The King's Court

XLII

I stared at myself in the mirror as I tried to put on the earrings. Dinner tonight with Lorence and other important people in this Kingdom sounded too important. Lorence also said that she's going to announce Visaris and Solaris' newly built relationship. I need to look presentable for this occasion. 

Habang abala ako sa pag-aayos ay narinig ko ang pagkatok mula sa aking pinto. Bago pa man ako makatayo ay kusa itong nagbukas at iniluwa doon si Nikolas.

And damn me to hell. Did this man ever experience being unattractive? 

His attire, meticulously crafted to reflect his noble lineage, stood as a testament to his elevated social standing. Draperies of deep crimson velvet cascaded from his broad shoulders, framing his regal countenance with an air of opulence. The cloak, lined with delicate gold thread, bore the emblem of his dynasty, meticulously embroidered in shimmering silver, which glimmered subtly with each calculated movement he made as he made his way in and closed the door behind him.

Beneath his resplendent cape, a meticulously tailored doublet hugged his broad chest, crafted from the finest cobalt silk. Its intricate pattern, a tapestry of delicate threads, danced along the fabric. Etchings of exquisite silver filigree adorned the edges of the doublet, lending an air of sophisticated charm to the ensemble.

Under the waistcoat, the silhouette of the prince was enveloped by trousers crafted from gleaming ebony velvet, tailored to perfection. Tracing down the sides of the trousers were thin threads of silver adorned with minuscule onyx beads. 

To complement his regal attire, a crown of glittering gold rested upon his head, adorned with precious jewels that glinted in the ambient light coming in from my half-opened window. 

He did not hide how his gaze raked over my face down to my body. Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko dahil sa titig niya. 

I still can't believe that I got a King's attention. A King! This only happens in fairytales and I am certain my life is a far cry from that of a fairytale. 

"Are you done raking your hungry gaze over me?" he said, a smirk playing on his lips. 

I scoffed in disbelief. "My hungry gaze?" 

He chuckled lightly and the sound sent shivers down my exposed back. Nikolas could do nothing and just stand there and he could send me to my death just by being himself. 

"You look breathtaking," he said, his voice almost a whisper--a gasp, in fact, as he looked at me one more time. 

This time, I did not hide the blush that tainted my cheeks as I smiled at him. 

I held my skirts and did a full curtsy. Then I looked at him while still bowing and smiled. "You look magnificent yourself, Your Majesty. My hungry gaze couldn't get enough," I said. 

He played his tongue inside his mouth--a gesture I came to love. He looked like he was planning something and I couldn't wait to figure out what it was. He gets serious and playful and boyish--all things I loved about him. All sides I came to know. 

Nagpakawala siya ng tawa bago naglakad sa gawi ko. I kept my head bowed down and I felt his hand touch my chin to lift my head up. 

"Arise, my beautiful subject," he said, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine, claiming it for a passionate kiss. 

Naramdaman ko na lang ang mesa sa likuran ko nang bahagya niya akong itulak papunta doon. I groaned in his mouth as I felt his hand on my thigh and then it slid further back, cupping my bottom. 

Napasinghap ako at narinig ko siyang tumawa. Then I felt both his hands as he lifted me and made me sit on the table. 

"That was a very inappropriate behavior for a King, Your Majesty," I said in a playful voice. The smirk on his lips was enough for me to kiss him again.