"Good morning." Both brothers looked up and wished her at the same time.
"Good morning," she replied taking her seat beside Dorian.
Daxton raised his fork towards his head and asked, "Is your wound alright?"
"Yes," Grace replied as she picked up two slices of bread. She looked at Dorian in silent question. He nodded and Grace placed two slices in his plate as well. He did not say anything or looked at all angry, and that made Grace relieved.
"Would you like some bread, Daxton?" She asked her brother-in-law.
With a slight smile on his face, Daxton shook his head. "I'm done. I was earlier here than you both." His smile still lingered after a moment.
Dorian asked him the same question Grace wanted to ask. "What are you smiling about?"
Daxton's sholulder lifted in a shrug. "I never thought you would get such a helpful wife. She serves you. No queen would do that."
His answer made Dorian look at Grace and his eyes softened. That small change in him always made Grace's chest warm.
She turned her eyes to Daxton. "Why do you think a queen couldn't serve?"
"Because she is a queen," Daxton said rolling his eyes. "Queens barely lifts a finger. She has servants for everything."
"Grace is unlike any queen, Dax," Dorian interrupted. His sentence would've been a compliment any other day. But today, Grace felt it as a judgement which he decided after seeing her recklessly running through the gardens. To avoid replying him or meeting his eyes, Grace took the hot cup of tea to sip. The burning hotness made her wince and she instantly kept the cup down, dabbing her lips with the napkin.
"Slowly, Grace," she heard Dorian say and she cursed herself. She was making herself appear even more ill-mannered.
Oh God.
Her eyes stung from the burn and she blinked away. Fortunately, Grace did not have to reply her husband for Mr. Kit appeared in the room. He curtsied to Dorian and Grace first. The lift of his eyebrows was the only greeting he gave to Daxton. Grace discovered that Kit and Daxton must be friendlier.
"My king," the bodyguard began to say, "Just as you have ordered -"
"Yes, good," Dorian interrupted him, suddenly causing the man to stop. Grace frowned looking at her husband whose golden eyes were gazing intently at his bodyguard.
"But I would need a bigger hand for controlling the case," the bodyguard said.
Daxton was the one to stand up. His charming face was suddenly filled with fury. "I'll take care of that. Nobody is going to question my brother." Recieving a nod from Dorian, Daxton and Mr. Kit strode out of the room. The way Daxton protectively stood up for his brother was amazing. He was angry on whatever Mr. Kit was saying about. A small smile rose on Grace's lips seeing the younger brother care for the older.
But what could be the reason that someone was doubting Dorian. Buttering the second toast, Grace looked at her husband with hesitation. "What was Mr. Kit talking about?"
"Nothing to be concerned about," he replied and popped a grape in his mouth.
Grace didn't wish to hinder in his kingdom duties so she didn't persist him to explain. But she knew she needed to apologise to him for the morning. Planning on what to speak, she devoured her breakfast and tea. Finally when they were done, Grace gathered the strength to speak. But the chair screeched and Dorian stood up.
"See you later," he said and walked around her.
"Dorian." She called.
He turned but before she could speak, a servant brought her husband's pet eagle inside.
"Goodness!" Grace stood up and moved to the corner. Even if she had touched Sky once, there was still a bit of fear.
More than a bit.
The servant said something to Dorian and he replied back while caressing Sky's head. Grace could never get used to her husband being so comfortable with an eagle that way. Whatever he spoke couldn't be heard but the man left quickly with the bird.
Dorian turned back to Grace with a small smile. "Still scared?"
Grace walked forward exhaling with relief. "It'll take some time for me to get used to Sky."
"Hmm." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You wanted to say something?"
Tucking an escaped lock of hair back inside the chignon, Grace gave him a nod. "I wanted to apologise."
His beautiful brows wrinkled in confusion. "For what?"
"For the way you saw me earlier in the morning. I promise I won't repeat that," she hurried to assure.
A quizzical smile played on his lips. "What are you saying, Grace?"
Her voice turned low. She looked down, playing with her hands and began to say. "I know a queen shouldn't be roaming around with a dog, running and chasing in her nightgown. It appears so scandalous and ill-mannered. My mother always told me that a queen should -"
"Grace." His hands touched her shoulders and she looked up at him, wondering when he had walked to her. His golden eyes gazed intently at her. "Have you always
been kept under mannerisms?"
His question took her off guard.
When she didn't reply, he asked, "Were you never allowed outside the palace in Runecliff?"
"I was," Grace replied. "But only for few minutes. And never alone. My father let me walk alone in the gardens only when I lost my voice. Bofore that, he never liked whenever I roamed in gardens or laughed loudly, or talked with servants. My mother also always wanted me to be perfectly posed. She said that people liked their queen in royal attire, straight and graceful."
Dorian's face was an amalgamation of confusion, anger and sympathy. "I know the situation outside our palace is dangerous at the moment but you are free to roam the gardens here," he said softly. "You can talk to servants or with anyone you want and wear whatever you feel comfortable."
Grace widened her eyes hearing that.
He added, "If you want morning walks, take them in any dress you seem fit. If someone has a problem seeing that, I will pull their eyes out. This is your home. You are the queen of Nectaris. You can do whatever you want."
Suddenly, Grace couldn't speak by the lump of gratitude in her chest. She had never had anyone to step up for her, encourage her to do whatever she liked. Her husband did that. The feeling she felt now was foreign to her, she discovered it was the feeling of the freedom.
Freedom that she now had. Freedom that was granted to her by her husband. It seemed like she'd been a bird caged in a golded cage and then Dorian came with the key, opening the door to let her fly high without bothering about anyone else.
Her chest heaved as she looked in his golden eyes. While leaving her parents's house, she never thought that Dorian Learmont would be such a good husband. He had always offered her freedom, power and respected her opinions. No matter what his past held, Grace would always know that Dorian was a good man.
Seeing her looking at him with such emotions, Dorian went still. They both gazed at each other intently until Dorian's eyes darkened and landed on her lips. Without her knowledge, Grace's lips parted and Dorian's hand raised to cup her cheek. The side of her face cuddled his large hand, the calloused touch made her entire body tremble with excitement. Her face was the only part of her body he was holding. She was free to pull back, to run away. But she stood there. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to take the chance with their marriage?
His head leaned forward, forward and Grace watched his lips getting closer. His lips were only an inch away from hers when she turned her head. His lips landed on her cheek and she could feel him smiling against her skin. A strong shiver coursed through her body and he touched the tip of his tongue to the skin just near her ear.
With a gasp, she spoke, "Dorian."
"You are so stubborn, Grace," he growled against her ckeek, fanning her skin with his hot breath.
Pulling back, he gave her a side smile. "See you later." And strode outside. For a moment, Grace regretted turning her head.