Rhovian's POV
While he could yet not display the entirety of his feelings, Rhovian engaged in the task of becoming a better husband to Ylenna.
As he needed to be subtle, he realized the first step to be taken was getting her a gift.
For that, he asked for Zena's help.
— I wish to give her highness some presents. And I need your help in this matter.
Zena seemed in awe with that.
— Of course, your highness. It will be a great pleasure. What should I do?
— Please, write down her favorite colors, the fabrics she feels most comfortable wearing and her body measurements for dresses. Also… the gems she likes the best. Or the ones that go better with her eye color. I believe yellow sapphires would be good. Maybe rubies to match her lips. And I also need her shoe size.
— I… I shall write everything down for your highness!
— Please, do. Also, add the foods she likes the most. I will ask the kitchen to serve them more often.
— Here… your highness. This is everything you asked.
— Thank you, Zena. I appreciate it. — He gave her a short smile. — If you happen to meet Karl, please tell him to come meet me at the stables as soon as possible.
— Yes, your highness.
A few minutes later, the prince was mounting his horse, alongside Karl, Nivan and Cassius, while heading to the city market.
— This gown will look exquisite on your wife, my lord. — The luxurious dressmaker showed him her best works. — The neckline is elegant, while also sensual.
— It is too revealing. — He interrupted her with a frown.
— Relax, my friend. — Nivan intervened. — I'm sure even a married woman wants to feel seductive in her new dress gifted by her husband, right?
Rhovian held back a retort.
— Alright, go ahead.
At the end of the two-hour trip to the market, Rhovian was riding back to the palace with a carriage transporting ten dresses, five sets of jewelry, four pairs of shoes and an enormous bouquet of hyacinths.
— Bring them all inside. — He instructed the servants while guiding them to lay the presents on the bed.
— What… is happening here? — Ylenna showed up just in time, entering the room.
— Ah… Princess. — He nodded at her with a neutral expression. — Please, come in. I brought you these flowers.
He offered her the bouquet, that she took with suspicious eyes.
— And also a few gifts. — Rhovian gestured to the enormous pile of gift-wrapped packages on top of their bed. — Please, try them and tell me if they are to your liking.
Ylenna blinked, looking both confused and incredulous.
— Are… are all these for me?
He frowned.
— Of course. Who else? — He gave her a wry smile. — I found it better to firstly assess if they are all to your taste. Also, the shops did not have any more products that suited you with the quality I was searching for, so I shall order some more later on.
— She mumbled something to herself, as if trying to understand his words.
— Now, go ahead and try them. I will be heading back to my office.
Releasing a long, heavy sigh, Rhovian closed the door behind him.
'Good. That was the perfect balance. Give her presents, but avoid creating too much proximity right now. You did a great job.'
— Now, it is time to prepare for the next step.
In his office, Rhovian laid out the rest of his plan in his head while toying with a pen in his hand.
— I must fetch her for dinner as if it was just natural. Not making a great deal of it, just as if it has been like this since she moved to the palace. — He inhaled calmly. — Yesterday she said she needed time to gather her thoughts… That is what I will do. Give her time while also being by her side. That must work. She will talk to me when she feels ready.
A few hours later, he knocked on the door.
— C-come in. — Her startled voice sounded from the inside.
— Good evening. — He entered, noticing she was wearing one of the dresses he had bought her that afternoon. — Are you ready for dinner?
Ylenna stared at him blankly, her eyelids trembling as if she was dumbstruck.
— I… yes…
— Good. Let us go, then. — He offered her his elbow in a formal, inviting gesture.
The princess watched him, looking dumbstruck for a few seconds before rising from the chair and walking towards him. She grabbed his arm and followed Rhovian out.
— I asked the kitchen to prepare a dish I have heard to be to your liking. — He started after a few steps. — Mushroom-cream pie. I hope they have done it justice.
— I… I appreciate the effort. I shall enjoy it.
— I hope so… By the way… this dress looks stunning on you. Do you like it?
She seemed to take a while to grasp the meaning in his words, then answered:
— I… I found it lovely. Thank you.
— You can always tell me if you do not like something. But I hope you are being sincere.
— I am. Truly. It makes me feel really… beautiful. — She said shyly as they arrived at the dining hall's doors.
— The dress is quite elegant. — Rhovian turned slightly to her before answering, his words being half subdued by the voices and cutlery sounds when the doors opened: — but it is you that is beautiful.
Being cunning as he knew his family to be, nobody acted in an awkward way about the sight of them arriving together for dinner.
— Heavens, my daughter. You look especially stunning tonight. — Rhovian's father greeted Ylenna, barely caring to spare him a glance. — Tell me, is this a new dress?
— Yes, your majesty. His highness got it for me just today.
— Well, my son has good taste, just like me. Come, sit down and eat. The cook has prepared a delicious pie tonight. You should try it.
As she was sitting down, not seeing the King, he winked at Rhovian in approval. The prince could barely hold his scoffing.
Cunning, yes. But nonchalant is not an adjective he'd call his father.
— You know, I do not think Rhovian has ever gone to the market to buy anything before, unless he was already in the vicinity. — Rhovian's hand froze in the middle of cutting a piece of pie. — But today I heard he went all the way there from the palace. I was wondering what made him…
— I just-
The king smiled at the princess and cut Rhovian's attempting retort.
— How amused I am to find out he went there just to buy his wife a gift. My son is surely and finally maturing.
Rhovian heard Ylenna resting her cutlery and felt her gaze at him.
— I… I really appreciate his highness' thoughtfulness.
— Oh, it does show up, sometimes. — Ronan declared with a large smile.
The Prince closed his eyes, gritting his teeth while releasing air from his nose. He chose his words carefully so as not to sound rude to the princess.
— It is… only right I do this much for my wife.
— Yes, it is. And I am happy you have figured this out. — Ronan ended the conversation while gulping from his goblet.
The rest of the dinner was filled with less chatting, to Rhovian's relief.
He glanced at the princess from time to time. She seemed to be enjoying the mushroom pie, to his awe.
— Does it suit your palate? — He asked her with a curt smile.
— Oh, yes… It is really good. — Ylenna answered seemed a bit taken aback.
— Great. Do tell me more about the dishes you wish to have. I will make sure the cook prepares them.
— The… The usual food is already quite good here. You do not have to go through the trou-
— It is no trouble, princess. It is only the bare minimum I should do for you. Do not worry and feel free to tell me if there is anything you want.
Ylenna looked at him as if she was seeing a stranger, but nodded in silence.
Heading back to their quarters, Rhovian stopped at the door and turned to look at her.
— I will be heading to the office, then. You will be more at ease. — He took her hand and touched it with his lips. — We can talk when you feel like it. Good night.