"What about my sister and the crown prince Karl?" I asked. "They went downtown," Sir Léon replied.
I laid my spoon down. "I have no appetite today. I hope you both enjoy your meal. I will take my leave." As I said those words, I stood up and walked out of the dining room; both Sir Léon and Jordan stood up to see me out.
That evening, I sat in my room waiting for Léon, as usual. The hours passed like a launched arrow, yet Sir Léon was nowhere to be seen. Eventually, I decided to go to bed.
I had only just closed my eyes when Léon arrived.
He entered the bedroom and stared at me for several seconds before going to bathe. When he emerged from the bathroom, his hair was still wet. He began drying it with a towel as I sat up in bed.
"Léon, I need your opinion," I said. "Something has been troubling me."
"I could tell you were troubled, my Queen. What is it?" he asked.
"You are meant to be a duke. How can you marry me while keeping such a title? Even allowing you to remain the Bras Droit feels improper. I fear the people may not accept it."
"I understand your fears, my Queen," he said as he walked toward me. Droplets of water slid from his hair down his neck.
"You are worried that I would hold too much power over the dukedom."
He sat beside me. I took the towel from his hands, climbed onto my knees, and gently dried his hair.
"Then let it be decided this way," he said, turning toward me. "In every matter concerning the dukedom, Queen Evelyne will have the final judgment. The king will have no authority over its affairs."
I had spent so much time worrying over the matter, yet Léon had resolved it in only a few moments. Perhaps I truly had been overthinking.
Then I felt his hand slip beneath my nightgown.
"What are you doing?" I asked, startled.
"I have not been close to you in a long time, my lady," he murmured, kissing my thigh.
"Allow me to indulge in you."
He gently laid me back against the bed and kissed me, his hand stroking my right thigh.
The next morning, we went downstairs for breakfast at seven. My parents, my sister, and her husband were joining us to discuss my upcoming wedding and Léon's official title. Of course, our beautiful daughter, Éviene, would be there as well.
Breakfast had been arranged in the garden.
No one else had arrived when Léon, Éviene, and I entered, so we sat down first.
"What a beautiful dress she is wearing," Léon said, looking at Éviene.
"You like it? I designed it myself." I smiled.
"It is adorable, and it suits her perfectly," he said. "You are incredible, my Queen."
"It is only a dress, Léon. You are praising me too much."
"It is a dress made by my Queen."
"His Highness Simon and the Dowager Queen have arrived," the butler announced.
My parents entered the garden with proud expressions on their faces. I could not help wondering what had put them in such high spirits.
Léon and I stood to greet them.