"He most definitely does."
The sincerity in his voice and on his face had to be for her benefit.
"Perhaps not beauty sleep, per se," he went on. "But a king must have his wits about him at all times and a rested mind to ensure he makes the best decisions he possibly can for his people."
"That makes more sense."
When Frederick stopped again, he turned to look at her. "I'm not quite certain what you mean by that."
Elise reached up and laid a hand on the side of his face. "Just that you are most definitely not in need of beauty sleep. This face is quite handsome already. I fear for the women of Southern Santiero if you were to turn become even more so." She gave him a wink. "Of course, that doesn't matter." Her thumb brushed along his jaw. "You are quite taken already and not by any of them."
He turned his head to kiss the inside of her wrist. "Thank you."
For someone who said he didn't have much experience with physical contact, he sure picked up on it fast.
Or perhaps it had been modeled for him by his parents when he was younger or even his grandparents.
"You know, I'd like to kiss you right now, but..." Frederick glanced both ways down the wide hall. "But you never know when someone will appear and since we're legally wed but not officially, I think I would prefer somewhere a bit more private."
He took her hand this time and seemed to walk a bit faster than he had been before. Not much, but definitely a little bit.
It didn't take long to reach her temporary quarters. Frederick opened the door and stepped to the side to let her enter first.
Within seconds of the door closing, Elise found herself in his arms being kissed like she never had been before.
Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and she'd been pulled up on to her tiptoes as Frederick leaned down.
The kiss expressed some of the longing and loneliness they'd both been feeling while they were apart. With their schedules, they hadn't been able to talk much, only text with a few long emails thrown in for good measure.
But now... here... together...
Everything they'd been missing seemed to be culminating in this moment.
Until she found herself suddenly quite alone, one hand on the wall to keep her balance.
Frederick stood a few feet away. "I have missed you, Elise. Greatly. But I don't think either of us is ready for the places that was headed."
She gave a single nod but didn't trust herself to speak.
He came back toward her and kissed the spot where her hairline met her forehead. "Good night, love. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."
And he was gone.
12
The weeks between Elise’s return and the wedding were some of the longest of Frederick’s life.
They were also some of the best.
He and Elise had dinner together almost every evening. They often had breakfast together, and occasionally lunch when his schedule allowed.
She’d been learning her way around the palace and learning what kinds of things were required of the queen - besides giving birth to both an heir and a spare. Most of the things required would come naturally to her anyway.
Being kind. Supporting charitable causes. Advocating for the less fortunate.
Now he stood in the ante room with one of his brothers near the nave and waited for his wife who was now going to be his bride.
The officiant walked into the room and bowed at the waist. “Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness - it’s time for you to enter. The queen will be arriving momentarily.”
