"I told you, I'll be fine! Didn't Mother tell you how good I was while you were gone?" Junior squealed as they bid him goodbye before leaving on their honeymoon, or better referred to as a short getaway since it would last for several days. In the previous week, while his father was away, Junior was unmistakably well behaved but he had never been left alone by both. Of course, they had asked Philippe to stay in the palace. He would become Cal's representative, but also to 'babysit' Junior.

"Are you sure, baby? We could bring you along if you wish," Cal offered. He was having second thoughts about taking their son with them, which was far from an ideal scenario for a honeymoon, but if they couldn't help it...

"Forget it!" He turned his small back at them, voice wavering but remained level-headed. "I'm not a baby anymore. No need to waste your time, you need to catch your train."

It was almost hilarious to hear the notion of them having to 'catch the train' since the Imperial Train only carried the Imperial Family. They didn't take the aircraft to remain low key, for it wasn't an official visit but a personal one. Air travel was fairly new, and the Angletonian Imperial Family was among the first few countries to own a private aircraft, so any use of it would attract public attention.

As soon as they got out on the porch, three different cars were waiting for them. A fine limo would be their lift to the station, one car was for the servants and one for the cargo to carry their luggage. They didn't bring much, for they would only be gone for a few days.

Gigi hugged Junior one last time before she left, kissing the top of his head, nose and temple. "We'll miss you," she embraced him tightly. She'd never spent a day without him since they met.

"Promise me you will telephone me every day, and night before bed," he whispered quietly, his eyes shining wet. She smiled, realizing all of the prideful act was a façade.

"We'll not sleep a wink before that," Gigi smiled reassuringly.

"Just remember, if you're feeling lonely or scared, you can ask Philippe to stay in your room," added Cal after his farewell.

Junior puffed his cheeks out indignantly. "Just go!"

They all soon departed, waving at Junior as the palace became smaller before disappearing from their view completely.

With it being a private trip, they didn't bring a large entourage. Gigi only brought her head handmaiden, Gita Dian, a cook and a housemaid. Who knew if she needed help to zip up a dress or tighten some lace?

But Cal's decision about bringing Inferno was completely out of nowhere to her mind. Should they really be bringing him? He was a horse! Had they not any horses available at their destination? But as Cal bragged about how Inferno was a special horse and they had a special bond and no other horses could match up to him, Gigi knew she was on the losing side.

It reminded her of some of her half-sisters who'd always insisted on bringing a doll or a special pillow during their royal visits for they wouldn't be able to sleep without it.

Vasilione was a county in southwest Angletonia, known for its picturesque beaches, harbour villages and wild moors, only a few hours away to travel from the capital by train. It was the birthplace and home to Emilian Leroy, the founding matriarch of the House of Leroy. With its panoramic landscape yet tranquil atmosphere, it was lined with public and private resorts, providing a place for a calm and peaceful retreat in the countryside.

Cal and Gigi would be staying in one of the imperial family's private properties, a small coastal cottage boasting miles of uninterrupted views over the rolling hills and sea in the distance. The sandy beach was only a walk away, and he planned on taking her horseriding on the beach tomorrow. Cal also told her that to keep its ownership a secret, they allowed the cottage to be managed and taken care of by a tenant farmer.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, Gigi could hear the crashing of sea waves and the salty breeze of the ocean. She could spot a small body of water, in the corner, blocked in by the hill. Perhaps she'd be able to see the beach once they went down the cliff.

"The cottage is built on higher ground, so you can have a view of the ocean once you're inside," said Cal suddenly, as if he could read her mind. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, leading her into the cottage. "Let's get inside."

The cottage turned out to be much smaller than it looked on the outside. Especially the bedroom, which was only a quarter size of their chambers in the palace. It's a good thing that she didn't bring large suitcases. Still, the interior did manage to charm her. The beamed ceilings and stone walls throughout oozed the cozy yet idyllic atmosphere of the stories she'd read in fairy tales. The colour of the wooden flooring reminded her instantly of the beach sands, adorned with delightful sea and country views in the distance.

There was a fully equipped country-style kitchen near the utility room, and Gigi imagined the sort of home life they'd be living had they not been royalty. Perhaps they would take turns cooking here, with Junior as a taster. Perhaps Cal would be helping her with chores in the utility room. At night, they could get cozy together near the fireplace.

On the back, the cottage was connected to a large farm that was run by the tenant farmer. Gita Dian would stay there in one of the smaller houses with the rest of the servants after she helped Gigi unpack.

Gigi was very excited to wear her newly designed summer blouse and wide-legged slacks. Joséfina had specifically suggested that particular style and this would be the first time she'd ever worn pants ever since she was little; in Praja, only little girls and working women wore pants since it was perceived to be informal women's wear. Adult noblewomen, whose lives were far from physical labour, were expected to dress formally. Prajan female traditional clothing had always involved a long fabric wrap, just as their male counterparts before the western influence. Even Angletonia had only broken the barrier in the past decades. But this was a private trip, so the occasion couldn't be more perfect.

Putting on a floppy cream hat, she went out to look for her husband but the sight of him made her stop her tracks. Gone were the trench coat, suit and tie he'd donned on the trip, and now came a white double-breasted jacket and a red scarf with sunglasses he wore over cinnamon-coloured pants. Apparently, he took a chance to change inside one of the spare bedrooms.

Cal extended an arm to her and took her in his embrace. "Beautiful." He kissed her cheek lightly before taking her hand.

"As are you, Sire."

Cal pouted. "Darling, we're going incognito today. There's no 'Sire'. There are no Majesties, no protocols or proprieties; we're here as husband and wife. Call me by my name."

Gigi shrugged. It was always awkward for her to call him by his name. It just didn't sit well with her upbringing where people addressed each other with honorific titles; even an older stranger. "Alright then... Cal," she blushed.

"There you go," he grinned. "Come, we're going to see an old friend of mine."

As she found out that they were going up to the village instead of the beach, Gigi felt somewhat let down. But the disappointment didn't last long, as they walked around the cottage and she saw a vast flower field leading to the barn. Praja was an agricultural country, but an Angletonian country farm looked immensely different from what they had at home. There were several people working around the field, apparently unaware of who they were.

They stopped at a stable at the side of the barn, and among the wooden stalls there was Inferno; being tended by an elderly man who was feeding him water.

Of course, Cal needed to check on his precious boy.

The man looked up as they entered. "Your Majesty!" He bowed deeply. "It's been a long time!"

Cal quickly shushed him, making sure that no one else had heard him. "It's nice to see you again, Fletcher. Thank you for receiving Inferno." He gestured over to her. "Meet my wife, Gigi."

The old man gasped as he saw her, wrinkly hands trembling slightly as his eyes widened in both anxiety and excitement. "It's the Empress, isn't it? Such an honour to meet you in person," he continued quietly, "...Your Majesty."

Gigi beamed. It still felt odd to have people reacting to her that way. "The honour's mine, Mr. Fletcher. The cottage is lovely, thank you for keeping it for us."

"Of course, Ma'am, I'm pleased to hear it." He turned back to Cal. "Is the Prince here with you?"

"No, sadly. Junior remains home with Philippe." Cal reached over to pet Inferno's snout. "Is he doing alright? I was afraid he might get train-sickness for remaining inside a wagon for hours."

"As long as we give him plenty of rest, water and food, all may be well."

"I'd like to see how he'd react to it to see if I could take him on a longer trip," Cal said as he continued to stroke Inferno's mane, and Gigi quietly wondered where on earth he would want to take his horse that's even farther from here. "How is Katie doing, Mr. Fletcher?"

"Oh, she's married now but she and her husband often come to visit here."

"Were you often here before?" asked Gigi, not expecting Cal to know these people so closely.

"I was. This was one of my go-to places with my friends before Junior was born. It's always good to take my mind off things when I'm off duty; blending into nature."

"Pop-pop!" a little boy around the age of three suddenly waddled up to them and hugged Mr. Fletcher's leg, giggling.

"Your Majesties, this is my grandson," he introduced. "Come on, greet the Majesties."

The child did nothing but blinking up at them brightly.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesties. He was never taught to curtsy," Mr. Fletcher laughed crisply.

Cal raised his hand. "There's no need." He then crouched down to the boy's level, who had hidden himself further behind his grandfather's leg. "What's your name?"

After a moment of hesitation, the boy decided he was ready to voice his answer. "Cal," he smiled sheepishly.

Gigi raised her brows.

"Oh, well. That's gonna be easy to remember," Cal offered his hand, shaking the boy's tiny hand gently. "Nice to meet you, Cal."

"Shall I be giving you a tour, Ma'am? I think there are some places that the Empress might like to see," Mr. Fletcher suggested.

"Thank you for the offer, but actually we'd like to explore on our own," replied Cal, who was now preoccupied with teaching Little Cal a high five.

"I'd take a field guide from him," Gigi quipped, pointing at the toddler.

As they walked away from the barn, Gigi decided to pop Cal the question. If there was anything more to know about him, she wanted to hear the full story. "Did you know his mother, the little toddler's?" asked Gigi.

"I do. Why do you ask?" Cal replied as they went down the hill.

"Were you... involved with her at some point? When had you last seen her?" asked Gigi in an inquisitive tone.

"...Many years ago. We weren't involved- Goodness, Gi! What are you suggesting?"

"Well, because the boy is pale, dark-haired and he has your name..."

Cal gawked at her in utter shock. "I hate to break it to you, Gi, but half the population of Angletonia is pale and dark-haired. It's also quite common here to name your children after the reigning monarch."

"But you did get around, so you can't blame me for suspecting," Gigi looked away, pursing her lips.

"Not that much around!" He hollered, all flustered.

***

"...Yes, Junior. We had a good day on the farm and we're going to bed soon," Gigi spoke into the telephone, as they had promised that they'd talk to Junior every night before bed. "We're going to watch the sunrise on the beach tomorrow, that's why... Do you wish to talk to your father?" She turned to Cal who was listening to the whole conversation, eagerly anticipating his turn. Gigi's eyes lit up as she heard the response. "...No?"

"Tell Papa that I am a big boy, and I can sleep on my own just fine!" Junior snapped over the speaker. "Good night, Ma. Have fun on the beach tomorrow!"

"Good night, Junior. Have a lovely dream," she blew a kiss on the speaker, even though her son couldn't see it.

"I would also like to wish you-" Cal added; frowning as he could only hear the disconnect tone as his son had already hung up. "He was tired," he muttered, reassuring himself.

A little while later, they were both resting in bed snugly. Cal was ready to doze off, but Gigi was feeling restless. Although her body was evidently worn out from their travel, her mind preoccupied her with even the most random thoughts, keeping her awake. Seeing how they could both fit in such a small room while still having plenty of space to move around made her realize how ginormous the palace chambers were.

She also felt a small itch inside her, and she wondered if maybe it was what was preventing her from falling asleep. To think about it, the dinner menu appeared much smaller than they're used to.

"Sire... Sire..." She shook her husband awake. "...Cal, I'm hungry."

Cal squinted languidly. "We just had dinner."

"But I am hungry, Cal," she let out a sorrowful sigh. "I can't sleep."

Cal looked at her conflicted, and Gigi knew what was going through his mind. The servants had all been dismissed. It would be unbecoming for them to be summoned again, especially since they were allowed the night off. "Do you think that they left something in the kitchen for us?"

Throwing their robes over their nightwears, they went to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the leftovers had all been brought out by the servants, but Cal did check the refrigerator, where they stored all the ingredients. He found plenty of raw food that was stocked for the remainder of their stay.

"So they did leave us some food ingredients after all. Problem solved!" he announced triumphantly. "Go on, take what you want. I'm sure they could find more things in the village."

"There's only one more problem, Cal," Gigi fidgeted with her hands nervously, earning another questioning look from her husband. "...I can't cook."

After staring at her for a moment, Cal eventually rolled up his pyjama sleeves. "Step aside."

He took eggs, milk, butter, mushrooms, cheese and ham out of the refrigerator. Heating the pan, he whisked the eggs in a jug before adding in the milk, salt and pepper. "Could you chop the fillings for me?" he asked Gigi, who skittishly complied.

Seeing the work that Gigi presented to him, he shrugged. "Not aesthetically cut, but it will work."

Gigi had never known how pleasant it was to watch her husband operate a kitchen until it happened. He wasn't a chef exactly, but there was something satisfying to watch him work with his hands; liberated and at ease. The way his brows knitted together as he concentrated on flipping the egg with the spatula was captivating. She'd almost completely forgot about her hunger.

Indeed, he was excellent with his hands, in more ways than one.

"Tada! A classic Anglese omelette," he announced, sliding it onto a plate. "Please don't say you want to eat something fancy, because I can't."

"This is fine, thank you," Gigi laughed, kissing him on the cheek.

He joined her at the kitchen table as they sat down to eat.

"So where did you learn how to cook so well? I can't imagine your governess taught you about it," Gigi asked as she shoved a piece of omelette into her mouth.

"As you said, I did 'get around'," he winked. "I went on so many trips with my friends and not all of them are nobles. Some did have really humble backgrounds, so we often made our own food. Sometimes, food is tastier because of the effort you put in creating it."

Even though they'd been married for half a year, there were still a lot of things they didn't know about one another. Gigi wondered what kind of other secret skills he might have.

"Now what about you? Why can't you cook?" Cal plunged his fork into the omelette.

"It was simply never required of me. We're only taught subjects that prepare us for our duties and fill the expectations set upon us. In my sisters' case, it's mainly to please their future in-laws. In my case, it's to govern and rule. But I like this. You should really teach me how to cook sometime." She beamed at him bashfully, "I like a man who cooks."

Cal raised a hand up to her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Staring deep into her eyes, he leaned in to give her a loving kiss.

Half an hour later they had finished eating and were back in bed, and Gigi was realizing that the hunger she felt was not in fact, for food. Turning toward her husband, she gently woke him again.

"Cal." She smoothly ran her hand over his shoulder and chest. "Cal..."

"What is it now, my darling?" Draping an arm over her smaller figure, he seemed drowsy now and she'd seen how cranky he could be if awakened untimely.

"I, um..." Hiding half her face in his shoulder, she peered up at him through her lashes. Screw the sunrise. "...I want you."

She was going to let it go anyway, assuming he'd deny her. After her behaviour today she kind of deserved it. But then he turned to her at last, and she readily welcomed him in her embrace, bringing down his body to meet hers.

I want you...

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.

A peek at Cal & Gigi's cottage!

༺♥༻