Chapter Text
Upon returning to the palace, Lucette and Klaude went to the kitchen and picked out a tea to enjoy with the desserts they’d bought. Klaude carried the tea set on a tray while Lucette had the box of macarons in her hands as they walked back to their room. Even though their hands weren’t linked, they walked close enough together that their arms brushed each other from time to time. Lucette took the occasional glance at Klaude but could still make out his shoulder in the corner of her eye when she looked away. And Klaude could feel a faint warmth radiating from Lucette to him thanks to their proximity. Even something as simple as a walk gave them a sense of peace since it was done with each other.
They reached their room and sat down to enjoy the tea and macarons.
The macarons tasted divine, sweet and light on her palate. The tea, a rosehip blend, perfectly complemented the baked goods. And Klaude regaled to Lucette an incident between himself and Rod while out horseback riding. Despite all that, Lucette found herself distracted, stealing glances toward the second gift she’d prepared. It was still hidden under the glamor of magic, waiting for the perfect moment to be given.
“Darling, is something the matter?”
A warm, calloused touch guided Lucette into locking eyes with Klaude. He smiled at her but it was pinched in confusion.
“I admit I find it cute when you look away from me in a fluster,” he said, a cocky smile lifting his lips for just a second before he returned to a serious expression. “But I don’t think that’s what’s going on right now.” His intuition was as sharp as ever. “Do you need to talk about something or—?”
Lucette raised her head as high as her neck would allow and shook her head.
“Klaude, there’s no need for you to worry.” The words came out and Lucette immediately regretted how sharp she’d come off. Not that Klaude would be affected by that anymore, but her tone was uncalled for. “S-sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped. But—”
Lucette paused to meet her husband’s gaze again and appreciate his quietness and the steadiness of his eyes on her.
“Really, nothing’s wrong, Klaude.” Lucette leaned over in her seat and kissed Klaude’s cheek. “I’m just a bit antsy.”
“What for?” Klaude’s brows furrowed deeply.
His confusion was expected. There was nothing scheduled for the rest of the day that would’ve worried Lucette. The two of them would be attending a meeting with Genero and the advisors to review progress on the kingdom’s recent projects right before lunch. None of the projects to be discussed were dire or urgent in nature so there was nothing to worry about on that front.
And after that, Klaude and Lucette could look forward to a dinner banquet for the royal family and a select group of guests ranging from Emelaigne and Rod’s friends amongst the townsfolk to Delora and her council of witches to the folks they’d befriended through the Marchen. Klaude wanted the dinner to celebrate his birthday to be filled with a wide variety of people, those he was fond of and those he hoped to forge stronger connections with. When it was being planned, Lucette noticed the guest list and the planned spread didn’t fit in with Klaude’s usual extravagant tastes. When pressed about it, Klaude admitted to wanting a more humble, homier atmosphere, just that once, since he didn’t want his first birthday in Angielle to cause a ruckus.
With all that in mind, Lucette had nothing to be anxious over.
Lucette hummed then corrected herself, “Not antsy. I’m eager.”
She stood up and went to the bed, crouching by the corner where she’d hidden the box.
“I thought about giving it to you after the banquet…” Lucette cradled the box in her hands then turned around to let Klaude see it.
“Oh my love…” Klaude’s worry melted away instantly when he saw the second gift. “You had something else ready for me on top of the handkerchiefs?”
Lucette nodded. “To be honest, the handkerchiefs were thought up after what I have here.”
She returned to the table where Klaude sat, took her own seat, then handed over the gift box.
“I hope you appreciate it, at least a little,” Lucette said, feeling a blush creep up her neck. I shouldn’t be so nervous. Or maybe I’m embarrassed that he’s actually going to see what my initial gift was? Lucette breathed deep through her nose to steady herself.
“I’m sure I’ll appreciate it a lot,” Klaude assured her.
The room was completely silent as Klaude opened the gift box. The first thing Klaude took out of the box was a note card.
[To my ever daring and handsome prince. May you always feel my love for you.]
After reading it aloud, Klaude pecked Lucette’s cheek and chuckled, “So long as I never upset you, I think I can manage that.”
He next set aside the tissue paper covering the gift. Finally, he pulled out two plush dolls.
The first doll resembled Lucette, with her pinkish-red hair and golden eyes. However, the doll’s complexion was a pale blue and patches of gray thread were stitched into frost patterns. Those same frost designs appeared on the dress the doll wore. Atop the doll’s head was a small tiara that shimmered, as if it were made of ice. And the expression the doll wore was a slight frown, unwelcoming and cold.
The second doll had Klaude’s fiery locks and emerald eyes. It wore an outfit strikingly similar to his standard attire. It wore a rose necklace. The doll grinned, with pride and affability at the same time. As Klaude held up the plush, he realized that some of the threads shone in the light, giving the effect that the doll version of him was sparkling.
“These dolls, they’re…”
Klaude turned his head to look at the shelf.
Perched on the top shelf was the pair of dolls Klaude had given Lucette last year. The ones based on Beauty and the Beast. Now the dolls in Klaude’s hands weren’t based on a fairy tale, but he knew what Lucette intended.
An Ice Princess and a Prince Charming.
“My love… I’m flattered that you made the doll of me so refined but…” He paused to take a hesitant breath. “You’re no longer the Ice Princess people knew you to be,” Klaude stated, his voice weak.
“I know. Just the same, you’re not a beast,” Lucette replied tenderly. She reached her hand across the table and placed her hand on Klaude’s cheek. “I know you said that it was only in the past that you saw yourself as such, but sometimes I look at the doll and wonder if a part of you, deep down, still feels that way. I worry that you might look down on your past, despite the strides you’ve made to become who you are now.”
Klaude’s eyes softened as he looked at Lucette and listened to her words. He placed the plushies on the table and raised his hand to touch Lucette’s.
“So I decided to give you a gift to show you how I see you, an honorable and kind prince whom I love with all my heart.” Lucette smiled as she spoke, her heart swelling with affection and hope. “And that Ice Princess there is to remind you that I, too, wasn’t always the princess you love now. We both have our unpleasant pasts but here we are now, living as better people thanks to each other.”
“Lucette…”
Tears welled up in Klaude’s eyes and fell, bringing a damp warmth to Lucette’s palm. Klaude brought his wife’s hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Lucette opened her mouth, ready to give a teasing but gentle reply, but instead held her tongue as Klaude stood up and drew closer to her. He trailed kisses up her hand and arm until he was near enough to bring her lips to his.
Lucette smelled Klaude’s cologne and his own natural musk, making her ease into the kiss. The mixed flavors of tart and sweet from the tea and macarons danced on Lucette’s tongue as the intimate touch deepened. Klaude’s still present tears wet Lucette’s own face but she didn’t mind one bit, as they were warm and brought from love. Lucette grasped at Klaude’s coat. He clung to her shoulders.
Good gods, the kiss took Lucette’s breath away. It felt like magic itself.
Reluctantly, the two ended the kiss. But they kept their bodies close together.
“Thank you, Lucette.” Klaude grasped Lucette’s hands and held them to his chest, over his heart. Right over his rose pendant. “As much as I tell myself I’ve changed, I admit that I still find myself regretting who I once was. But your gift… it’s a good reminder. I’ll treasure those dolls.”
“Please do,” whispered Lucette.
Klaude leaned back further to glance at the Beauty and Beast dolls on the shelf, then turned to see the Ice Princess and Prince Charming dolls on the table.
“I suppose now we have a complete set,” Klaude remarked. “An Ice Princess who becomes a refined Lily Princess. And a Beast Prince who transforms into a handsome Rose Prince.”
“Actually, I made sure these new dolls would match the style of the ones you gave me.”
“Just like how you are the perfect match for me.”
“Mhm. I couldn’t agree more. Now, come here.”
Lucette pulled Klaude in and kissed the tears left in the corners of his eyes. The prince chuckled and muttered how the feather light pecks tickled his face. But he made no motion to push his beloved away and, in fact, pressed himself closer to her.
Once Klaude’s tears were dried by Lucette’s touch, they took the new plush dolls to the shelf and set them on the shelf beside Beauty and the Beast. Seeing the four of them close together confirmed that Lucette perfectly recreated the style of the dolls Klaude gave to make the new ones. They were a wonderfully matched set.
“You really like them?” Lucette asked.
“I love them, really,” Klaude answered. “Them being something that’s just for the two of us to admire makes them better.” He pulled his wife into his arms and nuzzled their noses together.
“So you mean we won’t be showing them off to our guests at the banquet tonight?” joked Lucette.
Klaude huffed. “Absolutely not. Chevalier might say some remark like ‘I prefer this version of the prince since he knows how to stay quiet.’”
Lucette snickered and shook her head, her forehead brushing against Klaude’s with the motion. “Chevalier would never say such a thing. Not genuinely at least.”
“The teasing would be enough of a bother. And you are the only one with the privilege to tease me.”
A soft hum left Lucette as she nodded to Klaude’s statement. He said that, but it wouldn’t stop their friends from making their occasional jabs at him. And he’d always laugh them off in the end.
Klaude and Lucette resumed their tea time and finished before the tea got too cold. Afterwards, Klaude left to freshen up, as his tears left his face a tad splotchy. While waiting for him, Lucette looked at the set of four dolls.
There was something beautiful in acknowledging past mistakes while not letting it get in the way of a joyful present and future. Lucette hoped to achieve that alongside Klaude. Whatever shame or regrets they held towards their old selves, they’d work to keep themselves from being held down by those thoughts.
Together, they’d continue to forge a happily ever after fit for the princess and prince that they were.