There was something wrong with her gloves. They creased unattractively about her thumbs like she had stumps for the digits. She fidgeted with them, her nerves had gotten the better of her this morning.

"Chammielle, are you alright?"

She brushed at her silk skirts. It appeared she would receive a new dress every day. It seemed wasteful. But the silver blue brocade with pink camellias did look beautiful. She wore the choker he had first given her, along with the ring. Now if only her gloves would comply with how lovely she looked.

"It's nothing... I'm a little nervous and my gloves are ill fitting."

He held her hand and she sighed.

"You look beautiful. Belladonna really styled your hair to be so stunning...it's almost more eye-catching than your crown."

She'd seen the elaborate updo in the mirror before they'd left. It really did look elegant.

"She's a marvelous person in general. She acted so rude when we met...but I really like her."

He smirked and looked ahead as they walked down the corridor to the throne room. High court would be in session once they arrived.

"She was testing you for me. She believes everyone ought to give people second chances, and the fact that you didn't ask for someone else really endeared you to her. She reported to me to say she thought you were a rose among thorns."

His hand came to her waist and she smiled. Their time together had made her increasingly fond of him and his gentle and reassuring touches. She didn't know what she would do without him.

Alfrina's words she'd repeated seemed distant but true. The more attention he gave her the more she felt confident in who she was and her own capabilities. In William's eyes she was beautiful. He'd seen all of her and had been entirely drawn to and enamoured with her. And that was enough for her.

"And she is a flower in a garden of weeds. I'd really like to show her my thanks somehow."

They arrived at the towering double doors of the throne room and he took her hand in his.

"Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Yes, I think so."

The doors were opened for them and the trumpets sounded. The heralding blast caught Chammielle off guard and she squeazed his hand so she wouldn't shirk away from the abrupt noise. She heard him chuckle beside her.

She glanced at him and spoke under her breath.

"...It's not my fault no one has blown a horn at my arrival before."

He smiled even wider.

"How dare. They shall from now on."

She wanted to kick him but the throne room was already full with those who attended high court.

They stepped over the threshold and heard the announcer call their names, but the many eyes staring at them had her feeling unnerved. She glanced at the Prince beside her and saw his eyes looking towards the two thrones. She did the same, narrowly missing his eyes turning their gaze upon her for the rest of their walk up towards the dais.

They took two steps up the marble platform, and Will held her hand out to be at ready assistance. He twirled her as if they were dancing in slow motion and continued to hold on until she was seated. Kissed the ring he'd given her, and sat down as well. He didn't let go.

"High Court is now in session. Bring forth the decrees to be set forth this month."

His voice carried and she was surprised at the command he had. She chided herself that she shouldn't be too surprised. He was a prince after all. Not just her whispering and teasing Will.

A tall man in a curled white wig stepped forward. His justaucorps was jeweled and gilt, but they all seemed to be wearing the same suit. She guessed when seeing the royals they had to dress this way. In her village the magistrate always wore a black three piece with only the waistcoat a gold pink silk. She glanced through the crowd for him now, having heard they rotate who attends high court.

"Yes, your highness. The decrees set forth from your desk have been read and verified by us, the magistrates. We find them to be very well written, but wonder at your readiness in cutting of taxes. Your highness, your long and healthy rule requires the tax monies to benefit your people with protection, with national security, with the pay of those in your employ, and many other benefits you yourself know all too well. If the money does not come from these businesses, we shall find ourselves in a deficit."

The magistrates murmured their assent and Chammielle looked to Will beside her. He appeared to be deep in thought and she remembered Belladonna's words. She decided to distract him.

Taking her finger she twirled a pattern into the palm of his hand and saw him shiver. He smiled and glanced to her and she gave him look she hoped would incite bedroom thoughts. It appeared to work and she was rewarded with both the magistrate clearing his throat at them and Will mouthing what he would do to her later.

"Hmm, I wonder at your short sight, Count Celerec. Surely you can imagine the long term affects of such cuts? Our economy will be bolstered, our people will thrive, and the more money they make working jobs that are plentiful the more plentiful the taxes will come in. We shall see returns within the next five years if not immediately."

The grouping of the magistrates murmured amongst themselves. Arguing over the validity of his statement. It really should have been obvious, but it seemed they had their own opinions.

Count Celerec coughed into his hand after listening to his peers and faced them once more.

"I beg your pardon, your highness, but this is something so new to us and to your people. We fear they shall take advantage of these new tax cuts and line their own pockets rather than create new jobs for the working classes."

Will let out a hearty laugh and she covered her own smile with the back of her hand. What was he thinking being so rowdy in front of them?

"I'm sorry, that struck me so hysterically. *Snickers* Count Celerec, have you not read the extending clause specific to just what you are proposing?"

He flipped through the pages and seemed to find it. His lips moved as he read silently.

"Forgive me, your highness. It was not in the original document I reviewed at first. I have no qualms with this."

"Nor should you. My wife wrote that."

Now the whole of the throne room was filled with whispers and conversation. In one fell swoop he had made her the center of attention. Good or bad, she wasn't sure yet. But his eyes gazing fondly at her eased her misgivings and she smiled in return. He loved her. He wouldn't show her off for her to be made a laughing stock.

"Her highness is already so adept at transcripts and law?"

He leaned over and kissed her hand, capturing her eyes with his and smiling with open and unreserved affection.

"It is mere play for her. She is a natural born leader with a heart for our people. Mark this day, Count Celerec, her royal highness Princess Chammielle will be a Queen to remember."

Murmurs went around the room once more, and she couldn't help the unease in the pit of her stomach. Her stepmother's training kicked in and she painted a demure and innocently affected smile. Her eyes lowered and she felt Will's gaze on her which caused her to blush.

In this moment the high court thought they truly saw her. A Princess of humble beginnings with a desire to serve her people. Her freckles were not homely or indicative of some illegitimacy. They were a fantasmic spark having been bestowed on her by some fateful star. Setting her apart for just this. Her place was here.

Prince William returned his gaze hesitantly to the magistrates, but his eyes did not seem to want to leave her.

"And what of my latest missive? Have you been able to calculate the sum of my gift?"

"Gift?" Chammielle stared after him.

Count Celerec cleared his throat and another official of the law stepped forward and handed him a new document.

"Yes, your highness. The Sweet Day will begin this year in Kuchen, and next it shall spread throughout all of the provinces. The date is tentatively set, and considering this year it will be hosted by The Jewel Box in honor of her highness the costs shall be relatively low."

Her eyes went wide and she looked between the Count and Will.

"Pray tell, what is this Sweet Day?"

It was the Magistrate's turn to show surprise, but he seemed very delighted and shot the Prince a proud look as he chuckled.

"Your highness, Prince William has decreed a national holiday in your honor. You hail from Kuchen, a place so named for it's abundance in bakeries and sweet shops. Every year there shall be a bakery selected by a panel of judges from the nobility for their sweets, and on Sweet Day they are to make their famous desserts for all the children of the provence paid for by the Palace out of the Royal Treasury."

She nearly paled. It was a wonderful thing, and she gripped his hand. But her grandfather was ill...

He leaned in and whispered into her ear.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm lending The Jewel Box our Chef Malbeck this year along with a few kitchen staff. I thought your grandfather could use the help."

A tear slid down her face and she couldn't help herself. He removed his lips from her ear and she grabbed his face with her hands and kissed him passionately. The room echoed with equal sounds of adoration, good humor, embarrassment, and shock.

"Y-your highness!"

Count Celerec sounded like he would faint and Will smiled against her lips. He let one hand weave into her hair and hold her there as he turned his face towards the stuttering Count.

"Can't you see my wife is kissing me? Give us a moment, will you?"

And he turned and returned the kiss with equal passion.

...

High Court was over shortly after that. There had been other things on the docket, but Will had put most of them off for another day. It appeared that he had done it to whisk her away sooner, but what they'd tried to keep them there for still rang in her ears. Namely: Lady Aconia's sentencing.

They returned to their shared suite enrapt in each other and hurrying down the hall. She pulled off the stupid gloves to feel his face as she stole kisses on their way. But for all their kissing it was quickly becoming apparent it was for show. ...As well as for him.

He pressed her against the door, and the maid they'd shut out heard her body rattle the hinges and squeaked. She moaned into his mouth as he delved his tongue into her, and he chuckled as the girl's footsteps could be heard running away. They parted and he teased her lips with tiny kisses.

Chammielle sighed.

"Alright, so what do you want to talk about?"

His eyes showed mock surprise.

"You mean besides how many children we should have?"

His lips went to her throat and she rolled her eyes.

"Will, why did we end High Court and chase listening ears away?"

He chuckled once more at her perceptiveness and took a half step back.

"I was having a lot of fun with that, too."

He sighed and pulled at her hips, then put his head on her shoulder.

"Right, talking. I can do that. I'm doing it now. I think. Thinking is hard."

She laughed and shoved at him. Taking his hand she pulled him to their couch and sat down, patting his seat beside her and angling herself so she could give him her full attention. He huffed and sat obediently.

"I realized we hadn't exactly discussed what to do with your sister's assailant. The sentencing goes to me to do, but I need to know your feelings on the matter. Usually the Crown is very decisive but never cruel in such things. A lot of leniency is given to houses of nobility. But, she tried to have you killed. And Aster was hurt. So I want you to tell me exactly what to do."

She nodded, expecting him to ask her her preference but not necessarily give him orders.

This was a tricky situation. She wanted to see the threat to her family put to an immediate end, but also wanted a drawn out revenge. And then there was the matter of how the public would view her or Will depending on the severity of the sentencing. Many monarchs had been marked in their rule as cruel or blood thirsty for the number of executions they'd ordered. Perhaps that's what Maestro wanted her to be.

But how did she want to be remembered?

"What I want is for her to be stripped of her title immediately...but as for an execution...I don't know. I'd thought maybe I'd give her a year. Let her see the error of her ways. Perhaps a banishment after that? I really don't know anymore. I was so angry before, but Aster is alive and growing stronger day by day."

He reached across the small space between them and took her hand that was not propping up her head. His fingers dotted lightly and smoothed over her freckles. His lovely stars.

"I think an execution is the right way to go, honestly. You can't be too lenient. They'll expect a banishment from me since that's all the Dowager Queen ever sentenced."

She chewed at her lip.

"I want to speak with her. Before I make up my mind. Can that be arranged?"

He flinched and reached forward to cup her face. Worry in his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I don't want you to have to look on someone who nearly took your family from you."

"I need to do this, Will. For my conscience, and for justice."

He sighed and leaned in to kiss her. Soft lips gently pressed to hers. And then to her forehead.

"May I come along?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. She behaves differently in private, and I want to see her true nature."

He nodded but seemed frustrated at the situation.

"Then I'll send Alfrina with you. Tell her whatever you need and it will be done."

It was incredible how much faith he put in her abilities. The trust he showed her was unparalleled, and they'd known each other less than a month. But oh the amount of knowing they had already shared...

"Shall I go now?"

He gave her a funny look, then let his features become sultry as he extended his hand.

One finger came to her collarbone and trailed down her decolatage. Her breathing hitched in her throat and her lips parted. A shiver went over her skin and she felt him smoothe over the swells, his fingertips just a teaspoon's breadth under the fabric at her breast.

"I think...they are expecting us to be otherwise occupied for the next hour or two..."