The Bastard Queen ✔

XXXIII.

Spring left and Summer soon took its place. June 18, marking the 6th month of Kana's reign. The past few months went by like a breeze. Katherine teaching Ro, Isla continuing to work at the Rochester, Nathaniel loving Katherine and tolerating his family and Kana, Kana keeping an eye on Nathaniel and 'Marie' and romancing with Oslo, Ko continuing to trail Katherine.

♧♧♧♧♧♧

"Just for once, can you stop holding me?" Katherine whined, pushing Nathaniel away from her

"You don't like my affection?" Nathaniel asked, loosening his arms

"I do like it, but it's too hot. I'm basically dying of overheating," Katherine complain, throwing the blanket off of her

"Well, you weren't complaining earlier," Nathaniel said, sitting up

"Nathaniel, we don't care if it's cold or hot when were....um.... doing those ..... 'activities', but now I'm dying of heat," Katherine said, her face turning red

"Oh my innocent Kat, there is no shame of saying the word, sex," Nathaniel said, getting on his knees and wrapping his arms around her shoulder, bringing his body close to her

"Nathaniel," Katherine groan

"You know since you're complaining, let's go to the lake," Nathaniel said, kissing her neck

"That is the greatest idea you have ever said," Katherine said, getting out of his hold and dressing in her clothes

"Wow, nice to know you think of me as an idiot," Nathaniel grumble

"I didn't even call you an idiot, but even if you were. You're my idiot," Katherine pecked his lips

"Well, aren't you romantic?" Nathaniel said, kissing her and pulling her back in bed

"Nathaniel, we're not about to do this," Katherine said, pulling away from him

"I love you,"

Katherine froze and couldn't make a sound.

"I know, you don't like when I say those three words, but I can't help it. You're the woman I love," Nathaniel peck her forehead and got out of bed

Katherine just stayed in bed. She can never get over the fact that Nathaniel always says 'I love you' out of nowhere and she hates that she can't answer him back.

"Kat, you better be ready when I get out of the shower,"

♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧

"Ice cream is what we need," Katherine said, sitting on the grass

"You wanted to come to the lake to cool and now you want ice cream. I thought you said you were hot," Nathaniel said, looking at Katherine

"Well, Nathaniel, I feel cool down and ice cream will help. But, if you don't want to come then it's fine," Katherine said, throwing her dress on

"You're trying to make me feel guilty,"

"No, I'm just telling you. I'm leaving to go get ice cream with or without you,"

"Kat..."

"I'll see you later," Katherine walked off

♧♧♧♧♧♧

'Hmm, which one should I pick?' Katherine bit her lip as looked at the multiple flavors.

"Hello, what would you like?"

"Oh, can I get a scoop of Lemon lime and another scoop of strawberry on a cone," Katherine said

"Okay," The woman scooped the ice cream and placed it on the cone

'I can't wait to eat you,' Katherine's stomach growl.

"Here you go, miss,"

"How much do I owe you?" Katherine asked, grabbing her cone

"10," Katherine took out a ten and handed it over to her

"Thank you. Have a nice day," The woman said, Katherine nodded, walking out and licking her ice cream

Katherine explored while eating her ice cream, but she knew someone was following her. Once she was done, she threw her napkin away and continue exploring, occasionally looking behind her.

"Excuse me, miss!" A voice yelled, Katherine continues to walk

"Miss, wait!" Katherine looked behind her and saw a man running towards her

"And who are you?" Katherine asked, turning her body to him

"You surely know who I am. We meet at the bakery," He said, smiling

Katherine's eyes widened. Ko is right in front of her. Was he, the one, following her? Of course, Katherine.

"Oh, I'm sorry to have forgotten you, but I have to get back to my aunt," Katherine said, bowing her head and turned around to walk away

She was about to take a step, but Ko grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him.

"You can't leave. I have to settle the debt," He said, glaring at her

"What debt? I don't know anything about that, but I have to go back to my aunt," Katherine yank her hand, but Ko's grip tightened

"You need to listen to me. You're not going anywhere, so come on," He said, pulling Katherine as he walked

"Hey, let go of me! Someone help me, I don't know this man!" Katherine yelled, trying to get her hand out of his grip

Ko pulled Katherine to him. Her body pressing against him. Ko hid her face in his chest.

"I'm sorry. My wife is mentally ill. I apologize for her," Ko said

Katherine moved and Ko pressed her face more into his chest.
Katherine thrashed her legs and arms, hitting him, trying to get out of his grip. Ko just brought her closer to him and started to walk with Katherine having to walk backward. Katherine stopped, Ko stepping on her feet. She let out a scream, but Ko kept pressing her face to his body basically suffocating her.

"You have to be a good girl, Katherine. I'll make sure to do it quickly," Ko said

Katherine continues to hit him, but oxygen was leaving her body quick. She tried to stay awake and use her energy to get out of his grip, but her body failed her

♧♧♧♧♧♧

Nathaniel's P.O.V.

'Where is she?' Nathaniel walked around the town, looking for Katherine. He checked the ice cream parlor and the surrounding buildings. He continues to search for her but stopped once he heard about a husband apologizing for his mentally ill wife.

"Excuse me, what were you talking about?" Nathaniel asked the man

"Oh, this man's wife was screaming for help as he was dragging her," He said

"Sir, where did they go?" Nathaniel asked, his anxiety rising

"That way," The man said, pointing in the direction they went

Nathaniel took off running, praying for Katherine to be safe. 'I swear once I find her, she's never leaving my side.'