"She's in heat," announced Cal, unenthusiastically.

"Who?" Gigi looked back from her dresser, clueless. She was getting ready for an event when her husband suddenly barged into her dressing room.

"The mare you gave me on my birthday, she's in heat." He repeated. "Now that Inferno has noticed her I can't keep them close to each other. She squirted when she saw him."

Clasping a hand over her mouth, Gigi flushed with embarrassment and laughter as she dismissed her maids. "My apologies, Sire. I only knew that she was young and approaching adulthood. I didn't know that she'd get into her cycle that quickly."

"I had to fight life and death to drag Inferno back into his enclosure. I even called for a local farmer to transfer the mare to his barn and released Inferno just so he could smell around and be sure she was no longer there." Cal shook his head tiredly, fixing his own tie. "No matter. We'll just have to wait until she is out of season."

"The mare must have been thinking about how handsome Inferno was." Gigi giggled, rising from her mahogany chair. "He's such a sturdy, brood stallion. It's only normal for her to desire his company. Imagine, a lonely young mare that was kept far from home and her family coming across this dark, handsome stranger."

Cal smiled in defeat as his wife slowly approached him, encircling one arm loosely around him.

"But he couldn't. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, they must be kept apart from each other." She palmed her chest, faking a dramatic sigh. "If only Inferno could give her what she wanted, it would give her the utmost happiness. Those poor horses, my heart weeps for them!"

"Are you sure you were talking about the horses now, darling?"

"Yes... and no." Gigi averted her eyes, her lips slightly curled up into a pout as she glanced at her bad arm which was now wrapped in a cast and strapped tightly to her shoulder.

"Patience, darling. Remember this morning the doctor told you not to do any strenuous activities before it's fully healed, or your arm won't heal correctly. I'm sure we will have plenty of time to utilize it later, hmm?" Holding her face in his palms, he kissed her head tenderly.

"Just when I was about to get what I wanted, waiting feels like forever again." She whispered hopelessly.

He laughed lightly. "You really can be very poetic when you're sad. Alright then, let's go down; the car is waiting for us at the front."

Gigi checked herself in the mirror one more time before following her husband. She hoped no one would think her weird with the cast. Being so involved in social circles had made her more conscious about her appearance.

"Are you sure you're well enough to attend the show? I've already explained how you got into an accident and are in need of rest for a couple of weeks," asked Cal during their car ride.

"Oh no, I must attend. I've been absent for days now. There are things that I must do, and my ladies need me," answered Gigi, still amazed at how quickly she had climbed up the popularity ladder, something she had never expected before. Her husband gave her a worried stare, so she added; "Don't worry, I won't hurt myself. Jose would help me."

Seeing the determined look on her face, Cal finally gave up. "Curious how effortlessly you stepped into these shoes. Tell me, darling, were you the fairest woman in Praja? Did the noblemen throw themselves at your feet while you dismissed them with indifference?"

It was supposed to be a lighthearted tease but it made Gigi feel a bit uneasy. Although she knew that she was rather pretty, she sure was unpopular compared to her half-sisters. Her heart recoiled with jealousy at the thought that Cal would've chosen her sisters at the first glance, had her father offered them first.

"No," she bit down on her lip nervously.

"No?" Cal's brows wrinkled in disbelief. "How is that possible?"

"No one was after me in Praja. It was the titles they were after, for I am the Queen's daughter. They prefer the others, my half-sisters. Nirmala and Adhisty, they were much more popular than I was and much more beautiful."

"That's nonsense!"

"You say that because you haven't seen them, Sire."

"But I'd rather like a wife who offers more than a nice view."

She shook her head quickly. "It's not like that. Most people found them to be an entertaining company as well."

"Alright. Tell me about these sisters of yours. Would they be best friends with Junior like you did in the first weeks after you came here?"

"Probably? They do get along with children, although Junior would be a special case." She could imagine Junior's face twisted with displeasure behind his book to hear Nirmala's loud, chatty voice.

"Would they talk back to me and try to outwit me during conversations?"

"Of course not! That's why most men found them tolerable."

Pausing for a moment, Cal's expression shifted as he came to an understanding. "Why of course they do! I could hardly be surprised at this point."

Gigi felt her heart shattering to pieces. Her husband agreed with them; he was one of those men!

"So you agree with them, Sire?" She swallowed with anguish, looking down on her lap. "That I should've been more compliant?"

Cal's gaze softened. "If I wanted a pretty thing that I could ride who obeys my every command, I would just get a horse." He added smugly, "I already did."

"...I don't understand."

"You misunderstood me. I would find it very dull if my wife always agreed with me. I'm looking for counsel in ruling an empire, so it would be helpful to be warned when I'm wrong."

"Then why did you agree that my sisters were more tolerable?"

"I meant that it wasn't surprising that other people would see it that way, not that I share their views. There are a whole lot of those people, Gi, even here. Remember I told you about what my mother had to endure from them?" He explained patiently. "Now, would they be willing to accept my weakness and my past, and support me in undergoing therapy?"

"The notion of therapy is rather unheard of in Praja. They might have a hard time accepting that, but it would be unfair to assume that they wouldn't be supportive, Sire."

"Would they try to touch my butt?"

"T-That's—!" The heat quickly rose up to her cheeks, turning her scarlet.

"Exactly!" Cal roared triumphantly. "Why should I waste my time gambling on what could have been, when I already have the perfect woman right here."

Gigi's chest oozed with warmth as their car came to stop. "And I, the perfect man."

Today they were to host the annual flower show. It was a gardening contest held for farmers who had submitted their plants weeks prior. Experts were hired as judges but Cal and Gigi would be personally present to bestow the gifts to the winners.

Cal had told her Gigi about how Estelle used to love it for the way it bridged the gap between the imperial family and the working class.

After observing the plants one last time the judges handed them a sealed envelope containing the winner's name.

"The winner is... Mr. George Bryon from Rothefield!" announced Cal from the stage through his microphone. "He invented a variation of hybrid peonies, with new coloration of and a stronger fragrance. Very impressive, Mr. Bryon."

A small, elderly man appeared from the crowd and slowly climbed up on stage. The imperial couple shook his hand before being handed his trophies.

"Congratulations, Mr. Bryon, your flowers are amazing. I did have a chance to observe and smell them myself," Gigi told him; she felt the need to show her appreciation since she was unable to clap her hands.

"Your Majesty, you are most kind. Since the archetype was unnamed, I would be honored if you'd allow me to name it after you."

Gigi looked at him stunned, she'd never had anything named after her before. She beamed as she replied to him, "Of course, Sir. The honour shall be mine."

After the award ceremony was done, the guests were all welcomed to entertain themselves at a luncheon. Gigi, however, had gathered a small crowd of women under a canopy.

"So today I'm going to release the unique fragrance that I am using, as promised. I know that most of the women's perfumes in Angletonia use vanilla as a base, but mine does not. Now, I'm not going to confuse you by listing all the ingredients they use as notes but to me, it smells like the earth after it rains, and the aromatic smell of fresh tea. Floral, fresh and clear."

Reaching out with one hand, she took out a small, clear vial from an adorned box. Some of the ladies whispered in excitement at the sight.

"It won't be released until the end of the week, but I'd be happy to provide each of you with a sample. Miss Joséfina, could you lend me a hand?" Gigi asked nervously. She didn't enjoy having to order Joséfina around but there was only so much she could do with one hand.

Joséfina took the box and passed it around so the ladies could each take a vial for themselves. Some of them immediately tried the scent by spraying it on their inner wrist. Soon the fresh, floral scent was spreading around the air.

"Need a hand, Mademoiselle?" Another hand suddenly appeared to support the box, and the women turned to find Philippe standing there.

"Are you here to help or just distract me from my job?" asked Joséfina, her gaze not leaving the box she was holding.

"Perhaps a little bit of both."

"Are you sure you should be out here with the women, Lord Amboise?" asked the Countess of Durrant.

"It's nice to be helping a friend. The other gentlemen are entertaining themselves with tobacco. I'm more interested in the smell of florals."

"Or maybe something else interests you," teased Lady Braendel.

"I could smell the scent coming from a mile away. I was just following where my senses lead me."

Soon, Joséfina came back with empty boxes. "They've taken the lot of them.

"Not all of them." Philippe flashed a mischievous grin before revealing a single vial he'd stolen, spraying it on himself.

"I got an invitation from Lord Edward Harding this evening, do you think I should go?"

"Harding? I don't know if I'd accept it. I heard he keeps a mistress!" replied Philippe before spraying Gigi's perfume on his own wrist.

Joséfina pouted. "What about Henry Foley then?"

"Better. Harry was in the navy with me. I've only heard good things about him." He then turned to Gigi happily. "Ça sent très bon, cousin! What's in it?"

"Prajan flowers," Gigi beamed. "Peonies, orchids, sandalwood..." she chirped happily. "Would you want one, Philippe? I'd happily send you some."

"Ç'est bon! It's sweet, but not sugary sweet. How to say it... It's so... je ne sais quoi!"

"What about that one, je ne sais quoi?" Joséfina looked dreamily across the field.

Philippe turned to follow her gaze, finding a middle-aged man playing golf in the field. "Who, Baron de Brisaac? More like, je ne sais pas."

The girls and Philippe continued talking for some time, as the luncheon resumed. In the middle of the luncheon, there were a series of performances and Gigi saw Olivia singing in soprano after a group of dancers.

"Can you... her voice? I've heard a goose that sings better," Gigi heard murmurs behind the bushes as she went to get herself a slice of cake from the buffet.

"Could you hear that? She thinks she's a singer."

"Well, she might... pretend... it's not like she could marry.... decent lords... if she wanted."

"Did you remember... how stuck up she was when she became...."

"Good riddance... I could never... what's gotten into his mind... marrying her..."

"I guess it's.... money can't buy class..."

"He dodged a bullet."

Aching to hear more of the conversation, Gigi tilted her head more to the bushes so she could hear them more clearly.

"Darling?"

Gigi jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder, before coming face to face with her husband. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "You know you could get someone else to fetch it for you."

"...I hate being paralyzed, Sire," she admitted sheepishly. Being unable to do things on her own had started getting on her nerves.

"Oh well, we can talk about it later. I'd like you to meet Kym Shion. He's one of the peers of Seol-il. He governs over the territory near the Angletonian border."

A young nobleman in his early thirties appeared behind him. After taking a good look at him, Gigi recognized him as the Seol-il noble she accidentally met once near Cal's office.

"Your Majesty," Kym Shion bowed deeply, as he did the first time they met. "It's an honour to meet you."

"I am very sorry that I must receive you like this, Sir Kym." She patted the cast on her left arm. "I hope you're enjoying the show."

Kym Shion waved it off quickly. "Please don't trouble yourself. His Majesty the Emperor is giving me the warmest welcome."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that. Although, I would like to express my condolences for the disasters happening in Seol-il." said Gigi. Did she lie? She really did feel sorry for them.

Although it was possible that Kym Shion was exposed to Cal's plan, considering the circumstances of their first meeting, she still had to do it for appearance's sake.

"It's horrible. Most of the lands that are affected are under my jurisdiction, and our monarch is still quarrelling about whether he should help us. That's why I'm thankful that the Emperor here has been willing to help."

"Oh?"

"It's a privilege for Angletonia to be the one aiding our neighbours in times of need. Don't you agree, darling?"

Gigi flashed him a warm smile. "Certainly, yes."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sounds of quarrelling.

"I told you, unhand me this instance!" Joséfina shrieked.

"Now, now. That's not how a lady should behave isn't it?" cooed an unrecognizable male voice. "We should talk alone. Haven't you agreed to visit me in my place?

"I have yet to give you an acceptance, and I suppose it's obvious now that I'm not going!"

Gigi and Cal quickly rushed to the source of the noise. From the distance they saw near the fountain, arguing with a man who they recognized as Edward Harding.

"Ah, I know it. You girls like to confuse us with your rejection. But I know by now that you meant to say ye—" The man didn't get to finish his sentence as Philippe suddenly barged in and punched him right on his nose.

"Should've gone away when she said no," he growled with fury.

Lord Harding held his broken nose and looked up surprised at the man who knocked him off the ground. "Y—You? B-But, you're a sissy! How could you—"

"I was in the navy, ducon!" Throwing another fist, Philippe sent Lord Harding falling backwards into the lotus pond.

Impressed by the heroic display, Gigi found herself clapping with the rest of the guests. "Don't you think it was magnificent, Sire?" Expecting her husband to be by her side as she turned, she was at loss as she found the spot empty.

Looking around she finally caught sight of Cal staggering away from the scene, clutching his head.

"Sire!" 

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.