Bab 171: Choosing her lady-in-waiting

"Yes?" 

Aries raised her head and paused in cutting the rose stem in the pavilion of the Sapphire Palace, her usual spot to kill time since she had nothing else to do. She watched Joaquin advance in her direction, perching on the chair across from her with a document in his hand.

"This is rare. You never see me during the day," she expressed, a bit surprised as she gazed at the man with genuine wonder in her eyes. 

He tipped his head to the side, shrugging. "Am I, perhaps, bothering my wife?"

"Depends on the reason for your visit." 

"Is missing you a valid reason?" 

She bit her lip, suppressing her lips from curling up. "Well, the weather feels nice today, and it uplifts my spirit. You passed, barely." She narrowed her eyes while he laughed, watching him shake his head.