Between our hands

Chapter 88 : The Shadow of Responsibilities

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the light curtains of the royal chamber, bathing every corner in golden light. A gentle breeze, carrying the scent of flowers from the gardens, wafted through the slightly open window, bringing a feeling of serenity. Maëlle was still deeply asleep, her face relaxed, her strands of hair scattered across the pillow. Beside her, Samy watched her silently. His eyes lovingly traced her face, savoring every moment of this shared tranquility.

Samy's arm rested gently around Maëlle's waist, holding her against him as if to prolong this bubble of calm before the turmoil of the day ahead. He softly caressed her hair, sliding his fingers through her silky locks. A light smile spread across his lips as he felt her breathing change, a sign that she was slowly waking.

“It’s time to get up,” he murmured with infinite softness, his lips brushing her forehead.

Maëlle slowly opened her eyes, emerging from a peaceful dream. She blinked, still slightly disoriented, before the sight of Samy brought a smile to her face. The morning's golden light seemed to dance across his features, revealing the tenderness with which he looked at her.

“Already?” she murmured, her voice still laced with sleep. She buried her face against Samy's shoulder, savoring one more moment of his warmth and presence.

“Yes,” he replied gently, his voice vibrating with tenderness. “We have a big day ahead.”

Maëlle sighed, her muscles still sluggish from sleep, but she knew duty was calling. She slowly sat up, stretching gracefully, her arms reaching toward the ceiling. She let out a small, satisfied groan as she felt the tension leave her muscles. Samy watched her with a teasing smile, amused by her childlike expression.

Finally, she got up, allowing the coolness of the room to envelop her still-warm skin from the bed. She walked over to the window, placing a hand on the marble sill to better admire the view of the palace gardens. The sun was already high, its rays bathing the vast expanses of greenery, making the morning dew sparkle. For a moment, she let her mind wander, contemplating the tranquility of the landscape, before finally turning back to Samy.

“You should get ready too,” she said with a slight smile before heading to the adjoining bathroom.

After a quick preparation, she slipped into a simple yet elegant outfit, ready to face the responsibilities that awaited her. The palace was already buzzing with activity, and Maëlle knew that every minute of her day would be meticulously timed.

The palace corridors were quiet but infused with a certain solemnity that morning. Maëlle walked briskly, her thoughts already focused on the upcoming meetings. As she entered the grand meeting hall, she was greeted by the respectful murmurs of the advisors already present. Their gazes turned toward her as she took her place at the head of the table, her face reflecting a quiet confidence.

“Good morning,” she said in a clear voice as she settled at the table.

The discussions began immediately, each advisor expressing their concerns, ideas, and suggestions. Maëlle listened attentively, nodding occasionally, mentally noting the most crucial points. The irrigation project she was advocating for was particularly close to her heart, knowing it could change the lives of many rural families.

She presented her ideas with concrete examples, detailing how such changes had transformed other regions around the world. Gradually, the objections faded, and Maëlle managed to rally the majority to her cause. She felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her when the decision was made to approve the project.

After several hours of intense debate, the first meeting of the day was coming to an end. But there was hardly any respite. Exiting the room, Maëlle headed to another chamber where several representatives from the local population were waiting for her. Samy, always by her side, gave her an encouraging glance as she entered the room.

The discussions were just as intense but of a different nature. The representatives expressed their concerns, often with a mix of hope and despair. One of them, a man with sun-weathered skin and hard labor marks, gravely explained that his village was desperately lacking roads.

“We are isolated,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse. “Our children cannot go to school, and our products cannot reach the markets.”

Maëlle listened attentively, her heart tightening at the sight of so much distress. Samuel took a moment to think before responding, carefully weighing his words.

“I understand the urgency of your situation,” he finally said, his voice laced with empathy. “We will prioritize these infrastructures in our upcoming development projects. I assure you this will not be neglected.”

The representatives’ faces lit up with newfound hope at his words, and Maëlle felt a renewed sense of motivation as she saw the impact of these decisions on their lives.

Lunchtime approached, and for the first time since the morning, Maëlle allowed herself a break. She found herself with Samy in the gardens, under the shade of a large oak tree. Their moments alone had been rare lately but precious. Samy handed her a cup filled with fresh fruit, and they settled onto a stone bench.

“You're doing wonderfully,” Samy said, looking at her with admiration. “But don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”

Maëlle, still lost in her thoughts, absently bit into a slice of watermelon before replying. “It’s just so… big. Every decision feels like it carries such weight. I want to do well, but sometimes, it’s frightening.”

Samy nodded, understanding. “You are strong, Maëlle. I see you at work every day, and I know you’re doing everything right.”

Their eyes met, and a knowing smile spread across their faces. These moments of calm were rare but essential. Maëlle felt that despite the challenges, she had the strength to move forward, especially with Samy by her side.

After this brief respite, the day picked up again with discussions about health infrastructures and innovative solutions to improve care in remote areas. Maëlle remained just as passionate, proposing the integration of new technologies to connect rural hospitals with more advanced medical centers.

Fatigue began to set in, but Maëlle persevered. Finally, as the sun began to set on the horizon, she headed to her last meeting of the day. A passionate engineer presented her with a renewable energy project that immediately captivated her attention. The idea of developing solar panels in isolated regions to provide them with access to electricity seemed promising.

When she finally returned to her quarters, Maëlle was exhausted. But a gentle satisfaction enveloped her, the feeling of a duty fulfilled. Samy was already waiting for her, leaning against the door of the room, a calming smile on his lips. He approached her, enveloping her in his strong arms in a protective embrace.

“You were amazing,” he whispered in her ear as he held her a little tighter.

Maëlle closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sound of his voice and the safety of his arms soothe her. “I’m so tired!” she murmured in turn, her stress slowly dissolving.