Elara Pov
When we finally returned to the safety of my private chambers, I barely had time to close the door before Miya burst out laughing.
"'See you this evening, my wife?' Oh my god, Elara! I didn't know the Queen was that bold," she teased, throwing herself onto the plush silk cushions of my lounge. "So, tell me everything. What happened during the honeymoon? Did you…?"
"Miya!" I felt my face turn a shade of crimson that rivaled the Queen's robes. I grabbed a soft decorative pillow and hurled it at her. "Stop being so indecent! Nothing happened. We are only married because of the Blood Oath and the alliance. We are both women, for heaven's sake."
Miya caught the pillow with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "That excuse is getting old, Elara. You can say it's just an alliance all you want, but I saw the way you two were looking at each other on that bridge. No words were needed—the tension was thick enough to choke on. I could practically smell the jealousy coming off her in waves."
"Your imagination is far too wild," I grumbled, turning toward the mirror to hide my flustered expression. My fingers instinctively went to my waist, touching the ribbon Eri had just smoothed down. My skin still felt like it was humming from her touch.
"Is it?" Miya sat up, her tone turning a bit more serious but still playful. "Weren't you the one who told me back home that you had a crush on the 'Forest Fairy' you saw that one night? The mysterious guardian in the woods? It just so happens that your 'fairy' is now the Queen of Kazunaga—and your wife. Destiny has a funny way of working."
"Stop!" I covered my face with my hands, my heart racing. "I thought she was a spirit or a forest deity back then! I didn't know she was the most powerful, terrifying woman in the kingdom."
"Whatever, Queen Elara," Miya laughed loudly, enjoying my misery. "But your face doesn't lie. Are you sure you aren't just secretly lusting after her? Because that blush says you're thinking about more than just tax audits and city leaders."
"Miya, I swear, I will be the one to kick you out of this palace myself!" I snapped, though I couldn't help a small smile.
Miya finally quieted down, though her eyes were still full of humor. "Actually, though... you and Haru have a bit of chemistry too, don't you think? He was so close to you earlier."
"Stop it, Miya. Haru is a friend. A dear one, but that's all he will ever be."
The room fell quiet for a moment, the playful banter fading into the back of my mind. I looked out the window as the sun began its slow, golden descent toward the horizon. The light bathed the courtyard in a warm glow, but my thoughts were stuck on those four words.
See you this evening.
"But really, Elara," Miya whispered, breaking the silence. "What do you think she meant by that? Are you two finally... sharing a bed tonight?"
"Miya!"
I was in the middle of choosing a more comfortable robe for a quiet dinner in my room when a sharp, rhythmic knock echoed through the heavy wooden doors.
Miya and I exchanged a look. My breath hitched. When the door slid open, it wasn't a maid. It was Lourice.
"Your Majesty," he said, offering a stiff, disciplined bow. "The Queen is requesting your presence in her private wing."
My heart did a frantic somersault against my ribs. "Now? But... I was just about to have dinner."
Lourice looked up, his expression as unreadable as ever. "The Queen mentioned she would see you this evening, Your Majesty. This is exactly that time. She is waiting for you to dine with her."
"Oh," was all I could manage. My voice sounded small, even to my own ears.
In my mind, I had pictured 'evening' as late at night—the time for sleeping, for whispers in the dark. I didn't expect her to be so punctual. It was barely sunset, the sky painted in bruised purples and deep oranges, and yet the Queen of Kazunaga was already calling for her claim.
I turned slowly to look at Miya. She wasn't helping at all. She stood by the window, biting her lower lip so hard I thought it might bleed, her eyes dancing with an unbearable amount of mischief. She gave me a tiny, frantic wave of her fingers, silently cheering me on.
"Very well," I whispered, smoothing the silk of my yellow Hanbok with trembling hands. "Lead the way, Lourice."
I stepped out into the hallway, leaving Miya behind. As the heavy doors closed, I felt a sudden rush of cold air. Every step toward the Queen's wing felt heavier than the last. I had wanted her presence all day, but now that it was finally happening, the reality of being alone with her—away from the prying eyes of the court—made my breath catch in my throat.
The "Forest Fairy" was waiting. And this time, there was no Blood Oath contract to hide behind.