TYPHONE

  It's been a few days and came the day when Avery and I have to leave for Lazarith. I watched as my knights and Ynkerthia's knights load the carriages. I decided to send Calagon home and ride with my wife in a carriage instead.

  "Shall I load the other crates on your carriage, Your Majesty?" Leonis asked.

  I looked at the crate and hummed, "Yeah. Load that in my carriage."

  Once I saw that everything was ready and done, I walked over to Avery who was hugging her crying mother and father. I watched as her mother stroked her hair.

  "I'll be fine, mother. I'll also visit as often as I can. Don't worry." Her cheerful voice was breaking a little as if she was holding in her tears.

  "I know, dear. Still... don't let anyone there just step on you, alright?" Her mother reminded.

  I cleared my throat and they pulled away from their embrace and I felt a pang of guilt when I saw how much the King and Queen cried. I bit the inside of my cheek.

  "You don't have to worry, Your Majesty. I'll protect your daughter with everything I have." I said and the Queen nodded.

  "I trust you, Your Majesty." The King sniffled and we finally said our final goodbyes.

  As the carriage left the castle, I watched Avery's longing eyes gaze upon her home and as the carriage moved further and further away from Ynkerthia, her eyes glossed over with unshed tears.

  She loves her home very much.

  She sighed softly and looked at me. I looked into her eyes and raised a brow.

  "I'm glad you accepted my request in bringing Meylin and Sir Richtan along." She said softly.

  I huffed a breath, "It's only natural for you to want familiar faces serve you. It's nothing I can't fulfill."

  She nodded and looked out the window. I stared at her soft features and admired how strong her aura felt despite feeling lonely after leaving her home.

  "I want to know more about Lazarith. What's it like there?" She looked at me and I casted my gaze away almost instantly.

  There was a moment of silence before I could gather my thoughts and began talking.

  "It's cold. Dark. People are easy to judge, but also easy to warm up to others." I said, emotionless and nonchalant.

  "Is it pretty there? Flowers? Bright scenery?" She asked again.

  I thought hard and tried to remember what my kingdom was like. Then, I decided to tease her a little bit.

  "I'm not sure, princess. Why don't you wait and find out?" I said, smirking.

  She jutted her bottom lip, "I just wanted to know. You're being oddly secretive again."

  I chuckled, dark and low, "Oh? I just want to give you a bit of a thrill, princess."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  She rolled her eyes at me, crossed her arms over her chest and looked out the window. My lips curved up a little and watched her nose scrunch every now and then.

  I was right to save you from that bastard of a king, princess. I'm sure you'll thank me one day.

  **********

  It took us a few days to get to my kingdom because of the weather. It was snowing despite it being spring in other places. I saw Avery shiver slightly. I took off my coat and wrapped it around her. I scoffed when I noticed how my coat just swallowed her whole figure.

  "What?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at me as she wrapped the coat tightly around her little body.

  "You look adorable in my clothes." I teased and her cheeks immediately turned red. The tip of her nose was getting redder apart from the cold weather outside.

  "You really do have a way with words, you know that?" She huffed, looking away from me.

  I chuckled, "Women love it."

  "I'm not like them." She retorted and snuggled under my oversized coat.

  I did not get to reply to her because Grimore knocked on the carriage door. He opened it and I got out. Barely managed to. I hit my head on the carriage and everyone outside gasped. I hissed and I heard giggling from behind me.

  "I think you need a bigger carriage, dear husband." Avery teased.

  Why the fuck did her words make my lower regions throb with need?

  I growled and faced her, holding out a hand for her to take.

  "Very funny, princess." I said, making sure she got out the carriage safely.

  I noticed her stiffening when she looked up at the castle. Then, I looked down and saw her feet were turning white. I didn't hesitate and lifted her, scooping her up bridal style.

  "What are you doing?! Put me down!" She yelled, hitting my chest.

  "I'm not going to let your feet freeze, princess. You might not be able to walk." I said, looking down at her flushed face. Maybe from the cold or from being flustered. I don't know.

  "Everyone's looking." She whispered softly, hiding her face on my chest.

  I chuckled and began walking up the stairs. Just like Avery said, every staff of mine was staring. I glared at them and they all bowed their heads.

  When we entered the castle, I said, "Welcome, dear wife, to Lazarith Kingdom."

  She slowly turned her head and she audibly gasped as she looked up and her eyes roamed the entrance hall of the castle.

  "Shall we bring Her Majesty's things in her room?" Grimore asked from behind me.

  "Yes." I said and I heard Grimore's footsteps fade.

  "Wait. My room? We're not... sharing a room?" She asked, surprised. She looked up at me and I held myself back from kissing her there and then.

  "Unless you want to share a room with me, I can tell Grimore to bring your things to my room." I looked down at her, smirking playfully.

  She squealed and hit my chest, "Of course I don't want to! I just... i was just curious because isn't that what married people do?"

  "Not all married couples are like your parents, my dear. Not all of them are madly in love with each other." I stated firmly.

  Avery became quiet and just allowed me to carry her to her room.

  I must have said it too harshly.

  **********

  After taking my wife to her room, I went to my office to do some paperwork. The reaction on Avery's face earlier was etched on my mind. Her eyes drooped and she looked like she was about to cry. I sighed.

  "That's the fourth time today, Your Majesty. Is something weighing on your mind?" Grimore asked, setting down a tray of hot coffee on my desk.

  "No. I must be exhausted from the trip." I lied, but then I realized that Grimore knows when I'm lying. Before I could say anything, he already intervened.

  "Ah. Yes. Marriage is new to you, Your Majesty. I understand. I'm guessing the reason you keep sighing is because you're worried about Her Majesty, am I right?" He smiled innocently after pouring me a cup of coffee.

  I narrowed my eyes at him, sipping on my hot drink.

  Close enough.

  "If you're worried that Her Majesty might feel uncomfortable here, you can show her around the castle first. Introduce her to the staff and all that." Grimore suggested.

  I pondered about the thought for a bit, tapping a finger on the table and decided to agree. I got up then grabbed my coat.

  "You're right. I should not let my wife feel like a stranger to her new home." I fixed the papers on my table and handed them to Grimore.

  "What... What is--"

  "Take over for me, Grimore. I'm going to take care of my wife today." I said, lips curving into a sly grin.

  "Your Majesty! Don't leave me! I can't--" Grimore yelled as I opened the doors of my office.

  "I owe you one, Grimore. I have faith in you." I smirked, saluting to him as I left.

  "Your Majesty!" I heard Grimore yell out loud and I chuckled.

  I'm not running off to escape my duties, Grimore. I have duties as a husband after all.