hands behind his back as he inspected the ingredients and leftover flour that was still scattered on the counter. “I should’ve known you two were here. Why didn’t you invite me?” Clavis asked with a fake pout on his face. “That’s because you’ll just make a mess of things! Aria and I won’t be able to concentrate without you around!” Yves replied with obvious annoyance in his voice.
“How will I make a mess? I just want to make sure that His Majesty gets to taste what his fiancé made!” Clavis’ words made me blush all of a sudden and I didn’t make the effort to hide it. “It’s not that big a deal, Clavis. Chevalier doesn’t really like sweets so it’s fine.” “Oh, nonsense! Let’s serve it as dessert for tonight at the roundtable, I’ll call up the others so they can join us.” Clavis’ suggestion didn’t sound so bad actually.
Even Yves came to agree to it so we decided to make some more with the leftover ingredients that we haven’t put away yet. “Well if that’s all, I shall take my leave now!” Clavis said as he left the room. Yves looked disappointed as he turned back to me, “And here I thought that clown was going to help us out this time…..”
—---
Dinner was about to finish and everyone was delighted with what I and Yves had made. “This is the first time in years that I’ve had a shortcake and I have to say, it tastes delicious! You two did a great job.” Jin said as he finished his second slice. It’s a good thing me and Yves made more than enough for everyone at the table but unfortunately, Chevalier’s work wasn’t done yet so he asked to take his dinner in his office.
I wanted him to try some cake as well but I guess I could just bring up a slice for him an hour or two before we go to bed. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder so I looked up, “Don’t worry Aria, just save Chevalier a slice and give it to him later on.” Luke said with a reassuring smile on his face. I smiled back at him and said, “Thank you, Luke. I hope he likes it.”
More than an hour after dinner, I fixed up a neat slice of cake, brewed a pot of chamomile tea for Chevalier, and made my way up to his office. I was careful not to trip up the stairs since I was already wearing my nightgown which reached the floor and knowing me, I might slip and spill the hot tea everywhere.
As I got up to the door of the office of the king, I tried my best to knock loud enough for him to hear. I didn’t hear a response so I just let myself in. Besides, work was almost done and Chevalier was probably not as busy anymore. Upon opening the door I saw the chair’s back to me so I didn’t see his face right away. I walked right up to his desk and placed the tray I was holding before I walked around his chair.
To my surprise, his eyes were closed and it looked like he was already asleep. Seeing the love of my life sleeping so soundly made my heart melt again as I tried to reach for the long locks of hair on the left side of his face to brush them out of the way. As my fingers neared his face, I suddenly felt his hand grab mine and I stared down at him in shock. As our eyes met, his eyes softened again and he smiled as he let my hand down. He stood up and gave me a hug after that and I gratefully accepted it.
I know I see him at least every night and morning but we rarely get to see each other during the day so I loved it when he hugged me like this. I breathed in his scent and buried my head in his shoulder as he wound his hands around my waist. “I missed you today,” he mumbled in my hair. “You always say that whenever I see you at this time.” I giggled.
He pulled away from the hug and held me at arm's length. “It’s true, though. I don’t think I can ever get used to having such a great woman in my life.” I blushed a little at his words and made my way around his desk. “Well, I brought you your nightly tea along with the cake you missed earlier.”
Chevalier hummed in response as he took a slice of the cake and sipped his tea quietly. I was going to sit across from him in the seat in front of his desk but he stopped me before I could. “Here, you can sit with me.” and pulled me to sit on his lap as he held me with his right arm while the other continued to eat. “I heard from Clavis that you were making sweets with Yves but this is not as sweet as I thought. I quite like it.” Chevalier said as he continued to sip his tea. “I’m glad you like it, I was worried you weren’t going to,” I replied. “It was a good decision to send you to the kitchen to learn today. Now you can use it to make anything you desire and whenever you like.”
I wasn’t sure if that was his intention in the first place but at least now I can use the kitchen whenever I wanted to make something. I looked over to the plate and saw that he left a bit of the cream and some strawberries left on it. “Oh, do you not prefer to have too much cream—” I didn’t get to finish because he suddenly grabbed his fork and scooped up a generous amount of cream along with a strawberry.
He brought the fork up to my mouth and I opened it in response. He pushed the fork in gently and I instinctively closed my mouth around the strawberry. There was a huge amount of cream too so some of the cream got on my lips and cheeks. That didn't deter Chevalier at all as he suddenly moved forward and bit the other end of the strawberry that was in my mouth. He bit down on it enough for us to each get a piece and when he reached the middle part, he pushed the other end of the strawberry in my mouth and kissed my lips.
I was in shock that I couldn’t process what was happening at first. He continued his assault on my lips, kissing me more and more after he finished chewing and swallowed his share of the fruit. He licked my lips and cheeks clean in the process as I struggled to chew the fruit for myself. After I swallowed it, I opened my mouth so the juices started to drip from my lips, to which Chevalier continued to lick them so we won’t make a mess in his office.
“Don’t you know that you should close your mouth while eating, Aria?” he smirked as he wound his hand around my neck and tightened the one on my waist. “I...know...but….” I tried to reply but he kept kissing me so hard that I fear someone will burst into the room and catch us in this position. He must’ve felt my fear so he gave me one last kiss and held his forehead on top of mine. I was breathing heavily after what we just did so I continued to cling to his neck.
After a few minutes, he pulled away and finished the rest of the cake and tea whilst I sat on his lap quietly. My eyelids started to feel heavy but then he suddenly lifted my chin with his finger as he whispered in my ear, “I’m glad you didn’t make the cake so sweet because I reckon that you are all the sweetness I need.” Out of shock I pulled away and held his face in my hands. “If you keep saying things like that, I might actually put more sugar in next time,” I said with a pout on my lips.
He closed his eyes as he laughed at my sudden declaration and shook his head free from my hands. “You do that and in return, I’ll punish you for taunting me, Aria.” Two can play at that game, I thought. “If you can manage to actually make it to our bed in our room then you can punish me all night,” I said with a teasing smirk on my face.
Chevalier smirked back at me as he held me tighter and stood up whilst cradling me in his arms. I started to laugh as he carried us to our room in record time. As he let me down to close and lock the door, I made my way over to our bed to sit down. “What were you laughing at just now?” Chevalier asked as he unfastened his fur-lined cape and put it on a rack near his bookshelf.
I shrugged and said, “I just remembered something Clavis told me a few weeks ago.” “Oh? What did that ridiculous brother of mine say?” I smiled as he came closer to the bed and placed his knees beside each of my own before pushing me down, “He was wondering why he isn't an uncle yet. I think he already wants nephews and nieces to spoil. Isn’t that nice?”
Chevalier stopped moving all of a sudden as he stared at me. He suddenly placed a hand on his face as he groaned at the thought of his brother doting on our future children. “The thought of my younger brother teaching our children ridiculous things is unbearable for me. Please don’t bring that up yet.” I giggled a bit at his words.
Who knew that His Majesty, the ruthless beast, is already worried about his future children? I cradled his face in my hands again and kissed his forehead before hugging him as we fell onto the sheets. “Don’t worry about it for now, I’m sure he’ll be a great help to us. Whether you like it or not.” I said as I ran my hand through his hair whilst he rested his head on my chest.
After a while of silence, he brought up one of my hands and placed a tender kiss on it before looking at me. “If anything, I know we’ll be able to get through that together. I have the greatest partner I could ever ask for after all,” he said with the most beautiful smile on his face. I’m glad I get to spend the rest of my life with this person, and I’m glad we are living a love story worth telling the future generations of our country to whom we vow to devote the rest of our lives to.