Spoiled
This is for Corriander Week, Day 6 - Surprise
“And now, I believe we’re done.” A male voice could be heard from the interior of Castle Krakenburg. “If you’ll allow me, I shall take my leave.”
The Nohrian advisors were just wrapping up their weekly meeting with their majesties, King Xander and Queen Kamui. They would echo the voice of the people to royal ears so that their rulers knew how to right all the wrongs left by Xander’s father. That meeting had gone, like all others, perfectly well, however Kamui could see in Xander’s posture that he wasn’t as attentive to the counselors’ words. And she had been noticing that unusual demeanor in the last couple of weeks as well. Nobody but his own wife would be able to notice those simple details, such as his discreet glances towards the window, and a peculiar fidgeting of his fingers.
She was wishing their visitors a safe return while Xander had already left the room without any final words, as it was expected from someone in his position. Kamui didn’t even get a chance to inquiry him on the reason for so much haste, but that didn’t mean she would not look for answers. In fact, she already had a card up her sleeve...
It took her a couple minutes to collect all of the written papers left on the round table. While still alone in the meeting room, she called for someone. “Jakob?”
Immediately, a silhouette of a man could be seen approaching the door. “Yes, milady?” the silver-haired butler replied, with his eyes unable not to look into hers, but he still managed to close the door behind him.
“Did you see where Xander left off to?” she asked, while making one of her hands busy pulling some hair behind her pointy ears.
“Of course I did, milady. Earlier today you asked me to follow him from the moment he left this very room. And so I did.”
She giggled. “I can always count on you, can’t I? Very well,” she said with all papers already arranged under her left arm, “where did he go?”
“I’m afraid I cannot tell you, Kamui.” he said with a smirk not-so-well hidden in the corner of his mouth. He cleared his throat before continuing, trying to produce a deeper voice, “It is a secret. I can assure you I mean no harm to Kamui, but you must give me your word you will not tell her anything about this”. He couldn’t help but let out a little laugh and close his eyes in delight as she tilted her head in confusion.
“Um... is that what Xander told you?” She asked, a finger resting on her lips.
“Yes. I gave him my word. Whatever am I to do now?” He blinked very slowly, amused at the situation.
“Oh, Jakob. You’re so silly sometimes.”
Both of them were giggling as they left the room together.
The next week, on that very same room, Xander and Kamui were sitting in their usual spots while the advisors would let them into the most concerning issues outside of the castle walls. This time, Kamui was unable to catch any signs of Xander being worried about that. She was glad, and so was he.
Once all matters were discussed, they both accompanied their visitors to the front door, where two servants of the castle were ready to take them to their gates outside. Xander and Kamui humbly thanked them as they left, and as soon as they were not in their line of sight, Xander broke the silence.
“My dear Kamui, would you mind joining me on a walk to our private quarters?” he asked, extending a corteous hand towards his wife. “There’s something I would like to show you.”
“Oh? Why, of course, Xander.” She took his hand and smiled at him, while his cheeks reddened a bit. “Is something the matter?”
“Definitely not,” he said, leading them both towards their destination. “It’s just... I... have something for you.” He tried to continue the conversation, but his entire face was redder than Kamui’s eyes and he was finding it hard to find the words he so eagerly wanted to say. Kamui smirked for the split second that Xander took to look away and try to compose himself.
“Xander... What is this about?” She asked, with a serious tone. Or so she tried. She was trying so hard not to burst in laughters that she couldn’t keep a straight face for too long.
Her husband, however, was too embarassed to notice. “I have... prepared a surprise for you, little princess.” His ears were now boiling with anticipation. Why am I so nervous...? Steel yourself, Xander!
“Really?” Kamui inquired. “Well then, please lead me to it! You’ve got my attention.” Hee hee hee... “I wonder what it is...” She almost whispered her last sentence, before Xander shook his head to try and recompose himself, giving her the silliest grin.
“You’ll see. Soon enough.” His hands, however soft as they were, were now covered by a thin layer of sweat. Kamui could easily squeeze out of his grip but she was enjoying her husband’s tension too much to try and calm him down. She knew there was no reason for that behavior, for she already knew what was about to happen.
"Here we are, my love,” Xander said as he opened the door to their room.
Xander let his wife in first, and closed the door behind them. Kamui turned around multiple times, trying to scan their room in hopes of finding something different between their possessions. “What is it that you have for me, Xander? I can’t seem to find it...” And I guess I won’t, will I?
He took a very long gulp before he could answer. “It’s nothing you can appreciate with your eyes, I’m afraid. In fact, I think you’d rather close your eyes for this.” She lowered her head sheepishly and stared her big, curious eyes at the numerous drops of sweat that swept through his temple. Xander took a second gulp as he extended his hand towards her. “Mayhap you’d like to take a seat, too.”
She took his hand once more, with a expressionless face. She was trying to look curious yet wary, but couldn’t stop letting a giggle every now and then. Somehow, he was too nervous to notice those and was totally falling for the act.
As he guided her to their bed, he caressed her head and allowed her to sit down, both eyes closed. “I have written something and I would like you to hear it. It’s from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you thoroughly enjoy what it has to say.”
The laughted had ceased completely as Kamui nodded in acknowledgment. She was just waiting for her husband’s words. Xander took her silence as a sign for him to finally begin.
However, it took him a couple minutes to control the sweating of his hand, or else he wouldn’t be able to read the words from the little piece of paper that he drew from his pocket.
He also cleared his throat countless times. Kamui was, during all that time, motionless, her eyes never opening. As he started reading the paper, he noticed he had already memorized it all, so he sat beside Kamui, closed his eyes alongside her and uttered his work.
“’Tis been so long since we’ve met
and many battles did we brave,
but know that not once did I regret
Since our hearts to each other we gave.
Every night I pray to the stars
and thank them for what they’ve done,
for regardless of all the scars,
You and me together have become.
And I shall, forever, bless
that day so full of glee
when you answered me your ‘yes’
And tog--”
“And together we’ll always be,” Kamui interrupted.
Xander opened his eyes in surprise. How is this possible? He looked at his wife, but her eyes were still shut.
Kamui kept both hands tucked between her legs, and slowly raised her head to her husband’s eye level. “Jakob.”
“I should have guessed. That little...” Xander lowered his brow in annoyance as he turned his sight to the door, but Kamui’s giggling got his attention back. It was then that Xander realized that her lips were gently giving way to the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He could tell that, even though she seemed to be laughing, she was very thankful for what he was trying to say.
Suddenly, he felt all of his anxiety wash away as the only thing in his mind was the perfect wife he had married with.
He had been trying to hard to find the right words to convey his feelings of true passion for having married the love of his life... Those simple lines took him more than a month, because whatever he wrote, he never felt like it was enough. And yet, after so much work, he failed at surprising her as like he wanted to. However for him, it didn’t matter - she was grateful for it, and that was his ultimate goal.
He held her head with both hands and caressed her cheeks. They were lightly blushed, enough to make his hands feel her warmth. He really wanted to surprise his wife, but in the end, she was the one who surprised him. Not with words. Not with presents. But just being her. The person he fell in love with, and with whom he will gladly share the rest of his life.
The King stroked his wife’s hair gently with his fingertips. They were face to face, eye to eye, and mouth to mouth. She wrapped him in her arms and gently touched his lips, feeling no resistance. They both shared a passionate kiss before Xander moved away, just to say “I love you, my little princess” before kissing her again.
And again.
And again.
“I love you too, my king.”