Royal Masquerade

Chapter 32

Astrea woke up and stare at the beautiful tapestry on the ceiling. Her whole body was aching. She felt as if she had been rammed by a huge lorry. The internal fire had been extinguished. She sighed. She did not realize that she could survive this. She frowned, remembering that she actually owed Zachary her life. How the hell is she going to face him now? He had saved her life, and now she would at least have to be civil to him, don’t she? Astrea mentally told herself to thank Zachary for saving her life later.

“You’re awake,” came a whisper, and almost instantly, Astrea felt her cold hand being warmed.

“Narc,” she said as she turned to see the owner of the hand that’s warming hers. She gave him a loving smile.

“You’re finally awake. I thought I lost you,” he told her while she propped herself up on the pillow to have a better view of his masked face.

“For a moment, I thought I’ve lost you too.” she said, caressing his cheeks, feeling the smoothness of his skin underneath her palm. He caught hold of her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it.

“How are you feeling right now?” he asked, concern. Eyeing her from head to toe, as if trying to figure out if there are remaining venom left in her body.

“I think I’ll live. I feel abit numb, but there’s no more burning sensation in my body.” she told him

“Good. That means the venom is cleared. I’m really glad you came back to me, Astrea. I would have ended my life if you died. I will have no purpose of living without you.” he told her truthfully, causing her to gasps.

” Shh, don’t say that. I’m here now. I’m with you now, and I won’t leave you, no matter what. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, my masked man. Don’t you dream of getting rid of me now.” she giggled.

“Now that is scary.” he laughed along with her, enjoying the sound of her laughter after days of grave silence.

“I’m afraid it’s not as scary as what I’m going to ask of you. I wonder, if you”ll give me what I want as a get well present?” she said solemnly as her cheeks started to glow in beautiful shade of red, a colour that he missed seeing for the past few days.

“Nothing would be scarier than seeing you fight death, Astrea, trust me. What are you going to ask of me, my love? Right now, I could give you anything I could afford to give you. Tell me, what do you want? I would gladly give it to you…” he told her lovingly.

“Narc,”

“Yes?”

“Don’t say that unless you’re sure that you will really give me whatever I want. I might ask for a nuclear warhead to bomb some country for all you know,” she teased lightly.

“I’ll be pleased to comply. I like explosive things,” he said, wriggling his eyebrows cheekily.

“Ah, the joy of having someone complying to my whims,” she laughed, but her laughter was silenced after a while as her pale cheeks turn red again, trying to think of the proper words to tell him what she wanted.

“Yes, that’s definitely the beauty of having someone who loved you more than life itself. Now, tell me, what do you want from me?” he said, examining her expression carefully.

“Will you promise me that no matter how ridiculous I’m going to sound, you’re not going to laugh at me?” she asked timidly while he frowned at her question.

“Why would I laugh at you?” he asked, perplexed with her request.

“Because I’ll ask for something that is quite absurd.” came her answer.