Kathrine pov contd.
"Umm, Katherine. We both are tired. So, if you do not mind, can we just rest for today? After all, we have our whole life ahead.`` He did not know how much relief I felt from his words. I was not ready for this sudden wife's responsibilities.
As if all my worries left me at once and I smiled brightly. He chuckled looking at me.
"I will wait until you are ready, so do not worry. Let's be friends first, alright?" Once again his consideration touched my heart. I nodded and he patted my head just like mother used to do.
He did not know how much these words meant to me. I think this was the best political marriage one could have!
"Now, why don't you wear something comfortable? Even i need to take a bath before sleeping." he moved as he opened the door once again and many maids entered.
"Help the empress in taking bath and serve her well." I noticed that the maids did not belong to the palace. Their features were just like him. A bit different than us.
"This is your staff from today onwards, Katherine. They will do as you say. As an empress, you need to be served well, and if there is any problem, you can always come to me and I will change the person you did not like." he replied as i continued to look at the staff which was more than 8.
I have only had two maids since the start. And I did not understand why I suddenly needed so much. But since he had done this out of goodwill I nodded with a smile.
"Well then take your time." he smiled and left the room.
"Your majesty, shall we?" I nodded as we walked to the bath area. After wearing a comfortable dress when I walked back to the room, most of the decoration was gone. The candles were no more there and so were the flowers.
Charles was already sleeping on the bed. He opened his eyes listening to my footsteps and smiled.
"I apologize but the room was looking cluttered. That's why i cleared a bit to take rest.'' The room was the largest room of the palace. It was equal to five chambers and had an inbuilt dining room, living room, study room and two bedrooms with a large changing room and mirrored bathroom, yet it looked cluttered to him.
Just how large his room would be. He closed his eyes without waiting for my answer. He must be tired after the long journey. I think it takes more than three days to cross the borders of the empire so i could understand. Moreover we have to journey again in the morning. I should rest too.
It took me a while to accept that I was sharing a bed with a stranger. But thank goodness to the spacious bed which could handle seven adults. We both have a good space for ourselves. So, I did not realize when I fell asleep after thinking about so many things.
When I woke up he was already having tea in the room. Oh! Did I continue to sleep even when he was awake! That was rude! I suddenly felt embarrassed at my behavior.
As if sensing my thoughts, he chuckled.
"It is fine. You were tired. And I do not believe in these formalities.`` His words assured me once again yet I bowed my head and apologized.
"I apologise, my lord. It will not happen again." he just shook his head with a subtle laugh on my apology.
"If you are awake, get ready, Katherine. We need to go and meet our family. After all, we have to leave in a while."
"So early, my lord?" I was expecting that we would leave but the sun had not risen well. Everyone would be tired by the feast of last night. Shouldn't we take a bit more time.
"No matter how much time we will take, Katherine. In the end, you will feel that it was still early. Leaving home is never easy. But you have to understand that the distance is too big and it has been more than a week since we left our empire, and it can not stay like that for so long.`` Though he was still gentle, his voice turned stern and I nodded. He was right, I would never want to leave no matter how much time I would get. And most of the royalty of their empire was here.
"I understand, my lord." he nodded and looked at the maids who bowed and moved towards me
I was given a bath again and was decorated in the finest clothes and the rarest gems from tip to toe. My dress was heavier than last night and i have to travel in that. It was going to be too uncomfortable. Shall I ask for a change in clothes?
"As an empress, you should be habitual to it now." he replied as he moved behind me with a tiara in his hands and gently adjusted the crown on my forehead.
"From now on, you are the empress. So it will be better if you learn to behave like one. And for that you can endure this much." He meant to say that I was no longer a young princess but the most powerful woman of the empire so I should leave my childish tantrums behind and I sighed. I think he was right once again, I was not taking his perspective in mind at all and being selfish.
"I understand, my lord." I replied and he nodded with satisfaction.
"Do not worry Katherine, you will learn soon. I will personally train you to be a good empress and the type of wife I need. Soon, you will learn everything." I smiled as I looked at his gleaming eyes. For a second it felt that he was not looking at me but something else in the mirror but then the glint vanished once again as he bent and kissed my forehead.
"Yes, my lord. I will be the wife you desire."