Reunion Matters
1145 Words
They awaited the Royal Procession by the dock.
Standing near, but not next to, His Holiness Emperor Erus, Kalliope kept her eyes over the gray horizon. The lines of nobles and royalties stood like a bruised thatch against the snowy shores of Caelora. Amidst the dark clothing and solemn silence, one would think they were attending a funeral, and not waiting to celebrate our Crown Prince’s triumphant return from his most recent conquest.
If one could call snuffing out a small rebellion a conquest, that was.
Kalliope must admit to herself, she was rather slighted when she was advised to stay at the Royal Palace when Malus left two months ago. There were reasons, valid ones at that, that even she had to agree to.
Did not mean Kalliope enjoyed being separated from him.
Though, if she must be perfectly honest, Kalliope have accomplished some feats that she could not wait to share with her husband.
“Anxious to see your beloved?” A voice asked. Kalliope put up a sharp, fake smile.
“But of course. Life here is rather droll without him, will you not agree, brother?”
Numos, her brother in law, gave her an equally fake smile, his teeth white against his dark lips, “Indeed. I cannot wait to hear about his victories. ‘Tis a shame he did not allow you to accompany him. I was certain you two would have set out to accomplish great things together.”
Feeling an incoming headache, Kalliope fought to keep her smile, “A shame indeed. Alas, while he was away, I, as his Royal Consort, must take care of duties at his disposal. There will be plenty of time for travels and conquests later. He is, after all, the War-Prince.”
Numos’ eyebrow twitched, “And a magnificent job you have done.”
Kalliope smiled, “Thank you for your generous praise. I have much to learn still.”
That finally shut him up. Numos’ smile was strained, and he turned his eyes back to the arriving fleet at the horizon. Kalliope, of course, noticed how his hands curled up into fist by his sides, and kept her pleased smirk to herself.
Numos was one of Malus’ younger bastard brothers. Despite wasn’t conceived by the late Queen Consort, the Emperor adored him due to his intelligence and cunningness in statecraft. His skin was a pleasant dark olive, with brushed-back chestnut hair and brown eyes. Tall and more on the lithe side, he was built like a scholar, and the subject of many court ladies' fancy.
His disarming smile did very little to hide his potential threats. At least to Kalliope, that was. She trusted His Holiness’ court very little, but she trusted none of them less than Numos.
Malus was inclined to agree.
Alas, their suspicions were both baseless. The only thing that had them keeping tabs on Numos was his barely banked ambitions.
Which was why Kalliope stayed behind during Malus’ excursion. There was a very interesting list that she could not wait to show him.
After properly welcoming back, of course.
Her handmaidens had dressed her well today. She wore a deep navy velvet gown lined with white fur and embroidered with silver vines and a ceremonial breastplate that emphasised her status as the War-Prince Consort. Upon her silver hair was an ivory crown, heavy with sapphires, and intertwined in her braid was the nevermeltice hairpin Malus gifted her as part of his betrothal gifts. They had taken care to make her stand out among the other nobles, and yet not a contrast against the dark-coloured clothing the others wore.
The fleet, dark as the flags bearing Caelora’s Royal Crests and fortified with enchanted steel, docked at last. Soldiers, on board and on land, roared in their enthused greetings. Amidst the noises and happy faces, Kalliope’s eyes met the only one she had been waiting for.
A plank fell heavily to the stone dock. A dark figure upon a dark horse descended, regally marches forward in thundering cheers. The deep colours of his attire could not hide the gleam of his blue eyes, made brighter when they met Kalliope’s.
Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she could not help her smile, a real one this time, when the love of her life elegantly dismounted before her. Unceremoniously, he pulled her to his embrace, where she went without resistance, and melted under the heated kiss he bestowed upon her.
“Welcome home,” she said, gloved fingers tracing his smile as they parted.
“I am home,” Malus responded, leaning his brows against her, dark hair falling over her starlight strands.
Their reunion was interrupted by someone clearing their throat pointedly.
“Welcome back, my son,” a twitch of a smile appeared on His Holiness’ otherwise stiff face.
As always, in the mass of dark hues, the Great Emperor Erus stood out, with his white fur cape, golden regalia and faded hair under a crown that was polished to perfection and decorated in sparkling jewels. In his left hand was his Royal Orb, carved out of pure onyx, and his right hand held his gemmed sceptre. Though frail-looking, His Holiness carried himself with a frigid weight of power that was as unshakable as his lands, his piercing blue eyes struck fear into the hearts of the bravests.
The corners of Malus’ mouth lifted, and he bowed respectfully, “Forgive me, Your Holiness. I have returned, and am glad to see you are well.”
“One cannot blame another for his eagerness to see his Beloved,” the Emperor spoke, his voice raspy, “I am rejoiced to see you have returned victoriously.”
“By your grace, all triumphs are assured.”
A smirk curved up his cracked lips, the Emperor said, “Now that we are done here, let us get to the feast and out of this cold.”
More cheers resounded around them, and the crowd started retreating towards the Royal Palace. Malus kept Kalliope tucked under his arm, not letting go even when his siblings approached to offer brief congratulations.
“Shame,” he whispered against Kalliope’s head as they ascended the steps to the Main Hall, “I was hoping we would have had time for a private feast…”
Playfully, she shoved at his side, “We will have plenty of time for that after.”
“But starlight, I am simply famished,” he grinned wolfishly at her, “would you not indulge me just a little?”
Kalliope startled a little when his hand slid further down her back, sighing, “You are such an insatiable beast…”
“You know you love me.”
She sighed again, this time fondly, “I do.”
Perhaps reports and lists and other… family matters could wait.
- Writer
