SYZYGY:The raise of the Monarch

Chapter XXXVIII

She closed the book for a moment, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby. 

Her cheeks reddened like a tomato. Taking a deep breath, she reopened the book, reading each line slowly. A numbness settled in her mind, and she squeezed her thighs, fidgeting her toes together. Placing her hand on her face, she felt the burning heat, and as she turned the page, she encountered a drawing of Cornelia and Marcus, tightly embracing, their nearly intertwined naked bodies, mouths seemingly devouring each other.

Eva was familiar with the concept of sex, understanding it as a means of making babies. However, she had never grasped its role as a way of expressing intense love between two individuals. The drawing made her finally comprehend the title, 'making love.' 

Closing the book, she couldn't continue reading, feeling overwhelmed by the new and complex information. It seemed like enough knowledge for the day.

Getting up, she walked towards her basin, filling it with cold water and dipping her face to cool the burning sensation. Returning to the sofa, she waited for dinner, attempting to distract her mind from the recent revelations.

"Why did his majesty give me such a book?" she pondered, her thoughts immediately drifting back to what she had read. Marcus, the vulgar soldier in the story, treated Cornelia differently than anyone else. Every time he caught her, he showered her with kisses—on her cheeks, lips, neck, and even...

She stood up hastily, recalling how the Tsar treated her, and a sense of realization slowly settled in.

"The Tsar couldn't possibly be in love with me, could he?" she wondered aloud, pacing back and forth, her hands on her cheeks, and her heart seemingly leaping out of her chest.

"No, you idiot! Why would he love someone like you? You're a spy who got his mercy! You're not special!" she scolded herself as she sat back on the sofa, her limbs still trembling, but this time, with an excitement she couldn't quite decipher.

"But his majesty never forgave any spy in his entire life. Perhaps... I am special," she considered, attempting to calm her body. Though her limbs ceased trembling, her mind and heart remained in chaos. Unable to face the reality, she buried her face in a pillow beside her, flapping her feet with intense happiness.

Six days passed, and surprisingly, Eva handled the banquet's preparations flawlessly. She sat in Ogen's study, reviewing what was left on the schedule she meticulously created. Her thoughts were interrupted by knocks, and Ronard entered, wearing a wide smile.

"Good evening, my lady!"

"Good evening, Ronard! You seem very happy. What's the occasion? Share the happiness," she replied, smiling even wider. Ronard took a seat in front of her.

"The best thing that ever happened to us after his majesty's coronation was your arrival! Seeing you every morning fills me with energy. On top of you doing your duties perfectly, it just warms my heart knowing that his majesty chose the right person for such an important occasion."

Eva lost her composure, her face turning as red as an apple. She dropped her head in embarrassment and whispered, "Please, you flatter me."