Fiyero slowly opened his eyes with a loud sniff and groan. He turned over, moving to drape his arm over Elphaba, then opened his eyes when he didn't feel her. "Elphaba?" He pushed himself up, and quickly scanned the room for his wife. Finding himself alone, he got out of bed and went to the window. Judging by the sun's position, it was late morning, meaning that if Elphaba had gotten out of bed early, she'd probably already eaten breakfast. Perhaps if he hurried, he could still join her.

Dressed for the day, he started his search. She wasn't in the breakfast room, parlor, library, or any other of their frequent spots.

"Tsie! Sissalíne!" he called, seeing the young ladies down the hall.

They turned and bowed. "Good morning, Prince Fiyero," they greeted in unison.

"Good morning. Where is the Prinzinne?"

They exchanged a glance. "In her rooms, sir," Tsie said softly, sounding like she didn't know if she was supposed to give him that information.

He nodded his thanks and changed course. He reached her closed door and paused before raising his fist to knock.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open, his eyes falling on his wife, who was brushing her hair at her vanity. She looked at his reflection, her face blank, but didn't pause her task.

"Good morning," she offered softly, putting the brush down and pulling her hair into a braid.

"Morning. Are you alright?"

No. She wasn't alright. She was hurt, angry, and wanted to yell at him. But part of her reminded her that it probably wasn't completely his fault. She had run-ins with Sarima, which made his nightmare cries seem valid. She wanted to lie to him, then remembered her promise. "I'm… not."

"Did you have a bad dream last night?"

"No. But you did." She had no idea what triggered it, and wasn't sure she wanted to know. But she knew this conversation had to happen, so better to rip the bandage off quickly.

His brow furrowed. "What?"

"You thought I was Sarima."

His eyes widened. "Elphaba, I'm –"

She held up her hand. "I don't want an apology. And I can survive without an explanation. I... I want to know if you're alright. If we're alright."

"Why wouldn't we b- wait. What did I say to you?"

"You said that I – Sarima – seduced you… after we were married."

Fiyero's face fell.

"I'm not saying I believe it, not fully anyway, but… I don't know," she continued, her tone neutral.

"It's not true. She didn't seduce me after we married. She had enough sense not to." Fiyero hadn't stepped into her room, but wanted nothing more than to cross over to her and pull her into his arms.

"Did I do or say something that reminded you of Sarima?"

"No. I told you about my feelings regarding her."

"Then what could've triggered a reaction like that right after we had sex?" She turned to face him. "Was it the sex?"

"I've never had sex with Sarima. Not even after Eszno died. But there were… kisses and touches and… those were the only temptations that we gave into. It was lust, but that's as far as it went." He nervously scratched his ear. "There were rumors that the children, specifically Nor, were actually mine, not Eszno's. Sarima's very flirtatious; it's part of her personality, but she was never unfaithful to Eszno. She's not an adulterer."

"How admirable of her. She probably wouldn't have been as mean to me if she was."

The prince didn't know how to respond to that. "Those rumors were put to rest by showing the family together in public more, while I was seen with Kel and Gyles. After Eszno died, I couldn't be seen with Sarima or the children for a while, lest the rumors resurfaced. It was hard to only be able to comfort them behind the castle's privacy, but I did what I was told to help secure the throne for Irji."

She stood, eyed him up and down, and locked her hands against her stomach. "That's all?"

"It's complicated."

"Is it?"

"You don't believe me?"

"What am I supposed to believe, Fiyero? You tell me that there's no love between you and Sarima, and while I believed you, your subconscious actions prove otherwise."

"You can't hold me responsible for subconscious actions!"

"They're truer than conscious ones."

"They don't reflect how I feel."

"Then tell me how you feel."

"I love you."

Elphaba blinked, her next argument dying in her throat.

"I know we technically just met, and we agreed to try and make the best of this –"

"Make the best of this?" she repeated incredulously.

He realized he might have misspoken. "In terms of the arrangement part of our marriage. Sarima's behavior, especially towards you, was horrendous, but it doesn't erase my past with her. It can't, and believe me, I've tried. But it's in the past, buried, and that's where it will stay. Elphaba, I love you." He took her hand, but she stared at it like it was covered in poison.

"The past is making its way to the present."

"You don't have a past?"

She laughed humorlessly. "No. I don't have a past. No man has ever so much as looked at me. My family had to ship me across Oz to get someone to marry me, or maybe you forgot that." She pulled her hand away.

"This is supposed to be our new life. Why do you keep bringing Sarima up?"

"Because you keep bringing her up."

"Why are you still worried about her?"

"Because I have reasons to be." She turned away. "I want to be alone now."

"Elphaba –"

"Now, Fiyero."

He sighed, but stepped back and left, closing the door behind him. He ate breakfast alone, mostly pushing the eggs around his plate before they eventually made it into his mouth. After a long morning alone, he went back to Elphaba's room. "Elphaba?"

He didn't get an answer, and peaked his head in, thinking she was napping. Finding the room empty, he searched for her for the second time that day. This search was much quicker, ending in the garden.

Elphaba was sitting in the large, wooden, canopy garden swing, gently pushing it with her legs, and leaning against the backrest pillows. Her eyes were closed, and she looked so peaceful.

He didn't want to interrupt her, but really wanted to talk. "Elphaba."

She opened her eyes and glanced at him. She didn't smile, but offered her hand to him, beckoning him to join her. He complied, and she rested her head on his shoulder. He leaned his head against her, their breaths slowly synchronizing as they swung together.

"I'm sorry," he whispered after a while.

"I'm sorry, too," she whispered back. "I was worried about you, not Sarima. Are you okay?"

"Yes. Are you?"

"Yes. So we're okay?"

He kissed her hair, then moved down to her cheek, where she captured his lips and deepened the kiss. That answered that question. It didn't pass him that she hadn't returned his declaration of love, but it didn't matter to him now.

She'd return it when she's ready.


"My prince, a letter for you."

Fiyero looked up from the puzzle he and Elphaba were almost finished with. "Thank you, Euel." He took the letter from the servant, who bowed and left. He looked at the envelope and smiled, tearing the letter open and reading the neat cursive with a large smile.

"Who's that from?" Elphaba asked, finding the last corner piece.

"My cousin, Kháteryne. She came for a visit before you arrived. She's my favorite family member, and everyone knows it. She apologizes for missing our wedding festivities, and can't wait to meet you. She's getting married in January, and we'll receive our official invitation next month. Then she and her husband will be moving to Moberine, which is only two towns over. For 'our convenience in frequent visits'." He laughed. "How considerate of her. She thinks she's hilarious."

"I can't wait to meet her," Elphaba smiled, putting two middle pieces together.

Fiyero hummed and refolded the letter. The two finished the puzzle before it was time to get ready to go to Oakhair for the Chuffrey's emporium opening. Elphaba freshened up and appeared in the parlor in a beige, long-sleeved blouse and long, navy skirt, and matching headwrap. She met Fiyero, who had unintentionally matched her with a beige shirt, navy vest, and pants. She gave him a knowing smile and they went to the carriage.

"We get a monthly spending stipend from the Chief Grant," he said once the manor gates were behind them, handing her a bankbook and a large money purse from his satchel.

Elphaba looked at the amount in the book and her jaw almost dropped. "I rarely spent all my monthly allowance from His Eminence. Most of it went to books. This is…"

"An official royal allowance. A bit more than what I received before our wedding, but a very sizable amount. And this doesn't include our separate account for paying our household staff."

"So… this is all ours to do whatever we want?"

"Yes. You may buy all the books you want." He squeezed her hand. "I've never been to the Oakhair bookstore, and we have plenty of time before the emporium opening."

The carriage dropped them off in the town square. It was late morning, and still relatively quiet. A few people noticed and greeted them respectfully, but mostly allowed Elphaba and Fiyero to walk around.

"The beauty of being 'the spare'; popular enough for recognition and public admiration, but not popular enough to have constant invasions of privacy," Fiyero smiled, paying a street artist for his papercut silhouettes of him and Elphaba.

Elphaba smiled at a little girl who offered her a small wildflower. "I agree. I like going out without a big fuss. Or protection hovering and breathing down our necks." She glanced at the plain-clothed guard that was far away enough to give them privacy, but close enough to jump into action, if needed.

After spending a long time in the bookstore, the royal couple continued to walk around, stopping at shops and stalls, and speaking to the people. Those who knew Elphaba was from Munchkinland were very surprised at her Arjiki pronunciation, and they were more than happy to repeatedly tell her. For her part, Elphaba took it all in stride to build a good rapport with the people. She was almost ready to request to go home when she remembered the real reason they were there.

"We can send these back to the manor," Fiyero said, reaching to take her bag of books.

She handed it to him. "Thanks."

He gave it to one of their security guards with orders to bring it back to the manor. He turned and noticed Elphaba's tired expression, but she cut him off before he had the chance to say anything.

"Yes, I'm tired, but we made a promise. I'm not exhausted. As long as we get to have a bit of a socializing break, I'll be fine."

"I'm sure most of the attention will be on the Chuffreys. Especially since we already did our obligatory town mingling," Fiyero said with a soft chuckle and kiss.

"Okay."

They walked to the emporium, first seeing a large, 'Grand Opening' banner hanging above the door, along with the waiting crowd outside. It only took one person to notice the prince and princess, and the crowd parted, allowing them easy entrance into the large store.

Elphaba looked around in awe. The emporium looked large from the outside, but it didn't do justice to the inside. The store was three stories high, with shelves fully stocked with products. It was colorful and vibrant, yet not overwhelming. Employees bustled about, helping customers and offering drink samples.

Fiyero looked up and saw the Chuffreys standing by the railing on the top floor, supervising everything from their high vantage point. The nobles noticed their newest guests and quickly made their way down.

Elphaba looked over the blonde's outfit as they approached. She was in a light pink, tiered, floor-length satin gown, embellished and hemmed with ribbons, a lace petticoat filling out the skirt, and a bustle in the back. Her long sleeves had ruffles at the cuffs, and gold buttons covered her bodice. Adorning her head was a stiff, rounded bonnet that was pulled back to the crown of her head, leaving a few front ringlets of blonde curls exposed, with the front of the hood decorated with small pearls, connected to a thick, pink, satin veil that covered the rest of her hair.

Chuffrey wore a formal, Gillikiniese black-tie suit, but matched his wife with a pink pocket square. "Your Highnesses," he said with a bow, and his wife copied him.

Elphaba figured Chuffrey must've informed Glinda of proper Vinkun royal genuflects.

"Lord Chuffrey. Lady Chuffrey," Fiyero nodded. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir."

"I like your dress, Lady Chuffrey," Elphaba smiled, lowering her voice slightly as she switched to Ozian.

"Thank you, Your Highness. It's traditional Gillikiniese fashion. I know I stick out like a sore thumb here, in more ways than one, but I like this style," Glinda blushed.

Elphaba nodded, missing her sabais and ahais.

"Would you care for a tour?" Chuffrey asked.

"We would love one," Fiyero agreed, taking Elphaba's hand.

The Chuffreys led them through the three floors of the store. They saw various selections of foods and snacks, toys, household items, craft supplies, and hats. There were items from the other Ozian providences, and Elphaba introduced Fiyero to some of her favorite Munchkin snacks.

"Sample, Prinzinne?" an employee said, approaching Elphaba with a tray of drinks.

Glinda turned and smiled. "That's the ginger mint lemonade," she explained to Elphaba.

Elphaba took the small cup and took a sip. It was sweet, and the ginger's tanginess didn't overpower the mint, and vice-versa. "This is delicious," she smiled, finishing the cold, refreshing drink. She took another one and gave it to Fiyero to try. He took a sip and complimented its taste, but Elphaba could tell he didn't really like it.

"It's good. I'm just not a big mint person," he admitted softly to Elphaba's inquiry. He stopped when they came to a wall of fruit preserves. "I might like these better."

"Lady Chuffrey told me she makes the fruit preserves," Elphaba said, picking up a glass jar of apple preserves.

The two made a moment of looking at the numerous glass jars, picking out the ones they wanted. Elphaba picked apple and blueberry, while Fiyero picked strawberry and mango.

"Lady Chuffrey, what is bahidaj nectar?" Elphaba asked, pointing to a thick, dark red liquid in a large jug.

"The bahidaj is the fruit of the Saguaro cactus, which grows in the Salt Desert, near the upper east side of the Gillikin border. The fruit is naturally sweet, and the seeds taste like nuts. There are bags of the roasted seeds downstairs," Glinda offered. "The fruit just finished its harvest season, so this is the only batch until next summer."

Hearing that, Elphaba grabbed two jugs and put them in the basket Fiyero was carrying. Once they finalized all their purchases, they thanked the Chuffreys and wished them a successful rest of opening day.

"One more thing," Glinda said as she handed Elphaba a small bag. "For you, Prinzinne."

She opened the bag and got a whiff of a familiar smell of raspberry and tangy ginger. The tea Glinda made for her when she was sick. "Thank you, Lady Chuffrey."

The blonde bowed, and she and her husband escorted Elphaba and Fiyero out. Their carriage had returned to the exact place it dropped them off, and the driver took their bags before helping them inside and beginning their trip back to the manor.

"Our first shopping trip was very successful," Fiyero smiled. "And I can't wait to try those cinnamon rice cakes."

"It was my favorite treat back home. I had to have a secret stash, because Shell and Nessa would always eat them."

"Hanna would steal my kettle chips, and I would steal Eszno's wheat puffs," he laughed. "And our children will probably share our habits."

"Our children?"

"Yes. I know we never fully discussed it, but it is expected for us to have children."

"I know. I just –"

"Not right now, of course. There's no rush, especially since there are already heirs. And we're both very young and have plenty of time."

"Yes. I…" She honestly never seriously considered having children, but now, she had to add it to her plate. "We can talk about it."

"When you're ready."

"Okay."


Once Elphaba realized that her attendants bathing her was meant to be a relaxing, pampering activity, and not the actions of an overbearing Nanny trying to make sure she was clean, she began to slowly give in. While her baths were solely to get clean, Tsie and Sissalíne's were more of a spa treatment.

While she preferred her quick baths most of the time, she had to admit, it felt nice to be pampered, having her feet rubbed and her hair gently brushed. She was still getting over her embarrassment at the two young women seeing her naked, but they never made a big deal or stared at her full verdigris. She would get used to it, just like everything else in her new home.

They were getting ready for the inaugural gala for the canal project. She didn't want to go, but didn't have an excuse to get her out. She was sure no one would accept that she just wanted a quiet night alone with her husband, not surrounded by a bunch of rich people trying to rub noses, and get into their royal inner circle.

"Almost time to end, Prinzinne," Tsie said, drying her hands on a small towel.

The water was still warm, and Elphaba slid under the water, fully immersing her entire body. The maids exchanged a look, but Elphaba reemerged a long moment later, taking a deep breath and brushing her hair from her face. Her shoulders sagged, but she nodded and accepted Sissalíne's hand to help her out of the tub.

She dried off and came out of the bathroom as Tsie was laying out her clothes on the bed. "Look. New kaftan," the maid smiled, showing Elphaba the beaded, navy blue dress.

She ran her hand over the soft cotton, the long sleeves and skirt, which opened in the front to reveal a plain, navy blue underskirt. She wasn't crazy about the V-neck, but Tsie grabbed a matching shawl.

Both Tsie and Sissalíne styled her hair into an intricate braid atop her head, leaving sections of her hair down, and placed the jeweled headpiece from her wedding in her hair. Elphaba was glad for a night without the headwrap.

"Beautiful, Prinzinne," Sissalíne smiled, helping Elphaba with her shoes.

"Thank you," Elphaba nodded, looking at herself in the mirror. She smiled, then hurried out to meet Fiyero.

He wasn't in the parlor when she got there, but she wasn't waiting long, since he and his secretary hurried downstairs soon after.

"Were you able to see the most updated list of investors?" Fiyero's secretary asked.

"No, but I'll meet them tonight. I'm not worried about knowing everyone before introductions," Fiyero answered, straightening his robes. He stepped up to Elphaba and kissed her cheek. "Hi."

"Hi. Ready?"

"Yes. Let's go."

"My prince, don't forget that the leaders from the other tribes will also be there!" the secretary called, but the doors closed before he confirmed that the prince heard him.

The trip to The Nown Gardens Hall was quick. When they went inside, Elphaba could hear everyone's voices in the ballroom and took a deep breath. She told herself that she would have an enjoyable night, even though this was technically working.

Fiyero squeezed her hand as they were announced, and the doors opened. They were greeted with deferential head bows as they made their way to the front of the room.

The room was brightly decorated with patterned tablecloths, table candles, wall lanterns, and musicians on a small stage in the corner. Servers had wine pitchers and trays of finger foods, and all the guests were dressed in their finest clothes and accessories.

"Good evening, everyone, and thank you for coming," Fiyero smiled. "I am honored you all have decided to be a part of this innovative project for our country. The Prinzinne and I look forward to getting to know all of you and personally thanking and keeping you all updated on our progress. Now, enjoy the gala!"

The guests applauded as the music started up, and the dancing and mingling began. Elphaba and Fiyero stayed side by side as the investors came up and talked to them. They took dancing and eating breaks, but then went right back to working.

"We're almost done," Fiyero whispered after their thirtieth donor conversation, giving her a discreet, yet encouraging, hand squeeze and cheek kiss.

"Thank Oz," she muttered, then immediately plastered a smile on her face. Her sheltered life hadn't prepared her for any of this, and she was almost at her socializing limit. "Who is…" Her voice trailed off and her professional smile turned to surprise when she saw who was next.

"Your Highnesses," Sir Chuffrey smiled, stepping forward with his wife and bowing.

"Sir Chuffrey," Fiyero blinked, his surprise evident. He suddenly wished he had looked at the most updated list of investors. "I… you're investing in the canal?"

"No, sir. My wife is."

The royals looked at Glinda, who smiled shyly, figuring out what her husband had said to them. She nervously wiped her gloved hands on the skirt of her light blue gown. It was very similar to her outfit from the emporium's opening, but with short sleeves and a lower neckline. Her hair was in a loose bun, adorned with a large, blue rose clip, and she brushed a curl behind her ear.

"Lady Chuffrey?" Fiyero asked.

The blonde quickly glanced around. Most of the room was staring at her, and she caught a few whispering behind their hands. Elphaba sensed her discomfort, but wasn't in a position to reassure her. Thankfully, she didn't need to, since Glinda regained her confidence and focused back on the royals.

"I will be investing in the Vinkus River Canal project," Glinda said in semi-decent Arjiki, her shy smile turning into pride when Elphaba and Fiyero smiled at her.