Distance

Author's Note: PG-13 for language.

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In her second month in Galsbourg, Rainier ceased visiting her daily again. There would be a gap of a day or two between each visit, something that Gwen rejoiced at.

She could finally find a little sense of peace and safety and discovered the energy to wander around the palace more.

It was indeed a beautiful legacy of the Kingdom's history. She had nothing but time in her hands, so she filled it by walking around the palace.

The gardens were fantastic, filled with lanes, trees, shrubbery, and flowers. If she walked around long enough, she could forget that she was kidnapped by an evil King, and simply just enjoyed the scenery.

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Even when he didn't personally see her, he missed nothing. Sally Hunt reported every minutest detail of Gwen's activities.

Whether she ate well or not. The menu that she liked and didn't. What they talked about during their long walks in the garden. Which specific gate of the palace she was staring at - probably dreaming of the freedom that definitely wouldn't happen.

The books she read at the library were mostly about the kingdom's history. She had started to read a biography of him yesterday.

But her request that day surprised him.

"She wants a bicycle?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. She had explored all the areas near this palace. She wanted to see the areas farther away, but she didn't want to use the car."

"Give her what she wants. Remember to get yourself one too, so she could go with you."

Sally bowed and left when she was told to.

Rainier was standing on his study balcony, overlooking the eastern garden of his inner palace.

Ever since she began venturing around the vast place, he had tightened the security.

Not to prevent anyone to enter, but to prevent someone to leave.

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Gwen had finally found that Rainier's mother died when he was five years old and that his father, the previous king, was murdered by his own uncle, Duke Dominique Hansen. This made him had to ascend the throne when he was only ten years old.

Her heart tugged a little.

He lost his mother when he was very young, and even witnessed the murder of his father. Was he close with his uncle? Did he trust him when he was a child?

And to be a king when he was only ten years old....

She had to shake her own head decisively.

Don't pity that man. He kidnapped you and forced you to be his wife! Remember everything he did to you, and don't become melancholic simply because you read that he had a sad past!

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Beside the garden, she also inspected other pavilions within the palace complex and opened most doors, peeked into each sitting room, and admired each antique ornament and painting.

Everywhere she could see was decidedly mesmerizing, with the dignity of a country that had survived united and getting more advanced by the year.

It's a good place to be on house arrest, she thought sarcastically.

Since she couldn't escape her fate, might as well just appreciate where she was.

I couldn't escape today, but maybe I could, tomorrow. Let's just pass today safely.

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One day, before dinner, Rainier approached Gwen at the Northern Garden. It was time for her evening stroll. He guessed she liked the spot because of the fountain.

She could see him from afar and warily waited for him. It's not like she could run away and avoid him anyway.

"Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of my reign. We're going to ride a horse carriage around the city, honor some highly-achieved people in their fields, then host a state lunch. In the evening, we will host a state dinner for all my ministers."

Her eyes widened during his monologue.

It was November and a little chilly, so she buried her hands in her coat. Silently, she began walking back to the palace, grateful for her flat shoes. He had let Sally buy her those, instead of those tiring high-heels.

Still, she was the picture of elegance, with her subdued-colored dress and coat. It wasn't the way the usual Gwen Hamilton would dress, but she made amends with what was available.

"Is there any way for me to avoid what's happening tomorrow?"

"None" he answered matter-of-factly, walking beside her.

Am I going to play Queen Elizabeth tomorrow?

She wanted to shake her head at how absurd it sounded, even in her own head. She imagined they'd do what Queen Elizabeth would do the next day. Waving at citizens from their horse-carriage, smiling, shaking hands, and dining with perfect western table manners.

"Why can't you just do it yourself? You like people to worship you anyway. Must be enough to inflate your ego."

"I have a queen. It's only normal to have you there tomorrow."

"I didn't ask to be here."

"You are here. And I thought you like to be useful?"

She chuckled bitterly.

"Haven't you used me enough?"

"Not all the way, I haven't."

She glared at him and he smiled.

"If you want to prepare, you can read the profiles of the 24 achievers that we will award tomorrow. The file is in our bedroom."

"You say "we" and "our" so easily. Can't you please spare me that? Coming from your mouths, those words disgust me."

"We are married, no matter how much and how long you'll deny it."

"What marriage? I'm only your whore."

"My one and only whore, then."

"You say it as if I should be proud."

"You're the only woman of a king, Gwen. You should be proud."

"I am mortified, thank you very much."

They had arrived at the palace, and she immediately stalked to her room.

She didn't turn back to see him staring at her until she disappeared up the stairs.

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Indeed, Gwen read the profile of all the Coronation Award Winners carefully. All 24 of them achieved greatly in medicine, business and finance, law, agriculture, tourism, and many other fields.

At least he knew how to give awards to those who really deserved them.

But what caught her eyes was a certain Duchess Samantha Hansen, Psy.D. The cousin of the King. Second in line to the throne. A doctor in psychiatry and was qualified to receive the Coronation Award that year for her achievements in creating an online psychiatric consultation platform that was user-friendly and trustworthy.

The previous year, she was awarded for starting the Get Better Caravans. A program where a pair of psychiatrists went to villages to give mental health consultations to the villagers.

She got her Psy.D degree five years ago. And she got awarded for her achievements annually since then, as if it was her yearly schedule.

Gwen looked at the woman's picture. The cousin of the king. She looked brilliant, powerful, and beautiful.

It might be worth it to attend the events the next day to meet Doctor Lee.

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Indeed, Gwen read the profile of all the Coronation Award Winners carefully. All 24 of them achieved greatly in medicine, business and finance, law, agriculture, tourism, and many other fields.

At least he knew how to give awards to those who really deserved them.

But what caught her eyes was a certain Duchess Samantha Hansen, Psy.D. The cousin of the King. Second in line to the throne. A doctor in psychiatry and was qualified to receive the Coronation Award that year for her achievements in creating an online psychiatric consultation platform that was user-friendly and trustworthy.

The previous year, she was awarded for starting the Get Better Caravans. A program where a pair of psychiatrists went to villages to give mental health consultations to the villagers.

She got her Psy.D degree five years ago. And she got awarded for her achievements annually since then as if it was her yearly schedule.

Gwen looked at the woman's picture. The cousin of the king. She looked brilliant, powerful, and beautiful.

It might be worth it to attend the events the next day to meet Doctor Hansen.

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