Chapter 15: Greenhouse Walk
Kreios was walking ahead of me, with his cape, a crown on his head his Queen on golden chains, clanking on the marbled floor with her lazy steps.
My arms were crossed across my chest as I looked around, comparing Parsua to Mudelior.
He's practically the king of the biggest empire of Nemetio Spiran— someone who no one wouldn't expect to lead. And with our parade right now, I knew that this was his way to brandish his empire that he had the leash of his untamed Queen who had attempted to assassinate him.
How I wish I could further prolong this game between us, but with the information we had after that meeting, I couldn't just make everything difficult for Kreios, after all, I was summoned here not just to torment him, but to become his queen.
"Nangangalay na ako, Kreios. Can you carry me?"
"No."
"What kind of hospitality does this empire have? A king who refused to give his queen her comfort?"
"Enough, Harper. Look around, you'll need to remember the important rooms in this castle. Lalo na kapag nawala ako."
"Why would you be gone? Isn't the king's duty always beside his queen?"
He huffed. "Tell that again, My Queen, and try to analyze it. Who delayed her arrival in this empire? You knew that I've been getting impatient, and you all had the time to play with those letters."
"Me? With those articles from your Ancient Quillper? Who is your writer? She's so articulate."
Kreios shrugged his shoulders.
Tumigil ako sa paglalakad kaya tumigil din siya at lumingon sa akin. He looked exasperatedly annoyed with my behavior.
"Come, I'll hold your hand." Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin.
"I don't want to walk."
He rolled his eyes and walked again.
"Hmm . . ."
Instead of walking beside him, I hurried my steps, and I climbed behind his back, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
"Is this an attempt to kill me again, Harper Esmeralda?"
The knights became alert with their hands on their swords, about to draw it to save their poor king, but Kreios raised one of his hands dismissively and carefully placed both of his hands on my legs to support me.
Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad habang nakapulupot sa likuran niya ang reyna. Kanya-kanyang yuko ang mga tagasunod sa amin ni Kreios habang iniikot namin ang palasyo.
"You mean choking you to death?"
I licked his right ear. "Isn't it better if you choke me instead, Your Majesty?"
He laughed. "I always knew that you were bold, but what will happen if your brothers discover this part of you?"
"The fact that I threatened you on your throat. Of course, they'll be proud. Especially Zen."
"I mean, you, being this naughty and sexy," he took one of my hands and playfully bit my palm— without his fangs.
"Well? Lily will be proud. Dastan might faint, Casper will roll his eyes, F-Finn, Caleb, and Evan will widen their eyes and ask me what happened, and Zen will be emotionless, but in the end, he'll blame you for tainting my innocence."
He laughed again, "Very accurate."
I started giggling while Kreios was laughing at my remarks. The palace servants or even the knights were either bowing down, hiding themselves, or anything that looked embarrassed, most of them were turning red by merely glancing at us.
