The Nechi's Wife

✣ chapter thirty-one ✣

Two months later

"Good morning," Flynd whispered to me to softly. I shivered, relishing in his warmth.

"Good morning," I murmured back, opening my eyes. I was greeted by warm sunshine flooding from the window. "How are you?"

"I know you've been awake the entire time," he chuckled.

I grinned, caught. "Not all of us like to get up early."

"It's better to take walks early."

I giggled, imagining what he'd say next: walks are good for your health. And they're more peaceful at dawn. Though I knew that wasn't the only reason he liked his daily promenades: he hadn't stepped outside for a walk since we'd returned 2 months ago. He'd missed Witylt and was trying not to take it for granted anymore. But he didn't have to defend his walks, I always went along with him. Even when he had to physically drag my body from the sheets. Though, this morning, I felt more well rested than usual and didn't need too much coaxing.

"It helps clear the mind—"

"I know," I laughed, stepping languidly from the sheets. "You don't have to lecture me again."

He seemed surprised that I'd gotten out of bed before him but didn't say another word. I walked to the door, knocking to alert the page standing outside. "Send for the maidservants," I said. The page grunted in response. I heard the patter of feet.

Blanyr and Ailis arrived first, then Flynd's servants. After we were washed, the two of them began to get me dressed. It was nice to be around them, and we'd quickly fallen into routine as soon as I'd returned.

"Which route will you be taking, Your Highness?" Blanyr asked. "The lilac garden or the tulip hedge?"

I looked over at Flynd who was having his sleeved cuffed on the other side of the room. "The lilac garden," he answered. "The one with all the hills."

Blany and Ailis nodded, opting to get me a lighter dress. Once Flynd and I were clothed, we went to the lilac trail that circled the palace. It was my favorite one, despite all the hills because it always smelled so lovely.

"Do you have any plans today?" I asked as we descended a hill.

"I always have something to do," Flynd said a bit a sadly. "After our walk and breakfast, I have to meet with the royal advisors. Then Father wants me to meet some diplomats."

"Do you think we'll be able to eat lunch together?"

"I'm not sure. Father scheduled me for so many—" He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, eyes squinting ahead of us more intensely than before. In the distance, a man was approaching. A man with dark brown hair and— "Well speak of the Devil."

"Flynd! Ayan!" The man shouted.

"That is most certainly the King," I whispered.

The King finally got to us, out of breath and red in the face. At first, I thought it was because he was tired, but then noticed the slight snarl on his lips. "Ayan!"

I flinched and instinctively backed into Flynd, who wrapped his arms around me protectively. He regarded his father, "Woah! Don't yell at her, what's the issue!"

King Renyld groaned, burying his head in his hands. "Why, Ayan? Why must everything go wrong with you?"

"Your Majesty?" I whispered, noticing the paper crumpled in his hands for the first time. "Please, what's going on?"

"Your parents responded to the letter you sent," he hissed, regaining composure. "What did you tell them? No more lies."

It was as if I'd been whisked right back to two months ago. King Renyld's strained face. Flynd's tight grip on my arms. "I...I told them I was doing fine. I said I was saf—"