The same letter from Lillian de Burke arrived in Krillien's study. Theodore handed the envelope to him and stepped back in the corner, allowing him to read.
"Did Lady Meredith agree to join the party?" He asked, pushing the opened letter aside on the table.
Theodore nodded, "yes, Her Majesty seemed cautious about it, though." He recalled the nervous expression on her face when she asked about the party. Meredith also wasn't sure if Krillien would allow her to go. Theodore couldn't help but shake his head at the way Krillien had been hot and cold with the way he treated her.
He would have advised against his warm treatment of her, but what could he do when Krillien would always ask of her from time to time?
"Then we shall attend." Krillien declared. Theodore bowed and nodded, leaving the room to inform Meredith of their plans.
——————-
The 24th arrived, Meredith had already prepared herself to go to the party. Today was the first time she would be attending one hosted outside the palace. As well as one hosted by someone else.
The sun was out at noon, maids lined up in front of the palace as they waited to bid them goodbye. And to wait on their needs.
Meredith entered the carriage that was parked up front the palace. She sat down as Lady Regina, one of her ladies-in-waiting and the few Lady Lillian would invite to her party, was joining as well. It was best for someone like her with experience to accompany the Empress.
Lady Regina was about to set foot on the carriage when Krillien stopped her as he held up his hand.
"I shall ride with the Empress," he announced. Meredith's eyes widened but quickly stood from her seat to leave the carriage and move to the Emperor's.
"No need," Krillien stopped her as well as he blocked the entrance. "I will join you here." Meredith quickly sat down as Krillien sat inside across from her.
Lady Regina and Meredith awkwardly glanced at each other.
"You shall ride in my carriage." Krillien told Regina. Her eyes widened.
"Oh, but, Your Majesty--"
"Do as I say," he cut her off. Regina bowed and moved to the carriage up front. She tried to calm herself from the awkwardness and fear she felt. The footman closed the carriage door, leaving Meredith and Krillien together.
Meredith fidgeted her fingers. She never really knew what to do with the time they seem to spend. It was a lot more than she thought as well, as a last minute wife, after all.
"It is important that we fix our reputations during this party." He said, closing the curtain of the window of the carriage, dimming the ride.
"I didn't know you cared about that," Meredith said with a hint of surprise. What else could he expect after doing such a heinous crime? Of course his reputation would plummet.
"I don't."
"Oh. Then why the sudden change of heart, Your Majesty?"
"Krillien." He said.
"I'm sorry?"
"They must know that our relation is close. Calling me with that title makes you more vulnerable. Hence, do call me Krillien... Meredith. It would be better if we practice now to not sound awkward at the party." He explained as his hands clenched on his thigh.
"Alright... Krillien," Meredith cleared her throat, feeling flushed and awkward at calling him by his name. They were absolutely not close enough to casually call each other by their first names and yet Krillien insists so. Meredith noticed the redness on Krillien's ears, she continued, "why do you want to change your reputation? Forgive me, but is it still possible given how badly it has been damaged?"
He let out a breath similar to a chuckle. "Is that all you will ever think of me?" He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away to the covered window as he collected his thoughts. Meredith's eyebrows furrowed at his words. "Yes, it was cruel--inhumane, even. But do understand that it was for the right reason."
"What ever reason could be justifiable to murder your whole family?"
Krillien's mouth shut as his eyes quivered. His mouth opened once again only to shut it close. He sighed and raked his hair with his hand, his fingers running through and ruffling his hair. Gone was his sleek hairstyle and hair pushed to the back. A few strands of his hair fell onto his forehead.
"I cannot tell you." He finally said.
Meredith's eyebrows knitted together, unsatisfied with his answer. "How come?"
"I cannot tell you now. Everyone will know eventually." He looked away.
"Why must it remain a secret now? You can tell me." She said with a voice that seemed to comfort Krillien. A voice that seemed to tell him that he could trust her. But no--he cannot follow his heart. It is his mind he must follow and it says not to. To trust someone he hadn't known with the possibility that she may betray him, with the possibility that she is only here to gain his trust, it was all too risky. Especially from the family she came from. Even if she claims to want to escape from them, there was a chance that it could be all a ploy. A ruse to get this tyrant Emperor to fall in love with her and take everything from him.
Meredith smiled with a saddened face as she watched his eyes continue to look at her as if telling her that he cannot. He does not trust her.
"It is alright." She shakily breathed. She wondered why it had affected her so. To feel hurt by him not trusting her. There was nothing about their relationship that seemed special to one another and yet here she was; hurt by his silence. "I am merely your wife."
"I cannot tell you everything..." He said, inching his hand towards hers. Grabbing her fingers as she allowed him to, he held them and lightly squeezed. "But I will never be that man to you. So please do not think of me as someone cruel and inhuman." He pleaded.
Meredith couldn't help but stare at him, blinking as she tried to process what just occurred. She squeezed his hand as well making him look up as their eyes locked together. "Alright," she answered and Krillien couldn't help but feel relieved. For some reason, he cared too much of what she thinks. And it scared him.
They continued to stare at each other as Meredith's right hand reached to his face, cupping it as her thumbs brushed on his left cheek. Slowly, they both leaned in as their lips touched over and over, as if hungry and yearned for that night they had tasted each other. Suddenly, they stopped as they heard a knock from the carriage.
"We have arrived, Your Majesties."