I took a third big sip of my wine. I could feel its effects on my body already. I needed to partake in it more often to become more resistant.
"I apologize if I've stressed you. I only meant to-"
"I understand. I urge you not to apologize, you merely spoke to me the truth. The wine is merely soothing to the soul's worries."
"Nevertheless, I worry the wine will have you making poor choices."
"Are you insinuating that you're a poor choice?" I rested my chin on my fist, raising a brow at him suggestively.
Malakai smiled in amusement. "I am merely insinuating that wine has poor effects on the mind."
"Hmm. I cannot refuse that statement." I raised my cup at him, mocking what he had done to me earlier. I bit my lip, suddenly focused on his looks. As much as I detest the objectification of looks, I cannot completely ignore the admirable features of King Malakai. The more I looked at him, the more I thought he resembled similarity to Veronica. I decided another sip would soothe my soul.
"I would take the wine lightly if I were you. Charlotte would notice-"
"Oh, bollocks to what Charlotte would notice. I am the Princess, damn you. And because of the fact I have potentially put my Kingdom in the hands of someone who would seek to destroy my father and I... I will drink plenty of wine while I am still alive and well. While I am still Princess." I sighed, taking another sip. I swallowed, then suddenly burped. Malakai looked at me with wide eyes.
I giggled.
"How is it possible you're already smashed? We have yet to begin our dinner!"
"It is taking extraordinarily long, isn't it? Oh well, more time to ourselves without chaperone."
"You like being alone with me?" He asked, curious.
"I find myself far more comfortable in your company."
"What about Veronica's?"
I immediately tensed. "What about her?"
"I've seen the way you look at her. Anyone who doesn't take note of it is a fool."
I couldn't help but bite my lip, "She is truly fascinating."
"Her, or the idea of her?"
"Both. A woman who takes what she wants when she wants it. A woman who commands to be let into a competition, A woman who challenges me and refuses to bow to anyone's will but their own. A rarity in today's world." I paused, glancing off the terrace as the sun finally set under the horizon. "I can't help the feelings she stirs in me and whatever they may be I know not. I only know they consume me. They overcome me, and sometimes I fear I'll do something foolish because of it."
"I hear the possibility of something taboo excites many." I lightly scoffed. "And what of your feelings for me?"
My eyes went to his. Of all the potential roads I had in front of me, if Veronica wasn't one of them, I'm sure Malakai would be the one I want. "I know not of what my feelings for you are. And yet you do stir... something in me. I feel comfort around you, at ease, and I know not why" I admitted, holding eye contact with him. I couldn't tell what it was that was alluring, besides his looks resembling Veronica. I chuckled, "I have to admit, you're not what I expected."
"What was it you expected of me?" He leaned back, his face morphing into a stoic one.
"Well, you're very intimidating. You seem very stubborn, very quick to anger-"
"I am all those things."
"And you are also more. More I did not expect."
"I suspect that's a good thing."
"It is." I smiled, taking another sip of my wine. I licked my lips, placing it back down. "Though you're different with others. Why is that?"
"It is not their heart I wish to win. It is yours." Malakai moved to stand, coming over to me and holding his hand out to me.
I c****d my head, confused but nonetheless following his lead. He took me further out onto the terrace, the sky now pink as it slowly started to fade into the night. He spun me around to his front, suddenly taking my waist with his other hand and holding me close. My other hand fell onto his shoulder and my lips parted as we broke into a waltz.
I chuckled, "With no music?"
"Is music necessary for two souls to dance?" He countered.
I wanted to scoff at his notion, but as we moved around on the floor of the terrace, my ears were blessed with the most lovely tune. Was the wine affecting me that much?
Malakai seemed to read me easily and chuckled at my reaction. "I have people down in the garden playing instruments. I trust you favor it."
"Why, yes." I smiled up at him, gladly waltzing along with him. It seemed forever since I have attended a ball. I glanced up at the moon as it became more apparent due to the sky becoming darker. "Is any of this real?"
"Is what real?"
"This facade of kindness that you display."
"To win one's heart, you must put your own on your sleeve." He whispered down to me, his breath fresh and fruity. I swallowed, my hand slightly tightening around his own gloved hand. "You honor me with this dance. Every time you speak to me, you honor me. Even if I'm not the one you marry-"
My gaze softened at his words. "Malakai-"
"I will always be here for you. To advise you and to be a companion to lean on. An ally."
I was speechless. We stopped dancing and he held my hand up to his lips. He tenderly kissed the skin on my knuckle, surprising me.
My eyes fluttered slightly as Malakai came closer, taking off his gloves as he did so and grasping my face. "You have my word, dear Princess."
I held my breath, closing my eyes as his face neared mine. I let out a soft gasp as he trailed his nose across my cheek, trailing down to my jaw. My hands tightened around his shoulders, feeling turmoil and desire swirl together in my chest.
"May I kiss you?"
"I-I-" I stammered, struggling what to answer. I felt his breath on my skin, and I gave in. "Just once."
"Just one..."
I nodded, my eyes still tightly shut. After all, how was I supposed to know what I desired if I never explored it? Maybe this feeling for Veronica would go away... if I let myself be with a man? I held my breath as I felt him lean in.
His lips met mine softly, tenderly. I inhaled sharply, surprised that he actually did it and what it felt like. I leaned in, pressing my lips against his in the same way he did to me. I felt desperation clawing away in my chest. I almost wanted to cry, not because it felt bad or good or anything, but because I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I feel anything for this man? Any man? My father is going to hate me... everyone will hate me if I'm with her.
The thought of Veronica made me feel heated. But even if I thought of her while kissing him, it still felt all wrong.
I tensed, furrowing my brows and pulling away with a gasp as I tried to catch my breath. "Malakai, I implore you to cease. If we were to be caught, I-"
He pulled away, running a hand through his hair as he swallowed nervously. "Yes, yes. I apologize-"
"Don't." I let out a small laugh, going closer to the edge of the terrace and gripping the cold iron. As night fell, a chill came over the evening air. "Please don't apologize."
"Right." Malakai cleared his throat, staying a couple steps behind me.
As I caught my breath, I suddenly felt ashamed to look at him. "Do you think I'll make a good Queen?"
"You... You have lots to learn. As much as the rest of us Kings and Princes."
"I see."
"I do have some advice for you."
"Ooh." I turned towards him, raising a brow. "Pray tell."
"If you want the people under your command to respect, command it so."
I gave him a skeptical look.
"You are the Princess. Your father's orders trump yours, but thats about it. You're not married yet, thus, you're next in line for the throne."
"And?"
"If you want people to recognize you as the Queen, start acting like it." He was serious, his eyes never leaving mine as he spoke. "Learn more of your duties, of the King's duties. Learn of your allies, learn of who stands to benefit the most as holder of the throne, learn everything you can."
My heart beat faster. He saw me more than a woman to marry and have heirs with. That made me smile. If I did marry Malakai, at least I knew it wouldn't be dreadful.
"As of now, the fate of your Kingdom depends on it."
I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.
The doors to the terrace burst open, causing us to turn in surprise. Charlotte panted, holding her chest in tiredness.
"Charlotte, what took you so long?" I asked with a small laugh, glancing at Malakai as we both wondered what could've delayed her.
She looked up at me, her face showing great worry and sadness.
"Charlotte, what happened?"
-
I ran through the halls, ignoring Charlotte's pleas as I hurried to my Father's chambers with Malakai quickly following behind.
I stopped at the doors to my Father's chambers, the guards showing no reaction as I hesitated in going to open the doors. I shook my head, regaining my composure and opening the doors.
They closed behind me, the two who were following me staying outside.
I felt tears well in my eyes as my father laid in the bed, coughing violently.
"Father!" I ran to his bedside, kneeling and holding his hand. I looked at Sir Edmund, who stood on his other bedside. "What happened?"
"Your father fell ill after he dined, Your Grace. He was in the middle of a conversation when he started to choke, to cough violently, before right out falling onto on the floor." Sir Edmund paused, looking pained at the thought. "He hasn't woken up since."
I glanced at my father, his cough dying down as he grumbled to himself. He was groggy, not having any energy. He didn't even open his eyes... I blinked my tears away, standing and taking a deep breath before giving Sir Edmund a raised brow. "Was it poison? Who was the cook? Why did they not have it tasted?"
"We're having them questioned, Your Grace. The physician to the King is making his way across the castle just now."
"Very well." Malakai's words from earlier rang in my head. 'If you want people to recognize you as the future Queen, start acting like it.' I squared my shoulders, narrowing my stare. "Have the guards who stand outside the kitchen questioned as well. Everything you hear out of those cooks shall be relayed to me, is that clear?"
Sir Edmund's face shifted to confusion before nodding hesitantly.
"In addition, you will be the one to supervise the food tasted firsthand."
"Excuse me?"
"Are you hard of hearing already, Sir Edmund?" My voice grew sharper.
"Your Grace, with all due respect, I merely ask you to think of the possibility that they may as well have poisoned me. I am not only a Knight, but a true friend to this royal family-"
"You are the Kingsguard." I held my hands in front of my waist, calm and rational despite the anger swelling inside me. If it was a man, a prince commanding him, he wouldn't dare speak against me. "You are the one who made the pledge to lay down his life for the King. Whoever wishes to harm my father through his meal would have had to have someone inside these walls, someone we would not suspect. If you're the one patrolling around the kitchen, with other guards as well of course, nobody would dare attempt this again."
"I see."
"Nobody can know of my father's condition. As far as everyone knows, he's on the steady road to recovery." I sighed, walking around the room and surveying my father's knick-knacks. "Nobody in or out without my company and two guards, essentially the one who stands outside my chambers. And have me alerted at once when the Royal Physician arrives and I will accompany him inside."
"Your Grace, I believe I can take care of your father well enough-"
"It is not a suggestion, Sir Edmund. It is an order."
"Your Grace-"
"My father has fallen ill and cannot make these choices for himself. I am the Queen-to-be and I will take the mantle until he recovers." I gave a pointed look to my father's close friend, to who I deem my uncle as I stepped closer. "Do not question my orders again. If I need you to advise me, I'll request it."
"Yes, Your Grace."
I turned around, exiting my father's bedchambers. Malaki looked at me with worry, "Your father- The king, is he-"
"He's fine. All is well." Charlotte raised a brow. I didn't pay her any mind. "He choked on a bone during dinner and is ordered to rest while the Physician comes to give him medicine for his sore throat. Now, shall we continue our dinner?"
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