Between our hands

Chapter 98: A Day Away.

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the light curtains of the suite, gently illuminating the room with a warm, golden light. Maëlle had woken up before dawn, a habit she had not lost despite the many upheavals in her life recently. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, fell upon Samy, who was peacefully sleeping beside her, his breathing calm and regular. He looked so tranquil, his face relaxed, as if the events of the past few days had faded into a distant dream.

She nestled against him one last time, feeling the warmth of his body intensely, like an anchor keeping her in the present moment. His familiar scent, sweet and comforting, enveloped her, and she breathed deeply, wishing this moment would last forever. Her arm slid gently across his chest, trying to memorize the feel of his skin under her fingers, the steady rhythm of his heart beating beneath her palm. She closed her eyes, focusing on this simple joy, losing herself in the tranquility of this moment.

But soon, reality took hold again. She knew a long day awaited her, filled with responsibilities and family obligations. Eventually, she resigned herself to getting up, although a part of her would have preferred to stay there, curled up against him, savoring this fleeting peace. With infinite care, she extricated herself from his embrace, doing her best not to wake him. Every movement was measured, her breath held at each gesture, dreading to disturb his sleep.

She got up and tiptoed across the room, casting one last glance at Samy, still deeply asleep. His relaxed face, slightly marked by a small stubble, seemed more mature, more serene, but also more attractive. This made her smile.

Maëlle took care to dress in an outfit that was both simple and elegant, suitable for the official visits that awaited her. Before leaving, she made her way back to Samy, leaning gently over him, unable to resist the urge to kiss him one last time before departing. Her lips brushed softly against his cheek, and she tenderly caressed his face, relishing the feel of his stubble against her skin.

A light sigh escaped her lips, a mix of contentment and reluctance to leave him. "I love you," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible, as if she wanted to imprint those words into his dreams, before turning away regretfully and leaving the suite.

As she joined the main hall of the palace, she was quickly greeted by her family, already gathered and ready to start the day. The palace, on that morning, seemed to bathe in an atmosphere both calm and energetic, the bustle of preparations for the upcoming visits blending with palpable excitement.

The first visit took them to a local farm, nestled amidst vast green fields stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was fresh and fragrant with the natural scents of earth, hay, and recent harvests. The farmers, visibly happy to welcome them, greeted them warmly. Maëlle, her parents, and her brothers were immediately plunged into engaging conversations about the recent agricultural improvements benefiting the community.

The farmers guided them through their fields, showing them the newly installed irrigation systems and sparkling new water tanks feeding the crops. Maëlle followed their explanations attentively, noting every detail, every observation, with sincere interest. She had always been passionate about projects aimed at improving the lives of small rural communities, and seeing these tangible changes filled her with pride.

The sun bathed the fields in its golden light, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant green of the crops that now thrived. Where once the land had been arid and difficult to cultivate, she now saw rows of perfectly aligned vegetables and grains, growing vigorously thanks to the efficiently distributed water.

The farmers explained how their harvests had doubled in just a few months, allowing them not only to feed their families but also to sell their surpluses at local markets. One of the female farmers, a woman in her fifties with a radiant smile, told Maëlle how these advances had changed their lives. "Before, we had to pray for rain, but now we have total control over our harvests. All of this is thanks to you and your efforts," she said emotionally.

Maëlle smiled warmly at her, touched by these words. She felt immense pride surge within her, knowing that these projects, which she had spent so much time developing and supporting, were having a real impact on people's lives. She exchanged a few more words with the farmer, encouraging her to continue her efforts and consider new opportunities to further develop the farm.

Further along, in the pens, animals grazed peacefully. The cows, goats, and sheep appeared to be in much better health than before. The farmers had not only fed them properly thanks to the more abundant crops, but they had also implemented more respectful breeding practices, promoting the well-being of the animals. Maëlle appreciated this attention to detail and mentally noted the progress made while discussing possible next steps with the breeders.

The moment when the farmers' children surrounded Maëlle was particularly touching. Their small, curious faces looked up at her with admiration, and they couldn't help but ask her all sorts of questions. Maëlle knelt down to their level, listening attentively and responding with infinite patience and gentleness. She laughed with them, sharing anecdotes and promising to return soon. These moments of pure innocence, far from royal responsibilities, were precious to her.

After the farm visits, the family headed to a local school, a modest building filled with energy and enthusiasm. Upon their arrival, the teachers and students welcomed them with bright smiles. The children, in particular, seemed eager to show Maëlle what they had accomplished thanks to the new school equipment.

In the classrooms, the students sat in front of brand-new computers, a striking contrast to the old equipment they had used before. The teachers explained to Maëlle how these tools had revolutionized their teaching methods, allowing children to access online resources they had never imagined. Maëlle engaged in lengthy discussions with them, sharing ideas for further improving learning, particularly by developing remote educational programs for children in the most isolated areas.

One of the most memorable moments was when the students presented her with a model they had created, representing their vision of an ideal farm, complete with greenhouses, irrigation systems, and even solar panels. Maëlle knelt beside them, listening attentively to their explanations with a look of wonder. She asked them questions about their ideas, encouraging them to keep dreaming big and believing in their potential. The children laughed, proud of their work, and Maëlle couldn't help but feel immense affection for them.

As the day went on, Maëlle continued to immerse herself in discussions with farmers, teachers, and locals, mentally noting areas for improvement but also successes that deserved to be celebrated. Each exchange was an opportunity to learn and ensure that her projects had a lasting impact. But at every moment of respite, her thoughts returned to Samy, still in the suite. She wondered how he was doing, if he was resting enough. She couldn't wait to see him again, to tell him all that she had seen and experienced, to share with him the small victories of the day.

Upon returning to the palace, excitement for the upcoming chic evening began to build. The palace was buzzing, servants bustling about preparing every detail, from decorations to menus. Maëlle, exhausted but happy from the day's accomplishments, headed to her suite to get ready. She was eager to see Samy again, to offer him a light and enjoyable evening filled with companionship after such a long day.

When she entered the suite, Samy was waiting for her, sitting on the couch. At the sight of Maëlle, a wide smile stretched across his tired but happy face. He stood up gently, his crutches in hand, and walked carefully toward her. Maëlle felt her heart race at the sight of his tender gaze.

"I missed you so much," he murmured, pulling her gently against him. His arms enveloped her in a warm and comforting embrace, as if he were trying to make up for all the time they had spent apart.

Maëlle smiled, closing her eyes, snuggling against him. "I missed you too," she murmured against his chest, listening to his heart beat under her cheek, his familiar scent calming her instantly. She looked up to meet his gaze, her eyes shining with the infinite affection they shared. She rose on her toes and kissed him tenderly, savoring the familiar taste of his lips, letting herself be carried away by the simplicity of this moment.

They remained like that, in this soothing embrace, relishing the simple joy of finally being reunited. They did not speak; their gestures and glances sufficed to express what words could not say.