Katherine pov

It's been days since I last took a breath of fresh air, only I know how much I missed it. Even at the last party in the duke's palace, I was surrounded by nobles who were waiting for a chance to mock me to get a chance given by my husband to show that I was nothing but a trophy, brought for showcasing the walls while his real wife was in his arms.

"Your majesty, his majesty had asked for an audience."

"Call him in"

"Your majesty" I bowed my head a bit as he entered the room.

"I heard that you went for horse riding yesterday,"

"Yes, your majesty"

"But it was a rainy day, are you okay"

"Ah, yes, i am fine, my knight, Sir Edward helped me there"

He nodded, "Sir Edward is one of the best knights of the empire after Sir Charles, and Sir Richard. So how was your? riding, enjoying the lake side view?"

I wonder why he was suddenly taking so much interest in my personal matters yet i nodded

"The ride was pleasant with your highness, and yes I do enjoy the lake view a lot."

"Good, glad to know that you are enjoying things here. Do you need anything else you think it's not good enough here?"

"Your majesty, everything is good here. But I am afraid that I am not able to understand why are you suddenly asking so many questions about my well-being?"

"Ah, why, you are my wife Katherine, it's my duty that I take care of your well-being. So tell me if you need anything, i will make sure that it will be provided to you at the earliest."

I wanted to shout "freedom" is all that I want, and peace too. But I knew he was talking about materialistic things.

"No, your highness, I have everything I can think of, '' I said as I looked around.

The whole ceiling was made up of gold, with the work of gold thread on the whole walls, this red carpet with best red velvet, best silk was used as drapes on the windows. Antique looking, gold candelabras which hung on the walls in between the windows. They each held three candles which were burnt with fragrant candles each evening.

Straight in front was a lounge area with some lounge chairs and a coffee table. To the right of that was a tall floor to ceiling bookshelf which covered the right wall. Each shelf was filled to the brim with all kinds of books! To the left of the lounge area, was a massive four poster canopy bed dressed with light yellow, silk curtains hanging from them it was softer than clouds i was sure,

The room was filled with antiques, vases, and rare gems that were used to decorate my bed and pure sandalwood was used to make all the furniture. Best leather was used to cover it.

even the air we have here was filled with hundreds of fragments to make the mood pleasant.

The scenery from the window was as exceptional as the room. There was a lake view with massive fountains covering all the corners. The garden in between was filled with all the rare kinds of flowers that made you feel you are in heaven, the air was so fresh and fragrant, and the blooming flowers vines had covered all the walls. Star jasmine, clematis, trumpet vine. Pink milk vetch had covered the whole gerund, if you wanted to see a part of heaven then this place was no less than it.

But then my eyes fell on his expressionless face and heaven felt like a golden prison.

"Katherine, are you even listening?"? he asked and i finally came to reality.

"Oh, yes, i apologise, your majesty, what did you say?"

"I asked, you are going out with Duchess Marianne, right?"

"Ah, yes, your majesty, I am going to the nearby town and the other side of the lake for a boat ride."

"Katherine, I know Rosamund is a bit short tempered, but she is a nice person. Once when you will be friends with her, you would even leave sisters behind, you are the sweetest girl i have ever met, Katherine" he added and i did not know what made him feel like that.

We did not even talk for Christ sake, and here he was living in his dreams.

"Maybe in the distant future your highness, very distant '' I added, trying to end the topic right here.

"So, for a start, why don't you take her with you."

My brows furrowed as he added the? last sentence. So that was the reason he was here this early early morning. Why! Was he afraid that I would tell the truth of our relationship or I would spill his secrets? Ha! If i wanted to do that, i would have done that long ago.

"Your majesty, I do not think I will need that. I hardly get the chance to go out, and yet you want me to go with Rosamund knowing well that we have a sour relationship. If you are so worried about what i would speak with Marianne, you can always add your spies among my knights in the name of security, why do you want me to hear the comments too" i asked with utter disbelief that how unreasonable this man could be,

His soft and caring mask got cracked when he heard my reply and his sweet smile turned stiff.

"I was not trying to send her to spy you but to share time with you. But if you do not want then let it go. Anyways, I am not even adding extra knights in the team too. The five you have are already the best one, and the duke would send his knights too.

But at least, Philip is joining you, right?" he asked and when i raised a brow he sighed, "Katherine, i am just worried about you, that's it"

"Yes, your majesty. Brother is coming with us"