The Serpent's Enigma

8 | Belong to You

Gigi could not get the dance practice out of her head. Day and night, the scenes kept replaying in her head, how gently he held her hand, how their bodies moved in sync to a perfect rhythm.

After she had mastered the basics, the Emperor also gave her a small demo on how to dance to upbeat music. She clapped each time he finished a round and couldn't help but envy him a little, he was able to move so effortlessly while still being graceful and coordinated.

It reawakened some of the longings that had been buried deep within her the past few weeks, that one day he would take her not only as his Imperial Consort but as a real spouse. A lover.

Some might have called her stupid for holding such sentiments for a man who had been ignoring her for weeks, but wouldn't it be more dignified of her to develop feelings for her own husband rather than another? His attitude had since improved, though she shouldn't get her hopes up high, the future might still hold another chance for them.

She manifested those thoughts into a prayer that she made during an afternoon in a secluded corner of her room that they had turned into a small chapel. Her husband was decent enough to let her keep her old Prajan beliefs, despite Angletonia being a secular country. They did acknowledge that there might be forces beyond human intervention, such as time and cosmic balance; but they did not worship anything.

Unlike Praja that had countless regional deities.

Her prayers were interrupted by a knock on the door, which upon opening revealed a number of footmen carrying wooden boxes.

"What are those?" Gita Dian inquired.

"These are gifts, from His Majesty," the leading man announced.

"Come on in, then," she gestured, telling the other two handmaidens to open both doors to make a bigger entrance.

Gifts from Cal?

Gigi turned away from facing the mini golden statue of Lord of Eternity, rising up from her kneeling state. She recalled telling him about the new releases of the Southern Mythology series and how Junior would fancy them.

"Look at these gifts! I knew befriending the Prince would bring you closer to the Emperor," Gita Dewi exclaimed, immediately covering her mouth knowing she was being heard by the footmen.

"I did not approach Junior for his father, Dewi," Gigi scolded gently as she bent down to unlock the box. "It must be the books. I remember telling him about the new collections of—" She paused as she set her eyes on what was inside.

A pile of extravagant dresses made of fine, lavish materials were folded neatly inside the box. They were too elaborate to be worn daily, so she assumed he must have sent it for the upcoming banquet. Going over to open the other smaller box; shoes. She then went on to open another; perfumes. Eyeing the two remaining boxes, she could easily guess that they contained accessories and make-up.

Gigi giggled. He really was serious about getting her to wear 'proper shoes' for the banquet.

"Oops, he's forgotten about your books," chirped Gita Citra, playfully.

"Certainly, he did." Gigi grinned, showing her a note that she found laying on top of the dresses, with a message in Cal's handwriting.

'Gi,

I wish I could give you a visit to the boutique to make the dress you want, but there is only so much time. So I hope you find something sensational here that will make you feel amazing for the banquet.

Surprise me!

—Cal'

"I see that Her Majesty has received all her gifts," the footman said.

"Yes I have, thank you for bringing them here. I would send you over with my thanks but I would prefer to tell the Emperor personally tonight." Gigi said before they were dismissed.

***

In the evening, Gigi was on her way to see Cal when his tall, dark figure showed up at her door. Her handmaidens stared at him agape like some kind of god descending from the high heavens. Understandable, for it was the first time he was ever back at her door since their wedding night.

"Your Majesty, I was just on my way to see you." She curtsied, sending her handmaidens away.

"I know." He smiled, closing the door behind him. "I heard you wanted to talk to me."

"I wished to thank you for the 'proper shoes', beautiful dresses and everything else. They're so beautiful. You really didn't have to go out of your way to do it, I'm sure the Imperial Household staff would've prepared something nice for me."

"Really? I was worried that you might be disappointed since they didn't turn out to be the books you wanted," he teased, earning a playful fist from her. "I didn't have to. I wanted to."

"Shall I get you something to drink?" She inwardly scolded herself, noting she was terrible in starting conversations, for offering him a drink right before dinner.

"I'm alright. I came here because there is something else that I wanted to show you. I was thinking I might do it on the night of the banquet, but..." Leading her to a nearby mirror, he showed her an ornate box he carried, uncovering the lid.

A sterling silver necklace with a massive green pendant sat on the velvet pillows. Two silver snakes coiled around the gemstone in a peculiar position, shaped like a heart and two pairs of amethyst as their eyes.

"Sire, more jewellery? I cannot accept this one, you've given me too much."

"This is not just a piece of jewellery," he replied, wrapping the silver chains around her neck, the metal hard and cold over her skin. As he adjusted the pendant, the sets of diamond stones along the body of the serpents twinkled under the light. "It is my family heirloom, see?"

Her eyes locked briefly with his in the mirror, her hand reaching up to her chest where the proud symbol of the Leroys sat, brushing her fingertips across the pendant. "Why are you giving me this?"

"Because it's yours," he answered calmly. "It belongs to the one betrothed to the Leroy heir and has been passed down in my family for centuries. It should've been given to you by the time of our engagement, but I didn't do that because... Because I wasn't thinking."

His tone indicated that there was more to it, but she wasn't ready to probe any further, afraid to incite any memories about who might be the previous owner of this necklace. Supposedly, his late wife.

"Until Junior finds a decent person to propose to, it belongs to you."

"It's so beautiful," She turned to look at him, eyes filled with emotions she had yet to discern. "I'll treasure it most vehemently. Until the day I pass it on to Junior."

"I sincerely hope it will not be for another ten years," he chuckled, before adding in a gentler tone, "Please wear it on your coronation."

"Oh, I hope so too," she giggled. How she wished that he did not have that glint in his eyes as she replied, "I will."

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.