Married To The Rogue King

nd the warm sunlight streaming through the

other side of the bed, smiling sheepishly. "I know you've had a

previous night's events. Her supposed c

eveled and eyes heavy with sleep. "Good mor

a dark blue off-the-shoulder dress and veil for

tell me how it was, my lady. I

yes. "There's nothin

"Alright, then. I'll ask the servants to draw a bath

est piqued. "Ro

se as a sacred place for the r

other time,"

ed gown from the previous night. Her hand flew to

s, her eyes wide. "He too

ce was misinter

ns are too vulgar, my lady. It's just...there's so much blood

ared. "Burn the dr

ack, curtsied. "I

ured thigh. The ointments had stopped the bleedin

th emotions – relief, anger,

hree knocks on the door. "Come in!"

e court, Lady Avaria and Lady Prudence,

a reply, stil

you have a court meeting with the east council. Lady Ava

robbing headache. He couldn't re

your majesty?" L

e. "Yes, thank you. Just

e ladies. "Please, pr

raised the blanket, reve

ariel asked, ir

e exchanged glances. Baldric

gods!" Baldr

he blood-soaked linen. "Wh

with disbelief. "Is

ed. "No. This is

ot unless His Majesty has a

led, their eyes dart

kened. "Take the

sied and haste

, attempting to

arked. "

bowed

. Did he hurt Ravenna? Wa

c!" he

red. "You calle

ed a

I shall see to th

he act like an animal due to the alchemist

ssed from the previous night. Did he tak

he castle grounds, noticing a subtle limp in Ravenna's ga

enna exclaimed, plucking a

ilent, her eyes fi

na?" Ravenna asked, seekin

eply was ba

n etched on her face.

d, avoiding eye conta

se. She knew her morning outb

ly sorry for my behavior this morni

urning. "There's nothing to be sorry for

e air as she grasped Melaina

dened, her admiratio

their stroll, Melaina sharing ta

ng was built during the wa

ing Arin's addition. He wanted

sense of comfort with Melaina,

than just a lady-in-waiting," Rav

hed, her heart warmed

he castle grounds, Zariel approached. Rav

ariel drew near. "Gre

hority. "Good day to you as we

and departed, leaving R

enna his arm. "Wal

ped defiance. "I can wa

unfazed. "So, abo

f. "What about las

so much blood on the linen this morning

ed, her patie

f purity, and you h

d I hurt you? I must have acted like an animal. I never wanted it to

forgot her hatred, seeing gen

aid, maintaining her aloofness. "You wanted proof; you have it. Now,

the air as Ravenna curtsied an

e had hurt her. "Dear gods!

ed with Melain

inue our walk?

"Yes, let's."___

limp. "My goodness, did he hurt you? Tell me, Raven. I swea

th a gentle touch on his arm. "It'

his skepticism. Melaina discreetly

n't consummate anything. The king fell asleep

rise, then he burst into laught

ined in th

dn't know was if it was because Ravenna hadn't

mist workshop," Ravenna sai

Percival replied, squeezing

he exchanged greetings

to the eye, my lady," Melaina

"Perhaps you two

flushed, and she

ntaining Ser-Eren's special concoction. The Court Alchemist's words echo

Melaina entered. "The bat

icipating the relaxing expe

lled with oils, leading Ravenna to the

l, its warm water glistening like liquid silver. The glassy ceiling above allowed moonlight to pour in, casting an ethereal glow on

truly enjoy my bath here," Rave

"Do I wait on

d. "No, thank you. I'

ted, leaving

anging it on a nearby rope, and dipped her foot into the warm water. A

loated, letting the moonlight dance across her face, its ge

d hear soft footsteps approachin

wait on me." She said drea

shy lady hand, a deep, throaty "Ahem" interrupted,

and her face froze in horror. He wore nothing more than a thick linen around his narrow hips and she could see that

and placed her hands over her

n scarlet with embarrassment, Zariel made no effort to hide his amusement