The Royal Rescue

Chapter 20

Serenity's PoV

I had never felt so content in my life. Everything was just running smoothly and I had no troubles whatsoever. Ricardo took very good care of me and treated me as if I was his queen already, but we both knew that it would take time for that to happen. We had only begun the first stage of courtship.

It had been weeks since the issue with the guard and the next day, he announced to me to the palace staff that I was to be treated with the utmost respect which made me cringe a little, to be honest. I wanted to be treated normally not anything special but he insisted saying that it was just a precaution.

I guess it's okay. As long as I don't get treated like I'm made of glass with guards everywhere watching my every move. I want some kind of freedom even if my relationship with the king progresses.

Not that I don't want it to. I love him but I don't think I could manage the pressure of being a queen. I can't make decisions and I most certainly be strict.

I'm scared.

"What's got you thinking so deeply, my dove?" I look up at him. I didn't realise that he was awake.

Yes, we've been sleeping in the same room since the incident. I found that I slept even better next to him. He made me feel so calm and relaxed.

"Nothing really, just daydreaming." I smiled at him and he presses his lips to my forehead. His hand stroked my hair, which he found out I enjoy. I liked the physical contact between us but I just couldn't bare the practical side of the relationship. The royalty side of it.

"Dove, I know that you're not telling me the whole truth. So I'll ask again, what are you thinking about? By the look on your face, it doesn't seem good." I sighed.

Am I that easy to read?

I guess I'll have to tell him but I just don't want to hurt his feelings. After all, I know how much he cares for me.

"Okay, I'll tell you. I'm scared..." he interrupted me placing a hand on mine reassuringly.

"Scared of what dove? I'll do anything to keep you safe." He sat up and looked deep into my eyes as if he was trying to find the answers through them but I knew he wasn't going to, so I had to tell him.

"I know you will, but I'm not scared physically. I'm scared mentally. All my life, I've only ever known how to protect myself, from the danger that came with being homeless and to tell you it was easy would be a lie. Every day, I had the fear that death would be mere inches away and it scared me physically. However, what worries me the most now, is the possibility of our relationship being more than just dating. At the end of the day, I don't have the requirements to be a queen. I've never learnt how to make decisions or even just know what's expected of me. I'm not gonna be a good queen and your kingdom needs someone who can take charge and lead them into a bright future. They wouldn't want a previously homeless person to be their queen. I'm just saying that..." He interrupts me. I had almost broken down at my own words. They were all true and I had to say it but seeing his face fall made me want to take it all back.

He was a king, after all, I couldn't exactly lie to him. He knows me too well.

"You're just saying that you don't want to be with me because you don't think you'll be a good queen. Am I correct?" He said with a slight hint of frustration laced in his voice. I nodded feeling slightly uncomfortable in his gaze.

I've upset him and now I must say that I feel guilty. I shouldn't have said anything but then he knows when I'm lying. I'm like an open book and it frustrates the hell out of me.

I look down at my feet as if they were the most interesting thing in the world because, at this current moment, I could feel his dominating aura floating in the air. It was almost suffocating me and I knew that it would only get worse if left unspoken.