Lady In Red

59

The heavy oak doors creaked open, and a gust of cold air followed as King Xerxes stepped into the Queen's chamber. His presence was like a storm in a quiet night—unspoken yet undeniable. The golden candlelight flickered against the polished floor, casting elongated shadows as he moved further inside.

Ruby stood before the vanity, her back straight, her delicate hands fastening the last of her jewelry. Her simple green gown draped around her frame, embroidered with gold, but despite its elegance, exhaustion was evident in the subtle tremble of her fingers.

She saw him through the reflection of the mirror, and for a moment, her hands hesitated, her heart melted as she blushed. He said nothing at first, merely observing—the way her shoulders were held too tightly, the way her breath came slower than usual.

Xerxes quite enjoyed her subtle shifts in behavior whenever she saw him. That sadistic part of him rejoiced to see her cheeks blush like the pinkish-red color of a beet, her chest taking a deep breath. He could feel her get nervous still. And he enjoyed it immensely. If it weren't for his duties he would be teasing and playing with his sweet dove all day.

"You should rest," he finally spoke, his voice softer than the usual command it carried.

Ruby exhaled, lowering her hands onto the wooden table before her. "I cannot," she replied, turning to face him. "I have to sign some letters, I need to approval of yearly needs for the station guards"

Xerxes didn't know it was her job to approval of such matters. He suddenly remembered how much better the guards had been looking, there clothing and food were much improved. He couldn't remember who did it before.

He took slow steps toward her, the weight of his presence pulling the air from the room. When he reached her, he lifted a single gloved hand, his fingers ghosting over her wrist before gently enclosing it.

"You will rest," he said again, quieter but with no room for defiance. After seeing her curl up in her bed for those three days, the king has been worried for her health. Trying to figure out if it was really just her cycle or something more. Andrew had searched and reported every single move of her maids, including Lydia. But with no oddities in their work, finally leading him to believe Lydia.

Her lips parted slightly as if to argue, but his thumb brushed against her pulse—a quiet warning, a quiet plea.

She looked up at him then, searching his face for reason. His gaze remained unreadable, but the slightest tension in his jaw told her enough.

With a slow breath, she nodded.

The air between them was thick, her silence heavy with unspoken protest. Ruby took a step back, intending to move around him, but Xerxes had never been a man to let things slip through his grasp.

Before she could take another breath, his arms were around her—one beneath her knees, the other supporting her back as he lifted her effortlessly.

A soft gasp left her lips, but it was swallowed by the room's silence.

"What-no there are matters waiting!," she warned, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest, but he didn't falter.

"You will rest, Ruby." His tone was firm, but there was something in the way he held her—gentle, careful, as though she were something fragile despite the iron will she carried.

She hated how easily he did this. How little effort it took him to render her powerless.

"This is absurd," she muttered, shifting in his arms, but he merely adjusted his hold, ensuring there was no escape.

He walked with steady steps, each one a silent victory over her resistance. The silk sheets were cold against her back as he set her down, his hands lingering longer than necessary before pulling the blanket over her lap.

She sat up immediately, but his palm pressed against her shoulder, a quiet command that made her heart stutter.

"I won't be caged in my own chambers," she breathed, her voice softer now, her resolve cracking beneath the weight of his gaze.

His chuckle vibrated against her body as he found her fascinating.

His thumb brushed over her collarbone, a touch so faint it could have been imagined. "You forget, Ruby," he murmured, leaning in just enough that she could feel his breath against her cheek. "A Queen is never caged. She is only protected."

Her fingers curled into the sheets, as he leaned in kissing her jaw. The shocks of his touch going straight down to between her legs.

"I need you to listen to me, Baby. Will you?" That wasn't even a question.

But before she could reply, a sharp knock echoed through the chamber.

"Your Majesty," a voice called from behind the doors.

Blood drained from her body, all the build-up tension and pleasure flew away leaving nothing be embarrassment as the maid opened her doors slightly.

"Your physician is here to see you Madam." She announced.

Xerxes exhaled through his nose, irritated, but he did not move away. Instead, his gaze remained locked onto Ruby's, as if daring her to move before he allowed it.

She smirked, tilting her chin. "It seems my imprisonment is cut short, my King."

His lips barely quirked at her defiance before he stood.

"Enter," he ordered.

The chamber doors creaked open, and a gust of cool air swept through as Dr. Selene hesitantly stepped inside. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows against the walls, but none were as daunting as the figure standing beside the Queen's bed.

Her heart ran cold, her finger freezing as she noticed who was in the chamber with the Queen.

King Xerxes did not need to move to command presence. He stood with effortless dominance, his posture relaxed yet imposing. The room was thick with the weight of his aura, a silent warning that not even the sharpest of tongues would dare defy. His dark eyes flickered toward Selene, and though he said nothing, the unspoken words were clear.

She swallowed.

Dr. Selene had tended to many patients in the palace, from noblewomen with trivial ailments to warriors who returned from battle drenched in blood. But none unsettled her the way the Lycan King did. His mere presence felt like an unseen hand pressing against her throat, urging her to be cautious, to measure her words wisely.

Forcing herself to breathe, she bent into a deep bow, keeping her head lowered.

"Your Majesty," she greeted, voice steady despite the tension coiling inside her.

Xerxes did not reply immediately. Instead, he glanced down at Ruby, his gaze lingering for a moment too long. Then, without another word, he stepped back, his departure slow and deliberate.

"I will return soon," he murmured, his tone quieter than before, meant only for the Queen.

Dr. Selene kept her eyes on the floor until she heard the soft click of the doors closing behind him. Only then did she dare to lift her head, exhaling as if she had been holding her breath the entire time.

She turned to Ruby, who now lay back against the pillows, her fingers absentmindedly grazing the silk sheets.

"May I?" Selene asked, motioning toward the Queen's wrist.

Ruby extended her arm without a word, letting Selene take her pulse. The physician pressed two fingers against the delicate skin, counting each beat carefully.

"You are weaker than usual," Selene noted, her brow furrowing slightly. "Have you had difficulty sleeping?"

"A little," Ruby admitted, though there was something guarded in her tone, as if she were unwilling to say more.

Selene hesitated before asking, "And your monthly cycle, Your Majesty?"

Ruby did not flinch at the question, nor did she seem surprised. "I am still on it. It hurts just a bit."

Selene nodded, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "Any discomfort? Cramps? Dizziness?"

"None."

The doctor exhaled softly, setting Ruby's wrist back onto the bed. "Then it may simply be stress. Your body is enduring much, Your Majesty and the mind can often affect the body more than we realize."

She rose from her seat, walking toward the small table near the Queen's bedside, where a tray of untouched tea sat.

"I will have the maids prepare a herbal soup for you. It should help restore some of your strength." She turned back, eyes searching Ruby's face. "Would you be willing to drink it?"

Ruby's gaze remained unreadable, but she gave a single nod.

"Very well," Selene said, relieved. "I will have it brought to you shortly."

As Selene walked toward the door of her chamber, they opened, revealing Clara. She smiled recognizing the Physician.

"Madam Selene. How do you do?"

Selene smiled, "Clara, I am well."

They chat for a minute before she left. Ruby smiled up at Clara

" Old friends?"

"Yes, Madam. I had the pleasure of being treated by Madam Selene years back. She is a very capable women. I believe she also assisted in one of the Duchess' delivery,"

Ruby nodded.

"I have some news," Clara stated.

"Yes?"

"I have been asked to leave town in Sir Fredrick's place as he will be much more important during your up coming meetings. It wont be long and I shall return shortly."

Ruby frowned but nodded.

"Who gave this order?"

"From Lady Regina" Ruby frowned at the name but knew there must be a reason for this decision.

"Did she state the reason you are being sent?"

"Yes, apart from the one I just mentioned, I know the people of the town. Therefore the trades and negotiations would possible be fruitful. And as a Guard working under the crown, especially the Queen, The princess stated it would also spread your influence anomy common folks."

That was Regina's tactical and smart idea. Ruby smiled, nodding.

"I hope you come back safe."

Clara smiled and bowed before setting off. Lydia, on the other hand, felt alone and frightened. She was the only lady protecting the Queen now, and she wondered if anyone would take advantage of that.