A Moment of Peace
After five blissful minutes in each other’s arms, Hermione reluctantly pulled back, knowing that the duties of an Empress awaited her. The responsibilities of her empire were never far from her mind, but in the comfort of Fleur’s embrace, it was easy to forget, even just for a few moments. Yet, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of Fleur just yet. An idea sparked in her mind, and with a gentle tug, she maneuvered Fleur onto her lap, positioning her sideways so that she was comfortably nestled against Hermione’s side.
Fleur’s breath caught in surprise, her cheeks flushing slightly, and she giggled softly, her eyes sparkling as she settled in, resting her head against Hermione’s shoulder. “What are you doing?” she asked playfully, her voice warm and teasing, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.
Hermione leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Fleur’s forehead, savoring the softness of her skin and the fleeting comfort of this intimate moment. “Just ensuring that you’re close while I work,” she replied, her voice gentle but laced with resolve. “If I can’t have you beside me, I might as well keep you in my lap.”
Fleur smiled, her heart swelling with affection as she adjusted herself to sit comfortably, her legs draped over Hermione’s. She nestled deeper into her wife’s embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of cinnamon and parchment, with just a hint of Hermione’s favorite cologne—an enticing combination that always made her feel at home. “I suppose this is a fair compromise,” she said with a teasing grin, settling in more comfortably, her fingers lightly tracing the lines of Hermione’s robes.
Hermione smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest as Fleur nestled even closer. With her wife’s head resting on her shoulder, she turned her attention back to the scattered paperwork across the coffee table. It was a precarious balance: the demands of running an empire clashing with the desire to hold her wife close. But with Fleur nestled against her, the papers almost seemed less daunting, even if only for a moment. She picked up a report from a distant region under her rule, her brows furrowing slightly as she read over the details.
As she worked, the weight of Fleur’s presence was a soothing contrast to the cold formality of the reports. Her wife’s warmth radiated through her side, a soft reminder of what truly mattered in this world. Fleur, ever the distraction, began absentmindedly playing with Hermione’s hair, her delicate fingers running through the strands with a gentle rhythm as she watched Hermione with a soft smile.
“You know,” Fleur mused lightly, breaking the comfortable silence, “you could delegate some of this work to your advisors. They’re quite capable, you know.”
Hermione chuckled softly, shaking her head as she read through the latest updates. “And miss out on the opportunity to keep a close eye on everything? I’d rather know what’s happening firsthand. It’s my responsibility.” She looked down at Fleur with a playful glint in her eyes. “Besides, I like having you near while I work.”
Fleur looked up at her, her blue eyes filled with concern as she gently tugged at a lock of Hermione’s hair. “Mon amour,” she said, her voice tinged with gentle affection, “you’re not a machine. Even the strongest empress needs to take a break sometimes.”
Hermione sighed, her lips curling into a playful smile as she glanced down at her wife. “And what would you suggest? A break from my duties? You know how difficult it is to step away.”
Fleur’s lips curved into a mischievous smirk. “How about I organize a little outing for us? A picnic or a walk in the gardens. Just you and me—no paperwork, no politics. We could simply be together, and you could forget about all of this for a little while.”
The idea was tempting, and Hermione couldn’t help but feel a pull in her chest. Spending time with Fleur, away from the pressures of ruling, sounded like heaven. But the weight of her duties loomed large in her mind, and she hesitated. “I don’t know if I can just abandon my duties,” she admitted, her tone carrying a tinge of reluctance.
“Just for a little while,” Fleur coaxed, her fingers still softly running through Hermione’s hair. “I promise, I won’t let you think about work. We could enjoy the sunshine, take a deep breath, and just be. You deserve it.”
Hermione bit her lip, torn between the responsibility of her position and the allure of a quiet, peaceful moment with Fleur. Fleur had an uncanny ability to make even the most difficult decisions feel light, and the warmth of her touch was intoxicating. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the soothing rhythm of Fleur’s fingers calm her racing thoughts.
“Okay,” Hermione said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she relented. “Just a short break. But you have to promise me you won’t let me think about work while we’re out there.”
Fleur’s face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Deal! I’ll make sure you focus solely on enjoying our time together.”
As Hermione stood, Fleur nestled even closer, wrapping her arms around Hermione’s neck and pressing her cheek against her shoulder, her voice a soft whisper in Hermione’s ear. “This is the best part of my day,” she murmured, her tone warm and sincere. “Just being with you like this.”
Hermione’s heart swelled at Fleur’s words, and she squeezed her wife gently before rising to her feet, holding Fleur in her arms for a moment longer. “Alright, let’s go. But first, I need to lock this door to ensure no one barges in while we’re gone.”
Fleur gave a playful nudge, hopping off Hermione’s lap with a teasing smile. “I’ll make sure to keep a lookout while you do your Empress thing.”
Hermione chuckled softly, shaking her head affectionately at Fleur’s antics as she walked over to the door, locking it with a quick flick of her wrist. With the office secured, they stepped out into the sunlight together, ready to steal a moment of peace from the chaos of their lives.
As they made their way to the gardens, Fleur reached for Hermione’s hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. “See? Isn’t this better than being buried under paperwork?” she said with a playful glance up at Hermione, who couldn’t help but smile back, her heart lightening with each step.
“Much better,” Hermione agreed, the tension of the office melting away as they walked side by side. With Fleur at her side, she felt as though the weight of her empire could be momentarily forgotten. Every moment together was a precious gift, and she knew that, no matter what the future held, she would treasure it.