He crossed the threshold quietly. The kitchens froze, spatulas mid-air, a hush falling over the room as every servant instinctively bowed in respect. No announcement had come to tell them that the Crown Prince would be here, so they were startled by the suddeness.
Levan lifted a single hand, a subtle command that needed no words. And slowly, the kitchen resumed its rhythm, though glances still flicked toward him as he moved with measured steps toward the woman behind the counter.
"You know," he said, his voice even, carrying a familiar warmth as he watched his wife fussing over the batter, "someone's been looking for you everywhere."
Her head snapped up, eyes lighting like sunrise like they always did whenever she looked at him. A laugh burst from her lips before she could stop it. "Husband!"
He allowed himself the barest smile, the kind that softened the angles of his face and made the room forget the prince for a moment, leaving only the man who cherished his wife utterly.
