She blinked, her eyes wide for a second, as though she didn't quite hear me right. "The queen?" Her voice was low, almost a whisper, as if she was trying to piece it together in her mind.
I couldn't help but smirk. "My queen," I repeated, emphasizing the words, my gaze fixed firmly on her.
Her eyes locked with mine for a heartbeat, searching my face as if to find the hidden meaning in my words. I wasn't playing around. The gravity of what I was asking her hit me in that instant. I wasn't just asking for her loyalty, I was asking for her to shape the future with me, to rule by my side in a world that was dangerous and unpredictable. But no matter the risks, I knew I couldn't do it without her.
"Yes, your queen," she finally said, her lips curving into a playful smile, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes.
I let out a soft laugh, a mix of relief and disbelief. The thought of her by my side, in this game, in this life, made everything feel a little more solid. A little more real. But then she added something that threw me off balance.
"I'll think about it," she said, her voice calm, the faintest teasing edge to it.
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. "Alright, give me an answer by the end of the week. Is that okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, even though I felt an odd flutter of uncertainty deep inside.
"Mhm. Thank you for giving me time to think about it." Her tone was playful, but there was something in her eyes that made me realize she wasn't joking. This wasn't an easy decision for her either.
"I won't pressure you," I assured her, my voice softening, though there was a smile tugging at my lips.
But then she tilted her head slightly, as if she had caught on to the unspoken contradiction in my words. "Weh? No pressure pero babalik lang under one condition?" She raised an eyebrow, teasing me.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Sorry na! A king needs his queen as well." I tried to brush it off, but even as I said it, I realized how serious it actually was.
We drove past Moscow's sprawling skyline, the city alive with a golden glow, its restless pulse visible in the blur of lights stretching into the horizon. The reflections danced on the Bugatti's polished surface, turning it into a streak of sleek, moving metal. The hum of the engine was low and steady, a predator's growl slicing through the quiet midnight air.
Heart's gaze was fixed on the city, her wide eyes shimmering with curiosity as they darted between the passing skyscrapers and the narrow streets below. It was rare to see her so captivated, so visibly drawn into something. I couldn't help but glance at her profile, her lips slightly parted as if in awe, her chest rising and falling with quiet excitement.
"I'll show you Russia," I said, the promise slipping out in a low, amused tone.
Her head turned toward me, her lips curving into a sly grin. "You already did, babe. You showed me the fun parts—explosions, chaos, bullets flying past us. But this?" She gestured to the vibrant streets with their bustling crowds and neon lights. "This is different."
I smirked, steering the car smoothly as the streets narrowed. "I can be different, too. Hold on."
With a shift of the gear, I guided us into the heart of the city. The energy here was palpable—Russians spilling out of bars and clubs, the air heavy with the scents of alcohol and tobacco. Music drifted in waves, a wild cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses mixing with the occasional cheer.
