Tied to the Throne

chapter twenty seven

Nikolai groggily stirs as I whisper in his ear, and he grumbles in response, rolling over to face away from you. I can tell that he's reluctant to wake up and face the day.

I sigh, realizing that I'll have to use a different approach to get his attention. I reach out and give him a gentle shake, hoping that it will be enough to rouse him from his slumber.

Nikolai groans and opens his eyes, blinking sleepily at me. "What is it?" he mumbles, his voice rough with sleep.

"We need to talk about the upcoming coronation," I repeat, my tone more assertive this time. "It's important, and we can't afford to delay any longer."

He yawns and sits up, rubbing his eyes. "Fine, fine," he grumbles, finally starting to show some signs of wakefulness.

I shake my head, knowing that I can't let him procrastinate any longer. "We have a lot to plan and prepare for, and time is running out. The kingdom is counting on us."

He turns to face me and I notice that his face looks drained of color, and his eyes are dark. He seems to be feeling guilty, or at least that's how I interpret his expression. I can sense that something is troubling him. His solemn expression and the subtle tension in his features hint at his inner turmoil. However, I remind myself that I could be overanalyzing the situation, as people express emotions in different ways.

We eventually make our way towards the meeting hall, and begun the long conversation with our advisors about the coronation.

"So, as you two know, with the recent passing of the late King and Queen, the kingdom needs new rulers. That will be you two," the old man informs us, switching his gaze between me and Nikolai.

"We need have arranged a time and place for this coronation, however it is in a few days, so the preparations will have to start today," my eyes widen at this newfound information.

A few days!

I'm not prepared to be the queen of a country in a few year let alone a few days. This wasn't supposed to happen now, it's all too soon.

We were supposed to be crowned once Juliette and Aiden stepped down, in many years to come. We are both too young to rule.

Just as all these thoughts spiralled through my head I feel a hand on my thigh under the table.

It was Nikolai's.

As I felt his hand on my thigh, a surge of warmth spread through my body. It was a gentle touch, but it held so much meaning. It was as if he could sense the turmoil in my mind and was reaching out to comfort me without a word. I glanced at him, and his familiar mask reassured me.

I tried to focus on the conversation happening around us, but my attention was drawn to the comforting presence of Nikolai's hand on my thigh. It felt grounding, as if he was reminding me that I wasn't alone, and that he was there for me. His touch brought a sense of relief, and I found myself relaxing as I leaned into his support.

Without exchanging any words, Nikolai's hand on my thigh conveyed a sense of understanding and care. It was a silent gesture, but it spoke volumes. In that moment, I felt a deep connection with him, a bond that went beyond words. It was as if he could read my thoughts and emotions, and his touch reassured me that he was there for me, no matter what.

As the meeting went on, I found myself feeling more at ease, thanks to Nikolai's comforting presence. His hand on my thigh was a constant reminder that I didn't have to face my thoughts and worries alone. I could rely on him for support, and it brought me a sense of comfort that I hadn't realized I needed.