After Two Years (6)

"How have you been, Your Majesty?" Crown Princess Maria asked Empress Amina with a calm yet friendly smile on her face.

"I'm doing fine," Empress Amina quickly responded. "What about you, Maria? You never come and I have missed you a lot."

"I apologize, Your Majesty. Whenever my father is out, I have to take his place and I don't get to leave Vialand often," the Crown Princess explained.

The Empress nodded and when she looked at the young man standing next to Maria, the latter promptly spoke up.

"This is Ancelin, Your Majesty. He's my husband."

Ancelin, the former Duke of Vizza who was now the Prince Consort slightly bowed his head. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Amina Francia nodded in response. "I didn't come to your wedding and I always wonder what your husband would be like," she said to Maria and shifted her gaze to Ancelin and continued, "He's very handsome. I also heard that he's a true warrior."