Work Text:
The door clicked shut behind Daniel Molton as he left the Grand Duke’s office to deliver another round of late night reports to the imperial courier. Therdeo took this rare opportunity to open the bottom most drawer of his desk, revealing various legal documents and memos. Sandwiched between heavyweight sheafs of official Grand Duchy and letterhead were much thinner pages of drafting paper. Eyeing the door in case the younger Milton came rushing back through without a courtesy knock, Therdeo extracted the plans and a lead pencil from the drawer.
The pages had clearly been folded and smoothed several times, as they had traveled with Therdeo on his last trip out of the capitol. Notes that had been written, erased, and re-written revealed the author’s meticulous nature. Therdeo picked up the pencil and flipped to the second page within the packet. Dressers, bureaus, fireplace, armchairs, and even rugs had already been sketched out within the layout. In the margins of the page, Therdeo continued his incomplete sketch of the fabric pattern of the rugs and draperies, delicate blooms of primroses dotted around a quatrefoil motif.
The tender and hardy primroses that could be found in the snow of the Grand Dukedom reminded him of the light touches of Pereshati pervasive throughout their capital residence. Although she had refused Bach’s gentle guidance to replace the furniture or to hire the capital’s most in-demand artisans, in Therdeo’s eyes, her presence could be felt in every corner of the property. Small gloves on the dressing table, tea sets in the parlor after receiving her uncle, even the hurried footsteps of her rambunctious lady’s companion – everything reminded Therdeo of the contrast to his life prior to Pereshati’s sudden appearance in his office all those months ago.
Therdeo paused to add notes for thicker rugs to be used on her side of the bed, assuming her restless sleep postures were to continue if she were ever to visit the Grand Dukedom with him. He would prefer if she had floor pillows to cushion any potential falls but decided against adding a note for such furnishings. If anyone were to ask, the decision was an obligation to protect her dignity, but selfishly, Therdeo wanted to keep such an intimate detail for himself.
Who else would know that the Grand Duchess had such an inelegant appearance while sleeping? Such an image was a welcome pleasure for his weary late nights and bitter early mornings, lightening his disposition with a glance over to her side of the bed to discover what new and frankly uncomfortable position she maintained in her sleep. Rare were the nights when Pereshati could be found tightly curled upon herself. Most often, she would be sprawled across the lion’s share of the bed, just as she could be found in his waking thoughts. Every relationship in his life – Celphius, his sister, his uncle, his grandmother, even when he thought of his brother – was now colored for the better by Pereshati.
Three gentle knocks sounded at the office door, before her face appeared at the doorway as if summoned by his thoughts.
“I heard Daniel step out, Your Grace. Would you like to take a late tea with me? Celphius missed you at breakfast, and I thought we could use the time to discuss the fundraising party.”
Therdeo brought a hand to his face to hide the warmth blooming up his neck and ears and clear his throat, only to nod in silence. Seeing her smile and gesture behind the door for someone to cart in a light meal, Therdeo replaced his plans back into the bottom drawer and stood to join his wife.
Author's Note: Long time reader, first time writer. Having re-read the series multiple times since the hiatus, I felt inspired to try my hand at writing fanfiction. Hope you enjoy!