Chapter 69-The world best tasting wine #4
My attention rose to my reflection in the window. The crown still rested upon my head. I let out a quiet breath. It looked almost ridiculous in here.
Slowly, I reached up, lifting the weight of gold from my hair before placing it with deliberate care upon the table beside me.
The pressure vanished from my head at once.
It was remarkable how something so beautiful could become so heavy.
A light knock pulled me out of my thoughts.
My eyes shifted toward the door.
For a long moment, I simply stared.
Then a quiet laugh escaped me, warm enough to break the silence.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly.
Nathaniel peered inside.
Only his head appeared at first. His gaze moved across the room until it found me on the couch. Then it settled on the bottle, the glass, and the crown resting carelessly on the table.
Concern entered his face.
"Your Majesty?"
"Nathaniel."
He opened the door farther and stepped inside.
"Are you all right?"
Everyone had asked me that tonight. The question sounded different from each person. Levi had asked because he feared I would injure myself.
The noblewomen had asked because concern opened conversation.
Nathaniel asked as though he already knew the answer and merely wanted to hear whether I understood it too.
I smiled.
"Yes."
"His Majesty sent me to check on you."
"He did?" I let just enough surprise color my voice.
Nathaniel nodded. "He noticed you had left."
"And he sent you?"
The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile. "I was already coming this way."
Only then did I notice the silver tray balanced in his hands.
My gaze drifted toward it.
"What is that?"
"Cookies."
My own smile brightened.
"Well, now I'm glad he sent you."
I pushed myself off the couch and crossed the room. The wine still lingered warmly in my veins, causing my steps to sway ever so slightly. Nathaniel's free hand shifted instinctively, ready to steady me if I lost my balance.
He never quite touched me.
I stopped before him and lifted the silver cover.
A cloud of warmth escaped.
Butter.
Sugar.
Cinnamon.
...Perhaps a hint of clove.
The cookies were still warm from the oven, their edges perfectly browned and their tops dusted with a delicate layer of sugar.
"These are fresh?"
"Yes."
I selected one and took a bite.
The cookie crumbled effortlessly beneath my teeth.
Sweetness greeted me first.
Then the warmth of cinnamon.
"Thank you," I said warmly. "You should have some wine with me."
Nathaniel glanced toward the bottle resting on the table.
"I am on duty."
"So is half the ballroom."
"I should return."
"You only just arrived."
"His Majesty merely asked me to see that you were well."
"And now you've seen."
I slipped the tray from his hands before he could object and carried it to the low table.
"Stay...for a drink."
The word hung softly between us.
Not quite a command.
Not quite a request.
Nathaniel remained standing.
I smiled to myself before reaching for the already-open bottle resting beside my discarded crown. Taking a clean crystal glass from the cabinet, I poured the deep crimson wine until it caught the candlelight like liquid rubies.
"It came from Kyrian," I said, admiring the color as it settled. "One of the few things my little village was truly famous for."
Nathaniel remained silent.
I walked toward him, extending the untouched glass.
"It costs far more than it should," I admitted with a quiet laugh, "but after your first taste, every other wine begins to disappoint. It's almost cruel."
His eyes fell to the glass.
Only for a heartbeat.
Long enough.
"You cannot expect me to drink alone," I continued with a playful smile. "That would be terribly rude."
"I really should..."
"Oh, come now." I tilted the glass toward him another inch. "Consider it cultural diplomacy."
His brow lifted.
"In Kyrian, refusing hospitality is practically a declaration of war."
"...Is it?"
"Not officially."
A smile tugged at my lips.
"But I can pretend."
For the first time that evening, genuine amusement flickered across his face.
"Have a taste of my home. Entire kingdoms have paid fortunes for bottles like this. Empires have celebrated victories over a single glass."
"I highly doubt that."
"Trust me." I held the glass patiently between us. "One sip will change your life."
After another moment's hesitation, Nathaniel accepted it. His fingers curled carefully around the stem. He raised the glass and took a cautious taste.
Barely enough to wet his lips.
I watched quietly.
His eyebrows lifted.
"...You were right."
"I usually am."
He took another, slightly larger sip.
That was enough.
A soft laugh escaped me.
"See? You were prepared to deprive yourself of something wonderful simply because you were trying to be responsible."
Nathaniel looked down into the glass as though reconsidering every wine he had ever tasted.
"I suppose I was."
Still smiling, I returned to the couch and settled into the cushions, pulling the tray of cookies closer. Nathaniel hesitated before taking the chair opposite mine.