He's my King and I'm his Queen

Chapter 8

Azalea's POV

            I opened my eyes and sat up. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my arms up. I looked around my room. It was the morning right after my engagement ball yesterday. Of course, since Christopher and I weren’t married officially yet, we slept in separate rooms. I got out of bed and decided to change. I was glad I no longer had to wear the tight corset or puffy dresses the Cardinian women wore. I was going to meet Christopher’s parents today so picked out a long-sleeved silk Pyran dress. I brushed my hair and chose to leave it down. I placed my tiara on my head and slipped my feet into my Pyran sandals. Unlike Cardinians, Pyran women wore flat sandals. After finishing up my outfit, I left my room.

            I started walking down the hall when I saw Kayla and another servant girl walking towards me. They both ushered me to the dining hall where I was to have my morning meal with Christopher. When I arrived, he was already seated at the head of the long, exquisite table. I took my place on his right and Kayla and the servant girl left us to eat in peace. Even though we were the only ones eating, the table was filled with four plates of food. There was boar, some vegetables, bread, and soup. I was amazed at the amount of food given to us. In Pyrus, we normally only eat enough to fill our stomachs and since we are a coastal region, we ate mainly food found in the sea, not boar.

            Our meal was silent for a while. Since we had no servants in the room, we didn’t have to keep up our façade here. He finally started a conversation after a few minutes or so.

            “After we are finished, we will both go meet my parents like I have mentioned to you yesterday night."

            “I still don’t understand why the queen and king did not come to the ball. They are your mother and father after all."

            “If you have not heard already, my father is ill."

            “I’m sorry to hear that, but what about your mother? She could have come, could she not?"

His face looked disappointed.

            “That woman would never come unless my father was there." He paused and set down his fork and knife.

            “I am finished and judging on how there is no more food on your plate, you are also finished?"

I nodded and he stood up. I did the same and we left to visit his parents. We held hands the whole way there and occasionally, I would look at his face. It hasn’t changed since he mentioned his mother.

            When we arrived, a servant entered their room first to announce our arrival. I put on my best smile for them as we walked through the doors. I was surprised to see the king and queen of Cardinia for the first time. I always imagined them as powerful beings but seeing them changed my view. The king was lying in bed, and even though Christopher did tell me he was ailing, his appearance was more qualmish than I imagined. Though his roots were still golden, his hair was already starting to gray. Pale and wrinkled, his sickness had given him more years on his life. Red started to spread from the edge of his eyes to the sapphire center but it still had hints of gentleness in them. His wife had ash blonde hair with eyes that had the same color as the aquamarine stones I have seen. Her face held wrinkles of worry over her husband as she sat by his side. Her hand was held in his as her gaze at us was like stone. She still looked beautiful but her wrinkles made her look older than she probably was.

            Christopher led my closer to them. As he introduced me, I curtsied to show my respect. The queen never changed her stone gaze, but the king smiled at me warmly.

            “So, you are the girl our son told us about. You are a jewel indeed Princess Azalea from Pyrus. I hope you continue to make my son jubilant in the future."

            “Yes your majesty." I smiled.

            “Your majesty is too formal for my future daughter. Please, call me father or even Jonathan if you wish."

            “Thank you- father."

He directed his attention to Christopher.

            “I’m sorry your mother and I weren’t able to attend the ball. My condition had been progressing towards the worst."

            All of a sudden he winced in pain and Christopher and the queen hastened to hold him. He reassured them that the pain was okay, though I could tell that he was only trying to be brave. His breathing became heavier as the pain seeped through him. He started coughing profusively and covered his mouth with his hands. As he pulled his hand back, I saw blood cover his palm. Seeing him like that, and hearing all the commotion the servants, the queen, and Christopher made, I could not take it anymore and I dashed out. 

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Watsup guys? So, why do you think she ran out of the room? Please vote and comment! Tell me what you guys think. Thanks for reading! ^_^