AVERY

  I reached the back of the palace where a huge garden was located. It was different. It was filled with more red roses that I have ever seen. A small gazebo sat a few feet away from me. It was white as snow with vines wrapping around the pillars. My eyes then darted to the forest. Behind the numerous trees peeked out an edge of what looked like a castle.

  Is that... another part of the castle? The knights' training grounds perhaps?

  I wanted to walk behind the forest, but it was too cold and I did not wear warmer clothes. I was too curious. Just as I was about to take another step towards the forest, large hands grabbed my waist from behind, pulling me back. I screamed, but it was cut short when one hand covered my mouth.

  Oh no! Am I going to be abducted?

  "Be quiet, princess. Don't shout." It was Typhone.

  I visibly relaxed when I heard his voice. He pulled me to his hard chest and I could not help but feel the rush of heat to my face. I glared up at him, his hand still covering my mouth.

  He chuckled, "Why are you looking at me like that, hm? Have I done something wrong?"

  He removed his hand and I gasped for air. I did not break free from his hold because I wanted to savor the warmth of his body. I was feeling cold.

  "How did you know I was here? Also, why did you come out here wearing nothing but a robe? Are you insane? Do you want to stay in your bed longer?" I reprimanded, trying my hardest to hide my flushed expression.

  "First, calm down, alright? Let's get back inside and drink something warm, yeah?" He kept his hold on my waist, leading me back inside the castle. However, before we could even walk deeper inside the castle, I took a quick glance at the building behind the forest.

  "Princess? Are you alright?" Typhone asked.

  I nodded, turning back to him, "Yeah. I'm... I'm fine."

  I wonder what's in that building.

  **********

  "Your Majesty! You should've worn proper clothes earlier when I was reporting to you!" Grimore exclaimed as he threw a blanket over Typhone's shoulder as he sat on the couch opposite mine.

  We were in the tea room. I also had a blanket over my shoulders because according to Senha, I was looking cold. I sipped on my tea, glancing at Typhone who was sipping on his coffee.

  What a stubborn king he is. The physician told him to rest, but he goes storming in here to demand an explanation from me.

  "Do you still feel cold, Your Majesty? I can add more wood in the fireplace." Senha asked, looking at me with worry.

  "I'm fine now, Senha. I feel warmer now. Thank you," I looked at Typhone, "How about you? Do you want to add more heat to the room?"

  He smirked at me teasingly. My eyes widened and immediately, my cheeks turned red. I glared at him despite my flushed face.

  "I'm good, princess. It's... a lot warmer now." He said in a deep yet sultry voice.

  Goddesses above, hear me. Please stop me from strangling the man before me.

  "Then, we'll be heading out now, Your Majesties." Meylin bid as she, Grimore, and Senha left.

  It was just Typhone and I alone all over again. I sipped on my tea, trying to avoid a conversation. It was futile, though.

  "So... did you want to make the room hotter, princess?" He teased.

  "I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty. The temperature of the room is just right to me." I feigned innocence. I did not want him to think that I was thinking of impure things.

  "Is that so? I thought you'd want to... feel more warmth since it's cold outside." He chuckled, grinning at me.

  I glared at him and once again, silence enveloped us. I sighed softly, relaxing complete. I glanced up at Typhone who had his eyes closed, slouching on the couch.

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  He'll have a hard time sleeping like that.

  I placed my cup down and walked over to Typhone. I fluffed some pillows then tapped Typhone's shoulder.

  "Lay here, Typhone. You'll hurt your neck like that." I softly said, careful not to startle him. However, it was futile. He did not budge at all.

  I patted his shoulder a little harder, "Typhone. Wake up and lay down here. You'll hurt you--"

  I gasped. I felt myself being dragged down on the couch and in the blink of an eye, I was wrapped in Typhone's muscular arms while laying down with him on the couch. My cheeks heated up and I squirmed, trying to free myself.

  "Stay here for a while, princess. Let me sleep like this. Your scent..." He mumbled, nose burying in my hair, "Your scent calms me down."

  "Someone might come in here and see us like this." I whispered, internally panicking.

  "Let them. You're my wife. Who cares?" He huffed.

  "What? What do you mean?" I glanced up and saw him sleeping, "Typhone? Typhone?"

  He's fast asleep already?!

  I sighed softly and just let myself be embraced. I laid there, feeling the slow rise of his chest, a telltale sign that he was fast asleep. I relaxed, slowly feeling sleep wash over me.

  A little nap won't hurt, right?

  **********

  "Shh. You'll wake them up."

  "You whisper too loud, Senha!"

  "Not me! You!"

  "Calm down, you two. You don't want to wake them up, do you?"

  "Anyway, let's just get out of here before they wake up."

  "Why are all of you here?" A hoarse, deep voice echoed through the room.

  I was half-asleep and I heard everything they said. I slowly opened my eyes. When I looked up, I saw a glaring Typhone.

  "Your Majesty! We just wanted to check if... you needed anything else and... well... we..." Grimore started rambling.

  "We just wanted to see if Her Majesty wanted to stroll the gardens and all." Senha chimed, trying to defend Grimore.

  "Couldn't you have lowered your damned voices?" Typhone growled.

  I could imagine the servants flinching. To ease his anger, I snuggled closer to his chest which caught his attention. I felt his arm wrapping tighter around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

  "Get out. All of you." Typhone hissed. I heard rushed footsteps and the door closing.

  "Are you awake, princess?"

  I slowly looked up at him, eyes half-lidded from the sleep, "Yeah. I did not notice I fell asleep."

  "You look like you had a good one." He chuckled, thumb caressing the apple of my cheek.

  "You were so warm and the couch was so comfortable. I couldn't help it." I huffed.

  "Me neither." He mumbled, leaning down. His nose touched mine and my eyes slowly widened. I was frozen on my spot as we stayed in that position.

  Wait. No. Don't. This is not happening... is it?

  Just as I thought Typhone would kiss me, there was a knock on the door. Panicked, I sat up, pushing him away and getting up. My vision spun but I stood my ground. I patted my dress, removing the wrinkled parts.

  "Your Majesty? The physician is here to check on you now." Sir Leonis entered.

  Luckily, my back was facing him so he did not see my flushed expression. I heard a rustle behind me. Typhone must have sat up.

  "I'll be in my room." he paused. I felt his presence behind me all of a sudden. He leaned in, lips brushing against the shell of my ear.

  "I'll see you at dinner, princess." He whispered huskily.

  I just nodded in response. I felt a shiver ran down my spine as I felt his warm breath against my heated skin.

  Can he stop making me feel so flustered all the time?