Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch
Chapter 41: Quality Time With The Monarch

Chapter 41: Quality Time With The Monarch

I sneaked a peek from behind the bushes. I kept my sharpened eyes on Drevon, waiting for me at the gazebo. He was alone, his Beta and Gamma nowhere to be seen, same as his knights, not a single soul.

I’m going to spend the rest of the day in the gardens with him alone? How shameless can this beast be?

"Maybe I should just leave and come up with something," I said. "I can just say the wine made me sick, and I couldn’t make it, or my ankles are still swollen, and I can’t walk properly."

"I’d advise not to do that," Talia said, giving a light push on my back, and I stepped out of hiding, my face painted in shock.

What in the gods’ name just happened?

I froze when Drevon threw a look over his shoulder, before turning fully, a broad smile on his lips and his head tipped just to see me from the covering of topiary.

I veered my aggressive gaze to Talia, almost snarling at her face. "Have you gone insane?"

"Yes, I am," Talia said in agreement. "I’ve been losing my mind a lot recently. But what to do, my lady, you are as well."

"Then I shall relieve you of your duties!" I hissed. "Do you honestly want me to spend the rest of the day with him alone?"

"Why, what could possibly happen? He’s a gentleman, and he favors you." She tilted her head. "Or is there something else you’re worried about?"

A deep chill grasped the back of my neck straight up to my head as I recalled the passionate kiss shared between us, and then, as if my mind was set out to ruin me, I recalled the unbecoming sound I made when I made an attempt to indulge in amusement.

I held my head as I felt faint for a moment, almost losing my footing.

"Y-Your Grace!" Osha panicked, stepping forward, but Talia stopped her, stretching her hand in front of her.

"Don’t worry, Osha, she’s perfectly fine. Shall we wish her a good time?"

"I regretted the day you became my handmaid," I gritted.

Talia smirked in response. "As you as my lady."

"H-Have a wonderful time, Y-Your Grace," Osha cheered.

I rolled my eyes as I turned to Drevon, who had been watching me the entire time.

Irritation crawled through me, but I buried it, expelling a low breath, and stepped onto the paving stones, my shoes making a dull tap. I noticed his eyes leveling to my foot as if counting my steps.

I walked up the stairs, and his hand instantly stretched for me to take, but I didn’t, simply courtesying.

"My liege."

I felt his hand under my chin, lifting so that my eyes connected with his.

"Doing that is not necessary, you’re my wife."

"It’s proper."

Drevon raised an eyebrow. "Nothing has been proper ever since you shoved a handful of berries into my mouth."

My entire face went hot, and I flapped my hand fan open to cover my face while cursing quietly.

I cleared my throat, leveling the fan and convoking a courageous face. "That’s not considered improper, my liege. The berries were very sweet, and I wanted you to taste them. It was a sweet gesture."

Drevon grinned mischievously. "How about the time you threatened to strangle me and dump horse shit on my face? But I’m still curious though, why horse shit?"

I quickly veered my gaze to the setting on the table. "Oh look!" I breezed past him to the table and sat. "My favorites! You’re charming as always, my liege," I said, giving him the loveliest smile I could muster while fluttering my eyelashes.

Please let’s change the topic!

"I noticed your Gamma and Beta aren’t here, nor are the knights."

"Yes, I had the entire place cleared out." Drevon sat beside me, and I realized that only a wrought iron bench was available.

I shifted to create space, but found myself at the other end already. Drevon leaned toward me, and my heart almost leaped, but he only reached for my leg to check my ankle.

"Why so tense, Eloise?" he asked, rubbing his thumb against my ankle as if to check for any bumps.

I gulped because this position made him so close, and his arm braced behind my back.

I was drawn to his inky hair framing his eyes, and the temptation to brush my fingers through it to push them aside was far too great.

"What do you mean?" I replied absentmindedly.

"May I?"

"Yes."

A mistake. Because I was so busy ogling him that I didn’t ask what he intended to do. I squeaked when he suddenly positioned my legs on his lap. He took off my shoes swiftly and began stroking my ankles like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"I’ll ask the shoemakers to make your shoe soles lighter so your legs can carry them with ease," he said, fully concentrating on his work. "There is redness again."

Shoes always caused me ache, but last night, swelling happened because I needed far more classy footwear to match my dress.

The thought of having custom-made shoes was... heartwarming.

"You’re shaking, Eloise," Drevon said, bringing his gaze to me and measuring my expression. "Are you cold?"

This was weird, since ever since my bedridden state, he has always monitored any slight changes on my body.

"N-No," I replied. "My legs are on your lap and you’re stroking my ankles, that is—" I paused, trying to ignore how big his hands were and the way they enveloped my feet, causing a protective feeling over me.

I have never felt that way before, that feeling when you have a shield over you and knowing it will always be there. Seeing Drevon this way enticed me to consider it as such.

"Is it wrong for me to do this?" he asked, amused. "Given what happened last night, I thought we had gotten closer."

Don’t be stupid, Eloise; no one’s actions are ever for free. Twenty years of my life taught me that. It was always a gain. Talia served me because that was the only way she could stay alive.

And Drevon? He probably wants something from me.

"Last night..." I began. "Was a cheat."

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