Everything is already decided," King Asper said without turning toward Alaric. He stood by the window, one hand resting against the cold glass, the other clasped behind his back.
"I know," Alaric replied, trying to control the edge in his voice. "But if we agree to every one of his terms, won't your authority be questioned?"
A faint smirk touched Asper's lips.
"I know everything," he said quietly. "But we have no other choice, do we?"
"We betrayed our own people to make you king," Alaric snapped, fury flickering in his eyes. "We stained our hands without hesitation. And now he wants to control us through marriage by placing his blood in the royal palace. We can't allow that."
His voice rose. He was trying to stay calm but his words were betraying him every passing second.
But Asper remained calm a little too calm.
He turned slowly toward Alaric.
In his early twenties, with light brown skin and black hair brushed neatly away from his face, he carried a quiet, striking beauty. Nearly six feet tall, he stood framed by golden sunlight filtering through the window. His posture was carved from years of royal discipline.
At first glance, one might question his royal blood.
Until they saw his eyes.
Crimson red...
The mark of the royal family of Vellore.
It was said that the darker the red, the greater the king.
His late brother the former crown prince had possessed the darkest shade of all. But he was always sick from illness he died young unfortunately. People say that if he were alive he would not be able to become as good a ruler as King Asper.
Alaric stared at Asper, searching his face for doubt. There was none. His face was filled with calmness and certainty.
"You know very well," Asper said softly, "without him, I would never have become king. I would have died long ago."
He exhaled.
"I was never meant to marry for love. At least this way, the kingdom gains a competent queen… and empress and you know damn well."
His voice lowered, almost to a whisper.
"People like me don't deserve love anyway."
Alaric clenched his jaw. "Your Majesty… what we did back then was survival. It was a do-or-die situation."
"I know," Asper murmured, his gaze falling to the floor, guilt flickering briefly in his crimson eyes.
Then it vanished.
"I'm going outside," he ordered calmly. "Do not follow me. Inform the knights as well. I want to be alone."
Garden ..
In the garden, Asper walked slowly along the stone path, his fingers brushing lightly over the petals of blooming flowers.
He stopped before a zinnia flower and stared at it.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
The kind of calm that suggested a storm was being held back by sheer force of will.
"May I present Lady Adelina Han Dravelle, Your Highness?"
A soft voice came from behind.
Adelina bowed gracefully.
Asper turned.
"Lady Adelina," he greeted with a faint smile. "It has been a long time."
"You are enjoying the evening in the garden, Your Majesty?" she asked politely.
"I was admiring this zinnia flower," he replied, brushing his fingers over its petals. " I heard it was planted by the former crown prince."
A brief silence followed and the air between them grew mysterious.
"He loved these flowers, didn't he?" Asper asked, watching her carefully checking every bit of her expression trying to find one opening but he found none.
"Yes," Adelina answered. For a fleeting second, sorrow flickered across her face but it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a composed smile.
"I never understood why he cared for them so deeply," Asper continued softly. "Especially when he was allergic to them."
That made her pause for a few second it was like someone threw a big stone in the calm river.
"He simply loved flowers," she replied smoothly, meeting his crimson gaze. "I hope that answers your question, and I don't want to talk about things in the past your majesty."
Asper studied her and smirked when he saw her devastated expression he finally found a crack in her perfect facade.
" And I hope we can leave the past behind," Adelina continued, her tone gentle yet deliberate. "And welcome a new beginning. After all, Your Majesty… we have a long future ahead of us."
The air between them tightened. A low laugh escaped Asper's lips.
"You haven't changed, my lady," he said, shaking his head lightly. "Still wary of me. I assure you… I do not bite."
"I am not wary of you, Your Highness," Adelina replied. Her voice was composed and calm.
A faint chill lingered beneath her words.
"As you said," Asper continued smoothly, "we should forget the past."
His crimson eyes darkened slightly.
"I hope you truly intend to do so. After all… we will be spending far more time together than you once did with him."
Before she could respond, he lifted her hand and pressed a deliberate kiss against her knuckles. He smiled when he saw her eyes darkened slightly.
"You are right, Your Highness," Adelina answered softly, her head tilting ever so slightly. "I hope the future grants us… time."
"May I present Ivy Svorha, maid to Lady Adelina?"
A new voice interrupted.
Asper looked at the person.
The young woman standing behind Adelina appeared to be in her early twenties. Her long hair tha fell to her waist, and her striking blue eyes contrast sharply against her fair skin. She carried herself with surprising confidence almost noble in bearing.
"Hello, Ivy," Asper said with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Have you come to protect your lady?"
"That is not my intention, Your Highness," Ivy replied carefully. "It is simply proper etiquette."
The air shifted. And everyone can also feel the irritation.
"Etiquette?" Asper repeated.
His expression changed.
"You forget yourself," he said quietly. "Interrupting your king is punishable by death."
The warmth vanished from his face.
Ivy stiffened. She just stands still from fear but not from Asper.
"Forgive her, Your Highness," Adelina stepped in swiftly. "She is still learning royal etiquette."
Silence hung heavily between them.
Asper studied them both.
Then, slowly.....
He smiled again."If my lady speaks on your behalf," Asper chuckled softly, "how could I possibly punish you, Ivy?"
As he spoke, he reached out and deliberately tucked a loose strand of Adelina's hair behind her ear.
The gesture was mocking her and reminding her where she belonged, it was not gentle not hateful, but more like possession.
Adelina's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"I am not feeling well, Your Highness," she said sharply. "I should take my leave."
"Of course you are not feeling well, my lady," Asper repeated, amusement lacing his voice.
"You should absolutely go and rest."
He nodded slowly, as if granting permission to a subject rather than speaking to a future queen.
Adelina bowed with perfect composure and turned away, walking back toward the palace without haste.
Just as she reached the garden archway.
"The short hair suits you, my lady," Asper called after her. He knows what he was saying his world hides more meaning than it seems.
Adelina did not turn back.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she replied.
Her voice was steady.
But there was something beneath it something only Asper could recognise.
Asper exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the endless stretch of sky.
"I wonder what the future holds for us," he murmured.
"My empress.... I hope we get along," he whispered tilting his head a little toward Adelina's palace.