Chapter 133 - The White Courtyard

«Let's go take a walk,» Alexander says.

I lift my head from the stack of papers I'm reviewing for him.

«Sure,» I nod. I'll count this as daily exercise. The light filtered by the windows is a bit dim but diffuse. I guess it's cloudy.

«It should be time...» he whispers while reaching my hand. «Hurry up!»

Has he prepared a surprise or something? What is he itching to show me this time?

«Shall I prepare myself for something?» I inquire.

Oh, I get it! It must be...

«Have you bought me a horse?» I exclaim with shining eyes and a grin.

«Not yet,» the Duke murmurs, a bit dejected. «There aren't good horses on sale... Summer is the right season for that when the youngest units are ready to be trained.»

«Oh, then what?»

«It's not something I prepared, my dear,» he chuckles. «Just be patient a few minutes, and you'll see...»

I follow him to the private garden.

We find the space full in white. Oh, how odd. The garden disappeared.

«Is this magic?» I ask while bowing down to collect some of this white material. It's cold and wet... Ice...

Oh, I've read about it, but it's the first time I see it!

«Snow!» I exclaim, and Alexander chuckles amused. I know, right? I'm such a clever wife.

I always thought that snow was fluffy and sweet. It seemed like that from the illustrations, but this material is simply fine-grained ice. Also, it's melting on my hand.

I lick my finger with the tip of my tongue. It isn't sweet, indeed. And it has a slight smell of ash.

I bow down and look for some more snow. I like it, it's so soft before I press it. Also, it takes any shape I give it. Oh, I can make little animals from it, can't I?

My eyes are attracted by a flying object, and I see Kate and Olly throwing snow at each other. Kate simply sinks her hands down and tries hitting the child, while he first shapes the snow in little balls.

Mhm, indeed, balls are easy to throw and have some aerodynamics...

I want to play too!

Turning towards Alexander, I fix my goal in my mind. I stand on tiptoe and peck his cheek.

«I'll be right back,» I say.

My feet sink in the snow. Ice gets in the shoes, and the rim of my gown becomes white in no time. However, I don't stop just because of that.

Learning how to walk in this fluffy mess is challenging, but I soon find the right pace. I catch some snow and make a ball, just like Olly. Then, I throw it at him with not much strength. I don't want to hurt him.

I miss him completely, but he turns to me and stares with a troubled expression. He lets the snow in his hands fall down and bites his little lip, conflicted.

Throwing stuff at the Lady must be against the law. His thoughts are perfectly visible on his sincere face.

«I have a proposition,» I start before the indecision brings him away from me. I want to play! «We can forge a temporary alliance.»

«Alliance?» he repeats. «What is that?»

«You and I will work together against Kate,» I explain. «She'll be the common enemy.»

«Common...» he whispers. «It means for both of us, right, my Lady?»

«Correct,» I answer while patting his head.

He smiles and returns to make snowballs, and I peek at his technique.

When Kate walks to us, curious, we throw a projectile at the same time.

She runs towards a little tree and hides behind, fast like a deer no matter how much snow is in her way.

«Ah, we're gaining ground!» I say. «Don't lose the momentum, soldier Olly. We can win this if we don't give up now!»

«We can win,» he nods while gathering some more snow.

«We've outnumbered the enemy, this is the right time to attack!»

«No,» Kate shouts while running to a better spot where to hide. «I surrender! Have mercy!»

«Mercy is not an option. Soldier Olly, now, attack!»

I lose track of time, while snow flies everywhere in the garden. At some point, it starts again falling from the sky.

Olly doesn't really pay attention to the phenomenon, but both Kate and I stop playing and look at the sky. It's completely covered by clouds, but the day isn't dark. It's weird how the light has invaded the garden. It's hard to keep my eyes fully open in such brightness.

I take the chance to whisper to Kate: «I need your help with something.»

She doesn't move her eyes away from the sky, but I know she's listening.

«You might need to search a lot, but I believe you can do it, Kate.»

«Just tell me what, and you'll have it, my Queen.»

I haven't ever asked her to go out of her way, and she hadn't needed to do this before. We had access to all we needed, in Polis. And we didn't need much, actually.

After running around and exercising my muscles, I return to Alexander. He's frowning.

I guess it's difficult for him. He's been standing on the same spot for the whole time, his arms crossed and his mood dark. He had to look at us having fun, but he couldn't join because of his wound.

«Next year, we'll play all together,» I whisper when I reach him. My arms circle his waist, and my head leans on his chest.

I feel the warmth on the fingers, even after playing with the snow for so long.

«We can do this tomorrow too,» I try. I need exercise, or I'll become even weaker.

«We'll see,» he breathes.

I peck his cheek again, and his mood shifts a bit towards a state where he'll accept my request. I don't insist on my demonstration of affection because we're still in public.

And there's no need to work too much. I already know I'll come here again tomorrow.

«The best day to play with snow is the day when it falls. After that, it becomes hard or, even worse, dry,» he explains. He wraps me in his coat, and we walk towards the entrance door.

I don't want my Duke to feel cold, so I walk fast. Returning his coat is not an option because he's stubborn like a wooden chop.

I take it off only when we go back into the study and sit next to the chimney.

«You are spoiling that child too much,» Alexander says, all of a sudden.

What child? Ah, Olly. Maybe, my husband is right. But that's no reason to be jealous!

«Am I?» I mutter while sitting next to him.

Leaning my head on his shoulder or chest might not do the trick, this time.

«Maybe, it's all a trick to see my husband acting like a jealous concubine,» I whisper to his ear.

«It's not,» he stops me.

Oh, does he have to be smart now?

«You just like children.»

«Well, that's desirable for a wife, isn't it?»

«I'm not sure about that.»

His dark mood hasn't disappeared yet.

«You also played with the maid,» he accuses me. Oh, is he this much possessive? I haven't rolled in the snow with Kate, we just throw balls at each other.

Mhm... Rolling in the snow... Oh my, who knows what feeling does that cause? Maybe, it's worth the cold feel and wet dress. Is lying in the snow as comfortable as it looks, except for the low temperature?

«You're too used to having me at an arm's length,» I point out. «You're becoming a bit spoiled. You can't have me a hundred per cent dedicated to you at every second.»

«I know,» he sighs.

«Then, why are you complaining so much?»

«Because I feel like it.»

«I would have thrown snow at you too, if you weren't wounded,» I comfort him. Even though I'm not sure that throwing anything at the Lord is allowed.

«Is my wound so much in the way? I'm useless like this, and you're growing bored of me,» he protests.

What the heck?

«You were hurt while protecting me,» I point out. «Even if the wound was in the way, that wouldn't matter to me.»

«I'm not a sick patient, Theodora. I can use my right hand.»

«Let me take care of you, Alexander.»

His expression quickly relaxes, and he lies back on the sofa.

«I might let you,» he breathes.

«It's difficult if you always want everything. You have to rest, be comfortable and warm. I can't drag you with me just to play a little.»

Also, I walked to the garden because I wanted to do some secret exercise! It was all for him!

«And you have to accept that I am a whole person. I need to interact with other people too. I need friends and duties, and some alone time...»

«I know,» Alexander sighs. «Sorry...»

I snuggle in his hot embrace and close my eyes, satisfied.