Lady In Red

24

"You have made a huge mistake"

He remembered his mother's words.

His long strides echoed the halls of the court, Andrew by his side and his messenger behind them. His face held the same distinct look, a look they all remember their king by.

"Viscount Aston" his voice boomed through the study as everyone stood up bowing.

He waved them off and sat before them, "I will take no matters of your households on my desk."

Their hesitant expressions gave them away,"Your Majesty, Our titles have always been protected under the royal name. A mere accusation cannot possibly bring our titles under fire-"

"It is not a matter of your Titles, it is the matter of counterfeit coins found under the possession of your subjects. Who would you say distributed these? The miner?"

"S-Sir"

Perhaps it was best for Viscount Aston to keep his mouth shut, but he didn't.

"Your cousin is my wife-"

"Get rid of his investor" That command from the King had all frozen in silence.

"Investigations shall be continued, no member of the royal household or high society is to be spared. I want the report on the bodies."

The messenger moved on, pulling the pages of appeal from the Lord's standing before him and placing a different file before him. They all stood there, silent. Shocked and scared.

"Get out"

They didn't need another word, scramming out the King's study before bowing leaving him be.

"It will be difficult to investigate now that Your Majesty revealed it." Andrew said so softly while looking at some files.

"Any sudden, trip to their families is forbidden. Confiscate their works-" Xerxes paused flipping through a page, "And see which establishments have received the highest donations so far."

"Rouges are increasing with frequent killings across the borders and mountains. I'm afraid we will have to ride there to find any answers."

"You have my permission." The king stated.

"And there was a personal matter-" Andrew whispered before nodding at their messenger to leave.

As the door shut Andrew turned to Xerxes, "I have appointed Clara as her Majesty's personal watcher, one of her ladies in waiting shall be in frequent contact. Sir Fredrick, has no dirt on him. He not one of those who'd get intimidated at a glance. I would still advise keeping him under eye and following up on his letters to their court."

"Nothing of significance then."

"No sir"

Xerxes muttered 'good' under his breath before continuing work. Until Noon, when he was supervising the training grounds and felt his wife's scent in the air, smirking to himself and staring at the ground for a good minute before walking towards the east wing to see her.

He didn't know her much, her likes, dislikes, her ways of living. He had everything prepared yet he felt as if she might still be uncomfortable. Although not as much to hold herself back from moaning last night.

No matter how hard it was to hold himself back, he tried his best. Another maiden would understand not her. Not a human. Their wounds didn't heal swiftly. And he could do anything to make sure his mate was not hurt. He had every intention to f**k her that first night of their wedding. Yet he couldn't bring himself to. He feared her perception of him would be tainted.

She had a bemused look on her face as if she was thinking deeply. He had been observing her since they got back, she never showed her emotions before new people. Only got closer to Clara and Maya.

Xerxes had unconsciously clenched his jaw, his fingers gripping the pommel of his sword tight as he notice her talking to her advisor.

Fredrick Jacobs.

The one man he let in his kingdom to ensure his Queen's comfort. They seemed close enough since she was talking to him in a way that irked The King. She leaned against the balcony guardrail looking down at the gardens below. Her hands folded and possibly pushed her bust up. He hated another man next to her.

She chuckled as he said something making her turn to him.

Xerxes stepped forward, blinded by his anger to stop their little conversation. Grab her and kiss her right before him. Make sure to convey his anger towards that man but then he saw her maid. Laughing with them. She was hidden behind Fredrick's stature. Much closer to him than his Queen.

Something in his mind washed over like a bucket of ice. A sort of relief washed over him seeing that maid of hers. They weren't alone.

What was he doing? He thought, Why was he so blinded by vex that his ability to think disappeared?

Ruby was his, his wife and all his to claim. Yet there was something that clearly irritated him about her standing next to a man. She made him feel at the edge of a brawl every time a man looked at her.

He could get rid of that man, no doubt but he was the only man who could advise her in favour of his Kingdom. That one man carried the shield of protection because of her.

"Quite strong"

"Hm?" Xerxes asked slowly walking towards them.

"Saw him in combat. With one of our soldiers early morning. He is agile and smart" Andrew continued.

"Good-" Xerxes said before coming in their sight, "Prepare our horses and call Brian, we are going to the hills" he continued earning a nod from Andrew and he left in haste.

Their eyes turned towards him and they bowed. Not her though, Xerxes smirked inside, Ruby's first response was to freeze and stare at him. He saw that slight nervous state she fell in as he walked closer.

Forgetting her mores to bow before him, instead, she watched the King walk to her and then flustered before giving him a short curtsey.

"Come" He said taking her hand and leading her to the tea room. Others followed behind them, which didn't bother the King at all as he wrapped his hand around her back and leaned in to whisper, "Feeling better?"

She visibly gulped and nodded.

A whiff of her earthy scent passed by his nose pleasing him. He finally had someone to go to after the arduous tasks of the court. Someone like her who would listen to him.

She sat over his lap after a strict command from him, visibly shy and blushing while others stood outside the doors of the tea house.

"Has Clara given you a tour of the castle?"

She turned her head to him, and his eyes moved to her earring as they dangled softly making a soft clinking noise.

"Not yet, she shall be giving me a tour now."

Xerxes titled his head, his eyes still over her neck, going down to her cleavage. That light intricate lace ruffed over her skin, it moved as she breathed in and out. That amused him. He couldn't stop staring at that.

She noticed his eyes over her bust. Biting her lips and playing with her dress.

"You do not wear the jewellery I gifted you." He grunts as he remembers.

"No! I-I would rather keep it for special occasions."

He stayed quiet. He wondered if she'd ever speak to him first. She was so quiet, he didn't hate it. But it bothered him.

"How-How is your Majesty's day going?"

He chuckled looking away and tapping his hand over the head of the couch, "I see you have forgotten my orders."

"What-?"

Why wouldn't she call me by my name?

And he couldn't stop himself, grabbing her by her neck and kissing her deeply. She was taken back, pushing on his chest with her hands in shock. He caressed her lips before biting them causing her to wince.

Pulling back Xerxes had already lost his temperance.

"Your Majesty, they are ready." Xerxes glanced at Andrew before picking her up.