CHAPTER 43

Neal took the clothes he had made for his wife and helped her dress. It was more romantic, knowing that she was relying on him even though she was the most capable woman he had ever met. She really looked lovely in the clothes.
He pinned the outer robe with the gold chain before he went for her feet. Carefully he slid the heels onto her feet and they fitted perfectly. He moved to her makeup; she didn’t require a lot which was good. He even put that five-petal flower on her forehead.
“What are you doing?”
“I love this on you,” he said moving to the headdress.
He pinned the hairpins on her hair following what he had seen on the tutorial video. After ten minutes he was done and the crown was perfect for his duchess.
“You are good at this,” she complimented him, her eyes filled with that love he always sees every day in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
She stood up and helped him with his clothes too. She removed his tie and threw it away.
“Why did you do that?”
“I love you more with your top button undone and without a tie. I’m going to show off my husband,” she said and kissed him on the lips.
“I love the sound of that. Now let’s go before I remove those clothes off you.”
“You are a lunatic.”
“Says the wife of the lunatic,” he said and picked her up.
He carried her all the way to the ground floor. Once he put her down, she looked at him.
“What is it?”
“I forgot my clutch and phone.”
“I will go and take it,” he said and returned upstairs.
He found what he was looking for and when he returned his wife was nowhere to be found.
“Where did she go?” he asked one of the maids.
“I saw the duchess going towards the kitchen,” she said.
What was wrong with her? He went to look for her and he found her eating a cupcake the cook had just baked.
“Maria, don’t spoil her too much please.”
“I will try my best not to,” she said.
“Lia, take your cupcakes. We are leaving.”
He watched as she packed her cupcakes and she was ready.
“The staff will be coming.”
“They will follow as soon as they are done, don’t worry about them.”
“Okay then.”
He escorted her out where the limo was waiting. He helped her in and followed behind. He had seen his mother being pregnant but not once had he seen her eat like a maniac. His wife was really a unique person and he just hoped she won’t give birth to a troublesome child.
***
She was nervous standing in front of so many people and cameras. She turned her head and looked at her husband who gave her a smile as a cheer. She cleared her throat and began to roll her beads.
“It’s pretty scary standing up here but I guess I will get used to it someday. About three months ago I wouldn’t have guessed or dreamed that I would be standing where I am today.
The same thing is happening to you too. You can’t predict how things might go or not go any second which is why I want to thank all of you for being here today. I used to have nothing and now they call me a duchess.
Trust me I’m not showing off but I won’t be here if not for my dear husband who is here with me today. Today is a very huge and special day for me and I wanted to celebrate it with you all and not just myself.
I know this might not be much but it came from my heart. I want you to use it well, be warm and don’t get sick,” she said to the old generation sitting in front of her.
They all clapped and she continued, “you are our most respected generation. If it wasn’t for you then we won’t be here too. You know a lot about our kingdom and please continue to share it with us. Thank you for coming today and please be warm for winter is coming.”
She left the podium and returned to her seat. Many other speeches were done but she was hungry again. Her husband noticed it and called Beth who brought a bottle of juice for her.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
The clothes, blankets and food were distributed fairly among the elderly. It took a lot of hours that she ended up sitting and telling the other elders some stories. She was having a great time with them but time was passing by.
She finally left the place and they went to town where he bought some pie for her. She had that as they made their way to the palace. It was already nearing supper time and she was going crazy.
She was welcomed very well and made her way to see the queen.