AVERY

  I stared at the flowers and the basket full of cookies and pastries. I opened the basket and noticed that it was so full that it could feed a lot. I smiled a little, remembering how Typhone delivered these to me.

  "That must have took Jareth a lot of time preparing." Senha noted and I giggled.

  "Yeah. I hope His Majesty gives him a vacation or a reward." I said, taking a cookie and nibbling on it.

  "Shall I make you some tea, Your Majesty?" Meylin asked.

  "Yes. Bring three cups. You and Senha should join me. I cannot finish all of these, anyway." I smiled and Meylin nodded, heading out to grab some tea.

  "To be honest, Your Majesty, I didn't know that His Majesty could do something like this." Senha said as I gave her a cookie which she gladly accepted.

  "Was it that unusual?" I asked, looking at Senha curiously.

  She nodded, nibbling on the cookie, "He usually just gifts jewels and dresses. You know... like with... Lady Emillya."

  I stayed silent, wanting to hear more about the King from Senha. I looked at the cookie and waited for Senha to continue.

  "According to His Majesty, women only accept jewelry and gems and no woman would like flowers and sweets." Senha added and I looked at her, eyebrows knitting together.

  "Why? I... I love sweets and flowers and... even love letters. I'm sure His Majesty was unlucky with women that's why he said that." I said, making Senha laugh.

  "You're right, Your Majesty. His Majesty is very unlucky with women," She smiled at me, "But I think that he is very lucky to have met you. You've... shown us a side of His Majesty that we've never seen before so... thank you, Your Majesty."

  Senha's words made me blush. I smiled back at her before looking back at the flowers. The ones he gave me the other day were still fresh. I tilted my head and thought for a moment.

  "Senha. Would you bring me a bigger vase? I'd like to fix the flowers." I said and she bowed, rushing to head out of my room.

  I don't know whats running on your mind, but... your rough exterior is slowly cracking, Your Majesty.

  **********

  It was an hour before lunch time when Grimore told me that Typhone would not be able to join me because the hunt extended and they would be back later in the afternoon. I had lunch alone so I decided to eat in my room while I read a book.

  After lunch, I asked Grimore to accompany me to the library and he did. I was in awe when we entered the library. It was so much bigger than the one we had in Ynkerthia. I smiled as I ran my fingers on the spines of the books.

  "I'm surprised the library had these many books knowing that your king doesn't read much." I said playfully and this shocked Grimore.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Well... some of them are used to teach the servants, Your Majesty. But... But His Majesty does read. Maybe... once in a blue moon?" Grimore said and I chuckled.

  "Oh? That's going to make the books dusty, then." I said.

  Grimore sighed, "I feel bad for the maids cleaning the library, but I'm sure our books will be more useful now that you're here, Your Majesty."

  "Yes. Yes, they will." I softly said, grabbing one, two, three, six books.

  Grimore offered to carry them for me and I allowed him to. We walked out of the library and he took me to a tea room. It was spacious and it looked like no one was using it. He set the books down on the small table in the middle of the room and I walked deeper inside. The room had a tall window that reached the ceiling and it overlooked the entrance of the castle.

  "This room used to be the former Queen's safe space. I was asked to clean it so that you can use it, Your Majesty." Grimore stated with a smile on his face.

  My eyes widened and I turned to Grimore immediately, "Are you sure I can use this room? It's the former Queen's, after all."

  "His Majesty, himself, told me to bring you here. I'm sure he has a reason for this," Grimore bowed and added, "Well then, I'll tell Meylin to bring you some tea. I will be right back, Your Majesty."

  When Grimore left and shut the door, I walked towards the desk near the window and looked at the picture that sat there. It was a picture of the Fervocour family. Typhone was still young and I smiled when I noticed how happy he was.

  "I thought someone was here. The door was unlocked today."

  I turned my head and saw a woman standing by the door. It was Lady Emillya. I stood tall and smiled at her politely.

  "May I help you, Lady Emillya?" I asked, folding my hands in front of me.

  "I was just strolling around the castle, Your Majesty. I was curious why the Queen's tea room was open so decided to enter." She stated, smiling. It was obviously a fake smile and I decided to keep my composure.

  "Have you not entered this room, my lady?"

  She looked at me as if she was offended and she scoffed, "How dare you ask me that question? Just because you're the Queen doesn't mean you can talk to me like that!"

  I blinked in surprise, "I was not implying anything. I was just merely--"

  "Don't pretend you're kind and innocent, Your Majesty. I know you stroll in your kingdom hunting for men to bring to your bed." She intervened and I was shocked.

  Where did she base that rumor from?

  I opened my mouth to say something, but the door flew open and revealed Grimore. He looked at Lady Emillya coldly and his usual cheerful and innocent demeanor changed. I shivered at his cold gaze even though it was not directed to me.

  "What are you doing here, my lady?" Grimore asked coldly.

  "I was just strolling around. I kind of missed the castle so--"

  She stopped talking when Grimore stepped onto her personal space and glared at her. Her whole body stiffened as she looked up at Grimore.

  "You have no right to enter this room. More importantly, you have no right to speak to Her Majesty like that. If it were the king who heard you, he would've sentenced you to death." Grimore stated menacingly.

  "I-I... I was just--" Lady Emillya tried to reason out, but Grimore did not let her.

  "Get out, Lady Emillya. You are not welcome in this room. Not now. Not ever." He said and Lady Emillya hurried outside.

  Grimore sighed and looked at me apologetically. He approached me and his usual cheerful demeanor was back. However, this time, his face was more worried than cheerful.

  "Are you alright, Your Majesty? She didn't harm you, did she?" Grimore asked and I just smiled at him.

  "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." I reassured him and he sighed deeply.

  "His Majesty is going to kill me if he finds out that a single hair from you is out of place. That bitch had the nerve to enter this room even though it was made clear that she's not allowed here. Stupid whore." He said, mostly to himself, and groaned.

  I didn't know Grimore could curse that much.

  I giggled, "I think His Majesty would be less upset if I was the one who told him what happened earlier."

  "I hope so, Your Majesty. Are you sure you want to be the one to tell him?" He looked at me with innocent eyes and I nodded.

  "Yes. I'm sure. Don't worry about it, alright?" I smiled and sat on the couch.

  I probably leave out the words she said. I'm pretty sure he'll get angry if I do.