Image by Blandine JOANNIC from Pixabay

Kaelea stared moodily into space. The environmentals hummed and she tuned them out. Beside her, her husband Henrik was cleaning his plasma pistol. He hadn’t used it in years, but once a week he still took it apart, cleaned it, and put it back together to make sure it was in prime condition.

She sighed. Henrik looked up from his work. “Is something bothering you, love?” he asked in his melifluous voice.

“I don’t know. Probably, but I couldn’t tell you what it is,” Kaelea admitted. “I’m just feeling off tonight.”

Henrik put his pistol back together again and pulled out his pad. He started working on paperwork or something. She sighed again. She knew she should probably check her messages. Being the Minister of Social Services meant she might have some late night work to do. But she didn’t want to look at her inbox.

Henrik’s pad chimed, meaning he had a message. She groaned inwardly. The only time he ever got messages was if Hanzo wanted to see him. At least that’s what it usually was at this hour. Henrik smiled and put his pad away. He got up and to her surprise he called for his servant.

Liam arrived. “How can I help you, Your Imperial Highness?” he asked.

“Liam, would you please bring two cups of hot chocolate for us?” Henrik asked.

“Hot chocolate?” Kaelea looked startled. Henrik didn’t like chocolate. He knew she did though, but as chocolate was expensive even for the Imperial family it was considered a rare treat.

“Yes, Kaelea. Hot chocolate. I asked your father if I could ask for it and he said yes.” Henrik smiled at his wife.

Kaelea smiled, her mood lifting considerably. “You always know just what I need.”

“Two cups of hot chocolate. I’ll be back quick as a quasar.” Liam grinned at the two of them and hurried out of the room.

“What did he say when you asked?” Kaelea asked curiously.

Henrik pulled out his pad and pulled up the message. He handed it to her. Ah, is Kaelea feeling moody tonight? I don’t see why you two can’t have some hot chocolate if it’ll make her feel better.

Kaelea burst out laughing. “You two are awful,” she giggled.

“We know you very well,” Henrik teased.

Liam returned a short while later with the hot chocolate. The kitchen staff had certainly outdone themselves by making the drinks quite elaborate. “The guards scanned it already. No poison,” Liam assured them.

Kaelea took her drink and took a sip. She reveled in the rich, dark taste of the chocolate as it slid over her tongue. She closed her eyes to better enjoy the silky sweet treat.

She didn’t open her eyes again until the hot chocolate was all gone. Henrik had already finished his by the time she looked up. He was watching her and grinning. “You looked like you enjoyed that,” he commented.

“I did.” She sighed happily. “With mother and Ethian adverse to chocolate, we get it so rarely I enjoy it whenever I can get it.”

“Feeling better?” Henrik asked.

“Much better,” Kaelea told him. “Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome, love.” The two sat and talked about various things for the rest of the evening.