"Marry me," I said, brows raised, accompanied by a smirk. "Marry me, Isabelle. Then I'd spare her,"
I wasn't expecting her to say yes. And, of course, she didn't. She laughed. She's unpredictable. Who would have thought she would laugh? She was begging with tears, but I guess I made her laugh.She paused and groaned, holding her side. Ah, her wound, I didn't remember that. She took a deep breath and glared at me. Oh my goodness, I forced myself not to take a step backwards. She looked like she was going to nod to me.What can I say? She looked extremely beautiful when angry but a burst of sunshine when she smiled."Why should I? It would be best if you married Queen Victoria, don't get me wrong. I didn't come here to strike a deal. I am just asking you not to behead her. She has done nothing wrong," she said. I couldn't believe my ears. Wasn't she begging seconds ago? Somehow, this lady leaves me speechless."That was an option. You need to do something for me to let her go, I don't want to let her go, and I can't force you down the aisle," I said, and she wiped her eyes."I won't marry you," She replied. I nodded."Of course, you wouldn't, but I will," I replied. She shook her head, brows thinned."What's so special about me? Victoria has more than I can offer you,"I got up, never looking away from her, "I choose who I want to marry, and it's you. You have hours to think about it. That's my only deal, marry me, and I won't behead her,""And if I don't? If you behead her, you won't have me as a queen," she replied. She always had an answer, but that wasn't my problem. "I'd kill myself if you behead her," she said. I grabbed the knife from the floor."We'll see about that," I said and headed towards the door. It opened, and I walked out. Noami and her other servant stood outside with her coat, ready to take her. "Are you getting old, Noami? You look like you have trouble taking care of her. Do you need rest? I am pretty sure I can offer you that," I said. She lowered her gaze and, shook her head, fell to the ground."Forgive me, Your Highness! I deserve death! She had a knife to her neck, the Queen's safety comes first," she argued. I looked back to Isabelle, and she glared at me instead."We would have dinner," I said. She looked away, and Noami nodded."Yes, Sire," she said.I walked out and, as I turned, headed for my chambers. Kesem stood by the hallway, leaning against the wall. The moment he saw, he stood straight.I sighed. I wasn't ready for his joke. I felt shitty for making a deal with Isabelle. I should take her, but I can't. The lords seemed concerned about me, wondering when I would make an heir. I sighed again just at the thought of it."So?" He asked. I walked past him, heading for the chambers. Kesem followed until I arrived at my room. Lee stood there."Nothing special, Kesem," I said."Your Highness..." Lee took careful steps towards me, "Her Highness held a knife to her neck," he said.Kesem signalled to him, letting him know I knew about it. I rested on the soft sofa. Lee rushed to get water and offered it to me. As I drank, I listened to Kesem complain."Maybe you should listen to her and marry Victoria. The people don't seem to condone your decision, and Victoria's people think it's treason to marry a maid. They aren't in support either. You don't expect her to accept either," Kesem said."That's not my business. They aren't marrying her. I can't take Victoria as a wife,""Is this about three years ago?" Kesem asked. I looked at him."That's enough, leave. I have to prepare. I have dinner," I said. Lee immediately rushed to prepare my bath.I watched him leave the room, and the moment the door closed, I reclined on the sofa, taking a deep breath."Well, I think you should hold onto her. If you let Victoria become Queen after all these, she won't spare her, and neither would her people. You can only protect her if she's beside you," Lee said, and I shifted my gaze towards him. He doesn't always sound smart, but for the first time, he made sense."Take the evening off," I told him, happy with his reply. He laughed."Thank you, Your Majesty," he replied and continued.Finish what I started. Of course, that was the only solution. Isabelle wouldn't recognise me, I thought she would when we had that dinner, but I was disappointed she ran away from me. Whatever happened three years ago was useless if she wouldn't remember. I have to let go of that and focus on what I started. I am not expecting her to accept my deal, but it would be best for her.THE DOOR OPENED, INVITING ME to the dining room, but she sat in a white sleeveless gown, her cleavage slightly exposed. Her red hair parked behind her, and she had a few pieces of jewellery adoring her. I hoped she walked in first. I am sure that gown fitted her beautifully down her waist. She's staring at the food. She didn't even bother to wait for me to start. She looked up at me, chewing. Gosh, she's so.. cute"So you're a late King?" She said with food in her mouth, and I paused. My gaze met the guards in the dining room. They looked downwards."A late King?" I asked, confused. A guard pulled my chair, and I sat.She reached out for the glass of wine and poured herself. My eyes locked with the head chef, who was supposed to pour it for her. He blinked and stepped backwards.She continued. She grabbed a chicken with her hands and began munching on it. I chuckled. What was she doing?"What's funny?" She asked, and my laugh disappeared."What are you doing?" I asked. She shrugged."Well, I heard any sharp object is banned from my presence," she poured the whole wine into her stainless goblet. I looked at the table, and they had just done exactly what I ordered. "You're doing a lot, Your Majesty,"I sighed softly, "Kyler," I corrected. The last thing I expected was her calling me by my title."Well, Your Majesty, I can not call you by your name," she said. I raised my brows and looked away."Sure, whatever you please," I replied.There was silence, no words. Just Isabelle eating almost the whole table, I couldn't help but watch."Why? You haven't seen your bride eat so much?" She said, and I opened my mouth to reply when I realised what she had just called herself. My eyes glued on her. She dropped the chicken, picked a napkin, and cleaned her lips, including her lipstick."What?" I asked, shocked at the word 'bride.' I didn't think, no, I had a little hope she would give in, but it's so quick.She looked at me, "I'd marry you," she said, and I only stared."This is about Victoria?" I asked. What was I thinking? Did I expect her to agree willingly after cutting a deal that she wouldn't escape?"I realised you're powerful. I haven't seen a single knife or fork around me. Your servants have been around me even when I want to pee. They won't let me breathe. It's pointless anyway," she said. I had no reason to feel bad or expect her pity."So it's not about Victoria?""It's also about her. You have to keep your promise and release her," she said, "One more favour, when you release her, give her a rank, and I'd do anything you want-" she took a deep breath and looked at me, "Even when you want an heir," she added.Shit, damnit, this wasn't what I wanted, "Isabelle,""Yes, Your Highness," she said, and I dropped the cutlery. My chair dragged. I hated this. I needed her to fight me. I got up, and she immediately dropped to the floor. I could see the gown. It had hugged her fine and had a slit on her right side."Please," she said, and I breathed heavily, angrily staring at her."Did Victoria put you to this?" I asked, knowing the effect Victoria had on her. She looked up at me."It doesn't matter, right? I accept to be your bride, your Queen," she said, and my frustration grew."Of course, it's Victoria," I whispered. She got up.Her step quickened, and in seconds, she covered the gap between us and wrapped her hands around my neck, staring at me."I'd marry you, Kyler," she said and swallowed before her lips pressed against mine. She tasted chicken, her lips soft.I grabbed her waist and pulled away. She breathed heavily, staring at me. My eyes danced around her, down to her exposed cleavages. I pulled her closer, kissing her harder.Who thought he would kiss me back? His hands around me feel so strong, and I have no idea why I can't break this kiss. Each step he takes causes me to move backwards until I rest against the table. His hands leave my waist to my neck, pulling me closer. He tastes like the wine he had, making my head spin the way he holds me. Every move, his lips against mine, soft yet demanding, and when he takes a breath, he inhales me. It makes me drunk, dizzy. The way he pulls on my lips, taking me. I don't want him to stop, but he does.He places his hands on my head, holding me gently. He swallows, and his eyes meet mine. "You should rest. It's late," his voice is raspy as he tries to catch his breath."Your-" I stop when he glares at me. I thought he was going to give me a reply."Goodnight, Isabelle," he licks his lips slightly, turns around, heading towards the door, it opens, and he disappears. I swallow, resting on the table. WHEN I ARRIVE in my room, Ayn and Betty are standing by the door.
Marrying a king the following day was absurd, but it was happening. I was walking down the aisle to the king of a mighty nation. Who thought that would ever happen to me, me becoming queen and Victoria becoming a royal guest? He looked more nervous than I was when he reached for my hands. I took them, and he pulled me gently to stand before him."You look stunning, heavenly," He mouthed, but I stared at him instead. I could never tell him how breathtaking he looked in that tuxedo. His brow hair was styled perfectly, adding to his charming look.Charming, yes. This man was the most gorgeous man I have ever seen, so fine. And whenever he complimented me, it made my heart skip. "Do you take Kyler Castiel to be your loving husband, in sickness and health..." Word faded, and I began searching for Victoria in the crowd. I found her staring at me."Hey," Kyler's finger brushed mine, and I looked back at him, "Just me, nothing to worry about," he whispered. "Yes, I do," I said, staring int
Kyler seems to keep to one tradition, having the first dance at the reception ball. It was awkward, and I didn't know how to dance, and Ayn taught me a few steps at the last minute. If someone weren't hurrying to begin the wedding ceremony, I might have had more time to practice. I am very sure he can already feel my sweaty palm.All attention is on me, every eye in this room, from the serving girls to the maid, to the lords and their wives. It gives me anxiety, and I must not ruin my first dance with the king."Relax, I got you," I heard whispers as we walked to the dance floor. It's Kyler beside me. My hand is locked in his, and he is holding onto me gently.A little spin, and he pulls me closer to his body. I gasped, staring at him. I can feel his hands grabbing my waist, and his stares are warm until his hand moves down, too close to my butt. My breath seizes, and I release breathing heavily.A step, I miss and step on his shoes. "You gotta let me lead, Love," he says, giggling so
The night of your wedding, even as a king, is terrifying. Isabelle had left with her maids to change while I waited in my chambers. Lee seems a little more terrified than I am."The sheets," he said worriedly. I sigh softly, sitting on the wooden chair at the centre of the room. The table was filled with fruits, drinks, wine, and more. It's not like we didn't have any at the party; I was already filled up, but the strawberries on the table seemed to be hand-plucked by Noami, and it's just as sweet and fresh.Lee is constantly smoothing the bedsheets. I had a plan of how I wanted my night to go with Isabelle, and I had no intention of forcing her to do anything she wouldn't want to. It was terrifying, but I had other plans to execute."I had Kia, her headmaid, bring some of her wash, and you wouldn't want to send her off after -" he paused, and I choked, coughing and banging on my chest."Are you insane?" I ask, but he smiles instead."You're a married man now. You shouldn't be shy," G
Last night was successful, but it's morning now, and she probably hates me more for deceiving her. Or she's probably looking for me right now. My heart skips when my study room opens. Goodness, it's Kesem."Can't you knock?" I ask, and he sighs, and his shoulders sag in disbelief. I can see the disappointment written over his face. "I am King, not you. What do you want?" I side-glance at him, but he takes a step closer."You left her in the middle of the night?" He says, and I know he means Isabelle. "Her? Well, her has a title," I glare and continue at my book."The maids are talking. People are talking," he says instead. "I am sure the lords are talking too," "I guess I should have been more careful leaving," I mutter and cross my legs on the table."How long do you plan on ignoring her?" "As long as I can, you're not here to speak to me about my wife, are you?" I slam my books, slightly irritated."Your Highness," he sighs."That's enough, Kesem, it's none of your business," "W
It's three weeks since the wedding, and I have no idea where Kyler sleeps because it's not with me. He makes everything complicated. He manages breakfast with me, but he never says anything. It's just me trying to talk to him. His lunch is not with me, and neither is his dinner. I have never felt so lonely, and sometimes I just want to have tea with him, but it's impossible. However, the kiss in his study room replays in my head every now and then—his hands around my body, my ass, my breast, my neck. God, I have never had anything like it. But he stopped when I needed more of his lips, tongue around my body. He had no idea how wet he made me and left me in the cold air."Damn him," I say, and Ayn looks at me. She's painting my toenails. I am tired, so tired of this treatment. I have literally everything I ask for and basically nothing to do. Kyler made it possible. He gives me literally anything I ask for, but not him. Whenever he kisses me, it makes me dizzy, and my body tensed and
Amid this tension. I somehow managed to sleep off after silent kisses and giggles. It felt warm having to sleep beside him. I feel like we understand each other. But I shouldn't. He makes my head spin, and my heart races whenever he touches me. His words imprint themselves in my soul.He tells me— I am sweet, lovely, and beautiful. I have never been told those words. It feels genuine because he can't seem to stop kissing my forehead after words like that drop a bomb in my heart.I am half asleep when my door opens, and giggles follow afterwards. Kyler's hold around me loosens. "Your Majesty!" I hear Ayn, "Shussh," Kyler says and looks at me. My eyes open. Ayn and Betty's heads are almost touching the ground as they bow."Hey," he calls gently. His voice hoarse and raspy. I inhaled sharply, and he leaaned to kiss my forehead. His soft lips finally imprint a kiss. Gosh, I wish I could wake up this way every morning."We didn't mean to interrupt," Ayn says, "It is fine, and you can lea
"Let me go!" Victoria groans as the guards pin her down. We are in her bedroom; it's dirty and dusty, and there's little sunlight. "I didn't do it," she grins.I can barely sit anywhere, so I stand and watch the female guards torture her. She's screaming and laughing despite the pain they cause her."I said I didn't do it, ask your whore, I didn't touch her!" She screams even more. The beating hardens. The more she calls Isabelle names, the more they don't give her a break."Kyler?" I hear Isabelle bang the door hard, and when they don't open it, she hits even harder. "Kyler, please!" She begs. Kesem had just one job to keep her away. "She didn't do it. I cut myself by mistake, and I did it! It wasn't her fault, pleaseee," she cries, making me uncomfortable. "That's enough," I say, and the ladies stop. "Touch her again, and you won't have a life," I warn. Blood is pouring out of her mouth and her nose, and she has a bruise on her head side.The door opens, and she gets up. She loo