<div style="text-align: justify;">Esther couldn’t help but smile back at Braiden. His smile put her at ease, and she started thinking that maybe things would work out well between her and her husband. That was all Esther hoped for, to be honest. She wanted a peaceful and happy life, many children to love, and a long-lasting marriage, nothing more. “I would like it very much if you did”, she finally replied regarding Braiden calling her Esther. Esther knew that it was tradition for nobles to call each other by titles rather than names, but she didn’t want this formality in her marriage, and she was happy to see that Braiden didn’t either.<br/><br/>Back at home, Esther had, as Braiden, received advice about how to make her marriage happy. Of course, she had gotten no such advice from her mother, as she had lost the woman at a young age, but from her father. It might have worked to her advantage, though, since her father was speaking from the perspective of a man who had lived a happy marriage. A happy marriage was what she wanted to provide her husband with, so maybe she should do as her father told her to. She also hoped to have children, and not to die like her mother.<br/><br/>Trying not to think of the obvious dangers of childbirth, Esther focused back on the moment she was sharing with her husband. Their first morning together. The first of many, hopefully. <br/><br/>Keeping silence, Esther listened to Braiden’s routine, planning on blending into it instead of causing any changes. It would make things easier, both for him and for her, who wouldn’t have to create yet another routine. Hearing from Braiden about the meals, Esther was sure that breakfast would be her favorite one, and dinner would be the least enjoyable one, as she wasn’t too keen on large gatherings with people she didn’t know well. Of course, she had been raised proper, and would never complain at all. <br/><br/>“I believe I will enjoy our breakfast most of all meals”, she murmured quietly. Despite having been his during the night, Esther still felt a little timid around her husband. <br/><br/>Hearing that Braiden would welcome her in any function was a surprise for Esther, and even more to hear that he would listen to and respect her advice. Sure, Esther knew she was young, and still learning to navigate that new society. But she knew that she was a smart woman, and very good in providing that human touch men sometimes lacked, not because they were bad people, but mostly because they were raised with other qualities in mind. “I shall keep that in mind”, she finally replied with a nod. “If there is any function you feel that you would especially like to have me for, please do let me know, and I will not schedule anything else for that day”, Esther offered. She didn’t plan on being idle, so it was good that he would let her know whenever he needed her. During the rest of her time, Esther planned to find plenty to do. There would be books to read, sewing to do - like her mother had, she wanted to be sure to sew for her husband -, church to attend, charity to oversee - something that was very important for her as well - and many other ways of keeping herself from being idle. <br/><br/>Holding her husband’s hand made Esther feel warm inside. It felt good to keep that contact for a moment, and even better to hear that she was his only confidant. It was a little sad to think before her, he hadn’t really had anyone he could trust enough to speak freely, but Esther planned on filling this gap in Braiden’s life. “I shall be at your side whenever you need a confidant”, she replied quietly. It was clear that, despite feeling a bit shy around her husband, that soft-spoken way of communicating was a part of Esther’s personality.<br/><br/>Blushing when Braiden kissed her hand, Esther turned her attention to his face. He was, indeed, a handsome man, and Esther felt that she could grow to love her husband if he would behave so kindly towards her as time went by and they got to know each other more closely. The suggestion of going to have breakfast at the balcony also pleased Esther. It would be a good place to stay, and she loved open spaces. Being raised in a large green area back in Scotland, Esther loved plants, gardens, and everything that had to do with fresh air. She had been a very active young woman, and riding and hunting had been favorite pastimes. Of course, she knew that things would change now, but having a garden to spend time in would definitely do her a world of good. “Having breakfast on the balcony would be perfect”, Esther replied with a smile. The smile she already had on grew a little when Braiden said he had enjoyed those gardens as a child. “I hope our children will enjoy it just as much in the future”, she commented softly, anticipating a happy future and a large family, should the Lord want to provide them with one.</div>