A Royal Obligation
Chapter 45: Summer Palace (3)

Chapter 45: Summer Palace (3)

The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels on the cobblestone path pulled Eirik back to reality. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his mind replaying his recent conversation with Queen Elena.

Though her words had been kind, they lingered in his thoughts, leaving him with more questions than answers. A heavy sense of unease had settled in his chest, making it hard for him to focus on anything else.

Across from him, Kaelix sat with his usual stony expression, staring out the window as if the world outside was far more interesting than anything inside the carriage.

He seemed completely unaware, or perhaps entirely indifferent, to Eirik’s internal struggle. The silence between them was thick and suffocating, like an invisible wall that neither of them dared to break.

Eirik stole a glance at Kaelix, trying to gauge what might be going on behind that cold exterior. Did Kaelix know about his mother’s visit the night before? And if he did, did he care? Eirik doubted it. Kaelix appeared to be a man who kept his emotions locked up tight, unwilling, or unable, to let anyone in. There seems to be a fortress always around him, impenetrable and unyielding.

But then again, Eirik wasn’t exactly eager to pry open those doors. The prospect of dealing with Kaelix’s hidden depths seemed daunting.

The carriage rolled on, and Eirik’s gaze wandered to the passing scenery. The landscape outside was a blur of green fields and distant hills, a stark contrast to the tension within the carriage. Yet, the beauty of the outside world offered little comfort to Eirik’s troubled mind.

Meanwhile, on the balcony overlooking the grand courtyard, Queen Elena and King Reagan stood close together, watching as the carriage slowly disappeared from view. The gentle breeze played with Elena’s gown, but she barely noticed, her attention entirely focused on the retreating carriage until it was just a speck on the horizon.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she rested a hand lightly on her husband’s arm. "I hope they’ll be able to find some common ground," she murmured, her voice laced with concern.

Reagan, still staring after the distant carriage, let out a half-serious, half-playful sigh. "Do you think they’ll survive this?" His tone was light, but the weight of his words hung in the air.

Elena’s lips curved into a soft chuckle as she turned to look at him. "You make it sound like we’re sending them on a life-or-death mission."

Reagan finally tore his gaze from the horizon and met his wife’s eyes, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Isn’t that exactly what we’re doing? A day with Kaelix can feel like a life-and-death situation especially when he’s in one of his moods. I pity Eirik, but I have a feeling he’s more capable than we give him credit for. Our son is stubborn, but Eirik... there’s a quiet strength in him."

Elena tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "You almost sound impressed," she teased, her tone light.

Reagan shrugged, his smile widening. "It’s hard not to be. When you have a future son-in-law as gorgeous as Eirik, it’s impossible not to be impressed."

Elena chuckled, her laughter bright and melodious. "You’re softening up in your old age, my love."

"Old age?" Reagan repeated, feigning offense. "I’m in my prime, thank you very much."

Elena swatted his arm playfully. "Prime or not, I just hope they don’t end up killing each other before the wedding day."

Reagan laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "If they survive Kaelix’s stubbornness, they’ll survive anything."

Elena’s smile softened as she leaned into her husband. "They’ll figure it out. And when they do, I think they’ll surprise us all."

Reagan wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as they continued to watch the road. "I do hope you’re right. But I can’t help feeling like we’ve thrown them into the deep end, expecting them to swim."

Elena nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Maybe. But sometimes, that’s how you find out if someone can float. And I have a feeling Eirik is stronger than he appears."

Reagan considered her words, his expression growing more serious. "You might be right. He has a resilience that’s easy to overlook."

A moment of silence passed between them, the kind of comfortable silence that comes from years of being together, understanding each other without needing to speak.

Then, with a sly grin, Reagan leaned in close, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Now that the kids are out of the way, I think it’s time I have you all to myself."

Elena laughed, her eyes lighting up with amusement. "Oh? And what do you plan to do with me, My King?"

Reagan’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "I have a few ideas."

Elena’s laughter rang out again, a sound of pure delight. "You always have such impeccable timing," she teased, her eyes sparkling with affection.

Reagan pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. "Shall we retire to our chamber, then?" he suggested, though the suggestion held more than a hint of mischief.

Elena’s smile widened as she wrapped her arm around his, allowing him to lead her away from the balcony. "Lead the way, my king," she replied, her heart lighter as their hands intertwined. The worries about their sons, for the moment, were set aside.

Once inside their chambers, the door clicked shut behind them, and the air between them shifted from playful to something more intense. The weight of their roles, their concerns, and even their age, seemed to melt away in the privacy of their room.

Reagan wasted no time, his hands finding Elena’s waist as he pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that spoke of years of love, passion, and deep, unbreakable bonds. Elena responded in kind, her arms wrapping around his neck as she deepened the kiss, pouring all her love and desire into the moment.

As their kiss broke, Reagan’s eyes searched Elena’s, his hand gently caressing her cheek. "You’re everything to me, Elena," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Everything."

"And you’re my world, Reagan," Elena replied, her voice just as soft, just as full of love. "Always have been, always will be."

Reagan’s lips curved into a smile as he leaned down to kiss her again, this time slower, more deliberate, savoring every moment. The worries about Kaelix and Eirik seemed distant now, replaced by the immediacy of each other’s touch and the way they responded to each other.

It wasn’t long before the room was filled with the sounds of whispered words, soft laughter, and eventually, passionate moans and grunts as the royal couple indulged in the privacy they rarely had.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.