· Mensiversary: noun. Term used to express a milestone passed in months, as opposed to years (as expressed by the word anniversary).

I hesitated in front of her door, contemplating whether this visit would be worth hurting my pride over. As if she could sense me here, she opened the door even before I was able to knock.

"Ash? What are you doing here?" Adele asked, eyeing me with a suspicious look that mirrored mine.

"Evelyn is away with her family right now, so I thought this would be the best time to..." I bit my lip, she was never going to let me forget this, "Well the thing is..."

Adele groaned, "Just spit it out, Ash. What's gotten into you?!"

At times, rare times of course, she acted as if she was older than me. Being the generous and doting elder brother that she's so fortunate to have, I typically let her have her way.

"Tomorrow is our mensiversary and I want to do something special for her, but it's occurred to me that I know nothing about her personal preferences." I rambled, trying to maintain my proud composure.

She stared at me in awe for a few seconds before tumbling over in laughter.

"You- ahahaha... you!" She struggled to get her words out as she leaned against the doorframe.

I pursed my lips together, "You know what, maybe I don't need your help."

Before I could turn and leave, she yelled, "Wait!"

I watched as she regained her composure, "Come in, I'll tell you everything you need to know. But remember, I'm doing this so my best friend can be happy, not to help a pompous brother like you!" She ended her proposition by sticking her tongue out.

"Very mature." I grumbled.

I took the chair across from her as she sat down.

"You are so in love, Ash." She teased.

I rolled my eyes, "You don't even know what love is."

She wiggled her eyebrows, "I suppose you do?"

I groaned, "Can't you just tell me about Ev?"

She sat back and crossed her legs, "What would you like to know?"

"Well, for starters, what's her favorite flower?"

Adele yawned dramatically, "She'd rather you do something new. Flowers are so cliché, you know. Besides, how many times have you given girls flowers in the past? Isn't Ev more special than that?"

I nodded in thought, "Then what would be special?"

"Evelyn really likes personalized gifts. She doesn't care about the monetary value of things, but more so the thought and creativity put into them. Why don't you try making something for her?"

I scoffed, "You want me to make something with my own two hands? Like a peas—"

"Ash. What would she say if she heard you?" Adele hissed.

I stopped myself, "Of course. I apologize."

"And besides, if you truly want to show her you love her, shouldn't you go beyond your comfort?"

"That's a lot easier said than done." I grumbled.

Adele groaned, "How do we share the same blood?"

"Maybe you were adopted." I retorted, rolling my eyes.

She gave me a disappointed look before ushering me out of her room, ignoring my protests.

"But wait! You didn't even help—"

"I've helped much more than you deserve, dear brother. Here's a bonus: her favorite color is coral pink."

With that, she shut the door on my face.

"Brat." I muttered under my breath.

Coral pink. Coral!

Coral, women put coral in jewelry! Women generally like jewelry. I could make her a ring! That's it! A coral ring, it will be a gold band with a round-cut coral in the center!

With this idea in mind, I rushed to the goldsmith.

"You highness, the molten gold is very, very hot, and the mold for the ring is rather small. I don't advise that you attempt it on your own, you could get seriously hurt!" The elderly man worried at my side.

"No need, I want to do this on my own."

"But—"

"That's my final decision." I firmly stated.

"Yes sir, but please be careful! Here is the coral piece you requested, please use the tongs here to stick it in while the gold is still malleable, just as I showed you earlier with the practice."

I nodded with determination, focusing on pouring the melted gold into the mold. I completed the task successfully, earning praise from the goldsmith.

"Excellent! No one would believe that it's your highness' first time!"

I smiled, "Well, I am a little sharper than the rest."

"Indeed."

After a few minutes, I reached out to break the mold apart, but immediately pulled my hand back while hissing in pain from the burn.

"Your highness! Are you okay? Let me fetch some cold water, oh dear oh dear! I knew this wouldn't be safe, the queen will have my head—"

I raised my hand and interrupted his frenzied response, "No, I'm fine, and the queen will not know of this, so relax. This is not your fault."

"But if only I didn't—"

I interrupted him again, pointing the slightly purple tip of my index finger up for him to examine, "You have such burns all over from years of this work. Trust me, this is nothing."

I suddenly felt like Evelyn, connecting with other gentries is exactly something she would do. I smiled, these people really were worth much more than I could ever imagine.

"Why don't you take a bonus this month? How about two blocks of gold?"

"You Highness!" He gasped, "That's too much, I can't—"

I placed a hand on his shoulder, "You can't deny your king."

He bowed in acknowledgment, "Long live the King! Praise be on you, Your Highness, you're as generous as your father! Bless his soul."

I smiled, feeling a warm sensation surge throughout my body. Being compared to my father was beyond comforting, and the goldsmith's reaction felt oddly rewarding, even though he was the one being rewarded. Strange. Evelyn was making me feel all sorts of things even in the absence of her presence.

I bid the goldsmith goodbye with the ring in my hand. On the way to my own chambers, I stopped at the marital quarters. The only time we set foot in here together was that single night during the Coronation Ball. I couldn't suppress my smile at the thought of us sharing the same cot one day.

If only that day could come sooner!

I paced around the large room, thinking of ways to present the ring to her. It had to be perfect! After all, I injured myself over this. Evelyn was simple, so she wouldn't want me to give it to her with publicity. No, a private presentation would be best! When though? We're not completely alone often...

It would have to be at night, when the rest of the castle is asleep. But by that time, she'll be in her own quarters too... How will I be able to see her without coming off as suspicious?

I shook my head out of frustration. She's my wife! I can see her whenever I want. I'll just enter at the most convenient time and - but what if she's already asleep by that time? I fell back onto the chaise, tired from all the scheming.

This has to work. Think Ashton, think!