For a few seconds, the entire court was stunned.
Aaron was the first to recover.
King Aaron: 🥰 First, we'll go to Mother's—
He suddenly froze.
King Aaron: 😱 ...Oh no.
Minister 1: What happened, Your Majesty? 🤔
King Aaron: I need to meet Elda. Right now! 😓
He turned toward Ashley.
King Aaron: Send her to the guest room. Alpha, can you wait there? Don't worry. I'll protect you! 😅
Ashley: Ahh… okay, Omega. 🙂
Aaron smiled before watching her leave.
King Aaron: ...I'm doomed. 😐
---
GUEST ROOM
Ashley sat comfortably on the bed while a stranger watched her.
Ashley: He fooled so easily. 😒
Stranger: That's how Omegas are. They get so attached to their mates that they forget the real world. 😐
Ashley: This world is full of hatred and cunningness. 😏
Stranger: Speaking of cunningness…
Ashley: What? 🙃
---
PALACE COURTYARD
Soldier: Your Majesty, the Queen is here. ☺️
Aaron took a deep breath.
He needed to speak to Elda before anyone else.
Under Royal Omega law, Aaron couldn't produce an heir through his mate. That was why he had married Elda, the Defence Chief's daughter. Although their marriage was politically necessary, they had been childhood friends long before becoming husband and wife.
Soon, Elda entered the courtyard, looking elegant and composed.
Queen Elda: Am I late, Your Majesty? 😐
King Aaron: How could someone who protects the entire country from the shadows ever be late, my lady? 🥰
Queen Elda: ...
King Aaron: What?
Queen Elda: Nothing.
---
GUEST ROOM
Stranger: You know King Aaron's wife, right?
Ashley: Yep. 🤨
Stranger: Stay away from her. She's strong, intelligent, and—
Ashley: Don't give me some dramatic introduction! 😒 She's a good-for-nothing Queen. She didn't even come to see her husband's mate!
The stranger stared at her in disbelief.
Stranger: Girl… you have absolutely no idea who she is. 😱
Ashley: How dangerous can she be?
Stranger: Very.
Stranger: She's called the Shadow Queen, Defence Princess, War-Ground Strategist, Daughter of the Demon, and Devil Queen.
Ashley: 😱 OMG! How many names does one person need?!
Stranger: Every single one has a reason.
Ashley: What's her weakness? 😤
Stranger: The King. 😏
Ashley: ...Oh?
---
PALACE COURTYARD
King Aaron: I know you've heard the message! 🥰 At least give me a reaction! We're childhood friends! How can you be this calm?!
Queen Elda: Sorry, King. I can't. 😑
Aaron puffed his cheeks.
King Aaron: You're bad! 😜
Queen Elda: What do you want?
King Aaron: Actually, I wanted to—
Suddenly, his foot slipped!
King Aaron: Ah—!
Queen Elda: Your Majesty?!
Elda tried to catch him, but both tumbled straight into the fountain.
SPLASH!
The servants and guards stared in horror.
Aaron resurfaced, coughing, and Elda grabbed his hand to pull him up.
Unfortunately, his hand landed on her chest.
Both froze.
King Aaron: 😶
Queen Elda: 😶
Aaron immediately pulled his hand away.
King Aaron: S-Sorry! 😓
After the servants helped them out, Elda calmly adjusted her clothes.
Queen Elda: Are you injured?
King Aaron: No. You're not angry?
Queen Elda: You fell. I caught you. Your hand landed there accidentally. There's nothing to discuss.
Aaron blinked.
King Aaron: You're terrifyingly reasonable.
Queen Elda: Thank you.
King Aaron: That wasn't a compliment!
Queen Elda: I know.
---
GUEST ROOM
Ashley turned toward the stranger with a mischievous smile.
Ashley: Isn't this enough? We can use him. 😏
Stranger: Don't you dare try to use the King!
Ashley: Why not?
Stranger: Because if the Queen finds out, your death won't be quick. It'll be brutal.
Ashley went silent.
Ashley: I think I'm the best. 😏
Stranger: You can kill five people at once.
Ashley: Exactly!
Stranger: She can kill a hundred. At the same time.
Ashley: 😶
Stranger: So, beware of King Aaron's wife. She's not just clever. She's cunning! 👿
Ashley folded her arms.
Ashley: I suddenly respect the Queen. 😐
Stranger: Good.
Ashley: But I'm still hungry.
Stranger: ...
Stranger: Of course you are.
To be continued...