Hey! I know its been a while but I snagged a really good Internship and its keeping me super busy. Thanks for the continued support.

Chapter 24

We arrived in Bohemia late at night and I was more than eager to cavort around. There were plenty of people milling around in Parsille. The streets were full of boisterous noise from carriages and passerby's, the light from pubs spilled out into the sidewalks giving the dark night a warm and yellow glow.

Newt wanted to enjoy the city so we wouldn't make an official appearance at Bohemian court until the end of our stay. I didn't mind one bit.

"Oh Minho! What could possibly go wrong?" I asked, we were standing in the street as the footmen took in our luggage to the Hotel we were staying at. Under false names, of course.

"Its late Roan. Newt control your wife." Minho said and turned around to direct the guards that were with us.

I felt Newt grab my shoulder "Roan don't you think its rather late? Aren't you tired?"

I met his gaze "Newt, I have had three days of no movement whatsoever I want to walk. I want to see the city. If only for a bit! We'll just go around the corner!"

Newt sighed "Fine only for a bit."

He turned to look at Minho "We'll be back in a bit. We won't stray far."

Minho was still talking with the guards. I don't think he heard Newt but we weren't going to go far so it didn't matter.

The streets were so crowded, I didn't mind when Newt took my hand in his. I didn't want to get lost and give Minho a reason to lock us up.

My neck started to hurt from craning it to see past the people. The buildings were taller than the ones in Oxforshire or back home in Suecia. They were made out of pale brick and nearly all of them had some sort of ornate stone trim running above the doorways and on the corners. I didn't realize I was squeezing Newts hand until he squeezed back.

"Sorry, I'm just really excited." I said, loosening my grip.

"Its all right, I don't mind." Newt said, pulling me along.

"We need to find a bakery. My entire life I've wanted to try a Bohemian cream puff."

"I doubt one will be open at this hour but there should be a café around here somewhere."

I stopped in my tracks and accidently pulled Newt back.

"A café?'

New smiled brightly "Yes a café, now come along."

I'd never in my life had been allowed to drink coffee let alone go to a café. Some conservatives believed that coffee inhibited reproductive abilities, it was absolute klunk but mother didn't believe in science.

I walked faster and nearly split my face from all the smiling I was doing.

Newt looked back once in a while to make sure we didn't stray too far, I tried to pay attention but I was too busy enjoying the panorama.

Newt stopped us in front of a café and I was quacking to go inside.

"We might have some luck in here," He said before pulling me in.

There was a strong smell in the air, it overflowed my senses. It was delicious. I squeezed Newts hand tighter.

I felt Newts gaze on my face. I turned to look at him, he was smiling widely "Were you allowed coffee?"

I shook my head.

"It will keep you awake the entire night. Do you want to wait 'till tomorrow? You can still get your cream puff. "

"Absolutely not."

Newt shook his head "As long as you promise not to keep me up all night."

"Promise."

"Pick a place and sit. I'll order for us." Newt said, letting go of my hand.

I looked around, feeling lost. The café was brightly lit and there were tiny tables pushed up against the walls. It was painted a mustard yellow and we were standing on white rectangle tiles. There was a gold trim on nearly everything, the place was opulent despite its simplicity.

I chose a table that was parallel to the large window that looked out into the street. I people watched until Newt sat down in front of me.

"Where is my cream puff?" I asked, once I realized he was empty handed.

"They're making it right now. They don't know we're royalty so we're not a priority."

"A little delay wont kills us but Minho might."

"Let me see your left hand." Newt asked, staring intently at my palms.

I gave him a wary look but regardless I placed it across the table and within his reach.

He turned it over and pulled my fingers back from the fist I was making. I shivered at the contact but didn't pull my hand away. Newt ran his thumb over the tiny scars that imitated my nails. I shivered again and pulled my hand away but Newt caught it.

"Those are interesting markings. I hope they're not fresh." He said before letting my hand go.

I narrowed my eyes and glared. "Perhaps but they're definitely not your business."

We stared at each other intensely, I was waiting for him to respond and he was choosing his words carefully. Our standoff was interrupted when a girl placed a cream puff and a teacup in front of me.

Newt thanked the girl and took a long sip of his tea before talking.

"Roan I want you to trust me; your hands shouldn't be scarred like that."

I took a deep breath and stared at my cream puff. He was ruining one of the most important moments of my life. I needed to fix this before the memory was sullied.

"I do it when I'm nervous. It keeps me from doing something stupid. At times when I'm surrounded by the court I feel like I'm going to burst so I release the energy by digging my nails into my palms. Usually there are gloves that stop me from breaking the skin but due to the wedding…"

"Why don't you squeeze my hand from now on? We'll be inseparable once we get crowned."

"I guess I could do that."

Newt sipped his cup in silence when suddenly his eyes lit up and he put his cup down.

"I had completely forgotten about this! When I reached in my pocket for coins I found this."

Newt dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small black bag.

I'd seen it before, at the fair. When he had given me the engagement ring.

He took out a golden ring, nearly identical to the one he had given me, except it did not have the lavender diamond.

" I was supposed to give it to you after…after well you know after what but It completely slipped my mind.

I put my palm out to receive it but Newt gave me a pointed look.

I rolled my eyes and flipped my hand over "Fine."

Newts hand was warm but his touch made me shiver, it was different from when I held his hand. That was out of necessity, all of this contact wasn't.

He took off the engagement ring, I hoped he didn't notice that I had scratched it, he placed it on the table and put the wedding band in its place. New slid the engagement ring on top and patted my hand before letting it go.

"There now the whole world will know you're married."

I smiled slightly, out of kindness, not for any other reason, obviously.

The mood had definitely lifted and I finally felt the environment light enough for me to enjoy my cream puff.

With great trepidation, I lifted up the flakey pastry.

I took a deep breath before I took a bite.

I had expected an explosion of fireworks and colors. Trumpets were supposed to play but instead I found a sweet sensation take over my body in the most calming manner. It was scrumptiously relaxing.

"Did you like it?" Newt asked.

"Of course I liked it! I'd been waiting my entire life for that moment."

I ate the cream puff slowly wanting to savor every bite and crumb. I finished it far too soon but I had the coffee to content myself with.

"Is there anything I should know before I drink this?"

"Besides the fact that you won't sleep tonight. No, I just ordered it a bit sweet since you haven't had one before."

I picked up the cup slowly and examined the creamy, light brown, substance. It tasted sweet but the underlying taste was strong.

Newt and I finished our cups in a comfortable silence.

"We should really get back. Minho will be waiting for us."

I groaned "Fine."

I got up slowly and took a good look around the place, trying to remember it. I followed Newt out onto the street where he offered me his elbow. I took it and slightly clung to it as people rushed by in excitement or in a drunken stupor. The streets were loud, I wasn't used to the amount of noise that was being produced. I was pushed closer to Newt due to the high pedestrian congestion on the street. Newt had a distinct smell to him when I first met him. It was of a soap he must use with consistency but now I realized the lavender scent from my clothes had started to cling to him. My stomach clenched at the realization of the domestic intimacy that had started to spur between us. I fought the urge to pull my am away. I looked at Newt, he was only slightly taller than me. We were deep contrasts, if you ignored our height. He had a slight and lean frame, his skin was fair just like his hair. I had made my skin dark due to my escapades around the castle walls. Tree climbing from my childhood and my constant horse riding had gotten rid of any womanly curves I might have developed. I didn't have an overly large chest but I was rounded, perhaps the only feminine aspect to my physique.

Our children would be interesting creations.

Children. The word made my spin turn cold.

I had never been with anyone like that, not that I was given the chance to begin with. From what Rosemary had let on, Newt had. The double standard didn't bother me as much as the fact that I had less than a year to birth a child if I wanted to stay in a favorable position. A favorable position with parliament, the nobles, my mother, Janson, the people… Newt.

I could only put the task off for so long. According to the chart Antonietta made, it took around six months for someone to get pregnant. I had a year. I could put it off for six more months perhaps longer with the kingdom tour Newt was planning in the summer.

There was a loud pop and I couldn't help but shriek and grab unto Newt with both hands.

A few paces from where I was, three small children were throwing small white bags that would spark and make a loud noise. They jumped in excitement every time the small bags would hit the ground.

Newt laughed once he saw the cause of my commotion.

"They're just firecrackers Roan." He said, rubbing the hand that clutched to him.

I pulled completely away from him "Sounded like a small cannon. Excuse me for being cautious."

Newt rolled his eyes and reached over and grabbed my hand "Wouldn't want you getting lost. Now come on Minho is waiting."

The hotel we stayed at was much nicer than the ones we had previously stayed at. The bed was bigger for starters and I wasn't restricted to my room. Newt was right, the coffee would keep me up into the late hours. He had already gone to bed but I was in a deep game of Whist with the valet and a handful of maids. I was about to lose when thankfully the housekeeper came and ushered her staff off.

There were still a couple of people milling around, mostly young rakes or old men. How completely indecorous of me to still be up. The effects of the coffee were wearing off slowly, very slowly but if I stayed up any longer who knew what sort of people I would end up playing whist with. Bohemians were famed for their eccentricities.

The hotel room was dark when I came in, which was no surprise, it was around 3 am after all. I lit a single candle so I could see where I was going. Hopefully, I wouldn't wake Newt.

I would need more foresight from now on. I was standing behind the dressing screen trying to get my corset off but Agnes had stuffed the laces far too deep for me to reach them. I struggled for a couple more minutes before I gave up. I needed scissors or a knife. I felt odd walking around the room with my shoulders bare and half of my calves on display but Newt was sleeping and only one candle was on. I rummaged around the room. I didn't want to cut open my corset but what other choice did I have?

"Roan is that you?" New sounded groggy.

Bloody hell.

"Oh yes, I was just looking for something."

"Do you need help with your corset? Agnes mentioned you might when she came to look for you."

That Agnes, all the trouble she caused me.

"Not at all, I just I need to... If I could find some scissors."

I heard a sigh before some rustling and then the pat of bare feet against the ground.

Newt came up behind me. I jumped a bit when I felt his hands on my shoulders. His fingers padded against my back until he found the knot Agnes had made. He untied it and pulled the laces apart. I reached over and finished pulling the corset off my shoulders. Newt went back to bed and I struggled in the dark to get into my nightgown. Once I was done being dressed, I settled into bed. My mind was spinning with the prospect of being in Bohemia, I had waited so long for this moment. I never thought I would be in bohemia, married, and about to be the queen of the most powerful nation on the earth.

This was all too much. I grabbed the pillow from underneath my head and put it over my face.

I groaned into It and squeezed it tightly.

Newt tossed over.

"You promised you wouldn't wake me up."

I sighed "Aren't you scared that you'll be made king when we return?"

"Terrified. That's why I would like to enjoy my vacation."

"Newt, I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"Of everything. Of failing at ruling, not being good enough, of the heirs we need to have, of all the expectations."

"I'm never letting you have coffee ever again. Roan its going to be fine."

"Is it? How can you be sure?"

"Roan…"

"Fine, I'll shut up now."

Newt sighed again "Roan we will have plenty of opportunities to worry about those things later. Stop fretting, you're going to tire yourself out before anything has even begun."

I tossed over "All right. I'll be quiet now."

I was quiet and I didn't toss and turn however that didn't mean my mind was put to rest. My stomach stayed queasy until I fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.

Some relationship building for now. Things are going to start to get hectic in the next chapters.