Work Text:
“Hey Bess?” you called from the door of the throne room. She had moments before ended a conversation she had with a diplomat, sending them off.
Her face, while probably unnoticeable to others but obvious to you, brightened when she heard your voice. You truly lit up every room you entered. “Yes, Dear?” She said as you made your way towards her. That was your favorite one of her pet names for you. Something about it warmed your heart hearing it come from her lips meant for you and you only.
Though you can’t get distracted because you sought her out for a reason. “When do you think you'll be done in here?” you asked now only a few feet away.
It only took a moment of hesitation as she thought of what she still needed to get done before she answered you in that sweet voice. Her tone lacking the reservation or malice that it so often took on with others. “I have only one more person I must meet with briefly, but then I am all yours for the evening” She said, grabbing your left hand and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. She lifted her head up slightly to smile at you before moving back down to press another kiss to your engagement and wedding ring. She never failed to show you how much you meant to her, even when she was working.
“Well I don't want to keep you from your work,” you said before squeezing her hand and turning around in an attempt to leave. Though, she stopped you before your hand could fully leave hers, pulling you back around to face her. Though you were much closer this time.
“Darling, If you don't mind I would love it if you kept me company. These meetings truly do get so boring sometimes I feel I may die of boredom.” Ambessa said with a roll of her eyes. This made you laugh your sweet lilted laugh. A sound she has told you many times is her favorite.
“Of course I'll keep you company. Any excuse to be near you.” You smiled as your laughter died down. who were you to turn down such an inviting offer from your wife.
—
Ambessa wasn't lying. The meeting was quite brief. She was now walking with you, hand in hand, back to your chamber. It was a large room, decorated in a way that perfectly complemented both yours and Ambessa’s tastes. When you had first seen your shared room you were awestruck by the thoughtfulness of the woman you were at the time courting.
It takes Ambessa a moment to realize why you had sought her out, but she soon notices the easel and paint strewn about the balcony.
“What is all this, Dear?” She says, making her way towards the set up.
“Wait, Wait!” you say in an attempt to keep her from seeing the canvas yet. She looks back at you, a questionable but playful look in her eyes as she raises her eyebrow at your antics. “I-” you start, hands clasped behind your back as you move past her. “I took note of how you always talked about your love of the view. That one time when you mentioned you specifically requested for our room to be on this side of the castle. One overlooking the royal garden, with the sea in the background.” You were starting to feel slightly nervous, worried that maybe she wouldn't like what you’d made. “I- I wanted to immortalize that for you”.
At that you picked the large canvas off the easel and turned it around for her to see. In public she wasn't much of an expressive woman, but around you she fully let her guard down. Her eyes widened and jaw dropped at the sight of the scenery forever frozen in a painting made by your hand. She didn't hesitate to take it from you and hold it up to where the orange sunset light hit it. It illuminated all the brush strokes and tiny details. In Ambessa's opinion the only other thing more beautiful than this, was you.
You had been working on it in secret whenever she was executing her duties, now your piece is finally finished. You were anxiously awaiting her to say something, but Ambessa was speechless.
“Wow.” She started with, not sure how to express her love and admiration in words. The perfect thing to say truly evaded her in this moment. She set the painting down and just let her actions speak for themselves. She scooped you up in a hug, burying her face in the side of your neck. you quickly wrapped your arms around her to stabilize yourself. Your feet were off the ground due to her height. She twirled you around before setting you back down. Your heart was racing and her display of love and gratitude.
“Thank you, so much. I’m truly going to cherish this forever.” She said not sure whether to look at you or the painting in this moment.
You just pulled her in for another hug, high on her words and the fact that she loves the painting. You truly would have never wished for someone better to spend the rest of your life with.