The carriage haulted and Grace looked out the window to see that they had reached the the palace. Dorian allwoed her to slide from his lap when she tried to. Jumping down first, he turned to see her.
Grace knew what he would do and so she extended her hand to his shoulder. Holding her from her waist, Dorian picked her out of the carriage.
Slowly, he pulled her body down, making Grace extremely nervous. Her body slid down, and her eyes looked at Dorian's golden ones.
When her face came at his level and the ground was an inch from her feet, Dorian held her still in the air. She clutched his shoulders even tighter.
"I will make you change your mind, Grace," he said with determination. His voice steady and full of confidence. Grace didn't reply.
You won't, she wanted to say. Not until he promised that she would be the only woman in his life. But looking down at his face, she knew he would keep no room for any argument.
Then, he landed her on her feet and turned to walk inside their home. Following him, Grace entered the house as well. All the servants were retired for the night. Only Mr. Wilson came to welcome them and walked out to see to the carriage.
Without turning, Dorian ascended the stairs two at a time and rushed into his room.
Grace stood on the stairs for a moment, letting her heart calm down which thudded loudly from his touch. She was glad that Dorian was gentleman enough to not physically force her. Any other man would have. Because a husband had every right on his wife. And it didn't matter if she was a queen.
But her husband wasn't one of those villans. And that fact made Grace happy.
She was consoled for he did not give her a false promise. The truth that he was a man of his word was evident in his eyes. But Grace was sure that she would never let him touch her sexually until he met her conditions. He had said that he would make her and Grace wouldn't bother if he tried. No man could win her without dedicating himself wholly to her.
With slow steps, Grace also entered her room and laughed heartily when Melody hopped to her with happy yelps.
Haunching down on her knees, Grace caressed the dog's ears. "I am so glad you are here, Melody. I missed you this morning when I woke up alone." Grace placed a kiss on her furry head and picked her up.
She glanced at the joining door between her and her husband's room before ringing the bellpull.
Jenny appeared at once to help her change.
Feeling a wet sensation on her face, Grace smiled, waking up from her sleep the next morning and opened her eyes to see Melody licking her happily.
"Oh," she sat up with a smile and caressed her lovely dog. Burrying her face in Melody's white fur, Grace hugged the one being she knew from Runecliff. How lonely her last morning was to miss this love. She would forever be grateful to Dorian to bring Melody to her.
Touching her cheek to Melody's head, Grace looked at the joining door. Perhaps Dorian was already awake. The way she had rejected him last night in his arms, Grace didn't think he had waited to have the breakfast with her.
With a sigh, she straightened and tweaked at the dog's nose. "Perhaps it's only me and you for breakfast, sweetie."
The dog gave an agreeing bark.
Nora took Melody to a walk in the garden while Jenny helped Grace have a bath and get dressed. Two of the gown's that Dorian had arranged the first day were still new. But Grace wanted to keep them for special days. She really liked them. So, she chose one cream gown that her mother had sent for her in the trunks. It was full-sleeved with round neckine and had tiny brown flower print at the hem.
Descending down the stairs, Grace saw her brother-in-law walking to the entrance.
"Daxton," she called out.
He stopped and Grace heard an annoying groan. Her cheeks coloured but she still walked to him.
"Good morning," she wished with a smile.
He turned to her and looked down. "Good morning, my queen."
"Please," Grace raised her palm, "Do call me Grace."
With wrinkled brows, Daxton finally met her eyes. "You want me to call you by your name?"
Grace smiled quizically at his surprise. "Of course. We are family after all. You are my brother." She sighed. "I've always wanted a brother." Looking up to Daxton's frowning face, she smiled and added, "Apparently, marriage to Dorian has given me more than just my voice."
To her utter surprise, Daxton's eyes softened. Though he didn't smile, she realised that he liked what she said which he hadn't expected from her. But it was true. Grace was glad now that she had a brother.
"Are you going somewhere?" She raised her brows, afraid that she wasn't annoying him with her questioning.
"I have a meeting with some of the ministers regarding the kingdom's affairs. Since, Dorian had a packed schedule today, he had given me the duty." His eyes looked directy at her and his shoulders were relaxed now. He didn't seem annoyed either to explain her.
Grace was surprised to see the change in his way of talking. She felt extremely happy. "Won't you stay for breakfast?" She asked.
He thought for a moment. "I'm afraid, I can't." He gave a shrug. "But I will try to come back till lunch time."
Grace's eyes widened happily at that. With a big smile, she gave a nod. "Have a good day."
Daxton bowed down and held her hand. "You too, Grace," he said before walking out the palace.
With a contended smile, Grace walked towards the dining room. She searched for a servant to ask for Melody but as she stood on the treshold of the dining room, Melody's bark made her stop.