Chapter 28: Trying to Inveigle

The parade finally started.

Mother, Father, Levin, and I were in the parade, and Levin was leading the way while carrying the vase containing Prince Ephraim's ashes.

The brief parade is almost over, and we have arrived at the columbarium where Prince Ephraim's vase will be laid to rest.

As soon as the vase was placed inside, the people outside the columbarium began to leave, while the four of us remained inside.

I stroke his back as he continues to stare at his brother through the glass.

"I think this is over. Let's go home and rest. Things will resume natural state next week. There are things we need to do, especially you, my love," he said, smiling. I returned his smile as he kissed the top of my head.

"Mother, Father, let's have a lunch before you go home." Levin invited.

"I apologize dear but we have to do something urgent to Starnstadt. But we will set a dinner before you go to Paris. Is that okay?" Mother stated as I look to Levin.

"All right, Mother, let's have a long family bonding session before our trip if that's also okay with you all?" I smile and wiggle my brows at Mother.

"Why not? Sure thing!" Mother exclaimed with delight.

"Oh dear, I think you just made a mistake, son," Father said as Levin stared blankly at me.

"Did I?" he asked as I giggle.

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"See you soon, Oceana. And to you too, Levin." Mother said as they bid goodbyes to us.

"Have a safe fleet, Mother and Father," Levin said as they boarded the ship, followed by a carriage ride back to the palace.

"Say, shall we have lunch?" Levin suggested.

"Is it a little awkward? A date after Prince Ephraim's death?" I asked as he took a deep breath.

"I know. It's just... I want to forget about these things. I must not be tolerated by sadness. I have duties as a king that I must fulfill as the current ruler of Mondreich," he explained.

I felt bad about bringing it up. I understand he just wanted to be motivated and happy for the people of Mondreich when they saw him, despite the fact that he was broken on the inside.

Not only as a queen, but also as his wife, I must carry out my responsibilities.

"Well, if that makes you happy, let's do it." I smile, and he returns my smile.

"Thank you," he said, kissing my brow.

"So, a lunch date?" I joked.

"Why? Would you like to go somewhere else? Should we eat outside?"

"Yes, since it was too early, why don't we go get some things for our trip next week?" I suggested.

"Oh, yes. Glad you reminded me of that. You also need a travel bag. I don't have any extra bags for you, so we should go out and get one. And then, shall we have lunch?"

I can tell he's still trying to entice me.

"I will do what I should do regardless of what you think or say."

What a tenacious individual.

To be honest, I'm relieved.

"Does it look like I can do anything else?" we both chuckled.

"Good to know. Mr. Harper, let's go to a shop of suitcases."

"Yes, Your Majesty." the coachman changed the direction and any kinds of shops can already be seen.

Mondreich is not as large as our country, but it does have a lot of shops. They are complete to some categories of shops in common, in my opinion.

We arrived at Levin's suitcase shop a few minutes later. We then exit the carriage, having been escorted by Levin himself, and enter the shop.

"Oh! Your Majesty! Welcome to my shop! How may I assist you?" greeted a man of Mother and Father's age.

"Oh, Your Majesty Oceana has arrived! Welcome to Mondreich, Your Majesty!" he says politely.

"Thank you, Mr. Harper."

"You're welcome, Your Majesty," he said as he intertwined his hands and smiled at us.

"All we need is a suitcase that is only good for three nights."

"Well, we have it all here. Just pick what catches your eye and tell me right away!" the shop owner exclaimed cheerfully as we chuckled and nodded.

Levin approached the shelves as I brushed up against his shoulder.

"Would you mind picking instead of me? This is my first time buying one, as well as my first time traveling abroad, and I'm not sure what fits me," I asked softly.

"Hmm... Well, the stuff like your clothes are already set up in the luggage, so we just need a suitcase for your personal things like undergarments or anything that a woman needs, and how many do you need?"

"Not at all; underwear and knitted pads were all I needed."

"Knitted pads?" he asks, intrigued by my chuckle.

"Only a woman knows," I say as I pat his shoulder.

"Tell me," I say, a little surprised.

"I can't explain it to you. It's a little embarrassing to tell." I touch my chest to look shocked.

"Then, how can I know which luggage should we buy for you?"

Well, he has a point. But, still.

"You don't have to worry about that. It's just a small clothing for emergency purposes for a woman." I wink as he only shrugs.

He chose a medium-sized suitcase and handed it to the shop owner to inspect.

We then exited and prepared to leave for lunch.

I had a flashback to the time we had dinner at the palace.

Last week's incident left me traumatized. Because the assassin's attack was so sudden and unexpected, I was taken aback.

Levin seems to notice when I touch and massage my brow.

"Oceana? Are you alright?"

"Y-yes, I am fine." I said

"Are you sure? We can go home for now and consult with a doctor. You should be fine before our trip, and I will cancel and reschedule our trip to Europe until you get better," he said, caressing my back.

"No, I'm fine; it's just the incident last week because we were going to have lunch," I stated unequivocally.

"No one will do that again, and how can they attack outside? There are many people who will eat in restaurants, not just us. If it happens again, I'm sure there will be a witness, and we have our knights with us to be secure enough," he assures.

He cups my cheeks as our foreheads touched each other.

"As long as I'm here right beside you, you will always be protected."