They kept up appearances in public and for their children, but they never shared a bed after that day, they never kissed, aside from the occasional peck at a state dinner. Their hearts were so full of guilt and grief, there was no room for love, except towards their children. There was no anger, only cold silence between them.

For the first few weeks of their separation, it was easy. It was a Palladian custom for a royal couple to wait a month after the death of a prince or princess before sharing a bed.

After the month of mourning, he would come to her chambers once a week. Nothing happened anymore, he would bring a book, she'd study her rocks.

It was almost like she was seventeen again, stealing glances at him from the opposite end of the room. And inevitably, when their eyes would meet, they would quickly glance back down at whatever they were pretending to do.

A few months into this routine, Anneliese finally took a deep breath and said,

"Geny's Latin tutor says she shows great promise."

Julian looked up in surprise, hesitating for a moment before replying:

"That is no surprise, I remember how quickly you picked up Latin when I was teaching you."

"Will she marry her tutor as well?" she asked with a nervous laugh.

"I've seen him, the reason he speaks Latin so well is because he was alive during Caesar's reign." he responded drily, beaming to himself when she laughed.

This is good, he thought, we're joking again. I can be her friend again.

He knew love was too much to ask for. He had gotten seven happy years with her, and then he had ruined everything. But now, they could be friends again. Above everything, that was what they were. Best friends. He should be grateful, and not bring up old wounds.

But he didn't.

"Anneliese?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

She looked genuinely confused. "For what?"

"I didn't save her."

"Of course you didn't, you're the prince consort. I assume a servant went after her?"

"No, I did it myself. Someone pulled me out and told me to stop, they thought it was too late for her, and Palladia couldn't lose me too."

She didn't meet his eyes.

"I should have tried harder, and if this is to be our relationship from now on, I understand. Just know I love you still, and I will accept any kindness or anger you show me. I just never fully apologised."

There was a long silence, Julian thought it must have been hours before Anneliese finally uttered,

"Palladia would've been fine."

"I know, I'm -"

"I would've died if I'd lost you."

His head, which had been bowed in shame, shot up.

"Truly?"

"I married you because I loved- love- you, not for Palladia. I imagine it was quite the inconvenience for the country, actually."

"I -"

"And the other children? Can you imagine if little Erik never got to meet his father? If they had to lose both of you? If I had to lose both of you? If she would've died either way, I'm glad you survived."

She took a shaky breath.

"If anyone is at fault, it's me."

"How is that possible?"

"Peter warned you to wait until after hurricane season. I told you to come back early, because I couldn't bear waiting a few more weeks to see you two. A few weeks! What's a few weeks compared to a lifetime? A lifetime I'll have to lead without her? A lifetime she will never get to have? All because I couldn't wait three weeks!"

Somewhere between when she started talking and now, Julian had moved to kneel at her feet and taken her hand in both of his, rubbing his thumb over her palm.

"And this is why you haven't been speaking to me? Because you thought I was angry at you?"

She nodded, laughing through a fresh round of tears.

"I know, my mother thought I was being so stupid. She kept telling me to apologise and everything would be alright again, but I couldn't do it. Thank God you could." she smiled at him, her old smile, the one that made him fall in love with her on sight.

"Thank God I could." he echoed, kissing her forehead.

"Julian?"

"Hm?"

"After six months of not doing anything, I expected a little more than just that from you."

"Your Majesty, I think you know I can give you far more than just that."

"Your Majesty? Why the sudden formality? It's just me." She teased, repeating something from their fledgling courtship.

"You, Anneliese Marie Du Châtillon, have never been 'just' anything."

And he kissed her on the lips, for the first time in six months. And just like the first time they kissed, it was as though he was hearing music for the first time.