saving her

timeline 1 (???)

"Your tea, my love." The soft, soothing sound of liquid being poured into a small, glass tea cup echos softly, blending into the sounds of nature.

"Mm... it tastes amazing, just like you." Sho spoke, smirking slightly. Mayari turned bright red, the color almost the same shade as her lipstick. She sat next to him as she pouted.

"Your highness! You can't say such....dirty things." She muttered, embarrassed. Sho shook his head and chuckled, his hand reaching out and playing with a loose strand of his wife's hair.

"Why not, Princess? We're alone after all. Besides, we've been married for almost a year." He smiled lovingly at his wife, her flushed face making his heart flutter. Mayari sighed before smiling back at him, her light brown eyes softening.

"I suppose that's.... ugh." She pouted slightly, which made Sho laugh softly. His lips were pressed against hers briefly before he pulled away to appear her face once more.

"...Beautiful." He whispered before grabbing her hand, letting their fingers intertwine as they look out at their little garden, the sound of the birds and breeze echoing in their ears.

"Hmm....maybe it's best we raise the taxes. It will help us be able to pay back some of our debt to other kingdoms."

"Your majesty, you already raised taxes last month. The villagers are barely able to afford food!"

"Well, I don't care. If we don't pay them back then... who knows what will happen?"

The counsel left, enraged. Sho groaned as he buried his face in his hands. Great....now everyone was against him and if they didn't round up enough money to pay off their debt then...they could end up in another war. Sho angrily punched the wall, leaving a large dent. His fists were clenched tightly. Maybe out of anger....or fear.

"...Sho?" The soft, warming voice of Mayari filled the room. She stood there, her warm eyes looking at him.

"My love...it's fine. Go on. I'll be there for dinner in a moment." Sho gave her a fake smile, though his wife was able to see through it in an instant.

"I'm assuming the meeting went horribly?" Mayari gave him a sympathetic smile. Sho could only nod in response, his fists still tense and clenched. Mayari gently grabbed his hands and placed soft kisses on his knuckles, causing them to relax.

"Come. I'll make your favorite tonight. It'll allow you to forget everything." Mayari smiled as she led him out of the room. Sho sighed, smiling. God... what would he do without her?

"My love....I don't want to concern you, but I don't feel safe."

"This will pass, Princess. The villages should know their place anyway."

"But if we're not careful, they could overthrow us, Sho!"

The couple glanced out of their window, looking at the mob of angry villagers while the guards tried to calm them down. Mayari looked up at Sho sadly.

"They...look so angry. This could be a disaster if we can't control this." Mayari spoke, frowning. Sho reached down and took her hand in his, his thumb rubbing gentle circles along the back of her hand.