Chapter 300: v4- - 1: the life she had chosen I

Four years was a long time.

Long enough for a marriage to stop feeling new.

Long enough for habits to become routine.

Long enough for two people to learn each other’s moods, silences, tempers, preferences, and peculiarities so thoroughly that very little remained surprising.

For Marian, four years had been enough to make the Imperial Palace feel like home.

She woke slowly.

Morning light had already begun filtering through the curtains, casting a pale glow across the room.

For several moments, she remained beneath the covers, warm and comfortable, before turning her head.

Adrian was still asleep beside her.

Marian smiled.

There was something deeply reassuring about seeing him there.

She had become accustomed to it.

For nearly four years, he had been the first person she saw in the morning.

And she had grown rather fond of that particular privilege.

She turned onto her side and studied him for a moment.

Even after four years, she sometimes found herself admiring how unfairly handsome he was.

His platinum hair had fallen slightly out of place during the night.

His porcelain skin looked almost flawless against the white pillows.

His features were sharp and beautifully proportioned, from the high bridge of his nose to the strong line of his jaw.

When his eyes opened, the sapphire blue of them was always striking.

Adrian looked almost perfect.

And Marian still found herself thinking, sometimes, that she had been extraordinarily fortunate.

She had never expected the life she had once imagined with Adrian to return to her.

Yet somehow, it had.

Now, nearly four years into their marriage, she could hardly imagine waking anywhere else.

She leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.

Nothing.

Marian smiled.

She kissed his temple.

His expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

Before his eyes opened, his hand came up and caught the back of her neck.

Marian barely had time to smile before he drew her down and kissed her.

It was brief, familiar, and entirely unhurried.

When he released her, his hand remained at her neck for another moment.

Only then did his sapphire eyes open.

"Good morning."

Marian smiled.

"Good morning."

He drew her closer for another moment before finally letting her go.

A knock sounded at the door.

Marian lifted her head.

"Come in."

Several servants entered carrying breakfast trays and the Emperor’s morning clothes.

They bowed.

"Good morning, Your Majesties."

"Good morning," Marian replied.

The breakfast was arranged near the windows, while Adrian’s clothes were placed neatly in the adjoining dressing room.

One of the servants began arranging the morning clothes.

Marian glanced toward them.

"Leave those. I’ll take care of them."

The servant hesitated only briefly before bowing.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Once everything had been arranged, the servants withdrew.

Marian looked toward the table.

Adrian rose and held out his hand.

"Come. Breakfast."

Marian placed her hand in his.

He led her to the table, pulling out her chair before taking his own seat beside her.

Their mornings were usually quiet. Adrian preferred something simple before court, and Marian had grown accustomed to sharing this peaceful time with him before the demands of the day began.

There was rarely any need for much conversation.

They simply enjoyed being together.

When breakfast was finished, Adrian rose.

"I should get ready."

"You should."

Marian followed him into the adjoining dressing room.

Adrian went to the washstand while Marian gathered the clothes he would need and arranged them in the order he preferred.

She had done this so often that the routine required almost no thought anymore.

His shirt.

His waistcoat.

His coat.

The appropriate tie for the morning’s appointments.

She knew which fabrics he preferred, which collars irritated him, and which cufflinks he tended to choose when he expected a particularly long day in court.

It was a small part of their morning.

Nothing particularly important.

But Adrian had grown fond of it.

He washed while Marian waited nearby.

When he finished, he dried his face and stood before the mirror.

Marian stepped closer.

"You missed a spot."

Adrian looked at her reflection.

He knew perfectly well that she was teasing him.

She gently touched his cheek.

His hand closed around hers.

He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them.

"It is very early in the morning."

Marian giggled.

"That has never stopped you before."

His gaze met hers in the mirror.

"Are you tempting me?"

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then, Marian pouted.

"Your ministers would curse me if you were late."

A faint curve touched his mouth. Then, he released her hand.

"Then don’t."

Marian laughed softly.

She reached for the comb, then stepped behind Adrian.

Marian ran it through his platinum hair, smoothing the strands back into place.

Adrian watched her through the mirror.

"You enjoy this."

"Perhaps."

She made one final pass through his hair before setting the comb aside.

"There."

He studied his reflection.

"Better?"

"Much."

Marian reached for his shirt.

"Now put this on."

He did.

She helped him with the remaining layers, fastening his waistcoat and adjusting his collar before settling his coat properly over his shoulders.

When she finished, she straightened his cuffs.

"There."

Adrian glanced down at himself.

"Perfect."

Marian smiled.

"I know."

He gave her an amused look.

"You’ve become rather confident."

"I’ve had four years to practice."

Adrian caught her hand before she could move away.

"You’ve become very good at this."

Marian’s expression softened.

"I’ve had four years to practice."

His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles.

"I know."

She adjusted his collar once more.

"That is why you’ve become spoiled."

"I blame you."

"Naturally."

He leaned down and kissed her.

Marian smiled against his lips before pulling away.

"You’re ready to go."

Adrian glanced toward the clock.

"I suppose I am."

Marian smoothed the front of his coat.

"And don’t forget your lunch."

"Perhaps."

Marian paused.

She looked at him.

"You approved my lunch with Clara."

"I did."

"And now you’re making that sound like a mistake."

Adrian said nothing.

Marian narrowed her eyes slightly.

His expression remained perfectly composed.

She knew him too well.

"I won’t be gone long."

"I know."

Marian smiled.

"I’ll see you later."

Adrian leaned down and kissed her once more.

"Be back before it gets dark."

"I will."

He gave her one last look before leaving.

Marian watched the door close behind him.

For a moment, the room was quiet again.

She looked around their chambers.

This was what her life had become.

Quiet.

Comfortable.

Domestic.

And she liked it.

Very much.

--

Tbc

AN: i know, cant wait for them all to reunite, but we need to establish marian and adrian’s reality first!