I Will Hold Your Hand Gently

Chapter 17: The Wife Is Always Right

Alice Iceia, daughter of the former Grand Duke of the Iceia Kingdom, stood poised outside her husband's office, awaiting his audience. The guards stationed by the door offered to announce her arrival, but she declined, as she had decided to wait patiently. Having arrived unannounced, she felt it proper to allow the ongoing meeting within to conclude before seeking her husband's attention. With her maids by her side, she stood gracefully, reminiscent of a lily in bloom, her eyes closed as if awaiting the gentle touch that could melt even the smallest snowflake.

As hours slipped by, the meeting persisted without a conclusion in sight. Noon approached, yet the discussions showed no signs of wrapping up. The guards and maids began to grow concerned for Alice, yet the long hour of standing, she remained composed and patient. Not once did she voice a complaint, simply continuing to wait with unwavering resolve. It wasn't until nightfall that the meeting reached its conclusion. The ministers and nobles emerged from the office, their expressions varying. While many appeared content with the outcome of the discussions held behind closed doors, others displayed signs of concern and dissatisfaction.

Engrossed in their discussions, the group failed to notice Alice standing just outside the door. It wasn't until one of them nearly collided with her maid that they became aware of her presence. Instantly, they greeted her with bows and apologies for their oversight. Alice reassured them, taking the blame upon herself for not announcing her arrival. With expressions of gratitude, they swiftly departed, not wanting to overstay their visit. Alice gesture for her maids to stay outside as she alone enter the office with the door closed behind her.

A man with tousled blond hair slowly unbuttoned his shirt, emitting a tired sigh as he rubbed his face. His eyes were baggy like panda eyes, and his lip were chapped like the dry desert. Sensing another's presence without looking up, he spoke.

"Benedict, could you please ask Keisha to prepare a side dish that pairs well with coffee for me?" The man massaged the bridge of his nose. "It looks like it's going to be another long night."

"I believe you should prioritize getting some rest instead of pushing yourself to stay awake," Alice remarked as she approached him. "Racing to finish the mountain of paperwork and procedures isn't beneficial for your health, Reinhart."

Reinhart jolts up from hearing Alice's voice. She chuckles at his reaction, "What? A wife can't visit her husband while he's working?"

Reinhart leaped from his chair and enveloped Alice in a tight embrace as if it had been an eternity since they last saw each other. Alice smiled softly, gently patting his back as he snuggled against her neck.

"I've missed you..." Reinhart murmured.

"Me too," Alice replied warmly.

Following their marriage, Alice and Reinhart found themselves immersed in the monumental task of rebuilding the Kingdom of Nova. Alice took on the responsibility of negotiating with foreign countries and kingdoms, while Reinhart focused on addressing the internal crises stemming from the aftermath of the throne battle. It took them close to two years to stabilize the economy, ensuring that citizens could live without fear of starvation. 

The royal treasury had dwindled to near emptiness, and the palace staff were both overworked and underpaid. Despite these challenges, they persevered and ultimately succeeded, because of the trust and support given by the people of their kingdom. With promising trade arrangements in place and successful marketing campaigns promoting local products, Alice and Reinhart felt a sense of satisfaction knowing they could finally reward their overworked staff by the year's end.

So, it was indeed the first occasion they had met free from the demands of business and kingdom affairs. Finally, they had a moment of privacy for themselves. Alice gently took Reinhart's hand and guided him to sit beside her on the sofa. She placed both her hands on his cheek, concern evident in her touch. "You've lost weight, my love."