the prideful smile came unbidden though he did not bother to brush it away when it did, "loyalty is honorable and much desirable. i am pleased that i am no longer hated by you, there may be a spring in your garden yet"

He repeated the soft hum that escaped him before as he noticed the smile, "Perhaps, my husband, but in order for there to be bloom in the garden you must plant the bulbs and seeds in the autumn months, or when the time feels right."

"i am no peasant wife, i know nothing of when to plant or what it is i am planting all i know is how to sow the white seed that is my legacy. i am hardly an apt gardener despite my time in gardens"

"I would give you a bit more credit for your knowledge in sowing seeds, but I am afraid you did not understand me. Right now is an opportune for you to use your hoe, husband," he wriggled underneath the weight of the other stretched against him, and spreading his legs apart he allowed for the other's legs to nestle between them

forwardness was not something he would attribute to the other, coy or cold would be more appropriate, obstinate or even cruel if he was feeling bitter but this was a side of the lad he did not know existed and he was not sure how he felt though that did not matter as the thin legs parted and a look he knew only too well from other faces fell over his wife's face. he matched it with one of his own

The next morning he chose to wear one of the richly colored gowns he brought with him after their trip back home, and he spent the time to work with his wig so that he looked as neat as he could manage. Leaving his room, the marquess started down the hall to his husband's room.

he woke in a better mood than he had been since before the trek to the lad's home and it only improved when he was met at the door by the cause of his pleasant mood, uncaring of what was thought of him he kissed the lad sweetly on one thin cheek and taking him by the waist walked with him to chapel

Along with his softly spoken truth to building a resilience to others finding his secret, his skin had not thickened significantly enough to allow for his cheeks to hide the sweet blush that adorned his cheeks at the gentle press of lips, and the smooth hand grazing across his waist to lead him along to chapel. It was not until after the sermon that he thought to speak to his husband, and it came out more as a whisper than anything. "Do you believe others will take our happy attitudes as the possibility I may be with child again?"

at first he did not understand the lad's words though when he did he offered only a soft roll of his shoulders. "how soon can a woman lose a child and gain another? there is the possibility but i would not know any more than a flea would know the workings of a falcon"

"That is the problem, I do not know either," he commented gently as he walked alongside the prince as they stood from their pew to exit and leave the monks to do their daily rituals. "Not to mention they would have to think something, whether they will say it aloud or not. Thoughts are how rumors get started and rumors lead to trouble."

"then instead you may say your husband is no longer angry over the loss of the first and is trying again for another, nothing needs be said of success only attempt." he leered though it was not directed at his wife, "it would not be unusual if that as making you feel both wanted and ill in equal measures"

(wanted from love and ill from not being right from the miscarriage)

Placing a soft hand to rest on top of his husband's, he gently reached over to place a kiss against his cheek, "certainly not unusual, but it does give me an excuse to remain silent during tea today, thank you, husband."

he could not help but be a little pleased with the show of gratitude and stood straighter, "it is no effort on my part wife. i am not against it"

He had to stifle the smile at his lord's show at manliness, and covered up his lack of response by gentle pulling free. "I believe we must part ways for our daily chores. I will see you this evening at last meal if not sooner, my prince."

it was difficult not to find his sweet little wife before meal though he managed and when the other came to eat he had nothing but eyes for him and his meal remained untouched

He was bored quickly by the end of the meal, and it was one of the view times he was happy to leave early with the rest of the women while the men remained to speak among themselves. He had not been oblivious to the looks he'd received during the meal, and he was not sure if the Prince was to stay with the others or to follow, but he hoped for the latter to save him from the rest of the women.

as soon as his wife was excused he made to leave as well and with only a few soured looks managed to catch up to the lad before the group of women could get to far. he brushed off everyone but his mother who was given only a customary kiss before sweeping his wife up and carrying him off

He was caught off-guard when the arms wrapped around him and his legs left the ground, and while he suppressed a sound of surprise, he could not help laughing while the prince navigated through the twisted corridors. He thought to ask where they were going, but as the smell of leather and ink filled the air he knew he was being taken to the library. The duke smiled to himself.

he could feel his wife relax as they neared the library though he did not look at the sweet face until he was inside the sanctuary and away from any eyes that could look in on them

"I am glad that you swept me away, my prince," he admitted as the Prince moved to set him down in their sanctuary. "We have hardly seen one another today since mass."

"odd dear wife since i have not seen anything but you since last eve, maybe it is bewitchment" he offered the lad a pressing kiss to the jaw, "to be truthful it is the sort of thing you would do"

"Of course, a faerie must conceal herself to the eyes of others, only her prince is deemed to see her," turning his head he allowed for the Prince to kiss him while he fought to keep his expression neutral.

"oh?" moving along the curve of the lad's neck he trailed down to the hem of the other's shirt, "...my lord"

He shivered beneath the kisses, and gently touching the Prince's face he allowed for him to travel along the line between skin and fabric. "...My Prince."

he managed no more than that before thy were interrupted by the sound of the doorlatch being opened and feet moving towards them. mindful of propriety he moved away from his flustered wife and met the intruder himself. after the maid had been shooed off he found the other again and pulled him off to the privacy of his chambers

Their embrace was as sweet as the night prior, and it left him with the same feeling he was left with earlier that morning. As they remained laying in the Prince's bed with messy sheets, he turned to the man while offering a kiss and an inquiring look to see if he could remain the night.

half-asleep he nodded. there was little harm in a little more gossip when there already was so much

He was left with no time to return to his own chambers before morning chapel to receive another outfit, and so was left to re-wear his left over garments of the evening prior which were now crumpled and messy. he felt slightly embarrassed that he had not thought it through, or informed his made to avoid the conflict, and he was forced to go to mass with that weighing heavily on his mind.

he could not understand the troubled look that his wife held as they went to chapel though from the way the lad acted and the closeness they kept he was at least assured that it was not something that pertained to him. quietly they went to their place and kneeled. he would speak to him after mass

The chapel calmed his fears of people noticing his lack of outfit change, but while he still thought to return to his chambers to change he had no opportunity by his husband's pulling him aside. "What is it, dear husband?"

the sweetness of the words threw him momentarily though he was quick to regain himself, "you seem unhappy wife to the point of distress. i wish to know what is wrong"

For a moment he paused as hhe silently questioned his lord's concern for him before he spoke softly. "We were careless enough to allow for me to remain with you last night, and in doing so I did not have a chance to change garments before we had morning chapel. I am worried people will talk."

he felt his shoulders go lax and the laugh came unexpectedly. "you are my wife. you have no need to impress anyone with the richness of your dress or ensnare them with the purity of your body. you are still a river-heathen and you have lain with me many times, there is little kindness to be said on pride, wife"

He thought to say something, but it died off in a grumble that he did not wish to repeat. Instead, a silky hand reached out to touch a shoulder gently, "I still wish to try and give myself reason for others to respect me, and so before first meal I am going to my chambers to change. Thank you, husband, for assuaging my worries."

he was not as assured as the lad said he felt and grabbing a soft sleeve kept the other from leaving. leaning in he offered the other a soft kiss on the cheek, "i am fond of this garment"

Without his will being given, he felt his cheeks start to blaze bright and hot by the mixture of words and the sensation of the hand against his arm. Lifting his free hand, he brushed a strand of fake hair back behind his ear. "If you care for it so much, I suppose there is no harm in wearing it another day."

offering a brisk nod and a flash of teeth he stepped away from the other to a more respectable distance, "yes. i would be pleased if you did"

After the first meal, his husband had to leave for the rulings with his brother, he was left to the cows in the garden who were more like wolves. He knew the night prior when he stayed in the Prince's chambers that there would be rumors, but the women were being bold that morning and had decided to tease and ask him what of his outfit and messed hair. However, he did not succumb to their rude comments and questions to practice sewing his fabric.

his wish would be to leave and steal away his wife to sleep and chat in the library as they had before but there was no escaping the persistent cries of the serfs and their masters, both of whom it seemed had every intention of spreading their misery like a smell over everything