30The towering gates of the castle slid apart to make a way for the royal carriage. King Zebian had returned from the city after dealing with a tiring commotion. He wasn’t in his good moods considering Calmia had sent a warning by killing his dearest soldiers. He had to pay a visit to the martyrs’ families. The uproar in the village had gotten him frustrated and most of all provoked to unleash his vicious side on the Calmian state. He stormed out of the carriage, making the guard to limp back who was about to open the door for him. The guard quickly clasped their hands around his waist and grounded his gaze. Zebian trudged inside and straight went to the throne room. Everyone present there took to their feet and bowed when he reached his stage. His eyes flicked to his right side where Queen Meriall and Princess Arlet were present. Both of them also had their heads lowered as per the rules.“Rise,” He declared before clearing his throat. All of the people straightened their backs. Z
31Being led to the privy room, all Renai could feel was her heart dropping in the pit of her stomach. Since the moment she was told the truth, she had been detesting her body. He had really taken her as a mistress when he declared her one. She was certainly a toy to sate his needs, nothing more, just less. He didn’t even respect her for their past. What a pity. Her tear-loaded eyes were lowered to the ground while following the grey-haired woman who was continuously instilling rules of this kingdom and her duties which included none other than pleasing the emperor into her mind. She hated not being dead already.“Here, you may step inside now,” The lady halted before a tall wooden door, swivelled around and stated gracefully. Renai blinked at the ground, nodded her head and stepped forward before something hit her head and she looked into her eyes. “Could you escort me in?” She asked politely, clearly oblivious of the fact how nonsensical her request had sounded to the recipient. R
“Do I still make you nervous?” He questioned while taking a predatory step toward her. Renai’s teeth ground as she prepared herself for his close proximity. “Your eyes flickering everywhere but not at me because every time you look into my eyes, I steal your breaths,” He halted two steps before her but she was still in his range. His eyes were boring holes in her plump lower-lip. He pressed his index finger on her stomach, “Do I still make this stomach of yours endure butterflies?” His tone was laced with deep authority and charming hush. That finger trailed up till the valley of her chest and halted on the swell of her left breast. “Does that fragile heart still thump in your chest over my mention?” He cupped the swell and took a step ahead. Renai felt the urge to slap away his hand but restrained because of knowing the consequences.“Speak to me, make me known of your mystery, does your body still react to my presence, my sugar?” His eyes kept glued to her lower lip that was slig
32Kolton let out a shaky breath before forcing his legs to traverse Arlet’s territory. He rubbed his sweaty hands on his pants before the announcer made his presence known. All of the chambermaids lowered their heads and scooted out as he entered the bedroom. He raised his heavy eyelashes and rummaged in the room to find her sitting on a stool in front of the mirror as she detangled her soft blond manes. His eyes sized up her back, she was wearing a beige three-piece silk nightgown that was draped around her, veiling her creamy skin. He gulped and walked in her direction. Arlet’s brush paused for a moment when she heard his footsteps growing louder. She tilted her head over her shoulder and sighed when he reached a few steps away. “So, he finally sent you,” She taunted while pulling her dead hair out of the hairbrush. “Didn’t even wait for a day,” Batting her eyebrows, she put the brush on the dressing and spun to face him. Kolton was watching her with a stoic face. She stood up a
33“My maid of honour delivered me a letter from King Benedict yesterday, he asks why you have put his daughter in the common chambers and not your exclusive ones and reckons if she is being treated right,” Meriall revealed as they both headed to the living hall.“How has he gotten to know?” Zebian asked, frown setting upon his glabella. “He revealed that some connections inside this palace are loyal to him and that is enough to frighten me, our palace is in hands of risks,” Meriall gave him a stern eye and stopped a few steps away from the entrance of the living hall. Zebian raised his brow in defiance, “That numskull has started to show his true colours,” He sighed in frustration and turned around to walk in. Just as he reached the doorframe, he felt the queen following him inside, he turned around and lifted his eyebrow in question and shook his head a bit. “I must be with you,” Meriall cleared. “This is going to be a gentlemen’s gathering, I am sure there must be other issues
Renai blinked open her eyes and got welcomed by the golden beams of daybreak. The muffling chirping of the birds and the cosy ambience had elevated the urge to start the day. It was a strange feeling but she was feeling it till her bones. She squared her shoulders before stretching her arms widely and raising into the sitting position. A yawn left her mouth but she was quick to put a hand. She closed her eyes and rejoiced in the peace that was loading inside her. How long had it been since she last felt it? Ages. She had almost forgotten the taste of morning sweetness. Today’s morning felt different. She opened her eyes and looked at her back to find it empty. That’s why she was feeling at peace. He didn’t come here last night. He must be with his wife. For once, he had left her to breathe freely. Just as she was about to put her feet on the floor, the announcer’s voice ripped through her eardrums, souring her mood in a blink. “His majesty, the king,” Her jaw dropped low as she let
34Three days had gone by in a blink and Renai had not been conscious of it. The taste of freedom absorbed her mind so much that she couldn’t keep a count on days. It was just last night when one of her chambermaids mentioned it to her. She was so drawn to the sense of independence that everything felt meaningless, just the solitude that she wanted was what she knew at time. Though she hadn’t explored much of this enormous place as she had spent most of her time in her chambers. No one was here to judge her. She could do whatever she wanted. Go wherever she desired within her bubble. Swirl, jump or crawl, nobody would care. From early morning baths to playing hide and seek with her chambermaids who she considered more friends to midnight stargazing or dancing in her indoor-chamber-garden. There had been so much peace in those three days that she could trade her whole life for living in it some more. She was given four more days and then life would be back to testing. She didn’t want
“My lady…”“My lady…are you okay?” Cora’s voice ripped through the flashback reeling in her mind. Renai shook her head and moved her foggy vision at the audience who were worriedly looking at her. “Are you alright?” Fara put a hand on her forehead to check her body temperature. Renai smiled and grabbed her hand, pressing her knuckles gently.“I’m absolutely alright, just drifted somewhere into my own little world,” Renai cleared with a soft fake smile, scratching her nape.“You must be missing his majesty just like he misses you,” Cora giggled behind Renai’s back while braiding her hair into a French tail. Everyone laughed at the banter, Renai felt her cheeks burning. Evelyn hooted to deepen the shade more. Fara playfully glared at Evelyn and Cora.“What? Lord Lucian told me that. He says his majesty is quiet and usually stays in his own mind. Which is why I couldn’t help but mention the similarity, now I know who he was thinking about, they are missing each other,” Cora teased while