TYPHONE

  During breakfast, Avery was quiet and when I glanced at her, she was sulking. I could tell that she was disappointed from our earlier interaction. I cleared my throat.

  "What are you planning today, princess?" I asked, slightly hesitant.

  "Nothing. I'm just going to read in the library." Her tone was cold and she did not even look at me.

  "I'll be going out today. I just wanted to let you know." I said softly.

  "Ok. Sure." She simply said.

  I did not say anything else, but I could hear Grimore stifling his laughter from behind me. My left eye twitched in annoyance and looked behind me. I glared at him and Grimore immediately stood straight, returning to his stoic expression.

  "What are you upset about, princess?" I asked, reaching out and placing a hand on top of hers.

  She looked at my hand and then at me. Her gaze was cold and her eyes are narrowed at me.

  "Nothing. Also, I'm not upset." She dismissively said.

  No. Of course not. You're not upset. You're mad at me.

  I just sighed and pulled my hand away. We continued our breakfast in silence and I could not help but take small glances at my wife. Even when she was mad at me, she looked so beautiful.

  **********

  I was in our greenhouse glaring at the variety of roses laid in front of me. My eyes scanned them once more and I growled, slamming my hands on the table. The people around me flinched and I looked at Leonis who was the only one unfazed by my brash action.

  "What goes with pink? Other than red." I hissed and Leonis smirked at me, teasing.

  "Blue, Your Majesty." He stated, still smirking.

  "You're crazy. Blue? This shade of blue?!" I shoved a dark blue rose in front of Leonis and he just chuckled.

  "Then... white, Your Majesty. It goes really well with the light pink color." He picked up the white rose and placed it beside the pink rose.

  I hummed in thought, calming down a little and nodded, "Yes. That should do it. Arrange a bouquet for me. 12 white roses and 12 pink roses. I need it fast."

  I commanded my people and they rushed to do my request. I turned on my heel with Leonis behind me. I stomped my way to the kitchen and Leonis was chuckling behind me.

  "What's so funny, Leonis?" I asked, pissed.

  "Oh. It's nothing, Your Majesty. I'm just surprised that you're doing all this effort to ease Her Majesty's anger." He said, still chuckling.

  "What's it to you? Wouldn't you do the same thing?" I hissed.

  "Ah. The thing is, Your Majesty, my wife never gets mad at me. I keep my wife happy and satisfied." He made sure to emphasize his last words and that annoyed me even more.

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  I know I couldn't satisfy her yet. Not yet.

  When we reached the kitchen, I heard Jareth screaming loudly. I paused by the doorway and took a peek inside first.

  Jareth was by the oven, screaming at a servant. He pointed at the black lump that sat on the table.

  "What is this?! It's not even edible! Why did it turn out like this?!" Jareth screamed, arms flailing around.

  "But... But... sir, you were the one who said to leave it in the oven for a few more minutes." The servant reasoned, fiddling with her fingers.

  Jareth was silent for a minute and every staff stared at him.

  "You're right. It's my fault. Why did I do that?!" He screamed again.

  "Don't you worry, sir. We made extra and the cookies are ready." One servant said and Jareth immediately calmed down. He looked at the pastries and delicacies and he nodded in satisfaction.

  "Good. Good. Very good, children! Let's wrap it up before His Majesty arrives." He ordered and I smiled.

  I cleared my throat and Jareth turned his head to Leonis and I. He gasped audibly and approached us.

  "Your Majesty, Sir Leonis. We're just wrapping up your gift and they're all ready." He said, smiling brightly.

  "Alright. Do me a favor and include these as well." I reached inside the pocket of my coat and gave him a package. Jareth opened it and his eyes widened.

  "Yes, Your Majesty." Jareth happily said and trotted to where his staff was wrapping the basket.

  "When did you manage to buy something that expensive when I was with you the whole time, Your Majesty?" Leonis asked and I turned to look at him.

  "I had Grimore buy it for me earlier today." I said, smirking and Leonis' eyes widened.

  After a couple of minutes, Jareth handed me a perfectly prepared basket with a cute pink ribbon tied on the handle.

  "I'm sure Her Majesty will love it." Jareth commented and I nodded.

  I thanked Jareth and my servants before walking back to the greenhouse. I walked inside and saw a huge bouquet sitting at the table. I looked at the gardener and he proudly puffed his chest.

  "We made 15 of each, Your Majesty. 12 of each was a little small." He said and I nodded, satisfied.

  "Good. This is beautiful. I shall head to deliver these to my wife now." I said, grabbing the bouquet.

  "Wait, Your Majesty. What about our hunting duty?" Leonis asked, stopping me.

  I looked at him and scowled, "That can wait for a while. I need to give these to my wife. Now."

  **********

  Standing outside her door made me nervous. She wasn't in the library and I was lucky enough to bump into her knight, Sir Richtan. He told me where she was and I immediately went there with Leonis tagging along behind me.

  I swallowed thickly and knocked on her door. It opened after a while and Meylin greeted me. Her eyes widened and she bowed to me before giving me way to enter.

  Avery was sitting on the couch, sipping on her tea while looking out of her window. Senha's eyes widened when she noticed me. She bowed and gave Avery and I some privacy. I cleared my throat to grab her attention and it did.

  Avery looked up at me and her eyes widened. She set down her tea and got up.

  "Your Majesty. What is--" I cut her off, getting down on one knee.

  Fuck. The things I do for this woman. I don't even know what came over me.

  "Here. Please accept my gifts to you. I am terribly sorry if I made you upset earlier." I handed her the bouquet and the basket and my palms were sweating.

  She gently grabbed the gifts and placed them on the table. She grabbed my hands and giggled.

  "What were you doing kneeling like that? A king shouldn't kneel." She chuckled and I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.

  "Not me, though. I bow to my wife and I will kneel to kiss her feet if need be." I said proudly.

  Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned red. I grinned at her and cupped her cheeks.

  "Will you forgive me, my dear wife?" I asked, voice hushed and soft.

  She hesitated for a minute. Her eyebrows knitted together slightly and her nose scrunched. I chuckled.

  "What's it going to be, princess? Forgive me?"

  She sighed softly, "Fine. Alright. I forgive you."

  I sighed in relief and leaned down to press a soft kiss on her reddened nose. I pulled away from her, tucking a stray strand of her behind her ear.

  "I'll be back later, princess. For the meantime, you may do anything you want. If you need anything, call for Grimore, alright?" I said and she just nodded.

  "Good girl." I kissed the top of her head before leaving.

  Fuck. I wanted to kiss her lips, but I can't. I might fucking lose my mind if I did.