Lavinia seems to like elders. Not just the Empress Grandmother, but also the nanny.

She stares at the old woman and, at some point, yells happily.

The nanny smiles. She's proud as if the child was her own blood.

«See?» Alexander murmurs while crouching in front of her. «My daughter is beautiful, isn't she?»

The nanny reaches out for Alexander's head and ruffles his hair.

He just closes his eyes and smiles, happy himself.

At this moment, I realise that this woman is the one that brought him up. She was there at every moment of his life, so she's to thank if Alexander became the man he is today.

Even with his two lives, he wouldn't be this patient and careful without someone guiding him as a child.

When she's done praising Alexander, the nanny turns to me.

Is it my turn to have a head pat?

She extends her arm, her palm open and turned upwards.

I take the few steps separating me from them, and I hold the nanny's wrinkled hand. She presses her thumb on the back of my hand and caresses it with a gentle but firm touch.

She nods to tell me that I've done a good job with Lavinia. And then, she grins, wondering if the rest of our children will be like that.

I don't have the heart to tell her that Elias won't have the dark eyes typical of the family. I don't know the other kids, though.

Somehow, though, I'm convinced that none of them will look too similar to me. They will all take from Alexander, and I'm content about it.

When Lavinia sees me, she turns her head and opens her mouth. Why does she always grimace in front of me? Why can't she just smile at me like at everybody else?

Then, she starts moaning and screaming. She tries a rhythm, and I can't help but let go of any grudge.

«Listen to this,» Alexander chuckles. «Our daughter already knows how to sing...»

I hope he'll accept my proposal before it's time to have Elias. It would make everything easier. But I won't press him.

Only with patience, can I have my freedom. And Alexander's as well.

In both his lives, he didn't have any choice before being married to me. This time, he will have to accept it out loud. I won't settle for implicit consent.

After letting the nanny see the baby, I carry her back to my lodgings. If I was still the Lady, Lavinia would be far from me...

«Do you want to have dinner together?» Alexander inquires.

«Yes, sure!»

«You can come to my room this time.»

Oh, it would feel a bit too lewd... Doing some things in our nuptial room...

«I'd prefer it if you come to me,» I say. There aren't many memories in that specific room. Other than the recent few.

Also, it might happen that we really only have dinner. Even if I doubt it. But it might happen!

«All right,» he says. «There is something I'd like to talk about with you.»

At those words, a nervous thrill crosses my spine.

«Something bad? Or something urgent? You can tell me now if you have time.»

«No.»

Oh, is this how he felt when I used these same words? Twice, at that.

I snort, trying to keep nervousness under control. I'm not a child; I should behave rationally.

«I'm looking forward to it,» I reply.

«Looking forward to what?» he inquires, a smug smile on his lips.

«Talking with you!» I exclaim. «What were you thinking about?»

«Your words were a little imprecise, so I could misunderstand...»

I glare at him while walking away. His shamelessness is still here, even after all our adventures.

At this point, I think it won't ever disappear.

This time, I wait for him in a day dress. Not in a nightgown. After all, we did agree on dinner.

Also, there is no need to bring Lavinia away. We can stay together, like a family.

The little ball's head is now covered by black hair, soft and silky. Her eyes are still as dark, but her face became paler than after birth.

«I haven't said it clearly yet, but I agree on trying to have Elias,» I start. «I will follow the plans in your office and relive our engagements in your first life. Even if it means getting stuck in the water or staying far away for months when you were supposed to go home.»

«I can go to the capital during those months. I think we shouldn't underestimate the importance of the time spent apart.»

«I agree,» I sigh. And not just because the day we were together again was spent doing naughty things.

That's not my intention at all. Why be apart for six months if we could sleep in different rooms for two weeks and obtain the same effect?

«It's going to be difficult to redo everything the same, exact way...» Alexander comments.

«I know,» I sigh. «But we should train. Not too much, or it would be extreme on the other way and still different from the first time. But at least, the timings...»

«Oh, don't worry about the timings, wife,» he chuckles. «I will have it under control.»

Figures...

«I know you will,» I say.

Then, I remember that I was supposed to woo him!

«I've done this for you,» I add, taking out a handkerchief from the pouch. «I didn't find a more proper moment to give it to you, so...»

It's a light green piece of fabric, of the best material available in the capital, with his initials embroidered by me. It's still a clumsy and uncertain pattern, asymmetric to some degree. But nothing to do with the first artworks of mine. This is ten times prettier.

«You made it for me?» Alexander murmurs, observing the handkerchief with astonishment.

As if I wouldn't think of him ever!

«I did it with my own hands!» I explain.

«Let me check,» he murmurs, catching my hand to see if there are signs of the needle.

I am not that clumsy. And also, I made it long ago. Even if I did sting myself a couple of times, the wounds have disappeared.

«Thank you for your hard work,» he whispers before kissing the tip of my fingers; of each one of them.

«It was my pleasure,» I say. «I can make another one if you like it.»

«Please, do.»

While we're lost in our conversation, Lavinia falls asleep and is taken away by the maids.

«I also have something for you,» Alexander says. «But I can't take it out of my pocket.»

«What is it?»

«I've finally found good horses for you,» he reveals. «You can go check on them tomorrow. They're all in the main stables.»

«Horses? More than one?» Did he buy one for Lavinia too?

«I couldn't be sure which one you liked, so I bought them all.»

«Oh, so I'll choose one,» I sigh.

I was starting to think he lost all his mind.

Even though... Buying all just to let me choose is a bit excessive. But not as extreme as other things he did for me.

«Thank you!» I say, and I peck his cheek. «I thought you forgot about it.»

And I will need a horse in the future.

Alexander bows over, slow, almost scared that I will run away. He leans his lips on mine and waits.

I'm the first to initiate a deeper kiss.

«I thought you would play hard to get,» he murmurs, kissing my jaw and moving down on the neck.

I don't think I could pull it over even if I wanted... Playing hard to get? It's too difficult for me.

«Why would I do that?» I can't see the benefits.

«So that I more eagerly accept your proposal.»

«It would be too much of a risk,» I explain. «I don't want you to accept me because of lust.»

«You're making it so complicated,» he chuckles. He leans on the sofa and spreads his arms on the back, looking at me with a cunning grin.

Is he the one planning hard to get now?

«I'm sorry for inconveniencing you,» I whisper, trying to convince him of my innocent, pure nature.

«Don't worry and just continue.»

«Have you thought about it?» I murmur. «I'm not hurrying you or anything... Just asking.»

«I haven't decided yet. I've never been proposed to before. You can understand that it's an odd position.»

«I've never proposed to anyone either, before today,» I point out. I was brave, wasn't I?

«That's what makes resisting so difficult, Thea...» he whispers, returning to caress my skin with his breath. Only with his breath, unfortunately.

«You don't need to resist,» I moan. «You can just accept.»

«What you promised me is quite tempting. There's no need for so much pressing, by the way...»

«I'm sorry,» I sigh, opening my eyes and sitting with my back straight.

He's right. I shouldn't press him.

«I won't do it again. Next time we talk about this, it will be when you want to give me an answer.»

He's waited for me for years before meeting me. I can wait a few months without falling into despair.