THE PRINCE AND HIS HUSBAND

A couple of days passed and Soren was fully recovered from his complications.

Every one had seemed to go over the loss of a royal child as they all hoped that there was still time to have another.

Conelm took on the responsibilty of spending more time with his consort and eventually, Soren became the centre of his attention.

All meals were as a couple and afterwards, the future king spent more time lounging in the Imperial residence with his consort.

Individually, Conelm was hoping to make up for the days he had been treating Soren awfully.

A part of him hoped that he would personally seek redemption and atonement if he treated his consort in a more intimate and nice manner.

There was a proposal from Soren who insisted that the future king needed time with his people.

The proposal went up to parliament more as a notification which the King in his power and right had refused.

Conelm insisted and said.

"Whatsoever my consort shall choose he knows me better than any other man that has walked this land."

His words were alarming to the King's ears and he too couldn't resist long.

Soren was so bent on keeping Conelm happy and his first suggestion was a visit to the North near the sea.

He settled in the fairly small palace of Scovia which stood on a vast estate near the sea.

The couple were riding their horses along the shore and Helren and Gerald rode theirs a distance away.

Soren closed his eyes and felt the smooth breeze of the sea.

"What is it?" Conelm asked.

Soren opened his eyes and maintained his gaze in the direction  of the water.

"It is beautiful." Soren replied.

"So tell me, did you really pull off this visit to allow me see the people or to have some time alone with me?" Conelm asked.

"What do you think?" Soren asked as they continued to ride.

"I think the latter most probably." Conelm replied.

"But I am not that coniving though." Soren said and Conelm seemed startled.

"Why?" Conelm asked.

"Because if I wanted to spend more time with you, I would ask." Soren replied.

"You are too straight forward, don't you think?" Conelm asked.

"Why shouldn't I be, after all I am married to you there is no reason I shouldn't be." Soren replied.

Conelm smiled.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Conelm asked.

"Hmmm." Conelm dramatically muttered and then he started to wonder.

"Nothing." Soren replied.

"You just had to be you." Soren added.

Conelm smiled and the two stopped for a while and their horses faced the sea.

"Actually, I wish that your people love you." Soren said.

"Aren't you afraid that there are those that dislike you?" Conelm asked.

"No." Soren replied.

"Why?" Conelm asked.

"Because what you feel to me is all there is that matters." Soren replied.

"I am flattered." Conelm said.

"But you shouldn't be because I am married to you, I promised to be with you." Soren replied.

"I just feel somehow shy hearing you saying those words." Conelm said.

"You, shy?" Soren said in a surprised tone.

"Yes." Conelm shyly replied.

Soren laughed and it was visible from a distance that the Crown Prince was acting unusual.

"I have never seen the Crown Prince acting this shy in front of any one." Helren told Gerald.

"Neither has my master been so at ease in a conversation." Gerald said.

"I must say that Conelm really changed after he had his highness come into his life." Helren said.

"Sure my master sees so much more in him than he did before." Gerald replied.

"All these years I finally feel my value when having you as my partner for life." Conelm said.

"I think some times you make me feel that I don't have to miss my family." Soren said.

The two resumed to ride again as Gerald and Helren followed.

"What more is there for me to do for you?" Soren asked.

"Simply being here for me." Conelm replied.

Soren smiled and looked down shyly.

"I am a little bit so happy for your people." Soren eventually said.

"My people, why?" Conelm asked.

"Because for their sake, you shall make a fine King." Soren replied as he looked at Conelm in his eyes.

Conelm also stopped to look at Soren and the too seemed to exchange a psychic conversation.

"Did any one ever tell you that you shall make a fine Queen?" Conelm eventually asked after some silence was broken.

Soren looked even more confident and he smiled at Conelm.

"I now know." Soren lightly replied.

"After all as they say, behind every successful King is a very strong Queen." Soren confidently added.

Conelm started to read what was written behind those blue eyes.

He could see an unspoken greatness and zeal that was modelled and a courage that started to break free.

"I see greatness in you every time I look at your eyes." Conelm said.

At once, Soren remembered about the same words that he had heard of from his father years ago.

He smiled even wider and was at ease that it all became so convincing to him how happy his consort was.

"I will make you my Queen." Conelm said.

"And when I become, I shall always be by your side." Soren said.

"I know you will." Conelm said.

"Catch me if you can." Soren said and immediately, he rode his white horse faster along the shore.

"That is cheating." Conelm said as he rode after his beloved.

The four rode faster as Soren yelled aloud and let go of the reins of his horse.

He lifted his hands in the air and skilled as he was from the great fighter he had once been, it was easy to maintain his equilibrium.

"I love you Conelm." Soren yelled.

"I love you more." Conelm yelled even louder as the horses continued to run.

Dusk settled over the kingdom and Scovia palace was jubilant as though a feast had been thrown there.

The Royal Princes and some of the servants were dining together and Soren seemed uneasy.

"What is the problem my dearest?" Conelm asked.

"I am expecting some people." Soren replied.

"Some people?" Conelm said unsure.

"Yes." Soren replied with a smile on his face that he looked so charming and every inch a goddess himself.

"How I really love it when you smile!" Conelm exclaimed.

"I love it when you are happy too." Soren said.

Amidst all the jubilation that went on at Scovia palace, there was a sudden melody that filled the air and grow louder with time.

"What is that?" Conelm asked.

"My visitors." Soren replied as he took hold of the prince and dragged him towards the main palace doors.

Conelm looked puzzled at the sight but he did not even resist at all.

Once the doors were opened, Soren let go of Conelm's hand.

He regally stepped down from the entrance in his purple dress with bright floral designs, crowned with his diamond and quartz tiara.

His face sparkled in the wan moonlight and thousands of villagers had clustered outside carrying their lamps and baskets as well.

Soren conived with them unexpectedly and then he took hold of the hands of the young children that had joined the crowd.

Eventually, they all began to burst into a folk Scoln song the very least that Conelm expected.

"What shall I bring my prince to Crown,

All I provide is a harvest too mild,

How may I grace you yet I am low,

Take what I have and then make it your own." The people sang in unison.

"What do I bear more precious than flax,

All I can weave is clothing so nice,

Yet you are perfect in silver and gold,

Take what I have and then make it your own." The women sang.

"What can I harvest, my corn is my labour,

Fruits I can give when the land here is ripe,

Yet in your house there are ducks and grilled bacon,

Take what I have and then make it your own." The men sang.

"What do I hold but my smile just so pure,

Presence is embrace if you won't refuse,

Yet I am nothing as sweet as your family,

Take what I have and then make it your own." The children sang with Soren.

Every one was silent and Soren lifted his left hand to the king.

"If his Royal Highness is in deed so kind, may he let in his people with him to dine." Soren said.

"What do I have to call my home,

Simply old wealth and a consort so fine,

Come in my people who've marched in the darkness,

Take what I have and make it your own." Conelm sang.

Every one lit up and Soren walked up the stairs followed by the villagers into the small palace.

Once above the staircase, Conelm took Soren's hand and they led the way inside.

Soren had plenty of good dishes made and served to the people and Conelm wasn't any inch short of amusement.

Time came and Conelm who was the master of the palace called for order.

"I wish to make a small toast." Conelm said and every one in the hall turned to him.

"Coming out here, visiting my people, seeing you all smiling and giving me gifts of all you could afford.

I must say that this night couldn't have been any better without the love and support of the one person that I love.

This is a toast to Soren, my dearest and your future Queen." Conelm said.

Every one applauded him and the men drank along.

Pulling down the glass from his lips, Conelm looked happily at Soren and confidently smiled at him.

Soren smiled back at him, and for the first time in a long time, he was happy to see people smiling again because of him.

"I love you so much." Conelm thought.

"I love you in ways that no one could ever imagine." Soren thought too.