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The ballroom wasfull of people. Royalty and nobility from other European nations, as well as heads of state. Music played, and the interior of the old castle on Lake Geneva, where the international meeting was being held, lit up.
Tiberius had had a satisfactory few days, meeting with other leaders, making valuable political alliances. He and Guinevere were due to fly back to Kasimir the next day, and he was almost sorry about it.
Not far from where he stood, chatting with some other leaders, was Guinevere, resplendent in a ballgown of pale silvery-blue silk. It was strapless, revealing her slender shoulders and pale throat, the fabric cupping her breasts lovingly. Her curls were piled on her head with a few loose, artfully tumbling around her ears, held in place with a couple of diamond combs that glittered and sparkled in the light.
He’d given her the necklace she wore of pale sapphires and diamonds, circling the slender column of her throat, and that glittered too. She seemed even more fairy-like tonight, sparkling like a delicate snow crystal in the lights of the ballroom.
He watched her, unable to take his gaze from her.
She needed a tiara, he decided. Many of other ladies present were wearing one, and after all she was a queen, even if she hadn’t been formally crowned.
For the past two weeks he’d been thinking and thinking about what he could do for her—something as special as what she’d given him in those two hours he reserved for her every day. Those two hours that he’d begun to crave more and more with every day that passed. They were special, those hours. They were sacrosanct. And he’d even begun to wonder if he could afford to stretch them to three.
He wanted to reciprocate—show her that he appreciated what she did for him, that he admired and respected her, that she was everything he’d ever wanted in a queen and more. But he hadn’t thought of the perfect thing…until now.
A coronation—that’s what she should have. He didn’t care that his own had been perfunctory, but for her… She should be feted. She should have all the attention she deserved. His fairy princess should be made into a queen with all the pomp and ceremony at his disposal.
It would be a good thing too, for the people. A happy event to boost their spirits after the long years of Accorsi rule. He would decree a public holiday and Guinevere would be crowned in the cathedral in the central city.
He watched as she laughed at something someone had said to her, her smile lighting up her face, making her even more lovely than she was already.
Yes, she should wear a silver gown, or pale gold, and she would look impossibly beautiful in the Kasimiran Queen’s crown, all diamonds and sapphires. He would invite the world’s media, livestream the whole thing to the rest of the globe. It would be a major event and she would finally get all the attention she deserved.
Impatient to tell her of his plans, he moved over to where she stood, slipping an arm around her waist and drawing her close. ‘Spare me five minutes, my queen,’ he murmured in her ear.
She glanced up at him, smiling, and his chest tightened. Her smiles were truly the loveliest he’d ever seen.
‘As long as it’s only five,’ she said, teasing, before excusing herself from the little group she’d been chatting with.
‘What is it?’ she asked, as he drew her over to one of the windows that overlooked the magnificent lake.
‘I have an idea,’ he said. ‘You’ve been such a delight over the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been very remiss as a husband. I have not given you anything in return.’
‘You’ve given me your time, Tiberius,’ she said. ‘That’s the most important thing. That’s all I need.’
‘But you deserve more, little lioness. So much more.’ He took her hands in his and held them. ‘I’d like to hold a formal coronation for you. In the cathedral. With the world’s media looking on, and naturally all our people. A symbol of what our union and you being queen means to Kasimir.’
Her smile flickered momentarily, though he wasn’t sure what that meant. ‘A coronation? I don’t need a coronation, Tiberius.’
‘Perhaps not, but I’d like you to have one all the same. Don’t you think our people and the world should see the lovely woman who is Queen of Kasimir?’
She squeezed his fingers, then let them go. ‘They already know who I am. Besides, it’s a lot of money to spend. Money that could better be spent on the hospital, for example.’
Irritation caught at him. This was not the response he’d expected, he had to admit. He’d thought she’d be pleased, at the very least.
‘The people could do with a happy event.’ He tried to keep the annoyance from his voice. ‘And I will decree a public holiday, which should boost morale even further. It will be for them, not just you.’
Her smile seemed strained now. ‘Oh. That does sound like it could be something…worthwhile, then.’
They were in a crowded ballroom, and he didn’t particularly want to cause a scene, but her muted reaction had got under his skin.
‘You don’t like the idea?’ he asked, trying to keep his voice level. ‘I wanted to do something nice for you.’
Her lashes fell, veiling her gaze. ‘If you want to do something nice for me, you could give me another hour of your time. It doesn’t need to be anything else.’
Instantly he felt defensive. ‘This will be for our people, Guinevere.’
Her lashes rose again, her blue gaze meeting his. ‘So it’s not really for me at all, is it?’