Chapter 173 - Visiting

Hastily, Katherine did whatever she could with a towel and a small bowl of water used for morning routine. Afterwards, she didn't feel much cleaner, but it had to suffice until she could jump into a basin of hot water. The training attire was thrown about on the ground, too dirty to wear again. Hesitantly, she picked out the only other dress in her wardrobe. It was obviously of the former owner of this room, and she felt a bit guilty taking it without permission. She really needed to do some serious shopping soon.

Finally, she opened the door for her husband, who had waited surprisingly patiently. "Um, you can come in now... I guess."

Looking back over her shoulder, her face heated up a bit. "Actually, would it be okay to talk somewhere else?".

Nathaniel's lips tilted upwards. Over her head, he could already see the mess she made, and her embarrassment amused him. Yet because of their already strained relationship, he bit back on the teasing remark that was about to roll off his tongue. "I only wanted to tell you that the place is ready. We can start with the tests tomorrow."

"Oh." Katherine felt glad and disappointed at the same time. It had been her tiny hope that he came just to see her. "That's good to hear."

She didn't know what else to say, but she also didn't want to close the door in his face. Before the silence could turn awkward, Nathaniel spoke up again. "If you are not too exhausted, would you like to join me for a game of chess?"

Katherine's brows jumped up, blurting out: "Chess? This late?"

"Well, yes. You seemed to like it back in the mansion. Me as well, so I thought..." Hesitation mixed in the usual cold expression, then it hardened into his mask of indifference. "but you are right, it is already very late. I will ex-"

"No", Katherine interrupted him hurriedly. A smile had bloomed on her face, making her eyes twinkle. "Let's play chess. I would love to match wits with you again. In your room?"

Relief washed away the nervousness of Nathaniel's bearing, and he squared his shoulders with a grin. "Naturally. I would be happy to escort my princess."

He held out his arm for her to hold onto. For the first time, the gentlemen gesture was not a play for anyone else to see. When he felt the buŧŧerfly touch of her hand, his stomach flipped, and his smile got even brighter. "What a fearless woman you are. You didn't even hesitate to touch me now."

"Careful with all your tests," Katherine rebuked lightly and rolled her eyes. "I will pinch you the next time I catch you doing this. You should know by now that I prefer to tell the truth, but you are still so suspicious every time."

"I know. It's just a bad habit", Nathaniel soothed her, but the smile on his lips told of the happiness he felt inside. Every weight on his shoulders seemed to be lifted with her presence alone and the knowledge that she wanted to stay by his side was like a beacon of hope for his future. He couldn't help but test one more time if it really was no dream. His light. His wife. Just for this, every hardship in his youth was worth it.

The rest of the night went by with none of them mentioning either their magics or politics. It was just a normal, happy chess game. Afterwards they sat, their hands interlinked, talking about their lives, their favorites, and recounting funny stories. From time to time, Katherine's bell-like laugher could be heard, and as the night progressed, a deeper voice joined her. It sounded a bit awkward at first, much like coughing, but soon Nathaniel learned how to let loose and the sound rolled out of his mouth wholeheartedly.

Sam, who had come up to ask whether they wanted some wine, instead silently stood by the door, listening. A single tear rolled down his wrinkled cheek, the mouth forming into a trembling smile. After a while, he made his way back downstairs.

None of the newly-weds could bear to part, however late it got, but a few hours before the sun rose again, Katherine's head fell back on the headrest, deep in sleep. With a gentle smile, Nathaniel watched her for a while. Even if the future would tell that his magic couldn't be controlled, he would always remember this day as one of the best of his life.

Careful to not wake her, he gently lifted her up in his arms and carried her to her bed. She snuggled against his ċhėst as if that was the place where she belonged. He wanted it to be this way. It felt so... wholesome.

Before he tucked her in, he removed her shoes and white stockings, and couldn't help admiring her slender legs, the creamy white color of her skin. Yet he didn't do more. With her personality, he imagined Katherine would either be uncomfortable or embarrassed being changed by him, most likely both. So, he left the rest of her clothes where they were. One night that ended awkwardly gave him no right to see her nȧkėd without her consent.

In her sleep, she rolled to the side, curling around the arm he propped himself up with. Her body unknowingly searched for the warmth that embraced her before, mumbling incoherently. Nathaniel chuckled without a sound. Then, very carefully, he extracted his arm and spread the blanket over her.

"We both need to sleep", he whispered, but obviously couldn't follow his own advice. He stood by her side for a few minutes, sighed, and finally bend down. With his gloved hand acting as a barrier between his lips and her skin, he kissed her temple. "Sleep well."

But even after this gesture ended, he couldn't bring himself to turn around. It was as if the darkness of the night would swallow him as soon as he left her out of his sight. He even deliberated sleeping beside her but didn't want to shock her in the morning. Besides, it was hard not to accidentally touch when asleep. Eventually, he saw no choice but to leave the room and go to sleep on his own.

As if he had waited for this opportunity, the shadow of a person suddenly appeared in front of Katherine's window. It was a small shadow, much too small for the regular icelandic man, but big enough for a woman or a falumorean. Surprisingly, he seemed to float in the air, only his hands connected to the frame of the window, his legs dangling. Something metallic bȧrėly lit up in the bleak moonlight, then the quiet grinding sound of metal against wood was heard.

Finally, the metallic object got deep enough to reach to the other side of the window. Very carefully, the shadow turned it to the side, using it to unhook the lock, which opened with a creak.

Inwardly cursing the house for its age, the shadow stopped, checking on Katherine once more. Yet the woman was fast asleep. Relieved, he just wanted to continue, when something - or someone - grabbed his ankle in a painful grip.