Danika walked towards the king’s door in the evening. As she approached, the door opened, and the king came out of his room. She was nervous, and she didn’t know why. It was an ordinary walk, not an invitation to any gathering or anything important. And yet, she was nervous. She was dressed up, and with the help of Sally, she had her hair arranged.
Danika stood before him and lowered her head in greeting. “Mast---” she paused, swallowed, and added, “My king.”
King Lucien looked at her with the same expressionless face that had become his usual look. But his eyes slid over her body, from her simple shift to her beautifully styled hair. He did not understand how one woman would carry the beauty of several women. She was not wearing the series of jewelry women from prestigious families adorn themselves with, and yet, as she walked closer to him in that usual steady, regal walk of hers, his mind took him back to the few times he saw her as a princess in Mombana.
He remembered the day he collared her. He was so enraged, and he hated the very sight of her. But, as she stood there and glared at him with eyes filled with fire, her beauty and regality were imprinted in his mind.
His brows knitted into a frown; he forced his gaze away from her and walked past, leaving her to follow. She trailed closely behind him, silent. Her eyes taking in his elegant kingly wear and the way he placed his hands behind his back.
Unbidden, Danika remembered what those hands had done to her the night before. Hotness infused her cheeks.
As they walked out of the royal quarters, Danika didn’t realise he had slowed his steps until she walked beside him, her body almost touching his. A lightness and peace infused her heart as she walked. The guards bowed their heads in greetings to him as they passed, and the maids moved out of the way.
The moment they stepped outside the enormous building, Danika’s eyes zeroed in on Remeta. She was standing beneath the big orchid tree, gathering its leaves, and building a house. She was playing.
When she saw Danika, a big smile hit Remeta’s face. She sprang up and ran to hug Danika but stopped short halfway because the king was with her. She bit her lips in indecision, standing still and not knowing what to do.
The sight of the girl playing with leaves eased the harshness of the king’s heart, and the frown disappeared from King Lucien’s face. He never tired of seeing Remeta getting better.
“Go to her.” He nudged Danika’s shoulder softly when she saw Remeta stop halfway.
“Yes, my king.” She walked past him and motioned for Remeta.
At her permission, the smile lit up Remeta’s face again. “My queen!” She shrieked as she ran closer and hugged Danika.
Danika wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes affectionately. “How are you doing this evening, Remeta?”
“I am doing fine, my queen. Mama gave me herbs and made me drink potions! Mama said it’d make Remeta look more beautiful!” she confided in an excited voice.
Danika smiled and pulled back. “Mama was right. You are indeed looking more beautiful.”
“Thank you, my queen.” She beamed radiantly.
Danika felt the king come up behind her. His heat surrounded her even without his body touching hers. He didn’t say a word, but she didn’t have to look at him to know that he was watching Remeta.
“G-good day, my king,” Remeta whispered shyly. Gingerly, she walked closer to press herself to Danika.
King Lucien didn’t take offense at her protective move. Instead, another crack of ice fell away from his frozen heart. “How are you doing today, Remeta?” he asked in a gentle voice Danika had never heard before.
“I am fine. Remeta was just playing with leaves. She likes playing with them when she is bored,” Remeta informed him softly, ducking her head shyly.
Danika stole a glance at the king to see him watching Remeta warmly. There was no coldness in his eyes. No pain. No blank face. He truly cared for the fifteen-year-old, Danika realised inwardly. He cared more than he admitted to the world.
Remeta turned to her. “Are you going out, my queen? You look so beautiful!”
Danika blushed. “I am taking a walk… with the king.”
Remeta beamed and clapped her hands. “Can I come too!? Can I play with!? Can I tag along!? Remeta will be good! Promise!” She raised her hand in a vow.
Danika bit her lips, knowing that it was not up to her to decide, and Remeta was looking at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
“You may come with, Remeta,” the king said softly before she could think about what to say.
Remeta clapped her hands excitedly and bowed her head in gratitude to the king. “Thank you, my king! Thank you! May you live long! Have kids too! Oh, of course, you will have kids! Remeta knows this! Remeta knows this! Remeta is happy! Remeta is excited!” She was rambling to herself, clapping her hands as she ran ahead of them.
King Lucien stood rooted to the spot as he stared at the excited girl who was already several feet ahead, jumping up to take leaves from each tree she passed.
.