The Next Morning
"Did you sleep well?" Madame Bouvier asked Sylvie once she was fully awake and sitting up in bed.
She held the furs to her bare breasts while Bouvier saw to the task of picking her outfit out for the day. She chose a white silk ruffled blouse, a tan floor-length skirt, and a matching tan belt. She placed her clothing atop the trunk that was situated at the foot of the large four-poster bed. Sylvie rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Bouvier saw that Sylvi wore no night clothes and came to the conclusion that she and Prince Alpha had finally consummated their marriage.
"Did your husband arrive last night?" Bouvier asked her already knowing the answer to the question she had posed.
Sylvie looked up at her and then answered, "Yes, he did."
"Did he-"
Sylvie interuppted her, "No...We... We were interrupted. He had to speak with his father. By the time he came back, I was asleep."
Bouvier saw the look in her eyes. "You seem upset about that."
"No. Not really. It's just..." She trailed off, looking down at the furs.
"What?" Bouvier pressed her.
"He is nothing like I imagined him to be, He is so kind and gentle with me. Is it wrong that I enjoy him kissing and touching me?"
Bouvier smiled at her apparent innocence. "Of course not. He is your husband. The more you enjoy his company, the more amicable your union will be. Now, let's get you dressed and prepared for breakfast before Whitley comes."
Sylvie knew what that meant. From the short time she had been here, she noticed that Whitley was very stern, and from their last conversation, he did not care for Madame Bouvier, in the slightest. Sylvie placed her hand on top of Bouvier's to stop her from getting up.
"Please, be careful. Whitley thinks you are the one behind me wanting more freedom."
Bouvier wasn't shocked by Whitley's bad thoughts of her. She was pleasantly shocked by Sylvie's show of loyalty. It hadn't been long, but it would appear that she trusted her. Bouvier smiled, "I know. I had a chance to speak with your father-in-law yesterday."
Sylvie's interest was piqued.
"Unfortunately, he said no. So as your chaperone, I must advise you to speak with your husband on this matter. He is Prince Alpha and his word is law, especially when it comes to his wife. Now, let us hurry."
Sylvie threw back the covers, got out of bed, and donned her petticoats and chemise. Bouvier assisted her in getting ready. Sylvie chose to wear her hair in a single braid. She looked the picture of refined elegance in her fine attire. Moments later, there was a knock on her chamber doors. They both heard the door unlock.
Whitley entered making sure not to go any further. "Good morning, Lady Canis. His Majesty awaits."
Sylvie nodded and walked past him out of the Suite with Bouvier in tow. Whitley held up his hand when Madame Bouvier walked past him, stopping her in her tracks. He spoke then, "I was given explicit instructions to escort Lady Canis to the sun room without you, Madame. You may retire to your chambers and wait for further instructions. " Whitley wore the same hard, domineering stance he had yesterday when she had requested an audience with Adolf on behalf of Sylvie. She saw fear creep in Sylvie's eyes.
"Are you not coming?" Sylvie asked.
Bouvier pasted a brittle smile on her face for Sylvie's sake and reassured her " No. I have other matters that need my attention. Whitley will escort you. Enjoy your breakfast."
Whitley shut the double doors to the Suite. Sylvie watched Bouvier walk down the opposite corridor. The Butler and new bride walked along in silence. Sylvie had no idea where or what a Sunroom was. After seeing the room where she held her etiquette classes, she knew that anything was possible. A few minutes later they arrived at two large doors plated in gold and decorated with various suns.
The Sunroom took her breath away. It was amusing and peculiar to her. The Sunroom was a room made with glass walls and ceilings. There was a small table with two silk upholstered chairs. The glass walls were pristine.
Antique mahogany furniture pieces coupled with fresh greenery decorated the room. Her husband was sitting down reading a newspaper. When he heard them enter he folded the paper and put it down on the table. He stood up then and walked over to her. Taking her by her left hand he brought it to his lips and placed a delicate kiss on the inside of her wrist.
She prayed she wouldn't blush profusely and melt into a puddle. She told herself to get a grip and control her emotions around him.
"Good morning, wife." He greeted her.
"Good morning." She replied.
"Last night we didn't get to..." Randolf trailed off, noticing Whitley was still in the room.
Randolf looked directly at him then, "Is there anything else that you require of me, Your Highness?" Whitley asked.
"No Whitley. Thank you, for escorting her here. That will be all for now."
With Randolf dismissing him, Whitley bowed and then exited out of the room, making sure to close the heavy doors behind him.
Sylvie noticed they were all alone. There were no servants, Just them.
"Now, let's enjoy the first meal of the day together," Randolf said, still holding onto Sylvie's hand.
He led her to one of the chairs at the table. She sat down noticing a plate had already been prepared for her. She watched him take his seat. She couldn't help but think about how handsome he was to her.
Today, he wore a chocolate brown suit with a tan button-up shirt, a matching chocolate tie, and dark brown hessians.
He was one of the best-dressed men she had ever seen.
"I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of fixing your plate for you, It's all fresh from our garden." He explained.
Sylvie was once more surprised. No one had ever cared enough for her to fix her a plate of food.
"Thank you, that is very kind of you." She replied and took a bite of the bacon on her plate.
The bacon proved to be crisp and delicious. She then picked up a piece of cantaloupe and took a bite. She was starving.
She took another bite of her food and realized he was watching her. She also realized she had forgotten her manners, and was using her bare hands to eat. Louve and Bouvier would be mortified.
All of their teachings on Royal Etiquette had gone down the drain with the taste of delicious pork. She tried to right her actions by taking the cloth napkin from the left side of her plate and gently draping it over her lap. She picked up her fork and tried to use it to eat a strawberry from her plate. It proved difficult to stab the tiny fruit. She was on her third when Randolf placed his hand on top of hers stopping her, and getting her attention.
Sylvie thought he would be disgusted by her lack of manners. She looked at him with mortification and embarrassment on her face, "I-I'm so sorry. I-"
She stopped speaking when she saw him drop his utensils on the table and use his fingers to continue eating his breakfast similar to her. She looked on as he took a large bite of the bacon and smiled at her while he chewed his food. Sylvie felt better at his reassuring gesture once he was done chewing he spoke.
"Please, don't worry. I understand your life was much different than mine." He comforted her.
That was putting it mildly, she thought. She was living in a cave with a wild animal before she came here. "Yes." Was all she could say.
"Tell me about it." He prodded.
Sylvie felt an emotion she had never felt. Shame. It washed all over her at the thought of talking to him about how poor and desolate her life had been. The thought weighed heavy on her mind now. Suddenly she was no longer hungry. Randolf was watching Sylvie intently now.
"T-There isn't much to tell." She stammered, cursing herself silently for sounding weak. "What would you like to know, Your Majesty?"She asked.
"Randolf." He immediately corrected her.
"Randolf." She repeated.
"How long have you lived on the island?" He asked her, as he took another bite out of the bacon on his plate.
"My mother and I moved to Canis Isle while I was a small child." She answered honestly. She saw no harm in it.
"And where is your mother?" He asked her.
She swallowed hard. As nice as her husband was portraying himself to be, she wondered if that niceness would disappear when he found out her mother was cavorting with the leader of a Lycan rebellion and causing pandemonium on the island. She was enjoying this time with him and very much afraid it would be ruined if she answered him honestly.
She decided it would be in her best interest to change the subject." I want to apologize for last night," she said.