The Princess could not describe the joy she felt when she saw her Knight. It had only been a few weeks and she missed him so terribly. Sure she filled her time with work, but it only felt like she was going in circles trying to ignore the fact that she needed him next to her. She felt bad, she completely ignored the Maverick once her Knight came to speak to her. It took everything she had not to kiss him on sight. She was glad they could be closer once they were alone. She felt even more guilty learning he’d suffered while being away from her. Did his parents know she was the source of his suffering? Would they still be nice to her if they knew?

She couldn’t sleep, it was early and she knew he’d be by her greenhouse in the morning. She went there just to relax. Sometimes hearing the resonating mana of the plants there made her feel better. She brought a blanket to spread on the small patch of grass she had at the center. She lay there and absorbed the soft sounds of the plants around her. It was only disturbed by the feel of her Knight’s mana piercing through. She sat up quickly. He was here? So soon? She was so happy, she couldn’t stop her heart from soaring.

Now was her chance to greet him properly. She jumped up and ran for him, jumping into his arms and kissing him immediately. He held her longer allowing their lips to meet over and over. He didn’t normally indulge in all this affection, she wouldn’t point it out just yet. The bought of acute empathy must have been really taxing on him. Maybe he just missed her that much and wanted as much of her as he could. Before she knew it they were laying side by side on her blanket holding hands. He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb and sighed.

“You know, I am really jealous that I couldn’t see you working at the bakery,” she said. “You must have been so handsome in your apron and covered in flour.”

He laughed. “Is that what makes me handsome?”

She moved so she could smooth his hair while she gazed down at his face. Even after all this time, even after knowing that he loved her and was attracted to her, sometimes she still found him so handsome she’d get shy. The only difference was, even though her face would flush, she didn’t feel like she needed to shrink away.

“You know you’re always handsome,” she said. She kissed his forehead.

His cheeks flushed and he tried to hide his grin.

“Before I see your parents, can I buy them some jewelry? Do they have enough for the ball?” she asked. He chuckled.

“They’re covered. You can’t buy my parents’ favor,” he said. She wanted to give them something. They’d given her such an amazing person to love. They’d refused land and titles content to live comfortably rather than lavishly. She wished she could live alongside them, royal life was not meant for her.

“One day I will give them a gift,” she said. “A big, lavish gift and they won’t be able to return it.”

Secretly, she knew the only ‘gift’ she could give that they’d never feel oddly about or refuse would be if she got married to their son and had a grandchild. ​​The idea of marriage alone made her turn dark red from her toes to her hairline, and thinking about anything else that came after marriage made her pass out. That would be a long time coming. She rested her head on his chest to try and hide her blush.

“What on earth are you thinking about that has you so flustered?” he asked. He was amused and she was em​​barrassed.

“I’ll tell you later,” she said. He hugged her and ran his fingers through her hair. “But what gift can I get your parents?”

“You think bragging rights over having a private audience with the Princess isn’t enough?”

“They’ve met me before.”

“Okay then, I know Dad would probably like something good for baking, like fancy chocolate or an unusual sugar. Mom would probably like something cool for her garden like new seeds. Or maybe something for her farm? They have a very small one with a few horses, one cow, a goat and a few chickens.”

She closed her eyes and thought about it for a moment.

“Will you go shopping with me?” she asked. “I need everything to be ready by the time your parents arrive this afternoon.”

It might have been a little premature, but the Princess really felt like she was working hard to impress her inlaws. She asked the Maverick to wrap up construction early that day so they could enjoy her garden in peace. The new greenhouse was tucked in a corner that wouldn’t completely destroy the flow of the tour otherwise. She dressed with care, she worried about how they’d perceive her. Was she dressed too fancy? Was she dressed too simply? Was she wearing too much jewelry? Her heart was beating out of her chest as she waited at the gates to her garden. She could feel her Knight approach before she even saw him. She grinned and waved as she finally laid eyes on the trio.

One thing that always made her a little nervous was that she was nothing like the Knight’s mother. His mother was a tall and stately woman with piercing gold eyes. She seemed cool and collected, yet also very warm and comforting. The Princess was nothing like her, even though she wished she could be. How could she measure up to such an amazing woman? He was used to such a person in his life, what could she add? His father on the other hand was such an easy going man. He was much shorter than his wife, a little taller than the Princess, but not by much. She could see so much of her Knight in him, his soulful green eyes that sparkled playfully, his smile, his laugh. They were such a lovely couple.

She gave them a shallow bow as they approached. Royal politeness required her to acknowledge someone that wanted to speak with her. Normally she’d only needed to nod, but if she wished to show more respect, she would bow slightly. She remembered the story of when her father asked to marry her mother. Her family was of an extremely low rank, so they didn’t require much acknowledgement, her father could have just carried her mother off. However, he actually kneeled before her father and asked him to bless their marriage. She hoped someday she could do that for her Knight’s parents. She’d imagined the scenario so many times.

Stay in reality, she told herself. They bowed to her and she squealed and held out her arms for a hug. His mother seemed taken aback but accepted her embrace.

“I’m so excited for you two to come visit my garden!” she said. She shook his father’s hand with both of hers. “I’m so indebted to you for giving up your son. He’s always risking life and limb and overworking himself. I had to insist he take time off!”

“I’m not surprised,” his father said. “The boy is prone to overworking.”

“Dad, please…”

“Well is he wrong, dear?” his mother said.

“I’ve already heard about you working at the bakery at all hours of the morning. Honestly…” the Princess said. “Speaking of the bakery, tell me all about it while we take tea!”

“If you don’t mind, our dear Princess, I bought some new tarts from my bakery for you,” his father said.

Her eyes lit up as he placed the delicate box in her hands.

“I can’t wait to try these! Let’s go now!” she said. She showed them to the greenhouse where she had the morning tea party laid out for them. She hoped she was being pleasant and charming and not overly eager and awkward. So far no one seemed nervous around her.

“Our dear Princess, our family wanted to provide a few gifts. We know they are humble but we hope our sincerity comes across,” the Knight’s mother said.

“I wasn’t expecting anything, your presence is a gift enough,” the Princess said.

The older woman flushed and tucked a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. So that’s why her Knight looked so adorable when he blushed. Just like his mother. She handed her a colorful bag with a delicate bow. It was rather large, but when the Princess looked inside she felt her heart warm. A quilt. Her eyes teared up as she ran her hands over it. Most women’s mothers made them a quilt as part of their coming of age ritual. It was more of a loving gesture from mother to daughter than truly a part of the ritual. Even noble women would either pay to have one made or would make one themselves. This was common even with royalty.

The Princess told her father and aunt not to worry about one. Here this woman, who might not even know that she didn’t have a coming of age quilt, gifted her one out of the goodness of her heart. It was lovely, a work of art in and of itself, and must have taken a year or more to make. It was a series of flowers, each stem, leaf, and petal cut out and stitched together.

“My son didn’t tell me I was coming here sooner or else I would have spent a little more time on the finishes. The binding on the edges is a little rough. I don’t know why I thought to make you a quilt, but since my son became a squire, the idea always stuck with me. I started it last time I came to the palace two years ago,” she said. The Princess held it to her chest. She wasn’t supposed to be emotional today, but oh, the love that was in this quilt.

“It will be my treasure,” the Princess said. She’d explain the significance of this someday, she couldn’t do that today. As she ran her fingers over the stitching she could almost feel her mother’s fingers admiring it along with her. The last time the Knight’s family was here they paid respects to her Mother at her grave. Maybe, just maybe the trace amounts of her mother’s mana moved her to make the quilt. They would never know for sure. The Princess spread the quilt over her lap.

“I will not be sharing this with anyone else,” she said. She avoided her Knight’s gaze. No, not even with him.

“Our second son is a tanner. We know it’s not the most glamorous of jobs, but he wanted to present you with these,” the Knight’s father said. He slid over a beautifully carved wooden box. “Our third son is a carpenter, he made the box.”

“I’m keeping this as well,” she said. She flipped it open. Beautiful dark brown reins were inside on a cushion of purple velvet. She ran her fingers over them. Etched in the leather were phlox flowers, the very ones that her mother had grown.

“How is it that every gift is so touching to me?” she asked. She turned to her Knight.

“Your family truly is wonderful. Are they all empathic so that they know what I might like, or did you tell them?”

“Well, so far only one is empathic that I know of, but no. I didn’t tell them anything,” he said.

She sighed and put her hand on her chest.

“I cannot convey how deeply happy each gift has made me. The lovely tarts, the quilt, these reins, even the box the reins came in! Each one is splendid. It makes my gifts to you pale in comparison,” she said.

“You got us gifts?” they chorused. The Knight laughed.

“Of course,” she said.

“I’ll get them,” her Knight said.

The soft cluck of the chickens was hard to hide but once his mother saw them her eyes lit up.

“You got me silky chickens!” she said. The Knight set the cage next to her and she took one out and stroked its soft, black feathers.

“My youngest boy and I really wanted some but they were far too expensive, we are so grateful!” she said.

“I think she loves the chickens more than me,” the Knight said.

“Don’t be daft, Sweetie. I love the Princess more than you, she gave me the chickens.”

All he did was smile and shoot the Princess a look.

“And for you, Dad,” he said and placed a box in front of him.

“The highest grade of baking chocolate, and confectioner’s gold to decorate,” the Princess said. “I hope you like it. If you’d like to use either of those ingredients for your bakery, please contact the company. I have offered to cover the expense for you so you can offer a luxury to your village at a price they can afford.”

The man smelled the chocolate and chipped off a bit to taste it.

“It is amazing. Simply amazing,” he said. “May I bake you something this evening in gratitude?”

“Absolutely! I’ll send word to the kitchen that you are to have free reign,” she said. “Before you go, I’d like to give you all a full tour of my garden. It’s not done, but I’m building a greenhouse for research. No one except a handful of people have even seen it!”

She knew that every plant around her was in full bloom and if the Knight’s parents had any sort of aches and pains they were probably gone. She was so happy. It was completely undignified, but she would not let her new quilt go, not even during the tour.

The Princess hugged them both before they left her garden. She had to be sure to make a point to single them out at the ball. Just as she could easily destroy someone’s life she could just as easily elevate them. If she made it a point to acknowledge them before so many nobles at a royal event, they could not be ignored and would be accorded the proper courtesy.

She’d make sure they were treated like family so when they finally were it would feel so much more natural.