After Aurelius came back to give the cup and left by Krillien's orders, the Emperor and Empress began enjoying their tea time together.
"Lady Khalia must have loved roses?" Meredith asked, hoping to make a polite conversation with him.
"She did," Krillien said with a smile pairing it with a sad look in his eyes. "I believe the Emperor gifted her the garden. It matched her eyes."
Seeing Krillien sit in front of her while the roses bloomed in the light must have been what the Emperor saw in Lady Khalia. And Meredith couldn't help but admit how much the roses did indeed match. It seems their eyes held that of a look that you could never help but stare into.
"Her Lady was very beautiful," she said. She remembered being star struck by her looks as their eyes met for that one moment. She understood why the Emperor held her in such high regard. Though, there was not much mention of her years before her death. She was quietly and obviously replaced by the new concubine the Emperor brought in, who bore the youngest Prince.
Krillien nodded in agreement. He remembered those moments as if she was shone by a halo, where he would look up to her and she was there, glistening. He couldn't help but wonder if that concubine his father replaced her with was that beautiful to cast his mother aside?
"Do you like any flowers, Lady Meredith?" He asked. She noted how it was the first time he called her by her name. It was an unusual question. Her suitors—not even Friedrich—had thought of asking her that before.
"Lillies," she answered. "I particularly like lillies."
"I see." Krillien looked around. "Well then, shall we? I have taught you the basics. Theodore will help you with your work."
Meredith stood up alongside him. "Thank you,"
As they left the garden, stopping at the exit, Krillien stopped walking and Meredith followed suit, tilting her head. "Is there a problem?"
Krillien slightly pursed his lips and leaned closer to her, feeling each other's breath. Before Meredith could react, Krillien's lips landed on her cheek. He gave a slighy peck before continuing to walk, not sparing a glance back at her. Meredith noticed his walk was a faster pace than earlier.
Meredith couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she began walking back to her chambers. Their paths went separate ways, Krillien went straight to the North wing where his study was.
Entering his room, Aurelius sat inside, noticing him enter.
"Have you gone mad?" Aurelius said in a chilling tone. "I said win her over, not have tea time with her."
Krillien sighed in irritation. "I am. Kindness." He half-explained, not having the energy to argue with him. He had just gotten married after all.
"This is not the plan, Krillien. You have gone way off the moment you let her inside this palace." Aurelius scolded, his eyebrows furrowing.
"I will handle it. This is merely… nothing. This will serve to pass the time." He waved his hand, making his way to his desk.
"And what of Lady de Burke? What if they won't agree that you marry her because you have already wed Lady Ryvetsky?"
"Her Majesty," he corrected, eyeing him. "The de Burke will have no choice. It is the Emperor asking for her hand in marriage. Who would refuse?"
"Lucian will not agree. You know very well how he likes to contest with you." Aurelius could feel the upcoming headache he will have just imagining the future.
"He will have no say. No matter how much he protests." Krillien let out a breath as he sat down on his chair, looking through the documents placed on his desk.
"We need their support. How could the House of de Burke support us if the heir does not wish to support you? Even if you marry his sister?"
"They will. They see how I run this empire. But it needs more time for them to see. Hence, my marriage. They will see my 'humane' part with this and will reconsider."
"And how will you break things off with Her Majesty?" Aurelius raised an eyebrow, curious of his big plan that he was "handling" well.
"She will agree," he said, almost sure of Meredith's actions. "As long as she is far away from her family." Meredith was only there for one reason, and one reason only: to escape her family. As long as he continues to provide that, he was sure that she will be obedient.
Aurelius let out an exasperated sigh and let his body fall to the couch, groaning. "You have made this plan entirely more complicated than it need be."
He swiftly raised his head to Krillien, a thought passing by him, "and you guarantee that you will not have heirs with her? Please do not make this more complicated, I beg of you, Your Majesty."
Krillien thought for a moment. He remembered the night Meredith and him spent, though they were unable to consummate it, he couldn't help but think that he would not be able to hold himself back. Especially seeing the marks he had left her earlier.
Concern flashed on Aurelius's face. "Your Majesty—"
"I will not," he said, snapping out of his lustful thoughts. "I will not have heirs with her."
Aurelius sighed in relief. He knew how he was incapable of reeling Krillien in once he set his mind on something. This whole thing was his plan that he had very clearly pushed through and asked Aurelius to take part in. Aurelius worried that it would not be worth it if they continue on this path where Krillien began second-guessing.
It was not worth it to let it all crumble down because of a woman Krillien met once again. He hoped he would stick to the plan with Meredith as a mere accessory and not someone who would ruin it. It was for the sake of the kingdom that none of his brothers—except maybe the youngest—could achieve.
But Krillien had the will and the power. Even if it meant to carry out treason.