"The palace looks different," he wrinkled his brows. "It also smells.... nice."
Chewing her bottom lip, Grace smiled sheepishly. "I decorated our palace with flowers. And added some more vases and paintings from the store room. I hope you don't mind."
Dorian dragged his golden eyes back at her and blinked. "No, I don't mind."
Grace was relieved.
He gave a nod. "You can get ready for the ball now. We must leave in two hours."
Saying this, he turned to climb the stairs.
"Dorian," Grace stopped him. He whirled back to her with a questioning frown.
"Thank you again," she whispered.
His golden eyes narrowed as he smirked, walking back to her. "You must stop thanking me, Grace." He stopped walking only when he reached closer to her and his voice lowered. "Because if I ask for the repay of those things," his breath fanned her cheeks, "then you would have to break your conditions. Are you ready for that yet?" He raised a brow.
Swallowing, Grace shook her head.
His smirk grew wider. "Thought so," he said and walked towards his chamber.
Grace held her rapidly beating heart. What did happen whenever Dorian was near to her? Her body was electrified. Words refused to form in her mouth.
With an exhale, she gestured to Melody who had sat down between Dorian's conversation. "Come, darling. Let me show you our new room."
"You look so beautiful, my queen," Jenny said touching her cheeks with her hands. "The king's eyes will just pop out seeing you!"
Grace giggled seeing her maid's expression. Jenny had helped her get ready for her welcoming ball. Both of them had selected the scarlet coloured gown that Grace's mother had sent amongst many dresses. It was heavy, with wide furl, off-shoulder sleeves with heart shaped neckline. Her breasts had been squeezed together and risen up, giving her a very sensual look. The bodice hugged her torso beautifully and below it, eight layers of skirts spread wide around her legs. She had matched the dress with silver, elbow-length gloves. Grace hadn't worn any new jewellers other than the locket, bracelet and tiara she'd worn on her wedding day and the beautiful golden band adorned her finger inside her gloves. Grace didn't feeling like removing the wedding ring, because Dorian himself had put it in her finger and she wanted it to stay like that.
Grace was satisfied by her looks, but her nervousness didn't subside. This was going to be the first time the people of Nectaris would see her. Meet her. Her impression needed to be good. People were going to meet their queen tonight and Grace wanted them to like her.
"Just a moment, My queen," Jenny came forward and adjusted one of Grace's black curl along the line of her face. She had made a beautiful coiffure at the back of Grace's head, adorning it with sparkling pins, leaving some stray hair to frame her face. Grace hadn't wanted her hair to curl, but Jenny had insisted it would look good and had applied the heating rod. It had caused her front locks to curl beautifully like a coil. Finally they'd tainted her lips with rose extract which had made them red and attractive.
"Oh, my queen," Nora said as she entered the room with Melody. She had taken the dog to the kitchen to feed her the supper. "How lovely you look!" She entered and smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Nora. Your mother did all this," Grace informed making the older woman blush.
"Oh, my queen," Jenny smiled. "Your beauty is the only reason."
Melody hopped to Grace catching her skirt in her teeth, making Jenny gasp. The maid immediately picked the dog up. "Don't, dear Melody. You will spoil the lovely gown."
A fond laugh came out of Grace's lips. "Just like this, my mother also used to pick her up from my dress, Jenny."
Remembering the fond moments, Grace felt instantly warm. She missed her mother but was glad that she had Jenny and Nora with her.
Before her tears could spoil her face, Grace blinked them back. "I shall leave now." Melody hopped on the bed and Grace placed a kiss on her furry head. "Do not trouble Nora, sweetie. I'll be back, soon," she said caressing her dog's head. Seeing Melody dip her chin in a nod, Jenny and Nora gasped in wonderment causing Grace to chuckle.
Reaching at the tops of the stairs, Grace saw her husband waiting down for her near the main door, talking to his large bodyguard. She oggled Dorian who was dressed in an impeccable suit of black and white.
As he talked with the man, Grace took some time to observe her husband. He was very handsome. Thick black hair, that curled down his nape, defined jaw, tall height, broad shoulders, lean muscles that now held the most dark, black coat. A silky white cravat was knotted at his neck and the white shirt and waist-coat matched perfectly to his skin. Dorian had an habit of stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets, Grace observed. Many men had it but her husband looked dashing standing that way, as he was now. His boots were polished black and he looked absolutely stunning.
The thought that she would have such a handsome man as her husband never occured Grace's mind. She had always been intended for Oliver. Her best friend was handsome, too. But Dorian was more. More robust, more strong, more charming and, God help her, more sensual. He had always succeeded in increasing her heartbeat whenever he wanted.
Last night when he had held her in his arms before she had thrown her conditions upon him, Grace had felt so good. His hands were really very skilled. Her eyes yearned to see those large hands that were now hidden in his pockets. The yearning made her sigh and as though her husband heard that, his head turned up to her.
The moment their eyes met, Grace experienced the familiar electric current between them. The current that she always felt with him which was growing stronger from time to time.
The large bodyguard said something to her husband. Without moving his eyes from Grace, Dorian gave him a nod.
Blushing, Grace turned to descend the stairs.